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Death of Joy Marlene (Fraker) Mishanec

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Joy Marlene (Fraker) Mishanec, 88 of Staunton, passed away at 4:04 PM on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Aspen Creek of Troy. She was born on March 21, 1934, in Forks, Washington, the daughter of the late Eugene V. and Ora A. (Crippen) Fraker. 

She married Joseph A. Mishanec on March 20, 1955, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton and he survives. Joy was a WAVE in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War working in photography. She later achieved her master’s degree in education and worked as an LD high school teacher in Staunton for over 20 years. 

Besides her family, her passions were working in her yard planting flowers, reading, and animals. She and Joe ran a charity golf event benefitting Adopt-A-Pet of Benld for 10 years.  

Besides her husband Joe, she is survived by their children, Steve Mishanec,  Jeff (Kathy) Mishanec, and Cathy (Larry) Cimarolli; grandchildren, Nicole Dautenhahn, Rachael Mishanec, Autumn Haas, Dustin Cimarolli, Dalton Cimarolli, Mateo Cimarolli, Michelle Colburn, and Matt Colburn; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Melvin (Sharla) Fraker, Margie Faulkner, and Janice Thomas; and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Joe E. Mishanec; a granddaughter, Ashley Haas; and a brother, Don Fraker.  

Friends may call from 11 AM to 1 PM on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Memorial services will be held at 1 PM on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton.  Private interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.  Memorials are suggested to Adopt-A-Pet of Benld, Illinois.

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Obituaries

Obituary of Nancy Lea Niehaus

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Nancy Lea Niehaus, 87 of Mt. Olive, formerly of Litchfield, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at her residence. She was born on June 14, 1937, in Litchfield, a daughter of Melbourne “Tyke” and Glenna Mae (Lair) Odem.

She was first married to Marvin W. Niehaus and later to James C. Rowland. Both preceded her in death. She was employed by First National Bank of Litchfield and as a secretary for Echlin Manufacturing. Mrs. Niehaus enjoyed dancing, traveling, and her cats. She was an excellent cook.

Mrs. Niehaus is survived by two sons, C.W. “Tody” (Tam) Niehaus and James R. Rowland, both of Litchfield; daughter, Lori DeWitt of Hillsboro; daughter in law, Tammy Niehaus of Litchfield; seven grandchildren, Kyle Niehaus, Shannon Niehaus, Sheila Hartnet, Sara Niehaus, Ryan DeWitt, Jessica Neuhaus, and Justin Copeland; and several great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Niehaus was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Theodore M. Meier Sr.; her husbands; and two sons, Jerry Niehaus and Timothy S. Rowland.

Services for Mrs. Niehaus will be announced at a later date. The family requests memorials be directed to Adopt-A-Pet in Benld. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Obituary of Tom Franzen

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Tom Franzen, 73, a cherished man known for his kindness, caring and humor left us to enter the gates of Heaven with his wife and daughters by his side at Barnes Jewish Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis on November 3, 2024.

He was born on June 28, 1951, in Litchfield, a son of William “Bill” and Rosezella “Doll” Franzen. He was a graduate of Mt. Olive High School Class of 1969 and attended McKendree College. He was a proud Mt. Olive native. 

He married the former Karen Coatney on October 6, 1972. They were married 52 years.

He stepped into the insurance industry where he found a lifelong passion spanning nearly 50 years. He served as Vice President and a Principal of Scheller Insurance Agency, Inc. for nearly 40 years. He continued to enjoy his role as President of Thomas F. Franzen & Co. Insurance and Risk Management consulting firm.

Tom enjoyed sharing his skillset and insights through numerous civic and volunteer roles such as being a Board member of HSHS St. Francis Hospital, serving as chairman for four years, and former Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Litchfield Economic Development Coalition. He was a valued member of the Board of Directors for First National Bank of Litchfield for over 20 years and a long-time consultant to the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association.

He was a proud member of Litchfield Antlers Club, Litchfield Country Club, Alpha Kappa Tau Fraternity, Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, and Risk and Insurance Management Society.

He was happiest when riding through life on his motorcycle, swinging a golf club, hunting, fishing and making memories with his beloved family. His faith was of the utmost importance to him. He never met a stranger and loved conversations with anyone he encountered.

Tom is survived by his wife, Karen; two daughters, Jennifer (Jeff) Franzen-Ballard of Hazel Green, AL and Sarah Franzen of Normal; and three grandsons, Jeffrey Franzen, Chase (Jordan) Ballard and Matthew Ballard.

