Obituaries

Mary Helen Sims, 81, of Ashland was called home by her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 21, 2016. Visitation was 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 25, at Memorial Funeral Home. Graveside service were Tuesday, July 26, at Valhalla Memorial Gardens, Belleville, Ill. Mary Helen was born and raised in the state of Louisiana.

Marjorie Calvin Bennefield passed away on June 20, 2016 at home in her sleep. Marjorie was born July 11, 1928, the daughter of Clellie and Maggie Calvin, who lived in rural Hartsburg. She grew up in the Ashland/Columbia area, went to Hickman High School, and was a graduate of Christian College. She married Billy Stewart

Charles William Bland, age 90, formerly of Toledo and Cisne, Illinois, passed away July 3, 2016, in Ashland, Missouri. Charles was born March 28, 1926, in rural Cumberland County, Illinois, son of Dolph and Letha Neeley Bland. He married Betty Seeley on June 2, 1949, in Toledo, IL. He served in the US Marine Corp

Martha Lou Nichols, 81, passed away July 1, 2016 at Ashland Healthcare, she was born June 22, 1935 in Merriam, Kansas, the daughter of John and Zelma Case Buckner. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1953. On February 6, 1954, she married Kenneth Reed Nichols. Martha Lou was a homemaker her entire life. She

Kenneth E Davidson, 84 of Ashland, died July 1st at Ashland Healthcare Center. He was born on October 31, 1931 in Cairo, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen. Kenneth was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Kenneth is survived by his two sons, Randy R. of North Las Vegas,

Bobbie Gilmore of Ashland, passed away June 30, 2016 at his home, he was 85 years old. Bobbie was born August 6, 1930 in Boone County, Missouri the son of Ray and Bessie Gilmore SR. He was a farmer all of his life. Private services will be held at a later date. Survivors include, his

Christopher Brook O’Connor of Columbia, passed away June 8, 2016 at the University of Missouri Hospital, he was 39 years old. Chris was born September 17, 1976 in Rolla, Missouri, the son of Randy Lee O’Connor and Karen Lynn Watts. He worked for the Laborers Union Local #955 in Columbia. He was a member of

Jason (JJ) Joseph Mahan, age 36, of Ashland, passed away June 28, 2016 at his home. Jason was born August 17, 1979 in Columbia, the son of Larry and Ronda Sapp Mahan. Jason loved music, fishing and the Cardinals. He worked as a DJ doing Karaoke and had worked for Von Hoffman in Jefferson City.

Mary V. “Jenney” Niles, 70, of Hartsburg passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 27, at Nilson Funeral Home. Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 28 at the funeral home. Mary V. Niles was born April 19, 1946 in Harrisburg, the

Ira “Leon” Calvin, 89, passed away in his sleep Sunday, June 19, 2016. Leon was born September 8, 1926 in Boone County to the late Ira and Clara Belle Calvin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Lola. Leon served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946.