Obituaries
Death of Tellie “Ford” Alger Jr.
Tellie “Ford” Alger Jr. died July 23 at his home in Benld. He had been in failing health for some time and was under hospice care at the time of his death. Ford was 88.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Benld United Methodist Church, 209 S. Main St., with Pastor Rick Pierce presiding.
Ford was born Aug. 24, 1922, in East St. Louis, to Tellie Ford Alger Sr. and Mattie Jane (Stricker) Alger. Ford was the oldest of six children: Ruth came next, then Patricia, David, Betty, and, finally, Janey. Betty and Janey are deceased.
Ford attended East St. Louis High School, worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps for a time, then entered the Army in February 1943. He served as a medic and saw a great deal of action, in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.
Just before he left for the Army, he married Mildred Louise Malin (Muh*lynn) on Feb. 20, 1943. She died in 1993. Ford and Mildred lived first in East St. Louis, later in a home that Ford built in Dupo, then in Granite City. They moved to Benld in 1973.
Ford and Mildred had four children: Robert Alger, who died in 1972; Michael Alger, who died at birth, Kathy Herron of Benld, and Diana Greenly of South Roxana; five grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Ford worked at American Steel, Granite City Steel, A.O. Smith, and then at Nestle. He retired in 1986.
He and Mildred loved to play card games, enjoyed going to the Muny, and going out to eat. Ford was a former president of the Benld chapter of the AARP. He was a member of the VFW and the Benld United Methodist Church.
Ford’s ashes with be interred at a later date alongside his wife’s at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights.
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With profound sadness we announce the passing of Leonard, our loving and devoted father and friend to all whose lives he touched, on January 19, 2025. He left us while sleeping peacefully after a dignified fight with pancreatic cancer in his 83rd year.
He was born August 12, 1942, in Carlinville, a son of the late Leo and Flora Belle Lott. After graduating high school at Carlinville High School, Leonard completed his associate’s degree at University of Illinois in agriculture. Leonard was a successful and well-respected farmer. He received the centennial farm honor in 2014. He was proud to “retire” at age 55, when he chose to rent out the land to the Miller family. Their relationship developed over the years and was one of the things Leonard was most proud of and cherished.
Leonard’s other prized relationship was with his wife, Susan. They celebrated their 50-year wedding anniversary July 24, 2023. While farming and contributing to the community, Leonard generously supported his children and their education. Alandra earned a BA in Special Education, a MEd in Education, and a PhD in Educational Psychology. She was a beloved professor at Benedictine University for 22 years and now is an educational consultant. Christopher earned his associates degree and now operates a vending company in Carlinville. Hunter, granddaughter, is currently in her third year of medical school.
Leonard was always the first to volunteer to be her “patient”, even as a little girl in bibbers and braids. Harrison, grandson, made Leonard proud with his excellence in school and sports. Education was important to Leonard, and he never hesitated to invest in or to teach his children and grandchildren. He believed the “highest level of education is tolerance”. (Helen Keller) He modeled that virtue with discipline and hard work. He was strong, but kind. He will be missed.
Mr. Lott was predeceased by his father, Leo Lott and mother Flora Belle (Ballinger) Lott.
Survivors include his wife, Susan (Daggett) Lott; daughter, Alandra (Weller) Devall; son, Christopher Lott; granddaughter, Hunter Clarke; and grandson, Harrison Lott.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, 9:00 to 11:00 am at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 am, Thursday, January 23, 2025 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery, Carlinville, IL.
Memorials may be made to Carlinville High School Agriculture department or the Alzheimer’s Association. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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William Clifford Heyen, 94 of Gillespie, died at Carlinville Rehab Center, Carlinville on Thursday, January 16, 2025. He was born on March 16, 1930, in Dorchester to William L. Heyen and Marie E. Kelly Heyen.
He married Marilyn M. (Lynch) Heyen on May 6, 1950 in Shipman. She preceded him in death on May 1, 2017. William was a farmer, co owner of Heyen Implement and Pastor of New Birth Fellowship. He enjoyed growing flowers, cutting grass, and going to farm sales.
He is survived by his children, William R. (LouAnn) Heyen of Gillespie, James O. Heyen of Edwardsville, Cathy (Gary) Zenner of Kiefer, OK, and Beverly (Terry) Moore of Gillespie; grandchildren, Bill Heyen, Ben Heyen, Ashley Sarver, Shanna Ocepek, Elizabeth Brandt, Amanda Weber, Jessica Voros, Tiffany Cockrell, Zachary Moore, Jeremy Moore, Brad Moore, and Kerry Bruhn; 22 great grandchildren; siblings, Kelly W. (Ruby) Heyen of Gillespie, David L. Heyen of Dorchester, and Florence Easton of Gillespie; sister in law, Roberta Heyen; and brother in law, Bill Parmentier.
William was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; grandchildren in law, Jacob Brandt and Seth Weber; brother, Wayne I Heyen; and sisters, Faye Heyen, Shirley Hausman and Phyllis Parmentier.
Friends may call on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Gillespie Methodist Church in Gillespie from 3:30 until 6:30 p.m. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Gillespie Methodist Church.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospitals for Children PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Steven Dwaine French, 32 of Wilsonville, died at his residence on Thursday, January 16, 2025. He was born on October 21, 1992, in Decatur to Perry D. French and Victoria L. Mays French.
He was a forklift operator for D. B. Schenker of Edwardsville. Steven loved fishing, hunting and camping with his children and family.
He is survived by his parents, Perry and Victoria French of Galatia; soul mate of 15 years, Kaylee Scroggins of Wilsonville; children, Raylynn French of Wilsonville, Kobey French of Wilsonville, and Journee French of Wilsonville; siblings, Britney (Roy) Lagesse of Harrisburg, IL, Ashley French of Harrisburg, IL, and Keegan French of Harrisburg; grandmother, Linda Mays of Harrisburg; aunt, Cathy Snyder of Vincennes, IN; Kaylee’s parents, Toni Smith and Anthony Scroggins; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Steven was preceded in death by his grandparents, Keith Mays, Gaylan and Sandra French; nephew, Kollin Lagesse; uncle, Corey French; and aunt, Edie Mays.
Visitation will be on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to the children of Steven French. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
