Obituaries
Death of David Nimrod Flack
David Nimrod Flack, 81, of Litchfield, formerly of Hillsboro, passed away Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11:10 p.m. at St. John’s Hospital Hospice Unit in Springfield. He was born on September 18, 1935, a son of Rev. John Louis and Bertha Florence (England) Flack.
Mr. Flack was a talented mechanic. He owned and operated Dave’s Auto in Greenville for several years. He was employed by Bond County Community Unit School District #2 as a bus mechanic. He was known for conversion of the school busses to run on liquid propane rather than gas or diesel fuels. He later moved to Hillsboro and was employed by Hillsboro Community Unit School District #3 as a bus mechanic until his retirement.
David was instrumental in placing strobe lights to school buses as an added measure of safety in fog and night time operating conditions. After his retirement from the Hillsboro CUSD #3, Mr. Flack was employed as a part sales representative of Ridgeway Bus Parts Co., of Louisville, KY, covering a five-state territory. In his retirement, Mr. Flack was also a manager of the Litchfield Car Wash – Rt.66 location.
He was a member of the Litchfield Assembly of God Church. He enjoyed riding his Honda Goldwing motorcycle, camping, fixing cars and spending time with his family.
David married the former Rose Ann Renfro on July 15, 1955, in Litchfield and she survives. Additional survivors include: a son, Earl (Nancy) Flack of Hillsboro; four daughters, Rosella Marie (Larry) Long of Taylor Springs, Patricia Ann Flack of Litchfield, Carol Sue Lipe of Ft. Walton Beach, FL and Ruby (Jeffrey) Clark of Quincy; three sisters, Edith Law of Litchfield, Lucy Hale of Fontana, CA and Stella Stephens of Hemet, CA; 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Preceding Mr. Flack in death are his parents; son, David (Sept. 27, 2007); brothers, John, Melvin, Bill and Rueben Flack; and sister, Neoma Wineke.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, November 15, 2016, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Funeral services for Mr. Flack will be conducted Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Randy Sands, Pastor of the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church will officiate and burial will be in the Union Grove Cemetery in Rural Greenville. The funeral dinner will be held at the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church in Hillsboro following the burial.
The family suggests memorials to St. John’s Hospice or the Hillsboro Community Unit School District #3 Vocational Education Fund.
Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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JoAnn L. Semrock, 87 of Carlinville, passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, June 9, 2025, at her daughter’s residence in Carlinville. JoAnn was born on July 1, 1937, in Columbia, SC, the daughter of David and Corrie (Hooper) Hill. She married Norman C. Semrock on April 2, 1960, in Springfield.
JoAnn, known affectionately as Jojo, was the heart of her family. Her home was a gathering place filled with joyful memories, especially Sunday dinners where she served her famous homemade spaghetti sauce. Jojo adored her eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, along with many honorary “grandkids” she lovingly adopted over the years. Jojo never missed a sporting event, dance recital, pageant, or school play, always cheering proudly from the sidelines. She loved with her whole heart, and you never had to wonder how much you meant to her.
Her passion for caring for others extended into her professional life. She began her career as a nurse, later becoming the co-founder of Zion Lutheran Preschool in Carlinville, where she served as a beloved administrator for more than 20 years.
Jojo found joy in life’s simple pleasures – reading mystery novels, tending to her flower garden, and playing weekly bridge games with dear friends. Her love, generosity, sass and strength will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Margaret and Louise; her brother, David; and her son-in-law, Kenny Hicks.
JoAnn is survived by her husband of 65 years, Norman C. Semrock of Carlinville; two daughters, Laura Hicks of Carlinville and Amy (Adrian) Walton of Carlinville; grandchildren Kaitie (Quin), Braden (Grace), Camryn (John), Chloe (Tyler), Emily, Carly (Brendan), Cory, and Will; and great-grandchildren, Turner, Evelyn, Vivienne, Hudson, Eleanor, and Reese.
To honor JoAnn’s wishes, there will be no formal services. Her family will celebrate her life privately. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Children Hospital. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Kenneth Ruyle, 91 of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 11:40 a.m. He was born on April 3, 1934, in Plainview to Howard Ruyle and Nina Lucille (Manuel) Ruyle.
He married Anna M. “Annie” Gregus on May 3, 1958, in Gillespie. He was a concrete contractor and finisher for many years. He enjoyed gardening, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, casinos, and dining out.
He is survived by his step son, Gary (Roseann) Visintin of Gillespie; daughter-in-law, Cathy Visintin of Gillespie; three grandsons, Matthew Visintin, Bradley (Meghan) Visintin, and Pete (Liz) Visintin of Gillespie; three great-grandchildren, Zephaniah Visintin, Leo Visintin, and Owen Visintin; and many nieces and nephews .
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; wife; step son, Pete Visintin; and siblings, Frank and Bill Ruyle, June Martin, and Maxine Osborne.
His body was donated to Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. No public services are scheduled. Memorials are suggested to Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service or to the donor’s choice.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Lorraine LaVern Collenberger, 98 of Vandalia, formerly of Litchfield, passed away on Wednesday June 11, 2025. She was born on June 8, 1927, in Rockport, a daughter of Raymond and Elsie (Murphy) Agney.
Ms. Collenberger was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Coffeen. She enjoyed sewing and playing BINGO. Ms. Collenberger was an excellent cook and enjoyed making Heavenly Hash. She was employed with Roller Derby Skate Corporation in Litchfield for 55 years.
Ms. Collenberger is survived by a daughter, Trealia A. Collenberger of Vandalia, and sisters, Shirley Ivy of Taylor Springs, Mabel Segrest of Hillsboro, and Violet Agney of Taylor Springs.
Ms. Collenberger was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Elsie Agney, and her siblings, Raymond Agney, Tom Agney, Elmer Agney, Donald Agney, Mary Moore, Blanche Thorpe, Ruby Eveland, Dorsella Agney, Loretta Agney (inf.) and Voletta Agney (inf.).
Funeral services for Ms. Collenberger will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield and a visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Rev. Gary Schwab of First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield.
Memorials may be directed to Hearts United, 110 N. Jackson St., Litchfield, IL, 62056. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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