Obituaries
Death of George A. Miklos
George was born on December 22, 1934, in Benld the youngest son of Joseph Miklos and Mary Kozak Miklos. He was a graduate of Benld High School. He attended the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. George was active in multiple clubs including the Student Council, the St Patrick’s club and was an awardee from the Board of Trustees for Student Publications. George graduated in 1957 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
George completed the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet program. His first day in the Air Force was on April 17, 1957. His assignment to Biloxi Air Force Base brought the marriage to the love of his life, Mary Cannon.
George proudly served at many Air Force installations including the Pentagon and the National Security Administration. He was the first Electronics Warfare Officer assigned to Nellis AFB and as such taught classes in electronic warfare. In 1967, he was assigned to the 357th TFW at the Royal Takhli Air Force Base during the Vietnam War.
George flew in an F105 as EWO “Buda Bear” flying one hundred missions over the Red River Valley. He was a proud original member of the Wild Weasel Association and of the River Rats Association. His awards include 3 Silver Star medals for Valor, 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 Air Medals, Expeditionary Medals, and Presidential unit citations, among others. In addition, George was a Master Navigator. He concluded his military service on July 1, 1977, with more than 3,000 flying hours in various aircraft.
George completed a degree in accounting and worked at the Boeing Company in the military engineering and accounting sections retiring in 1995. He remained active with the American Legion and the Military Retiree Association.
George’s family includes his loving wife of 63 years, Mary; son, Michael and wife Lisa; daughter, M. Elizabeth and husband Vern; daughter, Sharon and husband Jim; and daughter, Jo; and nine grandchildren, multiple great-grandchildren and extended family.
George was a devoted and quiet man of faith. He attended St Maximillian Kolbe Parrish at McConnell AFB. George is now in the loving arms of God as he passed quietly on May 7, 2022.
A rosary was held on May 13 at Smith Mortuary in Derby, KS. Mass of Christian burial was held on May 14 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Mulvane, KS.
Donations may be made to Society of Wild Weasels, P.O. Box 877, Silver Springs, MD 20918.
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Susie M. Jackson, 89 of Carlinville, passed away at 4:52 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Lakeside Health and Rehab Center in Carlinville. She was born in Golden Pond, KY on November 14, 1934, a daughter of Eulas Beltron and Winnie Maud (Finch) Fennell.
She married James “Jim” Sylvester Jackson on September 9, 1953, in Edwardsville. He passed away on August 12, 2013. Mrs. Jackson was a dedicated homemaker and took pride in caring for her family and her cats. She and Jim really enjoyed their trips to Colorado to visit their family. She also enjoyed flower gardening, cooking, baking, collecting Raggedy Ann dolls, thrift store shopping, and decorating her house. Her family said her from-scratch cinnamon rolls were the best.
Mrs. Jackson is survived by a son, James Jackson of Carlinville; five daughters, Rebecca Hudson, Linda Neighbors and Cynthia Jackson, all of Carlinville, Sara (Gene) Martinez of Evans, CO, and Amy (Jason Porter) Jackson of Gillette, WY; brother, Billie L. Fennell of Godfrey; five grandchildren, Randy Neighbors, Jr., Leslie Neighbors, Andrew Jackson, Benjamin Bell, and Holden Jackson; and three great-grandchildren, Kiera Neighbors, Andrew Neighbors, and Mila Jackson.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Jackson was preceded in death by her siblings Eulas “Jack” B. Fennell, Jr., Alva Fennell, Margaret Jean Fields, Helen Fennell, and twins Earl and Pearl in infancy.
Funeral services for Mrs. Jackson will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Rev. Cliff Woodman of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Carlinville will officiate. Burial will be in Bethel Ridge Cemetery near Atwater. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.
Memorials may be made to Macoupin County Animal Control and Adoption Center in Carlinville. Plummer Funeral Home is serving the family.
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Charlene Betty Lee Sauerwein, 87 of Bunker Hill, died in Bunker Hill on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 3:00 a.m. She was born on February 7, 1937, in Edwardsville to William A. Bauer and Camilla Provaznik Bauer.
She married Victor John Sauerwein on January 23, 1960, in Edwardsville. He preceded her in death on May 13, 2023. She was a homemaker who loved, gardening, cooking which she was a good cook, her flock of sheep, her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her son, Jon (Theresa) Sauerwein of Bunker Hill; daughters, Joy (Thomas Wayne) Roswell of Bunker Hill and Jeanne Sparks of Bunker Hill; grandchildren, Tom (Allison) Roswell, Amy (fiancé, Tom Silveus) Roswell, Janna Sauerwein, Benjamin Gettleman, Christina (significant other, Clay Coffman) Sparks, Crystal (significant other, Ian Hilgert) Sparks, Jesse (significant other, Samantha Crisel) Sauerwein, Brandon (significant other, Jessica) Sparks, and Jacob Sparks; great-grandchildren, Carsyn, Savannah, Vivienne, Rylee, Jetsyn, and Lane; sister in law, Wilma (Richard) Stinnett of Alton; and step-sisters, Mary Lou McCurry and Sarah (Merle) Yates.
Charlene was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; brothers, Roland Bauer, Calvin Bauer, Carlton Bauer, and Reeves Bauer; and sisters, Lorene Opel and Mavis Utechett.
Friends may call on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral services are Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill. Burial will be at Bunker Hill Cemetery, Bunker Hill.
Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church of Bunker Hill. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the arrangements.
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Johnnie M. Monroe, 88, died on October 8, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He was born on September 4, 1936, in Shawneetown, IL to Loren & Edna (Cummins) Monroe, who both preceded him in death.
He married Carolyn (Adler) Monroe on December 19, 1964, and she preceded him in death on August 3, 2012. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Robert Monroe and Loren Dale Monroe, and by his brother-in-law Harold Adler.
He is survived by his fiance’, Mary Adler; his daughter, Beverly Jo (Moe) St. Arnault; his grandson, Brian (Rhonda) Rigsby; his great-granddaughter, Brianna Rigsby; nieces and nephews, Karra Adler, Loren (Adrienne) Monroe, Robin (Dale) Turner, Dean (Kirsten) Monroe, Rebecca (Joe) Gould, and Angela (Nick) Coursen; and his brother-in-law, Bill (Kris) Adler. He is also survived by 14 great-nieces and great-nephews, several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, as well as Johnny (Mary) Witt, who Johnnie and Carolyn raised as their own for many years.
Johnnie was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Elgin, IL, for many years where he served as a deacon and completed several missionary trips to Mexico. He was also an active member of the New Douglas Madison #560 and Staunton #177 Masons, The Ainad Shriners of Southern Illinois, The Legion of Honor, and the Hillbilly Clan #39 Lodge.
He spent a lot of his spare time doing woodworking, photography, leatherworking, and many other craft works. One of Johnnie’s most amazing traits was his love for children, which is why he had such a passion to be part of the Shriners organization. He was also a Boy Scout leader and baseball coach for many years and never met a kid he didn’t try to help; this is why so many looked up to him as a father figure.
Johnnie served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1956 and was a disabled veteran who survived a neck injury when he was young that paralyzed him from the neck down, yet he fought through that and lived a full and inspiring life. Johnnie was a person who lived life to the fullest and didn’t let anything stop him from doing what he enjoyed. He went full throttle at all times and never let any grass grow under his feet.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Masonic Services to be held at 7:30 PM on Friday evening. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Anthony Hudson officiating.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO. The Staunton Military Honor Guard will conduct graveside military rites.
