Obituaries
Obituary Charles E. “Charlie” Meyer
Charles E. “Charlie” Meyer, age 84 of Prairietown, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on January 19, 1941, in Alton the son of the late Edwin J. and Lucile K. (Gusewelle) Meyer.
Charlie married the love of his life, Phyllis Jacobs, on November 27, 1971, in Quincy. Together they shared over five decades of love, laughter, & partnership.
Charlie never met a stranger. With a warm smile, a strong handshake, and a twinkle in his eye, he made everyone feel like a friend. He was a man rooted in faith, community, and family – a true neighbor and friend to all. He spent more than 30 years working as a truck driver for Growmark/FS and Yellow Truck Lines and was also a proud and hardworking self-employed farmer. His dedication to the land and his community ran deep.
A lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Prairietown, Charlie faithfully served as an elder, usher, and past chairman of the congregation. His faith guided his daily life and interactions, and his quiet strength was an inspiration to those who knew him.
Charlie was a familiar face at many local organizations, always quick to lend a helping hand. He was a devoted member of the Prairietown Volunteer Fire Department, a lifetime member of the FFA Alumni, and a longtime supporter of Rural Youth – where he first met Phyllis. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life, like driving his antique tractor in countless parades with the Midstate Antique Tractor Club or sitting down for a good conversation at the Wednesday Morning Bible Study at the Yellow Dog in Worden.
But above all, Charlie was a family man. He was a deeply devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud, involved grandpa. His grandchildren were the lights of his life, and he took immense pride in cheering them on, sharing stories, and offering his steady support and quiet encouragement. He created a legacy of kindness, humility, and devotion that will live on in them.
Charlie is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis Meyer of Prairietown; three sons, Allen (Kim) Meyer of Staunton, Glenn (Janine) Meyer of Staunton, and Brian Meyer of Prairietown; and six cherished grandchildren, Michael, Elijah (Samantha), Kendall, Brady (Emma), Luke, and Jillian. He also leaves behind two brothers, John (Judy) Meyer of Nebraska and Ralph (Laura) Meyer of Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Orra Lee Meyer of Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James Meyer; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary & Carla Jacobs.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, and again from 10 to 11 AM on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Prairietown. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday at the church with Pastor Oliver LaMie officiating. Burial will follow at Prairietown Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Prairietown Volunteer Fire Department or to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church – two organizations close to Charlie’s heart. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ronald D. Semplowski, 66 of Gillespie, died in Carlinville on Thursday, November 6, 2025. He was born on May 9, 1959, in Litchfield to Walter J.Semplowski Sr. and Elizabeth JoAnn Luketich Semplowski.
He married Tammie L. Whitlow Semplowski on June 18, 1983, in Gillespie. He was a gate monitor for Alton Steel. Ronald was a veteran of the US Marine Corp. Ronald enjoyed going to auctions, hunting, fishing, and playing cards. Ronald was an animal lover and also enjoyed being with his grandkids and grandpups.
He is survived by his spouse, Tammie Semplowski of Gillespie; children, Tyler (fiancée, Maggie Moore) Semplowski of Gillespie, Austin Semplowski of Gillespie, and Ashleigh (Josh) Valerius of Millstadt; grandchildren, Jacob Valerius and Eleanor Valerius; brothers, Wally (Tammy) Semplowski of Gillespie and David (Patty) Semplowski of Gillespie; sister, Diane (Karl) Kozak of Gillespie; brothers in law, Tommy Whitlow and Terry Whitlow; sister in law, Theresa (Mike) Scott; 10 nephews, six nieces, 18 great nephews, 12 great nieces, three great-great-nephews, one great-great-niece, several aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved Dog, Hobo.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; son, Travis D. Semplowski; mother in law and father in law, Eleanor and Tom Whitlow; sister, Kimberly Janes; nephews, Nathan Heaton and Troy Whitlow; and niece, Tonya Whitlow.
Friends may call on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Fire Department. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Donald Bernard Swann, 72 of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 12:20 a.m. He was born on May 1, 1953, in Springfield to Donald H. Swann and Florence L. Bernardi Swann.
He married Connie (Campbell) Swann on September 7, 1979, in Gillespie. He was retired after having worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation doing road maintenance. Donald was a lifelong member of the NRA. He was a member of the Black Dragon Triad, holding a second-degree black belt in Shorin-ryu Kobayashi Ryu karate, and was known as Sensei Swann. Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and skydiving.
He is survived by his spouse, Connie Swann of Gillespie; children, Kelly (Michael) Wulf of O’Fallon and Kyle (companion, Jessica Holmes) Swann of Gillespie; grandchildren, Lizzy Wulf, Anna Wulf, Samantha Wulf, Beau Wulf, Audrey Wulf (twin), Evelyn Wulf (twin), and Averie Swann; siblings, Denise (John) Hartnett of Springfield and Dale (Tina) Swann of Springfield; and his beloved dog, Buster.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Funeral services are Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Cremation and private burial will be at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Illinois Conservation Fund or Gillespie Public Library. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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John Lee Kellenberger, 69 of Litchfield, died at 7:52 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born on August 5, 1956, in Litchfield, a son of Francis and Lucille Frances (Lord) Kellenberger.
John graduated with the Litchfield High School Class of 1974. He delivered newspapers for the Litchfield News-Herald for several years; he was employed by and retired from the State of Illinois. John was an avid railroad fan, who enjoyed bicycling on area bike paths on former railroad right of ways, and he was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and loved comic books. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
John is survived by his brothers, Dennis (Kathi) Kellenberger of Edwardsville and Mark (Karen) Kellenberger of Paducah, KY; his sisters, Kathy (Tom) Seals of Wichita, KS, Michele Bass of Manford, OK, and Janet Martin of OR; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass. He will be inurned at Holy Cross Cemetery in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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