Connect with us

Obituaries

Death of George Franklin Church

Published

on

George Franklin Church, 80, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Carlinville Rehab and HealthCare. He was born on March 8, 1942, in Fairmont, WV to Beryl Jennings and Emma Josephine (Lough) Church.

He attended Fairmont State College and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. George served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War with the Army Security Agency, in-country during the Tet Offensive on Tan Son Nhut Airbase. After his service, he started a career in retail management working for 32 years in the greater Baltimore Metro area.

He married Laureen Heenan in 1973. They had two daughters and later divorced. After moving to Illinois in 2002, he married Rita Barber, became an Illinois Master Gardener, an active member of the Carlinville Lions Club, and worked at County Market/Girard. He especially enjoyed gardening and served as a docent at the Dean Garden at the Lincoln Home National Park as well as many projects in Macoupin County. 

A kind soul, patient, caring and humorous person, one of his favorite expressions was, “There are no bad cookies, some are just better than others.”

He is survived by his wife, Rita Barber Church; daughters, Jennifer Marie Church and Sharon Church Schmitz (Blu); grandchildren, Eva Juliette Walters, Skylar Rain Schmitz and River Lucas Schmitz; sister, Sally Church Browning (Ellsworth); nieces, the late Beth Browning Sivrais; her son, Brenden Sivrais; Mary Kay Browning Austin (Jeremy), her daughter, Amber Browning; Pamela Jo Browning (David Lowe), and several great-nieces.

No visitation is planned. Cremation provided by Kravanya Funeral Homes. Burial will be at the West Virginia National Cemetery.  A celebration of life will be held later in the summer.

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Obituaries

Death of Jean Marie Boston Wilson

Published

on

Jean Marie Boston Wilson, 52 of Staunton, passed away at 6:46 AM on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at Community Hospital of Staunton. She was born on March 10, 1971, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late Jerry and Mary (Ackerman) Boston.

She was a homemaker. She enjoyed 5D Diamond Art, gardening, painting, cooking, baking, and arts and crafts.

She is survived by her son, Nicholas Wilson; two sisters, Anne Hood and  Barbie Ivey Boston; a brother, Joe (Peggy) Boston; several nephews; and her beloved dog, Max. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; a nephew, Don Ivey Jr.; and a brother-in-law, Donald Ivey.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Obituaries

Death of James Rudolph Zirkelbach

Published

on

James Rudolph Zirkelbach, 86 of Benld, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 12:10 a.m. at his residence in Benld. He was born November 26, 1936, in Shawneetown, IL to Gregory Zirkelbach and Beulah (Vaughn) Zirkelbach.

He married Mary V. Lebro on August 12, 1977, in Carlinville. James was a retired Sheriff for Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department in Carlinville, a member of the Macoupin-Montgomery Crime Stoppers, Illinois Sheriff’s Association, Former board member for Community Unit School District #7, Amvets, and a former member of the Macoupin County Board.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Zirkelbach of Benld; five sons, Robert (Sandee) Zirkelbach of Carlisle, IA, Dennis (Julie) Zirkelbach of Eagarville, James Zirkelbach of Benld, Mark (Sandy) Zirkelbach of Kemp, TX, Brad Zirkelbach of Wentzville, MO; three daughters, Tracy (Bret) Werner of Hamel, Joan (Brent) Cain of Carlinville, and Kimberly J. (Jack) Burns of Benld; two brothers, Andrew (Shirley) Zirkelbach of Alton and Eugene (Ruth) Zirkelbach of Kampsville, IL; and sister, Pat Navarre of Godfrey.

James was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brian Zirkelbach; sister, Cecelia Zirkelbach; and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Zirkelbach.

Friends may call on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Kravanya Funeral Home, 203 E. Elm St., Gillespie, from 4:00 until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Kravanya Funeral Home, 203 E. Elm St., Gillespie with Pastor Bob Zirkelbach officiating.

Burial will be at Benld Cemetery in Benld. Memorials are suggested to Crimestoppers or to Gillespie High School Cross Country. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Obituaries

Death of Richard A. Kapp

Published

on

Richard A. Kapp, 81, of Staunton, passed away at 7:00 AM on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Hallmark Health Care Center in Carlinville. He was born on February 21, 1942, in Staunton the son of the late August and Lydia (Becker) Kapp. He married Carol A. Meyer on February 8, 1975, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Staunton and she survives.

Dick was Superintendent of the Water Department for the City of Staunton for over 30 years and also served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 6 years. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Staunton, and a past member of the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department.  He loved duck hunting.

He is survived by his wife, Carol of Staunton; two sons, Daron (Alisha) Kapp of Benld and Aaron (Laura) Kapp of Lebanon; and three grandchildren,  Lucca, Giana, Kyle, and a fourth grandchild on the way. 

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bob Kapp.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 5 PM until closing at the Staunton VFW Hall in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to either the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department or to the Staunton Sports Boosters.

Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Trending

×

We need your support. If you value having timely, accurate news about your community, please become one of our subscribers. Subscribe