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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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.
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