Obituaries
Death of Father Robert N. Porter
Father Robert N. Porter, 85, passed away at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on September 17, 2021. He was born in Decatur on February 13, 1936, to James and Nina (Chasco) Porter.
He was baptized by Father Andrew Smith at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church on March 1, 1936. He attended Saint Thomas School until he moved to Illiopolis on December 3, 1946. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop William A. O’Connor at Visitation of the Blessed Virgin March Church, Illiopolis, on May 18, 1950. He graduated from Illiopolis High School in May of 1955. He entered the Diocesan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at New Berlin and then Springfield in August of 1955 for one year.
He continued and completed his studies at St. John’s Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas and was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Albert L. Fletcher on May 11, 1963, at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop William A. O’Connor on May 23, 1964. His first appointment by Bishop William O’Connor as an assignment as Parochial Vicar was at the Church of the Little Flower in Springfield on June 22, 1964.
He then took on assignments at Saint Bernard Church in Wood River, Saint Frances Cabrini Church, Springfield, Our Lady of Lourdes in Decatur, Saint Anthony Hospital, Alton, St. Elizabeth Church, Marine, St. Gertrude Church in Grantfork, Saint John the Baptist Church, Coffeen, Sacred Heart Church, Panama, IL on November 3, 1977, Vandalia Correctional Center, Mother of Dolors Church, Vandalia, Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, St. Mary’s Church, Bunker Hill, Holy Cross Church, Wilsonville, Saint Denis, Shipman, Saint Mary and Joseph Church, Carlinville, Saint Mary Parish, Farmersville, and Saint Patrick Parish in Girard. He retired on July 1, 2006, and remained active doing weekend help for priests.
Father Porter was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Daniel Edward Porter, James Henry Porter, Joseph Andrew Porter, and Victor Louis Porter; and sisters, Gloria Ann (Porter) Kinsinger and Mary Katherine (Porter) Burgener.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021, at Holy Family Church in Litchfield from 5 to 6 p.m. A memorial mass will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021, at Holy Family Church, Litchfield at 6 p.m. Public graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery, Illiopolis.
Memorials may be made to Masses, Litchfield Food Pantry and the Commission for the Priests’ Benefits. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
Nancy Ilene Weller, 74, of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 2:52 pm. She was born June 4, 1949, in Litchfield, to Charles Giller and Margaret Whitman Giller. She married Kenneth Raymond Weller, Sr., on August 17, 1968, in Litchfield. He preceded her in death on December 5, 2011.
She was a caregiver. Nancy loved horses, reading, and her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Chester (Katina) Weller of Gillespie, Luke Weller of Gillespie, Spring Weller (spouse, Phillip Benner) of Fowler, IN, 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 5 brothers, and sisters.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, 4 brothers, and sisters.
No public services are scheduled. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
Beverly Kay Brown, 82, of Gillespie, died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center, Gillespie, on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 8:45 am. She was born October 4, 1941, in Litchfield, to Mario Meldi and Opal Olston Meldi. She married Bob Brown on October 30, 1976.
She worked for the State of Illinois in title transferring and data processing. Beverly enjoyed reading and was an avid reader of People’s magazine.
She is survived by her spouse, Bob Brown of Gillespie, children, Joell (Sid) Flyte of Edwardsville, Jackie (Larry) Fear of The Villages, FL, Kathy Giesler of Mattoon, Kim (Joe) Brittin of Springfield, Jane (Greg) Hallum of Ishpeming, MI, Lori Brown of Temecula, CA, grandchildren, Breanna Leake, Dominique Flyte, Addie Flyte, Bradley Fear, David Fear, Brad Brittin, Melissa Casad, Amanda Kozak, Jaime Galloway, Jaimee Dobson, Jenny Knight, Emily Nault, Elyssa Gregurash, Erin Baldini, many great-grandchildren, brothers, Ron (Corky) Meldi of Nitro, WV, and sisters-in-law, June Swan and Loni Cloyd. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Jedd Hallum, and brother-in-law, Preston Brown.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Funeral services are Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie. Burial will be at Benld Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to SS Simon and Jude Church. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
Darrell Leon Hoffstot, 69, of Gillespie, died at St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, on Saturday, March 2, 2024. He was born October 2, 1954, in Granite City, to Willard Lee Hoffstot and Hazel Mae Holloway Hoffstot.
He was retired after having been an assembler for Echlin. Darrell enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and water skiing.
He is survived by his sons, Zachary Hoffstot of Mt. Olive, and Zane Hoffstot of Gillespie, and sisters, Sandra Elledge of Litchfield, and Peggy (Joseph) Fischer. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Victor Hoffstot.
No public services will be held. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
Comments
-
Community News4 weeks agoSchool district apparently eyeing food management service
-
Police News4 weeks agoGillespie Police Report: March 17-23, 2024
-
High School Sports3 weeks ago
Another Strong Week for Gillespie Varsity Softball
-
High School Sports3 weeks ago
Gillespie Varsity Miners Steamroll Nokomis and fall to New Berlin