Obituaries

Dr. Steven D. Prakken passed away on November 12, 2025, after a courageous eleven-month battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife Kath, sons Jesse and Alex, stepson Terry, brother Randy, and step-sister Lori. Born in Boise, Idaho, Steve spent his early years on his grandparents farm before his family relocated to Portland,…

Barry Edward Taylor was born July 7, 1947 and left suddenly on Sunday November 9.He completed the family of Clarence and Bernice Healy Taylor, joining a sister Sue who was five years older. Sue exclaimed that her newborn brother looked “just like a strawberry” with his red hair, and hence his family called him Barry.He…

Robert William (Bob) Wentz left this world on Saturday, November 8, 2025 after a brief illness in Asheboro, NC where he lived with his daughter and her family. He believed when he died his spiritual energy would stay with us and continue to be a part of our universe. Bob embraced life with all of…

It is with great sadness that the family of Joyce Ann Boucheron announces her passing on November 8, 2025. Joyce was born in Syracuse, NY, in 1955. She was the daughter of Jean Edward Boucheron, Jr. and Ruth Emma Bennett Boucheron. Joyce is survived by William (“Bill”) Mahony, beloved husband of 44 years, and beloved…

Julian Lindsay-Kaufman died by suicide on November 2, 2025. He took an overdose of fentanyl to end the mental anguish that he had endured and struggled against for years, made worse by dismay at the state of the United States and the world. He was twenty-six years old.Julian lived most of his life in Chapel…

Caroline Hickman Vaughan was born on June 3, 1949, and passed away on October 27, 2025. Born at Duke Hospital to Mary Hickman Vaughan and William Thomas Vaughan, she resided in Durham until 2018 when she moved to Hillsborough, North Carolina with her wife Jane and their two Wheaten Terriers Murphy and Lucy. She received…

Roberta was born and raised in Lexington, Ma. After attending public schools she continued on to Syracuse University. A proud class of '85 graduate, Roberta stayed in the area for eight more years. It was there that she found her group of life long friends and where she began learning how to have a life…

Allan Kirkpatrick Troxler -- graphic artist, mask-puppet-and-banner maker, violinist, country dance teacher, community activist, and devoted friend -- died at age 78 at Brookdale Memory Care in Chapel Hill on October 26, 2025. His final days were filled with Haydn quartets, songs from his childhood, and the voices and touch of so many who loved…

Sharon Burroughs Stevens of Chapel Hill, NC, passed away peacefully at home on October 26, 2025. She was born in Danbury, CT, on December 22, 1972, and made Chapel Hill her home for the past 26 years. Sharon was a mother, a dear friend, and a steadfast believer in the goodness of people.A lifelong artist,…

Kelly Leigh Lilley, age 51 - beloved wife, daughter, and friend - passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 7:22 PM, surrounded by the love of her husband and close friends.Kelly was born on April 24, 1974, in Durham, North Carolina, to Samuel Clay Riggsbee and Donna Sue Riley. Raised in northern Durham…