Obituaries
Death of James “Jim” Dickson
James “Jim” Dickson, 71 of Litchfield, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 9:39 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. Jim was born July 6, 1952, in Georgetown, the son of James Estell Dickson and Sarah Lorraine (Lawlyes) Dickson.
After completing grade and high school from Georgetown, Jim enrolled in Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, to attend school where he earned a B.S. in Spanish. After graduation in 1974, he moved to Litchfield, to become a teacher in the Litchfield School District, where he taught for 32 years. During his time at LHS, he coached junior high basketball and freshman football. He is most known for being Senor, as the High School Spanish teacher.
Jim had many loves, his F-150 truck, 650 Bergman scooter, he was a published author, photography, music (REO Speedwagon), bird watching and grilling. His love for dogs was shown through his fur babies, Chichi, Checkers, and Arie. None of these will ever be surpassed by the love and passion he had for teaching, his students, and most of all, his family.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Linda (Fizzell) Dickson, whom he married December 27, 1981, in Litchfield. They were married for 35 years. She passed away on January 27, 2017. Jim was then fortunate to find Robyn (Bouillion) Dickson, who he shared his life with. They were married on October 16, 2021, and she survives.
Other survivors include, his daughter Sarah Dickson of Cincinnati, OH; one brother, Steve Dickson of Oxford, MA.; two sisters-in-law, Nancy (Dan) Pugh of Champaign, and Gwen (Daniel) Flinn of Englewood, FL; two step-children, Jamie (Kimberly) Wing and Tamara Wing-Chapman, both of Carlinville; four step-grandchildren, Andrew Hawk, Mackenzie David and Shelbie Parnell, all of Carlinville, and Clayton David of Bunker Hill; three nieces, Tawna (Ed) Dickson Couto Dattelo of West Port, Ma., Jennifer Dickson-Solomito of Tiverton, R.I., and Brandi Dickson of Ware, Ma. and two nephews, Brendan Gamble and Oscar (Tiffany) Campbell, both of Champaign. Also Surviving are Oliver and Madison Gamble of Champaign, Vanessa Cuto of West Port, Ma., and Owen Solomito of Tiverton, R.I.
In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials can be made to Adopt-A-Pet Animal Shelter in Benld. A celebration of life will be held for Jim on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield, at 12:00 pm. Visitation will also be at St. Timothy United Methodist Church, from 10:00 am until the time of services. Rev. Dennis Hill will officiate. The family requests to those attending to please wear your favorite sports attire, in memory of Mr. Dickson. Plummer Funeral Services is 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.
