Obituaries
Obituary of Nicholas Henry Biebel Jr.
Nicholas Henry “Nick” Biebel, Jr., 95, of Gillespie, formerly of Litchfield, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 8:31 p.m. at Gillespie Health and Rehabilitation. Nick was born in Belleville, Illinois, January 15, 1930, a son of Nicholas H. and Lena (Brauer) Biebel, Sr.
He graduated from St. Henry’s Preparatory School in Belleville and attended the University of St. Mary of the Lake Theological Seminary in Mundelein. A devout Catholic who loved the Lord, Nick was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield and a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member, Chapter #699. Nick was a roofing contractor with Biebel Roofing in Litchfield for many years, was an instructor at Lincoln Land Community College’s Literacy Program, and volunteered with The Story Book Project for Incarcerated Parents and Families at Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro.
He enjoyed golfing and following the stock market. His sister, Diane, recalls him being the trickster and teaser of the family. His nieces and nephews fondly recall visiting “Uncle Nick,” who introduced them to IBC Root Beer and viewing the Christmas lights at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville. Nick and the former Fidelis Heise were married March 18, 1971, in St. Meinrad, IN. They enjoyed 47 years of marriage before she passed away July 4, 2018.
Nick is survived by a sister, Diane (Biebel) Keilman of The Dalles, OR, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Nicholas H. Biebel, Sr., in 1982; his mother, Lena Biebel, in 1987; and his wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Joseph Biebel, in 2015.
Per his wishes, Nick donated his body to science.
A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 10:40 a.m. Rosary will be said at 10:40.
Plummer Funeral Home is serving the family. To sign the online guest book or light a virtual candle, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
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Robert Leeroy Blevins, 77 of Litchfield, passed away the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born in Litchfield on December 24, 1947, a son of Robert James and Betty Bernadine (Cranford) Blevins.
He graduated from Centralia High School and proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He was employed for many years as a cabinet maker with Adenca Manufacturing in Litchfield. Robert enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and looking for buried treasures with his metal detector.
He was a talented musician and played guitar and saxophone. Robert enjoyed watching and listening to all spectator sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He married the former Wanda Kay Large and they later divorced.
Robert is survived by sons, Christopher (fiancée Grace) Blevins and Jason (Jamie) Blevins, all of Litchfield; daughters, Jennifer (Gordon) Fenton of Salem, MO and Shannon Large of Litchfield; brothers, Chesley Blevins of Staunton, Joseph Blevins of Litchfield, Floyd Blevins of Highland, and Fred Blevins of Litchfield; sisters, Barbara (Ray) Schuster of Sorento, Sharon (John) Wickerheim of Chicago, and Pamela Poppenhouse of Litchfield; and several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Betty B. Blevins.
Funeral services for Mr. Blevins will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Pastor Gilbert Dealey will officiate. Burial will be in Crabtree Cemetery. Military honors will be at graveside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family of Robert Blevins, c/o Christopher Blevins. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Joyce Carleen Simmons, 83 of Litchfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 23, 2025. She was born in Pana on May 31, 1942, a daughter of Carl Cornelius and Lucille Romelta (Miller) Brakenhoff.
She was a member of the Litchfield High School graduating class of 1960. She married Raymond “Larry” Simmons on June 6, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and they enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage until his passing on January 23, 2022.
Joyce was an excellent cook and well known for her beef and noodles, Texas cake, and stew. Joyce’s delicious cooking skills were evident during her 22-year career as manager of Jubelt’s Variety Bakery in Litchfield and as a ten-year cafeteria worker for the Litchfield Community School District #12. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, tending to her fruit trees, and sewing. Joyce enjoyed serving others by teaching Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and volunteering for the local Meals on Wheels.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Raymond (Vicki) Simmons of Evansville, IN and David (Jacqueline) Simmons of Haymarket, VA; daughter, Laura Simmons of Edwardsville; brothers, Leslie (Sue) Brakenhoff of Litchfield, Byron (Terry) Brakenhoff of Chattanooga, TN, and Dale (Nancy) Brakenhoff of Litchfield; sisters, Ramona Warman of Charleston, IL and Marilyn (Don) Loptien of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Zachary Simmons, Makenzie (Jeremy) Frazier, Emma Simmons, and William Simmons; and great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Eli and Calla.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Rev. Larry Brakenhoff and Bernard Brakenhoff; brother-in-law Robert, “Bob” Warman; and niece, Kimberly (Brakenhoff) Bergman.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141-8557. Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
