Obituaries
Death of John L. Dunkirk Jr.
John L. Dunkirk Jr., 82 of Litchfield, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 11:00 p.m. at the Montgomery Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hillsboro. He was born on April 4, 1941, in Hillsboro, the son of John L. and Vivian (Vincent) Dunkirk Sr.
He was a graduate of Hillsboro High School, class of 1959. He attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL and graduated in 1964 with a B.S. in Physical Education with a minor in mathematics. He married the former Susan R. Firnhaber, on July 24, 1971, at the Challacombe House in Hillsboro and she survives.
Mr. Dunkirk was employed by the Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 for 38 years. He taught science classes his first year, then moved into the math department teaching algebra. He coached varsity football for a couple of years and was best known as coach of the eighth-grade boys’ basketball team for Litchfield Junior High School for 24 years. He took several teams to sectional and super sectional tournaments and the coveted state tournament.
Mr. Dunkirk was known to be stern but fair as a disciplinarian, both on the court and in the classroom. In addition to his teaching and coaching career, Mr. Dunkirk served the City of Litchfield in a civic capacity. He was appointed to serve as an alderman for Ward 3 in June of 2000, by then Mayor William Cornman, and elected as Mayor in 2001 and served one term.
Mr. Dunkirk was a member of St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield and The Litchfield Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf. He enjoyed reading James Patterson novels, and traveling and taking cruises along with his wife, Susan.
In addition to his wife, Susan, Mr. Dunkirk is survived by their son, Zach (Kelly) Dunkirk of Springfield; his sister, Doris Enochs of Hillsboro; and two grandchildren, Claire and Corinne Dunkirk.
Mr. Dunkirk is preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service for Mr. Dunkirk will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 12:00 Noon at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield. Rev. Dennis M. Hill will officiate.
Visitation will be Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Private interment service will be held at the Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. The family asks for memorials to be directed to St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.
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Richard B. Sereg, 91 of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Thursday, January 9, 2025. He was born on January 12, 1933, in Litchfield to Peter E. Sereg and Sylvia C. Berti Sereg.
He married JoAnn Wiegand Sereg on August 6, 1955, in Carlinville. She preceded him in death on April 18, 1995. He was retired after having been an industrial chrome plater for Olin Machine Shop.
Richard was a veteran of the US Army after having served from 1953-1955. He was a life member of the VFW Post 4547 of Gillespie. Richard was also a member of the K of C Council 2076 of Gillespie, Bishop McNicholas Assembly Fourth Degree K of C, Gillespie Lions Club, Holy Cross Cemetery Board and a former alderman for the City of Gillespie.
He is survived by his son, Mark L. Sereg of Gillespie; daughter, Tracy (Terry) Soots of Gillespie; granddaughter, Abby (Mark) Enslow; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Brycen, and Braxtyn; and sister, Mary Jane Kalvin of Gillespie.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, spouse, and sister, Sylvia Denham.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at SS Simon & Jude Church in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm. Funeral mass will be on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12:00 pm at SS Simon & Jude Church in Gillespie. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Public Library or Holy Cross Cemetery in Gillespie. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
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Eugene Lee Frizzo, 85 of Kirkwood, MO, a former Staunton resident, passed away at 7:45 AM on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Brooking Place of Chesterfield, MO. He was born on January 15, 1939, in Staunton the son of the late Joseph and Ruby Delores “Dee” (Sherfy) Frizzo.
He married Lanida D. Jacobs on June 16, 1962, at First United Methodist Church in Staunton and she passed away on January 27, 2022. Gene was a retired Vice President with Roosevelt Bank, an Army veteran, and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Alton. He was also active in the Rotary Club and was a past member of the Madison County Board and the Alton School Board.
He is survived by one daughter, Lainee Frizzo (husband Joshua Wallace); one grandson, Keegan Forrest; and one sister, JoAnn Gibbs.
The family will greet friends from 12 noon to 3 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers’ Association.
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Barbara Ann “Barb” Butts, 80 of Litchfield, passed away at 9:25 a.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center. She was born in Litchfield on October 6, 1944, the daughter of Frederick George and Alice Dolores (Lay) Butts.
Barb was a graduate of Litchfield High School with the class of 1963. She was a nurse’s aide and through the years was employed at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield and Memorial Hospital in Springfield. In more recent years, Barb was a domestic housekeeper and in home care giver. She was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church in Litchfield and a 50-year member of Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 430, in Gillespie.
Barb is survived by several cousins including Lynne Ellen Kollack, Diane Roth, and Keith Lay McKimmey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Butts on May 14, 1984, and Dolores Butts on April 6, 2012.
Funeral services for Barb will be held at First Baptist Church of Litchfield at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025. The Rev. Dr. Jason Plumer will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Adopt-A-Pet in Benld, or First Baptist Church of Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements
