Obituaries
Death of Dennis M. “Denny” Bruckert
Dennis M. “Denny” Bruckert, 74 of Plainview, died at his residence from pancreatic cancer on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at 10:26 a.m. He was born on June 5, 1944, in Litchfield to Harry Bruckert and Catherine (Musgrove) Bruckert. He married Susan (Briskovich) Bruckert on March 20, 1999.
Denny graduated from Bunker Hill High School with the class of 1962. While in high school, he excelled and loved baseball and basketball. He was drafted to play baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but declined, and was an Illinois All-State basketball player. Denny was very proud of his United States Navy service and spent over two and one-half years in Vietnam being there over three Christmas holidays. Denny was a member of the VFW Post 4547 of Gillespie.
As many of you know, Denny’s passion was fastpitch softball and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. To say he was a sports fanatic is an understatement. Denny loved all sports. His fastpitch softball teams won many international and national championships, but his proudest accomplishment in softball was being the head coach of the United States Men’s National Fastpitch Softball team. He always wore the red, white and blue with honor and worked hard to teach and encourage his players to do their best and to always represent their country in the best possible way. Denny’s second proudest sports moment was being able to teach his grandson Dominic the basics of baseball at a very early age and to coach his little league teams until his health failed him several years ago.
He was retired after having been partner/owner of the Daley Bruckert new car dealerships in Gillespie, Staunton and Carlinville.
He is survived by his spouse, Susan Bruckert; children, Shanna Michelle Bruckert, Brandy Lea Bruckert (spouse, Daniel Fisher), Shelly Alepra (spouse, Matt), and Alan Young (spouse, Kelley); grandchildren, Dominic Alepra, Isabella Alepra, Marcus Young and Ashley Young; siblings, Ronald Bruckert (spouse, Ginny) and Carol Zakrewski (spouse, Gary); half brother and half sister, Bob Bruckert and Candy Bruckert; as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
Denny was preceded in death by his mother, Catherine (Musgrove) Bruckert; birth father, Harry Bruckert; step father, Albert Bruckert; and first wife, Peaches (Stankoven) Bruckert.
Friends may call on Monday, May 13, 2019 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services are Tuesday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie with Pastor Brian Holle officiating. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie. Memorials are suggested to USA Softball Legacy Club or Illinois Valley E D C of Gillespie. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Nancy Ilene Weller, 74, of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 2:52 pm. She was born June 4, 1949, in Litchfield, to Charles Giller and Margaret Whitman Giller. She married Kenneth Raymond Weller, Sr., on August 17, 1968, in Litchfield. He preceded her in death on December 5, 2011.
She was a caregiver. Nancy loved horses, reading, and her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Chester (Katina) Weller of Gillespie, Luke Weller of Gillespie, Spring Weller (spouse, Phillip Benner) of Fowler, IN, 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 5 brothers, and sisters.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, 4 brothers, and sisters.
No public services are scheduled. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Beverly Kay Brown, 82, of Gillespie, died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center, Gillespie, on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 8:45 am. She was born October 4, 1941, in Litchfield, to Mario Meldi and Opal Olston Meldi. She married Bob Brown on October 30, 1976.
She worked for the State of Illinois in title transferring and data processing. Beverly enjoyed reading and was an avid reader of People’s magazine.
She is survived by her spouse, Bob Brown of Gillespie, children, Joell (Sid) Flyte of Edwardsville, Jackie (Larry) Fear of The Villages, FL, Kathy Giesler of Mattoon, Kim (Joe) Brittin of Springfield, Jane (Greg) Hallum of Ishpeming, MI, Lori Brown of Temecula, CA, grandchildren, Breanna Leake, Dominique Flyte, Addie Flyte, Bradley Fear, David Fear, Brad Brittin, Melissa Casad, Amanda Kozak, Jaime Galloway, Jaimee Dobson, Jenny Knight, Emily Nault, Elyssa Gregurash, Erin Baldini, many great-grandchildren, brothers, Ron (Corky) Meldi of Nitro, WV, and sisters-in-law, June Swan and Loni Cloyd. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Jedd Hallum, and brother-in-law, Preston Brown.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Funeral services are Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie. Burial will be at Benld Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to SS Simon and Jude Church. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Darrell Leon Hoffstot, 69, of Gillespie, died at St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, on Saturday, March 2, 2024. He was born October 2, 1954, in Granite City, to Willard Lee Hoffstot and Hazel Mae Holloway Hoffstot.
He was retired after having been an assembler for Echlin. Darrell enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and water skiing.
He is survived by his sons, Zachary Hoffstot of Mt. Olive, and Zane Hoffstot of Gillespie, and sisters, Sandra Elledge of Litchfield, and Peggy (Joseph) Fischer. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Victor Hoffstot.
No public services will be held. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
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