Obituaries
Death of Debora A. (Burns) Rathgeb
Debora A. (Burns) Rathgeb, 65, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022, at home with her husband, Dave, by her side. Deb was born in Carlinville on November 9, 1957, the daughter of John and Theresa (Costello) Burns. Deb married Dave Rathgeb on March 16, 1984, and they have enjoyed 38-plus years together.
As an only child, Deb became an excellent cook early on as she prepared meals for her two working parents. Deb graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1975 and immediately began her 47-year working career.
She started at the Carlinville Democrat Newspaper gathering advertising at various businesses, whereupon a job opportunity arose at Tawfall Accounting Firm where she worked for 18 years, then briefly at Walton Chiropractic before moving on to Moulton-Rathgeb Equipment Co. Then in 1998, Deb was employed at Carlinville High School as study hall monitor and later added librarian assistant to her duties as well as prom coordinator. After 24 years at CHS, Deb retired on November 16, 2022.
Over the years, Deb and Dave enjoyed cruising the waters of the Caribbean and Alaskan seas. They cruised with dear friends Jerome and Cathy Martin many times. Deb was a member of the “Sisters 75”. Monthly, Deb enjoyed dining out at various restaurants from Springfield, Litchfield, Edwardsville, and Carlinville with friends Cindy Stayton, Brenda Beanblossom, Alice Pressler, and Vicki Burns.
Over the last 24 years, Deb has also enjoyed her working friends at Carlinville High School. Although Deb and Dave had no children, they had many fur babies over the years. At six years old, Deb got her first dog Lady, which undoubtedly to her lifelong love of all animals, especially her pets. Over the years, Deb much enjoyed cats, Monki and Rueben, and dogs, Sweetie, Maggie Mae, and Emma Lu. She is survived by two precious dogs, JoJo and Lily, who she dearly loved and they loved their “Mom” also and will miss her dearly.
Deceased family members are mother, Theresa (Costello) Burns, and father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Edith Rathgeb.
Deb is survived by her husband, Dave, and father, John Burns. Also surviving are many cousins of the Costello and Burns families. Judy Joiner was like a sister to her. Jon and Sara Klaus and Buck and Glenda Costello have been so helpful over the years when a hand was needed, especially near the end of her life.
Dave will miss his lifetime partner dearly and is so appreciative of Deb’s loving care for him through two major surgeries in the last two years by nursing him back to health.
As a testament to her love of dogs and cats, any donations in her honor should be made to Macoupin County Animal Shelter 21640 Rt. 4, P. O. Box 391, Carlinville, IL 62626. Per Deb’s request, there will be no funeral services and cremation rites were accorded. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Gerald Paul “Jerry” Lippold, 83 of Carlinville, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at his home in Carlinville. Jerry was born on December 1, 1941, in Carlinville a son of Herman P. and Virginia Bellm Lippold.
Jerry graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1959. Jerry was involved in many things during his life. He was co-owner with his brother in law, Rodney Arnett, of Lippold and Arnett Trucking and Macoupin County Asphalt. He was in construction, building many homes in the area as well as development of several sub-divisions, as well as farming.
He loved tractor pulls, horses, and traveling. He had a plane and flew it often, he went sky-diving twice, and he even ran with the bulls in Spain. Jerry touched many lives in the community. His wit and antics at the morning men’s coffee group will certainly be missed. His family was very important to him, especially his great-grandchildren.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jennifer Kay Hartsook; son in law, Timothy T. “Tim” Stewart; and brother, Eugene F. Lippold.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Ann (Peasley) Lippold of Carlinville; daughter, Elizabeth D. Stewart of Carlinville; brother, Richard (Janet) Lippold of Carlinville; sisters, Mariann Qualls, Rita Arnett of Carlinville, Barbara L. Brunk of Carlinville, Linda (Henry) Ahrling of Plainview, and Karen (Scott) Joiner of FL; brother, William Lippold of FL; grandsons, Jesse (Katie) Hartsook of Carlinville and Shannon Stewart of Carlinville; granddaughter, Alyse (Devon) Stewart-Fix of Carlinville; sister-in-law, Margaret Lippold of Carlinville; great-grandchildren, Claire Hartsook, Maximus Hartsook, Haiden Fix, and Arthur Fix; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Carlinville Area Hospital. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Brandon Stewart Ahring, 22 of Holiday Shores, passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, near Hamel. He was born on February 2, 2003, in Maryville, the son of Brett and Chris (Osterman) Ahring.
