Obituaries
Obituary of Cynthia “Cindy” Meier
Cynthia “Cindy” Meier, age 70 of Litchfield, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Stanton Health Care Center in Stanton, Nebraska. Cindy was born on May 31, 1955, in Litchfield to H. Dean and Rose Marie (Stivers) Meier.
She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1973 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work in 1980. Cindy’s caring and compassionate nature was evident in her first job as a social worker at the Protestant General Children’s Home in St. Louis. She later worked as a methods and procedures advisor for the State of Illinois until her retirement.
Cindy was deeply committed to giving back to her community. She volunteered to help adults learn to read, served as a nursing home advocate, and was an active member of Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield, where she held many positions, including choir member. It was at Union Avenue Christian Church that she befriended Bob Proske, and they were together until his passing.
When health issues arose, Cindy moved to Nebraska to be closer to family. She and her mother, Rose, shared a close bond, and Cindy was able to care for her mother until Rose’s passing on October 22, 2024. Cindy was a beloved resident at the Stanton Nursing Home in Nebraska, where she was known for her infectious smile and cheerful personality. She enjoyed shopping, dining out, and was always a devoted companion to her mother, Rose.
Cindy is survived by her brother, Michael D. Meier and his former wife Julie (Zimmerman) Meier, of Columbus, Texas; her sister, Denise (BJ) Wilkinson, of Norfolk, Nebraska; and six nieces and nephews, Andrew (Nora) Meier, Megan Meier, Zachary (Shayna) Meier, Michael (Christina) Meier, Alexander (Cari) Lueker, and Victoria (Stephen) Bannon. She also leaves behind 14 great-nieces and great-nephews. Cindy will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A service of remembrance will be held at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. A brief visitation for family and friends will take place at the funeral home, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield, where Cindy will be laid to rest alongside her parents. Rev. Dave Massey-Brown, of Union Avenue Christian Church will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Adopt a Pet No-Kill Shelter, 807 Stewart Avenue, P.O. Box 53, Benld, IL, 62009-0053, as suggested by the family. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family with arrangements.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
