Local obituaries for Catawba County, NC.
Obituaries act as quiet reminders of the finite nature of our lives. Yet, for those who have recently experienced the death of a family member or friend, an obituary means so much more. It is a bittersweet reminder of all we've lost, but it can also help us to remember all we enjoyed while they were alive. If you have recently lost someone you love, we hope that you will accept our condolences.
Gary Dean "Catfish" Deaton
Jan 13, 2026
Gary Dean Deaton, 77, of Hickory, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at his residence. Born September 7, 1948, he was the son of the late George Propst and Nora Deaton.
Gary had a deep love for his country and proudly served in the United States Army as a Vietnam veteran with the 4th Infantry Division. He enjoyed drag racing and...
Helen Lail Smith
Jan 12, 2026
Helen Lail Smith, 77, of Valdese, passed away Monday, January 12, 2026, at UNC Health Blue Ridge. Born July 23, 1948, she was the daughter of the late James Leonard Lail and Mary Frazier Lail.
She is survived by her sisters, Libby Helms and husband Bobby of Lincolnton, and Genny Lail of Mountain View; her brothers, Bill Lail of Vale, Richard...
Margaret Bowman Warren
Jan 10, 2026
Margaret Bowman Warren, age 93, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of more than 65 years, Joseph Warren.
Born in Hickory, North Carolina, Margaret lived a life marked by warmth, kindness, and a generous spirit. She truly never met a stranger and was known for her welcoming heart and deep love...
James Ray Howard
Jan 10, 2026
James Ray Howard, 92, of Newton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Carolina Caring. He was born September 30, 1933, in Greenville, South Carolina, to the late Andrew and Birdie Mae Howard.
James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose life was guided by faith and love for his family. He honorably served his country in...
Darcyne Kay Wendling
Jan 8, 2026
Darcyne Kay Wendling, 56, of Hickory passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born, June 27th, 1969 she was the daughter of the late James Alfred Wendling and Sylvia Cartrette.
She is survived by her son Steven Wendling (Skyla); and her sister Tammi Wendling Brown (Ronald).
There are no services planned at this time.
Please sign the online guestbook...
Kurt Duzan
Jan 6, 2026
Kurt Duzan passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the age of 69.
Born in Le Sueur, Minnesota, Kurt spent much of his life in Chicago, Illinois; Morganton, North Carolina; and Bolivia, South America. If you knew Kurt, you undoubtedly knew his love for the mountains, the Grateful Dead, Carolina sports, his daughters, and dogs—any dog....
Gertrude McClanahan
Jan 6, 2026
Gertrude Evelyn McClanahan, 92, of Vale died Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at her residence. Born July 22nd, 1933 she was the daughter of the late Russell and Jessie Holbrook.
Her husband, Arvil McClanahan; her brother, Robert Holbrook; her sisters, Mabel Holbrook and Trudy Caudill; her grandsons, Larry Cox (Stacy), Arvil Scott McClanahan and Joshua Hoke Dohl; her granddaughter, Kayla Gray; her...
Emily J. Swartz
Jan 5, 2026
It is with a heavy heart we announce Emily J. Swartz, 92, of Newton, NC passed away at the Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, NC on Monday, January 5, 2026. Born in Portville, New York, on April 23, 1933, she was the daughter of the late William and Hilda Scott.
She was a phone operator for Bell Telephone in Olean, NY,...
Robert Emmett Eckard
Jan 4, 2026
Robert Emmett Eckard, 84, of Hickory, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026, at his residence.
Born June 11, 1941, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Emmett Eckard and Katie Eckard. A lifelong resident of Catawba County, Robert designed and built the family home where he spent much of his life.
Robert devoted his entire professional career to Lenoir-Rhyne...
John Walter Wilkinson
Jan 3, 2026
John Walter Wilkinson, 70, of Maiden died Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury. Born June 6th, 1955, he was the son of the late John Gilber and Anna Casey.
His daughter, Chastity Hicks; two sons, John Wilkinson II (David) and Chad Wilkinson (Stefanie); his sister, Rita McCall (Clint) and six grandchildren, Rachel Wilson, Kodi Wilkinson, Bryson...
Bill Clint Tester
Jan 2, 2026
Bill Clint Tester, 72, of Newton passed away Friday, January 2, 2026 at Carolina Caring. Born, November 28th, 1953 he was the son of Clint and Edith Tester.
