Obituaries
Death of Helen T. Bauer
Helen T. Bauer, 86, of Gillespie, IL died May 13, 2013. She was born on February 1, 1927 in Staunton, IL to C.A. Reuter and Mame Greene Reuter. She made her life in the Gillespie area attending St. Simon and Jude Elementary School and the Gillespie Public High School. She attended the University of Illinois, pledging Delta Gama sorority.
She then worked at the Gillespie bank until married to Paul L. Bauer of Bunker Hill, Illinois in September 1946. Helen was the mother of 6 children. She was active in the Canna Anna’s women’s civic organization and a lifelong member of St. Simon and Jude Church where she sang in the choir for many years.
She worked for over 30 years as the librarian of the Gillespie Public Library where she was instrumental in establishing Internet public access and in the planning and construction of the library extension. Helen was an avid traveler having visited all the world’s continents except Antarctica.
She was a gracious hostess, friend, and wonderful cook. Her vast life experiences and love of literature enhanced her profound skills in navigating her life’s journey. During her recent illness, she was blessed to have the loving care of the staff at Heritage Manor. The family will always be indebted for their services.
Helen leaves behind her daughters: Tracy B. Bodenmann (John), Chicago, IL; Cecie J. Coyne (Tom), Glen Ellyn, Il, Amy E. Crowe (Michael), Chicago, IL; son: Albert H. Bauer (Terri Ann), Bloomington, IL; and 5 grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister, Loretta Reuter Oliphant; brother, C.A. Reuter, Jr.; son, Stephen M. Bauer; and daughter, Abby Ann Bauer Wilde..
At Helen’s request, private family services will be held. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Gillespie, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be made to the Gillespie Public Library.
Kravanya Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements.
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Robert Leeroy Blevins, 77 of Litchfield, passed away the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born in Litchfield on December 24, 1947, a son of Robert James and Betty Bernadine (Cranford) Blevins.
He graduated from Centralia High School and proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He was employed for many years as a cabinet maker with Adenca Manufacturing in Litchfield. Robert enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and looking for buried treasures with his metal detector.
He was a talented musician and played guitar and saxophone. Robert enjoyed watching and listening to all spectator sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He married the former Wanda Kay Large and they later divorced.
Robert is survived by sons, Christopher (fiancée Grace) Blevins and Jason (Jamie) Blevins, all of Litchfield; daughters, Jennifer (Gordon) Fenton of Salem, MO and Shannon Large of Litchfield; brothers, Chesley Blevins of Staunton, Joseph Blevins of Litchfield, Floyd Blevins of Highland, and Fred Blevins of Litchfield; sisters, Barbara (Ray) Schuster of Sorento, Sharon (John) Wickerheim of Chicago, and Pamela Poppenhouse of Litchfield; and several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Betty B. Blevins.
Funeral services for Mr. Blevins will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Pastor Gilbert Dealey will officiate. Burial will be in Crabtree Cemetery. Military honors will be at graveside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family of Robert Blevins, c/o Christopher Blevins. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Joyce Carleen Simmons, 83 of Litchfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 23, 2025. She was born in Pana on May 31, 1942, a daughter of Carl Cornelius and Lucille Romelta (Miller) Brakenhoff.
She was a member of the Litchfield High School graduating class of 1960. She married Raymond “Larry” Simmons on June 6, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and they enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage until his passing on January 23, 2022.
Joyce was an excellent cook and well known for her beef and noodles, Texas cake, and stew. Joyce’s delicious cooking skills were evident during her 22-year career as manager of Jubelt’s Variety Bakery in Litchfield and as a ten-year cafeteria worker for the Litchfield Community School District #12. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, tending to her fruit trees, and sewing. Joyce enjoyed serving others by teaching Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and volunteering for the local Meals on Wheels.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Raymond (Vicki) Simmons of Evansville, IN and David (Jacqueline) Simmons of Haymarket, VA; daughter, Laura Simmons of Edwardsville; brothers, Leslie (Sue) Brakenhoff of Litchfield, Byron (Terry) Brakenhoff of Chattanooga, TN, and Dale (Nancy) Brakenhoff of Litchfield; sisters, Ramona Warman of Charleston, IL and Marilyn (Don) Loptien of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Zachary Simmons, Makenzie (Jeremy) Frazier, Emma Simmons, and William Simmons; and great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Eli and Calla.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Rev. Larry Brakenhoff and Bernard Brakenhoff; brother-in-law Robert, “Bob” Warman; and niece, Kimberly (Brakenhoff) Bergman.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141-8557. Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