Brandon was a 2021 graduate of Father McGivney Catholic High School where he ran cross country and track. He was currently attending his 4th year at SIU-Edwardsville where he was working toward earning a degree in cyber security. Brandon was also an assistant coach under Hall of Fame Coach Jim Helton coaching in cross country and track and field for the last three years.
Brandon was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Bethalto. He was a devout catholic and was strong in his faith. He touched many people with his constant smile and always positive attitude. Brandon enjoyed online gaming, watching NASCAR races, and participating in a NASCAR Fantasy League. The love Brandon had for his family was immense. Some of Brandon’s favorite things in life were ice cream, blueberry muffins, cheeseburgers, and smoothies. He owned a 1999 Ford Ranger that was his pride and joy. Christmas was Brandon’s favorite holiday and he had a Christmas spirit that was out of this world.
He is survived by his parents, Brett and Chris Ahring of Holiday Shores; his brother, Tyler Ahring of Holiday Shores; maternal grandparents, Ralph and Carol Osterman of Holiday Shores; paternal grandparents, Jim & Bobbie Ahring of Staunton; his aunt, Kristin (John) Fulgenzi of Chicago; and three cousins, Madison, Grace, and Quinn.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 PM on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton. Funeral mass will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton with Father Tom Liebler and Father Thomas Hagstrom officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
Memorials are suggested to either Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto or to Father McGivney Catholic High School (FMCHS) Track & Field Team & Cross Country Team. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ginger Ann Jett, 88 of Litchfield, passed away on Wednesday morning, April 16, 2025, at her residence. Mrs. Jett was born in Butler, IL on May 11, 1936, one of eleven children of Leslie Nelson and Opal Clara (King) Logsdon.
She married Leslie Lewis Jett on March 13, 1954. He preceded her in death January 11, 2022. Mrs. Jett had worked at Roller Derby Skate Corp. and was a laundress at Barry Care Center, both in Litchfield.
She was a homemaker for many years, caring for her husband and six children, and was a talented knitter, crocheter, and an excellent cook. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends during hayrides, cookouts, fishing and visits. Mrs. Jett was a member of Southside Church in Litchfield.
Mrs. Jett is survived by her daughter, Opal Jett of Litchfield; sisters, Edith (Richard) Large of Idaho Falls, ID, Edna (Oscar “Buddy”) Gent of Litchfield, and Debbie (Larry) White of Litchfield; 14 grandchildren, Angie (Kyle) Johnson, Leroy (Candace) Jett, Jerry Jett II, Goldie Jett, Lawanda Jett (companion Trinidad), Benjamin Jett, Rusty (Meagan) Henry, Eric Henry, Elizabeth Jett, Dean (Tanya) Jett II, Samantha Jett, Jennifer Jett, Leslie Jett, and Dakota Means; 33 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Jett was preceded in death by her parents; husband; five sons, Jerry “Hook” Jett, Dean Jett, Leroy Jett, Kevin Jett, and George Jett; two brothers, Andy Logsdon and Leslie Logsdon; five sisters, Emma Micenheimer, Ramona Wilson, Peggy Fiscor, Shirley Logsdon (inf.), and Patricia Logsdon (inf.); grandsons, Kevin Wayne Jett II and Wayne Allen Jett; and great-granddaughter, Harley Grace Jett.
Funeral services for Mrs. Jett will be held at 12 noon on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in King Cemetery near Irving. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
