Obituaries
Death of Charlie Ruyle
Charlie Ruyle, 80, of Morrisonville, passed away surrounded by family at 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at his home. Charlie was born February 26, 1943, in Litchfield, the only child of Walter Andrew and Ellen M. (Wagner) Ruyle.
He graduated from Gillespie High School with the class of 1961, and while attending high school began his career in the funeral profession assisting his local funeral home with funerals and their ambulance service. Upon graduation, Charlie accepted his first full-time position selling burial clothing and sundries, and that soon led him to casket sales. He would sell caskets until the day he died, working for several companies, currently Matthews International Funeral Solutions.
Though casket sales were his career, his devotion was to the many communities he served through funeral service. Charlie assisted several funeral homes throughout the decades and was currently employed with Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Homes for the past 20 plus years. He was devoted to the bereaved and wanted their loved one’s funerals and memorials to be as special as any other.
On August 6, 1966, Charlie married the love of his wife, Sharon E. Schmidt, at the Gillespie Zion Lutheran Church. They enjoyed over 57 years of marriage, and the last thirty-three in Morrisonville. They have been devoted members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvel, where Charlie served on many committees and held several positions, most recently Elder. He had few hobbies, because of his dedication to his profession, but he never missed a chance to have lunch or dinner at Charro’s in Taylorville. Charlie’s other favorite pastime was just spending time with his family but spoiling his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Sharon Ruyle of Morrisonville; daughters, Heidi Massie of Morrisonville and Ann (Rich) Ganther of Morrisonville; grandchildren, Memphis (Savannah) Sullivan of Morrisonville, Maddie Massie of Springfield, Dalton (Brooke) Thomas of Bury St. Edmunds England and Cody Ganther of Morrisonville; great grandchildren Maelee and Macklen Sullivan; several nieces and nephews, and cousins; special friends Larry Rogers, Megan Steely, Fan & E. Camacho, and his favorite waitress, Ying; and numerous funeral directors and families who will always be grateful for his years of help.
Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home, 304 Carlin Street, Morrisonville, October 3. Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 402 Monroe Street, Harvel, with Rev. Joseph Nehring as celebrant. Investment will follow the funeral ceremony at Asbury Cemetery in Raymond. The family is hosting a luncheon at the American Legion Post 721 in Morrisonville following committal services.
Donations of food may be made to the American Legion on Wednesday morning. Memorial contributions are suggested to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 402 Monroe Street, Harvel, or Benld Adopt-A-Pet, 807 Stewart Avenue, Benld. Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Charlie’s, or to offer condolences to his family.
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Robert Leeroy Blevins, 77 of Litchfield, passed away the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born in Litchfield on December 24, 1947, a son of Robert James and Betty Bernadine (Cranford) Blevins.
He graduated from Centralia High School and proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He was employed for many years as a cabinet maker with Adenca Manufacturing in Litchfield. Robert enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and looking for buried treasures with his metal detector.
He was a talented musician and played guitar and saxophone. Robert enjoyed watching and listening to all spectator sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He married the former Wanda Kay Large and they later divorced.
Robert is survived by sons, Christopher (fiancée Grace) Blevins and Jason (Jamie) Blevins, all of Litchfield; daughters, Jennifer (Gordon) Fenton of Salem, MO and Shannon Large of Litchfield; brothers, Chesley Blevins of Staunton, Joseph Blevins of Litchfield, Floyd Blevins of Highland, and Fred Blevins of Litchfield; sisters, Barbara (Ray) Schuster of Sorento, Sharon (John) Wickerheim of Chicago, and Pamela Poppenhouse of Litchfield; and several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Betty B. Blevins.
Funeral services for Mr. Blevins will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Pastor Gilbert Dealey will officiate. Burial will be in Crabtree Cemetery. Military honors will be at graveside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family of Robert Blevins, c/o Christopher Blevins. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Joyce Carleen Simmons, 83 of Litchfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 23, 2025. She was born in Pana on May 31, 1942, a daughter of Carl Cornelius and Lucille Romelta (Miller) Brakenhoff.
She was a member of the Litchfield High School graduating class of 1960. She married Raymond “Larry” Simmons on June 6, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and they enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage until his passing on January 23, 2022.
Joyce was an excellent cook and well known for her beef and noodles, Texas cake, and stew. Joyce’s delicious cooking skills were evident during her 22-year career as manager of Jubelt’s Variety Bakery in Litchfield and as a ten-year cafeteria worker for the Litchfield Community School District #12. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, tending to her fruit trees, and sewing. Joyce enjoyed serving others by teaching Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and volunteering for the local Meals on Wheels.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Raymond (Vicki) Simmons of Evansville, IN and David (Jacqueline) Simmons of Haymarket, VA; daughter, Laura Simmons of Edwardsville; brothers, Leslie (Sue) Brakenhoff of Litchfield, Byron (Terry) Brakenhoff of Chattanooga, TN, and Dale (Nancy) Brakenhoff of Litchfield; sisters, Ramona Warman of Charleston, IL and Marilyn (Don) Loptien of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Zachary Simmons, Makenzie (Jeremy) Frazier, Emma Simmons, and William Simmons; and great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Eli and Calla.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Rev. Larry Brakenhoff and Bernard Brakenhoff; brother-in-law Robert, “Bob” Warman; and niece, Kimberly (Brakenhoff) Bergman.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141-8557. Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
