Obituaries
Death of Vivian Kay Byrd
Vivian Kay Byrd, 67, of Gillespie, IL, died at her residence on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 12:55 a.m. She was born on August 24, 1947, in Collinsville, IL to William B. Lane and Ruby M. (Hutchison) Lane. She married Richard Dean Byrd Sr. He preceded her in death in 2009.
Vivian was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 4547 and enjoyed singing.
She is survived by her daughter, Dana (Brian) Zumwalt of Gillespie, IL and grandchildren, Danyelle Marie Zumwalt of Gillespie, IL, Anthony Scott Zumwalt of Gillespie, IL, Tyler Dean Byrd of Wilsonville, IL, Zachary Adam Byrd of Wilsonville, IL.
Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, son, Richard Dean Byrd Jr., grandchild, Corey Byrd, 13 brothers and sisters.
Visitation services will be on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Funeral services are Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie, IL with Tudy VanHuss officiating. Burial will be at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Carlinville, IL.
Memorials are suggested to wishes of the family. Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
There are plenty of ways to keep up on BenGil news:
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter
Follow us on Twitter for the fastest breaking news updates and score updates
Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take
Comments
Carol Lee (McMillan) St. Cin, 80 of Gillespie, died peacefully surrounded by family on June 13, 2025. Carol was born on February 5, 1945, in Litchfield to Robert “Rab” McMillan and Dorothy (Dolliger) McMillan.
Carol married Allen St. Cin on July 21, 1963, and they would have celebrated 62 years of marriage in July.
She is survived by her husband, Allen St. Cin of Gillespie; daughters, Michelle St. Cin of Staunton and Kara St. Cin of Maryville; grandson, David and wife Kelsey (Wayman); great grandchildren, Hudson and Emma St. Cin of Litchfield; brother, Robert and wife Marilyn McMillan; nephews, John (Rebecca) Watson and Rob and Ryan McMillan; many great and great great nieces and nephews.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Mathew St. Cin; and sister, Dee Ann Watson.
Per her wishes there will be no formal services. She will be cremated. The family is planning a celebration of life for a later date. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
Donald R. Daley, 85 of Glen Carbon, formerly of Staunton, died at Meridian Village, Glen Carbon on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 9:05 pm. He was born on July 23, 1939, in Carlinville to Robert Daley and Lena (Komnick) Daley.
He married Hazel Goode who died in 1994 and then married Carlene (Brenker) Knoche. He was a retired accountant for Emmerson Electric.
He is survived by his wife, Carlene Knoche Daley of Glen Carbon; two daughters, Kathy (Paul) O’Donnell of St. Peters, MO and Patti (David) Kupfer of Wildwood, MO; step daughter, Cheryl Knoche of Springfield; step son, Charles (Karen) Knoche of Dorchester; eight grandchildren and step grandchildren.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Hazel Goode.
Friends may call on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 9:30 am until the time of service. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill.
Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. Memorials are suggested to donor’s choice. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
Dorothy L. Rife, 93 of Wilsonville, died at her granddaughter’s residence in Granite City on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at 11:45 am. She was born on March 21, 1932, in Venice, IL to James Finley Gipson and Dolly Skimaborn Gipson.
She was a homemaker. Dorothy was a member of the Red Hat Society.
She is survived by two sons, William (Sandra) Rife of Gillespie and Roland Rife of Wilsonville; three daughters, Deborah Tarrant of Godfrey, Rhonda (Rick) Messerly of Miami, FL, and Sandra Kay (Robert) Hall of Carrollton; ten grandchildren, Tyler Rife, Jason Rife, Bud Rife, Amanda Price, Chad Messerly, Tonya Edgerton, Abigail Hall, Jessica Hall, Elizabeth Latham, and Amy Kelley; 25 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers; five sisters; and grandchild, Rodney Messerly.
Friends may call on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services are Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie with Pastor Steve Martin officiating.
Burial will be at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Mt. Olive. Memorials are suggested to Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service, Benld Public Library, or to the American Heart Association. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
