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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Thomas Michael Pritchard, 57 of Carlinville, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at his residence in Carlinville. Tom was born on August 26, 1967, in Carlinville a son of Zane and Clara (Churchill) Pritchard.
He graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1986. Tom never married. Tom worked as maintenance at Carlinville Community School District, Starr Brothers Hog Farm, and the elevators at both Palmyra and Chesterfield.
Tom was a skilled outdoorsman, fisherman and hunter of all game. He also enjoyed hunting for artifacts. He loved making memories with friends through turkey and waterfowl hunting.
Thomas is survived by his brother, Steve Pritchard of Springfield.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Kathryn Peterson, and his black lab ,Bandit.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. His ashes will be buried next to his parents and sister at Moore cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Davis-Anderson P.O. Box 135 Carlinville, IL 62626 for funeral expenses. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville, is in charge of arrangements.
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Barbara Ann Holak, 66 of Springfield, formerly of Staunton, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Hillsboro Rehab & Health Care Center in Hillsboro. She was born on October 27, 1958, in Staunton the daughter of the late Joe and Gail (Ruckstahl) Holak.
Barb was a 1976 graduate of Staunton High School and was active in track and in the marching band as a flag twirler. After high school, she went to work in the Secretary of State’s office in Springfield until her retirement in 2010. She loved making new friends, playing in dart leagues, taking canoe trips with her many friends, and was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
She is survived by her two sisters, Linda Holak (Dennis) Grammer of Litchfield and Connie Holak (Bob) Zenner of Staunton; two nephews, Shane (Dana) Grammer and Chad (Melissa) Grammer; a great nephew, Easton Grammer; and two great nieces, Dakoda Mix and Rylie Mix, all of Litchfield.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Coats for Kids, PO Box 157, Litchfield, IL 62056. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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95-year-old Helen Boehler of Litchfield passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 1:35 a.m. at Imboden Creek Senior Living Center in Decatur on February 27, 2025. She was born on September 29, 1929 in Litchfield the only child of Max E. and Juanita (Bridges) Taylor.
She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Litchfield Community High School graduating with the class of 1947. She and Charles William Boehler were married by Fr. F.J. Lawler at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on November 27, 1948, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage before his passing on February 26, 2012.
Through the years, Mrs. Boehler was employed as a receptionist at the old St. Francis Hospital, Dr. Arthur E. Sihler, Claude Anderson, O.D., and Sidney’s Tot and Teen, all in Litchfield. She enjoyed walking, dancing, was a voracious reader and an avid St. Louis Cardinal’s fan. Mrs. Boehler was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the St. Anne’s Society, and a volunteer with the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary.
Mrs. Boehler is survived by daughters, Sue (Greg) Penderghest of Decatur and Marcie (Mark) Hartke of Kirksville, MO; grandchildren, Emily Penderghest of Franklin, IN, Monica Penderghest and Chary Hall of Decatur, and Jared (Kate) Hartke of Pittsburgh, PA; and great-grandson, Reuben Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield. Father Daniel Willenborg will preside. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the Litchfield Public Library or Holy Family Catholic Church. Plummer Funeral Home of Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
