Obituaries
Death of Dean William Tetzlaff
Dean William Tetzlaff, 83 of Carlinville, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at his residence in Carlinville. Dean was born on September 27, 1941, in Carlinville a son of Ivan Ernest and Lillian (Bouillon).
Dean graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1960. He married Margaret Downs on April 16, 1961, in St. Paul’s UCC. Dean was born and raised on his family’s farm in Carlinville. As the baby of the family, he was dotted upon by his big sister Marilyn.
In 1961, Dean was married to his high school sweetheart and love of his life. In their 63 years together they were active members in many community groups and clubs. They also spent many years camping, attending rodeos, and traveling to Texas with fellow Snowbirds.
He learned to farm from his Dad. Alongside his older brother Jerry, they continued to farm until the 1990s. After retiring from farming, he was a trusted and wasmamsought out employee of Rural King Farm supply in Carlinville. He and Mag also operated the Beaver Dam Bait Shop and cafe for eight years.
Dean was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his years he delighted in sharing his outdoor hobbies with friends, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He created many happy memories with his favorite people at the side of a pond, on a river fishing trip, in a duck blind, or in a deer stand.
Dean never met a stranger and has been a trusted friend to many in the Carlinville Community. He has always been excited to participate in any project tournament or fundraiser that was requested. From setting off 4th of July Fireworks, roasting hogs, frying fish, bowling, throwing horseshoes or building shelves for the community closet Dean was always present and ready to do anything.
In recent years, Dean became a committed and talented wood carver. He developed a great deal of joy in sharing carved figurines, critters, and scenes. He has carved hundreds of spoons and wooden knives and often shared these as gifts with anyone he met, up to his very last days.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald E. Tetzlaff; and infant brother, Lloyd Tetzlaff.
Dean is survived by his wife, Margaret Ellen Tetzlaff of Carlinville; son, Larry Dean (Janna) Tetzlaff of Hettick; daughter, Krista Lynette (Jeff) Hendricks of Warrenton, MO; granddaughter, Trisha (Josh) Waters; grandson, A.J. Hendricks; grandson, Austin Hendricks; granddaughter, Kelsey (Dalton) Sanson; four great-grandchildren; sister, Marilyn Best of Carlinville; special buddy, Keith Petri; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation and celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Moose Lodge, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery, Carlinville.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ or Hettick Community Club. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Sharon Irene Wood, 80, of Litchfield, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab. She was born in St. Louis, MO, on August 17, 1944, a daughter of Gerald Mitchell and Deana Irene (Williams) Hart.
She moved to Litchfield with her family in 1947, when her father returned to his hometown after WWII. Sharon graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1962. She married Michael Dean Wood on July 22, 1972, at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield. They were happily married for nearly 53 years. He survives.
Sharon was employed for nearly 40 years with the City of Litchfield as deputy clerk of the water department. She was a member of Wares Grove Lutheran Church in rural Butler where she served on the Ladies Aid committee, on the church council as chairman of the worship committee, WELCA, and Sunday school teacher.
Sharon was a well-known dedicated volunteer in many local activities. She was the Edgewood Cemetery Association secretary, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 436, serving as Rehab and Education Chairman for many years, and a member of the Laborers International Union of North America Local 773.
In addition, she was involved with the Cub Scouts, serving as den leader and pack leader for ten years, committee treasurer of the Litchfield Sesquicentennial History book, a Route 66 Association member, a lifetime member of the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, where she also served on the board, as treasurer, and as a greeter. Sharon was a talented country dancer and an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She and Mike enjoyed traveling after retirement, and celebrating their 40th anniversary in Hawaii was a favorite memory.
Sharon’s goal in life was to be there and support her family. She could be found cheering on her son Corey’s drag racing, watching her husband, son-in-law, grandson-in-law, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter pitch horseshoes, and attending her grandson’s baseball and soccer games, and her granddaughter’s tennis and dancing activities.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Michael Wood of Litchfield; sons, Stephen J. (Melissa) Fiscor of Jacksonville, FL and Corey M. Wood of Litchfield; daughter, Jaime D. (Wade) Koonce of Litchfield; grandchildren, Adrienne Michelle Koonce and Kristin Nicole (Justin) Plasters of Litchfield and Kathryn Addison Fiscor and Ryan Sheffield Fiscor of Jacksonville, FL; great grandchildren, Hunter Allen Plasters and Tymberli Rae Plasters of Litchfield, and Elissa Cline-Plasters of Gillespie; sisters-in-law, Nancy Hart of Pensacola, FL, Margaret “Peggy” Helfrich of Springfield, and Pat Coleman of Washington state; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Deana Hart, brother, Gerald D. Hart, and grandparents, Orville Hart, Edith Bandy and Harold and Flora Williams.
Funeral services celebrating Sharon’s eternal life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Wares Grove Lutheran Church in rural Butler. Pastor John Jaffry will officiate. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at Plummer Funeral Home from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Memorials may be made to Wares Grove Lutheran Church, Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, or Litchfield Veterans Memorial Garden. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family.
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Karen Lee Allen, 75 of Litchfield, died at her residence on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 11:56 am. She was born on January 1, 1950, in Wood River to Jack Holman and Dorothy Gibbs Holman.
She married Donald E. Allen on November 29, 1971, in Alton. He preceded her in death in 2004. She worked in material management for St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield.
She is survived by her children, Yvette Allen of Litchfield and Dena Allen; grandchildren, Kelsey, Christopher, Aubree, Emily, Cheyenne, and Mallory; 11 great grandchildren; and siblings, Ella (Don) Walker of Wood River and Jack (Cindy) Holman Jr. of Wood River.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, and granddaughter, Kelsey Cox.
Visitation will be on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm with a memorial service to follow at the funeral home at 12:00 pm. Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens, Bethalto.
Flowers are welcomed. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Rita Mae Smith NEE Dana, 93, passed away peacefully at 10:35 am on July 6, 2025, with her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law by her side. She was born on October 21, 1931, in Mitchell, IL to Gertrude Bequette Dana and Charles Edward Dana Sr.
She married Charles Newton (Newt) Smith, Jr. on December 29, 1949, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Bethalto. He passed away in December 1995.
First and foremost she loved family and family gatherings, golf, the cardinals, dancing, wine dinners, and high tea. She was known for her fried chicken and her generosity. She always said “there is always room for one more at the table.” She sent care packages to her kids friends through the years and always made sure everyone had a Christmas. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Steven Ray Whisenand whom she adored; her parents and in laws, Comella and Charles N Smith Sr.; three brothers and their spouses, Charles Edward (Boss) Dana Jr., Stanley Aloysius (Allie) and Ruth Ann Dana, Joseph (Joe) and Marilyn Dana; four sisters and their spouses, Margaret and Delmar Oldenettel, Gertrude (Trudy) and Gene King, Elizabeth (Betty) and George Briskovich and Barbara (Bobbie) and John Katich; three brothers in law, George F Smith, Spencer Q Smith and Birdie Stanfield, Richard C Smith and Sylvia; sister in law, Comella (Cassie) Reynolds; niece; two nephews; two great nieces; and one great nephew.
She is survived by her daughter, Paulette’ Je’An Smith of Bunker Hill; her son and his wife, Steven (Smitty) and Marcia Smith of Littleton, CO; one sister and brother in law, Helen and Steve Zink of Springfield; 37 nieces and nephews; 31 great nieces and nephews; and 33 great great nieces and nephews.
Private family services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the arrangements.
