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Obituaries

Emma Lou Watson, 97, of De Soto died July 16, 2026, at her home. Mrs. Watson was a homemaker. Born March 31, 1929, in Providence, Ky., she was the daughter of the late James W. and Emma F. (Dodge) Hooker.

Barbara Louise Chapman, 86, of Festus died July 8, 2026, at Scenic Wellness and Rehabilitation in Herculaneum. Mrs. Chapman was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church of Festus. She loved spending time with her family, especially…

Stacey C. Kraus, 64, of Arnold died July 11, 2026. Mr. Kraus was a member of the United Church of Christ. Born May 5, 1962, in El Paso, Texas, he was the son of the late Barbara (Clay) Kraus and Richard H. Kraus.

John L. Morie, 93, of Arnold died July 11, 2026. Mr. Morie served during the Korean War as a corporal in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, he built a career at Granite City Steel, where he worked diligently until his retirement, …

Robert Lewis Govreau, 81, of Festus died July 15, 2026, at his home. Mr. Govreau was the owner and operator of Twin Gables Grocery Store and Mobile Home Court for more than 40 years. He served the R-7 community and was well-known for his sand…

Larry “Mike” Mouser, 73, of Hillsboro died July 12, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Mr. Mouser was a member of IBEW Local 1 and worked as an electrician for Metropolitan Electric. He was a member of Good News Community Chur…

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Jonas A. Allen, 64, of Dittmer died July 14, 2026, in Fenton. Mr. Allen dedicated his life to serving others as a police officer and detective. He enjoyed helping young people and took pride in being someone they could look up to and depend o…

Jess Avery Yount, 94, of Arnold died July 10, 2026. Mr. Yount was a Korean War veteran and the Missouri State Horseshoe Champion. Born March 7, 1932, in Harrisburg, Ark., he was the son of the late Jess O. and Avis (Evans) Yount.

Doris G. Brooks, 83, of De Soto died July 13, 2026, at Stone Bridge Nursing Center in De Soto. Ms. Brooks was a member of Plattin Methodist Church and the Jobes Daughters. She worked as a waitress at Callahan Southern Kitchen. Born Aug. 10, 1…

Kelly Diane “Sunshine” Johnston, 41, of St. Louis died July 7, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Ms. Johnston graduated in 2003 from Hillsboro High School, where she played soccer and volleyball and participated in cheerleadi…

Christianne (Heneisen) Hammer, 54, of Eureka died July 6, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital after a long illness. Ms. Hammer was a graduate of Eureka High School and held a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College, where she was a member…

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To arrange for the publication of a paid obituary in the Leader, visit www.myleaderpaper.com/site/forms/announcements/obit, call the office at 636-931-7560 or email news@myleaderpaper.com. The charge is $95 to run an obituary in any one of the three weekly papers or the bi-weekly Eureka paper. Cost to add an additional paper the same week is $35 for each. All obituaries are subject to editing for length and to conform to the newspaper’s standard obituary format.

June Laura (Koester) Usher, 90, of Viburnum died July 10, 2026, at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Mrs. Usher lived in Festus most of her life and was employed at several different jobs until securing a secretarial job at McDonnell Douglas and ret…

Susan Jane Price, 79, of Festus died July 9, 2026, at her home. Mrs. Price attended Impact Church in Festus and was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Born Oct. 26, 1946, in Davis Island, Hillsborough County, Fla., she was the …

Cora Ellen (St. Clair) Burks, 79, of Festus died July 6, 2026. She was a member of Second Baptist Church in Festus. Born Nov. 18, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Eva and Edgar St. Clair. 

William Homer "Bill" Jamison Sr., 84, of Festus died July 8, 2026, after a two-year battle with pancreatic and lung cancer. Mr. Jamison, known to many as “Cowboy Bill,” grew up between St. Louis and Waterloo, Ill., and graduated from Poplar B…

Brianna Nicole L’Hote, 26, of St. Louis died July 8, 2026. Ms. L’Hote graduated from Oakville Senior High School. She enjoyed playing soccer, basketball, softball and volleyball for Queen of All Saints. She also was in competitive cheerleadin…

John Walter “Jack” “Rabbit” Barton, 85, of Houma, La., died July 5, 2026. Mr. Barton graduated from Crystal City High School and was recruited to play basketball at Nicholls State University on an athletic scholarship. From 1961 to 1965, he p…

Karen Lynette Reeves, 81, of St. Louis died July 5, 2026. Mrs. Reeves worked in retail for 50 years at Arlans, Venture and Kohl’s. She was affectionately referred to as “Mom” by many. Born Jan. 6, 1945, in Hayti, she was the daughter of the l…

Betty Lee Harrison, 90, of De Soto died July 9, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Harrison was a retired cook for the Northwest School District. After retirement, she dedicated herself to her family and Church. She was a…

Michael D. “Mickey” Garrett, 69, of Cedar Hill died July 1, 2026. Mr. Garrett worked as a machine mechanic for Tension Envelope in St. Louis for 12 years, later working for GE St. Louis Lamp for 15 years until it closed. He loved working on m…

Melissa Ann Chasteen, 55, of Arnold died July 3, 2026. Mrs. Chasteen enjoyed watching the Cardinals and NASCAR. She loved being a mother and devoting her life to her daughters with band, choir and sports. Born Feb. 18, 1971, in Troy, Ill., sh…

Dale E. Sherbutte, 82, of Hillsboro died July 4, 2026, at his home. At a young age, Mr. Sherbutte ran away from home and joined the circus. When he was 18, he joined the U.S. Army and was sent to Korea. While stationed overseas, he was notifi…