Obituaries
Death of Robert “Bob” Bono
Robert “Bob” Bono, 77, of Staunton, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, with his wife by his side following a hard fought battle against Parkinson’s Disease. He was born June 24, 1946, in Litchfield, the son of Victor and Ruth (Smith) Bono. He married Laurel Schuette on November 17, 1979, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton, and she survives.
After high school, Bob worked at International Paper in Litchfield. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1969 on the USS Grand Canyon & was a member of the VFW. Bob was employed by Freesen, Inc, as a heavy equipment operator for many years. In addition, he owned Bob’s Used Machinery & ran the family farm. He loved working on machinery projects & found enjoyment attending farm auctions where he could talk “odds & ends” with friends & customers. He was especially fond of giving his grandchildren rides in his golf cart & enjoyed camping, gardening, & FFA events.
Bob was a devoted son, husband, and father. He is survived by his wife Laurel; three children, Leslie (Mike) Grabruck of Bloomington, Nathan (Vicki) Bono of Staunton, and Jenna Bono of Staunton; five grandchildren, Lily, Anna, and Hollie Grabruck and Hazel and Violet Bono; one sister, Nancy (Charley) Thornton of Wildwood, MO; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Otto and Virginia Schuette.
Friends may call from 9 to 11 am on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton. A memorial mass will be held immediately following with Rev Thomas Hagstrom officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. The Staunton Military Honor Guard will conduct graveside military rites.
Memorials are suggested to either Zion Lutheran School, St. Michael Catholic Church, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert “Bob” Bono, please visit www.williamsonfh.com.
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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.
