Obituaries
Death of Morrie Giaudrone
Morrie Giaudrone, 81 of Gillespie, peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, in his home surrounded by loved ones. Morrie was born on April 9, 1941, the son of Morris and Helen (Ferrari) Giaudrone in Wilsonville.
He graduated from Gillespie High School in 1959 and then earned his Bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University Alton and Edwardsville. After graduation, Morrie taught for over 40 years as an art and science teacher in the Gillespie School District. He loved teaching and his students, many of whom will forever remember that “art is a thinking process.”
Morrie was an accomplished artist having won many awards for his animal illustrations and taxidermy. In addition to teaching, Morrie owned and operated Giaudrone’s Animal Artist Studio where he proudly showcased over 200 taxidermy mounts from 6 continents. Morrie was an avid fisherman and big game hunter and traveled the world from the Arctic to Australia. He could captivate a crowd with true stories and tall tales of his many exciting and harrowing adventures.
While Morrie was a well-respected teacher and taxidermist, he will be fondly remembered for his corny and coarse sense of humor and antics that often drew groans and headshakes from his family. Morrie met his future wife, Trudy (Hall), while at college and they married in 1967. They went on to raise four wonderful children, Heather, Holly, Bret and Lindsey. He most loved spending time fishing with his son, enjoying fish fries with his family, and arguing over who caught the most and biggest fish.
He is survived by his wife, Trudy; daughters, Heather Hayes, Holly (Matt) Nejmanowski, and Lindsey (Matt) Irwin; son, Bret Giaudrone; and grandchildren, Ashlen Hayes, Blake Hayes (Mirena Pebley, fiancé), Nolan Hayes, Avery Nejmanowski, Jace Nejmanowski, Jax Nejmanowski, Aubrey Giaudrone, Liam Irwin and Charlie Irwin.
Morrie was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Helen.
Per Morrie’s request, his body will be cremated. Visitations for the public will be on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Partnership for Educational Excellence.
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Dustin Carl Hickey, 40 of Staunton, died at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 3:33 pm. He was born on April 6, 1984, in Litchfield to Patrick H. Hickey and Linda S. (Deck) Bellm.
He was an auto body repairman.
He is survived by his grandmother, Betty Deck; father, Patrick Hickey; mother, Linda Deck Bellm; sons, Calen Reiffer and Hudson Smith; and brothers, Ross Bellm and Carl Bellm.
Dustin was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Carl Deck and Jack Hickey, and grandmother, Eleanor Massey.
Visitation will be on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Trinity Baptist Church, Gillespie from 4:00 to 6:00 pm with a memorial service to follow at the church at 6:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to wishes of the family.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Mark McGhee, 38 of Mt. Olive, passed away on September 16 at his home. He was the son of Marcia and Curt McGhee.
He was a graduate of Ranken Tech and the owner of McGhee Heating & Cooling for the last 15 years. He was the best friend of a hot house in summer and cold house in winter. He was a brilliant problem solver. The best days of his life were spent spending time with his sons and close friend, Robert France.
He is survived by his fiancé, Chelsea File and two sons, Owen and Hudson McGhee of Mt. Olive; son, Zack Fox, and his mother, Kristen Fox, of Troy; father and stepmother, Curt and Connie; brother and stepsister, Chris and Crystal McGhee of Monroe, LA; and loving pet, Scooter.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Methodist Church of Mt. Olive from 9:00 am until 10:00 am with a memorial service following at the church at 10:00 am. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Orville E. Smith, 89 of Carlinville, passed away Tuesday morning, September 17, 2024, at Hillsboro Rehabilitation and Health Care in Hillsboro. Orville was born on December 16, 1934, in Carlinville a son of Leonard and Helen Parnell Smith.
He married Shirley Ann Little on June 13, 1954, in Carlinville. Orville was a welder at Laclede Steel in Alton for 35 years retiring in 1981. He was also an active member in the local union. In his spare time, you could find Orville either playing his guitar around the house or working on gas engines and lawnmowers in his garage which he really enjoyed.
Orville is survived by his son, Randy Smith of Virden; son, Curtis Smith of Carlinville; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Orville was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley Ann Smith; brother, Frankie Smith; and sister, Mary Dingus.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Prairie Lawn Cemetery. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, Shirley. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
