Obituaries
Death of Mary A. Kalika
Mary A. Kalika passed away peacefully on March 31, 2022, at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield at the age of 91. Mary was born March 1, 1931, in Livingston the daughter of Anton and Catherine (Spagnola) Pellizzaro.
She married the love of her life, Frank Kalika on October 13, 1951, and they settled in Staunton where she was a lifelong resident. Mary enjoyed gambling, especially in Las Vegas, flower gardening, shopping, and traveling. During her life, she visited over 40 countries, mostly in her 70s and 80s, with her favorite travel partners, her daughter and granddaughter.
Mary’s honorable career as an LPN nurse spanned 39 years. She was noted for her white nurse’s uniform and her starched nurse’s hat. Many remember her for the exceptional care she provided her patients and their family members. In her final daysm she was well taken care of by the wonderful nurses and doctors of St. Francis hospital, some of whom were her friends and colleagues.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Linda Kay Kalika of Effingham; her granddaughter, Allison Niendiek and significant other Michael Cook of Hugo, MN; nephew, Dr. Gary Pellizzaro and wife Debbie of Ponte Verda, FL; and niece, Judy Yarnik of Staunton, IL.
She was preceded in death by Frank Kalika on May 15, 1997; her parents, Anton and Catherine Pellizzaro; siblings, Irma Bacca Zupan, O’nelio Pellizzaro, and Rico Pellizzaro; brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Ann Eller; and sister-in-law Mary L Kalika.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Visitation from 2 to 4 PM and a memorial service beginning at 4 PM with Father Michael Meinhart officiating. Burial following at Staunton Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life at R & B’s Family Restaurant immediately following the burial for family and friends.
Memorials may be made to Staunton Area Ambulance Service (401 N Ash St., Staunton, IL 62088), Staunton Fire Department (215 S Wood St., Staunton, IL 62088) or donor’s choice.
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Lois Ilaine Erspamer Sawyer, 94 of Gillespie, died at her residence on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 9:51 am. She was born on February 9, 1930, in Gillespie to Louis Poi and Bertha Annetta Sunman Poi Lewis.
She married John Peter Erspamer on September 4, 1950. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1989. She married Dempsey Sawyer on May 15, 1993, and he preceded her in death in 2016. She had been a bookkeeper for Duracraft and Daley’s Chevrolet. Lois enjoyed reading, gardening, painting, drawing, cooking, traveling, bird watching, adventures, her family and her beloved cat, Molly.
She is survived by her children, Ann (Timm) LaRoche of Gillespie, Joan (Paul) Alexander of Gillespie, and Lynn Erspamer of Litchfield; grandchildren, Shannon (David) Wright of Gillespie, Suzanne (companion, Josh) DeMartini of Madisonville, KY, Jared (Amanda) Johnson of Staunton, Adam (Ashli) Alexander of Gillespie, Travis (Laura) Mize of Dallas, TX, Britini Bernardini of Nokomis, and Marissa (Jacob) Summers of Litchfield; great grandchildren, Macie, Isabel and Alexander Wright, Joseph and Gino DeMartini, Brianna Johnson, Ansley Alexander, Lucas and Jeffrey Bernardini, Fisher, Sabrina and Gabriella Crow; great great grandchild, Dominic Joseph “DJ” DeMartini; sisters, Patricia Thompson of Carmel, IN, Phyllis Dodd of Pooler, GA, and Marion Boston of Springfield; and brothers, Ernie Lewis of Carbondale and Fred Lewis of Ft Meyers, FL.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, and brother, John Lewis.
Private services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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