Obituaries
Death of John (Jack) Andrew Kochinski
John (Jack) Andrew Kochinski, 80 of Benld, passed away peacefully at his residence with his beloved wife and children by his side on Sunday, September 5, 2021. Jack was born on April 1, 1941, in Benld a son of the late Mary (Tenikat) Kochinski and the late Joseph Kochinski, both of Benld.
Jack lived his whole life in Benld. He graduated from Benld High School in 1959 and SIUE in 1988. He was a proud athlete playing basketball, track and football in high school He served as co-captain of the football team his senior year making all-conference 1st team tackle. Additionally, he was credited with a thrilling win after scoring the game-winning basket with 7 seconds left to give Benld the victory over Greenfield, 51-50, on November 30, 1958.
After high school, Jack joined the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged due to a physical disability (skin allergy). He worked a variety of jobs, a “Jack of all trades”, including mine examiner, construction, the newspaper business, and then finally, a school teacher for 15 years before retiring in 2003 so he could spend more time fishing and enjoying his family.
Jack married the love of his life, Stephanie Sheridan, on June 10, 1972. He actually married her three times, but that’s a story for another day. They were lucky to spend 49 beautiful years together.
Jack is survived by his wife, Stephanie of Benld; twin daughters, Mary (Steve) Laffey of St. Louis, MO and Kasey (Pete) Zawodniak of St. Louis MO; one son, Joseph (Candace) Kochinski of Benld; 8 grandchildren, Jack Bunn, Katie Laffey, Patrick Laffey, Gracie Laffey, Sam Zawodniak, Ava Zawodniak, Isabella Kochinski, and Steven Kochinski; sister in law, Amparo Kochinski; and several nieces and one nephew.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Donald and sister, Marie; brother-in-law, Stephen Sheridan, and one niece.
Jack loved to laugh, have a good party, have a cold beer and be surrounded by his friends and family. Some of his favorite old-time memories were of the kitten ball team (the Spooks) that played on the weekends followed by good times at the local pubs.
Later in life, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was an excellent baby-holder and loved a good Disney movie although they always seemed to make him cry. He taught his grandchildren to love fishing, even teaching them to tie their own flies. He was adored; “the sun” that we were all so happy to revolve around. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. Jack loved life.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Church, Benld from 11 a.m. to 12 noon with Father Michael Haag officiating. A memorial mass will follow at noon at the church. Refreshments will be at the Benld City Park after the memorial mass. COVID 19 guidelines will be followed.
Memorial donations are suggested to Benld Library, Gillespie Benld Area Ambulance Service, or the Partnership for Educational Excellence. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
