Obituaries
Death of Mary Jo “Jody” Chulick Griggs
Mary Jo “Jody” Chulick Griggs died peacefully on February 16 at her home at Morningside in Newport News, VA after suffering from kidney disease. She had been a resident of Newport News, VA since March 2011, when she moved from Hendersonville, NC to be closer to her grandson and family. She was a longtime resident of Des Peres, MO and will always call St. Louis her home.
She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 55 Years, Dr. James Young Griggs. She was the sister of Dr. John W. Chulick, and wife Frances, of Pembroke Pines, FL. She was the mother of Judith Ann Griggs Renfro of Enka, NC. She was the proud grandmother of Eric Ryan Renfro, and wife Shannon, of Hayes, VA; great grandmother of Jeremy Ryan and Irelynn Elizabeth Renfro, and the late Savannah Grace Renfro.
Born in Benld, IL on June 28, 1925, she attended Benld High School, class of 1944 and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in dress design in 1948.
Prior to marriage, she was the Head of the Patricia Stephens Modeling Agency. She starred and played piano in the Charlotte Peter’s noontime TV show. She also starred in her own TV show called “To the Ladies” which aired in St. Louis in the early 1950s, and went by the professional name Mary Jo Martin.
She was married to Jim at 1st Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, MO on August 4, 1951. She and her husband traveled with the Navy and spent time in Panama from 1953-1955.
Jody and Jim welcomed daughter, Judie, in May of 1957. Jody and her husband built their home in Des Peres in 1960 and while raising their young daughter, Judie, Jody had a conversation with Mayor Hugh McNew in 1962, answering a call to have more women involved in government, she began 20 years in city government in Des Peres. In 1962, she served on the Board of Adjustment until 1965, then ran and won the position of Alderwoman of Ward I 1965-1970, was elected Acting Mayor by the board of aldermen in 1968, then ran and won Mayor of Des Peres in 1970. She was the first woman mayor of Des Peres and one of the few in the nation, and proudly served as Mayor 1970-1972. She was elected Alderwoman again, serving from 1983 until 1987. During her tenure as Alderwoman, she was on the Board overseeing the development of West County Mall. Additionally, she served on many other boards and commissions before and after her term as Mayor.
She enjoyed gardening and was President of the Harwood Hills Garden Club (now Harwood Hills Women’s Club) in 1966, and again in 1992 to 1995. She also enjoyed playing bridge with friends and belonged to several Bridge Clubs. She was also active in several social clubs in the St. Louis area. She loved music fondly and enjoyed playing the piano as well as becoming an accomplished artist in her later years.
She was very political and participated in several Republican Party activities, and enjoyed working the polls in later years with her husband, Jim.
A gathering of friends and family will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, February 24 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Benld, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM with Msgr. Lawrence Auda, officiating. Burial will be held at the Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie, IL.
Kravanya Funeral Home, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Jessie Edward Smith, 32 of Godfrey, died at Hillsboro Area Hospital, Hillsboro on Thursday, March 5, 2026. He was born on April 30, 1993, in Litchfield to Edward John Smith and Cheryl Ann Durbin Smith.
He was a mine operator for Patton Mining in Hillsboro. Jessie was a graduate of the class of 2012. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, duck hunting, working out, and taking his kids to the park.
He is survived by his parents, Edward and Cheryl Smith of Benld; companion, Toree Wallace of Godfrey; children, Mikayla Smith and Hudsen Smith, sibling, Bridget (Janek) Halerewicz of Auburn; nephew, Jonathan; grandparents, Ronald and Diana Durbin of Gillespie; Toree’s grandparents, Cathy and Dennis Mouser of East Alton; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Eugene Walter Eschbacher, 95 of Carlinville, passed away on Friday evening, March 6, 2026, at Mari de Villa in St. Louis, Missouri. Gene was born in St. Louis on March 13, 1930, the only child of Walter and Mary Stuever Eschbacher.
Gene graduated from Christian Brothers College High School (ROTC) and St. Louis University, (ROTC) with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. While in college, Gene worked part time for Valley Steel as a mail clerk. He became a full-time employee after graduating.
Within a short period of time Gene enlisted in the Air Force where he was stationed near Inchon Korea for the final year of his two years of service. His unit was an engineering battalion that maintained the runways of an airbase outside of Inchon. Gene rejoined Valley Steel upon his return to St. Louis, which eventually brought him up to Carlinville to be plant manager. What began as a 2–3-year stint became where he would reside for the rest of his life.
Gene met Virginia Leona Wickman at a Cathedral Club event in St. Louis on December 7, 1958. Shortly thereafter, Eugene and Virginia were married on October 17, 1959. Gene eventually went on to join Tubular Steel, then started Aladdin Steel in 1976 with three partners. Aladdin Steel was sold in April of 2023, after 47 years in business. Beside Aladdin, Gene had several passions including 40+ years of the annual Christmas light display, lifelong St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan, his bi-weekly bridge game, and watching his children’s sporting events.
Eugene is survived by his children, Andrew Eschbacher (Deanna Dixon) of Seattle WA, Roberta (Robert) Baldwin of Herman MO, Robert (Regina) Eschbacher of St. Louis MO, and Patricia (Wade) Bush of Cincinnati OH; nine grandchildren, Nick (Jordan) Eschbacher, Adam Eschbacher, Alayna (Michael) Dickey, Katelyn Eschbacher, Daniel (Abby) Baldwin, Michael (Kalyn) Baldwin, Cole Bush, Logan Bush, and Cooper (Chase) Bush; and seven great grandchildren, Grace Eschbacher, Finnegan Eschbacher, Gabriel Dickey, Lilie Dickey, Caleb Dickey, Elliott Baldwin, and Carter Baldwin.
Eugene was preceded in death by newborns, David and Francis Lee; wife, Virginia Eschbacher; and parents, Walter and Marie Eschbacher.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Ss. Mary and Joseph’s Church in Carlinville at 10:30 am with Rev. Joe Koyickal officiating. Visitation will be before the Mass starting at 9:00 am. Burial will be in New Calvary Cemetery, Carlinville.
Memorials are suggested to Ss. Mary and Joseph’s Church and Carlinville Lion’s Club. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Rose Mary Preston, 62 of Benld, died at Community Memorial Hospital, Staunton on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 9:37 a.m. She was born on February 10, 1964, in Chicago to Charles Altieri and Virginia Ungarelli Altieri.
She married Leonard Anthony Preston at St. Lucy’s Parish in Chicago. She was a contract clerk for the Chicago Park District. Rose enjoyed the television shows Starsky & Hutch as well as General Hospital. She also enjoyed animals.
She is survived by her spouse, Leonard Preston of Benld; sister, Lucie Altieri Weir of Chicago; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Gregory Altieri and Virginia Altieri.
Friends may call on Friday, March 13, 2026, at SS Simon & Jude Church in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Memorial mass will be on Friday, March 13, 2026, at SS Simon and Jude Church in Gillespie at 11:00 am.
Memorials are suggested to Masses. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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