Obituaries
Death of Karen Sue Frey
Karen Sue Frey, 82 of Staunton, passed away at 11:15 PM on Monday, June 10, 2024, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. She was born on January 22, 1942, in Litchfield, the daughter of the late Nelson and Dorothy (Vogelsang) Goehe. She married Charles B. “Chuck” Frey on October 22, 1960, in Staunton and he passed away on October 10, 1993.
She was employed as a Vice President at First National Bank in Staunton for several years. She previously worked as a loan officer at First Community State Bank in Staunton and as a bookkeeper at S&L Motor Parts in Staunton. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church of Staunton, Staunton Country Club, and the Staunton Chamber of Commerce.
Karen was one of a kind. Her charming view of life and caring spirit blessed her with a loyal family and devoted friends whom she loved dearly. She was steadfast to check in with those she loved and was always a phone call away to whoever needed an ear to listen.
She filled her life with so much joy that radiated to those around her. From dancing in her early years, to golfing at the country club, and to playing slot machines at the casino boat, she had a magical way of making everyone around her smile. She had a passion for golfing and excelled at the sport for as long as she could – she had a chip shot that one could only describe as “wicked”.
Karen never missed watching a St. Louis Cardinals game, an Illini basketball game, or the chance to drink a margarita. She especially never missed any opportunity to go to Disney with her beloved family. The memories of those trips are what got her through so much of her life and gave her the nostalgic connection to all the family that she had lost. Karen will be missed very deeply by all those who were blessed to have known her. May her glowing smile, sassy attitude, & dazzling blue eyes remain in our memories forever.
She is survived by one daughter, Kimberley Knoche of Bloomington; three grandchildren, Taylor Knoche of New York, NY, Kaelyn (Oracio) Molina of Gainesville, FL, and Camryn Knoche of Bloomington; and many nieces and nephews also survive.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Melissa “Missy” Frey; one sister, Linda Dal Pozzo; and one son-in-law, Don Knoche.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM on Monday, June 17, 2024, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
Memorials are suggested to either Staunton Country Club or to St. Michael Catholic Church of Staunton.
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Ronald D. Semplowski, 66 of Gillespie, died in Carlinville on Thursday, November 6, 2025. He was born on May 9, 1959, in Litchfield to Walter J.Semplowski Sr. and Elizabeth JoAnn Luketich Semplowski.
He married Tammie L. Whitlow Semplowski on June 18, 1983, in Gillespie. He was a gate monitor for Alton Steel. Ronald was a veteran of the US Marine Corp. Ronald enjoyed going to auctions, hunting, fishing, and playing cards. Ronald was an animal lover and also enjoyed being with his grandkids and grandpups.
He is survived by his spouse, Tammie Semplowski of Gillespie; children, Tyler (fiancée, Maggie Moore) Semplowski of Gillespie, Austin Semplowski of Gillespie, and Ashleigh (Josh) Valerius of Millstadt; grandchildren, Jacob Valerius and Eleanor Valerius; brothers, Wally (Tammy) Semplowski of Gillespie and David (Patty) Semplowski of Gillespie; sister, Diane (Karl) Kozak of Gillespie; brothers in law, Tommy Whitlow and Terry Whitlow; sister in law, Theresa (Mike) Scott; 10 nephews, six nieces, 18 great nephews, 12 great nieces, three great-great-nephews, one great-great-niece, several aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved Dog, Hobo.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; son, Travis D. Semplowski; mother in law and father in law, Eleanor and Tom Whitlow; sister, Kimberly Janes; nephews, Nathan Heaton and Troy Whitlow; and niece, Tonya Whitlow.
Friends may call on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Fire Department. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Donald Bernard Swann, 72 of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 12:20 a.m. He was born on May 1, 1953, in Springfield to Donald H. Swann and Florence L. Bernardi Swann.
He married Connie (Campbell) Swann on September 7, 1979, in Gillespie. He was retired after having worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation doing road maintenance. Donald was a lifelong member of the NRA. He was a member of the Black Dragon Triad, holding a second-degree black belt in Shorin-ryu Kobayashi Ryu karate, and was known as Sensei Swann. Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and skydiving.
He is survived by his spouse, Connie Swann of Gillespie; children, Kelly (Michael) Wulf of O’Fallon and Kyle (companion, Jessica Holmes) Swann of Gillespie; grandchildren, Lizzy Wulf, Anna Wulf, Samantha Wulf, Beau Wulf, Audrey Wulf (twin), Evelyn Wulf (twin), and Averie Swann; siblings, Denise (John) Hartnett of Springfield and Dale (Tina) Swann of Springfield; and his beloved dog, Buster.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Funeral services are Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Cremation and private burial will be at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Illinois Conservation Fund or Gillespie Public Library. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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John Lee Kellenberger, 69 of Litchfield, died at 7:52 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born on August 5, 1956, in Litchfield, a son of Francis and Lucille Frances (Lord) Kellenberger.
John graduated with the Litchfield High School Class of 1974. He delivered newspapers for the Litchfield News-Herald for several years; he was employed by and retired from the State of Illinois. John was an avid railroad fan, who enjoyed bicycling on area bike paths on former railroad right of ways, and he was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and loved comic books. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
John is survived by his brothers, Dennis (Kathi) Kellenberger of Edwardsville and Mark (Karen) Kellenberger of Paducah, KY; his sisters, Kathy (Tom) Seals of Wichita, KS, Michele Bass of Manford, OK, and Janet Martin of OR; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass. He will be inurned at Holy Cross Cemetery in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
