Obituaries
Death of Debra Sue Page
Debra Sue Page was a caring wife, mother, sister, and friend. She left this world suddenly at her home on January 2, 2022, at the age of 62. She was born on September 29, 1959, to Wanda Smeathers in Owensboro, Kentucky.
After spending her younger years in Arthur, Illinois, her family moved to the Mt. Olive area. She attended Mt. Olive schools. She met the love of her life, Arthur Page, in 1988. After a long courtship, they wed at their home in Mt. Olive in 2001.
Debbie started her work life young and dedicated many years to her love for cooking. She had a way of feeding people’s bellies and souls. After many years of working and running Crossroads Restaurant, she and her husband opened and ran the Sunset Restaurant from 1999-2011.
She leaves in our care her only son, Shane Embry, 38. He was the absolute love of her life. The bond they had was immeasurable and she leaves him behind knowing that she raised her family with enough love to care for him. We all pray we do her justice.
She also leaves behind a step-daughter, Lisa Pellegrino from Hudson, Florida and two step-sons, Steve Page from Beverly Hills, Florida, and Eric Page from Hudson, Florida.
Debbie was the big sister to her siblings, John (Denise) Embry of New Douglas, Patricia Covington of Mt. Olive, Chuck Embry of Burgeon, Kentucky, Lisa Sanchez of Fordsville, Kentucky, Dawn Bowers of Walshville and Michael (Amy) Doty of Hartford, Kentucky. She also leaves behind 12 nieces and nephews. She was a great aunt to 20. She doted on each of them and we are sure they all think they were her favorite.
Debbie’s family meant more to her than anything else in the world. She showed up when it mattered and would defend and stand up for her loved ones. Should the need arise, she would keep us safe. She constantly made it a point to check in on people. There is no better feeling than being around someone that loves you unconditionally.
A celebration of Debbie’s life will be held at the 138 Cafe (formally the Sunset Restaurant) on Monday, January 10 beginning at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in whichever way you choose.
Becker and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ruth Ann “Sis” Pollard passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 79 years old. Ruth was born on April 19, 1947 in Staunton to Homer and Ruth (Clark) Cunningham.
She married George Pollard February 14, 1967, and he preceded her in death. Ruth was a caregiver and foster parent. Ruth was a selfless person who dedicated her life to give a home to special needs children. She was a very loving person when it came to her family and friends and they are going to miss her dearly.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Shane Pollard of Litchfield, Ron (Lorette) Pollard of Gillespie, and Jeff Pollard of Chesterfield; a daughter, Jackie (Leighann) Pollard of Chesterfield; grandchildren, Sean Pollard, Abigail Pollard, Adrian Davis, Jarod Cantrell, Ellen Kennedy, and Lilly Pollard; siblings, Judy (Paul) Spensberger, JoleneWard, Robert (Kathy) Cunningham, Mary (Nick) Hollis, Kelly (Jim) Force, and Gary Cunningham; sister-in-law, Violet Ballowe; daughter-in-law, Karla Pollard; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Ruth Cunningham; her daughter Michelle Pollard; former husband, George Pollard Jr; sister, Gail Mick; and four brothers, Tom, Jack, Delbert, and Jim Cunningham.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Chesterfield Bible Church from 2 to 5 pm. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ross Beckman, 90, joined his Lord in Heaven on April 29, 2026, at 2:27 AM. He was born on April 1, 1936, in Highland. His parents were Vernon Otto Bartels and Arlene Beckman, both of New Douglas. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Emma (Sievers) and George Beckman of New Douglas.
Ross attended New Douglas Elementary School in New Douglas and Highland High School in Highland. His first job was at Kline’s Grocery Store in New Douglas. He also was employed at McDonnell Douglas as a sheet metal worker. He worked for Artophone Corporation and also distributed Armstrong Flooring, worked in sales, and traveled Illinois.
He purchased Sherman’s Department Store on East Main Street in Staunton and renamed it Beckman’s Department Store. He operated the store for 30 years before retiring. He then bought property for a new business in Equine Ranch.
Ross was married to Lela Conroy of Staunton. They had one daughter, Wendy Arlene. Lela passed away after a long illness with Huntington’s Corea. Ross was married to Frances Lee Simpson of Staunton for 27 years. She passed away from illness in 2016. He then married Sheila Fay Foster of Carlinville on May 27, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
Ross was a member of the Staunton Jaycees for six years and was also the Chaplain for the State Jaycees. The local chapter gave him a lifelong membership. Ross served one term on the Staunton City Council as a ward #4 alderman and also was on the Dorchester Township Board. He was a long-time elder for the Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
He was an avid horseman. His horse, “Atomico” was not only his show horse but his loving pet. Ross became a member of The Assembly Church in Staunton and was a very active and a devoted servant. He loved his “church family”.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila (Foster) Beckman; son-in-law, John Walker; three brothers-in-laws, James E. Foster Jr., Gary Foster, and Mike Foster; two sisters-in-law, Deborah (Foster) Wilson and Amy Foster, all originally from Carlinville.
Besides his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Arlene.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Assembly Church, 1335 S. Hackman Street, in Staunton with Pastor Arthur Braden officiating.
Ross will be greatly missed, but is in the arms of his Lord Jesus. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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