Obituaries
Death of John J. Bellm
John J. Bellm, 95, of Carlinville, passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Carlinville Area Hospital. John “Johnny” was born on June 10, 1929, in Carlinville, a son of John Carl and Helen Mary Magdelene Beasley Bellm.
John graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1948. He married Dorothy Moore on September 7, 1957, in Carlinville at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. When Johnny was old enough, he enlisted in the Army after World War II, where he spent his time in Maryland. After coming home, he started Bellm Construction with his father and developed Oak Brook, Lake Catatoga, the Bellm Apartments, and Pine Lake subdivision in Florida with his brothers Earl and Albert.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Elks, and the Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church. He was inseparable from his wife and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved hunting with his son and brother, Genie, and bass fishing with his late father. He enjoyed his daily drives to the farm, where he checked on the crops. Most of all, he loved sharing his jokes with everyone around; his laugh was contagious, and his jokes will forever be remembered.
John is survived by his son, Bradley (Mary Beth) Bellm of Carlinville; daughter, Beth Ann (Kelly) Schmidt of Carlinville; grandchildren, Jessica (Rodney) Daniels, Connor Schmidt, Maddison Bellm, Alicia Bellm, and Katie Schmidt; and great-grandchild, Rodney Daniels Jr.; sister, Anna Mae Rives of Carlinville; brother, Earl (Joan) Bellm of Carlinville; brother, Eugene Bellm of Carlinville; and several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents; spouse, Dorothy Moore Bellm; sister, Barbara Griesbaum; brother, Albert Bellm; sister, Helen Dworzinski; and sister, Betty Cioni.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 4 to 7 pm at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, 2010 East 1st South St, Carlinville with a prayer service at 3:30 pm. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 10:00 am at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, Carlinville.
Memorials may be made to Carlinville Elks Club-Roof Fund or to Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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With profound sadness we announce the passing of Leonard, our loving and devoted father and friend to all whose lives he touched, on January 19, 2025. He left us while sleeping peacefully after a dignified fight with pancreatic cancer in his 83rd year.
He was born August 12, 1942, in Carlinville, a son of the late Leo and Flora Belle Lott. After graduating high school at Carlinville High School, Leonard completed his associate’s degree at University of Illinois in agriculture. Leonard was a successful and well-respected farmer. He received the centennial farm honor in 2014. He was proud to “retire” at age 55, when he chose to rent out the land to the Miller family. Their relationship developed over the years and was one of the things Leonard was most proud of and cherished.
Leonard’s other prized relationship was with his wife, Susan. They celebrated their 50-year wedding anniversary July 24, 2023. While farming and contributing to the community, Leonard generously supported his children and their education. Alandra earned a BA in Special Education, a MEd in Education, and a PhD in Educational Psychology. She was a beloved professor at Benedictine University for 22 years and now is an educational consultant. Christopher earned his associates degree and now operates a vending company in Carlinville. Hunter, granddaughter, is currently in her third year of medical school.
Leonard was always the first to volunteer to be her “patient”, even as a little girl in bibbers and braids. Harrison, grandson, made Leonard proud with his excellence in school and sports. Education was important to Leonard, and he never hesitated to invest in or to teach his children and grandchildren. He believed the “highest level of education is tolerance”. (Helen Keller) He modeled that virtue with discipline and hard work. He was strong, but kind. He will be missed.
Mr. Lott was predeceased by his father, Leo Lott and mother Flora Belle (Ballinger) Lott.
Survivors include his wife, Susan (Daggett) Lott; daughter, Alandra (Weller) Devall; son, Christopher Lott; granddaughter, Hunter Clarke; and grandson, Harrison Lott.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, 9:00 to 11:00 am at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 am, Thursday, January 23, 2025 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery, Carlinville, IL.
Memorials may be made to Carlinville High School Agriculture department or the Alzheimer’s Association. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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William Clifford Heyen, 94 of Gillespie, died at Carlinville Rehab Center, Carlinville on Thursday, January 16, 2025. He was born on March 16, 1930, in Dorchester to William L. Heyen and Marie E. Kelly Heyen.
He married Marilyn M. (Lynch) Heyen on May 6, 1950 in Shipman. She preceded him in death on May 1, 2017. William was a farmer, co owner of Heyen Implement and Pastor of New Birth Fellowship. He enjoyed growing flowers, cutting grass, and going to farm sales.
He is survived by his children, William R. (LouAnn) Heyen of Gillespie, James O. Heyen of Edwardsville, Cathy (Gary) Zenner of Kiefer, OK, and Beverly (Terry) Moore of Gillespie; grandchildren, Bill Heyen, Ben Heyen, Ashley Sarver, Shanna Ocepek, Elizabeth Brandt, Amanda Weber, Jessica Voros, Tiffany Cockrell, Zachary Moore, Jeremy Moore, Brad Moore, and Kerry Bruhn; 22 great grandchildren; siblings, Kelly W. (Ruby) Heyen of Gillespie, David L. Heyen of Dorchester, and Florence Easton of Gillespie; sister in law, Roberta Heyen; and brother in law, Bill Parmentier.
William was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; grandchildren in law, Jacob Brandt and Seth Weber; brother, Wayne I Heyen; and sisters, Faye Heyen, Shirley Hausman and Phyllis Parmentier.
Friends may call on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Gillespie Methodist Church in Gillespie from 3:30 until 6:30 p.m. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Gillespie Methodist Church.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospitals for Children PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Steven Dwaine French, 32 of Wilsonville, died at his residence on Thursday, January 16, 2025. He was born on October 21, 1992, in Decatur to Perry D. French and Victoria L. Mays French.
He was a forklift operator for D. B. Schenker of Edwardsville. Steven loved fishing, hunting and camping with his children and family.
He is survived by his parents, Perry and Victoria French of Galatia; soul mate of 15 years, Kaylee Scroggins of Wilsonville; children, Raylynn French of Wilsonville, Kobey French of Wilsonville, and Journee French of Wilsonville; siblings, Britney (Roy) Lagesse of Harrisburg, IL, Ashley French of Harrisburg, IL, and Keegan French of Harrisburg; grandmother, Linda Mays of Harrisburg; aunt, Cathy Snyder of Vincennes, IN; Kaylee’s parents, Toni Smith and Anthony Scroggins; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Steven was preceded in death by his grandparents, Keith Mays, Gaylan and Sandra French; nephew, Kollin Lagesse; uncle, Corey French; and aunt, Edie Mays.
Visitation will be on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to the children of Steven French. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
