The Marion County Coroner’s Office handled 442 deaths in 2025. Coroner Claude Howell says the number is up for 415 in the prior year.
Howell reported 421 of the deaths were the result of natural causes, including 90 where cancer was the primary cause. The cancer deaths were down 10 from the prior year. Hospice care assisted 190 of those who passed away.
There were ten accidental deaths, down four from the prior year. Four of those cases were the result of drug overdoses. Overdose cases were down from eight the year before.
Ten deaths were listed as suicides, compared to five a year earlier.
There was one homicide where a person was charged with a death in a motorcycle accident on the eastside of Centralia.
Howell says he is proud of his staff that is undergoing another 16 hours of training this month. They include Lisa Morris as secretary/deputy, Faron Ice chief deputy and Todd Schultze deputy. Chad Morris is a volunteer deputy coroner.
Howell is also proud to announce his office finished 15 percent under budget for fiscal year 2015.
