Obituaries
Death of James E. VanNattan
James E. VanNattan, 78 of Carlinville, passed away on Thursday morning, October 17, 2024, at Sunrise Skilled Care in Virden. He was born on July 21, 1946, in Peoria a son of Kenneth Daniel and Mildred Evelyn (Cox) VanNattan.
Jim and his family moved to Morton, IL, where he went to school from kindergarten through high school graduating with the class of 1964. From there, he went on to Illinois State University where he still holds a track record and received his degree in business education.
Jim married Martha “Sue” Shannon in 1970 in Morton, IL. In 1968, he came to Carlinville as a brand-new teacher at the high school. He spent his career teaching business law, typing, accounting I and II, general business, and was the first to teach the brave new world of computer classes, including programming and several computer languages. He also taught some adult education night classes at CHS and several night classes at Lewis and Clark College. Teaching was a joy for Jim, and he loved his students, retiring from teaching in 2001.
Jim was an avid reader and enjoyed working in his vegetable garden as well as traveling with his wife, Sue, to Teddy Bear Artist shows all over the country, where they met friends from across the country and around the world. Most of all, Jim loved his daughter, Sarah, and was delighted to help foster her love and talent for music, beginning with piano at age four. After Sarah graduated from CHS, she continued her education and began teaching the year Jim retired, continuing his love of teaching and music, making Jim enormously proud.
Jim is survived by his wife, Sue VanNattan of Carlinville; daughter, Sarah Giodano-Koppel (Joe Koppel) of Westmont, IL; sister-in-law, Connie VanNattan of Monett, MO; sister, Mary Hall of Pekin, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sharon Rhoades; brother, Kenneth Van Nattan; brother-in-law, Gene Rhoades; and brother-in -law, Jay Hall.
Services will be held at a later date.
Jim had a great love for animals as well and would appreciate memorials made to Macoupin County Animal Control and Adoption Center or to Carlinville Public Library. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville, IL, is in charge of arrangements.
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Carol Monetti, 92 of Carlinville, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Village at Morse Farm in Carlinville. Carol Joyce Rahm was born on May 25, 1932, in Litchfield a daughter of Edna Sievers Rahm and Elmer Rahm of Staunton.
She attended Zion Lutheran School in Staunton for eight years and graduated from Staunton Community High in 1950. She attended Illinois State University for one and a half years, majoring in art. In the summer of 1952, she accepted a job at Shell Oil Refinery in Woodriver, IL, in the personnel department. In 1955, she married Charles J. Monetti and moved to Carlinville.
She was employed in the office at MJM Electric for several years. When her husband, Charlie, opened his own auto repair shop, the North End Garage, she did the bookkeeping there and generally kept things moving smoothly, as Charlie’s Mom did before her. They spent twenty-three years during the winter months in Ft. Myers, Florida in Heritage Cove.
Carol and Charlie were the parents of two children, Gary Monetti of Tampa and New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Susan Mackay of Raymond, grandparents of Courtney Johnson and Pierson Monetti of Tampa FL, and great-grandparents of Carter Paige Johnson and Glades Hutchinson Monetti.
Carol loved to spend time working in her yard and her flower beds, reading, dancing, laughing, enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never met a stranger and was loved wholeheartedly by one and all. She will be missed by many.
Private graveside services will be conducted at a future date.
Carol is survived by her husband, Charles Monetti of Carlinville; daughter, Susan (John) Mackay of Raymond; son, Gary Alan (Janell) Monetti of Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Courtney Johnson and Pierson Monetti; and great-grandchildren, Carter Paige Johnson and Glades Hutchinson Monetti.
Memorials may be made to Macoupin County Animal Control and Zion Lutheran Church. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, LTD, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Betty Jane Stoecker, 95 of Hillsboro, formerly of Benld, died at Hillsboro Area Hospital, Hillsboro on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. She was born on September 4, 1929, in Litchfield to Finis “Slim” Thomas Hughes and Francis Rivers Gahagen Hughes.
She married Herbert A. Stoecker in Benld in June of 1949. He preceded her in death in 1967. Betty was a graduate of Benld High School. Betty was a farmer’s wife. She was an avid supporter of Adopt A Pet.
She is survived by her children, Linda (John) Stretch of Hillsboro, Thomas (Sandra) Stoecker of Carlinville, and Gail Marie (Rice) Phillips of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Chris Holman, Stacie (Clayton) Streator, Daniel (Erica) Robbins, Amanda Robbins, Aaron Stoecker, Brent (Karla) Stoecker, Mark (Renae) Thompson, Michelle (Chuck) Blankenship, Michael (Amanda) Thompson, and Michael Phillips; 18 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; and great grandson, Balin Robbins.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. Funeral services are Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gillespie.
Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie. Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Cemetery or Adopt A Pet. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Lindia M. Smith, 83 of Gillespie, died at Keystone Place, Glen Carbon on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 5:51 pm. She was born on November 12, 1941, in Ironton, MO to James Crocker and Dona Gillam Crocker.
She married Harold Dean Smith on July 25, 1959. He preceded her in death on January 23, 2023. She was a cashier for Walmart for 15 years. Lindia was an animal lover. She had a passion for raising baby squirrels. Lindia also enjoyed working in her yard.
She is survived by her sons, David (Tracy) Smith of Gillespie and Barry Smith of Gillespie; daughter, Lori (Joe) Sneed of Glen Carbon; grandson, Randy Sneed of Glen Carbon; several granddaughters; several great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and siblings, Frances (Richard) Kalbfleish of Pevely, MO and Gary (Barbara) Crocker of Russellville, MO.
Lindia was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; son, Harold I Smith; and several brothers and sisters.
Friends may call on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie.
Burial will be at Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Carlinville. Memorials are suggested to Macoupin County Animal Shelter. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
