Obituaries
Obituary of Ed Helgen
Ed Helgen, 87 of Litchfield, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2024. Ed’s valiant health battle in his final days and months had him surrounded unceasingly by his family. Ed was loved by all who knew him. He was often affectionately referred to as the “Mayor of Jubelt’s, McDonalds, and Dennys” where he held daily morning roundtables with his friends.
Edward William was born on November 22, 1937. He was the son of the late Otto and Hulda Helgen. Ed met his one and only true love, Sue Simpson, when he was only 13. They were married in 1956 and shared a beautiful life together until the time of her death in 2019.
They had four children, Marci (Peanut) Johnson, Nancy (Earl) Flack, Dan (JoAnn) Helgen, and Tricia (Craig) Rogers. Ed’s legacy continues with 11 grandchildren, Kyle (Angie) Johnson, Kasey (Tyler) VanderMeersch, Ryan (fiancé Brittany) Stitt, Emily Stitt, Zachary Helgen, Amanda (Alex) Hampton, Lindsay (Cody) Epley, Rachel (fiancé Blake) Helgen, Caitlan Rogers (Eric Maguire), Brianna Herschelman (Sam Taylor), and Alec (Dana Newell) Rogers; and one step granddaughter, Kelsey Flack. Great-grandchildren include, Korbin Johnson, Kyra Halleman, Ariya and Axtyn VanderMeersch, Ruby and Millie Hampton, Scarlett and Harper Epley, Ellie, Leo and Bryce Maguire, Lucy Rogers and Everett Flack. Ed is also survived by his older sister, Alice Alexander of Tacoma, Washington.
Ed dedicated his entire life to family, faith, community service and his lifelong family farm that he built alongside his father, Otto, his beloved brother, Bud (Herman), and his son, Dan. Farming was and is still to this day all that the Helgen men know. In addition to the land they prepared and farmed, they also had an enormous hog operation for many decades that at one time numbered beyond 2500 hogs, as well as a large cattle operation. In his younger years, Ed won many farming awards. The farming legacy continues with son, Dan, and the next generation of Helgen farmers.
Ed lived his life as a servant to his Lord. He was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church and had served in just about every role through the years including Chairman of the congregation, Chairman of the Elders, School Board President, and Chairman of the new school building committee in the early 1970’s. He attended the school in his elementary years and prided himself on the fact that each of his children and many of his grandchildren attended and were confirmed in the Lutheran faith as well.
Ed not only lived his strong faith, but he also believed in being an involved member of the community. Ed served twenty years on the Montgomery County Board. He was on the St. Francis Board of Directors for several years. He also gave eight years of service to the Illinois National Guard where he rose in ranks. In addition, Ed was an active member in the Pork Producers, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, and worked for the State Highway Department for several winters as a Snowbird.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed watching and playing sports. This included being a forty-year member of the Litchfield Country Club playing golf. He was also on the Zion Lutheran bowling team for many years. He loved spending time with lifelong friends. He and his beloved wife, Sue, enjoyed traveling to many interesting destinations. His most treasured moments in life were those spent with his family enjoying large family gatherings and attending sporting events for his grandchildren.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; grandson, Keck Edward Hampton; and brother, Herman (Bud) Helgen.
Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Fred Kraemer will officiate. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Cemetery. The visitation will be held at the church on Friday, January 3 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, all memorials can be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Ed Helgen Ag Scholarship. Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Betty Jane Stoecker, 95 of Hillsboro, formerly of Benld, died at Hillsboro Area Hospital, Hillsboro on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. She was born on September 4, 1929, in Litchfield to Finis “Slim” Thomas Hughes and Francis Rivers Gahagen Hughes.
She married Herbert A. Stoecker in Benld in June of 1949. He preceded her in death in 1967. Betty was a graduate of Benld High School. Betty was a farmer’s wife. She was an avid supporter of Adopt A Pet.
She is survived by her children, Linda (John) Stretch of Hillsboro, Thomas (Sandra) Stoecker of Carlinville, and Gail Marie (Rice) Phillips of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Chris Holman, Stacie (Clayton) Streator, Daniel (Erica) Robbins, Amanda Robbins, Aaron Stoecker, Brent (Karla) Stoecker, Mark (Renae) Thompson, Michelle (Chuck) Blankenship, Michael (Amanda) Thompson, and Michael Phillips; 18 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; and great grandson, Balin Robbins.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gillespie from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. Funeral services are Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gillespie.
Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie. Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Cemetery or Adopt A Pet. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Lindia M. Smith, 83 of Gillespie, died at Keystone Place, Glen Carbon on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 5:51 pm. She was born on November 12, 1941, in Ironton, MO to James Crocker and Dona Gillam Crocker.
She married Harold Dean Smith on July 25, 1959. He preceded her in death on January 23, 2023. She was a cashier for Walmart for 15 years. Lindia was an animal lover. She had a passion for raising baby squirrels. Lindia also enjoyed working in her yard.
She is survived by her sons, David (Tracy) Smith of Gillespie and Barry Smith of Gillespie; daughter, Lori (Joe) Sneed of Glen Carbon; grandson, Randy Sneed of Glen Carbon; several granddaughters; several great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and siblings, Frances (Richard) Kalbfleish of Pevely, MO and Gary (Barbara) Crocker of Russellville, MO.
Lindia was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; son, Harold I Smith; and several brothers and sisters.
Friends may call on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services are Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie.
Burial will be at Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Carlinville. Memorials are suggested to Macoupin County Animal Shelter. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Dora Berutti, 92 of Benld, died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center, Gillespie on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 11:54 pm. She was born on April 5, 1932, in Benld to Anton Fiorio and Maria Gherna Fiorio.
She married Herman R. “Skip” Berutti on October 15, 1955, in Benld. He preceded her in death on December 23, 2005. She was retired after having been a bookkeeper for Illinois Valley. Dora was a member of the St. Joseph’s Church and Altar Society.
She is survived by her son, Tom (Kara) Berutti of Southlake, TX; daughter, Gina Bain of Litchfield; grandchildren, Amie Lynn, Claire, Caroline, and Emily; great-grandchildren, Lance, Faith, and Lexie Raine; and great-great-grandchildren, Alexander, Paisley Grace and Skylar.
Dora was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; sisters, Anita, Olga, and Dena; and brother, Thomas.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Church in Benld from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Memorial mass will be on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Church in Benld at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Benld Cemetery, Benld.
Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s Church or Benld Cemetery. Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld is in charge of the arrangements.
