The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Donald Louis Batschelet.

PIERCE CITY, Mo. – Donald Louis Batschelet died Thursday, July 27, 2006, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. He was 50.

Mr. Batschelet was born in Spencer, Iowa, to Elmer and Mary Holmberg Batschelet. He was a resident of Pierce City, Mo. He was employed at Grande Tire for a number of years before working as a surveyor.

Survivors include his father; six sisters, Linda Jabour of Brandon, formerly of Vicksburg, Alice Gore of Allen, Texas, Donna Benesch of San Clement, Calif., Doris Batschelet of Mesquite, Texas, and Mary Lou Morley and Karen Nine, both of Neosho, Mo.; one brother, John Batschelet of Kansas City, Mo.; nieces; a nephew; and other relatives and friends, including Dr. Sheila Carnett of Tulsa, Okla.

Services were July 29 under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home.

Wendell H. Johnson.

Wendell H. Johnson died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006, at Heritage House Nursing Home. He was 86.

Born in Neshoba County, Mr. Johnson moved to Sharkey County in 1953 and had been a Vicksburg resident since 1978. He was a retired cotton grower.

He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps. He served in World War II, participating in the Berlin Air Lift, and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He retired as a lieutenant colonel.

He was a former member of the board of directors of Merchants National Bank, Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association and Valley Park Elevator. He was a co-founder and board member of Sharkey-Issaquena Academy in Rolling Fork. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Vicksburg.

Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel W. Johnson; and his parents, Harvey and Kate Johnson.

He is survived by a daughter, Dawn Johnson of Vicksburg; two sons, David Johnson of Vicksburg and Jerry W. Johnson of Albuquerque, N.M.; one sister, JoAnn Grobowsky of Marshall, Texas; and three grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg with the Rev. Matt Buckles officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday.

Pallbearers will be Jim Wilkerson, David Wansley, Patrick Johnson, Hal Gage, Charles Fulgham and Charles Henry Shelton.

Honorary pallbearers will be Newell Simrall III, Sylvan Klaus and members of the board of directors of Yazoo Valley Electric and Valley Park Elevator.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.

Cleveland Willie Thomas Sr.

Services for Cleveland Willie Thomas Sr. will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Rose Hill M.B. Church on Stenson Road. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 until 5 tonight at Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. Friday until the hour of service at the church.

Mr. Thomas died Friday, July 28, 2006, at his home. He was 63.

Mr. Thomas had spent most of his life in Vicksburg and lived in Jackson for a number of years. He was a veteran of the Army, serving in the Vietnam War. He was a member of Rose Hill M.B. Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleveland and Minnie Thomas.

Survivors include one son, Cleveland Willie Thomas Jr. of Walkertown, N.C.; three daughters, Bridgette Gomez of Walkertown and Victoria Rebecca Thomas and Cherrie Nicole Givens, both of Jackson; two brothers, Oscar Thomas of Jackson and John Earl Thomas of Michigan; three sisters, Annie Lee Thomas of Aurora, Ill., Bettie E. Miller and Jerry L. Weathersby, both of Vicksburg; his companion, Joan Preston of Jackson; and an aunt, an uncle and other relatives.