Obituaries
Death of Rev. Francis “Mike” T. Michels
Rev. Francis “Mike” T. Michels, 87, of Litchfield passed away Monday morning October 10, 2016, at 1:45 a.m. at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in Litchfield. He was born at the family farm home on March 29, 1929, near Albion, IL in Edwards County, a son of Frank C. and Harriett (Holt) Michels.
Mike married the former Earline Sanders on August 29, 1952 at Phillipstown Methodist Church near Crossville, IL. He was the youngest of five sons: Vernon, Virgil, James, and Allen. All brothers preceded him in death.
Mike attended the Judge Country School, Albion Comm. High School, McKendree College, A.B. 1953, and Temple University School on Theology, S.T.B., M. Div. 1958. He also studied at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland; Switzerland, and Luther’s Reformation in East Germany. Pastorates at Shiloh, IL, Boulder Circuit, New Athens-Freeburg, Bay View in Maryland, Newton/Kedron, Sparta, Greenville, Rosewood Hts, Jerseyville, Norris City-Shiloh, and Litchfield all located in the former Southern Illinois Conference, except Bay View.
He served the Southern Illinois Conference in various agencies: board of trustees, (treasurer); board of pensions, commission on minimum salary, (treasurer & chairman); building and location committees in three districts; committee on district superintendency; district youth director; camp dean, little grassy; conference statistician; conference chairman on Pastoral Counseling and Care Committee in the planning stage, board of directors for United Methodist Village, Lawrenceville and Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, both in Illinois.
Believing a pastor should be involved in the community, he chose Rotary as the one service. He served in every local club office. He shared Rotary in New Athens, Newton, Sparta, Jerseyville, Carmi and Litchfield. In retirement serving four years as assistant governor, being a “pioneer” the first told hold that office in the pilot year. He was awarded honors: Rotarian of the Year, Hall of Honor, and holds six Paul Harris Awards. Mike refused three times the nomination of being District Governor. He never missed a meeting since first joining, having recorded 55 years of perfect attendance.
While not volunteering, Mike enjoyed ministering with the children of the church and enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and landscaping.
Mike is survived by his wife, Earline of Litchfield; daughter, Linda (Robert) Noland of Maryville; and two granddaughters, Katie Lee (Kevin) Devany and Leanne Marie Noland; great-granddaughter, Claire Marie Devany; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Stephen Link Michels; and his brothers.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 14, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield with Rev. James Tinzmann officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time in the church. Burial will take place Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Albion, IL.
Memorials may be directed to Preacher’s Aid Society and Benefit Fund P.O. Box 19207 Springfield, IL 62794-9207.
Litchfield Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
-
Community News3 weeks agoSchool district apparently eyeing food management service
-
Police News4 weeks agoGillespie Police Report: March 17-23, 2024
-
High School Sports3 weeks ago
Gillespie Varsity Miners Steamroll Nokomis and fall to New Berlin
-
High School Sports4 weeks ago
Gillespie Varsity Softball Racks up 3 Wins this Week