Obituaries
Obituary of Roena “Ro” (Ward) Dart
Roena “Ro” (Ward) Dart, 80 of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday evening, September 2, 2025, at her home in Carlinville.
Ro was born on December 7, 1944, in Rose Hill, a daughter of William Kenneth and Thelma (Wilson) Ward. Ro graduated from Newton Community High School with the class of 1963. She married Darrell Dart on August 22, 1964, in Oblong, IL, he passed away on November 9, 2022.
Right out of high school, Ro worked at a garment factory. She then married her husband and became a pastor’s wife and full time mother, as well as, ran the Welcome Wagon in Newton, IL. Being a woman of faith, Ro became the administrative assistant at Lake Williamson Christian Center for 20 years.
After many fulfilling years there, she started Sunny Time day care at the First Assembly of God Church. Her time with the children at church helped her to find her next joy in life, opening a daycare in her home. It was called TLC Daycare she operated it for many years until she retired.
Ro enjoyed many hobbies such as crafts, painting, being outdoors, and taking care of her yard. Ro was an amazing person full of faith and love. More than anything else, she loved her family, especially being able to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ro is survived by her son, Bradley Wayne (Tina) Dart of Springfield; daughter, Pamela Jo (significant other, Alexis Wright) Dart of Kokomo, IN; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brother, Dale (Marilyn) Ward of Mattoon; and sister, Marsha (Rod) Cochran of Newton, IL.
Ro was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, James “Jim” Allen Ward; brother, Earl Ward; sister, Darlene Tolliver; and sister, Sharon Einhorn.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Carlinville First Church, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Carlinville First Church with Rev. Steve Schmidt officiating.
Burial will follow in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Carlinville. Memorials may be made to Carlinville First Church. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Robert Leeroy Blevins, 77 of Litchfield, passed away the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born in Litchfield on December 24, 1947, a son of Robert James and Betty Bernadine (Cranford) Blevins.
He graduated from Centralia High School and proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He was employed for many years as a cabinet maker with Adenca Manufacturing in Litchfield. Robert enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and looking for buried treasures with his metal detector.
He was a talented musician and played guitar and saxophone. Robert enjoyed watching and listening to all spectator sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He married the former Wanda Kay Large and they later divorced.
Robert is survived by sons, Christopher (fiancée Grace) Blevins and Jason (Jamie) Blevins, all of Litchfield; daughters, Jennifer (Gordon) Fenton of Salem, MO and Shannon Large of Litchfield; brothers, Chesley Blevins of Staunton, Joseph Blevins of Litchfield, Floyd Blevins of Highland, and Fred Blevins of Litchfield; sisters, Barbara (Ray) Schuster of Sorento, Sharon (John) Wickerheim of Chicago, and Pamela Poppenhouse of Litchfield; and several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Betty B. Blevins.
Funeral services for Mr. Blevins will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Pastor Gilbert Dealey will officiate. Burial will be in Crabtree Cemetery. Military honors will be at graveside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family of Robert Blevins, c/o Christopher Blevins. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Joyce Carleen Simmons, 83 of Litchfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 23, 2025. She was born in Pana on May 31, 1942, a daughter of Carl Cornelius and Lucille Romelta (Miller) Brakenhoff.
She was a member of the Litchfield High School graduating class of 1960. She married Raymond “Larry” Simmons on June 6, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and they enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage until his passing on January 23, 2022.
Joyce was an excellent cook and well known for her beef and noodles, Texas cake, and stew. Joyce’s delicious cooking skills were evident during her 22-year career as manager of Jubelt’s Variety Bakery in Litchfield and as a ten-year cafeteria worker for the Litchfield Community School District #12. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, tending to her fruit trees, and sewing. Joyce enjoyed serving others by teaching Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and volunteering for the local Meals on Wheels.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Raymond (Vicki) Simmons of Evansville, IN and David (Jacqueline) Simmons of Haymarket, VA; daughter, Laura Simmons of Edwardsville; brothers, Leslie (Sue) Brakenhoff of Litchfield, Byron (Terry) Brakenhoff of Chattanooga, TN, and Dale (Nancy) Brakenhoff of Litchfield; sisters, Ramona Warman of Charleston, IL and Marilyn (Don) Loptien of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Zachary Simmons, Makenzie (Jeremy) Frazier, Emma Simmons, and William Simmons; and great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Eli and Calla.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Rev. Larry Brakenhoff and Bernard Brakenhoff; brother-in-law Robert, “Bob” Warman; and niece, Kimberly (Brakenhoff) Bergman.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141-8557. Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
