Obituaries
Death of Robert Fisher Johnessee
Robert Fisher Johnessee, 88 of Bunker Hill, died at Kindred Hospital, Saint Louis, MO on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 1:20 pm. He was born on August 22, 1934, in Pearl, IL to Harry C. Johnessee and Alice Butler Johnessee.
He married Juanita Pettyjohn on September 4, 1953. He was a retired supervisor for Owens Illinois where he specialized in Gerber baby food jars. Robert F. Johnessee has long served the Bunker Hill community.
He began his service to Bunker Hill in 1957 when he became alderman. Following that position he served as mayor from 1959-1979. While mayor, Bob worked very hard during his early days to get a sanitary sewer system and clean water to the town. He also worked with Madison County to get a water line run to Bertagnolli Lake so it would not go dry every year.
Bob then worked towards improving the streets, sidewalks and alleys. In 1980, Bob was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia for work. He had built his home in Bunker Hill before he left, to which he returned in 1999. In 2002, Bob again started his service to the community he loved by accepting the nomination to become president of the Bunker Hill Area Chamber of Commerce. He resigned from that position in 2013 to care for his wife, Juanita.
As president of the Chamber, he had many goals and accomplishments. Bob worked tirelessly to keep down the cost of water and electric bills along with taxes. This was in an effort to allow small businesses to maintain their business and to also make a profit. He worked closely with the Macoupin County Economic Development in promoting “Macoupin Matters”, a campaign to encourage people to shop in Bunker Hill and Macoupin County.
Each time a new business would open in Bunker Hill, Bob would hold a “Ribbon Cutting” ceremony if they chose to. This would let the new business know they were appreciated and allow the community to be aware of the new business and encourage the community to shop local. Although it was a lot of work, Bob enjoyed organizing the Fall Festival each year. He would start early in the morning with preparations and be one of the last ones cleaning and getting the streets back to regular working order.
Each year Mr. Johnessee would hold an event that has become a jewel to him. Breakfast with Santa is held at the municipal building every December. The Chamber of Commerce along with special help from the Bunker Hill Lions Club hosts this event to bring some joy and fun to the kids in the community. While serving as president of the Chamber, Bob also took on the office of president of the Bunker Hill Library Board in 2007.
Bob was very instrumental in bringing cell phone service to Bunker Hill. It was during that time in working closely with the Governor’s office that a working relationship was developed with then Lt. Governor Pat Quinn. Once the cell phone service was in place, Bob started on the campaign of improving the Bunker Hill Library. In order for the library to be eligible for funding and grants, it needed to become its own district. Bob worked very hard to get that accomplished. Because of his persistent hard work, the Bunker Hill Library received two grants. One from the Illinois Governor’s office and the second from the Illinois Secretary of State. The new library is three times larger than the old facility.
He is survived by his children, Robert L. (Heidi) Johnessee of South Lebanon, OH and Deborah K. Dorrington of Bunker Hill; grandchildren, Sara (Eric) Cayton, James Dorrington, Benjamin (Christi) Dorrington, Robert (Veronica) Johnessee, Brian (Sarah) Johnessee, and Bethany (Josh) Eldridge; great-grandchildren, Jayne Cayton, Gideon Cayton, Malachi Cayton, Ronin Johnessee, Ophelia Johnessee, Madeline Johnessee, Jacob Johnessee, Lilian Eldridge, and Emmelia Eldridge; and brother, Bill (Connie) Johnessee.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; and siblings, Betty Lewis, Richard (Doris) Johnessee, and Pansy (Charles) Butler.
Friends may call on Friday, April 28, 2023, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Funeral services are Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 10:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill. Burial will be at Bunker Hill Cemetery, Bunker Hill.
Comments
Timmy “Pastor Tim” Robbins, 54 of Charles City, passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City, Iowa.
Timmy Alan Robbins Jr., the son of Timmy Alan Sr. and Eileen (Schrum) Robbins, was born on October 3, 1970, in Farmington, Missouri. He graduated from high school in Gillespie in 1988. He was united in marriage to Amy Hoffstot on December 21, 1990, in Granite City. The couple was blessed with five children, Dustin, Tyler, Loren, Noah, and Levi.
After high school, Tim worked in management at Wal-Mart which is what brought him to Iowa. He soon after began to feel the call to preach in 1991. He began his full-time ministry with Harvest Baptist Church in Fort Dodge as a Youth Pastor. He was also a bus captain, Sunday School teacher, children’s church teacher and served in both prison ministry and nursing home ministry. In 1997, Tim started a church in Kirksville, Missouri. In 2003, the family moved to Charles City and has served as the Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church for the last 22 years.
