Obituaries
Death of Arthur L. Manea
Alan L. Bohlen, 59, of Staunton passed away at 9:42 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at his residence with his family by his side. He was born on August 31, 1965, in Staunton the son of the late Harry F. and Elizabeth (Blume) Bohlen. He married Deborah Patrick in 1988 in Staunton and she survives.
Alan was employed as an Assistant Manager for Shop-N-Save in Edwardsville for many years and later worked at Schnuck’s in Edwardsville. He was also a Veteran of the Army National Guard and enjoyed hunting, fishing, outdoor vacations, traveling, and being “Paw-Paw”.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Bohlen of Staunton; three children, Brianna Bohlen of Staunton, Ciara (Liam) Lutz-Dreyer of Richmond Heights, MO, and Joshua Bohlen of Staunton; two grandchildren, Dominic Kelly and Wesley Lutz-Dreyer; three sisters, Georgianna Lorenz of Mt. Olive, Shirley Bohm of Loganville, GA, and Linda (William) Clark of Onalaska, WA; one brother, Eric (Becky) Bohlen of Staunton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Larry Lovejoy.
Friends may call from 4 to 6 PM on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral services will be held at 6 PM on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Pastor Art Braden officiating. The Staunton Military Honor Guard will conduct military rites at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to either the Ronald McDonald House of St. Louis, MO, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, or to the family.
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James (Jim) Tsupros, age 101, of Staunton died on December 4, 2024. He was born on October 1,1923, in Livingston the son of Thomas and Mary Tsupros. He married Mildred Ruehrup on December 21, 1947.
After graduating from Livingston High School in 1945, Jim worked at American Steel before joining the Marine Corp serving honorably from November 1943 until April 1946 with active duty in the South Pacific campaign.
Following discharge, he worked at Oltmann Garage in Mt. Olive as an auto body repairman. He then went on to gain his significant expertise in electronics and electricity by attending American Electronics and DeForest Training schools in Chicago. He worked as an electrician at Dow Chemical and AO Smith before establishing his own business, Jim’s TV Repair and later as Jim’s Electrical Service.
He was a long-time member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 309 in Collinsville. He also served as a board member for Community Memorial Hospital and as a Contract Coordinator during construction of the new hospital dedicated in 1974.
Jim loved sports, especially baseball. He managed a little league team for years and was instrumental in the installation of lights on the little league baseball diamond. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, was a member of the Lake Forest Fishing Club and VFW Post 1241. After decades as a 32nd Degree Mason, Jim was bestowed the honor of becoming a 33rd Degree Mason at his 100th birthday celebration on October 1, 2023.
Jim retired in May of 1986 and pursued his favorite hobby of woodworking. He designed and made many beautiful pieces of furniture for their home, family, and friends. He especially enjoyed making and collecting clocks and giving them to the special people in his life.
Jim loved his family, spending time bicycle riding and doing puzzles with his cherished wife, taking his oldest daughter on service calls, playing ball with his son, motorcycle riding with his youngest daughter, and babysitting his grandchildren. And let us not forget the daily coffee hour with his buddies.
Jim is survived by his wife, Mildred; two daughters, Donna (Paul) Vafides of Chatham, MA, and Cheryl (Mark) Sitko of Staunton; and one son, Rick (Jayne) Tsupros of Pana. In addition, there are seven grandchildren, Eric and Chris Vafides of MA, Tonya Lueken of TX, Megan Tsupros Lawler of MI, Brett Tsupros of IL, Anthony Sitko of FL, Markus Sitko of MO; seven great grandchildren; one sister, Virginia Smith of Gillespie; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Tsupros of Livingston; as well as nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.
Jim was preceded in death by one brother, Marion Tsupros, and four sisters, Bessie Howard, Irene Scott, Helen Young, and Patricia Wilson.
Per his request, Jims body was cremated. At Mildreds request, the memorial gathering will be brief and private. She knows her many friends support her and on behalf of Jim and his family, Mildred thanks the Staunton community for decades of kindness and love. God Bless everyone. Memorials to Staunton Public Schools are welcome.
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James A. “Jim” Ward, 69, of Carlinville, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024, at his home. Jim was born on December 10, 1954, in Carlinville a son of Elmer W. and Alethea “Pat” (Patton) Ward.
Jim graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1972. He was never married. Jim was a past member of A.B.A.T.E. At one time, he worked for Wild Surveying as a surveyor’s assistant. He previously worked for Scott Wild as an auto mechanic and body repair. He also worked on his own and spent much of his time working on his Harley, BMW, motorcycles, and hot rods. He had always loved to fish and hunt. Jim was also owner of The Wright Place in Carlinville.
Jim is survived by his brother, Ed Ward of Carlinville; brother, Joseph Ward of Cheyenne, WY; six cousins; and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Elmer W. Ward; mother, Alethea “Pat” Ward; sister, Mary Micklus; and brother, Michael Ward.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024, from 10 to 11:00 am at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville, with Cliff Woodman presiding. Burial will follow in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Carlinville.
Jim’s family requests memorials be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, Inc., 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, LTD, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
