Obituaries
Obituary of Harry Leslie Diamond
Harry Leslie Diamond, 78, of Litchfield, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in St. Louis, MO. He was born on Staten Island, NY, on July 17, 1947, a son of Albert Deane and Catherine “Kay” (Santoro) Diamond.
Harry graduated from Litchfield High School with the Class of 1965. He married the former Christina Catherine Roach on July 2, 1966, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Litchfield. She preceded him in death on June 15, 2011.
Harry served in the US Army during the Vietnam War from March 1967 to March 1968. He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, “Big Red One” Company A, 16th Infantry, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart in August 1967.
Following his service, Harry went to trade school where he learned to become a mechanic. He later opened his own shop, Diamond Auto and R.V., and expanded it into Diamond Trailer Sales. Harry, along with his wife, Christina, co-owned Lazy Days Campground and Rustic Acres Campground. Harry finished his career working at Nail’s Power Equipment for twenty years until his retirement.
In his personal time, Harry enjoyed vacationing in Canada, particularly Ontario, visiting casinos, flying his drone, and collecting classic cars. He held memberships in American Legion Post #436 in Litchfield and the Mt. Olive VFW Post #5790.
He is survived by four children, Darlene (Michael) Bushue of Allenspark, CO, Andrew (Jacquelyn) Diamond of Las Cruces, NM, Matthew Diamond of Alton, and Michelle (Archie, Jr.) DeWitt of Litchfield; grandchildren, Lauren (Dylan) Leonard, Hayden Diamond, Grace (Cameron) Rainey, Austin DeWitt, Madison Diamond and Tyler Diamond; step-grandchildren, Steven DeWitt and Levi Bushue; and great-grandchildren, Harrison, Amelia, and Hudson.
In addition to his wife, Christina, Harry was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Albert Diamond.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Deacon Lee Johns of Holy Family Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 12, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101 or Hearts United, 110 North Jackson Street, Litchfield, IL, 62056. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
Ruth Ann “Sis” Pollard passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 79 years old. Ruth was born on April 19, 1947 in Staunton to Homer and Ruth (Clark) Cunningham.
She married George Pollard February 14, 1967, and he preceded her in death. Ruth was a caregiver and foster parent. Ruth was a selfless person who dedicated her life to give a home to special needs children. She was a very loving person when it came to her family and friends and they are going to miss her dearly.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Shane Pollard of Litchfield, Ron (Lorette) Pollard of Gillespie, and Jeff Pollard of Chesterfield; a daughter, Jackie (Leighann) Pollard of Chesterfield; grandchildren, Sean Pollard, Abigail Pollard, Adrian Davis, Jarod Cantrell, Ellen Kennedy, and Lilly Pollard; siblings, Judy (Paul) Spensberger, JoleneWard, Robert (Kathy) Cunningham, Mary (Nick) Hollis, Kelly (Jim) Force, and Gary Cunningham; sister-in-law, Violet Ballowe; daughter-in-law, Karla Pollard; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Ruth Cunningham; her daughter Michelle Pollard; former husband, George Pollard Jr; sister, Gail Mick; and four brothers, Tom, Jack, Delbert, and Jim Cunningham.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Chesterfield Bible Church from 2 to 5 pm. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
Ross Beckman, 90, joined his Lord in Heaven on April 29, 2026, at 2:27 AM. He was born on April 1, 1936, in Highland. His parents were Vernon Otto Bartels and Arlene Beckman, both of New Douglas. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Emma (Sievers) and George Beckman of New Douglas.
Ross attended New Douglas Elementary School in New Douglas and Highland High School in Highland. His first job was at Kline’s Grocery Store in New Douglas. He also was employed at McDonnell Douglas as a sheet metal worker. He worked for Artophone Corporation and also distributed Armstrong Flooring, worked in sales, and traveled Illinois.
He purchased Sherman’s Department Store on East Main Street in Staunton and renamed it Beckman’s Department Store. He operated the store for 30 years before retiring. He then bought property for a new business in Equine Ranch.
Ross was married to Lela Conroy of Staunton. They had one daughter, Wendy Arlene. Lela passed away after a long illness with Huntington’s Corea. Ross was married to Frances Lee Simpson of Staunton for 27 years. She passed away from illness in 2016. He then married Sheila Fay Foster of Carlinville on May 27, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
Ross was a member of the Staunton Jaycees for six years and was also the Chaplain for the State Jaycees. The local chapter gave him a lifelong membership. Ross served one term on the Staunton City Council as a ward #4 alderman and also was on the Dorchester Township Board. He was a long-time elder for the Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
He was an avid horseman. His horse, “Atomico” was not only his show horse but his loving pet. Ross became a member of The Assembly Church in Staunton and was a very active and a devoted servant. He loved his “church family”.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila (Foster) Beckman; son-in-law, John Walker; three brothers-in-laws, James E. Foster Jr., Gary Foster, and Mike Foster; two sisters-in-law, Deborah (Foster) Wilson and Amy Foster, all originally from Carlinville.
Besides his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Arlene.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Assembly Church, 1335 S. Hackman Street, in Staunton with Pastor Arthur Braden officiating.
Ross will be greatly missed, but is in the arms of his Lord Jesus. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
