Obituaries
Death of Kenneth Eugene Klaus
Kenneth Eugene Klaus, 88 of Gillespie, died at Carlinville Rehab Center, Carlinville on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 3:35 a.m. He was born on February 20, 1933, in Womac, IL to Otto Klaus and Clara (Bouillon) Klaus.
He married Jacquelyn Fuess on June 10, 1972. Kenny was a graduate of Carlinville High School Class of 1950. Kenny was in the US Army serving during the Korean Conflict from January 1952 until December 1953. While Kenny was in the military, he served as a cryptographer having the distinction of being the soldier who sent the first top-secret message that the Peace Treaty had been signed signaling an end to the Korean War.
Kenny received an associates’ degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1956. Kenny worked as a manager at Carlinville Grain, Greenfield Pellett Plant, Prairie Farms Milk Route, Insurance and Real Estate Agent. Kenny enjoyed his family, gardening, crossword puzzles, the Illini and the St. Louis Cardinals. His memberships were the Gillespie Methodist Church, the Carlinville Elks Lodge where he had been a member for 66 years and served as past exalted ruler as well as many years at local, district and state levels.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie Klaus of Gillespie; three daughters, Patty (Al) Audo of Chillicothe, IL, Sydney (Bill) Stolte of Edwardsville, Veronica Klaus of Sharon Springs, NY; two sons, Barry (Terri) Klaus of Decatur, TX and Jack (Susan) Crane of Ballwin, MO; five grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; sister, Eileen Morehead of Greenville, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Stanley Klaus and Ray Klaus; and two sisters, Velma Arter and Lucille Ballinger.
Friends may call on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 11:00 am until the time of service. Funeral services will follow on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery in Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Benld Area Ambulance Service, Gillespie Cemetery or the Gillespie Public Library. 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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