Obituaries
Death of Clara Eileen Kirkwood
Clara Eileen Kirkwood, 89, of Bunker Hill, IL died Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 5:45 am at her residence. She was born on December 6, 1923 in East Alton, IL to Edward Bruening and Vera (Landreth) Bruening. Clara married William Kirkwood on December 21, 1945 and preceded her in death on July 14, 1987.
She was a wonderful, loving mother and grandmother to many kids. She welcomed them all into her home as her own. She was an avid Cardinal fan, so to honor her everyone will be wearing Cardinal attire to her visitation.
Clara leaves behind 3 daughters: Vicki (Bill) Sehlmeyer of Bunker Hill, IL, Billie (Jim) Bauer of Worden, IL, Patricia (Joe) Bushrow of Bunker Hill, IL; 7 grandchildren: Regina (Mike) Bassett, Michael Kirkwood, Trisha Kiffmeyer (Companion: Brandon Ralston), Corey Wheeler (Companion: Tiffany Wuelling), Ashley Wheeler, Amber (Joe) Foster, Shawnee (Devon) Bushrow; 13 great-grandchildren: Jessica Bassett, Jacob Bassett, Lindsey Kirkwood, Noah Kirkwood, Aiden Kirkwood, Tyler Kirkwood, Morgan Kiffmeyer, Grace Kiffmeyer, Cole Kiffmeyer, Chase Foster, Riley Foster, Devon Ralston, Keegan Ralston; sister: Audrey Grisham of Longmont, CO; sister-in-law: Almeda Bruening of Bethalto, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Clara was preceded in death by her husband, William Kirkwood and brother, Herbert Bruening.
Visitation is set on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral service will take place on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill, IL. Burial will follow at Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, IL. Rev. Jeremy Wood will be ministering the services.
Memorials are suggested to the Bunker Hill Library or Bunker Hill Food Pantry.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
There are plenty of ways to keep up on BenGil news:
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter
Check out all of our pictures on our sister site, we are your personal photographer
Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take
Follow us on Twitter for the fastest score updates and breaking news updates
Comments
Thomas Michael Pritchard, 57 of Carlinville, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at his residence in Carlinville. Tom was born on August 26, 1967, in Carlinville a son of Zane and Clara (Churchill) Pritchard.
He graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1986. Tom never married. Tom worked as maintenance at Carlinville Community School District, Starr Brothers Hog Farm, and the elevators at both Palmyra and Chesterfield.
Tom was a skilled outdoorsman, fisherman and hunter of all game. He also enjoyed hunting for artifacts. He loved making memories with friends through turkey and waterfowl hunting.
Thomas is survived by his brother, Steve Pritchard of Springfield.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Kathryn Peterson, and his black lab ,Bandit.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. His ashes will be buried next to his parents and sister at Moore cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Davis-Anderson P.O. Box 135 Carlinville, IL 62626 for funeral expenses. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville, is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
Barbara Ann Holak, 66 of Springfield, formerly of Staunton, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Hillsboro Rehab & Health Care Center in Hillsboro. She was born on October 27, 1958, in Staunton the daughter of the late Joe and Gail (Ruckstahl) Holak.
Barb was a 1976 graduate of Staunton High School and was active in track and in the marching band as a flag twirler. After high school, she went to work in the Secretary of State’s office in Springfield until her retirement in 2010. She loved making new friends, playing in dart leagues, taking canoe trips with her many friends, and was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
She is survived by her two sisters, Linda Holak (Dennis) Grammer of Litchfield and Connie Holak (Bob) Zenner of Staunton; two nephews, Shane (Dana) Grammer and Chad (Melissa) Grammer; a great nephew, Easton Grammer; and two great nieces, Dakoda Mix and Rylie Mix, all of Litchfield.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Coats for Kids, PO Box 157, Litchfield, IL 62056. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
95-year-old Helen Boehler of Litchfield passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 1:35 a.m. at Imboden Creek Senior Living Center in Decatur on February 27, 2025. She was born on September 29, 1929 in Litchfield the only child of Max E. and Juanita (Bridges) Taylor.
She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Litchfield Community High School graduating with the class of 1947. She and Charles William Boehler were married by Fr. F.J. Lawler at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on November 27, 1948, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage before his passing on February 26, 2012.
Through the years, Mrs. Boehler was employed as a receptionist at the old St. Francis Hospital, Dr. Arthur E. Sihler, Claude Anderson, O.D., and Sidney’s Tot and Teen, all in Litchfield. She enjoyed walking, dancing, was a voracious reader and an avid St. Louis Cardinal’s fan. Mrs. Boehler was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the St. Anne’s Society, and a volunteer with the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary.
Mrs. Boehler is survived by daughters, Sue (Greg) Penderghest of Decatur and Marcie (Mark) Hartke of Kirksville, MO; grandchildren, Emily Penderghest of Franklin, IN, Monica Penderghest and Chary Hall of Decatur, and Jared (Kate) Hartke of Pittsburgh, PA; and great-grandson, Reuben Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield. Father Daniel Willenborg will preside. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the Litchfield Public Library or Holy Family Catholic Church. Plummer Funeral Home of Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
