Obituaries
Death of Penny Marie (Crowder) Pulley
Penny Marie (Crowder) Pulley, 65 of Staunton, passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Community Hospital of Staunton. Penny was born on November 9, 1957, in St. Louis County, Missouri, to the late Charles and Ada (Zumwalt) Crowder.
She is survived by her daughters, Christy (Pulley) Ferguson (wife Emily), Kassia (Pulley) Wright (partner Jason), Rachel (Woosley) Maddalon (husband Gregg), Jessica Stillwell (husband J.R.), and Ashley (Woosley) Eaton (husband Jesse); her grandchildren, Annika Koester; Alexis Wright and Sawyer Werner; Austin, Casey, and Cameron Hopper; Cory Allen and Lina Eaton; and Erik Raich Jr., Edan Aubuchon and J.J. Denby.
Penny was a sister to many, Sharon (partner Thomas) Ray, (late) Debby Lovsey, (late) Melody Briggs (husband Steve), Susan Kessler, Charles “Chuck” Crowder Jr., and Donald “Duck” Crowder (wife Paula); Tammy (Menke) McBride (partner Danny), Alesia (Menke) Russell, and Tonya (Menke) Pieper (husband Rick).
Penny lost the love of her life, Ronald A. Woosley, in 2018. They had been inseparable for over 22 years.
Penny was known as a favorite aunt to many nieces and nephews. Her friendships were long-lasting and deeply loyal. She was well-known for her goofy sense of humor and her famous potato salad. She had a love for animals and her pets were always very happily spoiled.
Penny was kind, thoughtful, and hard-working. As a young woman, Penny proudly joined the United States Military (Army) but was honorably discharged to take care of her family after only one year. After which, she spent nearly 20 years with Echlin (DANA) in Litchfield and volunteered to throw their children’s holiday party every year.
After DANA closed its doors, she realized her dream of going to college, earning her Associate of Applied Science in Accounting at Lewis & Clark Community College and graduating with honors. She then worked at Amazon Warehouse (STL4) until her retirement on October 28 of this year.
Penny had retirement plans to spend time with friends and family, travel, volunteer at The Macoupin Art Collective, and create her dream homestead including chickens, a garden, and fixing up the home she had shared with Ron for many years. She lived a simple life full of love and patience. There are truly no words to describe how deeply she will be missed by us all.
A memorial open house will be held in Penny’s honor on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at The Macoupin Art Collective (115 E. Main St.) in Staunton from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cards and memorial gifts can be brought to the open house or sent to Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Donations are appreciated but not expected.
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Ruth Ann “Sis” Pollard passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 79 years old. Ruth was born on April 19, 1947 in Staunton to Homer and Ruth (Clark) Cunningham.
She married George Pollard February 14, 1967, and he preceded her in death. Ruth was a caregiver and foster parent. Ruth was a selfless person who dedicated her life to give a home to special needs children. She was a very loving person when it came to her family and friends and they are going to miss her dearly.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Shane Pollard of Litchfield, Ron (Lorette) Pollard of Gillespie, and Jeff Pollard of Chesterfield; a daughter, Jackie (Leighann) Pollard of Chesterfield; grandchildren, Sean Pollard, Abigail Pollard, Adrian Davis, Jarod Cantrell, Ellen Kennedy, and Lilly Pollard; siblings, Judy (Paul) Spensberger, JoleneWard, Robert (Kathy) Cunningham, Mary (Nick) Hollis, Kelly (Jim) Force, and Gary Cunningham; sister-in-law, Violet Ballowe; daughter-in-law, Karla Pollard; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Ruth Cunningham; her daughter Michelle Pollard; former husband, George Pollard Jr; sister, Gail Mick; and four brothers, Tom, Jack, Delbert, and Jim Cunningham.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Chesterfield Bible Church from 2 to 5 pm. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ross Beckman, 90, joined his Lord in Heaven on April 29, 2026, at 2:27 AM. He was born on April 1, 1936, in Highland. His parents were Vernon Otto Bartels and Arlene Beckman, both of New Douglas. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Emma (Sievers) and George Beckman of New Douglas.
Ross attended New Douglas Elementary School in New Douglas and Highland High School in Highland. His first job was at Kline’s Grocery Store in New Douglas. He also was employed at McDonnell Douglas as a sheet metal worker. He worked for Artophone Corporation and also distributed Armstrong Flooring, worked in sales, and traveled Illinois.
He purchased Sherman’s Department Store on East Main Street in Staunton and renamed it Beckman’s Department Store. He operated the store for 30 years before retiring. He then bought property for a new business in Equine Ranch.
Ross was married to Lela Conroy of Staunton. They had one daughter, Wendy Arlene. Lela passed away after a long illness with Huntington’s Corea. Ross was married to Frances Lee Simpson of Staunton for 27 years. She passed away from illness in 2016. He then married Sheila Fay Foster of Carlinville on May 27, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
Ross was a member of the Staunton Jaycees for six years and was also the Chaplain for the State Jaycees. The local chapter gave him a lifelong membership. Ross served one term on the Staunton City Council as a ward #4 alderman and also was on the Dorchester Township Board. He was a long-time elder for the Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
He was an avid horseman. His horse, “Atomico” was not only his show horse but his loving pet. Ross became a member of The Assembly Church in Staunton and was a very active and a devoted servant. He loved his “church family”.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila (Foster) Beckman; son-in-law, John Walker; three brothers-in-laws, James E. Foster Jr., Gary Foster, and Mike Foster; two sisters-in-law, Deborah (Foster) Wilson and Amy Foster, all originally from Carlinville.
Besides his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Arlene.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Assembly Church, 1335 S. Hackman Street, in Staunton with Pastor Arthur Braden officiating.
Ross will be greatly missed, but is in the arms of his Lord Jesus. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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