Obituaries
Death of Harry G. Arden
Private family services are planned for Harry G. Arden, 94, of rural Gillespie. He died at Heritage Health of Gillespie on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. He was born on April 29, 1928, in Benld the son of Mike and Peligia Arden.
The family moved to Chicago when Harry was 9 years old. He graduated from Harrison Technical High School in Chicago in 1946. He worked at Schumaker Flying Service and obtained his aircraft and engine mechanic’s license. Additionally, he received his commercial pilot’s license and his flight instructor’s rating. He then relocated back to Benld and set up an aircraft repair shop at Hillsboro Airport in Hillsboro in 1950 along with his brother John.
He was drafted into the Army a short time later. After completing basic training, he was sent to Darmstadt, Germany as a replacement aircraft mechanic. He applied for helicopter flight training and was sent to the US Army Aviation School at Ft. Sill, OK. He graduated as a warrant officer and was retained as a flight instructor. He was honorably discharged from the Army in March 1955.
He then attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in May 1959. He worked at McDonnell Aircraft for a time and then resigned to attend St. Louis University where he earned his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked at Basler Electric in Highland, Electrical Products Central Division in Highland which later became Parsons Peebles, and retired in 1995.
He did a great deal of work-related travel. He enjoyed playing golf, fixing anything that was broken or even if it wasn’t broken he enjoyed working on it, crossword puzzles, reading technical books and taking trips with his wife. He especially enjoyed their trip to Europe and Alaska. He was a member of the Holy Dormition Church of Benld and sang in the choir. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 214 of Gillespie, Mensa Organization and CFU Lodge 217.
He married Millie Motika on August 1, 1959, at the Holy Dormition Orthodox Church, Benld. She survives. Also surviving are niece, Sharon Moore and her children, Dillon & Michael Moore, Dana LaFontsee of Wisconsin; and sisters-in-law, Olga Massa and Frances Arden of Wilsonville.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Nick Arden, Steve Arden, and John Arden; sister, Mary Pleny, and a sister in infancy.
Burial will be in the Holy Dormition Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. 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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