He was employed by Martin Marietta Rock Quarry for nearly 15 years and previously worked with Regency Home Fashions for over 20 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling, cooking, camping, collecting, and...
Robert "Leon" Baker
Dec 30, 2025
Robert “Leon” Baker, 85, of Conover, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 30th, 2025 at Catawba Valley Medical Center after a long battle with leukemia and chronic illness.
Born September 7th, 1940, he was the son of the late Leonard Eugene Baker and Ruby Hefner Baker of Conover.
From growing up on his family’s farm to many years working in...
Tamela Elizabeth Parker
Dec 30, 2025
Tamela Elizabeth Parker, 64, of Claremont died Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Carolina Caring Hospice House in Sherrill's Ford. Born July 22nd, 1961 she was the daughter of Robert and Bessie Testerman.
Her brothers, Steven Testerman and Calvin Testerman (Rebca); eleven neices and nephews; fifteen great neices and nephews and three great-great neices and nephews surrvive her.
In addition to her parents,...
Jack Wilson Hohenshilt
Dec 28, 2025
Jack Wilson Hohenshilt, of Lincolnton, North Carolina, passed away on December 28, 2025. He was formerly of Seaford, Delaware, and Statesville, North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Ida Snyder Hohenshilt; his wife, Catherine R. Hohenshilt; his brother, Billy Hohenshilt; one stillborn child; and his sister, Peggy Hohenshilt.
Survivors include his significant other, Peggy A. Slater of...
Alexandra Angeles Rodriguez
Dec 26, 2025
Alexandra Angeles Rodriguez, de 5 años, de Hickory, falleció el viernes 26 de diciembre de 2025. Nació el 19 de septiembre de 2020 en Hickory, Carolina del Norte.
Alexandra era una niña hermosa y amorosa, querida por todos los que la conocieron. Siempre estaba feliz, llenaba de alegría a quienes la rodeaban y será profundamente extrañada.
Le sobreviven sus queridos padres, Marco...
Michael "Mike" Wilson
Dec 25, 2025
Michael "Mike" Douglas Wilson, 55, of Newton died Thursday, December 25, 2025 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born September 25th, 1970 he was the son of James and Sandra Wilson. Mike was the owner of Mike's Wholesale Cars in Newton for 32 years.
His mother, Sandra Gay Wilson; his children, Holden Scott Wilson, Skylar Renee Wilson and Victoria Faith Wilson and...
Thelma "Hippie" Johnson
Dec 24, 2025
Thelma "Hippie" Johnson, 83, of Graham died Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at her home. Born October 31st, 1942 she was the daughter of the late John and Thelma Hipps. Thelma was a free spirit who loved life. She had a magnetic personality, was loved by all and was always very social. She loved the beach, her family, shopping, friends, and...
Mary Lou Bodkins Willard
Dec 21, 2025
Mary Lou Bodkins Willard, 77, of Lenoir passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Hibriten Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation. Born, September 6th, 1948 in Logan, Ohio she was the daughter of the late Sylvester Eddie Bodkins and Minnie Lucille Bodkins.
Mary may have been small in stature, but she was full of sass, stubbornness, humor, and an endless amount of love....
Virginia Ferrell Mills
Dec 17, 2025
Virginia Ferrell Mills, 91, of Mooresville died Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Gordon Hospice House. Born January 25th, 1934 she was the daughter of the late Bradley and Maggie McCall.
Her husband, Jerry Mills; her children, Bill Stephens, Brenda Sue Yarbrough, Tony Stevens (Jonie), Buck Ferrell and Donald Ferrell (Tina); 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren survive her.
In addition...
Timothy Gray Childers
Dec 15, 2025
Timothy Gray Childers, 56, of Newton, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025, at his home. He was born June 27, 1969, in Lincoln County, North Carolina.
Tim had a deep love for racing at Hickory Motor Speedway and Tri-County Speedway, competing in various divisions and taking great pride in his racing heritage. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working on cars....
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Jenkins Funeral Home & Cremation Service offers a collection of obituaries for Newton, NC & throughout Catawba County. With services throughout North Carolina that are updated regularly. Find local Newton, NC obituaries and join us in celebrating memories and honoring their lives and legacies.
