Connect with us

Obituaries

Death of Ruth Marie Gillespie

Published

on

Our mother fought a heroic battle to the end of 100 years. Ruth passed peacefully on June 23, 2023, at 9:30 pm.  Ruth was the daughter of Sidney William Reno and Marjory Leak Reno. Marjory passed following child birth. 

Sidney married Genevia Leak who soon became the mother mom would love and know. On August 24, 1940, Ruth married Lloyd Gillespie. Lloyd died in 1988. 

Ruth’s life was not only a homemaker but following the return from war, Lloyd and Ruth were active with the American Legion.  Along with raising children, Ruth helped a good friend of hers, Unma Beckham at the Shipman Lumber Company.  In addition, Ruth looked forward to spending time with her special friend, Mary Jean Reno working at the Red Cross Blood Bank. 

An additional highlight of her life was the partnership with her mother Genevia in purchasing a small farm. Ruth and Lloyd would go to the farm nearly every evening to feed calves and pigs.  Ruth’s brothers lived close enough to help with answering questions. Also, Ruth would share farm stories with Bill Schoenman at church. 

Ruth now leaves a daughter, Janet and Robert Kykendal of Hillsboro, MO; sons, Larry and Sandy Gillespie of Shipman and Gerry Gillespie of Bunker Hill; brother, Don and Joan Reno of Medora; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. 

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; siblings, Russell and Virginia Reno, Mary and Ernie Sons; daughter, Sondra Marie; grandson, Gerald Gillespie; and a daughter-in-law, Debbie Gillespie. 

Public gravesite services are Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Shipman Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Shipman Food Pantry or American Red Cross. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the arrangements.

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Obituaries

Obituary of Frances A. Hudgins

Published

on

Frances A. Hudgins, 78 of Carlinville, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Carlinville Rehab & Health Care in Carlinville. Frances was born on March 7, 1946, in Irvington, AL, a daughter of Albert Grady and Allie Mae Hayes Chance.

She married William “Willie” June 7, 1962, in Mobile, AL. He later passed on February 25, 2020. Frances was a homemaker who loved to crochet and garden. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the New Beginnings Church in Girard.

Frances is survived by her son, Ronnie William (Joyce) Hudgins of Chesterfield; daughter, Tammie Renay (Dave) Hauter of Carlinville; six grandchildren, Timothy (Sara) Newingham, Tyler (Brooke) Newingham, Kelsey (Tristian) Ponce, Shelbie Tandy, Anthony Hudgins, and Alicia Terpening; several great-grandchildren; and sister, Louise Thompson of AL.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents and spouse, William “Willie” E. Hudgins.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, 9:00 to 11:00 am at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Carlinville.

Memorials may be made to New Beginnings Church Girard, IL. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Obituaries

Obituary of Brooke Elizabeth Powell

Published

on

Brooke Elizabeth Powell, age 37, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, following an automobile accident in McLean County. Brooke was born in Chicago at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital, on March 17, 1987.

She was adopted by Christie and John Powell and brought home to Carlinville when she was just eight days old. Brooke graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 2005, followed by four years at Illinois State University, graduating with a degree in Ag. She worked in the field of Ag for eight years at ADM in Decatur and four years at Central Illinois Ag in Atlanta, Illinois.

Brooke’s true passion, from the time she was a little girl, was anything and everything to do with horses, which eventually led her to start her own business called Independently Equine. She offered services including teaching riding lessons, horse management, barn organization and management, professional scribing and judging, show coaching, and consulting on horse purchases.

Her mission was to aid in the positive growth of relationships between horse and rider. She used a compassionate approach to all types of learning and communication. Brooke was born with a big heart for others. She was kind, caring, fun-loving and had a great laugh, beautiful smile, and gave the best hugs. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, John; uncles, Jim Powell and Dan Curtis; and grandparents, Dot and Bob Beard and Jake and Mildred Powell.

She is survived by her mother, Chris; companion, Joe Greene; uncles and aunts, Marc Beard, Rex (Gail) Beard and Mary Curtis; as well as cousins, Geoff (Emily) Curtis, Bond (Drew) Wyman, Ryan (Sheila) Beard, and young cousins Xander, Asher, and Aria Wyman, and Robert Beard. She is also survived by a large number of extended family members. She leaves behind, too, her beloved dog, Tovi, and her two horses, Sweet Pea and Betsy. Sweet Pea has been with Brooke since she was 14 years old.

Visitation will take place Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on February 18 at the Carlinville United Methodist Church with the funeral on Wednesday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m. also at CUMC. Memorials may be given to the Carlinville High School FFA, 4H, Macoupin County Animal Shelter, or Benld Adopt-A-Pet. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, LTD, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Obituaries

Obituary of Virginia Katherine “Jean” Wey

Published

on

Virginia Katherine “Jean” Wey, 85 of Litchfield, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 5:46 p.m. at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. She was born on May 12, 1939, a daughter of Henry and Irene (Loepker) Merscher. She married Charles O. Wey on July 14, 1962, they divorced in 1970.

Mrs. Wey was employed with International Paper/CPC Rexel for many years. She was employed by Wal Mart Stores, Inc. as a greeter, a job which she greatly enjoyed as she never met a stranger. Mrs. Wey was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. She enjoyed bowling and kept her mind sharp by working wordsearch puzzles.

Mrs. Wey is survived by a daughter, Loretta (Neil) Feldmann of Litchfield; a sister, Marjorie Wallace of Litchfield; grandchildren, Ryan and Amanda Feldmann, and Katelin Feldmann; great grandchildren, Harlee, Kenny, and Greyson Feldmann; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Irene Merscher, and siblings, Harry Merscher, Clarence Merscher, LeRoy Merscher, Edward Merscher, Cyrilla Schlautmann, Irene Warnecke, and Delores Merscher.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield. Fr. Daniel Willenborg will preside. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Holy Family Catholic Church.

Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Trending

×

We need your support. If you value having timely, accurate news about your community, please become one of our subscribers. Subscribe