Obituaries
Death of Shirley Carole (Vesper) Graves
Shirley Carole (Vesper) Graves, 83, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 28, 2018, at Generations Care Center in Lincoln after a two-year battle with ALS (Lou Gerhrig’s Disease). Shirley was born Jan. 10, 1935, in rural Staunton, the daughter of William F. and Beatrice I. (Hastings) Vesper.
After graduating from Staunton High School in 1952, Shirley moved to Denver, Colorado, where she met and married her husband of 61 years, Fred D. Graves. They later moved back to Illinois and made their home in Staunton to raise their family. In addition to raising her four children, Shirley worked as an administrator for the State of Illinois for nearly 30 years.
Family was Shirley’s passion and delight. Every Sunday evening for 36 years (until she was hospitalized last year), she hosted family dinners at home for her four kids and their families, which grew to include the grandchildren and their spouses and children. Her grandson, Jackson Wilson, describes the experience best:
“My family is full of walking angels, and my Grandma Shirley was far from an exception. She would always greet us with a great big beaming smile on her face every time we walked into her house on Sunday night. She fed us until our stomachs burst. She would always listen to what everyone had to say, regardless of what the conversation was about. …There was never a time in my life in which Grandma was unable to lift my spirits with her happiness and joy that was in her heart.”
After retirement, Shirley was able to travel the world with Fred and other family members. She visited Australia, Thailand, Egypt, Italy, Panama and Vietnam, among other places, along with many Caribbean islands.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Fred; two daughters, Carla Coury of New Orleans and Diane (Craig) Wilson of Litchfield; two sons, Dale (Debbie) Graves of Litchfield and Darren (fiancé, Lisa Costin) of Staunton; 11 grandchildren, Bethany (Eric) Paulsen of New Orleans, Ben (Megan) Culp of Baton Rouge, La., Nathan (Pamela) Culp of Wilmington, N.C., Gregory Culp of Augusta, Ga., Danny Kovaly (and Ann) of Alhambra, Elizabeth (Matt) Willis of St. Louis, Miranda (Shaun) Martin of St. Louis, Dalton Graves of Staunton, Grace Graves of Staunton, Jackson Wilson of Litchfield, and Cooper Wilson of Litchfield; and 7 great-grandchildren, Beau Willis, Emmet Paulsen, Julia Culp, Wesley Culp, Owen Culp, Clayton Culp, and Baby Martin (due any day). She is also survived by one brother, Bill Vesper of Staunton, and leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, a sister, and a son-in-law.
Shirley requested a private burial and funeral. The family wishes to thank all those who cared for her during her illness. ALS is a bitch. Memorials may be made to the Steve Gleason Initiative Foundation at www.teamgleason.org/donate. Williamson 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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