Obituaries
Obituary of Elsie Lucille (Small) Street
Elsie Lucille Street of Litchfield passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 94 years of age on the same date and virtually the same time as her late husband, Lee, passed fourteen years ago. Born January 28, 1931, in Litchfield to the late Charles Cleveland Small and Anna Sophia (Lehnert) Small, she was the first incubator baby at St. Francis Hospital weighing only 3-1/2 pounds at birth.
Elsie was extremely proud of her maternal Dutch-German heritage. Her grandmother, Jenna Muller, was one of thirteen children born to Riclef Peters Muller and Anthye Janssen Helen Detmers in Hage, Norden, Hanover, Prussia, Germany (on the North Sea) in 1858, with the entire family coming to the U.S. by ship in 1883.
Elsie married the love of her life, Lee Gilbert Allen Street, in Hillsboro on February 19, 1949; a marriage that spanned 62 years until his death in 2011. In her early years, Elsie was employed at St. Francis Hospital in the surgery and x-ray departments developing the majority of the x-rays for the victims of the 1948 Bunker Hill tornado disaster. For the remainder of her life she was a devoted homemaker and enjoyed working in her yard and tending her flowers. She was well-known for her “green thumb” and creating a beautiful variety of rare flowers and ferns in her yard.
She enjoyed and was extremely gifted in the arts of crochet, embroidery, painting, making soap, and baking and decorating cakes, cookies and candies. She was a prolific collector of vintage items and loved attending yard and estate sales. Elsie loved visiting with her friends and relatives both in person and on the phone as well as sending and receiving cards and letters. She loved dancing and listening to German Polka music and in her later years, she had a passion for jigsaw and word puzzles and watching cooking shows that featured children cooking or Cake Boss.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Litchfield where she was a member of King’s Daughters, worked in the nursery, and served in many capacities. She loved and honored the Lord and the teachings of the Bible. She was kind to everyone, honest to a fault, but also had a “fiery” spirit. She took care of her mother, stepfather, mother-in-law, uncle, and neighbors when they needed help or were at the end of life. She taught her children to be empathetic, honorable, and trustworthy.
Elsie’s life was defined by generosity – guided by Acts 20:35 (“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’), she often gave away her possessions to anyone she felt was in need. Her gentle kindness touched the lives of many.
It must be noted that Elsie loved each member of her family and all of her friends unconditionally. She was so proud of them and each of their accomplishments and made sure to let them (and everyone else) know.
Until recently, Elsie had been cared for by her daughter and “son”-in-law, Ann and David Allen of Litchfield for the past 13 years. Besides Ann and Dave, she also leaves a grandson, D. Brett Allen and his wife Kellie (Eaker) Allen of Wildwood, MO; one great grandson, Keegan Edward Allen of Wildwood, MO; daughter, Brenda Arter (John) of rural Raymond; and grandson, J. Nicholas Arter, and granddaughter, Abigail Katherine Arter, both who reside in St. Louis, MO. She also leaves several nieces and nephews who she held close to her heart.
Preceding her in death were her parents and husband; her step-father, Norris Sinclair DeWitt of Litchfield; her brother, Charles C. Small, and his wife, Delores of Greenville; her step-sister, Bess (DeWitt) Odle of Litchfield; her beloved niece, Peggy Michelle Miller Odle of Litchfield; and nephews, Robert and Dale Street of Litchfield, and Robert Street of Phoenix, AZ.
A private graveside service for immediate family members and Blessing for the deceased will be held on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025, with burial in Elm Lawn Cemetery, Litchfield. Lynne Taylor, Ministerial Chairperson of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, will Officiate.
Elsie often said, “Give me flowers when I can enjoy them, not when I have passed.” With that request in mind, the family asks that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Gillespie Health and Rehabilitation Activity Department, c/o Elsie’s daughter, Ann Allen, Litchfield.
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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.
