Obituaries
Death of Donald E. Dobrino
Donald E. Dobrino was born February 3, 1935, in Mt. Olive to Thomas and Mary Dobrino. He died July 4, 2021, peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
He graduated from Mt. Olive High School in 1953, where he excelled in all major sports and led the Wildcats to four consecutive South Central Conference Championships. Recruited by several division-one universities, he accepted a full-ride scholarship to the University of Iowa to play football and baseball for the Hawkeyes. He excelled in both sports earning the reputation of being a bruising-type running back and became known as one of the outstanding half-backs in the Big Ten.
The Hawks won the Big Ten Championship in 1956 which earned them a trip to Pasadena to play in the Rose Bowl Tournament defeating Oregon State, 35-18. As a pitcher for the baseball team, he became known as the “Strikeout King” of the Big Ten. After graduation, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins but later accepted a better offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates and advanced to Triple-A ball with the Pirates but became frustrated when the organization wanted him to spend more time in Minor ball.
He decided to look for more stable employment in order to support his wife, Jeanette, and a growing family. He accepted a teaching job with the Depue School District where he taught Physical Education and coached several sports. He then initiated a football program there but just as that program was improving and the Little Giants finally enjoyed a winning season, a coaching position opened at Gillespie High School and he transferred to Gillespie.
He coached the Gillespie Miners to many successful seasons but the most fulfilling successes have to include the 1976 and 1990 appearances of the football Miners in the 2A finals of the Illinois State Playoffs. Unfortunately, they came up short both times. He retired in 1996 from teaching but stayed on to coach the Miners for another few years. After he was released from his contract with Gillespie, Mt. Olive wanted their favorite son back so offered him a job coaching the Wildcats. He was able to reignite the winning spirit of the Wildcats who won two Prairie State Conference titles and qualified for the IHSA football playoffs seven times.
His coaching record ranks him at 14 of all-time winning high school coaches in Illinois. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Hall of fame in 1987 and was named West Central Illinois Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008. In 2006, he was inducted into the National High School Athletics Coaches Assn and named Coach of the Week by the Chicago Bears. He coached his son, Robert Dobrino, two step-sons Rick and Ed Herrera, and finally his grandson, Daniel Dobrino, spanning 50 years of coaching. But even at the age of 86 and battling cancer, he still wanted to be out on the field with young coaches and young athletes teaching then what he had learned in a lifetime of coaching.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Thomas and Robert.
He married his second wife, Cyrelda (Cookie) Dobrino in 1978 and she survives. He is also survived by his children, Lori Small, Carla Smith (Jim Freytag), Robert Dobrino (Diane), and Donette Clark (Michael); two stepsons, Rich Herrera (Theresa) and Edward Herrera (Bernie); 10 grandchildren, Jeremy, Sean, Brandon (Ginny), Daniel, Jenna, Mitchell, Courtney, Kyleigh, Osiana and Marquez; and great granddaughters, Makenna and Keira.
He believed strongly in his Catholic faith and prayer and he and his players knelt before every game not to pray for victory but to pray for whomever and whatever the players thought needed God’s guidance. He often took them to mass on Friday mornings and those who did not practice the faith went and prayed anyway. The “Duke” is gone, but his legacy lives on. He will be missed.
A private family mass will be celebrated. Memorials may be made to GHS Football Program or Partnership for Educational Excellence District 7. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 2 at the Benld City Park from 6 p.m until 9 p.m. Come and help the Dobrinos and Herreras pay tribute to him for his 50 years of coaching young athletes. In whatever capacity you knew him, P.E. teacher, drivers ed instructor, coach, or friend, please come and help us pay tribute to his life. Food and beverages will be served, stories will be told, cheers will be said, and fireworks will boom.
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.
