Obituaries
Obituary of Kenneth James Daggett
Kenneth James Daggett, 79 of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Copper Creek Memory Care in Litchfield. Ken was born on March 26, 1946, in Carlinville, a son of Harold “Pete” and Mildred (Engleman) Daggett.
Ken graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1964. He married his high school sweetheart, Rebecca (Becky) Drury on November 3, 1965. Ken worked as a manager at Friendly Chevrolet in Springfield, at Crown Finance in Springfield, was owner/operator of Standard City Tap in Standard City in the 1970’s, and then owner/operator of The Lost Dutchman Tavern in Carlinville from 1980-2001.
He was a member of the Carlinville Moose Lodge 1216 and the Rural Methodist Church. Ken loved tinkering around the farm, and enjoyed spending the majority of his time outdoors. He was an avid storyteller. His favorite pastime was sharing company with friends and family; telling stories from the many experiences he was a part of.
Many joke that if you stopped to chat with Ken, you would need to have an hour of time to spare. Whether it was a new story, or one you had heard many times before, his retelling was always entertaining and enjoyable. Every conversation included a laugh as his sense of humor was unmatched. His generosity was equally unmatched, as he was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Ken is survived by his son, Zachary (Molly) Daggett of Carlinville; daughter, Tracy Daggett of Springfield; grandchildren, Emelia and Nolan Daggett, and Hayley Daggett; brother, Jon (Sue) Daggett of Atwater; sister, Susie Lott of Carlinville; and several nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rebecca Daggett; and his sisters, Sharon Campbell and Marilyn Barnes.
A public graveside service with burial to follow will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Bethel Ridge Cemetery, Atwater with Reverend Braden Parks presiding. After the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Carlinville Moose Lodge 1216.
Memorials may be made to Moose Club 1216. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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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.
