Travis Funeral Chapel

06/03/2026

Keith L. Bailey, age 86, of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, at his home.

Born June 17, 1939, in Morningsun, Iowa, the son of Farris and Lottie (Belzer) Bailey. On October 19, 1958, in La Plata, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Karen Crosby who survives.

Also surviving are two children, Kelly (Robert) Hill and Kenner Bailey; three grandchildren, Shelby (Jared) Lung, Jared and Zachary Hill; two great grandchildren, Isaiah and Emmy Lung; one brother, Karol Bailey; and one brother-in-law, Randy (Shirley) Crosby.

His parents and one brother, Gary Lee Bailey preceded him in death.

Keith graduated from La Plata High School in 1957, where he participated in football and basketball. Immediately after high school, he was employed with the railway mail service. Later, he worked for and retired from United Parcel Service, where he was in the Safe Drivers Hall of Fame. Keith loved hunting, fishing, and spending time on his beloved family farm. Being an excellent golfer, he qualified for the Missouri Amateur Golf Tournament. He also won the Pepsi Tournament in Brookfield four times, with various partners

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral services starting at 10:00 a.m.

Memorials in memory of Keith may be made to the La Plata Christian Church. They may be left at or sent to Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, Missouri 63549.

05/21/2026

William “Bill” Albert Simpson, age 84, of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the La Plata Nursing Home in La Plata, Missouri.

Born August 4, 1941, in Robinson, Illinois, the middle child of the Reverend Keith and Josephine (Eickmann) Simpson. On March 14, 1981, in Camden, Arkansas, he was united in marriage to Linda Hudgens who preceded him in death on August 6, 2025.

Also preceding him in death were his parents and two children, Gwen Fricke and Lee Simpson.

Surviving is one daughter, Monica (Gary) Cripe; four grandchildren, Jennifer Lamb, Barbara Adamson, Victoria Simpson, and Ben Fricke; three great grandchildren, Rose Forsythe, Jensen Rightmeier, and Dylan Lamb; one sister, Elsie Steele; and one brother, John Simpson.

Bill was a 1959 graduate of Monmouth High School in Monmouth, Illinois. He honorable served in the United States 7th Army from October 1959 to September 1962. He was mostly stationed in Germany as a photo reconnaissance film developer and image interpreter during the cold war.

Bill later attended Western Illinois University earning a B.S. Degree. He always worked in education, teaching at the university level. Much of his career was spent at Southern Arkansas University Fire Training Academy in Camden, Arkansas teaching firefighting, fire investigation, and first responder courses.

Private graveside services will be in the La Plata Cemetery, La Plata, Missouri at a later date.

Memorials in memory of Bill may be made to the La Plata Cemetery. They may be

05/06/2026

Calvin Lee Allen, age 66, of Elmer, Missouri, passed away Monday, May 4, 2026, at his home.

Born November 26, 1959, in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Walter and Crystal (Hoffman) Allen. In August of 1993, he was united in marriage to Susan Buster who survives.

Also surviving is one daughter, Lana (Ben) Allen-Parker of Macon, Missouri; one sister, Lori Gill of Bevier, Missouri; one brother, Larry Allen of Elmer, Missouri; one granddaughter, Maeve Allen-Parker; one aunt, Ione Baker of Elmer, Missouri; two nieces, Kaylie Teter and Eden Reade; and three nephews, Kolton Gill, Dylan Gill, and Gus Allen.

His parents preceded him in death.

Calvin lived all his life in Elmer, Missouri. He was a 1977 graduate of Atlanta High School. He was employed at Macon County Road and Bridge for 27 years. Calvin enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, arrowhead hunting, drawing, spending time with his friend, Ed Peavler, and most of all, spending time with his family.

Visitation will be Friday, May 8, 2026, with the family receiving friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri.

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 8, 2026, in the Elmer Cemetery in Elmer, Missouri.

Memorials in memory of Calvin may be made to the Elmer Cemetery. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, Missouri 63549.

04/21/2026

Bobby Edwin Gochnauer, age 68, of Bevier, Missouri, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2026, at his home, with family and friends at his side.

Born January 5, 1958, in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Mike and Yvonne (Anderson) Gochnauer. On May 20, 1995, in Macon, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Sheila (Colley) Coleman who survives.

Also surviving is one daughter, Barbie (Jule) Ballard of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri; one sister, Marilyn (Jake) Blickham of Kirksville, Missouri; four grandchildren, Brandon, Brooke, Cody, and Jessica; seven great grandchildren; one uncle, Pat Gochnauer of Mohave, California; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His parents and infant brother and sister, Harvey James and Peggy Denise preceded him in death.

Bobby lived most of his life in Macon County. He received his education at La Plata High School. He was employed for 23 years at Toastmaster Inc. and later with BP Convenience Store in Macon, Missouri. Bobby was a member of the Gospel Center Church in Macon.

He enjoyed fishing, boat rides, motorcycles, watching “Doctor Who” and loved taking his grandchildren rides on the golf cart.

Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and funeral starting at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri. Burial will be in the La Plata Cemetery.

Memorials in memory of Bobby may be made to his family. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.