Tim enjoyed being involved in his community. He also served as the principal of the church’s school and had helped run youth camps in the past. He was on KCHA every Sunday morning, as well as a podcast, and YouTube channel. Tim loved geography, studying maps, and history, especially the Civil War. He enjoyed watching sports like football, NASCAR Racing, and other car racing. He was very active in his children’s sporting events while growing up and coached the church’s softball team.
Most of all, Tim loved his family and cherished every moment spent with them. Tim will be remembered for his kind heart and the unconditional love he had for people.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Amy Robbins; children, Dustin (Anna Lauren) Robbins, Tyler (Ashley) Robbins, Loren (Jacob) Scott, Noah (Angela) Robbins, and Levi (Danielle) Robbins; grandchildren, Evan, Hazel, and Cyrus Robbins, as well as Violet Scott, and Jasper Robbins who are in Heaven; father and mother, Tim and Eileen Robbins; sister, Tracy (Dan) Robbins; along with many cousins, nephews, aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dolphin & Bessie Schrum, William “Bill” Robbins, and Rosemary Baker; sister, Kimberly Robbins; beloved aunt, Kathy Robbins; aunt, Carol Greenwell; uncles, Aaron Robbins and Dolphin Jr., Donny, and an infant Paul Schrum; and cousin, Terri Dawn.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
A funeral service for him will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church in Charles City. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Floyd County Cancer Friends. Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements.
Comments
David Alan Higgins, 71 of Mount Olive, peacefully passed away on April 17 at HSHS St. Johns hospital in Springfield surrounded by family. He was born on August 23, 1953, in Litchfield.
He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1971 and received a bachelors of art in music composition and theory from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1976. David married Patricia Higgins (Casey) in 1978. Together they had three sons, Robert (born 1980, deceased), Jeffrey (born 1981), and Andrew (born 1987). He was a lifelong teacher of music.
In 1984, after moving with his family to Minier, Illinois, he founded Dave Higgins Music Services where he taught guitar, bass, piano, and banjo, as well as tuned pianos until 2015 when he retired. After retirement, he and Patricia moved from Minier to Mount Olive to be closer to family.
David is survived by his mother, Roberta Higgins (Priori); his wife, Patricia; his sons, Jeffrey and Andrew; a sister, Cathy (Marty) Dillard; a brother, John (Kim) Higgins; and two doting cats, Shadow and Rudy.
He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Higgins, and his firstborn son, Robert Higgins.
David loved his music, his family, his friends, and his cats. He enjoyed the finer things in life: Cardinals baseball, watching a storm roll in, summer vacations in State and Federal parks, and sitting on the front steps watching the world roll by. He also liked listening to the TV. He is dearly missed by all who knew him, and by a few who only heard about him.
Memorials may be made to Benld United Methodist Church. Visitation is on Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Benld United Methodist Church with funeral services following at 11:30 a.m.
Following the funeral, there will be a Celebration of Life at Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield, Picnic Area #4, at 1:00 pm. All are welcome to attend. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
Ronald G. Yurkovich, 87 of Mount Olive, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 10:55 p.m. at his residence. He was born on June 12, 1937, in Litchfield to Nicholas Yurkovich and Olga (Maren) Yurkovich.
He married Christy L. (Popovich) Yurkovich. Ron served in the US Army as an MP and Retired from Shell Oil Co. He was a lifetime member of Turner Hall, Croation Lodge, and Saint John Paul Catholic Church in Mt. Olive.
He enjoyed road trips with his buddy Filo and relentlessly gave him a hard time. He also enjoyed restaurants with only one rule “No bread, No Yurk!” Ron was a champion poley player and bowler in his opinion, but gave up bowling after throwing his bowling ball in #8 pond.
He is survived by his wife, Christy (Popovich) Yurkovich; son, Stephen (Mindy) Yurkovich; daughter, Catherine Yurkovich; step-son, Stephen (Amanda) Frizzo; five grandchildren, Tiffani Yurkovich, Kahl Yurkovich, Chloe (Heath) Darr, Charlie Frizzo, and George Frizzo; two great-grandchildren, Luke Darr and Riley Darr; sister, Barbara (Bill) Rhodes; brother-in-law, James Thomas; and many loved nieces and nephews.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joyce Thomas.
Private family services will be held. Memorials are suggested to Catholic Charities Carlinville attn: Sean Caveny or Mt. Olive Library. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
