Obituaries
Death of George Duncan Jr.
Where are you from? That was George’s signature line to ask anyone and everyone he met. Working at two golf courses in the Arizona valley for 30+ years allowed him to meet people from all walks of life.
George Duncan Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 4, 2021, at Manteno Veteran’s Home in Manteno, IL at the age of 97. George was born to George and Olli (Dixon) Duncan as the second of five children on June 2, 1924, in Benld.
George was a veteran of the United States Army serving in WWII as a medic. He was awarded 3 bronze stars. Upon his return, he worked for Texaco Oil in St. Louis doing sales/marketing. It’s there where he met this cute little brunette, Veda, and married her on April 16, 1946. They welcomed a son, Mark, and daughter, Pam, while still living there.
George was promoted and transferred to Chicago (Cary) and Lacrosse, WI throughout his 35-year career with Texaco. George and Veda moved permanently to Scottsdale, AZ in 1989 after his retirement to enjoy the warm weather and also closer to his daughter and her family. He remained there a few years after Veda’s passing in 2012 and moved to the Chicago area to be closer to his son, Mark, and his family residing in an independent living facility in 2018.
They both enjoyed dancing (jitterbug) to the big bands in St. Louis and continued to dance throughout their marriage. He was an avid golfer and had a passion for hunting and fishing. He spent many years traveling to a remote fishing location in Canada with his son, Mark, and later his grandson, Jeff, along with many fishing buddies throughout the years.
George loved a party and was always inviting neighbors over for cocktail hour. He loved a “Manhattan” and prided himself on making a “good” one for anyone who would join him. He loved to drive on long road trips across the country which included many trips to Florida while living in Wisconsin.
He started working as a ranger/starter at the Arizona Grand Resort (formally the Point at South Mountain) and Point Hilton Tapatio Resort/Phoenix after his retirement in 1981 as a winter visitor. When he became a resident, he kept himself busy by maintaining his neighbor’s homes while they were away in the summer without expecting anything in return.
George is survived by his loving family, son, Mark (Sue) Duncan; daughter, Pam (Mike) Gloyd; sister, Peggy Zarr; grandchildren, Jeff (Lauren) Duncan, Jody (Mike) Villano, Kelly (Brandon) Deardorff, Matt (Angie) Gloyd and Andrea (Jason) St. Clair; and great-grandchildren, Bryce and Shea Duncan, twins Olivia and Angelo Villano, Grayson, Maeve, and Isla Deardorff, Madilyn and Colton Gloyd, Gianna, Tatum, Harlow, and Cruz St. Clair. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
George was preceded in death by his wife,Veda Duncan (Shrum); brother, Ben Duncan; and sisters, Juanita Dmytryk and Carol Smith.
As a lifelong hypochondriac, he finally can say to Veda “See I told you I was sick”.
Graveside service and military honors will be held on August 3, 2021, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis Mo. In lieu of flowers, send memorials to your charity of choice. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Kurtz Memorial Chapel, Frankfort IL, www.kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-806-2225.
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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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