Obituaries
Death of SJay Stewart
SJay Stewart, 85, of Carlinville, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2024, at his home in Carlinville. SJay was born on January 11, 1939, in Girad, a son of Wendell and Deloris Imogene Hull Stewart. He married Beth Gardner Boward in Palmyra on May 29, 1994.
SJay served our country in the United States Navy for four years. He farmed and raised livestock for over four decades. He also invented and patented a piglet holder and a long-handled pig marker. At one time, he was the largest single hog farmer in Macoupin County. He later graduated from the police academy and served 13 years as a police officer, ending his law enforcement career as Chief of Police in Girad. Following retirement, he worked at Freedom Chevrolet in Virden. He founded the Farm Law Institute in the mid-80’s to assist farmers in saving family farms, and during that time he wrote and published the book “Land Patents.” He enjoyed various types of hunting, and he spent many hours searching for and collecting arrowheads. SJay loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
SJay is survived by his wife, Beth Stewart of Carlinville, daughters; Jill (Rod) Kreoger of Waverly, Kelly (William) Dennis of Pawnee, and Kasey (Mark) Emery of Palmyra, step-daughters; Deana (Eddie Ray) Jones of Carlinville and Amy (Scott) Weidhuner of Athens, sisters; Shirley Olsen of Malad, ID, and Carlene (Terry) Harmon, grandsons; Zach (Melissa) Dennis and Michael Jones, granddaughters; Courtney (Landon) Keitekamp, Tabatha Weidhuner, Kristy Weidhuner, and Izzy McCarthy, and great-grandchildren; Kailyn, Blakely, Jaron, Beau, Blaire, Benjamin, and Lane.
SJay was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold Stewart, sister Dee Stewart, and granddaughter Emily Dennis.
The family is planning a private celebration of life. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s and Shriner’s Children Hospital. Please visit www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory. David-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville, is in charge of the arrangements.
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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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