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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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.
