Obituaries
Death of Rady Onis McKenzie
Rady Onis McKenzie, 104 of Litchfield, passed away at his residence on Friday, October 11, 2024, with his daughter by his side. Mr. McKenzie was born on May 18, 1920, in Stantonville, TN, a son of Mance and Leorie (Smallwood) McKenzie. He married Hazel Gladys McCann on August 30, 1941, in Corinth, MS. They enjoyed 77 years of marriage until her passing on November 30, 2018.
Mr. McKenzie, along with his wife, moved to Alton in May 1942 where he began work for Mr. DuVal as a carpenter and roofer. A hardworking man, he held many jobs throughout his lifetime including Olin Corporation, railroad maintenance worker, and at Skinny’s Café in Litchfield. In 1952, he began work at Allis Chalmers, later known as Fiat Allis, and retired in 1982 after 30 years.
Mr. McKenzie lived life to the fullest. He treasured time spent with his large extended family and friends. He loved playing his guitar and fiddle and played with renowned Tennessee musician Ernest Whitten. He was in two local bands in the area, one being Wayne Pierce’s band. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, camping, and fishing. Keeping with the times, he and his wife enjoyed playing Nintendo, wearing out three units in a decade. He loved board games, especially checkers, dominos, and Aggravation. His favorite story to tell was as a young man in Tennessee, he received a ride from notorious gangster, John Dillinger.
Mr. McKenzie is survived by three sons, Sam (Mary) McKenzie of Livingston, John McKenzie and Ron McKenzie, both of Litchfield; two daughters, Jeanne (Rev. Jack) Barrett, Sr. of O’Fallon and Sara McKenzie of Litchfield; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. McKenzie is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Ray McKenzie; daughter, LaVonne Sutton; son-in-law, Chester Sutton; three brothers; two sisters; a great-granddaughter, Katerina McKenzie, and an infant great-grandson.
Funeral services for Mr. McKenzie will be held at 12 noon on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Plummer Funeral Home. Rev. Jack Barrett, Sr., son-in-law of Mr. McKenzie officiating. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department or Hearts United. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is serving the family.
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Lois Ilaine Erspamer Sawyer, 94 of Gillespie, died at her residence on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 9:51 am. She was born on February 9, 1930, in Gillespie to Louis Poi and Bertha Annetta Sunman Poi Lewis.
She married John Peter Erspamer on September 4, 1950. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1989. She married Dempsey Sawyer on May 15, 1993, and he preceded her in death in 2016. She had been a bookkeeper for Duracraft and Daley’s Chevrolet. Lois enjoyed reading, gardening, painting, drawing, cooking, traveling, bird watching, adventures, her family and her beloved cat, Molly.
She is survived by her children, Ann (Timm) LaRoche of Gillespie, Joan (Paul) Alexander of Gillespie, and Lynn Erspamer of Litchfield; grandchildren, Shannon (David) Wright of Gillespie, Suzanne (companion, Josh) DeMartini of Madisonville, KY, Jared (Amanda) Johnson of Staunton, Adam (Ashli) Alexander of Gillespie, Travis (Laura) Mize of Dallas, TX, Britini Bernardini of Nokomis, and Marissa (Jacob) Summers of Litchfield; great grandchildren, Macie, Isabel and Alexander Wright, Joseph and Gino DeMartini, Brianna Johnson, Ansley Alexander, Lucas and Jeffrey Bernardini, Fisher, Sabrina and Gabriella Crow; great great grandchild, Dominic Joseph “DJ” DeMartini; sisters, Patricia Thompson of Carmel, IN, Phyllis Dodd of Pooler, GA, and Marion Boston of Springfield; and brothers, Ernie Lewis of Carbondale and Fred Lewis of Ft Meyers, FL.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, and brother, John Lewis.
Private services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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