Obituaries
Death of Gerald M. Carney
Gerald M. Carney, 78, of Virden, formerly of Girard, passed away Wednesday evening, November 5, 2014, at his home with his family by his side after an 8 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Gerald, the son of the late Richard E. and C. Louise (Ryan) Carney, was born on October 21, 1936, in Springfield, Illinois.
He married Jane Lee (Beatty) on June 12, 1966 in Waverly, Illinois. They are parents of two children Gregory Paul (deceased) and Kimberly S. Carney Rhodes, husband Lonny of Carlinville.
Gerald is survived by his wife Jane Lee, daughter Kim and husband Lonny, and grandsons Riley Gregory, Grant and Reid Rhodes all of Carlinville along with a very special “adopted” daughter Kim (Mike) Broida of Virden. Brother Ronald (Evelyn) Carney and Sister Nancy (Darrell) Edwards both of Virden. Cousin Thelma Otten, many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Richard (1979), Louise (1998), sister Virginia Hays (1961), brothers J. Stewart (1992), Richard E. (2002), Warren (2009) son Gregory Paul Carney (2002), and his in laws Kenneth (2002) and Virginia (2000) Beatty and 1 great nephew.
He was a graduate of Virden Community High School in 1954, where he was active in FFA and received his American FFA Degree in 1956 and a 1960 graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a BS in Agriculture. Gerald served 4 years in the Illinois Air National Guard based in Springfield, IL and St. Louis.
He then worked in Dixon, Illinois for Production Credit Association before returning to the family farm and Brown Swiss dairy cow business. Gerald and his brother Warren farmed together for over 30 years in the Lowder, Girard, and Modesto areas, with his oldest brother Ronald joining for a few years. Gerald and Jane Lee worked side by side on the farm from the day they were married until they retired in 2004.
Gerald was an advocate for agriculture and spent many years of his life giving of his time and talents. He served on the Illinois Corn Growers Association from 1976-1986, was instrumental in creating the corn check off in Illinois and was on the Illinois Corn Marketing board from 1983-1990, and served as chairman in 1984 and 1985. He was also President of the National Corn Development Foundation from 1986-1987.
In 1989, he received the Outstanding Agricultural Alumni Award from Southern Illinois University college of Agriculture, Prairie Farmer Master Farmer in 1994, and in 1998 he was recognized by the Illinois Corn Growers Association with the World of Corn of Award for his outstanding commitment and work on behalf of corn growers from around the country. In 2011, the Gerald Carney Family was named Illinois Farm Family of the year.
Gerald was past president and member of the Macoupin County Farm Bureau, and he was an active member of the Macoupin County Fair Board for many years and still served as Honorary Board Member. Lifetime member of the Virden United Methodist Church and active in the Omni Venture group. Gerald was installed in the Virden Masonic Lodge in 1951 and became a Shriner in 1970.
Gerald had many loves, the greatest being his family, but he was an avid antique John Deere tractor collector and loved his purchase of a a black hard top 1957 that he referred to as “like the one I had” that he had new in 1957. In retirement, he enjoyed his grandson and participating in many parades around the state, including several Illinois State Fairs, where he displayed many of his antique JD’s and pulled his grandson Riley in a wagon behind the tractor throwing out candy. To him, it was just another way to share his love of agriculture.
Visitation for Gerald will be on Saturday, November 8 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Virden with Masonic Services to be performed at 1:45 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Virden First United Methodist Church with services to be performed by Pastor Mary Alice Cunningham and burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Modesto.
Memorials are suggested to the Oak Grove Cemetery Maintenance Fund, Gerald Carney Agriculture Scholarship or the Macoupin County Fair.
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Roberta “Bobbi” Haneghan, 89 of Bunker Hill, died on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Cedarhurst Senior Living, Bethalto. She was born in Bunker Hill on June 24, 1936, to Robert and Clara (Fensterman) Haneghan.
Bobbi was fiercely independent and loved being active. She enjoyed traveling, woodworking, spending time with family and friends, and had a strong passion for dogs. Her exuberant laugh brought joy to everyone around her.
She is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bobbi was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, William “Bill” Haneghan; and seven sisters, Jean Haneghan (infant), Vivian O’Toole, June Fortschneider, Patricia “Patty” Whiting, Veronica “Ronni” Waymire, Edwina “Babe” Weishaupt, and Mary Lynn Brunaugh.
A private burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bunker Hill. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Metro East Humane Society at https://www.mehs.org/support. Kravanya Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements.
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Mathew Dwayne Spickerman, 66 of Bunker Hill, died at his residence on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 3:38 pm. He was born on December 20, 1959, in Alton to Harold Spickerman and Dorothy Bixen Spickerman.
He was a carpenter. Mathew enjoyed hunting, motorcycles and was an outdoorsman.
He is survived by his children, Daniel Spickerman (Megan Ferraris) of Dorsey and Shelby Spickerman (Matt Rose) of Bunker Hill; grandchild, Aryn Rose; several cousins and best friend, Jeff Chapman.
Mathew was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Funeral services are Friday, May 1, 2026 at 1:00 pm 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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Ann Marie Maguire, 73 of Gillespie, passed away at home, Sunday, April 19, 2026. She was born on January 25, 1953, one of twelve children to Wayne F. and Kathryn M. (Miller) Murray in Pana.
She attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Pana and graduated with Hillsboro High School’s Class of 1971. She married Perry W. Maguire on September 29, 2010. She had a passion for horses and during their honeymoon on Mackinac Island she made it her goal to have Perry photograph her with as many horses as possible.
She worked as paraprofessional at both the elementary and high schools in Gillespie. Her first love was always her family; she dearly loved Perry, all their children and grandchildren, equally. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Gillespie where she enjoyed being a part of their women’s prayer group.
Ann is survived by her children, Amee Lee, Michael Burrow, Kathleen Schmidt, Jeremy Burrow, Anne Fullington, Kara Burrow, and Tyler Burrow; her step-children, Natalie Maguire Levite and Shane Maguire; her grandchildren, Damon Lee, Allie Burrow, Sam Burrow, Jack Goby, Henry Schmidt, Jacob Burrow, Jared Burrow, Beau Zachary, Layne Burrow, Luke Anderson, Cali Powell, Daytn Powell, Knox Burrow, Taylor Maguire, Jessie Maguire, Cameron Reid, and Kellan Maguire; her great-grandchildren, Jackie Burrow, Carter Davis, Alabama Finley, Portlyn Finley, Folsum Finley, Seager Finley, and Cabot Harper; and her brothers and sister, Dan Murray, Leo Murray, Raymond Murray, Steve Murray, Pat Murray, John Murray, Gerry Murray, and Veronica Armentrout.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers, Tom Murray, Greg Murray, and Dale Murray.
A private service for the family is planned; Hough-Dean Funeral Home is assisting.
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