Obituaries
Death of George Franklin Church
George Franklin Church, 80, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Carlinville Rehab and HealthCare. He was born on March 8, 1942, in Fairmont, WV to Beryl Jennings and Emma Josephine (Lough) Church.
He attended Fairmont State College and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. George served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War with the Army Security Agency, in-country during the Tet Offensive on Tan Son Nhut Airbase. After his service, he started a career in retail management working for 32 years in the greater Baltimore Metro area.
He married Laureen Heenan in 1973. They had two daughters and later divorced. After moving to Illinois in 2002, he married Rita Barber, became an Illinois Master Gardener, an active member of the Carlinville Lions Club, and worked at County Market/Girard. He especially enjoyed gardening and served as a docent at the Dean Garden at the Lincoln Home National Park as well as many projects in Macoupin County.
A kind soul, patient, caring and humorous person, one of his favorite expressions was, “There are no bad cookies, some are just better than others.”
He is survived by his wife, Rita Barber Church; daughters, Jennifer Marie Church and Sharon Church Schmitz (Blu); grandchildren, Eva Juliette Walters, Skylar Rain Schmitz and River Lucas Schmitz; sister, Sally Church Browning (Ellsworth); nieces, the late Beth Browning Sivrais; her son, Brenden Sivrais; Mary Kay Browning Austin (Jeremy), her daughter, Amber Browning; Pamela Jo Browning (David Lowe), and several great-nieces.
No visitation is planned. Cremation provided by Kravanya Funeral Homes. Burial will be at the West Virginia National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held later in the summer.
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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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