Obituaries
Death of Larry “Coach Cal” Caldieraro Jr.
Larry “Coach Cal” Caldieraro Jr., 57, of Staunton passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He was born on January 21, 1966, in Staunton, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence “Pops” and Kathy (Hanneken) Caldieraro Sr.
Larry was a man of many hats (literally and figuratively!). He married Elizabeth (Liz) on March 13, 1993, and they welcomed their first child, Sarah, while building their home, coaching football, and working at Staunton High School. His skilled hands and heart built a home that welcomed three more children (Larry III, Vincent, and Rebecca) in the next seven years. His greatest joy in life was seeing his family grow and reap the benefits of his labor. He always considered his job enjoyable, and going to work every day was not a hardship for him.
Coach Cal, as he was known to many, was instrumental in the success and longevity of several local sports teams. His first love was football, which he played at Staunton High School and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and brought that love to the students he coached in West Frankfort, Gillespie, Mt. Olive, and Staunton. He was fortunate to be part of the staff with the 1990 Gillespie Miners Football team when they achieved their state runner-up status; he was the head coach with the Staunton Bulldogs baseball team when they reached the semifinals in 1994; he was assistant/defensive coach to the multi-year playoff Staunton Bulldogs football teams in the 1990’s; and he helped coach the Mt. Olive Wildcats to multi-year football playoff berths in the 2000’s. He also helped coach the Jaguar Junior Football League during his sons’ touch-to-tackle years. Larry finished his distinguished coaching career as an assistant baseball coach and assistant football coach for the Staunton Bulldogs. Larry considered it an honor to coach the sports he loved, influencing hundreds of young men along the way with his love of sport, teamwork, dedication, and commitment.
Larry was the vocational education teacher at Staunton High School for 32 years and frequently used his construction skills and knowledge out of the classroom, as well. During the summer or weekends you could find him working on putting up siding here, renovating rooms there, or lending his design skills to turning a barn into a home, helping design new structures or renovate something old into something new. No job was too big or too small. He employed high school students for those extra summer jobs, continuing his teaching in small sessions to interested young men. Larry filled any free time with his family, and helping his friends and neighbors by farming, repairing machinery, emergency home repair, plowing snowy driveways and tilling gardens. He also enjoyed camping, hunting, golfing, fishing, and smoking a mean brisket and ribs.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Caldieraro of Staunton; four children , Sarah (Adam) Schulte of Mt. Olive, Larry Caldieraro III (Emily Frerichs) Staunton, Vincent Caldieraro of Staunton, and Rebecca Caldieraro of Staunton; two sisters, Angela (James) Bentley of Springfield and Cara (Brent) Reed of Pendleton, IN; brother, Bart (Carmen) Caldieraro of Greenville; two granddaughters, Della & Ada Schulte of Mt. Olive; uncle, John (Susan) Caldieraro of Staunton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Samuel Schulte.
Friends may call on Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 3 to 8 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral mass will be held Monday, September 25, 2023, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Staunton with Father Tom Hagstrom officiating. The burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
Memorials are suggested to The Staunton High School Football Program, Staunton High School Baseball Program or to the Gillespie High School Football Program. The family will also be establishing a scholarship for students pursuing careers in vocational field.
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Jerry J. “Jon” Eldred, 87 of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center in Litchfield. Jon was born on June 18, 1937, in Chesterfield, a son of James Melvin and Nelle (Schuetz) Eldred.
Jon was a 1955 graduate of Carlinville High School. He married Kathleen Martin on January 16, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Church in Carlinville. Jon was drafted in the Army in September of 1960 and he and Kathleen moved to Aberdeen, Maryland where he served as a light vehicle driver until August of 1962. He then served in the US Army Reserves until his discharge in August of 1966.
Jon worked as a salesman in the agriculture industry starting at FS, moving to Area Ag and returning to FS before his retirement. He was also part owner of Fred Smith Chevrolet for a time. Jon spent many hours on the road traveling to sporting events. He was a regular fan at his grandchildren’s games and was known as Papa Jon to many of their teammates. He was an avid CHS football fan, attending nearly every game for decades.
He also served as chauffer over the years driving his friends to many horse races. Jon’s love of golf came once he finally retired. He golfed with friends regularly and decided only a week before his death not to pay his Carlinville Country Club dues. He was a member of Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church and an honorary lifetime member of the Carlinville Elks Lodge #1412. Never knowing a stranger, Jon’s smile, laugh and kindness will be missed my many.
Jon is survived by his daughter, Kim (Mark) Mehrkens of Pontiac; son, Andy Eldred of Carlinville; grandchildren, Alex (Brittany) Eldred, Madalyn (Caleb) Leach and Seth Mehrkens; great-grandchildren, Avery, Kali, Bella and Cece; sister-in-law, Polly Eldred of Carlinville; and two nephews, Jeff and Jim Eldred.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother, Max.
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville. Mass of Christian burial service will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Joe Koyickal, Sac as celebrant. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Loomis Cemetery in Chesterfield. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Ralph David Glassbrenner, 69 of Plainview, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 4:40 pm. He was born on April 1, 1956, in Jerseyville to Fred E. Glassbrenner and Norma J. (Narup)Glassbrenner.
He married Paula C. (Johnson) Glassbrenner on January 10, 1981, in Godfrey. Upon graduating from Southwestern High School in 1974, he started his apprenticeship at the then Carpenter’s Local 377, now Local 664, recently celebrating 50 years.
He was an honorary member of the Tri County Rod & Gun Club in Brighton. Ralph enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals and working in his garden. He took great pride in his yard as well as his Chevy’s and vehicle’s equipment. He loved classic country music.
He is survived by his spouse, Paula C. Glassbrenner of Plainview; children, Sarah (Jim) Owens of Brighton, David (Xi) Glassbrenner of St. Louis, MO, and Michael Glassbrenner of Alton; grandchildren, Luke Owens, Thomas & Henry Glassbrenner; siblings, Karen (Steve) Bender, Patti Updike, Paul Glassbrenner, and Ann (John) Hilderbrand; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm and on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at SS Simon and Jude Church, Gillespie from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:00 am at SS Simon & Jude Church, Gillespie.
Burial will be at St. Denis Cemetery, Shipman. Memorials are suggested to National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or HSHS Hospice. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Christina Ann McLain, 47 of Benld, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 9:14 a.m. She was born on April 2, 1978, in Litchfield to Robert Miller and Ruth Smith Miller.
She married Robert Aaron McLain on May 24, 2008, in Gillespie. She was a homemaker who enjoyed her children and grandchildren. Christina also enjoyed dolphins and cruises.
She is survived by her mother, Ruth Miller of Gillespie; spouse, Robert McLain of Benld; children, Kelsi Miller of Gillespie, Kaley (Steven) Mriscin of Gillespie, Austin McLain of Benld, and Aaron McLain of Benld; grandchildren, Aubrey, Carter, Sofia, Ava, Brysen, Malaiya, and Jaydin; siblings, Stacey (Ryan) Miller of Gillespie and Frank (Lynn) Tallman of Redmond, OR; niece, Avi Tallman; brothers in law, David McLain and Joe McLain; sister in law, Anita McLain; and father in law, Richard McLain.
Christina was preceded in death by her father.
Friends may call on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a memorial service to follow at the funeral home at 7:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to the children. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
