Obituaries
Obituary of Donald Kasubke
Donald Kasubke, 83 of Staunton, passed away at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Cottages of Lake St. Louis in Lake St. Louis, MO. He was born on October 28, 1941, in Litchfield the son of the late William and Hildegarde (Lewerenz) Kasubke. He married Marie Tjaden on March 16, 1963, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. They were happily married for 61 years. She passed away on October 9, 2024.
Don attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated in 1959 from Staunton High School. Don was a standout basketball player in high school, scoring over 1000 points in his career (2nd in school history). He still holds the SHS single game scoring record with 45 points. He later played basketball at SIU-Carbondale. In 1963, he graduated from SIU-C with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education; then completed his Master of Science Degree in 1971.
Don was employed as an Industrial Arts teacher at Cahokia Wirth Junior High School from 1963-1999. Along with teaching, he coached school softball and baseball teams for many years. He was the head coach for the 1980 and 1982 IESA State Softball Tournament Champions.
In the mid-1970s, Don & Marie were one of five husband and wife EMT teams that started the Staunton Area Ambulance Service. He coached multiple Staunton youth baseball and softball teams when his children were playing. He was an active member of the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department for over 53 years. From 2004-2023, he was a member of the Staunton Community Hospital Board of Trustees, the last 17 as Board Chairman. He also served on the Anderson Hospital Board after they acquired Staunton Hospital.
He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, serving several terms as Elder and on various committees. He and Marie enjoyed following the St. Louis Cardinals and were season ticket holders for 25 years. They also enjoyed traveling, especially to attend their grandchildren’s events. Don was named Staunton Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” in 2001.
He is survived by three children, Bruce (Mary Ann) Kasubke of Mexico, MO, Lisa (Ryan) Lackey of Kingwood, TX, and Bret (Michelle) Kasubke of Dardenne Prairie, MO; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth and Sarah Kasubke, Rachel & Lauren Lackey, Katlyn (Jake) Elfers, and Ella & Luke Kasubke; and a sister, Karen Pacey of St. Louis, MO.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 AM on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. A memorial service will follow at 11 AM on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton with Pastor Phil Girardin officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
The family suggests memorials to the charity of the donor’s choice. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
Ruth Ann “Sis” Pollard passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 79 years old. Ruth was born on April 19, 1947 in Staunton to Homer and Ruth (Clark) Cunningham.
She married George Pollard February 14, 1967, and he preceded her in death. Ruth was a caregiver and foster parent. Ruth was a selfless person who dedicated her life to give a home to special needs children. She was a very loving person when it came to her family and friends and they are going to miss her dearly.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Shane Pollard of Litchfield, Ron (Lorette) Pollard of Gillespie, and Jeff Pollard of Chesterfield; a daughter, Jackie (Leighann) Pollard of Chesterfield; grandchildren, Sean Pollard, Abigail Pollard, Adrian Davis, Jarod Cantrell, Ellen Kennedy, and Lilly Pollard; siblings, Judy (Paul) Spensberger, JoleneWard, Robert (Kathy) Cunningham, Mary (Nick) Hollis, Kelly (Jim) Force, and Gary Cunningham; sister-in-law, Violet Ballowe; daughter-in-law, Karla Pollard; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Ruth Cunningham; her daughter Michelle Pollard; former husband, George Pollard Jr; sister, Gail Mick; and four brothers, Tom, Jack, Delbert, and Jim Cunningham.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Chesterfield Bible Church from 2 to 5 pm. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
Ross Beckman, 90, joined his Lord in Heaven on April 29, 2026, at 2:27 AM. He was born on April 1, 1936, in Highland. His parents were Vernon Otto Bartels and Arlene Beckman, both of New Douglas. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Emma (Sievers) and George Beckman of New Douglas.
Ross attended New Douglas Elementary School in New Douglas and Highland High School in Highland. His first job was at Kline’s Grocery Store in New Douglas. He also was employed at McDonnell Douglas as a sheet metal worker. He worked for Artophone Corporation and also distributed Armstrong Flooring, worked in sales, and traveled Illinois.
He purchased Sherman’s Department Store on East Main Street in Staunton and renamed it Beckman’s Department Store. He operated the store for 30 years before retiring. He then bought property for a new business in Equine Ranch.
Ross was married to Lela Conroy of Staunton. They had one daughter, Wendy Arlene. Lela passed away after a long illness with Huntington’s Corea. Ross was married to Frances Lee Simpson of Staunton for 27 years. She passed away from illness in 2016. He then married Sheila Fay Foster of Carlinville on May 27, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
Ross was a member of the Staunton Jaycees for six years and was also the Chaplain for the State Jaycees. The local chapter gave him a lifelong membership. Ross served one term on the Staunton City Council as a ward #4 alderman and also was on the Dorchester Township Board. He was a long-time elder for the Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
He was an avid horseman. His horse, “Atomico” was not only his show horse but his loving pet. Ross became a member of The Assembly Church in Staunton and was a very active and a devoted servant. He loved his “church family”.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila (Foster) Beckman; son-in-law, John Walker; three brothers-in-laws, James E. Foster Jr., Gary Foster, and Mike Foster; two sisters-in-law, Deborah (Foster) Wilson and Amy Foster, all originally from Carlinville.
Besides his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Arlene.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Assembly Church, 1335 S. Hackman Street, in Staunton with Pastor Arthur Braden officiating.
Ross will be greatly missed, but is in the arms of his Lord Jesus. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
