Obituaries
Death of Mary Ann Hicks
Mary Ann Hicks, 68, of Carlinville, lost her brave battle with cancer on September 1, 2024, while surrounded by loved ones. Mary Ann was born on January 23, 1956, and grew up on a farm in Bunker Hill with her parents James and Peggy (Noel) Hilyard and her brother Dennis.
From an early age, she developed a deep love for the farm, spending her days driving her Massey Ferguson tractor and riding bareback on her beloved horse, Candy. Her passion for agriculture led her to join the FFA, where she was one of the first female chapter presidents in Macoupin County. She graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1974. Mary Ann has always had a compassion for helping others and was a natural caregiver. She became a volunteer Candy Striper in her teens and later pursued a career in nursing. She spent the next 40 years as a registered nurse and retired from Carlinville Area Hospital.
After dating for ten years, Mary Ann married the love of her life, Terry Hicks, on December 27, 2003. Together they shared many adventures, often traveling to Panama City Beach, FL, where they enjoyed the sun, sand, and each other’s company. Mary Ann had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, finding joy tending to her flowers. She was an excellent cook known for her lasagna and peach cobbler, which were always family favorites. Mary Ann was also known for her sweet and funny personality. She had an abundance of friend groups and was deeply loved by all who knew her. She cherished her time with friends and especially enjoyed taking trips with her “nurses crew” over the years. Mary Ann’s greatest pride and joy was her family. She loved them fiercely and unconditionally.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents James and Peggy (Noel) Hilyard, her brother Dennis Hilyard, father and mother-in-law Glenn and Bonnie Hicks, and brother-in-law Kenny Hicks. Mary Ann is survived by her husband Terry Hicks and four children: Jennifer Hicks-Blazis of Springfield, Aaron Hicks (Nicole) of Dorsey, Ashley Archibee-Hadley (Michael) of Carlinville, and Aaron Archibee (Laurie) of Worden. Her eight grandchildren; Sydney Blazis, Hunter Hicks, Landon Hicks, Declan Hadley, Rowan Hadley, Michael Hadley Jr., Aurora Archibee, and Rosalind Archibee. Her brother-in-law Mick Hicks (Penny Emmons), sister-in-law Laura Hicks, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation services will be held on September 6th at Carlinville United Methodist Church, 201 S Broad St., Carlinville, 62626, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be September 7th at Carlinville United Methodist Church at 10 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Macoupin County Animal Shelter, Carlinville Food Pantry, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Anyone wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge.
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Carol Monetti, 92 of Carlinville, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Village at Morse Farm in Carlinville. Carol Joyce Rahm was born on May 25, 1932, in Litchfield a daughter of Edna Sievers Rahm and Elmer Rahm of Staunton.
She attended Zion Lutheran School in Staunton for eight years and graduated from Staunton Community High in 1950. She attended Illinois State University for one and a half years, majoring in art. In the summer of 1952, she accepted a job at Shell Oil Refinery in Woodriver, IL, in the personnel department. In 1955, she married Charles J. Monetti and moved to Carlinville.
She was employed in the office at MJM Electric for several years. When her husband, Charlie, opened his own auto repair shop, the North End Garage, she did the bookkeeping there and generally kept things moving smoothly, as Charlie’s Mom did before her. They spent twenty-three years during the winter months in Ft. Myers, Florida in Heritage Cove.
Carol and Charlie were the parents of two children, Gary Monetti of Tampa and New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Susan Mackay of Raymond, grandparents of Courtney Johnson and Pierson Monetti of Tampa FL, and great-grandparents of Carter Paige Johnson and Glades Hutchinson Monetti.
Carol loved to spend time working in her yard and her flower beds, reading, dancing, laughing, enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never met a stranger and was loved wholeheartedly by one and all. She will be missed by many.
Private graveside services will be conducted at a future date.
Carol is survived by her husband, Charles Monetti of Carlinville; daughter, Susan (John) Mackay of Raymond; son, Gary Alan (Janell) Monetti of Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Courtney Johnson and Pierson Monetti; and great-grandchildren, Carter Paige Johnson and Glades Hutchinson Monetti.
Memorials may be made to Macoupin County Animal Control and Zion Lutheran Church. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, LTD, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Betty Jane Stoecker, 95 of Hillsboro, formerly of Benld, died at Hillsboro Area Hospital, Hillsboro on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. She was born on September 4, 1929, in Litchfield to Finis “Slim” Thomas Hughes and Francis Rivers Gahagen Hughes.
She married Herbert A. Stoecker in Benld in June of 1949. He preceded her in death in 1967. Betty was a graduate of Benld High School. Betty was a farmer’s wife. She was an avid supporter of Adopt A Pet.
She is survived by her children, Linda (John) Stretch of Hillsboro, Thomas (Sandra) Stoecker of Carlinville, and Gail Marie (Rice) Phillips of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Chris Holman, Stacie (Clayton) Streator, Daniel (Erica) Robbins, Amanda Robbins, Aaron Stoecker, Brent (Karla) Stoecker, Mark (Renae) Thompson, Michelle (Chuck) Blankenship, Michael (Amanda) Thompson, and Michael Phillips; 18 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; and great grandson, Balin Robbins.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. Funeral services are Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gillespie.
Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie. Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Cemetery or Adopt A Pet. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Lindia M. Smith, 83 of Gillespie, died at Keystone Place, Glen Carbon on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 5:51 pm. She was born on November 12, 1941, in Ironton, MO to James Crocker and Dona Gillam Crocker.
She married Harold Dean Smith on July 25, 1959. He preceded her in death on January 23, 2023. She was a cashier for Walmart for 15 years. Lindia was an animal lover. She had a passion for raising baby squirrels. Lindia also enjoyed working in her yard.
She is survived by her sons, David (Tracy) Smith of Gillespie and Barry Smith of Gillespie; daughter, Lori (Joe) Sneed of Glen Carbon; grandson, Randy Sneed of Glen Carbon; several granddaughters; several great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and siblings, Frances (Richard) Kalbfleish of Pevely, MO and Gary (Barbara) Crocker of Russellville, MO.
Lindia was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; son, Harold I Smith; and several brothers and sisters.
Friends may call on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie.
Burial will be at Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Carlinville. Memorials are suggested to Macoupin County Animal Shelter. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
