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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Shanna Michelle Bruckert, age 47, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Godfrey on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Shanna was born on August 2, 1977, in Litchfield to Denny and Peaches (Stankoven) Bruckert.
From the moment she entered this world, Shanna brought pure joy, light, and love to her family. Though she faced life with developmental challenges, her heart was boundless, her laughter contagious, and her love for others knew no limits. To know Shanna was to be loved by her.
She had the rare gift of making every person she met feel special, seen, and cherished. Her radiant smile, her endless stories, and her affectionate nature made the world a brighter place. She could fill a room with warmth simply by being in it, and her playful sense of humor never failed to bring smiles to those around her.
Shanna graduated from Gillespie High School with the class of 1998 and spent many years surrounded by her friends at Illinois Valley in Gillespie. There, she formed friendships that lasted a lifetime—she never forgot a face, a name, or a birthday, and her friends always knew how much they meant to her.
In June 2021, Shanna bravely took the biggest step of her life—moving into her own apartment at Beverly Farm in Godfrey, Illinois. Though she had always lived with her parents, her independent spirit was ready to shine. At Beverly Farm, Shanna found not only an apartment but a loving community who quickly became her second family. She shared her home with two lovely women, and there she built a life filled with laughter, friendship, and care.
Shanna embraced her independence with pride and joy. She loved going to the coffee shop, enjoying meals at the café, seeing movies, traveling, and participating in countless activities with her new friends. For the first time, she was responsible for her space—keeping her bedroom and bathroom tidy and doing her laundry. She amazed everyone with how much she accomplished, but no one was surprised by her determination.
Of course, Shanna’s big, loving heart meant there was never a shortage of “boyfriends” in her life. She loved love, and she shared it freely—with her family, her friends, and just about everyone she met. Shanna found happiness in the simplest things—coloring beautiful pictures, sending and receiving cards, watching her favorite movies, and spending hours on the phone with those she loved. Her joy, her gentle soul, and her unwavering love for others were her greatest gifts to this world. She taught us all how to live with kindness, with courage, and with a heart wide open.
She leaves behind so many who adored her including her “other mom” Susan Bruckert; her sister, Brandy Bruckert (Daniel Fisher); her brothers, Alan (Kelley) Young and Robert (Justine) Young; her bonus sister, Shelly (Matt) Alepra; her nephew, Marcus (Christine) Young; her niece, Ashley Young; and Dominic and Isabella Alepra, all of whom cherished their Aunt Shanna with all their hearts.
Waiting to welcome her home in heaven are her parents, Denny and Peaches Bruckert; her grandparents; and many aunts and uncles who surely wrapped her in their arms. Also welcoming her home are her four-legged companions who meant the world to her—her beloved “puppies,” Sammy, Missy, Mitzy, and Jovi. They were her constant comfort, her joy, and part of her family.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie with the funeral service to follow at the funeral home at 12 p.m. Burial will be at Gillespie City Cemetery, where Shanna will rest beside her beloved Daddy— who she missed so deeply.
In honor of Shanna’s love for her home and her friends, memorials are suggested to the Hardin Apartments at Beverly Farm, where she found independence, joy, and lifelong friendships. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Sharon Irene Wood, 80, of Litchfield, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab. She was born in St. Louis, MO, on August 17, 1944, a daughter of Gerald Mitchell and Deana Irene (Williams) Hart.
She moved to Litchfield with her family in 1947, when her father returned to his hometown after WWII. Sharon graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1962. She married Michael Dean Wood on July 22, 1972, at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield. They were happily married for nearly 53 years. He survives.
Sharon was employed for nearly 40 years with the City of Litchfield as deputy clerk of the water department. She was a member of Wares Grove Lutheran Church in rural Butler where she served on the Ladies Aid committee, on the church council as chairman of the worship committee, WELCA, and Sunday school teacher.
Sharon was a well-known dedicated volunteer in many local activities. She was the Edgewood Cemetery Association secretary, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 436, serving as Rehab and Education Chairman for many years, and a member of the Laborers International Union of North America Local 773.
In addition, she was involved with the Cub Scouts, serving as den leader and pack leader for ten years, committee treasurer of the Litchfield Sesquicentennial History book, a Route 66 Association member, a lifetime member of the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, where she also served on the board, as treasurer, and as a greeter. Sharon was a talented country dancer and an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She and Mike enjoyed traveling after retirement, and celebrating their 40th anniversary in Hawaii was a favorite memory.
Sharon’s goal in life was to be there and support her family. She could be found cheering on her son Corey’s drag racing, watching her husband, son-in-law, grandson-in-law, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter pitch horseshoes, and attending her grandson’s baseball and soccer games, and her granddaughter’s tennis and dancing activities.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Michael Wood of Litchfield; sons, Stephen J. (Melissa) Fiscor of Jacksonville, FL and Corey M. Wood of Litchfield; daughter, Jaime D. (Wade) Koonce of Litchfield; grandchildren, Adrienne Michelle Koonce and Kristin Nicole (Justin) Plasters of Litchfield and Kathryn Addison Fiscor and Ryan Sheffield Fiscor of Jacksonville, FL; great grandchildren, Hunter Allen Plasters and Tymberli Rae Plasters of Litchfield, and Elissa Cline-Plasters of Gillespie; sisters-in-law, Nancy Hart of Pensacola, FL, Margaret “Peggy” Helfrich of Springfield, and Pat Coleman of Washington state; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Deana Hart, brother, Gerald D. Hart, and grandparents, Orville Hart, Edith Bandy and Harold and Flora Williams.
Funeral services celebrating Sharon’s eternal life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Wares Grove Lutheran Church in rural Butler. Pastor John Jaffry will officiate. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at Plummer Funeral Home from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Memorials may be made to Wares Grove Lutheran Church, Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, or Litchfield Veterans Memorial Garden. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family.
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Karen Lee Allen, 75 of Litchfield, died at her residence on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 11:56 am. She was born on January 1, 1950, in Wood River to Jack Holman and Dorothy Gibbs Holman.
She married Donald E. Allen on November 29, 1971, in Alton. He preceded her in death in 2004. She worked in material management for St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield.
She is survived by her children, Yvette Allen of Litchfield and Dena Allen; grandchildren, Kelsey, Christopher, Aubree, Emily, Cheyenne, and Mallory; 11 great grandchildren; and siblings, Ella (Don) Walker of Wood River and Jack (Cindy) Holman Jr. of Wood River.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, and granddaughter, Kelsey Cox.
Visitation will be on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm with a memorial service to follow at the funeral home at 12:00 pm. Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens, Bethalto.
Flowers are welcomed. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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