Obituaries
Death of Barbara Quade
Barbara Quade, 93, of Litchfield, formerly of Staunton, passed away on August 13, 2023, at Copper Creek Memory Care Center of Litchfield with family at her side.
Barbara was born in Carbondale, a daughter of William and Florence (Crain) Brummett. She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1947. She married Max Robinson on July 11, 1948, in Litchfield at Zion Lutheran Church. They were married 30 years and had seven children together before divorcing in 1978. She married Vernon Quade on August 16, 1980, in Alton. He died on February 20, 1985.
Barbara attended SIU Carbondale from 1947-1948 and resumed her college studies at SIU Edwardsville in 1969 while being a wife and mother of seven children. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in education in June 1973 and her master’s degree in special education and learning disabilities in June 1974.
She developed the Special Education Program for the Mt. Olive School District in 1973 and worked there until she retired in 1985, taking a break from 1980-1981 to return to SIU and graduate with her doctorate degree in special education. She served as principal at Zion Lutheran School in Staunton from 1994-1995. Prior to returning to college, she had taught piano and theory, worked at St. Francis Hospital, and also at Schmidt Trucking Line.
Barb was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield until her move to Staunton where she then transferred to Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. She maintained a strong involvement in her church, serving on numerous boards and as a teacher for the 5th and 6th-grade confirmation classes for several years.
She also served her church faithfully through the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, serving on many boards and helping start an Adult Christian Retreat at Pere Marquette State Park in Alton. Barb loved her Lord with a deep faith she brought to all she met.
As a senior in high school at Litchfield in 1947, Barbara joined together with seven others in starting their own sorority, Phi Sigma Nu Sorority, first meeting at a home in Litchfield with Barb being named as the first president. That sorority has continued to meet while adding new members through the years. Barb loved to travel and visited all seven continents.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister, Sue (Brummett) Wilson; brother, Thomas Wilson; and great-grandson, Eli Robinson.
She is survived by her seven children, Max Warren “Robby” Robinson (wife Carla) of Simi Valley, CA, Herbert Daniel Robinson (wife Paula) of North Richland Hills, TX, Rex David Robinson (wife Maiya) of Saugus, CA, Cynthia Sue “Cindy” Robinson Watters (husband Greg) of Staunton, William Scott Robinson (wife Theresa) of Worthington, OH, Barbara Ann “Babs” Binney (husband Mark) of Staunton, and Shari Dianne Grandidier (husband Jay) of Mt. Olive; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-five great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Charlean (Robinson) Grobe; many nieces and nephews. Her first great-great-grandchild is due December 31st.
Friends may call on Saturday, August 19 from 9 to 11:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton with the funeral service following at noon with Pastor Phil Girardin officiating. Burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers Association or to Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton.
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Lois Ilaine Erspamer Sawyer, 94 of Gillespie, died at her residence on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 9:51 am. She was born on February 9, 1930, in Gillespie to Louis Poi and Bertha Annetta Sunman Poi Lewis.
She married John Peter Erspamer on September 4, 1950. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1989. She married Dempsey Sawyer on May 15, 1993, and he preceded her in death in 2016. She had been a bookkeeper for Duracraft and Daley’s Chevrolet. Lois enjoyed reading, gardening, painting, drawing, cooking, traveling, bird watching, adventures, her family and her beloved cat, Molly.
She is survived by her children, Ann (Timm) LaRoche of Gillespie, Joan (Paul) Alexander of Gillespie, and Lynn Erspamer of Litchfield; grandchildren, Shannon (David) Wright of Gillespie, Suzanne (companion, Josh) DeMartini of Madisonville, KY, Jared (Amanda) Johnson of Staunton, Adam (Ashli) Alexander of Gillespie, Travis (Laura) Mize of Dallas, TX, Britini Bernardini of Nokomis, and Marissa (Jacob) Summers of Litchfield; great grandchildren, Macie, Isabel and Alexander Wright, Joseph and Gino DeMartini, Brianna Johnson, Ansley Alexander, Lucas and Jeffrey Bernardini, Fisher, Sabrina and Gabriella Crow; great great grandchild, Dominic Joseph “DJ” DeMartini; sisters, Patricia Thompson of Carmel, IN, Phyllis Dodd of Pooler, GA, and Marion Boston of Springfield; and brothers, Ernie Lewis of Carbondale and Fred Lewis of Ft Meyers, FL.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, and brother, John Lewis.
Private services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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