Obituaries
Death of Verla Ilean Sarver
Verla Ilean Sarver, 89 of Gillespie, formerly of Waggoner, passed away on Wed., Feb. 9, 2022, at Heritage Manor of Gillespie. She was born on Oct. 7, 1932, near Herrick a daughter of Dugal and Lucy (Tucker) Sarver.
She was the valedictorian of the Herrick High School Class of 1951 and attended Brown’s Business College in Shelbyville. She married Clarence L. Sarver on Jan. 12, 1952, at her parents’ home in rural Fayette County. He survives. In 1977, Clarence and Verla Sarver Founded Sarco Hydraulics, Inc.
She was a member of Pleasant Hill Christian Church of rural Raymond and enjoyed cooking at church camp and for church dinners. She also enjoyed square dancing with the Calico Twirlers Square Dance Club, traveling around the United States, being with her family and grandchildren. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Sarver is survived by three sons, Rick (Scherryll) Sarver of Butler, Larry (Robin) Sarver of Waggoner, and Michael (Valerie) Sarver of Gillespie; daughter, Barbara (Randy) Chamberlain of Herrick; sister, Vera M. (Jerry) Seely of Girard; and eight grandchildren, Aaron (Lindsay) Sarver, Andrea Compton, Brandon Sarver, Crissy (Matt) Dowland, Jaclyn (Ben) Matli, Shannon Mitchelar, Sean (Taya) Tallman, and Blake (Ashley) Sarver; and 15 great-grandchildren, Andrew, Conner, Briley, Audrey, Kallie, Sawyer, Jackson, Elliotte, Killian, Izayah, Izeck, Beckett, Emmett, Garrett and Cohl.
Funeral services for Mrs. Sarver will be held at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in rural Raymond on Sat., Feb. 12, 2022, at 12:00 noon with Rev. David Ziegenbein officiating. Burial will be in Asbury Cemetery in Raymond. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials in memory of Mrs. Sarver may be directed to Pleasant Hill Christian Church.
Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Eugene Joseph Feldmann, 81 of Worden, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025, at BJC Hospital in St. Louis, MO surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 19, 1944, in Highland the son of the late Raymond J. and Corrine M. (Rensing) Feldmann. He married Margaret A. Kapp on July 8, 1967, in Highland and she survives.
Gene was employed as an electrician and maintenance foreman at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing in St. Louis, MO for over 40 years. He graduated from Breese Mater Dei Catholic High School with the Class of 1962 and then served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton and was a 4th Degree member of the Staunton Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed farming, gardening, and loved time spent with family and friends playing cards, particularly Euchre and Pinochle.
He is survived by his wife, Margie Feldmann of Worden; four sons, Terry (Michele) Feldmann of Metamora, IL, Scott (Deedra) Feldmann of Staunton, Mark (Cindy) Feldmann of Worden, and Danny (Ashleigh) Feldmann of Staunton; sixteen grandchildren, Ryan Feldmann, Meghan Feldmann, Natalie Feldmann, Marissa (Cory) Manning, Mallory (Kyle) David, Jacob (Lindsay) Feldmann, Martin Cralley, Ashley (Kyle) Billings, Faith Feldmann, Hannah Feldmann, Zane Feldmann, Kaden Feldmann, Elexia Feldmann, Jace Feldmann, Jax Feldmann, and Emreigh Feldmann; five great grandchildren; four sisters, Carol Kirstein of Tucson, AZ, Connie Zimmers of Breese, Joan (David) Severit of Lakeland, FL, and Edith (Dennis) Fohne of Trenton; two brothers, Ernie (Ely) Feldmann of Brawley, CA and Stephen (Lonna) Feldmann of Trenton; two brothers-in-law, Tom (Deb) Kapp and Alan (Pat) Kapp; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Rose (Dwight) Faitz, and one sister-in-law, Diann Washburn.
A memorial mass will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton with Father Thomas Hagstrom officiating. Attendees are encouraged to dress casual for the service and the celebration of life following mass at Boonie’s Farm, Worden. Memorials are suggested to either the Staunton FFA Alumni, St. Michael Catholic Church, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Carol Joyce (Hammond) Grossglauser, 86 of Gillespie, passed away at her residence on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:05 am. She was born on November 13, 1938, in Freeport, IL to Neily Oliver and Thelma Elizabeth Matthews Hammond.
She married Robert Emil Grossglauser on January 14, 1956. They later separated. Carol was the kindest of souls. She never needed the spotlight or sought to be the center of attention, but gave what she had whenever she could. She gave her love as a mom, grandma, and great-grandma, most of all.
With Carol, there were never any requirements for her to care deeply about you. She was a foster parent and a stand-in mom or grandma for anyone who needed one. She lived a life full of understanding and showered people with kindness. In her earlier years, she loved knitting and crocheting, baking desserts, and teaching her children and grandchildren to be the best they could be.
She was often heard sharing The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In her later years, she spent her time cheering on and looking after her great-grandchildren. She also loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals, especially when they were doing well! Carol’s life was filled with treasured memories shared by all who knew her. She was an incredible person and will be missed beyond measure.
She is survived by her children, Robert (Michelle) Grossglauser of Worley, ID, Rick (Carol Ann) Grossglauser of Hayden, ID, and Schatzi (Gary Lumley) Grossglauser of Gillespie; grandchildren, Robert “Zack” (Tami) Grossglauser, Timothy (Connie) Grossglauser, Candice (Mike) Katchmar, Nathaniel (Lindsey) Grossglauser, Robert Thompson, Sabrina (Nate) Dutra, Christopher (Laura) Grossglauser, Ricky (Jessica Miller) Grossglauser, Uriah Grossglauser, Teresa (Austin) Raynor, Seth (Melissa) Grossglauser, Obediah (Lindsey) Grossglauser, Aimee Grossglauser, Ezra (Maryssa) Grossglauser, and Jacqueline Grossglauser; 25 great grandchildren; sister, Linda (Henry) Fortney of Freeport; sister in law, Janice Hammond of Freeport; and several nieces and nephews.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; son, John Ernest Grossglauser; brother, Neily “Babe” Hammond Jr.; brother, Jack Hammond; sister in law, Janet Hammond; sister, Sharon Dailey; brother in law, Stuart Dailey; and sister, Christina Saxby.
Visitation will be on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. Funeral services are Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 3:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Leslie “Les” U. Massey, 71 of Gillespie, died at his residence on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 5:29 pm. He was born on June 30, 1954 in Staunton to Edsel Udell Massey and Mary Ellen Nordyke Johnson.
He married Kathleen Hunter Massey on November 17, 1978, in Belleville. She preceded him in death on February 21, 2024. He had worked at Aladdin Steel in Gillespie.
He is survived by his step mother, Katherine Massey File of SC; daughters, Jennifer (Michael) Brown of Alton and Stella Massey of Brighton; grandchildren, Christopher, Erika, Madison, Joey, Jason, Cearra, Kaiden, Allie, Paislee, Lena, Lyle, Ryea, and Nyki; great-grandchildren, Bryson, Theo, Levi, and Amelia; and siblings, Mary Brown of SC, Brenda Depriest of SC, and Nicole Stiwill of FL.
Leslie was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; son, James Massey; daughter, Stacie Massey; and siblings, Leonard Massey, Debbie Massey, Glen Elders, Sandy Flores, John Kovac, and Susan Kovac.
Visitation will be on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
