Obituaries
Death of Alan L. Ashby
Alan L. Ashby, 91, of Carlinville, was called to Heaven on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at his home in Carlinville. Alan was born in rural Macoupin County on May 18, 1933, to Clarence Ottis and Myrle Anderson Ashby. In 1946, Clarence married Ruth Mitchell of Palmyra, and she became the beloved stepmother of Clarence’s seven children.
Alan met Georgia F. Maguire while attending Northwester High School, and they married in Carlinville on April 4, 1952. They raised their family in Hettick, until moving to Carlinville in 1962.
Alan worked at Allis Chalmers in Springfield until 1957, when he began working at Schien Body and Equipment in Carlinville. Alan had many jobs at Schien, including, mechanic, welder, ship foreman, and plant supervisor. Alan left Schien in 1980 to work at Cisco Trucking for the next 5 years. This was a hard decision for Alan. He valued his time at Schien and enjoyed working for the Schien family. Alan and his good friend, Norm Crays, bought Plaza Truck Service in 1986, and together grew the business and eventually started Carlinville Truck Equipment. Though the businesses were divided years ago, Norm and Alan remained the best of friends. Alan continued to work until June of this year, when he was no longer able. Alan was very proud to have worked in the trucking industry for 67 years.
Alan’s faith was the most important element in his life. He attended the Carlinville Assembly of God for many years, where he taught Sunday school and rarely missed a service. He lived in his faith in God and trusted his Lord in all aspects of his life.
Alan was preceded in death by his wife Georgia F. Maguire Ashby, son-in-law, Kent (Genny) Young, his parents, Clarence O. Ashby and Myrle O. Keenan, his dear stepmother, Ruth E. Mitchell Ashby, sister, Phyllis Ashby and her husband Don L. Hopper, brother, Donald E. Ashby, and his wife, Darlene E. Harris Ashby, his brother-in-law, Paul D. (Carol) Nevin, and brother-in-law, C.J. (Linda) Stewart.
Alan is survived by his seven children; Genevieve “Genny” Young of Eureka, Rhonda (Russell) Coulter of Sparta, Mary (Ted) Robbins of Springfield, Margaret (John) Norris of Carlinville, Paula Striplin of Springfield, James “Andy” (Cindy) Ashby of Carlinville, and Jonathan “Jon” Ashby of Carlinville, 21 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, also his siblings, Linda Stewart, Carol Nevin, Marilyn “Joyce” Ashby, and Gary (Rosemary) Ashby, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and their extended families. Alan will be deeply missed by all that had the privilege of knowing him.
Alan’s family wishes to express their love and thanks to all who have supported them in this time of grief. With sincere gratitude and love for their sacrifices, they expressly wish to thank their sister Margaret and her husband John Norris for the love they showed Alan by living with him for the past 12 years. They extended Dad’s comfort and enjoyment in life in so many ways.
Alan was a member of the Macoupin County Civil War Roundtable, Mid-West Truckers Association, Service Specialist Association, and the ROMEO breakfast group.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Carlinville First Church, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Carlinville First Church, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Charity Cemetery, Carlinville.
Memorials may be made to Carlinville First Church. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville, is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alan Ashby, please visit www.davis-andersonfuneralhome.com
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Beverly J. Katich, 81 of Bunker Hill, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. She was born on August 18, 1943, to the late Calvin and Betty (Foster) Mattice.
Raised in Gillespie, she met the love of her life, Gerald Katich. They married on July 3, 1965, at Gillespie United Methodist Church and started their beautiful life together. She worked alongside her husband raising crops, livestock, and her family.
A lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, her faith was very important to her. Raised in the church herself, she raised her children and grandchildren in the church where she served in many different capacities including board member, choir member, children’s choir director, Sunday school teacher, and lay minister.
Early in her adult life, she worked as a legal secretary in Springfield, before returning to the area. She also worked at the clothing store in Gillespie. Later in life, she took her talent for decorating and sold home interiors to many in the area.
She always put her family first, attending events for her kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids while she was able. She and Jerry were fortunate to travel extensively after their retirement with many being through the Macoupin County Farm Bureau and a few with her children.
Surviving are her husband, Jerry; children, David (Denise) Katich, of Godfrey, Amber (Dave) Obernier, of Osage Beach, MO, Dusty (Val) Katich, of Troy, Cheri (Rick) Petroline of Dorchester, and Lacey (Jake) Hanner, of Carlinville; 12 grandchildren, Shannon Katich, Michael Katich, Abi Katich, Jake Katich, Cameron Obernier, Tyler Obernier, Max Katich, Ryan (Katelyn) Petroline, Calli (Patrick) Battuello, McKayla (Riley) Canania, Emmy (Austin) Yates, and Bella Hanner; eight great-grandchildren, Amelia, Kendall, Sydney, Finley, Lincoln, Beckam, Rylan, and Evelynn; and a brother, Phil (Phyllis) Mattice, of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Fri., Sept. 13, 2024, at the Gillespie Methodist Church with services immediately following. Rev. Faye Edmiaston, minister at the United Methodist Church of Bunker Hill will officiate. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Gillespie.
Memorials may be to St. Jude or to the family for a memorial bench to be placed at Hallmark Healthcare where she received wonderful care. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
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Joyce Mallory, 84, of Gillespie, died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center, Gillespie, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 7:19 am. She was born July 10, 1940, in Russellville, KY, to Raymond Wells and Guyla Justice Wells.
She married Carl Mallory on August 31, 1962, in Russellville, KY. She was a clerk for Fashion Lane. Joyce enjoyed crafting and being with her grandchildren and great-grandkids.
She is survived by her spouse, Carl Mallory of Gillespie, daughters, Marilyn Rhodes of Gillespie, Lisa (Robert) Mallory-Colwell of Springfield, grandchildren, Deanna (Jeremy) Ellis, Evan (Maryn) Colwell, Michael Rhodes, Zachary Rhodes, great-grandchildren, Ayden Madeline, Traegen Madeline, Lincoln Ellis, Caleb Ellis, Chloe Ellis, Lillian Colwell, brother, Earl (Sanora) Wells of Lewisburg, KY, and several nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law, Mark Rhodes, and sister, Nancy Hadden.
Friends may call on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Funeral services are Friday, September 13, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service or Gillespie Police Department.
Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, in charge of the arrangements.
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Norma Jean Sanks (nee Larcker), of Gillespie, passed away at home surrounded by family on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the age of 89. She was born April 8, 1935, in Staunton to Max and Catherine Brozich Larcker.
Norma will be most remembered for her devotion to her family, her strength, and her wicked wit and sense of humor. She was a jack of all trades and worked until the age of 84. Her employment for the last 30 plus years as a dining room manager was with the Holiday Inn in Carlinville, later known as The Grand Magnuson Hotel, beginning the day they opened in 1985, until she retired in 2019. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her children, Arlin (Nancy) Cunningham of Brighton, Dianna (Chuck) Sheets of Naperville, Rodney (Ann) Cunningham of Gillespie, 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and siblings, Kay (Alan) Forbes of Florida, Carol Downing of Alton, Georgia Ribes of Benld, and Tony Ribes of Gillespie. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother-in-law, Alvera and Arlin Armour, and brother-in-law, Kevin Downing.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm, with memorial services to follow at the funeral home at 3:30 pm.
Memorials are suggested to Homers for Health (on behalf of Libby Cunningham) or Macoupin County Animal Shelter. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