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He was proceeded in joining the Lord by his parents and many aunts and uncles. He was no doubt greeted at Heaven’s gates by his good friend and dog, Jack.

Services will be held Saturday, November 16 at the Methodist Church of Mt. Olive. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 p.m. with a memorial service immediately following. Rev. Dr. Tony Bell of Bethlehem UMC in Claremont, NC will be presiding and Pastor Kevin Simburger of Methodist Church of Mt. Olive assisting. Interment will be private with his family at a later time. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Methodist Church of Mt. Olive or doing something kind for someone, as doing so was in his very nature. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Obituary of Carl Arthur Behme

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Carl Arthur Behme, 91, of Carlinville went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at home surrounded by family. He was born almost a century ago to Henry Christian and Clara (Rhodes) Behme in Brushy Mound Township. Carl was born February 9, 1933.

Carl farmed with Henry Christian, his dad, starting in 1947-48 and drove a D4 CAT for Brushy Mound Township. Carl graduated from Carlinville High School in 1950. After graduation, Carl went to work at Konneker Brown and continued to farm. Carl married Mary Lou (Link) on April 11, 1953, and to that union eight children were born, Susan, Sharon, Annette, Carol, Jennifer, Christopher, Jeffrey, and Gregory.

Mary Lou preceded him in death on May 28, 2004.

Carl married Charlene Feiker Marischenn and sons Patrick (Jenny) Osborne and Michael Osborne on June 23, 2006. Carl had a visionary or pioneer spirit. He could see how things could be, how to make things better, how to make things grow. Carl was a founding member of Hog Inc. (62 years, serving as President several times), founding member of Prairie State Gilts (President), founding member of Macoupin County Pork Producers (President & other offices).

Carl received the 1964, 1965 and 1966 IL Top Pork Producer of the Year award. Carl was active in Macoupin County Beef Producers and was a founding member of IL Pork Pac, Macoupin County Farm Bureau Vice President (Chair of the Building & Grounds Committee that purchased and built where it sits today). Carl was also President of the Catholic Cemetery Board for years and instrumental in setting up New Calvary Cemetery. Carl was a member of SS Mary & Joseph Church and served as an usher since the 50’s, Eucharistic minister and on the Parish Council.

Carl was also a Knights of Columbus member. Carl was a founding member of the North Otter Watershed Drainage District and named Outstanding Young Farmer by the Carlinville JAYCEEs. In high school, Carl was active in FFA and received the state Farmer degree and the Dekalb High Yield Award in corn production. A 1977 Master Farmer, Carl was also father to four county Pork Queens, one of which was IL State Pork Queen, three FFA Chapter Farmers, and two American Farmer.

All eight children were 10-11 year 4-H members and 14 grandchildren were/are 4-H members. The Behmes were 1988 IL Pork Producer Farm Family of the Year. Family and farming were Carl’s pride and joy.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Henry Vincent, Floyd (Joyce), and Erwin (Barbara) Behme; six sisters, Myrtle (Stanley)Karrick, Iva (Richard) Loveless, Irene (Edgar) Peacock, Lela (Gilson) Robinson, Stella (Glenn) Coffey, and Esther Fagerburg; and four grandchildren.

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Surviving are Charlene; five daughters, Susan (Dr. Larry) Jeisy, Sharon (Keith) Missey, Annette (James) Bellm, Carol (Randall) Tillman, and Jennifer (Jerry) Titus; three sons, Christopher (Kelly), Jeffrey (Julie), and Gregory(Stefanie) Behme; grandchildren, Luke(Jenny) Behme, Richard (Rachael ) Jeisy, Eric (Cameron) Bellm, Curt (Nicole) Jeisy, Andrew (Kelly) Bellm, Rachel Tillman, Rene’e(Dillon) Ruholl, Ryan (Whitney) Tillman, Tyler Behme, Victoria Titus, Claire Behme, Alexander Behme, Frank Titus, Mary, Ellie and Charlie Behme; 14 great grandchildren; goddaughters Marianne Buhrow, Jayne Dumas and Kathleen Clark; sister, Verna (Richard) Knudson; sister-in-law, Judy Behme; and over fifty nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at SS. Mary & Joseph Church on Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Carlinville with Reverend Joe Koyickal, SAC, presiding.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Cemetery Association, Wounded Warrior Fund, Macoupin County 4-H Foundation, or St. Jude. Davis- Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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