Obituaries
Death of James E. Kiffmeyer
James E. Kiffmeyer, 77, of Bunker Hill, Illinois, passed away on Monday, June 4, 2012 while traveling to be with his family in Edwardsville, as he did every single day. He was born on March 20th, 1935, in Carlyle, Illinois, and was the son of the late Albert and Beatrice (Cook) Kiffmeyer.
He leaves behind his fiancée, Kay Greear, whom he has been in love with for 19 years. He came from a family with four other siblings, Robert and Teddy, who preceded Jim in death, and Sarah Rouse and Willene Bacon, who survives.
He also has three surviving children, Rita Ann Kiffmeyer, Euginia (Jeannie) Lynn Beecher (Husband, Austin) and Douglas James Kiffmeyer (Companion, Missy Cornwall). Surviving grandchildren are Morgan, Grace, and Cole Kiffmeyer, Chris, Jason, and Terry Heinemann, Brandon and Jeremy Beecher. Surviving great grandchildren are Gavin, Logan, and Megan Heinemann.
Jim attended Carlyle High School, and graduated with the class of 1953. He moved to Greenville, Illinois and began his illustrious career at Olin, where he devoted over 20 years of hard work to provide for his growing children, whom he loved dearly. The next step in Jim’s career led him to open Kiffmeyer Accounting, in Bunker Hill. The company still serves a multitude of clients to this day, and his youngest son, Douglas, will continue Jim’s legacy with the business, which now has locations in Maryville, Illinois, and East Alton, Illinois.
When Jim found time to get away from work, he loved to fish at Carlyle Lake with his son and grandchildren. He also was an avid participant with the Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire Dept and is personally responsible for saving the lives of several members of his community. He was also a member of the Bunker Hill Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed telling stories and jokes.
Jim had a passion for helping others succeed and was always able to bring out the best in every individual he crossed paths with. He loved and encouraged those around him, and the words “You can’t” were never a part of his vocabulary.
He was a wise man with countless meaningful stories that inspired positivity. He was also a great father, grandfather, and mentor. You will be sorely missed Dad, we love you!
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012 at Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, IL.
Services are Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 10:30 am at Greater Alton Church of East Alton, IL with Rev. Jeremy Wood and Rev. Robert Cox officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Carlyle, IL. Memorials may be made to Bunker Hill Fire Department or Illinois Center for Autism.
Anyone wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com.
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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).
