News – Friday, October 30th, 2026

The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors revoked the entity licenses of James & Gahr Mortuary, located in Rolla and St. James, and Dent County Memorial Chapel, located in Salem, by the issuance of its Sept. 22nd disciplinary order. The revocation of the entity licenses included both the funeral establishment licenses and preneed licenses. The individual funeral profession licenses held by Donn and Connie James were also revoked. This action was taken due to violations of Missouri laws related to the management of preneed contracts and funds, failure to maintain a business registration with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office (Salem location) and failure to adhere to the terms of a probationary agreement with the state board. On Oct. 20th, according to a report from the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance, the Circuit Court of Dent County stayed the board’s order for revocation of the entity licenses of James & Gahr Mortuary located in Rolla and St. James and the entity license of Dent County Memorial Chapel in Salem. The order also stayed the revocation of the individual licenses of Donn and Connie James. This means that the funeral establishments can continue to operate at this time. However, the stay order requires a new funeral director in charge to be appointed to direct operations at all three locations. Additionally, the court’s stay order places the conditions outlined in the board’s original revocation order on hold, including the requirement to transfer existing preneed contracts to another Missouri-licensed seller. The stay order will remain in place until the court decides on the licensee’s appeal of the board’s disciplinary order. Purchasers or next of kin may reach out directly to James & Gahr Mortuary to discuss questions, concerns and/or options about their existing preneed contracts.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, both District One Commissioner Keith Green and District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that grading would be attempted, but the county is in need of moisture in order for crew members to continue grading amid drought conditions. Green shared that district one would be focused on stockpiling rock and cutting brush on County Road 6300. Williams shared that district two plans to grade on county roads 2020 and 5260. Crew members of district two are also planning to patch with cold mix several chip and seal roads, to include county roads 3220, 3260, 3280, and 3290. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that Monday’s County Commission agenda would include a public meeting and discussion of Dent County transportation needs at 10:00 in the morning with Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) representatives and Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) Preston Kramer in attendance. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that absentee voting in Dent County has exceeded 600 voters with an average of more than 100 voters a day. On Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, voters will need to report to their polling locations to cast their votes from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. For more information, contact the county clerk’s office at dent@sos.mo.gov or 573-729-4144. Meanwhile, a representative of McCoy Construction & Forestry presented quotes and information on graders and a backhoe for the commissioners to consider. No vote was taken at the time. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be held at 9:00 in the morning Monday at the courthouse. The meeting is open to the public.