Obituaries
Death of Elmer John Milcic Jr.
Elmer John Milcic Jr. passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 3:53 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was 89 years old.
Elmer was born on October 19, 1933, to Elmer John Milcic Sr. and Mary (Yurkovich) Milcic. He attended school in Mt. Olive. Elmer served in the United States Army. He was a self-employed plumber in Mt. Olive for many years. Elmer married Jacquelyn Gill on November 29, 1958, at the Ascension Catholic Church in Mt. Olive. Father Sanders officiated. He was a member of Ascension Catholic Church, now St. John Paul II.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Jacquelyn; son, John (Amy) Milcic of Staunton; daughter, Janet Frei of Kennesaw, Georgia; four grandchildren, Nicole (Martin) Christensen, Rebecca Johnson, Adam Sobczak and Rose Milcic; and two great-grandchildren, Frankie Christensen and Ellie Willison.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Mary Milcic; brother Eugene Milcic; and three sisters, Violet Byots, Betty Hickey and Marie Brooks.
Visitation will take place on Friday, November 11, 2022, from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. John Paul II Catholic Church in Mt. Olive. Service officiated by Father Thomas Hagstrom will start at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mt. Olive. Lunch will follow at the St. John Paul II Church Hall.
Memorials are suggested to St. John Paul II Catholic Church and the Mt. Olive Fire Department. Becker and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Jerry J. “Jon” Eldred, 87 of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center in Litchfield. Jon was born on June 18, 1937, in Chesterfield, a son of James Melvin and Nelle (Schuetz) Eldred.
Jon was a 1955 graduate of Carlinville High School. He married Kathleen Martin on January 16, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Church in Carlinville. Jon was drafted in the Army in September of 1960 and he and Kathleen moved to Aberdeen, Maryland where he served as a light vehicle driver until August of 1962. He then served in the US Army Reserves until his discharge in August of 1966.
Jon worked as a salesman in the agriculture industry starting at FS, moving to Area Ag and returning to FS before his retirement. He was also part owner of Fred Smith Chevrolet for a time. Jon spent many hours on the road traveling to sporting events. He was a regular fan at his grandchildren’s games and was known as Papa Jon to many of their teammates. He was an avid CHS football fan, attending nearly every game for decades.
He also served as chauffer over the years driving his friends to many horse races. Jon’s love of golf came once he finally retired. He golfed with friends regularly and decided only a week before his death not to pay his Carlinville Country Club dues. He was a member of Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church and an honorary lifetime member of the Carlinville Elks Lodge #1412. Never knowing a stranger, Jon’s smile, laugh and kindness will be missed my many.
Jon is survived by his daughter, Kim (Mark) Mehrkens of Pontiac; son, Andy Eldred of Carlinville; grandchildren, Alex (Brittany) Eldred, Madalyn (Caleb) Leach and Seth Mehrkens; great-grandchildren, Avery, Kali, Bella and Cece; sister-in-law, Polly Eldred of Carlinville; and two nephews, Jeff and Jim Eldred.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother, Max.
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville. Mass of Christian burial service will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Joe Koyickal, Sac as celebrant. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Loomis Cemetery in Chesterfield. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Ralph David Glassbrenner, 69 of Plainview, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 4:40 pm. He was born on April 1, 1956, in Jerseyville to Fred E. Glassbrenner and Norma J. (Narup)Glassbrenner.
He married Paula C. (Johnson) Glassbrenner on January 10, 1981, in Godfrey. Upon graduating from Southwestern High School in 1974, he started his apprenticeship at the then Carpenter’s Local 377, now Local 664, recently celebrating 50 years.
He was an honorary member of the Tri County Rod & Gun Club in Brighton. Ralph enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals and working in his garden. He took great pride in his yard as well as his Chevy’s and vehicle’s equipment. He loved classic country music.
He is survived by his spouse, Paula C. Glassbrenner of Plainview; children, Sarah (Jim) Owens of Brighton, David (Xi) Glassbrenner of St. Louis, MO, and Michael Glassbrenner of Alton; grandchildren, Luke Owens, Thomas & Henry Glassbrenner; siblings, Karen (Steve) Bender, Patti Updike, Paul Glassbrenner, and Ann (John) Hilderbrand; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm and on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at SS Simon and Jude Church, Gillespie from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:00 am at SS Simon & Jude Church, Gillespie.
Burial will be at St. Denis Cemetery, Shipman. Memorials are suggested to National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or HSHS Hospice. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Christina Ann McLain, 47 of Benld, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 9:14 a.m. She was born on April 2, 1978, in Litchfield to Robert Miller and Ruth Smith Miller.
She married Robert Aaron McLain on May 24, 2008, in Gillespie. She was a homemaker who enjoyed her children and grandchildren. Christina also enjoyed dolphins and cruises.
She is survived by her mother, Ruth Miller of Gillespie; spouse, Robert McLain of Benld; children, Kelsi Miller of Gillespie, Kaley (Steven) Mriscin of Gillespie, Austin McLain of Benld, and Aaron McLain of Benld; grandchildren, Aubrey, Carter, Sofia, Ava, Brysen, Malaiya, and Jaydin; siblings, Stacey (Ryan) Miller of Gillespie and Frank (Lynn) Tallman of Redmond, OR; niece, Avi Tallman; brothers in law, David McLain and Joe McLain; sister in law, Anita McLain; and father in law, Richard McLain.
Christina was preceded in death by her father.
Friends may call on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a memorial service to follow at the funeral home at 7:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to the children. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
