Checking the paper for a neighbor. Looking for a long-lost classmate. Finding out when the service at Striffler-Hamby actually starts. We’ve all been there, and honestly, the way we hunt for columbus ledger obituaries today has changed more in the last five years than it did in the previous fifty.
People think you just click a link and there it is. Not quite.
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has been the heartbeat of the Chattahoochee Valley since Mirabeau B. Lamar got things rolling back in 1828. It’s the fourth-oldest paper in Georgia. That is a lot of history. But in 2026, finding a specific notice involves navigating a digital maze that blends local journalism with massive national databases like Legacy.com.
Where the Notices Actually Live
If you are looking for someone today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, you aren't just looking at a piece of newsprint. Most folks head straight to the Ledger-Enquirer website, but you'll often find yourself redirected.
It's a partnership.
The paper handles the local distribution, but the heavy lifting for the digital archive is usually managed through third-party platforms. This is why you might see an obituary for someone like Cecil Bass, who passed away on January 11, appearing in the "Recent" feed even a week later. Obituaries aren't just "news" that disappears; they are permanent records.
Recent Names in the Valley
Just this week, the community has said goodbye to several recognizable faces. It’s a somber reality of local news. Lois J. Gentry, an 87-year-old Columbus native, passed on January 15. Then there's Pamela Ketterlinus, 72, who entered eternal rest at Piedmont Midtown Hospital on January 14.
You’ve also got names like Doctor Bennett Forte, known simply as "Doc" to many, who passed on January 14 in Eufaula but is deeply tied to the Columbus area.
Wait. Why do these names matter for your search?
Because the "today" in your search often includes anyone whose service is upcoming or whose notice was published within the last 24 to 48 hours. If a death occurred on a Tuesday, the obituary might not hit the Ledger until Friday.
How to Search Like a Pro
Don't just type a name and hope for the best.
- Use the "Last 30 Days" Filter: Most obituary sites default to the last week. If you missed the Sunday paper, you might think the notice is gone. It isn't. It’s just buried.
- Check the Funeral Home Site Directly: Sometimes there is a lag between the funeral home posting a tribute and it appearing in the Ledger-Enquirer. Places like Progressive Funeral Home or Striffler-Hamby often have the details up first.
- Watch the Spelling: You’d be surprised how many people miss a notice because they typed "Stephen" instead of "Steven." Local names in Georgia and East Alabama can have unique spellings that trip up search engines.
It’s kinda frustrating when you’re just trying to pay your respects and the website keeps asking you to subscribe. But remember, the Ledger-Enquirer is a business. They’ve won two Pulitzers—one in 1926 for taking on the KKK and another in 1955 for exposing corruption in Phenix City. That level of reporting costs money, which is why obituaries have become a "paid notice" model.
The Cost of Saying Goodbye
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the price.
If you’re the one placing the notice, it isn't cheap. In 2025 and 2026, starting prices for a basic notice in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer hover around $22.35, but that’s just the starting line. Once you add a photo, a few extra paragraphs about their love for the Georgia Bulldogs, and a Guestbook on Legacy, you’re looking at a much higher bill.
Families do it because it’s the record of record. It’s what goes into the archives.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That every death in Columbus gets an obituary in the Ledger.
Basically, it's optional.
If a family doesn't pay for the notice, it might not appear. You might find a "Death Notice"—which is a tiny, one-line mention—but the full story of a life lived is a choice made by the survivors. This is why sometimes you'll hear about a passing on Facebook but can't find the "official" word in the paper.
Also, the print schedule has changed. The Ledger-Enquirer reduced its print frequency significantly over the last few years. If you're looking for a physical paper on a Tuesday, you might be out of luck. The digital edition is where the daily updates live now.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you are looking for someone right now, do this:
- Visit the official Legacy/Ledger portal: This is the most direct way to see today's newest postings.
- Search by "Funeral Home": If you know they are at McMullen or Sconiers, go to those websites first.
- Check the "We Remember" pages: These are often community-sourced and have more photos than the standard newspaper clipping.
- Use the search bar for "Columbus, GA": Don't just search for the newspaper name; search for the city and the date.
If you are trying to submit a notice, you can call their customer service at (855) 200-8543. They are usually available from 7 AM to 7 PM.
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The process of finding columbus ledger obituaries today is really about patience. The information is there, but between the paywalls and the third-party redirects, it takes a second to find. Whether you're looking for a veteran like COL (Ret.) Richard "Dick" D. Meriaux or a local business owner like James Harden of JAH Construction, the digital record remains the most reliable way to honor those we've lost in the Chattahoochee Valley.