Obituaries
Death of James R. Lutz
James R. Lutz, 80, of Litchfield, passed away Saturday, October 10, 2015, at 6:40 p.m. at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care of Litchfield. He was born on March 6, 1935, in Mulberry Grove to Donald Richard and Edna Grace (Martin) Lutz.
He was a graduate of Mulberry Grove High School with the class of 1952 and was senior class president. Mr. Lutz was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during peace time. He graduated from Greenville College and Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey with a degree in banking and finance.
He worked at the Bank of Coffeen and served on the Coffeen City Council. He then worked at the First National Bank of Mt. Olive where he was Vice President for several years. In semi-retirement, Mr. Lutz worked for the Illinois Economic Development office in Gillespie and various other public sector organizations. He was a 50 year member of Gilham Lodge #809 A.F. & A.M. of Mulberry Grove and of Ansar Shrine of Springfield for several years.
Mr. Lutz’s first love was music, especially playing his piano and keyboard. He was a well-known musician in the area and played music for over 50 years in bands all over the country. Jim was recognized by the Blue Ridge Institute of Humanities in Arlington, VA for his contributions to the Rockabilly art form. He was able to play with a variety of music notables in his career: The Lee Mace Ozark Opry, Jimmy Huffington and the Hot Shots, The Platters, The Drifters, Billy “Crash” Craddock, The Kingston Trio and the Montovani Orchestra. His band, Jim Lutz and the Regulars, were a favorite at the Gardens in Litchfield. He never learned to read music very well and played strictly by ear.
Mr. Lutz married the former Iris D. Lyons June 27, 1958, in Norfolk, VA. She passed away February 5, 1974. He then married Barbara J. (Beasley) Cerantano at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and she survives.
Additional survivors include three daughters, Tammy (Brad) Lurkins of Greenville, Kim Lutz of Webster Groves, MO, and Jill (Mark) Tompkins of Smithboro, IL; three step daughters, Julie (Howard) Mason of Collinsville, Brenda White of Chatsworth, GA and Terri (Andy) Smith of Litchfield; step son, Michael (companion Cindy) Cerantano of Litchfield; brother, Charles (Phyllis) Lutz of El Paso, IL; seven grandchildren, Tyler Lurkins, Kelli Scott, Scott Lurkins, Brett (Kathleen) Lurkins, Benjamin Lutz, Chelsea (Dustin) Lindahl, and Jacob Tomkins; six step grandchildren, Jason Marit, Jennifer Marit, Derek (Emily) Cerantano, Michael (Megan) Cerantano, Ryan Cerantano, and Jesse (Tiffany) Cerantano; and 14 great grandchildren.
He was proceeded in death by parents, first wife Iris and Aunt Lee Newby who raised him.
Visitation services will be held Tuesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield and an additional visitation will be held Wednesday in the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Mulberry Grove, IL with burial in the Mulberry Grove Cemetery. Pastor Dallas Nickel, retired pastor of the church, will officiate. Masonic services will be exemplified at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.
The family suggests memorials to the Litchfield Food Pantry or to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Plummer Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
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Ronald D. Semplowski, 66 of Gillespie, died in Carlinville on Thursday, November 6, 2025. He was born on May 9, 1959, in Litchfield to Walter J.Semplowski Sr. and Elizabeth JoAnn Luketich Semplowski.
He married Tammie L. Whitlow Semplowski on June 18, 1983, in Gillespie. He was a gate monitor for Alton Steel. Ronald was a veteran of the US Marine Corp. Ronald enjoyed going to auctions, hunting, fishing, and playing cards. Ronald was an animal lover and also enjoyed being with his grandkids and grandpups.
He is survived by his spouse, Tammie Semplowski of Gillespie; children, Tyler (fiancée, Maggie Moore) Semplowski of Gillespie, Austin Semplowski of Gillespie, and Ashleigh (Josh) Valerius of Millstadt; grandchildren, Jacob Valerius and Eleanor Valerius; brothers, Wally (Tammy) Semplowski of Gillespie and David (Patty) Semplowski of Gillespie; sister, Diane (Karl) Kozak of Gillespie; brothers in law, Tommy Whitlow and Terry Whitlow; sister in law, Theresa (Mike) Scott; 10 nephews, six nieces, 18 great nephews, 12 great nieces, three great-great-nephews, one great-great-niece, several aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved Dog, Hobo.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; son, Travis D. Semplowski; mother in law and father in law, Eleanor and Tom Whitlow; sister, Kimberly Janes; nephews, Nathan Heaton and Troy Whitlow; and niece, Tonya Whitlow.
Friends may call on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Fire Department. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Donald Bernard Swann, 72 of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 12:20 a.m. He was born on May 1, 1953, in Springfield to Donald H. Swann and Florence L. Bernardi Swann.
He married Connie (Campbell) Swann on September 7, 1979, in Gillespie. He was retired after having worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation doing road maintenance. Donald was a lifelong member of the NRA. He was a member of the Black Dragon Triad, holding a second-degree black belt in Shorin-ryu Kobayashi Ryu karate, and was known as Sensei Swann. Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and skydiving.
He is survived by his spouse, Connie Swann of Gillespie; children, Kelly (Michael) Wulf of O’Fallon and Kyle (companion, Jessica Holmes) Swann of Gillespie; grandchildren, Lizzy Wulf, Anna Wulf, Samantha Wulf, Beau Wulf, Audrey Wulf (twin), Evelyn Wulf (twin), and Averie Swann; siblings, Denise (John) Hartnett of Springfield and Dale (Tina) Swann of Springfield; and his beloved dog, Buster.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Funeral services are Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Cremation and private burial will be at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Illinois Conservation Fund or Gillespie Public Library. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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John Lee Kellenberger, 69 of Litchfield, died at 7:52 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born on August 5, 1956, in Litchfield, a son of Francis and Lucille Frances (Lord) Kellenberger.
John graduated with the Litchfield High School Class of 1974. He delivered newspapers for the Litchfield News-Herald for several years; he was employed by and retired from the State of Illinois. John was an avid railroad fan, who enjoyed bicycling on area bike paths on former railroad right of ways, and he was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and loved comic books. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
John is survived by his brothers, Dennis (Kathi) Kellenberger of Edwardsville and Mark (Karen) Kellenberger of Paducah, KY; his sisters, Kathy (Tom) Seals of Wichita, KS, Michele Bass of Manford, OK, and Janet Martin of OR; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass. He will be inurned at Holy Cross Cemetery in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
