Obituaries
Obituary of Dorothy M. “Dotty” Brabec
Dorothy M. “Dotty” Brabec, 92 of Staunton, passed into the blessed arms of our Lord Jesus on Mothers Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025, with family by her side at Gillespie Health & Rehab Center in Gillespie. She was born on June 30, 1932 in Chester, the daughter of the late Walter Neal and Dora Mae (Caudle) Mizer.
She was the owner and operator of Wig & Twig, & of Gifts & Things in Staunton and was a member of Staunton Methodist Church for over 50 years. Dotty coordinated and decorated many weddings and receptions and was known for her beautiful floral pieces. She also cared for her daughter Cathy for over 55 years in her home after Cathy was in a motor vehicle accident in 1969.
Dotty was known for celebrating her birthday for the entire month of June. She had a zest for life and enjoyed many vacations with friends and family. She will be missed by many and will never be forgotten. She will be greeted at the gates of Heaven with many open arms who have gone before her.
She is survived by four children, Charlotte Horton-Davis (Steve) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Janie Sanks of Staunton, Thomas Lark (Barbara) Horton of Smithton, and Sam (Judy) Valerio of Staunton; and one grandson, Christopher Heigert of Assumption.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Cathy Horton, who passed away in December of 2024.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6:45 PM on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. A prayer service will follow at 6:45 PM with Pastor Nancy Hubert officiating. Private burial will be in Old Palestine Cemetery near Chester.
Memorials are suggested to either Staunton Methodist Church or to the Staunton Food Pantry.
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Ruth Ann “Sis” Pollard passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 79 years old. Ruth was born on April 19, 1947 in Staunton to Homer and Ruth (Clark) Cunningham.
She married George Pollard February 14, 1967, and he preceded her in death. Ruth was a caregiver and foster parent. Ruth was a selfless person who dedicated her life to give a home to special needs children. She was a very loving person when it came to her family and friends and they are going to miss her dearly.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Shane Pollard of Litchfield, Ron (Lorette) Pollard of Gillespie, and Jeff Pollard of Chesterfield; a daughter, Jackie (Leighann) Pollard of Chesterfield; grandchildren, Sean Pollard, Abigail Pollard, Adrian Davis, Jarod Cantrell, Ellen Kennedy, and Lilly Pollard; siblings, Judy (Paul) Spensberger, JoleneWard, Robert (Kathy) Cunningham, Mary (Nick) Hollis, Kelly (Jim) Force, and Gary Cunningham; sister-in-law, Violet Ballowe; daughter-in-law, Karla Pollard; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Ruth Cunningham; her daughter Michelle Pollard; former husband, George Pollard Jr; sister, Gail Mick; and four brothers, Tom, Jack, Delbert, and Jim Cunningham.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Chesterfield Bible Church from 2 to 5 pm. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ross Beckman, 90, joined his Lord in Heaven on April 29, 2026, at 2:27 AM. He was born on April 1, 1936, in Highland. His parents were Vernon Otto Bartels and Arlene Beckman, both of New Douglas. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Emma (Sievers) and George Beckman of New Douglas.
Ross attended New Douglas Elementary School in New Douglas and Highland High School in Highland. His first job was at Kline’s Grocery Store in New Douglas. He also was employed at McDonnell Douglas as a sheet metal worker. He worked for Artophone Corporation and also distributed Armstrong Flooring, worked in sales, and traveled Illinois.
He purchased Sherman’s Department Store on East Main Street in Staunton and renamed it Beckman’s Department Store. He operated the store for 30 years before retiring. He then bought property for a new business in Equine Ranch.
Ross was married to Lela Conroy of Staunton. They had one daughter, Wendy Arlene. Lela passed away after a long illness with Huntington’s Corea. Ross was married to Frances Lee Simpson of Staunton for 27 years. She passed away from illness in 2016. He then married Sheila Fay Foster of Carlinville on May 27, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
Ross was a member of the Staunton Jaycees for six years and was also the Chaplain for the State Jaycees. The local chapter gave him a lifelong membership. Ross served one term on the Staunton City Council as a ward #4 alderman and also was on the Dorchester Township Board. He was a long-time elder for the Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
He was an avid horseman. His horse, “Atomico” was not only his show horse but his loving pet. Ross became a member of The Assembly Church in Staunton and was a very active and a devoted servant. He loved his “church family”.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila (Foster) Beckman; son-in-law, John Walker; three brothers-in-laws, James E. Foster Jr., Gary Foster, and Mike Foster; two sisters-in-law, Deborah (Foster) Wilson and Amy Foster, all originally from Carlinville.
Besides his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Arlene.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Assembly Church, 1335 S. Hackman Street, in Staunton with Pastor Arthur Braden officiating.
Ross will be greatly missed, but is in the arms of his Lord Jesus. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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