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.
Comments
Ronald D. Semplowski, 66 of Gillespie, died in Carlinville on Thursday, November 6, 2025. He was born on May 9, 1959, in Litchfield to Walter J.Semplowski Sr. and Elizabeth JoAnn Luketich Semplowski.
He married Tammie L. Whitlow Semplowski on June 18, 1983, in Gillespie. He was a gate monitor for Alton Steel. Ronald was a veteran of the US Marine Corp. Ronald enjoyed going to auctions, hunting, fishing, and playing cards. Ronald was an animal lover and also enjoyed being with his grandkids and grandpups.
He is survived by his spouse, Tammie Semplowski of Gillespie; children, Tyler (fiancée, Maggie Moore) Semplowski of Gillespie, Austin Semplowski of Gillespie, and Ashleigh (Josh) Valerius of Millstadt; grandchildren, Jacob Valerius and Eleanor Valerius; brothers, Wally (Tammy) Semplowski of Gillespie and David (Patty) Semplowski of Gillespie; sister, Diane (Karl) Kozak of Gillespie; brothers in law, Tommy Whitlow and Terry Whitlow; sister in law, Theresa (Mike) Scott; 10 nephews, six nieces, 18 great nephews, 12 great nieces, three great-great-nephews, one great-great-niece, several aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved Dog, Hobo.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; son, Travis D. Semplowski; mother in law and father in law, Eleanor and Tom Whitlow; sister, Kimberly Janes; nephews, Nathan Heaton and Troy Whitlow; and niece, Tonya Whitlow.
Friends may call on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Fire Department. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
Donald Bernard Swann, 72 of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 12:20 a.m. He was born on May 1, 1953, in Springfield to Donald H. Swann and Florence L. Bernardi Swann.
He married Connie (Campbell) Swann on September 7, 1979, in Gillespie. He was retired after having worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation doing road maintenance. Donald was a lifelong member of the NRA. He was a member of the Black Dragon Triad, holding a second-degree black belt in Shorin-ryu Kobayashi Ryu karate, and was known as Sensei Swann. Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and skydiving.
He is survived by his spouse, Connie Swann of Gillespie; children, Kelly (Michael) Wulf of O’Fallon and Kyle (companion, Jessica Holmes) Swann of Gillespie; grandchildren, Lizzy Wulf, Anna Wulf, Samantha Wulf, Beau Wulf, Audrey Wulf (twin), Evelyn Wulf (twin), and Averie Swann; siblings, Denise (John) Hartnett of Springfield and Dale (Tina) Swann of Springfield; and his beloved dog, Buster.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Funeral services are Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Cremation and private burial will be at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Illinois Conservation Fund or Gillespie Public Library. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
John Lee Kellenberger, 69 of Litchfield, died at 7:52 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born on August 5, 1956, in Litchfield, a son of Francis and Lucille Frances (Lord) Kellenberger.
John graduated with the Litchfield High School Class of 1974. He delivered newspapers for the Litchfield News-Herald for several years; he was employed by and retired from the State of Illinois. John was an avid railroad fan, who enjoyed bicycling on area bike paths on former railroad right of ways, and he was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and loved comic books. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
John is survived by his brothers, Dennis (Kathi) Kellenberger of Edwardsville and Mark (Karen) Kellenberger of Paducah, KY; his sisters, Kathy (Tom) Seals of Wichita, KS, Michele Bass of Manford, OK, and Janet Martin of OR; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass. He will be inurned at Holy Cross Cemetery in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
