Writing your mom's or dad's obituary is one of the hardest things you'll ever be asked to write. How do you fit a whole life, and everything they meant to you, into a few paragraphs?
You don't have to get it perfect. Below are examples in different tones that you can borrow from, combine, and change to sound like your family. If you'd rather start with blanks to fill in, see our fill-in-the-blank obituary templates.
In This Guide
- Traditional Obituary for Mom
- Personal Obituary for Mom
- Faith-Filled Obituary for Mom
- Traditional Obituary for Dad
- Personal Obituary for Dad
- Faith-Filled Obituary for Dad
- Short Newspaper Versions
- Tips for Writing Your Own
Traditional Obituary for Mom
Margaret "Peggy" Ellen Collins, 82, of Springfield, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Peggy was born on March 4, 1944, in Dayton, Ohio, to Harold and Ruth Simmons. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1962 and worked for 28 years as a school secretary at Lincoln Elementary, where she knew every child's name and kept a drawer of granola bars for anyone who forgot lunch.
In 1965, she married the love of her life, Robert Collins. Together they raised three children and built a home that was always open to friends and neighbors.
Peggy loved her flower garden, Sunday crossword puzzles, and above all, her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her kindness, her quick wit, and her famous pecan pie.
She is survived by her children, Susan (Mark) Taylor, David (Lisa) Collins, and Karen Collins; six grandchildren; and her sister, Joan Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, and her parents.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Grace Community Church. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Springfield Public Library.
Personal Obituary for Mom
If you ever stopped by Linda Harper's house, you didn't leave hungry. Linda, 74, passed away on September 18, 2026, leaving behind a full freezer, a garden that never stopped growing, and a family who adored her.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Linda was the youngest of five and spent her life taking care of everyone around her. She raised four children, fostered a dozen more, and somehow still found time to bake birthday cakes for half the neighborhood.
She was stubborn about two things: no one left her table without seconds, and no one in her family missed a hug goodbye. She laughed loudly, sang off-key in the car, and could fix almost anything with duct tape and determination.
Her greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her children, Amy, Josh, Rachel, and Ben; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her loyal dog, Biscuit.
Please join us to celebrate Linda's life on Saturday, September 27, at 2:00 p.m. at Riverside Park Pavilion. Come as you are, and bring a story. She'd want you to stay for dessert.
Faith-Filled Obituary for Mom
Dorothy Mae Jackson, 88, went home to be with the Lord on August 30, 2026.
Born in Macon, Georgia, Dorothy gave her life to Christ at a young age and never stopped serving Him. For over 50 years, she was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and never missed a Wednesday night prayer meeting.
Dorothy's faith showed in everything she did. She prayed for every one of her children and grandchildren by name each morning, and she often said, "God's got this, baby. Don't you worry."
She is survived by her five children, fourteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a church family who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Deacon James Jackson.
A homegoing celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2026, at New Hope Baptist Church.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)
Traditional Obituary for Dad
Richard "Rick" Allen Thompson, 79, of Lakewood, passed away on October 5, 2026, after a brief illness.
Rick was born on June 12, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa, to William and Helen Thompson. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, he served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968. He then worked for 35 years as an electrician with Lakewood Power and Light, retiring in 2009.
In 1970, he married Carol Anne Davis, and they shared 56 years together. Rick was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who never missed a ball game or a recital.
He loved fishing at Clear Lake, fixing things in his garage, and telling the same jokes over and over. He will be remembered for his steady hands, his big heart, and his willingness to help anyone who asked.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; his sons, Michael (Jennifer) Thompson and Steven Thompson; his daughter, Laura (Chris) Bennett; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Tom.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, at Miller Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 10, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, with military honors at Lakewood Cemetery.
Personal Obituary for Dad
Frank Russo never met a stranger. Frank, 71, passed away on September 22, 2026, and somewhere, he's already striking up a conversation.
Born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, Frank ran Russo's Hardware on Main Street for 40 years. If you needed a part, he had it. If he didn't have it, he knew a guy. And if you just needed someone to talk to, his coffee pot was always on.
Frank coached Little League for 25 seasons, grilled the best burgers on the block, and believed any problem could be solved with patience and the right tool. He taught his kids to work hard, show up on time, and always tip well.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Theresa; his children, Anthony, Gina, and Marco; and five grandchildren who knew him as "Pop."
A celebration of Frank's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, at the VFW Hall. Wear your favorite ball cap. Frank would have.
Faith-Filled Obituary for Dad
Pastor Samuel Lee Washington, 84, entered eternal rest on October 1, 2026.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Samuel answered the call to ministry at 22 and served as pastor of Greater Grace Church for 38 years. He baptized hundreds, married couples and later their children, and sat with countless families in their hardest hours.
At home, he was simply Dad: the man who fixed bikes in the driveway, read Psalms at the breakfast table, and ended every phone call with "I'm praying for you."
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; his four children; ten grandchildren; and a church family across three generations.
A service of celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2026, at Greater Grace Church.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)
Short Newspaper Versions
Newspapers usually charge by the line, so many families place a short notice in the paper and share the full obituary online and in the funeral program.
For Mom
Margaret "Peggy" Collins, 82, of Springfield, died October 2, 2026. She is survived by her three children, six grandchildren, and a sister. A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 10 at Grace Community Church. Full obituary at millerfuneralhome.com.
For Dad
Richard "Rick" Thompson, 79, of Lakewood, died October 5, 2026. An Army veteran and retired electrician, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol, three children, and seven grandchildren. A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 10 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Tips for Writing Your Own
- Start with the facts, then add the heart. Full name, age, dates, and where they lived first; the stories and personality after.
- Include a nickname if that's what people called them. Friends search for "Peggy," not "Margaret."
- Add one specific detail that only your family would know: the granola-bar drawer, the coffee pot, the off-key singing. That's what makes it theirs.
- Ask siblings for help. Each of you will remember something different.
- Check every name and date with another family member before it's published or printed.
- Keep a long version and a short one. Use the long one online and in the program, and the short one for the newspaper.
From experience: Almost every family writes more than will fit in the funeral program, and that's okay. Save the full version for the funeral home's website or an online obituary, and use a shorter version in the program.
More Help
- Fill-in-the-Blank Obituary Templates (Free Printable)
- Military and Veteran Obituary Examples
- Eulogy Examples for Mom, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa
- Funeral Program Wording Examples
Putting It in the Funeral Program
Once the obituary is written, it can go right into the program. Our Canva-editable funeral program templates have a page ready for it. Or, with our Done-For-You Service, you paste in the obituary online and we build the program for you, delivered as a print-ready digital file.
These obituary examples were written exclusively for Noted & Charmed by C. Lindorfer. All names and details are fictional. You're welcome to use and adapt them for a personal memorial. © Noted & Charmed. Not for commercial use, republication, or resale.
There's no wrong way to tell the story of someone you love. — Noted & Charmed