Obituaries
Death of James Clifford Ray
James Clifford Ray, 80, of Bunker Hill, IL died Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 7:05 pm at VIP Manor in Wood River, IL under the care of Heartland Hospice. He was born on March 16, 1932 in Hardin, IL to John L. Ray and Margaret H.(Bull) Ray.
He married Elizabeth “Liz” A. (Cornelison) Ray on March 27, 1954 in Bunker Hill, IL and was occupied as a rural mail carrier, school bus driver, and worked for Freightliner. James was a veteran of the US Air Force.
In addition, he was a member of the American Legion of Bunker Hill, IL and a lifetime member of Dairy Goat Association. James enjoyed playing the harmonica. His grandchildren called him PaPa Boy.
He leaves behind his spouse: Elizabeth “Liz” Ray of Bunker Hill, IL, daughters: Helen (Fred) Schleyhahn of Bunker Hill, IL, Melissa Ray of Edwardsville, IL, Lisa (Jim) Abernathy of Bunker Hill, IL, brothers: John (Thelma) Ray of East Alton, IL, Donald Ray of Bunker Hill, IL, Wayne Ray of Bunker Hill, IL, Gary (Sharron) Ray of Wood River, IL, Ronnie (Lonna) Ray of Fort Meyers, FL, sisters: June (Bob) Hurley of Bunker Hill, IL, Billie (Leonard) Mullink of Bunker Hill, IL, grandchildren: Rebecca Mansholt of Roxana, IL, Rachel Bull of Glen Carbon, IL, James Schleyhahn of Bunker Hill, IL, Whithey Schleyhahn of Bunker Hill, IL, great-grandchildren: Madelyn Bull, Ethan Bull, and many nieces and nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Lela Welch.
Visitation is on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 9:00 am until 11 am. Memorial Service will take place directly after the visitation at 11am. Burial will follow at Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, IL. Fr. George Radosevich will be ministering the services. Memorials can be made to Heartland Hospice, Parkinson’s Foundation, or Motions Disorders Clinic at Washington University.
Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com
Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
Dee Ann Watson, 82 of Gillespie, died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 5:16 pm. She was born on September 5, 1941, in Litchfield to Robert McMillan and Dorothy Dolliger McMillan.
She married John Thomas Watson on December 12, 1959, in Gillespie He preceded her in death on June 6, 2012. She was a homemaker and a florist for Blossom Shop. Dee Ann loved to teach people to dance. She also enjoyed quilting, knitting, cross stitching, and gardening.
She is survived by her son, John (Rebecca) Watson of Gillespie; grandchildren, Aubrey (Andrew) Kuehnel of Staunton and Taylor (Alexandra) Watson of Gillespie; great-grandchildren, Gage Watson, Grayson Kuehnel, and Silas Kuehnel; sister, Carol (Allen) St. Cin of Staunton; and brother, Robert (Marilyn) McMillan of Gillespie.
Dee Ann was preceded in death by her parents and spouse.
Friends may call on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Public Library. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Joseph Anthony Jarden, 69 of Bunker Hill, died at Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 7:25 p.m. He was born on January 23, 1955, to Charles Richard Jarden and Lillian Elizabeth Goodwin Jarden.
He was a lifelong dairy farmer. He enjoyed farming, snowmobiling, and riding four wheelers. Joseph enjoyed working on old tractors and machinery. He collected fun Grandpa toys. He built picnic tables and wagons. He drove his tractors and wagons he built in parades. Joseph played cards and pool with his friends on Monday nights and had headstand competitions. He loved his grandchildren and watching them play sports.
He is survived by his children, Amy (Matt) Popovich of Budapest, Hungary, Anthony (Kristine) Jarden of Bunker Hill, Amanda (Joe) Mellenthin of O’Fallon, and Angela (Ryan) Dickerson of Shiloh; grandchildren, Ana Popovich, Natasha Popovich, Peter Jarden, Maria Jarden, Isaac Mellenthin, Eli Mellenthin, Ainsley Mellenthin, Caroline Dickerson, and Louis Dickerson; brothers, Maurice Jarden, Charles Jarden, James Jarden, John Jarden, Steven Jarden, and David Jarden; and sisters, Anne Partridge, Mary K. Green, Jeanie Link and Martha Jarden.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Jarden.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bunker Hill.
Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Cemetery. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Sharon Hartman, 88 of rural Staunton, passed away at 8:56 AM on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Villas of Holly Brook in East Alton. She was born on November 4, 1935, in Belvidere, IL, the daughter of the late Mark and Helen (Thorton) Thayer. She married Dewey D. “Joe” Hartman on February 2, 1957, in Belvidere and he passed away on August 27, 2023.
Sharon was a homemaker who loved to cook and entertain, hosting large groups for meals and family get-togethers. She faithfully attended the Community Christian Church in Alton and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and 27 foster kids. She also enjoyed gardening.
She is survived by five children, Donna Jo (Buddy) Daniel of Crainhill, AL, Danny William Hartman of Cleveland, TN, Dori (Kenny) Rhodes of Staunton, Lee (Terry) Hancock of Litchfield, and Bagi (Mina) Byambajov of Mongolia; 11 grandchildren, Autumn (Conner) Hearn, Brooke Wacker, Lucas Munds (Renee), Kyle Jon Hartman (Mara), Graham Christopher Hartman, Ben (Esther) Rhodes, Phil (Nicole) Rhodes, Jake (Mia) Rhodes, Josh (Brandi) Rabida, Cassie (Shawn) Royer, and Joe Byambajov; 17 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Susan (Mike) Hohm of Rockford and Penny Grooms of Belvidere; one brother, Steven (Anita) Abernathy of Caledonia, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Jimmy Thayer, Reggie Abernathy, and Tommy Abernathy; one sister, Bonnie Hartman; and one daughter-in-law, Delisa Hartman.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 1 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Pastor David Burger officiating.
Memorials are suggested to either Community Christian Church of Alton, Youth with a Mission (YWAM), or to While We Wait Foster Care (not for profit).
