Obituaries
Death of Joyce D. (White) Ashby
Joyce D. (White) Ashby, age 99 years, a resident of rural Golconda, passed away Friay morning, November 10, 2023, at 1:00 am at her home. Joyce was born February 1, 1924, in the Cottage Grove community in Saline County. She was the daughter of Isaac E. and Anna (Rehm) White.
Joyce was united in marriage to Colonel Leland Ashby, Jr in 1944, at the First United Methodist Church in Eldorado. He preceded her in death on October 4, 2002.
Survivors include – several nieces and nephews and a longtime dear friend, Barbra Studley of Vienna.
In addition to her parents and husband, Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Douglas Ashby; a grandson, Chad Ashby; as well as brothers and sisters.
Joyce was a member of the graduating class of 1942 from Equality High School. She earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois. Joyce was a lifelong educator. She taught elementary education at Bunker Hill and Gillespie until her retirement. Following her retirement, Joyce continued her love of education by serving as a volunteer tutor in the Pope County School System.
Joyce was very community minded. She served as an American Red Cross volunteer. Joyce was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and locally attended the meetings of the Pope County Retired Teachers Association. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society. Joyce, along with her husband, operated the Pine Meadows Christmas tree farm in rural Pope County for many years.
In her spare time, Joyce enjoyed reading, flower gardening, and she particularly enjoyed raising daylilies, as well as watching classic western television programs and movies. Joyce was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Golconda.
Visitation will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, November 14, 2023, from 3:00 pm until 5 pm at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Following the time of visitation, there will be a prayer service led by Elder Janet Proctor. Private interment will be held at a later date in Camp Butler Cemetery in Springfield.
Memorials may be made to the Pope County Community High School (Scholarship fund). To share a memory of Joyce or to leave an online message of condolence for her family, please visit www.baileyfh.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
