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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Sharon Irene Wood, 80, of Litchfield, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab. She was born in St. Louis, MO, on August 17, 1944, a daughter of Gerald Mitchell and Deana Irene (Williams) Hart.
She moved to Litchfield with her family in 1947, when her father returned to his hometown after WWII. Sharon graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1962. She married Michael Dean Wood on July 22, 1972, at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield. They were happily married for nearly 53 years. He survives.
Sharon was employed for nearly 40 years with the City of Litchfield as deputy clerk of the water department. She was a member of Wares Grove Lutheran Church in rural Butler where she served on the Ladies Aid committee, on the church council as chairman of the worship committee, WELCA, and Sunday school teacher.
Sharon was a well-known dedicated volunteer in many local activities. She was the Edgewood Cemetery Association secretary, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 436, serving as Rehab and Education Chairman for many years, and a member of the Laborers International Union of North America Local 773.
In addition, she was involved with the Cub Scouts, serving as den leader and pack leader for ten years, committee treasurer of the Litchfield Sesquicentennial History book, a Route 66 Association member, a lifetime member of the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, where she also served on the board, as treasurer, and as a greeter. Sharon was a talented country dancer and an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She and Mike enjoyed traveling after retirement, and celebrating their 40th anniversary in Hawaii was a favorite memory.
Sharon’s goal in life was to be there and support her family. She could be found cheering on her son Corey’s drag racing, watching her husband, son-in-law, grandson-in-law, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter pitch horseshoes, and attending her grandson’s baseball and soccer games, and her granddaughter’s tennis and dancing activities.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Michael Wood of Litchfield; sons, Stephen J. (Melissa) Fiscor of Jacksonville, FL and Corey M. Wood of Litchfield; daughter, Jaime D. (Wade) Koonce of Litchfield; grandchildren, Adrienne Michelle Koonce and Kristin Nicole (Justin) Plasters of Litchfield and Kathryn Addison Fiscor and Ryan Sheffield Fiscor of Jacksonville, FL; great grandchildren, Hunter Allen Plasters and Tymberli Rae Plasters of Litchfield, and Elissa Cline-Plasters of Gillespie; sisters-in-law, Nancy Hart of Pensacola, FL, Margaret “Peggy” Helfrich of Springfield, and Pat Coleman of Washington state; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Deana Hart, brother, Gerald D. Hart, and grandparents, Orville Hart, Edith Bandy and Harold and Flora Williams.
Funeral services celebrating Sharon’s eternal life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Wares Grove Lutheran Church in rural Butler. Pastor John Jaffry will officiate. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at Plummer Funeral Home from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Memorials may be made to Wares Grove Lutheran Church, Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, or Litchfield Veterans Memorial Garden. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family.
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Karen Lee Allen, 75 of Litchfield, died at her residence on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 11:56 am. She was born on January 1, 1950, in Wood River to Jack Holman and Dorothy Gibbs Holman.
She married Donald E. Allen on November 29, 1971, in Alton. He preceded her in death in 2004. She worked in material management for St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield.
She is survived by her children, Yvette Allen of Litchfield and Dena Allen; grandchildren, Kelsey, Christopher, Aubree, Emily, Cheyenne, and Mallory; 11 great grandchildren; and siblings, Ella (Don) Walker of Wood River and Jack (Cindy) Holman Jr. of Wood River.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, and granddaughter, Kelsey Cox.
Visitation will be on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm with a memorial service to follow at the funeral home at 12:00 pm. Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens, Bethalto.
Flowers are welcomed. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Rita Mae Smith NEE Dana, 93, passed away peacefully at 10:35 am on July 6, 2025, with her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law by her side. She was born on October 21, 1931, in Mitchell, IL to Gertrude Bequette Dana and Charles Edward Dana Sr.
She married Charles Newton (Newt) Smith, Jr. on December 29, 1949, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Bethalto. He passed away in December 1995.
First and foremost she loved family and family gatherings, golf, the cardinals, dancing, wine dinners, and high tea. She was known for her fried chicken and her generosity. She always said “there is always room for one more at the table.” She sent care packages to her kids friends through the years and always made sure everyone had a Christmas. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Steven Ray Whisenand whom she adored; her parents and in laws, Comella and Charles N Smith Sr.; three brothers and their spouses, Charles Edward (Boss) Dana Jr., Stanley Aloysius (Allie) and Ruth Ann Dana, Joseph (Joe) and Marilyn Dana; four sisters and their spouses, Margaret and Delmar Oldenettel, Gertrude (Trudy) and Gene King, Elizabeth (Betty) and George Briskovich and Barbara (Bobbie) and John Katich; three brothers in law, George F Smith, Spencer Q Smith and Birdie Stanfield, Richard C Smith and Sylvia; sister in law, Comella (Cassie) Reynolds; niece; two nephews; two great nieces; and one great nephew.
She is survived by her daughter, Paulette’ Je’An Smith of Bunker Hill; her son and his wife, Steven (Smitty) and Marcia Smith of Littleton, CO; one sister and brother in law, Helen and Steve Zink of Springfield; 37 nieces and nephews; 31 great nieces and nephews; and 33 great great nieces and nephews.
Private family services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the arrangements.
