Obituaries
Death of Kenneth Charles Kay
Kenneth Charles Kay, 87 of Benld, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. He was born in 1935 in Racine, WI to Elwood and Mary (Trione) Kay. He grew up in East St. Louis, IL until his family moved to Hollywood Heights, IL.
Kenneth graduated from Collinsville High School in 1952 and went on to attend the University of Illinois where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. Kenneth was drafted into the Army in 1958. He was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO until his early release in 1959 to teach band in Manito, IL. In 1964, he relocated his family to Benld to replace Louis Philippe as CUSD #7 band director.
Kenneth earned his master’s degree in 1974 from SIU in Edwardsville. He remained as band director with CUSD #7 until his retirement in 1993. Upon moving into the area, he joined the municipal bands playing saxophone and clarinet. Kenneth took over directing duties of the Benld – Gillespie Municipal band in 1974, later adding Mt. Olive and then Staunton making one area band known as the Heritage Band. He gave up directing in 2015 and then went back to his love of playing saxophone.
During his tenure at GHS, he taught hundreds of students the love of music. He prepared students for performances, concerts, solo contests, pep band, parades, and All-district tryouts. Kenneth also directed the pit band and played saxophone for many of CUSD #7 school musicals. The last one being in 2017, “Back to the 80’s”, directed by his daughter.
Kenneth had many hobbies which included wine making, stamp collecting, mushroom hunting, traveling, gardening and crossword puzzles. He liked going to used book fairs looking for old records and books. His favorite love was spending time with his grandsons whether it be fishing, out to lunch (not McDonald’s), a movie, or an adventure.
Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marilyn (Lemons); son Kenneth E. Kay; daughter, Leanna (John) Sawyer; grandchildren, Brendan Clark, Bradley (Hayley) Clark, Jennifer Sawyer, Emily Sawyer, and Daniel Sawyer; great-grandson, AJ Clark; sister, Loretta (Dominic) Giacoletto; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be on Friday, January 20, 2023, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Benld Cemetery, Benld.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, CUSD #7 High School Band or Gillespie United Methodist Church. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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