Obituaries
Death of Michael L. Cox
Michael L. “Mike” Cox, 79, of Bunker Hill, passed away on August 23, 2024, while surrounded by his family at Barnes Jewish Hospital.
After graduating from East Alton Wood River High School in 1963, Mike served in the military and then went on to pursue his education at SIUE. A life-long learner, Mike earned bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degrees, allowing him to advance from a teacher to a principal to a superintendent. Throughout his career, he worked at Lewis and Clark Elementary, Lincoln Elementary in Wood River, Hartford Elementary in Hartford, and Meissner Elementary in Bunker Hill. He retired as the Superintendent of Bunker Hill Community Unit District #8 in 2005, marking the end of a 33-year career in education.
While Mike loved his career, he had no trouble filling his retirement years with family, friends, and fun. As an avid Cubs fan and eternal optimist, Mike rarely missed a game, and his loyalty was rewarded when his team finally won the World Series in 2016. He enjoyed travel (particularly with Phylis in their RV), trivia, reading, history, golf, old movies, and television shows, especially Westerns. He was a collector of all things related to Hopalong Cassidy, Elvis, and the Chicago Cubs and could often be found on eBay, searching for the next item for his growing collection. Mike was devoted to his family, friends, and also his community. He was involved in civic activities, including the Kiwanis Club, serving as past president and treasurer. He also helped deliver Meals on Wheels, was a board member at the Staunton Hospital, and made charitable donations to many organizations.
He was preceded in death by his parents Raleigh and Opal Cox; sisters Helen (Carl) Douglas, Juanita (Dean) Reeves, and Jean (Leto) Metz. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Phylis Marie (Burden) Cox; two daughters, Kristine Wylie (Todd) of Glen Carbon, and Amy Blue (Lisa) of Gluckstadt, MS; grandson, Jacob Wylie of Glen Carbon; numerous nieces and nephews; and a beloved dog, Holly, who wandered up to his doorstop one Christmas Eve and became an instant member of the family. He leaves his friends and family with a legacy of love and a repertoire of “dad jokes” and Yogi Berra quotes to carry forward.
A celebration of life will be on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill, with military rites at 8:00 pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to St. Jude or Bunker Hill Community School District #8, which were both special to him.
Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.
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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.
