Obituaries
Death of James G. Dirksen Sr.
James G. Dirksen Sr., 81 of Carlinville, passed away Saturday morning, December 20, 2014, at Heritage Health Care in Carlinville, IL. Jim was born on July 6, 1933, to George and Alvina (Mauer) Dirksen in Springfield, IL. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and honorably discharged. On March 29, 1984, he married Betty L. Smith in Springfield, IL.
Jim started his sales career working for his parent’s furniture store, Dirksen & Sons’ Furniture Store in Springfield. He also worked for Myers Brothers in Springfield in their furniture department before moving to North Carolina as a buyer for several different furniture stores. Jim retired from Havertys Furniture in Tallahassee Florida in 2006 and he and Betty moved to Carlinville. Working was Jim’s hobby.
He attended Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville, but most of all, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and loved his toy Poodle “Sassy”.
James is survived by his wife, Betty L. Smith-Dirksen of Carlinville; son, James G. (Carri) Dirksen, Jr. of Madison, IN; two daughters, Joan (Rob) Miller of Granger, IN and Clare (Mark) Boggess of Murray, KY; three step sons, Dennis (Debbie) Smith of Dora, MO, David (Joyce) Smith of Virden, IL and Danny (Beth) Smith of Wyoming, MN; step daughter, Kimberly (Russ) Hall of Carlinville, IL; six grandchildren; several step grandchildren; several step great grandchildren; two daughter-in-laws, Donna and Karla Smith and a sister, Mary (Rich) Flynn of Queen Creek, AZ.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; former wife, Marcia (Purpus) Dirksen, daughter, Barbara Bos; two step sons, Larry and Gary Smith; his brother, David Dirksen and one sister, Julianne Dirksen.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at Ss Mary & Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville with Rev. Angel Sierra officiating. Burial will take place at Gunter Cemetery in Dora, MO at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church.
Davis Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
There are plenty of ways to keep up on BenGil news:
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter
Follow us on Twitter for the fastest breaking news updates and score updates
Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take
Comments
Daniel Wayne “Danny” Thompson, 56 of Litchfield, passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2025. He was born in Belleville on August 24, 1968, a son of Phillip Charles and Kathleen (McCauley) Thompson.
Danny and the former Jennifer Joy Seiwell were married November 19, 1994, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville enjoying 30 years of marriage. He was employed as a construction superintendent for Westport Pools/Landmark Aquatics in St. Louis, MO. Danny enjoyed hunting, woodworking, quilting, cooking, and tending his roses, and considered spending time with his grandsons time well spent.
Danny is survived by his parents, Phillip and Kathleen Thompson of Swansea; wife, Jennifer Thompson of Litchfield; son, Caleb (Brooke) Thompson of Augusta, MI; daughter, Lauren Thompson of Dunlap, IL; sister, Emily (Paul) Linge of Evansville, IN; brother, Eric (Melissa) Thompson of Swansea; and grandsons, Kyler and Evan Thompson of Augusta, MI.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to Montgomery County Cancer Association, 106 Pinnacle Point Drive, Hillsboro, IL 62049. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Comments
Jack Edward Titsworth, 94 of Litchfield, passed away at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehab. He was born in Mendota, Illinois on July 9, 1930, a son of Chauncey Marion and Mary Melburiene (Davidson) Titsworth.
He graduated from Roxana High School with the class of 1948. Jack and the former Alice Southard were married in 1949; she preceded him in death in 1980. He and the former Patricia M. Priddle were married on September 15, 1980, and she survives.
Jack was a masonry contractor and owned and operated Jack Titsworth Masonry Contractors for several years. He was a member of the Bricklayers Local 8 in O’Fallon, Illinois, retiring in 1993. Jack enjoyed going on motorcycle trips, traveling in their motor home, owning Tennessee Walker horses, and the farm life. He was a member of The Christian Church of Litchfield.
Jack is survived by his wife, Patty Titsworth of Litchfield; sons, Steven (Judy) Titsworth of Holmes Beach, FL and Tim (Kelly) Titsworth of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren, Chad (Maureen) Titsworth, Joshua Titsworth, Lauren (C.J.) Wickersham, Ally (Aaron) Reese, Jack (Deserae) Titsworth, Justin Titsworth and Kaitlin Titsworth; fifteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Chauncey and Melburiene Titsworth, his first wife, Alice Titsworth, and a sister, Jill Morgan.
Funeral services for Jack will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at The Christian Church of Litchfield, 131 Yaeger Lake Trail, Litchfield. Rev. John Blackmore and Rev. Tim Barbee will co-officiate. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Burial will be in Hart Cemetery in rural Litchfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Christian Church of Litchfield or to Hart Cemetery Association. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
David Gilbert Graham, 82 of Litchfield, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. He was born in What Cheer, Iowa on February 17, 1943, a son of David Paul and Helen Lois (Thatcher) Graham.
He and the former Linda Lea Hicklin were married August 31, 1963, in New Sharon, Iowa, and they enjoyed nearly 62 years of marriage. She survives. Dave was employed with Grinnell Re Insurance Company as an account representative for 47 years. He was a member of the Litchfield Country Club and was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing cards.
He was a lifetime member of the Litchfield Loyal Order of the Moose #1634. Dave enjoyed traveling with his wife, Linda, and they enjoyed spending winters in Arkansas and Florida. He was an avid genealogist, a dedicated fisherman, and a skilled hunter, especially during his hunting trips in Lost Nations, Iowa. He attended Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield.
Dave is survived by his wife, Linda Graham of Litchfield; his sons, David (Julie) Graham of Raymond and Douglas Graham of Litchfield; five grandchildren, David L. Graham, Emily Graham, Bryan D. Graham, Michael B. Graham, and Shaina (Brendan) Fauss; and four great grandchildren, David, Hayden, Dean and Lars.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, David P. and Helen Graham, and a sister, Helen Muir.
Funeral services for Dave will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 824 N. Monroe St., Litchfield. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Hearts United or the Litchfield Food Pantry. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
Beleagured board chairman responds to critics as County Board prepares to start budgeting process
Benld Italian-American Days to celebrate 71st Anniversary over Memorial Day weekend
Historic burial site of Mother Jones rediscovered and marked in Union Miner’s Cemetery
-
Community News4 days agoLLCC announces spring 2025 President’s and Vice President’s lists
-
Upcoming Events4 days agoImagine Hillsboro’s Markets return with fresh goods and community celebrations
-
Community News4 days agoOrganizers announce protest in Carlinville on Saturday
-
Obituaries5 days agoObituary of Kenneth Ruyle