Obituaries
Obituary of Donald Kasubke
Donald Kasubke, 83 of Staunton, passed away at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Cottages of Lake St. Louis in Lake St. Louis, MO. He was born on October 28, 1941, in Litchfield the son of the late William and Hildegarde (Lewerenz) Kasubke. He married Marie Tjaden on March 16, 1963, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. They were happily married for 61 years. She passed away on October 9, 2024.
Don attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated in 1959 from Staunton High School. Don was a standout basketball player in high school, scoring over 1000 points in his career (2nd in school history). He still holds the SHS single game scoring record with 45 points. He later played basketball at SIU-Carbondale. In 1963, he graduated from SIU-C with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education; then completed his Master of Science Degree in 1971.
Don was employed as an Industrial Arts teacher at Cahokia Wirth Junior High School from 1963-1999. Along with teaching, he coached school softball and baseball teams for many years. He was the head coach for the 1980 and 1982 IESA State Softball Tournament Champions.
In the mid-1970s, Don & Marie were one of five husband and wife EMT teams that started the Staunton Area Ambulance Service. He coached multiple Staunton youth baseball and softball teams when his children were playing. He was an active member of the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department for over 53 years. From 2004-2023, he was a member of the Staunton Community Hospital Board of Trustees, the last 17 as Board Chairman. He also served on the Anderson Hospital Board after they acquired Staunton Hospital.
He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, serving several terms as Elder and on various committees. He and Marie enjoyed following the St. Louis Cardinals and were season ticket holders for 25 years. They also enjoyed traveling, especially to attend their grandchildren’s events. Don was named Staunton Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” in 2001.
He is survived by three children, Bruce (Mary Ann) Kasubke of Mexico, MO, Lisa (Ryan) Lackey of Kingwood, TX, and Bret (Michelle) Kasubke of Dardenne Prairie, MO; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth and Sarah Kasubke, Rachel & Lauren Lackey, Katlyn (Jake) Elfers, and Ella & Luke Kasubke; and a sister, Karen Pacey of St. Louis, MO.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 AM on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. A memorial service will follow at 11 AM on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton with Pastor Phil Girardin officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
The family suggests memorials to the charity of the donor’s choice. Williamson 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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Rita Mae Smith NEE Dana, 93, passed away peacefully at 10:35 am on July 6, 2025, with her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law by her side. She was born on October 21, 1931, in Mitchell, IL to Gertrude Bequette Dana and Charles Edward Dana Sr.
She married Charles Newton (Newt) Smith, Jr. on December 29, 1949, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Bethalto. He passed away in December 1995.
First and foremost she loved family and family gatherings, golf, the cardinals, dancing, wine dinners, and high tea. She was known for her fried chicken and her generosity. She always said “there is always room for one more at the table.” She sent care packages to her kids friends through the years and always made sure everyone had a Christmas. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Steven Ray Whisenand whom she adored; her parents and in laws, Comella and Charles N Smith Sr.; three brothers and their spouses, Charles Edward (Boss) Dana Jr., Stanley Aloysius (Allie) and Ruth Ann Dana, Joseph (Joe) and Marilyn Dana; four sisters and their spouses, Margaret and Delmar Oldenettel, Gertrude (Trudy) and Gene King, Elizabeth (Betty) and George Briskovich and Barbara (Bobbie) and John Katich; three brothers in law, George F Smith, Spencer Q Smith and Birdie Stanfield, Richard C Smith and Sylvia; sister in law, Comella (Cassie) Reynolds; niece; two nephews; two great nieces; and one great nephew.
She is survived by her daughter, Paulette’ Je’An Smith of Bunker Hill; her son and his wife, Steven (Smitty) and Marcia Smith of Littleton, CO; one sister and brother in law, Helen and Steve Zink of Springfield; 37 nieces and nephews; 31 great nieces and nephews; and 33 great great nieces and nephews.
Private family services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the arrangements.
