15 Obituary Examples You Can Use as Inspiration

Dorothy Mae Sullivan, 89, of Portland, Oregon, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026, at Providence Portland Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Dorothy was born on March 12, 1936, in Boise, Idaho, to Harold and Virginia Baxter. She graduated from Boise High School in 1954 and married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Sullivan, on June 14, 1957. Together they raised four children and built a life rooted in faith, community, and an endless supply of homemade pies.

Dorothy worked as a librarian at Lincoln Elementary for 25 years, where generations of children learned to love books under her patient guidance. She was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and could often be found tending her rose garden or hosting Sunday dinners for what she called "whoever shows up."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas (2019), and her son, Michael (2008). She is survived by her children: Patrick Sullivan (Karen), Elizabeth O'Brien (Daniel), and Margaret Chen (William); nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and her sister, Ruth Dalton of Boise.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1234 Oak Street, Portland, on Saturday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Portland Public Library Foundation.

Robert Allen Marsh, 58, of Austin, Texas, died unexpectedly on February 2, 2026.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 9, 1967, Robert graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in mechanical engineering. He spent over 30 years in the semiconductor industry, most recently as a senior director at Tempo Systems, where colleagues knew him as much for his technical brilliance as for his habit of leaving encouraging notes on people's desks.

Robert was an Eagle Scout, a devoted Longhorns fan, and a weekend barbecue pitmaster who took brisket more seriously than some people take their careers. He ran three marathons, not because he loved running, but because his daughter bet him he couldn't.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Jennifer; his children, Emma Marsh and Caleb Marsh; his mother, Patricia Marsh of Chicago; and his brother, Steven Marsh (Laura) of Naperville. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Marsh.

A celebration of life will be held at the family home on Saturday, February 8. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Gerald "Jerry" Francis O'Malley, 76, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on January 30, 2026, at Memorial University Medical Center.

Jerry was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 3, 1949. After graduating from Brooklyn Technical High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served two tours in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He rarely spoke about his service but carried it with him every day.

After the military, Jerry earned his bachelor's degree on the GI Bill and built a career in construction management, eventually founding O'Malley & Sons General Contractors. He was a member of the VFW Post 660, a volunteer firefighter for 15 years, and a man who believed that showing up was the most important thing a person could do.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathleen; their children, Brian O'Malley (Amy), Sean O'Malley, and Colleen Murphy (Dennis); seven grandchildren; and his brother, Patrick O'Malley of Queens, New York.

Military honors and a funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on February 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

My mother, Janet Louise Price, died on February 5, 2026, at the age of 71. She would want me to tell you she was 65, and she would want me to point out that she still fit into her wedding dress. Both of these things are true, depending on which wedding dress we're talking about.

Mom was born in Columbus, Ohio, went to Ohio State (Go Bucks, forever and always), and taught fifth grade for 33 years at Ridgeview Elementary. She was the teacher kids came back to visit as adults. She remembered every single one of them.

She married our dad, Richard Price, in 1978. They were married for 47 years and never once agreed on the thermostat. She liked to garden, bake bread, watch crime shows, and tell anyone within earshot about her grandchildren. She was better at gardening and bread-baking than she was at keeping crime show spoilers to herself.

She is survived by her husband, Richard; her daughters, Sarah Price-Kim (David) and Rachel Thornton (Matthew); five grandchildren who called her Nana and meant it; and too many friends to list, all of whom she remembered to send birthday cards to, on time, every year.

There will be a celebration of life at the Price family home in Westerville on February 15. Bring a story. She would have loved that.

Walter Eugene Beck, 82, of Minneapolis, died on January 22, 2026, after a brief but characteristic refusal to follow doctor's orders.

Walt was born in Duluth on September 7, 1943, to parents who quickly learned that he would do things his own way or not at all. He dropped out of the University of Minnesota to open a bait shop, which became a hardware store, which became three hardware stores, which he sold in 1998 to — and this was his favorite detail — the same chain that had once refused to hire him as a teenager.

He married Carol Lindgren in 1965. She preceded him in death in 2020, and he spent the last six years telling everyone that the secret to a happy marriage was "saying yes" and the secret to missing someone was "not having a secret."

Walt is survived by his children, Mark Beck (Linda) and Julie Olsen (Eric); four grandchildren; and his fishing boat, which he named after Carol and treated about as well.

No formal service, per Walt's instructions. He said — and this is a direct quote — "Don't spend money on flowers for a guy who can't smell them. Buy each other dinner instead." So do that.

Marcus Alejandro Rivera, 27, of Denver, Colorado, died on January 28, 2026.

Marcus was born on August 15, 1998, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and moved to Denver after graduating from the University of New Mexico with a degree in computer science. He worked as a software developer at a startup he was proud of, in a field he was genuinely passionate about. He was the kind of programmer who stayed late not because he had to but because he wanted to get it right.

Outside of work, Marcus was a rock climber, a vinyl record collector, and the person his friends called when they needed someone to listen — really listen — without jumping to advice. He cooked elaborate Sunday dinners for his roommates and friends, always making too much food because, as he put it, "someone always shows up."

He is survived by his parents, Elena and Javier Rivera of Albuquerque; his sister, Isabella Rivera of Los Angeles; his grandmother, Rosa Martinez; and a community of friends who are still figuring out how to do Sundays without him.

A memorial gathering will be held at Cheesman Park in Denver on February 8 at 2:00 p.m. Bring a folding chair and a story. Donations in Marcus's memory may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Helen R. Kowalski, 84, of Milwaukee, passed away January 15, 2026. Born March 22, 1941, to Stanley and Anna Nowak. Helen worked at Allen-Bradley for 30 years and spent her retirement spoiling her grandchildren and perfecting her pierogi recipe. She is survived by her son, Thomas (Maria); daughter, Christine Davis (Paul); six grandchildren; and her beloved cat, Whiskers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward. Funeral services at Holy Trinity Church, January 22, 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, eat a pierogi and think of her.

