Obituaries
Death of Brian John Leitschuh
Brian John Leitschuh, 48 of Litchfield, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. He was born in Litchfield on March 20, 1974, a son of John and Mary Ann (Millburg) Leitschuh.
He graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1992 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from University of Illinois in 1996. He married Denelle “Dee” Elaine Wilson on February 17, 2001, at Church of the Ascension in Mt. Olive, and she survives.
Mr. Leitschuh was self-employed as a farmer having gotten his start in farming at the age of 15 with his grandfather, Alfred Millburg. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, sightseeing, spending time with his family, and working in his shed. Mr. Leitschuh was an avid Cardinals fan and he loved his dogs, Jake, Buddy and Joey, and his cat, Bo.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his parents, John Joseph and Mary Ann Leitschuh of Litchfield; two sons, Matthew Leitschuh and Zachary Leitschuh, both of Litchfield; one sister, Jamie (Tim Erikson) Leitschuh of Winter Garden, FL; his mother-in-law, Diane Spinner of Litchfield; grandmother, Maxine Leitschuh of Mt. Olive; two sisters-in-law, Renee (Trent) Laughlin and Dana (Tyson) Holshauser, both of Hillsboro; one nephew, Braydon Laughlin; and two nieces, Avery Laughlin and Hazel Holshauser.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alfred and Esther Millburg and Joseph Leitschuh; and his father-in-law, Michael Spinner.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at St. John Paul II Catholic Church in Mt. Olive with Fr. Tom Hagstrom presiding. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the time of service.
Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements. The family suggests memorials be made to Montgomery County Cancer Association or Agrisafe.org.
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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).
