Obituaries
Obituary of Cynthia Kay (Dal Pozzo) Leonard
Cynthia Kay Leonard, 74 of Staunton, passed away Friday, February 7, 2025, at Staunton Health & Rehab in Staunton. She was born on June 28, 1950, in Litchfield a daughter of the late Reno and Ellen (Salter) Dal Pozzo. She married Lloyd “Chuck” Leonard on August 6, 1971, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, and he passed away October 15, 2018.
Cindy retired from SIUE after working in Lovejoy Library, the Physics Department, and the Registrar’s Office. She also worked at the Star-Times for a short period and in her younger years she worked for the Illinois Secretary of State Office in Springfield.
She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends. For years, she and Chuck could be found at R & B’s for breakfast on a regular basis and she continued to meet friends and family there after Chuck’s passing.
Cindy and her mother spent many years working on the family history and helping others with their searches. She continued her research after her mother passed. She was a proud member of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). She was also a founding member of the Staunton Area Genealogy Society that later became the Macoupin County Illinois Genealogical Society. She served in many positions on the board. Her interest in genealogy sent her on many trips to the Outer Banks, NC, for more research.
She was involved in setting up the George H. & Santina Sawyer Genealogy Room at the Staunton Public Library. She also enjoyed researching the history of Staunton. She was a fountain of information and would gladly share it with anyone who asked or even if they didn’t ask. She loved to talk about it and share pictures, of which she had many.
She also had very fond memories of her high school years participating in band and choir. As a child, she and her older sisters participated in many tap dance recitals. Music was a big part of her childhood and teenage years. She also played in what was then called the Staunton Municipal Band.
She is survived by two children, Luke (Malinda) Leonard of Staunton and daughter, Christa (Tim) Still of Troy; two grandchildren, Claire and Alex Leonard; two sisters, Diane Williamson of Normal and Renee (Glen) Seganfredo of Staunton; and sister-in-law, Verla Leonard of Tennessee. She is also survived by special cousins, Tami Kershaw, Mark Dal Pozzo, and Jim Heeren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Janet McDole; one brother, Scott Dal Pozzo; three brothers-in-law, John Williamson, Mike McDole, and Mike Leonard; and one brother in infancy, Marion Dal Pozzo.
Private graveside services will be held at Tine Sawyer Cemetery near Staunton at a later date. Memorials are suggested to either Staunton Band Boosters or the Alzheimer’s Association. Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton 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.
