Obituaries
Obituary of Roxie Lee Frederick Jr.
Roxie “Rocky” Lee Frederick, Jr., born on December 28, 1955, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, at 4:30 a.m. at home with his wife by his side.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His wife, children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter were his life, and he devoted every day to them. He married Joyce Marie Tooley in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 8, 1973. They were married for 52 years.
Roxie spent each day learning something new. He earned accolades in photography from Lake Land College and obtained a diploma in welding. His striking photograph of Comet Hale-Bopp graced the front page of the Litchfield News Herald, and Governor George Ryan chose his image of the Illinois State Capitol for official state use. He captured moments at the opening of the new Busch Stadium and sold those cherished memories to fans across central Illinois.
Roxie photographed the beauty of the pine tree landscape at the old Litchfield Lake. Those photos are displayed at the Old Route 66 Litchfield Museum. He also has pictures displayed in the hallways at the Lincoln Land Community College – Litchfield location. He was accomplished at everything he ever put his heart and hard work into. This carried over into his family. Every day, his feet hit the floor, and he worked hard to give his family his best.
He was a true explorer at heart, taking road trips with Joyce across the country, from coast to coast. A lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, Roxie passed his love of baseball on to his children and even coached his son’s junior high team. Whether watching games at home, listening to them at work, or cheering from the stands at Busch Stadium, baseball was woven into the fabric of his life.
Roxie worked as a laborer at Illinois Coal Mines for 5 years. He then worked for 20 years as a mail messenger and logistics manager for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. For 17 years, he drove a weekday commuter bus for state employees to Springfield and on weekends for Cavallo Bus Lines. He was beloved by everyone he worked alongside and the patrons of the bus line.
Roxie’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and deep devotion. Though his time here ended too soon, his spirit lives on through the countless lives he touched—his wife, children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and all who knew and loved him.
His three children survive him: Shelly Grigoroff (Brian Stewart), Jeremy Frederick (Merisa Frederick), and Jessica Dougherty (Ryan Dougherty). They have 10 grandchildren: Megan, Devin, Marc, Chloe, Tony, Nolan, Preston, Nathan, Nora, and Olivia. Megan recently added a great-granddaughter, Mia Marie. He is survived by sisters Mary Ann Snider and Robin Frederick (Philip) and brothers Dale Frederick and Charles “Chuck” Frederick (Heather). He was preceded in death by his parents, Roxie Lee Frederick, Sr., and Virginia Irene “Lassiter” Frederick.
A memorial service for Roxie will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Rev. Fred Kraemer of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield will officiate. Visitation will be held on Saturday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service.
The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be designated to Hearts United, 110 N. Jackson St., Litchfield, 62056.
Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is serving the family. To sign the online guest book, light a virtual candle, or for directions, 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.
