Obituaries
Death of Lee Rule Jr.
Lee Rule Jr., 87, of Girard passed away Wednesday afternoon, February 27, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. Lee was born on June 2, 1925 to Levi and Dora Della (May) Rule in Nilwood, IL. He married Juanita Peradotto on August 24, 1957 at the Springfield Southern Baptist Church and she survives.
He graduated from Girard High School with the class of 1943. Lee received his Bachelor’s Degree in speech and business from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1956 and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Sangamon State University/University of Illinois, Springfield.
He retired as a teacher in the Springfield School District in 1991, having taught at Lincoln Elementary School, Washington Middle School and Grant Middle School. He also worked for Country Companies Insurance and bought and sold property in Springfield, Urbana and Girard for many years. Lee was also a United States Army veteran.
Lee was a Southern Baptist Pastor for more than 50 years. This included 20 years in Springfield, as well as pastorates in Southern Illinois while in college, Gillespie, Modesto and Raymond. He also had interim pastorates in the area.
Lee was an athlete in high school and a life long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini. He enjoyed golf and was a member of the Oak Leaf Country Club. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge. He spent winters in St. Cloud, FL and had season tickets to the Houston Astros baseball games and numerous other major league teams. His first row seats near the dugout allowed him to talk with Tony LaRussa, Joe Girardi and other managers and players, as well as first base coach Jose Cruz. Those 15 games in March made his winters special.
His wife, Juanita Rule of Girard; son, Damon Rule of Urbana, IL; sister, Ethel Myers of Auburn, IL; a chosen son, George Keck of Urbana, IL and a chosen grandson, Nicolas Sabuco of Bradenton, FL, survive Lee.
His parents, Levi and Dora Rule; sister, Bernice Compton and 3 brothers, Calvin, Kenneth and A.E. “Pete” Rule, precede Lee in death.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Girard. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Darrell Molen officiating. Burial will follow in the Girard Cemetery with military rites.
Memorials are suggested to the Girard Rescue Squad, North Mac School Foundation or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Davis Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Beverly J. Katich, 81 of Bunker Hill, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. She was born on August 18, 1943, to the late Calvin and Betty (Foster) Mattice.
Raised in Gillespie, she met the love of her life, Gerald Katich. They married on July 3, 1965, at Gillespie United Methodist Church and started their beautiful life together. She worked alongside her husband raising crops, livestock, and her family.
A lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, her faith was very important to her. Raised in the church herself, she raised her children and grandchildren in the church where she served in many different capacities including board member, choir member, children’s choir director, Sunday school teacher, and lay minister.
Early in her adult life, she worked as a legal secretary in Springfield, before returning to the area. She also worked at the clothing store in Gillespie. Later in life, she took her talent for decorating and sold home interiors to many in the area.
She always put her family first, attending events for her kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids while she was able. She and Jerry were fortunate to travel extensively after their retirement with many being through the Macoupin County Farm Bureau and a few with her children.
Surviving are her husband, Jerry; children, David (Denise) Katich, of Godfrey, Amber (Dave) Obernier, of Osage Beach, MO, Dusty (Val) Katich, of Troy, Cheri (Rick) Petroline of Dorchester, and Lacey (Jake) Hanner, of Carlinville; 12 grandchildren, Shannon Katich, Michael Katich, Abi Katich, Jake Katich, Cameron Obernier, Tyler Obernier, Max Katich, Ryan (Katelyn) Petroline, Calli (Patrick) Battuello, McKayla (Riley) Canania, Emmy (Austin) Yates, and Bella Hanner; eight great-grandchildren, Amelia, Kendall, Sydney, Finley, Lincoln, Beckam, Rylan, and Evelynn; and a brother, Phil (Phyllis) Mattice, of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Fri., Sept. 13, 2024, at the Gillespie Methodist Church with services immediately following. Rev. Faye Edmiaston, minister at the United Methodist Church of Bunker Hill will officiate. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Gillespie.
Memorials may be to St. Jude or to the family for a memorial bench to be placed at Hallmark Healthcare where she received wonderful care. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
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Joyce Mallory, 84, of Gillespie, died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center, Gillespie, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 7:19 am. She was born July 10, 1940, in Russellville, KY, to Raymond Wells and Guyla Justice Wells.
She married Carl Mallory on August 31, 1962, in Russellville, KY. She was a clerk for Fashion Lane. Joyce enjoyed crafting and being with her grandchildren and great-grandkids.
She is survived by her spouse, Carl Mallory of Gillespie, daughters, Marilyn Rhodes of Gillespie, Lisa (Robert) Mallory-Colwell of Springfield, grandchildren, Deanna (Jeremy) Ellis, Evan (Maryn) Colwell, Michael Rhodes, Zachary Rhodes, great-grandchildren, Ayden Madeline, Traegen Madeline, Lincoln Ellis, Caleb Ellis, Chloe Ellis, Lillian Colwell, brother, Earl (Sanora) Wells of Lewisburg, KY, and several nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law, Mark Rhodes, and sister, Nancy Hadden.
Friends may call on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Funeral services are Friday, September 13, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service or Gillespie Police Department.
Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, in charge of the arrangements.
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Norma Jean Sanks (nee Larcker), of Gillespie, passed away at home surrounded by family on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the age of 89. She was born April 8, 1935, in Staunton to Max and Catherine Brozich Larcker.
Norma will be most remembered for her devotion to her family, her strength, and her wicked wit and sense of humor. She was a jack of all trades and worked until the age of 84. Her employment for the last 30 plus years as a dining room manager was with the Holiday Inn in Carlinville, later known as The Grand Magnuson Hotel, beginning the day they opened in 1985, until she retired in 2019. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her children, Arlin (Nancy) Cunningham of Brighton, Dianna (Chuck) Sheets of Naperville, Rodney (Ann) Cunningham of Gillespie, 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and siblings, Kay (Alan) Forbes of Florida, Carol Downing of Alton, Georgia Ribes of Benld, and Tony Ribes of Gillespie. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother-in-law, Alvera and Arlin Armour, and brother-in-law, Kevin Downing.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm, with memorial services to follow at the funeral home at 3:30 pm.
Memorials are suggested to Homers for Health (on behalf of Libby Cunningham) or Macoupin County Animal Shelter. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
