Bernie G. McNamara
Jun 1, 2026
Bernie G. McNamara, 91, of Hickory, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, in the loving arms of his wife, Lana. Born July 17, 1934, he was the son of the late Roy McNamara and Eva Wildes McNamara.
There were six boys in the McNamara family, five of whom predeceased Bernie: Donald, Jim, Bob, Richard, and Stan.
Bernie was a Staff Sergeant in...
Connie Elaine Sutherland
May 31, 2026
Connie Elaine Sutherland, 81, of Claremont passed away Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Catawba Valley Assisted Living Center. Born October 7th, 1944, she was the daughter of the late James Madsen and Hazel Madsen.
She loved her family, cookouts, traveling, the beach, collecting clocks, and John Wayne memorabilia. She also loved listening to classic country music.
She is survived by her children,...
Ellen "Claudette" Hutto
May 31, 2026
Claudette Hutto, 76, of Granite Falls, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her three daughters on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Born in Lawndale, on April 22, 1950, to the late Billy Throneburg and Jaunita Ledford.
Affectionately known as Mom or Memaw to many, Claudette was loved by everyone who met her. She made a lasting impression on many people’s lives and will...
Michael Scott Fife
May 28, 2026
Michael Fife, born October 5, 1981, in Catawba County, passed away surrounded by the love and memories of those whose lives he touched.
Michael was the beloved son of Brenda Jo Fife and the late Gregory Lee Fife. He was a devoted father whose greatest pride and joy were his children: Jayden Lee Fife (23), Kadence Ann Taylor (16), and Atlee...
Richard Allen Shillito
May 22, 2026
Richard Allen Shillito, 63, of Conover, North Carolina, passed away Friday, May 22, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and love shared with family and friends.
Richard was known for his kind heart, quick humor, and loving spirit. He had a way of making people laugh and feel welcome wherever he went. A proud junker, Richard enjoyed finding value in...
Sylvia Hill Whitt
May 21, 2026
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Sylvia Hill Whitt, who passed away peacefully on May 21st, 2026, at the age of 89.
Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Sylvia married her high school sweetheart, Harold Robert Whitt, and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past December — a beautiful testament to a lifetime of...
Jerry Lee Poovey
May 2, 2026
Jerry Lee Poovey, 85, of Conover, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Lenoir Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born March 16, 1941, he was the son of the late Theodore William Poovey and Virginia Jones Smith.
Jerry was an avid Duke basketball and Carolina Panthers fan. He enjoyed spending time with family, eating at Dicks Café, spoiling his dog Gus, and...
Colonel John Williams Cowan Jr.
May 1, 2026
Colonel John Williams Cowan Jr., Marine Aviator, 73, of Hickory, passed away Friday, May 1, 2026, at his home. He was the son of the late John Williams Cowan and Erika Cowan.
Colonel John W. Cowan Jr. was a retired Marine Corps officer and Naval Aviator with more than 30 years of distinguished service. After graduating from Greensboro College, John was...
Pamela Carolyn Houser Wood
Apr 28, 2026
Pamela Carolyn Houser Wood, 73, of Newton passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born February 12th, 1953 she was the daughter of James Franklin Houser and Shirley Carolyn Houser.
Pam was a woman who truly loved her family and was a hard worker. She had a carefree spirit, embraced life fully, and never missed a chance...
Joseph Howard Schraeder
Apr 26, 2026
Joseph Howard Schraeder, 61, of Connelly Springs, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2026, at UNC Health Blue Ridge. Born October 30, 1964, he was the son of the late Joyce Robie White.
Joe enjoyed riding his Harley with friends through the mountains of North Carolina and New Hampshire. Having lived in New Hampshire before moving to North Carolina in 2021, he...
Rudolph Joseph William Streng
Apr 19, 2026
Rudolph Joseph William “Rudy” Streng, age 89, of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away on April 19, 2026. Born on November 17, 1936, in Queens, New York, Rudy was the son of the late Rudolph Joseph Dominicus Streng and the late Greta Frercks Streng.He graduated from Wesley Junior College in Dover, Delaware, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from...
David Shelby Witherspoon
Apr 14, 2026
David Shelby Witherspoon, 55, of Cornelius, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
David was born on August 26, 1970, in Colorado. He lived a life marked by resilience, experiences across different places, and the connections he made along the way. In recent years, he resided in Cornelius, North Carolina, after spending time living in Florida.
He was preceded in death by his...
John Bradley "Brad" Isenhower
Apr 11, 2026
John Bradley “Brad” Isenhower, 58, of Conover, NC, passed away on Saturday, April 11th, 2026.
Born on October 12th, 1967, in Hickory, NC, Brad was the son of the late Horace Jordan Isenhower, Jr. and Sandra Goodman Isenhower. He spent his life rooted in the Catawba County area, where he built lasting relationships and a strong sense of family.
Brad was a...
William Victor Snipes
Apr 9, 2026
William Victor Snipes, 38, of Hickory, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2026, at his home. Born May 15, 1987, he was the son of Kelly Snipes Trivette of Hickory.
William was a caring soul who could always make you laugh. If you needed a smile, he was the one to go to. He had a deep love for music and concerts,...
Marcy Lynn Chattin McDonald
Apr 7, 2026
Marcy Lynn Chattin McDonald, born June 15, 1972, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away at the age of 53 on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Catawba Valley Hospital in Hickory, North Carolina.
Marcy was a resident of Hickory, where she was known and loved by many friends who supported and cared for her deeply. She graduated from Good Shepherd Lutheran School in...
Laura Ann Young
Apr 6, 2026
Laura Ann Young, 61, of Hickory, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026, at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
Born Tuesday, July 21, 1964, she was the daughter of William Harrison Whiteside Sr. and Shirley Whiteside.
Laura was always there for her children, supporting them in every way. She was the best mom anyone could ask for and gave up so much to care...
Frank D. Willis Jr.
Apr 4, 2026
Frank D. Willis, Jr. Born October 27/28, 1940 in Rome, Georgia to Frank D. Willis and Marjorie Willis. Frank grew up in Norfolk, Va. Graduated from Norview High School in 1958. He attended William and Mary and the University of Virginia.
He is survived by wife, Sarah Marshall Willis, son, Adam E. Willis and wife Meredith, sister Suella Jones, and niece...
Ronald Ray Greene
Apr 2, 2026
Ronald Ray Greene, 76, of Dallas, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Carolina Caring Catawba Valley Hospice House. Born May 12th, 1949, he was the son of the late Jesse Warren Greene and Betty Jean Puckett.
Ronald was a compassionate man with a straightforward, tell-it-like-it-is attitude. He had no tolerance for pretense and valued honesty above all. He loved being...
Donna Kay Finck
Apr 1, 2026
Donna Kay Finck, 74, of Taylorsville, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born June 16th, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Howard Condon and Bessie May Condon.
Donna was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend to all who knew her. She found joy in simple pleasures—especially trips to the beach, watching hummingbirds,...
Robert Michael Vowells
Mar 30, 2026
Robert Michael Vowells, 66, of Hickory, passed away Monday, March 30, 2026, at his home. Born in Essex County, Massachusetts, on August 15, 1959, he was the son of the late Thelma Rose Welch.
Robert proudly served in the United States Army Reserves. Known to many as “Bobby,” he found great joy in life’s simple pleasures—spending time with his grandchildren, riding...