Obituaries

Robert Henry Rikert Bittle, 69, passed away on February 17, 2026, in Durham, North Carolina. Born in Durham on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956, his friends and family liked to joke that only he could manage to be born on two holidays at once. He was full of wit and imagination and never took life,…

Elizabeth Ruth Marling passed away surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and devotion to family.Elizabeth was the beloved wife of Mark Marling, with whom she shared 46 years of marriage. Together they built a life rooted in love, faith, and family. She was a devoted mother to Jason Marling, Jared Marling,…

Barbara Ann Matteson, 81, of Durham, NC, passed away unexpectedly on February 16, 2026.Barbara was born on April 23, 1944, in Buffalo, NY. She was the daughter of Frederick Charles and Matilda “Tillie” Freida Stroke. She attended and graduated from Buffalo State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She began her career as an…

Mary Catherine (Linn) Hirko, 82 years old, passed away on February 14, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. Mary was born on September 15,1943 in Michigan. She was the oldest female and 7th child of a big boisterous family containing 14 children. She is survived by her son (Andy), daughter (Tammy), and her favorite human in…

William M. Transou, Jr., 81, died peacefully at home in Durham, NC on February 12, 2026, surrounded by family. Known to his family and friends as Bill, Billy, and Billy T., he will be missed by all who loved him.Born on April 29, 1944 to William Monford and Anna Stamps Transou (nee Holderness), Bill grew up in Greensboro,…

Grayson Ketchie was a bright, deeply loved soul who made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. On February 12, 2026, he passed away peacefully at Transitions Kids Hospice Home, surrounded by the people who loved him most.Grayson’s life was full of joy, laughter, and plenty of shenanigans, along with a kind of courage…

Linda Pacini Pitelka, loving spouse, mother, grandmother, scholar, teacher, and voracious reader, died of heart-failure on February 11, 2026, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at the age of 78. She passed peacefully and painlessly in her sleep at the UNC hospital in the presence of her husband, Vince Pitelka and their son Morgan and daughter-in-law…

Mary Lura Fields Ward was born on December 23, 1934, in Lago Colony, Aruba, in the Dutch West Indies, and died on February 9, 2026, at her home in Carrboro, North Carolina, with her family.Lura always said she swam before she could walk; perhaps it was true. She was more at home in the ocean…

Arilda (Ril) Kathryn Pruden Cole, age 89, of Raleigh, NC passed away in the early hours of February 8th, 2026.Wife, mother, sister, homemaker and community volunteer. Ril will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends and her generosity to others. She participated in many philanthropic, civic and activist organizations throughout her life. While…

Thomas Michael Dean, affectionately known as "Tonga," was born on July 13, 1985, in Long Island, New York. He peacefully transitioned from this life on February 8, 2026, at UNC Memorial Hospital, leaving behind a legacy defined by kindness, selflessness, and a unique zest for life.Thomas worked as a manager for Pet Smart in Morganton,…