04/21/2026

Cary Greg Bogeart, age 76, of Grandview, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Village at Carrol Park in Grandview, Missouri.

Born March 7, 1950, in Port Townsend, Washington, the son of Edward and Bette (Gash) Bogeart.

Surviving is his former spouse, Tami Bogeart of Streater, Illinois; one son, Colyn Bogeart of Streator, Illinois; two daughters, Romi Bogeart of Streator, Illinois and Jennifer Bogeart; two brothers, Lynn Bogeart of Independence, Missouri and Ron (Rita) Bogeart of La Plata, Missouri; one sister, Diana (Terry) Reynolds of Kirksville, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Linda Bogeart of Streator, Illinois; and two grandchildren, Isabella Coss and Alexis Bogeart.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Doug Bogeart.

Greg received his education at La Plata High School in La Plata, Missouri. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971. He later was employed as a welder constructing water towers.

Greg enjoyed his cars, riding his motorcycle, and loved playing with his children and grandchildren. He was a believer in Christ.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Hagi-Schultz Funeral Home in Streator, Illinois. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Streator, Illinois.

04/09/2026

New Obituaries from Travis Funeral Chapel for April 9, 2026 -

Jorgen Enok Skjeveland, age 80, of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026, at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

04/09/2026

Our husband, father, brother and friend, Larry Herron, 87, passed away November 7th, 2025.

Survived by Jan, his wife of 62 years, daughters Mary Herron and Kristi Rubin, son-in-law Mickey Rubin, granddaughters Sydney and Jordyn Rubin, sister and brother -in-law Janel and Sonny Hawkins and nieces Sally Loflin (Joel), Polly Freeman (Marty) and families.

Preceded in death by parents Gene and LaVon Herron, special Aunts Cleta Miller, Neva Miller, Opal Rose and niece Molly Hawkins.

Larry graduated from LaPlata, Missouri High School in 1956. He loved sports and played football, basketball, baseball and golf. He received his bachelor's degree from N.E. Missouri State in 1960 and his masters degree from Truman State University in 1963.

Larry and Jan were married in Hampton, Iowa, August 24, 1963. They left for Fontana, California where Larry expected to be coaching baseball but ended up teaching six periods of Jr. High World History! From California they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where Larry received his PhD from the University of Utah on June 6th, 1969. He then became CEO of the Stateline Hotel and Casino in Wendover, Nevada for many years.

After retiring from the Casino, Larry and Jan moved back to LaPlata where he loved golfing the LaPlata course. He decided to run for mayor and was elected April 4th, 2006. He retired after two years but was re-elected by popular vote anyway! He said "Thanks" but "No thanks!"

He will be greatly missed by family and friends, but will be reunited with his parents, many relatives, his golf buddies, Ladd, Beaky and Wilson, pen-pal Tom Keith, long time friend Al Srnka, camping friends John and Helen Beck and dogs Sam and Riley.

A special thanks to the staff at Clarendale for their efforts and kindness in taking care of Larry.

Peace be with you, Larry.

A graveside gathering for friends and family will be held at 11am, Sunday, April 19th, 2026 at the LaPlata Cemetery.

04/09/2026

Jorgen Enok Skjeveland, age 80, of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026, at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Born May 21, 1945, in Sandnes, Norway, the son of Rasmus and Karen (Bo) Skjeveland. On July 12, 1967, in La Plata, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Tharen Gunnels who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Jeff (Beth) Skjeveland of Macon, Missouri and Eric Skjeveland of La Plata, Missouri; one daughter, Elissa (David) Anderson of La Plata, Missouri; and three grandchildren, Aidan and Anders Skjeveland and Bethanie Tippett.

His parents and one sister, Norunn preceded him in death.

Jorgen served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969. He received a Master’s in Fishery Biology at Truman State University. He was employed with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services as a Fish Biologist until his retirement.

Jorgen enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, collecting stamps, watching movies, and going to the coffee shop.

Graveside services with full military honors will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with the family receiving friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri.

Memorials in memory of Jorgen may be made to the Randy Johnson Memorial Foundation. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, Missouri 63549.

04/04/2026

New Obituaries from Travis Funeral Chapel for April 4, 2026 -

Carmen Erlinda Fast, age 78, of Columbia, Missouri and formerly of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

04/04/2026

Carmen Erlinda Fast, age 78, of Columbia, Missouri and formerly of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Born May 4, 1947, in San Bernardino, California, the daughter of Raymond and Lupe (Cruz) Molina. On December 13, 1975, in San Bernardino, California, she was united in marriage to Larry Fast who preceded her in death on June 1, 1996.

Also preceding her in death were her parents.

Surviving are three sisters, Eleanore Thomas of Beaumont, California, Shirley LaMay of Fort Worth, Texas, and Debra (Don) Ward of Brea, California; one brother, Raymond Molina of Redlands, California; and several nieces and nephews.

Carmen graduated summa cm laude in the first graduating class of Cal State San Bernardino in 1967, She was tenacious in her life’s endeavors. Carmen was known for her generosity to family and friends.

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 6, 2026, in the La Plata Cemetery in La Plata, Missouri under the direction of Travis Funeral Chapel, La Plata, Missouri.