Obituaries
Death of Harold Raymond Stokes
Harold Raymond Stokes, 83 of Litchfield, passed away at his residence on Saturday, May 27, 2023. He was born in East St. Louis on July 9, 1939, a son of Harold William and Mary Elizabeth (Warren) Stokes.
He graduated from Litchfield High School with the Class of 1957 and served in the Illinois National Guard. Mr. Stokes and the former Judy Kay Driscoll were married on October 29, 1960, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Litchfield. She survives.
He was employed for 26 years with International Paper Company/Consumer Plastics as an Art Coordinator in the packaging division. After International Paper closed, he worked with his father, Harold W. Stokes, in the family insurance business.
Mr. Stokes also worked as a commercial artist doing all kinds of artwork, including logos, advertising, sign painting and graphics work for businesses. When the House of Sunshine was built in Sunshine Park, Mr. Stokes was hired to paint the graphics above the windows and eaves. While he had no formal art training and developed his skills through a four-year correspondence program and weekly tutoring from a retired art professor, he became a successful artist. Mr. Stokes received numerous “best of shows” at local and county art shows and various awards for his sports-oriented works, many of which were published in Beckett Sports Magazine. His artwork was showcased in galleries in Rend Lake, Chicago, Springfield and Dallas, Texas, and he even had two of his portrait paintings of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson displayed in Washington, D.C. Mr. Stokes also greatly enjoyed teaching his own many art students over the years.
Mr. Stokes was an avid fan of both the Chicago Bears football and the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball teams. He coached the little league baseball White Sox team of Litchfield.
In addition to his wife, Judy, Mr. Stokes is survived by three sons, Andrew W. (fiancée Athena Sedlacek) Stokes of Litchfield, Matthew M. Stokes of Hillsboro, and Robert B. Stokes of Litchfield; six grandchildren, Chelsey Stokes, Brady Stokes, Tyler J. “T.J.” Stokes, Colby Stokes, Tyler Sedlacek, and Jacob Sedlacek; one great-grandchild, Harlo Stokes; sister, Linda Lee (Ron) Repp of Staunton; and two nieces, Julie M. (Mike Painter) Repp of Collinsville and Jennifer (Chad) Jenkins of Glen Carbon.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Stokes was preceded in death by his step-mother, Juanita M. Stokes; and great-grandson, Cooper Meadows.
A memorial visitation for Mr. Stokes will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield.
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Nancy Ilene Weller, 74, of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 2:52 pm. She was born June 4, 1949, in Litchfield, to Charles Giller and Margaret Whitman Giller. She married Kenneth Raymond Weller, Sr., on August 17, 1968, in Litchfield. He preceded her in death on December 5, 2011.
She was a caregiver. Nancy loved horses, reading, and her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Chester (Katina) Weller of Gillespie, Luke Weller of Gillespie, Spring Weller (spouse, Phillip Benner) of Fowler, IN, 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 5 brothers, and sisters.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, 4 brothers, and sisters.
No public services are scheduled. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Beverly Kay Brown, 82, of Gillespie, died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center, Gillespie, on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 8:45 am. She was born October 4, 1941, in Litchfield, to Mario Meldi and Opal Olston Meldi. She married Bob Brown on October 30, 1976.
She worked for the State of Illinois in title transferring and data processing. Beverly enjoyed reading and was an avid reader of People’s magazine.
She is survived by her spouse, Bob Brown of Gillespie, children, Joell (Sid) Flyte of Edwardsville, Jackie (Larry) Fear of The Villages, FL, Kathy Giesler of Mattoon, Kim (Joe) Brittin of Springfield, Jane (Greg) Hallum of Ishpeming, MI, Lori Brown of Temecula, CA, grandchildren, Breanna Leake, Dominique Flyte, Addie Flyte, Bradley Fear, David Fear, Brad Brittin, Melissa Casad, Amanda Kozak, Jaime Galloway, Jaimee Dobson, Jenny Knight, Emily Nault, Elyssa Gregurash, Erin Baldini, many great-grandchildren, brothers, Ron (Corky) Meldi of Nitro, WV, and sisters-in-law, June Swan and Loni Cloyd. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Jedd Hallum, and brother-in-law, Preston Brown.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Funeral services are Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie. Burial will be at Benld Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to SS Simon and Jude Church. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Darrell Leon Hoffstot, 69, of Gillespie, died at St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, on Saturday, March 2, 2024. He was born October 2, 1954, in Granite City, to Willard Lee Hoffstot and Hazel Mae Holloway Hoffstot.
He was retired after having been an assembler for Echlin. Darrell enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and water skiing.
He is survived by his sons, Zachary Hoffstot of Mt. Olive, and Zane Hoffstot of Gillespie, and sisters, Sandra Elledge of Litchfield, and Peggy (Joseph) Fischer. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Victor Hoffstot.
No public services will be held. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
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