Obituaries
Obituary of Henry Eilers
Henry Eilers was born to dairy farmers Heinrich and Ruth Eilers in northern Germany (Ostfriesland) on August 17, 1934.
It was his mother’s encouragement that propelled him into a passion for natural botanical heritage. This motivated him to pursue a study of botany, ultimately lead him to being regarded as one of the Illinois top botanists.
At age 20 in 1955, having already completed studies at a nearby horticulture school in Bad Zwischenahn, Henry left for the United States.
Henry served honorably in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959.
Shortly after arriving in the US, he met another German immigrant, Ursula Garbe and married. In 1960 they opened a business, H. E. Nursery. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before she passed away in 2019.
Early on in his arrival in Litchfield, Henry walked along the east side of Lake Lou Yaeger and discovered an oddity. He noticed that plants from the northern savanna of the US were growing amidst plants native to the southern savanna of the US. This is when he discovered that a thin line exists along the Midwest where the two Savannas converge. In almost all areas, the merging line has been developed, farmed or otherwise compromised and wiped out.
Henry worked long and hard for many years, struggling to maintain this rare piece of natural heritage. Finally, his efforts paid off, and now his name graces the park; Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area.
Henry recently celebrated his 90th birthday recently and had spent almost all of those years being a steward of Earth. Through his education, employment, personal research, and his business, he had amassed a knowledge of native plants and botany that is equaled by few. He had used that knowledge to advocate for the restoration and preservation of several sites in Montgomery County that are now thriving conservation and pollinator areas: Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area and Rt 66 Prairie. Henry had been known for his volunteerism, presentations, writing, photography, board memberships, social media presence, and personal associations.
Most recently he received the Illinois Conservation Foundation highest honor: Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, which stands among numerous other awards.
Henry leaves behind his three daughters, Helen (Ray Trost) of Litchfield, Elizabeth (Chris Bron) of Springfield, and Maria Eilers of Litchfield. He also leaves six grandchildren, Derek Eairheart of Kent, Washington, Monica Osborn of Holly Springs, NC, Hannah Poetain of Glen Carbon, Parker Feldmann, of Reno, NV, Christina Carlisle of Port Ste. Lucie Florida, and Julia Dinkins of Union MO. He also leaves great-grandchildren, Coury, Zach and Harmony Eairheart, Ayden and Ethan Osborn, and Quinn, Noel and Campbell Poetain; as well as several nieces and nephews in Germany.
Henry most wanted to serve His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and always stated how God had richly blessed him.
He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife Ursula, brother Klaus Eilers.
Funeral services for Henry will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1301 N State St. in Litchfield. Pastor Fred Kraemer will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church Litchfield, or to Natural Area Guardians (NAGS). Plummer Funeral Home 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.
