Obituaries
Obituary of Brooke Elizabeth Powell
Brooke Elizabeth Powell, age 37, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, following an automobile accident in McLean County. Brooke was born in Chicago at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital, on March 17, 1987.
She was adopted by Christie and John Powell and brought home to Carlinville when she was just eight days old. Brooke graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 2005, followed by four years at Illinois State University, graduating with a degree in Ag. She worked in the field of Ag for eight years at ADM in Decatur and four years at Central Illinois Ag in Atlanta, Illinois.
Brooke’s true passion, from the time she was a little girl, was anything and everything to do with horses, which eventually led her to start her own business called Independently Equine. She offered services including teaching riding lessons, horse management, barn organization and management, professional scribing and judging, show coaching, and consulting on horse purchases.
Her mission was to aid in the positive growth of relationships between horse and rider. She used a compassionate approach to all types of learning and communication. Brooke was born with a big heart for others. She was kind, caring, fun-loving and had a great laugh, beautiful smile, and gave the best hugs. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, John; uncles, Jim Powell and Dan Curtis; and grandparents, Dot and Bob Beard and Jake and Mildred Powell.
She is survived by her mother, Chris; companion, Joe Greene; uncles and aunts, Marc Beard, Rex (Gail) Beard and Mary Curtis; as well as cousins, Geoff (Emily) Curtis, Bond (Drew) Wyman, Ryan (Sheila) Beard, and young cousins Xander, Asher, and Aria Wyman, and Robert Beard. She is also survived by a large number of extended family members. She leaves behind, too, her beloved dog, Tovi, and her two horses, Sweet Pea and Betsy. Sweet Pea has been with Brooke since she was 14 years old.
Visitation will take place Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on February 18 at the Carlinville United Methodist Church with the funeral on Wednesday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m. also at CUMC. Memorials may be given to the Carlinville High School FFA, 4H, Macoupin County Animal Shelter, or Benld Adopt-A-Pet. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, LTD, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Thomas Michael Pritchard, 57 of Carlinville, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at his residence in Carlinville. Tom was born on August 26, 1967, in Carlinville a son of Zane and Clara (Churchill) Pritchard.
He graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1986. Tom never married. Tom worked as maintenance at Carlinville Community School District, Starr Brothers Hog Farm, and the elevators at both Palmyra and Chesterfield.
Tom was a skilled outdoorsman, fisherman and hunter of all game. He also enjoyed hunting for artifacts. He loved making memories with friends through turkey and waterfowl hunting.
Thomas is survived by his brother, Steve Pritchard of Springfield.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Kathryn Peterson, and his black lab ,Bandit.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. His ashes will be buried next to his parents and sister at Moore cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Davis-Anderson P.O. Box 135 Carlinville, IL 62626 for funeral expenses. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville, is in charge of arrangements.
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Barbara Ann Holak, 66 of Springfield, formerly of Staunton, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Hillsboro Rehab & Health Care Center in Hillsboro. She was born on October 27, 1958, in Staunton the daughter of the late Joe and Gail (Ruckstahl) Holak.
Barb was a 1976 graduate of Staunton High School and was active in track and in the marching band as a flag twirler. After high school, she went to work in the Secretary of State’s office in Springfield until her retirement in 2010. She loved making new friends, playing in dart leagues, taking canoe trips with her many friends, and was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
She is survived by her two sisters, Linda Holak (Dennis) Grammer of Litchfield and Connie Holak (Bob) Zenner of Staunton; two nephews, Shane (Dana) Grammer and Chad (Melissa) Grammer; a great nephew, Easton Grammer; and two great nieces, Dakoda Mix and Rylie Mix, all of Litchfield.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Coats for Kids, PO Box 157, Litchfield, IL 62056. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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95-year-old Helen Boehler of Litchfield passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 1:35 a.m. at Imboden Creek Senior Living Center in Decatur on February 27, 2025. She was born on September 29, 1929 in Litchfield the only child of Max E. and Juanita (Bridges) Taylor.
She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Litchfield Community High School graduating with the class of 1947. She and Charles William Boehler were married by Fr. F.J. Lawler at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on November 27, 1948, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage before his passing on February 26, 2012.
Through the years, Mrs. Boehler was employed as a receptionist at the old St. Francis Hospital, Dr. Arthur E. Sihler, Claude Anderson, O.D., and Sidney’s Tot and Teen, all in Litchfield. She enjoyed walking, dancing, was a voracious reader and an avid St. Louis Cardinal’s fan. Mrs. Boehler was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the St. Anne’s Society, and a volunteer with the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary.
Mrs. Boehler is survived by daughters, Sue (Greg) Penderghest of Decatur and Marcie (Mark) Hartke of Kirksville, MO; grandchildren, Emily Penderghest of Franklin, IN, Monica Penderghest and Chary Hall of Decatur, and Jared (Kate) Hartke of Pittsburgh, PA; and great-grandson, Reuben Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield. Father Daniel Willenborg will preside. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the Litchfield Public Library or Holy Family Catholic Church. Plummer Funeral Home of Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
