Obituaries
Death of Mary E. McPherson
Mary E. McPherson, 94, of Litchfield passed away Thursday morning, November 19, 2015, at 9:48 a.m. at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in Litchfield. Mary was born on October 27, 1921, in Hillsboro, a daughter of James and Sarah Melvina (Vogel) McPherson.
Mary was a veteran of the United States Army serving as a medic from 1943-1945 during WWII. She had worked as a LPN at several different Veterans’ Hospitals including Chicago and Danville. She retired to Litchfield in 1981. Mary was an accomplished writer with three stories published in magazines and was an avid gardener having vegetables and flower gardens.
Mary had a special love for music and she played the banjo, harmonica and the ukulele. She also loved to bike, play softball and go bowling. Mary was a member of the Litchfield Kitchen Band years ago and was a member of Holy Family Parish in Litchfield.
She is survived by her beloved sheltie dogs, Bonnie and Clyde; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her dog, Laddie.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at Litchfield Family Funeral Service in Litchfield. Mass of Christian burial will be said Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield with the Very Rev. James L. Neuman V.F. presiding.
Burial will commence at 2:00 p.m. at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. Full military honors will be conducted by the Inter Veterans’ Burial Detail Squad of Sangamon County and the Funeral Honors Team.
The family suggests memorials to Holy Family Catholic Church or Adopt-A-Pet Shelter in Benld.
Litchfield Family Funeral Service in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Carol Lee (McMillan) St. Cin, 80 of Gillespie, died peacefully surrounded by family on June 13, 2025. Carol was born on February 5, 1945, in Litchfield to Robert “Rab” McMillan and Dorothy (Dolliger) McMillan.
Carol married Allen St. Cin on July 21, 1963, and they would have celebrated 62 years of marriage in July.
She is survived by her husband, Allen St. Cin of Gillespie; daughters, Michelle St. Cin of Staunton and Kara St. Cin of Maryville; grandson, David and wife Kelsey (Wayman); great grandchildren, Hudson and Emma St. Cin of Litchfield; brother, Robert and wife Marilyn McMillan; nephews, John (Rebecca) Watson and Rob and Ryan McMillan; many great and great great nieces and nephews.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Mathew St. Cin; and sister, Dee Ann Watson.
Per her wishes there will be no formal services. She will be cremated. The family is planning a celebration of life for a later date. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Donald R. Daley, 85 of Glen Carbon, formerly of Staunton, died at Meridian Village, Glen Carbon on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 9:05 pm. He was born on July 23, 1939, in Carlinville to Robert Daley and Lena (Komnick) Daley.
He married Hazel Goode who died in 1994 and then married Carlene (Brenker) Knoche. He was a retired accountant for Emmerson Electric.
He is survived by his wife, Carlene Knoche Daley of Glen Carbon; two daughters, Kathy (Paul) O’Donnell of St. Peters, MO and Patti (David) Kupfer of Wildwood, MO; step daughter, Cheryl Knoche of Springfield; step son, Charles (Karen) Knoche of Dorchester; eight grandchildren and step grandchildren.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Hazel Goode.
Friends may call on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 9:30 am until the time of service. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill.
Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. Memorials are suggested to donor’s choice. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the arrangements.
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Dorothy L. Rife, 93 of Wilsonville, died at her granddaughter’s residence in Granite City on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at 11:45 am. She was born on March 21, 1932, in Venice, IL to James Finley Gipson and Dolly Skimaborn Gipson.
She was a homemaker. Dorothy was a member of the Red Hat Society.
She is survived by two sons, William (Sandra) Rife of Gillespie and Roland Rife of Wilsonville; three daughters, Deborah Tarrant of Godfrey, Rhonda (Rick) Messerly of Miami, FL, and Sandra Kay (Robert) Hall of Carrollton; ten grandchildren, Tyler Rife, Jason Rife, Bud Rife, Amanda Price, Chad Messerly, Tonya Edgerton, Abigail Hall, Jessica Hall, Elizabeth Latham, and Amy Kelley; 25 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers; five sisters; and grandchild, Rodney Messerly.
Friends may call on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services are Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie with Pastor Steve Martin officiating.
Burial will be at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Mt. Olive. Memorials are suggested to Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service, Benld Public Library, or to the American Heart Association. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
