Obituaries
Death of Kay Ann Purdy
Kay Ann Purdy, 81 of Gillespie, died at Community Memorial Hospital, Staunton on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 9:15 pm. She was born on July 22, 1941, in East Chicago, IN to Henry Wagner and Irma Johanntosettel.
She was married to and divorced from the father of her four children. She then married Theodore “Ted” Cummings on December 29, 1989, and he passed away in August 1998. Then she married Alfred “Chick” Purdy on June 2, 2010. He preceded her in death on December 23, 2020.
Kay enjoyed eating out, dancing, and playing Scrabble. She enjoyed watching American Idol, The Bachelor, and St. Louis Cardinals on TV. Kay enjoyed trips to Branson and Walt Disney World. She loved every member of her large family and hosted a big Christmas party for them for about 35 years. It included eating, signing, playing games, taking pictures, and all day entertainment by the kids.
She worked as a cashier at the Diamond’s Restaurant and Nickerson’s Restaurant. She also traveled to several states as a survey research interviewer for the National Institute of Health and Gallup Poll and Harris Interactive and Institute of Consumer Studies for 10 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Gillespie.
She is survived by her daughters, Michelle Middleton of Benld, Shari (Richard) Overturf of Eagarville, and Lori Keller of Mt Olive; son, Randy (Lesly) Estell of Mt Olive; grandchildren, Trisha, Crystal, Billy, Davy, Melisa, Selena, Jiles, Stormee, Shelby, Travis, and Olivia; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; and niece, Jennifer (Rogier) Stephenson.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; grandchildren, Shane and Micheal; sister, Carol (Wagner) Rogier; and one brother in infancy.
Friends may call on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at First United Methodist Church of Gillespie from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm. Funeral services are Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 12:00 pm at First United Methodist Church of Gillespie.
Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie, IL. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church of Gillespie or Gillespie – Benld Area Ambulance Service. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Ruth Ann “Sis” Pollard passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 79 years old. Ruth was born on April 19, 1947 in Staunton to Homer and Ruth (Clark) Cunningham.
She married George Pollard February 14, 1967, and he preceded her in death. Ruth was a caregiver and foster parent. Ruth was a selfless person who dedicated her life to give a home to special needs children. She was a very loving person when it came to her family and friends and they are going to miss her dearly.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Shane Pollard of Litchfield, Ron (Lorette) Pollard of Gillespie, and Jeff Pollard of Chesterfield; a daughter, Jackie (Leighann) Pollard of Chesterfield; grandchildren, Sean Pollard, Abigail Pollard, Adrian Davis, Jarod Cantrell, Ellen Kennedy, and Lilly Pollard; siblings, Judy (Paul) Spensberger, JoleneWard, Robert (Kathy) Cunningham, Mary (Nick) Hollis, Kelly (Jim) Force, and Gary Cunningham; sister-in-law, Violet Ballowe; daughter-in-law, Karla Pollard; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Ruth Cunningham; her daughter Michelle Pollard; former husband, George Pollard Jr; sister, Gail Mick; and four brothers, Tom, Jack, Delbert, and Jim Cunningham.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Chesterfield Bible Church from 2 to 5 pm. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ross Beckman, 90, joined his Lord in Heaven on April 29, 2026, at 2:27 AM. He was born on April 1, 1936, in Highland. His parents were Vernon Otto Bartels and Arlene Beckman, both of New Douglas. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Emma (Sievers) and George Beckman of New Douglas.
Ross attended New Douglas Elementary School in New Douglas and Highland High School in Highland. His first job was at Kline’s Grocery Store in New Douglas. He also was employed at McDonnell Douglas as a sheet metal worker. He worked for Artophone Corporation and also distributed Armstrong Flooring, worked in sales, and traveled Illinois.
He purchased Sherman’s Department Store on East Main Street in Staunton and renamed it Beckman’s Department Store. He operated the store for 30 years before retiring. He then bought property for a new business in Equine Ranch.
Ross was married to Lela Conroy of Staunton. They had one daughter, Wendy Arlene. Lela passed away after a long illness with Huntington’s Corea. Ross was married to Frances Lee Simpson of Staunton for 27 years. She passed away from illness in 2016. He then married Sheila Fay Foster of Carlinville on May 27, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
Ross was a member of the Staunton Jaycees for six years and was also the Chaplain for the State Jaycees. The local chapter gave him a lifelong membership. Ross served one term on the Staunton City Council as a ward #4 alderman and also was on the Dorchester Township Board. He was a long-time elder for the Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
He was an avid horseman. His horse, “Atomico” was not only his show horse but his loving pet. Ross became a member of The Assembly Church in Staunton and was a very active and a devoted servant. He loved his “church family”.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila (Foster) Beckman; son-in-law, John Walker; three brothers-in-laws, James E. Foster Jr., Gary Foster, and Mike Foster; two sisters-in-law, Deborah (Foster) Wilson and Amy Foster, all originally from Carlinville.
Besides his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Arlene.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Assembly Church, 1335 S. Hackman Street, in Staunton with Pastor Arthur Braden officiating.
Ross will be greatly missed, but is in the arms of his Lord Jesus. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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