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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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.