William Howard Grant, 91, of Richmond, Virginia, died peacefully at home on February 1, 2026. A retired civil engineer and Army veteran, Bill devoted his life to his family, his faith, and his community. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor; three children; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity.

Rosemary Ann Fitzgerald, 77, of Boston, died January 20, 2026. She was a retired nurse, a terrible cook (her words), a relentless Scrabble champion, and the best listener most people had ever met. She is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, and a stack of handwritten letters she left for each of them. Services at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, January 27, 11:00 a.m. Donations to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute appreciated.

James Earl Thompson, 73, of Nashville, Tennessee, entered into eternal rest on February 3, 2026. James was born on July 19, 1952, in Chattanooga, the youngest of five children.

A man of deep and abiding faith, James served as a deacon at First Baptist Church for over 30 years. He led Sunday School, organized the annual church picnic, and was known for his booming singing voice during hymns — joyful if not always on key. He believed that faith was something you lived, not just something you talked about, and he lived it every day.

James retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority after 35 years as an electrical engineer. He loved fishing on Old Hickory Lake, woodworking in his garage, and reading to his grandchildren before bed.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, David Thompson (Lisa) and Grace Williams (Andrew); six grandchildren; and his sister, Betty Ann Porter. "Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:21

Maria Elena Gutierrez, 81, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on January 25, 2026, fortified by the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church.

Maria was born in Laredo, Texas, on December 12, 1944, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — a coincidence her family always considered a blessing. She was a devoted parishioner of San Fernando Cathedral, a member of the Ladies Altar Society, and a woman whose rosary was never far from her hands.

She worked as a seamstress for 40 years, raised seven children, and made tamales every Christmas that drew family members from three states. She loved her garden, her grandchildren, and her faith, roughly in that order — though she'd have told you it was the reverse.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Luis. Survived by her seven children, 19 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. A Rosary will be recited Friday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass Saturday, February 1, at 10:00 a.m., both at San Fernando Cathedral. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.

Samuel "Sam" Levine, 79, of Boca Raton, Florida, died on February 4, 2026.

Sam was born on April 8, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, to Irving and Ruth Levine. He attended Brooklyn College, served in the Army Reserves, and built a successful accounting practice in Manhattan before retiring to Florida in 2005.

Sam was a lifelong member of Temple Beth El and a man who expressed his values through action — volunteering with Jewish Family Services, mentoring young accountants, and quietly helping anyone who needed it without making a fuss about it. He loved the New York Mets despite decades of evidence suggesting he shouldn't, played poker every Thursday, and was the undisputed family champion of telling the same jokes at every Seder.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; children, Rachel Levine-Wu (Brian) and Jonathan Levine (Sarah); five grandchildren; and his sister, Miriam Goldstein of Scarsdale. Funeral services will be held at Temple Beth El on February 5, followed by burial at Star of David Memorial Gardens. Shiva will be observed at the family home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hadassah or the Jewish National Fund.

Well, I guess this means I'm dead. That's a weird sentence to write, but here we are.

My name is Patricia "Trish" Donovan. I was born on January 5, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan. I died on — well, someone else will have to fill that in. I'm writing this in advance because I wanted to have the last word, which anyone who knew me will confirm is extremely on-brand.

I was a high school English teacher for 38 years. I loved my students, hated standardized tests, and owned more books than any reasonable person should. I married Tom Donovan in 1975. He was the funniest person I ever met, and I include myself in that comparison. He died in 2021, and if there's an afterlife, I expect he's already saved me a seat and is complaining about the service.

I'm survived by my sons, Kevin and Sean; their wives, who I liked very much; and five grandchildren who made the last chapter of my life the best one. Don't be too sad. I had a wonderful run. I'd like donations to go to the Detroit Public Library, because every kid deserves a book. And for the love of God, don't let the funeral home pick the music.

Andrew "Drew" Nathan Cole, 45, of Portland, Oregon. Died February 10, 2026.

Things Drew loved: his daughters (Olivia and Mia), his wife (Jenna), his mom (Sharon), terrible puns, good whiskey, bad karaoke, camping in the rain, every dog he ever met, building things with his hands, the smell of sawdust, the Portland Trail Blazers (for reasons no one could explain), and leaving the house exactly seven minutes later than he said he would.

Things Drew didn't love: small talk, meetings that could have been emails, alarm clocks, and people who didn't use their turn signals.

Drew worked as a carpenter and was the kind of person who would build you a bookshelf just because you mentioned needing one. No memorial service — Drew would have hated sitting still for that long. Instead, his family asks that you build something, fix something, or call someone you haven't talked to in a while. That's what Drew would do.

If you ever walked into a barbershop on Elm Street in Greenville, South Carolina, between 1972 and 2018, you knew Charles Raymond Washington. Everybody called him "Charlie Ray," and nobody left his chair without feeling a little bit better about the world.

Charlie Ray was born on June 4, 1949, in rural Laurens County. He learned to cut hair from his uncle, opened his own shop at 23, and spent the next 46 years listening. That was his real gift — not the haircuts, though those were solid. It was the listening. He knew who was having a hard week. He knew who needed a joke and who needed silence. He remembered your kid's name and your mother's health and whether the Clemson game went the way you wanted.

He married Lorraine Baker in 1971. They were together for 55 years — "the easy ones and the hard ones," as he liked to say. He is survived by Lorraine, their three children, eight grandchildren, and a community that feels a little quieter without him.

Services at Mount Zion AME Church, February 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, sit in a chair and listen to someone. That's what Charlie Ray would want.