Obituaries
Death of Karen Rose Smith
Karen Rose Smith, 77, of Carlinville, formerly of Gillespie, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her husband and children, on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 6:35 a.m. She was born in Litchfield on March 8, 1947, to Karl, Jr., and Stella (Turco) Guna.
Karen graduated from Gillespie High School with the class of 1965. She married Larry Smith on February 7, 1986. Karen was a mother, wife, and homemaker, later working a few part-time jobs. She said that her favorite job was being a “babysitter” to her grandchildren. Karen loved her family beyond measure and was happiest when they could all be with her, especially on their annual summer vacations and the holidays. She followed her grandchildren to sports and school events in Carlinville, Bativa, and Indiana State University. She enjoyed dressing up for Halloween and trick-or-treating with her grandchildren in Batavia. As her illness progressed, Karen wanted to be able to attend her oldest granddaughter’s wedding, and she was able to do so in October 2023. Karen always wanted to take pictures, and her home is filled with collages of her family, friends, and pets.
Karen was a member of the Federated Church in Carlinville, where she was a deacon and served over the years on the Federated Board, Finance, and Building and Grounds Committees. Karen is a past First Lady of the Illinois Elks Association, where she assisted her husband Larry when he was Illinois Elks State President during 2012–2013. Karen made everyone laugh with her unique sense of humor. She could also laugh at herself. Karen had the good fortune to travel the world taking 11 cruises, and she also traveled with the Illinois Elks, took many girls’ trips, and countless vacations to Bluegreen resorts. Karen enjoyed gardening, and she especially loved roses and mums. Karen had beloved pets in her life, including a dachshund, Greg, and cats, Sparkie and Casper. She enjoyed country music and attended several live concerts over the years. Karen was a collector of fine and costume jewelry and antiques. She was a sentimental person, knowing the origin of every item. Karen liked to work on crossword puzzles; she dabbled in sewing; and she often gave movie or TV series recommendations. Karen had many good friends from high school, church, and her time in the Elks. During her final days, Karen told her family to be happy, don’t take yourself too seriously, don’t fight, don’t work too hard, and have fun. She said she didn’t know how she had been so blessed.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Karl Guna, Jr.; her stepfather, Danny Sawyer; her mother, Stella Sawyer; and her brother, Ronnie Guna Sawyer. Karen is survived by Larry, her beloved husband of 38 years, daughter Elise (David) Schwartz of Carlinville, son Dan (Kate) Katich of Batavia, Aunt Frieds Miller (Marvin) of Summerville, SC, stepdaughters Michelle Smith (friend Scott Fillback) of Gillespie, Lori (Wayne) Heinke of Bay City, Texas, stepson Larry (Andrea) Smith of Swansea, grandchildren Colleen (Ryan) Cash of Indianapolis, IN, Jake Schwartz of Carlinville, Caroline Katich, Adam Katich, and Meridith Katich of Bastavia, step-grandchildren; Gretchen (Brett) Hall of Warsaw, IN, Anna (Wally) Wallace of Staunton, Thomas (Andrea) Balestri of Boston, MA, Aleisha (Josh) Balestri-Pettenger of Downer’s Grove, Krysten (Grayson) Essy and Courtney Waldrum of Alton, Jesse (Heather) Profaizer of Richmond, Texas, Nicolas Smith and Catherine Smith of Swansea, Derek (Alison) Schwartz of Saint Louis, MO, 10 step-great-grandchildren, 3 nieces, and 1 nephew.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 13 from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral service time of 12:00 noon at the Federated Church of Carlinville. Graveside service will be immediately following at Mayfield Memorial Park.
In honor of Karen, memorials are suggested to the Macoupin County Animal Shelter, 21640 State Rte 4, Carlinville, or the Federated Church, 122 E. South St., Carlinville, in her name. Please visit www.kravanyafuneral.com to leave condolences.
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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.
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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.
