Obituaries
Death of John Harold Klekamp
John Harold Klekamp, 76, a well-known area resident of rural Litchfield passed away January 19, 2023, at Elevate Care Chicago North in Chicago due to a fall resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
John was born July 21, 1946, to the late Harold Klekamp and Helen (Lueneman) Klekamp. John was baptized in St. John’s Lutheran Church, South Litchfield. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and was confirmed there. He was a member of the 1964 graduating class of Mt. Olive High School and excelled in track earning letters every four years.
After graduation, John worked at the WYKOMI Plant in Litchfield. He enlisted in the Army in 1966 and served in Korea and Germany. After military life, John worked on the Gulf Interstate Pipeline. Afterward, he worked for the Allis-Chalmers Company in Springfield as a machinist until it was sold to Fiat-Allis, which eventually relocated in Japan. He then worked for Mayfield Produce and Landscape Company in Staunton until he retired.
John, with his contagious smile and hearty laugh, was very kind and helpful. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He loved visiting with family and friends. John was an expert antique appraiser and enjoyed auctions and yard sales especially, Picker’s Market in Litchfield, and he was always on the “look out” to find an item someone was searching for. He loved animals and wildlife and especially enjoyed feeding the ducks at Walton Park. He also enjoyed metal detecting, gardening, and supporting community events. John was a member of the VFW and also a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive.
John is survived by sisters, Marian Mayfield and husband Larry of Staunton, Jane Taylor and husband Joe of Litchfield, and Carol Frailey and husband Larry of Benld; special cousin, Brenda Lubrandt and husband Ed of Gillespie; beloved cat, Mama; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, many friends, and wonderful neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Nancy Mayfield Holtorf.
Visitation will be at Becker and Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive on Thursday, January 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Friday, January 27, from 11 to 12 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Service will begin at noon officiated by Pastor James Ritter.
Burial will be in Mt. Olive City Cemetery. Lunch will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Education Building. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mt. Olive VFW or Immanuel Lutheran Church. Becker and Son funeral home 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.
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