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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Robert Leeroy Blevins, 77 of Litchfield, passed away the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born in Litchfield on December 24, 1947, a son of Robert James and Betty Bernadine (Cranford) Blevins.
He graduated from Centralia High School and proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He was employed for many years as a cabinet maker with Adenca Manufacturing in Litchfield. Robert enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and looking for buried treasures with his metal detector.
He was a talented musician and played guitar and saxophone. Robert enjoyed watching and listening to all spectator sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He married the former Wanda Kay Large and they later divorced.
Robert is survived by sons, Christopher (fiancée Grace) Blevins and Jason (Jamie) Blevins, all of Litchfield; daughters, Jennifer (Gordon) Fenton of Salem, MO and Shannon Large of Litchfield; brothers, Chesley Blevins of Staunton, Joseph Blevins of Litchfield, Floyd Blevins of Highland, and Fred Blevins of Litchfield; sisters, Barbara (Ray) Schuster of Sorento, Sharon (John) Wickerheim of Chicago, and Pamela Poppenhouse of Litchfield; and several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Betty B. Blevins.
Funeral services for Mr. Blevins will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Pastor Gilbert Dealey will officiate. Burial will be in Crabtree Cemetery. Military honors will be at graveside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family of Robert Blevins, c/o Christopher Blevins. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Joyce Carleen Simmons, 83 of Litchfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 23, 2025. She was born in Pana on May 31, 1942, a daughter of Carl Cornelius and Lucille Romelta (Miller) Brakenhoff.
She was a member of the Litchfield High School graduating class of 1960. She married Raymond “Larry” Simmons on June 6, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and they enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage until his passing on January 23, 2022.
Joyce was an excellent cook and well known for her beef and noodles, Texas cake, and stew. Joyce’s delicious cooking skills were evident during her 22-year career as manager of Jubelt’s Variety Bakery in Litchfield and as a ten-year cafeteria worker for the Litchfield Community School District #12. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, tending to her fruit trees, and sewing. Joyce enjoyed serving others by teaching Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and volunteering for the local Meals on Wheels.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Raymond (Vicki) Simmons of Evansville, IN and David (Jacqueline) Simmons of Haymarket, VA; daughter, Laura Simmons of Edwardsville; brothers, Leslie (Sue) Brakenhoff of Litchfield, Byron (Terry) Brakenhoff of Chattanooga, TN, and Dale (Nancy) Brakenhoff of Litchfield; sisters, Ramona Warman of Charleston, IL and Marilyn (Don) Loptien of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Zachary Simmons, Makenzie (Jeremy) Frazier, Emma Simmons, and William Simmons; and great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Eli and Calla.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Rev. Larry Brakenhoff and Bernard Brakenhoff; brother-in-law Robert, “Bob” Warman; and niece, Kimberly (Brakenhoff) Bergman.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141-8557. Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
