Obituaries
Death of Billy Conn Kelly
Billy Conn Kelly, 80, of Dorchester, died at his residence on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at 11:41 am. He was born December 7, 1942, in Gillespie, to James Orville Kelly and Celia Dillon Kelly.
He retired in May 2023, after having been a Gillespie Township Road Commissioner for 26 years. He was a veteran of the US Navy. Billy enjoyed his collection of International Tractors and working on them with his buddies, Jerry Johnson, Terry Johnson and Dave Cox. He loved buying tractors, going to auctions, and going out for breakfast with Jim Duncan. He also enjoyed endless trips around the countryside. He will miss his friend, Lisa Loveless. He dearly loved all his nieces and nephews, hat many have given him the status of “favorite uncle.”
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Bill) Alepra of Dorchester, grandchildren, Jacob (companion, Addison Bryant) Alepra, Samantha Alepra, Sarah (Alex) Lamparter, great-grandchild who was the love of his life, Landon Lamparter, siblings, Joe Kelly, Jim Kelly, Doris Donaldson, Freida Malloy, Betty Heck, Marjorie Taylor, Mary Lou Jubelt.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, siblings, John Kelly, Junior Kelly, Arlene Griva, Ellen Clemonds, Edna Audi and the mother of his daughter, Patty Bernhardt.
Friends may call on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie. Memorials are suggested to Landon Lamparter College Fund or Gillespie High School Softball.
Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements
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Dee Ann Watson, 82 of Gillespie, died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 5:16 pm. She was born on September 5, 1941, in Litchfield to Robert McMillan and Dorothy Dolliger McMillan.
She married John Thomas Watson on December 12, 1959, in Gillespie He preceded her in death on June 6, 2012. She was a homemaker and a florist for Blossom Shop. Dee Ann loved to teach people to dance. She also enjoyed quilting, knitting, cross stitching, and gardening.
She is survived by her son, John (Rebecca) Watson of Gillespie; grandchildren, Aubrey (Andrew) Kuehnel of Staunton and Taylor (Alexandra) Watson of Gillespie; great-grandchildren, Gage Watson, Grayson Kuehnel, and Silas Kuehnel; sister, Carol (Allen) St. Cin of Staunton; and brother, Robert (Marilyn) McMillan of Gillespie.
Dee Ann was preceded in death by her parents and spouse.
Friends may call on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Public Library. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Joseph Anthony Jarden, 69 of Bunker Hill, died at Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 7:25 p.m. He was born on January 23, 1955, to Charles Richard Jarden and Lillian Elizabeth Goodwin Jarden.
He was a lifelong dairy farmer. He enjoyed farming, snowmobiling, and riding four wheelers. Joseph enjoyed working on old tractors and machinery. He collected fun Grandpa toys. He built picnic tables and wagons. He drove his tractors and wagons he built in parades. Joseph played cards and pool with his friends on Monday nights and had headstand competitions. He loved his grandchildren and watching them play sports.
He is survived by his children, Amy (Matt) Popovich of Budapest, Hungary, Anthony (Kristine) Jarden of Bunker Hill, Amanda (Joe) Mellenthin of O’Fallon, and Angela (Ryan) Dickerson of Shiloh; grandchildren, Ana Popovich, Natasha Popovich, Peter Jarden, Maria Jarden, Isaac Mellenthin, Eli Mellenthin, Ainsley Mellenthin, Caroline Dickerson, and Louis Dickerson; brothers, Maurice Jarden, Charles Jarden, James Jarden, John Jarden, Steven Jarden, and David Jarden; and sisters, Anne Partridge, Mary K. Green, Jeanie Link and Martha Jarden.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Jarden.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bunker Hill.
Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Cemetery. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Sharon Hartman, 88 of rural Staunton, passed away at 8:56 AM on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Villas of Holly Brook in East Alton. She was born on November 4, 1935, in Belvidere, IL, the daughter of the late Mark and Helen (Thorton) Thayer. She married Dewey D. “Joe” Hartman on February 2, 1957, in Belvidere and he passed away on August 27, 2023.
Sharon was a homemaker who loved to cook and entertain, hosting large groups for meals and family get-togethers. She faithfully attended the Community Christian Church in Alton and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and 27 foster kids. She also enjoyed gardening.
She is survived by five children, Donna Jo (Buddy) Daniel of Crainhill, AL, Danny William Hartman of Cleveland, TN, Dori (Kenny) Rhodes of Staunton, Lee (Terry) Hancock of Litchfield, and Bagi (Mina) Byambajov of Mongolia; 11 grandchildren, Autumn (Conner) Hearn, Brooke Wacker, Lucas Munds (Renee), Kyle Jon Hartman (Mara), Graham Christopher Hartman, Ben (Esther) Rhodes, Phil (Nicole) Rhodes, Jake (Mia) Rhodes, Josh (Brandi) Rabida, Cassie (Shawn) Royer, and Joe Byambajov; 17 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Susan (Mike) Hohm of Rockford and Penny Grooms of Belvidere; one brother, Steven (Anita) Abernathy of Caledonia, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Jimmy Thayer, Reggie Abernathy, and Tommy Abernathy; one sister, Bonnie Hartman; and one daughter-in-law, Delisa Hartman.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 1 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Pastor David Burger officiating.
Memorials are suggested to either Community Christian Church of Alton, Youth with a Mission (YWAM), or to While We Wait Foster Care (not for profit).
