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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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.
