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Death of Betty Jean Craddick

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Betty Jean Craddick, 88, of Benld, died at her residence on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 9:10 am. She was born June 7, 1936, in Gillespie, to Jeanie Steed. She married Harry Craddick on September 25, 1954, at the Gillespie Methodist Church.

She was a homemaker who enjoyed anything involving her family, especially doting on her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Harry Craddick, her two sons, David (Betty Lynn) Craddick of Litchfield, and Robert (Anna) Craddick of O’Fallon, grandchildren, Jennifer Spitznagel of Litchfield, Michael (Tanya) Craddick of Glen Carbon, Bradley (Rachael) Craddick of Edwardsville, Timothy Craddick of O’Fallon, Michelle (Derek) Petrich of O’Fallon, Lindsay Craddick of O’Fallon, and Jennifer (Alex) Scherschel of Richmond, VA, great-grandchildren, Tanner (Samantha) Roeske of Litchfield, Casey Roeske of Litchfield, Hailey Robbins of Litchfield, Christina Craddick of Glen Carbon, Nora Craddick of Edwardsville, and Graham Petrich of O’Fallon, great-great-grandchildren, Cruze and Jami Roeske of Litchfield, and other extended family.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanie Steed; her brother, Jim Steed, sister, Gladys O’Connell; and great-grandchild Angelina Craddick.

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Friends may call on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Benld from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at noon at Kravanya Funeral Home in Benld, IL. Burial will be in Benld City Cemetery in Benld. Memorials are suggested to Benld United Methodist Church, 209 S Main Street, Benld, and the Gillespie Area Caring Center, 100 South Macoupin Street, Gillespie. The family wishes to thank Mary Cunningham for her invaluable dedication to Betty over the last several months, Kathy Hausman, and the staff at Home Instead and Vitas Healthcare. 

Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld, is in charge of the arrangements.

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Obituaries

Obituary of Amy Beth Fitzwater

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Amy Beth Fitzwater, 51 of Bend, died at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 11:39 pm.  She was born on May 15, 1973, in Granite City to Nyle Barker and Maria Gall Barker.  

She married James Fitzwater in Morrisonville. She was a manager for Randy’s Market in Mt. Clare. Amy enjoyed the outdoors including camping, grilling and planting flowers. Amy especially enjoyed being with her family.  

She is survived by her mother, Marcia Barker; spouse, James Fitzwater; children, Kelsi (significant other, Nichole Barlett) Tomso and Austin James (significant other, Alycia Page) Fitzwater; grandchildren, Paisley June Fitzwater and Jesse James Fitzwater; sibling, Benjamin (Michelle) Barker; sisters in law, Alexia Fitzwater and Elizabeth Berry; and nephews, Cole Charles Leonard, Dallas Barker, and Zach Berry.  

Amy was preceded in death by her father.  

Friends may call on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Benld from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm with a memorial service to follow at 6:30 pm at the funeral home.  Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

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Obituary of Ralph Moses Wadsworth

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Ralph Moses Wadsworth, 101 of Carlinville, died at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center, Litchfield on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 1:39 pm. He was born on November 6, 1923, in Fidelity Township, IL to Osa Lee Wadsworth and Viola Myrtie Shanner Wadsworth.  

He married Betty Louise Huddlestun Wadsworth on November 21, 1945, in Shipman. She preceded him in death on October 12, 2024. He was retired after having been a flooring installer for Heinz Furniture and John Koster Construction. Ralph was a veteran of the US Army after having served during WWII.  Ralph enjoyed woodworking, Cardinal baseball and being with his grandchildren and family.  

He is survived by his children, James Ralph Wadsworth of MN, Samuel Charles (Sharon) Wadsworth of MA, Ann Lynn (John) Boehm of Carlinville, John Richard (Sharon) Wadsworth of Benton, and Sue Ellen Hampton of Carlinville; 13 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren.  

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; great grandson, Karson Shanner; and brothers, Maurice Lee Wadsworth, Milo Everett Wadsworth, and Milton Ernest Wadsworth.  

Visitation will be on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at Carlinville United Methodist Church from 2:00 pm until 3:30 pm. Memorials are suggested to Carlinville United Methodist Church, 201 S Broad, Carlinville, IL, 62626. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.

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Obituary of Harold L. Walker

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Harold L. Walker, 91 of Carlinville, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Carlinville Area Hospital in Carlinville. Harold was born on December 24, 1933, in Decatur, IL, a son of Travis and Blanche (Cloney) Walker.

He married Betty Ryder on April 13, 1952 in Decatur. She passed on December 14, 2016. At about age 15, Harold began learning how to be a butcher from a local grocer in Decatur. It was this trade that brought him to Carlinville.

He served this community working at A&P, Larry’s Supervalue, IGA, and Billy’s Bi-rite and retired after 50 years in this profession. Harold then worked for the City of Carlinville on the Ambulance Service and then transferred later to the Water Plant before retiring. He served as tax assessor for Carlinville Township for 48 years also. He had a local business with his son called Harold Walker & Son where they did construction.

When younger, Harold was a roller skating champion winning many competitions for dance and skating. Harold and Betty met at the skating rink and made history! Harold and Betty had many hobbies together, they did furniture upholstery for many years. They also loved camping going many places with their kids while they were growing up.

Harold & Betty loved entertaining and everyone was always welcome at their home and at their table. Later, they still enjoyed traveling and sightseeing. Harold loved teaching EMT classes and trained quite a number is EMT’s for ambulances in the area. He was a member of a poker club and had a lifetime love of playing games and cards with friends and family. In later years, he and his brother tried parasailing and a new passion was discovered. All his life Harold enjoyed helping his kids as well as friends and neighbors when needed.

As a member of Memorial Christian Church, he served as Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and Elder for over 30 years. He used his construction skills along with other volunteers and played a major part in completing the new education building for the church in 1976 and remodeling the older part of the church. Harold was greatly loved and an example to all his children and their families. They all loved him and still came to visit and play games with Dad/Grandpa! He will be greatly missed.

Harold is survived by his son, Phillip (Carlene) Walker of Carlinville; daughter, Cindy (Greg) DeJarnette of Lincoln; daughter, Mindy Eddy of Pinehurst, NC; daughter, Ellenor Karrick of Carlinville; daughter, Melody Harkey-Dufner of Carlinville; daughter, Marla Woolfolk of Carlinville; 19 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Walker; two brothers, Charles Walker and Daniel Walker; one sister, Evelyn Snell; and two sons-in-law, John Eddy and William “Bill” Woolfolk.

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Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Memorial Christian Church, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Memorial Christian Church, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Carlinville.

Memorials may be made to Memorial Christian Church or Salvation Army. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.

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