Finding information during a time of loss feels like walking through a fog. You're trying to track down a service time, read a life story, or just figure out where to send flowers. If you are looking for Null and Son Funeral Home obituaries in Rolla, Missouri, you're looking for a business that has been the cornerstone of Phelps County for over a century.
Honestly, local funeral homes like Null & Son (correctly stylized with the ampersand) aren't just businesses. They are the keepers of community history. Since 1924, this specific home has handled the transitions of thousands of Rolla residents.
Where to find Null and Son Funeral Home obituaries right now
You’ve got a few ways to find what you’re looking for, but some are faster than others. The most direct source is the official Null & Son Funeral Home website. They maintain a digital archive that is updated almost immediately after a family approves a notice.
If you are searching for a specific name—say, a recent passing like Marjorie Edith Woodward or William Owen—the website’s "Obituary Listings" section is the place to start.
Here is how the digital trail usually works for these records:
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- Official Website: The primary hub for service dates, times, and direct links to order flowers.
- Legacy.com: Often syncs with local funeral homes to provide a broader search reach.
- Phelps County Focus: The local newspaper frequently carries these notices, often with extra community context.
- Social Media: Sometimes families share the direct link from the funeral home’s site to Facebook to notify friends quickly.
It’s worth noting that if you’re looking for a very old obituary—we’re talking mid-20th century—you might need more than a Google search. The State Historical Society of Missouri actually holds the S. Claude Null Family Papers, which can be a goldmine for genealogists.
A century of history on Kingshighway
It’s kinda wild to think about how this place started. Rudolph S. Null founded the business on March 12, 1924. Back then, it was called Null Undertaking and was located at Sixth and Pine. He started with two home-built caskets. That’s it. Basically just a man and his craftsmanship trying to serve a small town.
The business stayed in the family for decades. Rudolph’s son, Claude, joined in 1933, and then Claude’s son, Paul, took the reins later on. Even though the ownership eventually shifted to long-time employees and now to Leo Kloeppel, the name stuck. People in Rolla just know it as "Null’s."
They moved to the current location at 1010 Kingshighway in 1960. If you’ve driven through Rolla, you’ve seen it. It’s a landmark.
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What usually goes into these notices?
When you read Null and Son Funeral Home obituaries, you’ll notice they follow a specific rhythm, but they aren't "cookie-cutter." Usually, the family works with a director like Leo Kloeppel or Roger Licklider to get the details right.
You'll typically see the standard vitals—birth dates, parents' names, education—but the best ones include the "flavor" of the person's life. For example, recent obituaries might mention a love for hunting in the Ozarks or decades of service at a local church like Full Gospel Mission.
The obituary serves two purposes: it’s a legal notice of death, sure, but it’s also an invitation. It tells the community when the visitation and service will happen. For many in Phelps County, the service is held right there at the Kingshighway chapel, though graveside services at spots like Oak Lawn Cemetery are also common.
Handling the logistics: Flowers and donations
If you found the obituary you were looking for and now want to show support, you have options. Most people want to do something, but they aren't sure what.
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- Flowers: The funeral home website has a "Send Flowers" button that connects directly to local florists. This is usually the safest bet to ensure the arrangement arrives before the visitation starts.
- Memorial Contributions: Often, the family will request a donation in lieu of flowers. For example, Marjorie Woodward's family recently suggested contributions to the Rolla Presbyterian Manor.
- Online Condolences: If you can’t make it to Rolla, leaving a message on the digital "Tribute Wall" matters more than you’d think. Families read those messages for weeks afterward.
Why the digital record matters for Rolla families
In the old days, if you missed the printing of the Rolla Daily News, you might miss the news of a friend's passing entirely. Now, the digital archive of Null and Son Funeral Home obituaries creates a permanent footprint.
This is huge for "Rolla expats"—people who grew up in town but moved away to St. Louis, Springfield, or even out of state. They can stay connected to their roots and know when a former teacher or neighbor has passed.
The funeral home also offers an "Obituary Notifications" email list. You sign up, and they send you an alert whenever a new notice is posted. It sounds a bit grim to some, but in a tight-knit community, it’s how people make sure they don’t miss a chance to pay their respects.
Actionable steps for those grieving or searching
If you are currently looking for information or preparing to write a notice for a loved one, here is what you need to do next:
- Check the current listings: Visit the official website at
nullandsonfuneralhome.comto see the most recent service schedules. - Verify the time: Services can change. Always check the official site about 24 hours before the event to confirm the location hasn't shifted from the chapel to a local church.
- Contact the office: If you can't find a specific person, call them at (573) 364-1200. The staff, like Office Manager Valerie Licklider, are known for being incredibly helpful.
- Gather details early: If you are writing an obituary, start by listing the "survivors" (spouse, children, siblings) and the "preceded in death" list. That’s usually the hardest part to remember under stress.
- Consider the legacy: Don't just list dates. Include one or two things the person truly loved. It makes the obituary a tribute rather than just a record.
Dealing with loss is heavy. Having a reliable place to find these records makes the process of saying goodbye just a little bit easier to navigate.