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Death of Rena M. Crookston

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Rena M. Crookston, long time resident of Mexico, Missouri, passed away at home in Sedona, Arizona where she has lived near family for the past sixteen months.  She was born in Benld, Illinois, on October 13, 1920 and died on September 30, 2011 in her sleep from natural causes.  She lived independently until just the last few weeks of her life.

She is predeceased by her late husband, James A. Crookston, a former executive with A. P. Green Refactories.  Dr. Crookston passed away on March 3, 1997.  She is survived by her two sons, Jim and wife Sue of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and Dan and wife Paulette of Sedona, Arizona.  The highlight of her life for the past 38 years were her grandchildren, Laura Deleot of Nashville, TN, Jenny Harrell of San Francisco, CA, Katie Birkholz of Denver, CO, James Crookston of Sedona, AZ, and San Francisco, CA and Shara Crookston of Toledo, OH.  The last three years of her life have been filled with great joy and pleasure with the arrival of five great-grandsons, Beau, Thornton, Nolan, Xander and Clay.

Rena’s life was fulfilled with the act of doing for others.  Very rarely did she focus on herself, it seemed to always be about someone else.  She was very active for many years in her church, Mexico First Presbyterian Church, where she served as Elder and on many committees during her 56 years of membership.  Rena was active as well in many civic activities such as PEO, the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary Board, the City Park Board and school PTA committees and fund raisers.

During the last few weeks of her life she was surrounded by family who traveled to her bedside to say goodbye.  She died during the night after the last one left.

At Rena’s request her memorial will be a graveside service at Benld Cemetery in Benld, Illinois, on October 29, 2011 at 10AM where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and mother and father, Andina and Domenic Moretti.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers any remembrance be made to the Mexico First Presbyterian Church.

Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld, Illinois is in charge of the local arrangements.

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Obituaries

Obituary of Thomas Michael Pritchard

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Thomas Michael Pritchard, 57 of Carlinville, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at his residence in Carlinville. Tom was born on August 26, 1967, in Carlinville a son of Zane and Clara (Churchill) Pritchard.

He graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1986. Tom never married. Tom worked as maintenance at Carlinville Community School District, Starr Brothers Hog Farm, and the elevators at both Palmyra and Chesterfield.

Tom was a skilled outdoorsman, fisherman and hunter of all game. He also enjoyed hunting for artifacts. He loved making memories with friends through turkey and waterfowl hunting.

Thomas is survived by his brother, Steve Pritchard of Springfield.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Kathryn Peterson, and his black lab ,Bandit.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. His ashes will be buried next to his parents and sister at Moore cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Davis-Anderson P.O. Box 135 Carlinville, IL 62626 for funeral expenses. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville, is in charge of arrangements.

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Obituaries

Obituary of Barbara Ann Holak

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Barbara Ann Holak, 66 of Springfield, formerly of Staunton, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Hillsboro Rehab & Health Care Center in Hillsboro.  She was born on October 27, 1958, in Staunton the daughter of the late Joe and Gail (Ruckstahl) Holak.

Barb was a 1976 graduate of Staunton High School and was active in track and in the marching band as a flag twirler.  After high school, she went to work in the Secretary of State’s office in Springfield until her retirement in 2010.  She loved making new friends, playing in dart leagues, taking canoe trips with her many friends, and was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

She is survived by her two sisters, Linda Holak (Dennis) Grammer of Litchfield and Connie Holak (Bob) Zenner of Staunton;  two nephews, Shane (Dana) Grammer and Chad (Melissa) Grammer; a great nephew, Easton Grammer; and two great nieces, Dakoda Mix and Rylie Mix,  all of Litchfield.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  Memorials are suggested to Coats for Kids, PO Box 157, Litchfield, IL  62056. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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Obituary of Helen Boehler

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95-year-old Helen Boehler of Litchfield passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 1:35 a.m. at Imboden Creek Senior Living Center in Decatur on February 27, 2025. She was born on September 29, 1929 in Litchfield the only child of Max E. and Juanita (Bridges) Taylor.

She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Litchfield Community High School graduating with the class of 1947. She and Charles William Boehler were married by Fr. F.J. Lawler at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on November 27, 1948, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage before his passing on February 26, 2012.

Through the years, Mrs. Boehler was employed as a receptionist at the old St. Francis Hospital, Dr. Arthur E. Sihler, Claude Anderson, O.D., and Sidney’s Tot and Teen, all in Litchfield. She enjoyed walking, dancing, was a voracious reader and an avid St. Louis Cardinal’s fan. Mrs. Boehler was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the St. Anne’s Society, and a volunteer with the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary.

Mrs. Boehler is survived by daughters, Sue (Greg) Penderghest of Decatur and Marcie (Mark) Hartke of Kirksville, MO; grandchildren, Emily Penderghest of Franklin, IN, Monica Penderghest and Chary Hall of Decatur, and Jared (Kate) Hartke of Pittsburgh, PA; and great-grandson, Reuben Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield. Father Daniel Willenborg will preside. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Litchfield Public Library or Holy Family Catholic Church. Plummer Funeral Home of Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.

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