Obituaries
Death of John Harold Klekamp
John Harold Klekamp, 76, a well-known area resident of rural Litchfield passed away January 19, 2023, at Elevate Care Chicago North in Chicago due to a fall resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
John was born July 21, 1946, to the late Harold Klekamp and Helen (Lueneman) Klekamp. John was baptized in St. John’s Lutheran Church, South Litchfield. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and was confirmed there. He was a member of the 1964 graduating class of Mt. Olive High School and excelled in track earning letters every four years.
After graduation, John worked at the WYKOMI Plant in Litchfield. He enlisted in the Army in 1966 and served in Korea and Germany. After military life, John worked on the Gulf Interstate Pipeline. Afterward, he worked for the Allis-Chalmers Company in Springfield as a machinist until it was sold to Fiat-Allis, which eventually relocated in Japan. He then worked for Mayfield Produce and Landscape Company in Staunton until he retired.
John, with his contagious smile and hearty laugh, was very kind and helpful. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He loved visiting with family and friends. John was an expert antique appraiser and enjoyed auctions and yard sales especially, Picker’s Market in Litchfield, and he was always on the “look out” to find an item someone was searching for. He loved animals and wildlife and especially enjoyed feeding the ducks at Walton Park. He also enjoyed metal detecting, gardening, and supporting community events. John was a member of the VFW and also a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive.
John is survived by sisters, Marian Mayfield and husband Larry of Staunton, Jane Taylor and husband Joe of Litchfield, and Carol Frailey and husband Larry of Benld; special cousin, Brenda Lubrandt and husband Ed of Gillespie; beloved cat, Mama; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, many friends, and wonderful neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Nancy Mayfield Holtorf.
Visitation will be at Becker and Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive on Thursday, January 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Friday, January 27, from 11 to 12 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Service will begin at noon officiated by Pastor James Ritter.
Burial will be in Mt. Olive City Cemetery. Lunch will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Education Building. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mt. Olive VFW or Immanuel Lutheran Church. Becker and Son funeral home is in charge of 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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