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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Richard B. Sereg, 91 of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Thursday, January 9, 2025. He was born on January 12, 1933, in Litchfield to Peter E. Sereg and Sylvia C. Berti Sereg.
He married JoAnn Wiegand Sereg on August 6, 1955, in Carlinville. She preceded him in death on April 18, 1995. He was retired after having been an industrial chrome plater for Olin Machine Shop.
Richard was a veteran of the US Army after having served from 1953-1955. He was a life member of the VFW Post 4547 of Gillespie. Richard was also a member of the K of C Council 2076 of Gillespie, Bishop McNicholas Assembly Fourth Degree K of C, Gillespie Lions Club, Holy Cross Cemetery Board and a former alderman for the City of Gillespie.
He is survived by his son, Mark L. Sereg of Gillespie; daughter, Tracy (Terry) Soots of Gillespie; granddaughter, Abby (Mark) Enslow; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Brycen, and Braxtyn; and sister, Mary Jane Kalvin of Gillespie.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, spouse, and sister, Sylvia Denham.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at SS Simon & Jude Church in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm. Funeral mass will be on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12:00 pm at SS Simon & Jude Church in Gillespie. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Public Library or Holy Cross Cemetery in Gillespie. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
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Eugene Lee Frizzo, 85 of Kirkwood, MO, a former Staunton resident, passed away at 7:45 AM on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Brooking Place of Chesterfield, MO. He was born on January 15, 1939, in Staunton the son of the late Joseph and Ruby Delores “Dee” (Sherfy) Frizzo.
He married Lanida D. Jacobs on June 16, 1962, at First United Methodist Church in Staunton and she passed away on January 27, 2022. Gene was a retired Vice President with Roosevelt Bank, an Army veteran, and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Alton. He was also active in the Rotary Club and was a past member of the Madison County Board and the Alton School Board.
He is survived by one daughter, Lainee Frizzo (husband Joshua Wallace); one grandson, Keegan Forrest; and one sister, JoAnn Gibbs.
The family will greet friends from 12 noon to 3 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers’ Association.
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Barbara Ann “Barb” Butts, 80 of Litchfield, passed away at 9:25 a.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center. She was born in Litchfield on October 6, 1944, the daughter of Frederick George and Alice Dolores (Lay) Butts.
Barb was a graduate of Litchfield High School with the class of 1963. She was a nurse’s aide and through the years was employed at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield and Memorial Hospital in Springfield. In more recent years, Barb was a domestic housekeeper and in home care giver. She was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church in Litchfield and a 50-year member of Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 430, in Gillespie.
Barb is survived by several cousins including Lynne Ellen Kollack, Diane Roth, and Keith Lay McKimmey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Butts on May 14, 1984, and Dolores Butts on April 6, 2012.
Funeral services for Barb will be held at First Baptist Church of Litchfield at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025. The Rev. Dr. Jason Plumer will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Adopt-A-Pet in Benld, or First Baptist Church of Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements
