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Obituary of Henry Eilers

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Henry Eilers was born to dairy farmers Heinrich and Ruth Eilers in northern Germany (Ostfriesland) on August 17, 1934. 

It was his mother’s encouragement that propelled him into a passion for natural botanical heritage. This motivated him to pursue a study of botany, ultimately lead him to being regarded as one of the Illinois top botanists.

At age 20 in 1955, having already completed studies at a nearby horticulture school in Bad Zwischenahn, Henry left for the United States. 

Henry served honorably in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959.

Shortly after arriving in the US, he met another German immigrant, Ursula Garbe and married. In 1960 they opened a business, H. E. Nursery. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before she passed away in 2019. 

Early on in his arrival in Litchfield, Henry walked along the east side of Lake Lou Yaeger and discovered an oddity. He noticed that plants from the northern savanna of the US were growing amidst plants native to the southern savanna of the US. This is when he discovered that a thin line exists along the Midwest where the two Savannas converge. In almost all areas, the merging line has been developed, farmed or otherwise compromised and wiped out. 

Henry worked long and hard for many years, struggling to maintain this rare piece of natural heritage. Finally, his efforts paid off, and now his name graces the park; Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area.

Henry recently celebrated his 90th birthday recently and had spent almost all of those years being a steward of Earth. Through his education, employment, personal research, and his business, he had amassed a knowledge of native plants and botany that is equaled by few. He had used that knowledge to advocate for the restoration and preservation of several sites in Montgomery County that are now thriving conservation and pollinator areas: Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area and Rt 66 Prairie. Henry had been known for his volunteerism, presentations, writing, photography, board memberships, social media presence, and personal associations. 

Most recently he received the Illinois Conservation Foundation highest honor: Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, which stands among numerous other awards.  

Henry leaves behind his three daughters, Helen (Ray Trost) of Litchfield, Elizabeth (Chris Bron) of Springfield, and Maria Eilers of Litchfield. He also leaves six grandchildren, Derek Eairheart of Kent, Washington, Monica Osborn of Holly Springs, NC, Hannah Poetain of Glen Carbon, Parker Feldmann, of Reno, NV, Christina Carlisle of Port Ste. Lucie Florida, and Julia Dinkins of Union MO. He also leaves great-grandchildren, Coury, Zach and Harmony Eairheart, Ayden and Ethan Osborn, and Quinn, Noel and Campbell Poetain; as well as several nieces and nephews in Germany. 

Henry most wanted to serve His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and always stated how God had richly blessed him.

He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife Ursula, brother Klaus Eilers. 

Funeral services for Henry will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1301 N State St.  in Litchfield. Pastor Fred Kraemer will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church Litchfield, or to Natural Area Guardians (NAGS). Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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Obituaries

Obituary of Calvin “Sonny” Weber

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Calvin “Sonny” Weber, 91 of Staunton, passed away at 4:52 PM on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at his residence in Staunton. He was born on June 19, 1934, at home in Dorsey the son of the late Robert E. and Sylvia T. (Ostendorf) Weber. 

He married Linda Norton and she preceded him in death.

“Sonny” was a union laborer for many years.  He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed taking care of his yard, spending time with his grandkids, and playing cards.

He is survived by his daughter, Michelle (Chris) Borror of Queen Creek, AZ and their two children, Lauren and Alex Borror; one son, Chris Ferguson, and his daughter, Chelsea Carr; a great granddaughter, Evelyn Carr; one brother, Marvin (Diane) Weber; and two special nieces who he referred to as his “Number One”, Deb Filotto, and his “Number Two”, Amy Korte. 

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Evelyn Olmsted, and one brother, Bob Weber.

No services are scheduled. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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Obituary of Dr. Carla B. Engelke

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Dr. Carla B. Engelke, 47, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at her residence in Tucson, AZ. Carla was born December 7, 1978, in Alton.

She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Prairietown. She was the beloved daughter of Steve and Jeanette Engelke and an awesome sister to Mark Engelke, all of Prairietown. She leaves behind two special aunts, Sharon Schaefer and Christina Urban.

She was preceded in death by her Uncle John “Red” Urban and Uncle Arlin Schaefer and numerous cousins.

Growing up on a family farm, Carla learned relentless work ethic, faith, responsibility, and respect for humanity. Since she was a toddler, she loved animals: turtles, bunnies, bucket calves, pigs, kittens, and especially dogs (jack, Jenny, and Clifford).

She was an avid reader. She was passionate about science, research, the arts, Shakespeare, Jeopardy, Snoopy, music, and college basketball and football. She was also a devoted Cardinal fan. Two of her favorite holidays were Halloween and Christmas. We will miss her smile, her laugh, sense of humor, and spontaneous wit.

Following graduation from Edwardsville High School, Carla expanded her Illinois roots graduating from Saint Louis University Summa Cum Laude with a BS in biology. She completed her optometric education at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee in 2005 and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

During optometry school, Carla participated in SVOSH (Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) traveling to developing countries, performing eye exams, and prescribing donated Lions’ Club eyeglasses to help people see the world better. She then furthered her education by completing a one-year residency in ocular disease and specializing in low vision rehabilitation at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, Arizona which focused on improving the quality of life of legally blind Veterans. Upon completion of her residency, she was immediately hired as a staff optometrist where she spent her entire career serving Veterans while teaching residents and optometry students.

Carla’s career was marked not only by clinical excellence but by visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the optometric profession. She served as President of the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (also known as AFOS) where she helped shape and advance the field of optometry. She was also recognized as the 2019 AFOS VA Optometrist of the Year, which is an honor that reflects the profound respect she earned from her peers and the exceptional care she provided to her patients.

Those who had the privilege of working alongside Carla witnessed firsthand her compassion, integrity, and commitment to mentorship. She set a standard of excellence that elevated the profession and enriched the lives of countless patients and colleagues. Her impact extends far beyond titles and awards as it lives on in the optometry residents and students she inspired and the many patients she cared for especially those with traumatic brain injury and impaired vision.

In dedication to Carla, AFOS has renamed their annual award the Dr. Carla Engelke Resident of the Year award and has started a travel grant to provide funding to residents to travel to educational meetings to honor and memorialize Carla’s legacy. If you would like to contribute to the AFOS optometry resident travel grant, a memorial fund has been set up in her name and honor: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dr-carla-engelke-legacy-fund

Checks can also be sent to:

AFOS
C/o Dr. Lindsay Wright
11705 Airport Way, Suite 306
Broomfield, CO 88201

A private burial to honor Carla will be held at a later date. She is loved and will be sadly missed by her family, friends, and colleagues. Williamson Funeral Home, in Staunton, is in charge of arrangements.

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Obituary of Roberta “Bobbi” Haneghan

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Roberta “Bobbi” Haneghan, 89 of Bunker Hill, died on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Cedarhurst Senior Living, Bethalto. She was born in Bunker Hill on June 24, 1936, to Robert and Clara (Fensterman) Haneghan.

Bobbi was fiercely independent and loved being active. She enjoyed traveling, woodworking, spending time with family and friends, and had a strong passion for dogs. Her exuberant laugh brought joy to everyone around her.

She is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bobbi was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, William “Bill” Haneghan; and seven sisters, Jean Haneghan (infant), Vivian O’Toole, June Fortschneider, Patricia “Patty” Whiting, Veronica “Ronni” Waymire, Edwina “Babe” Weishaupt, and Mary Lynn Brunaugh.

A private burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bunker Hill. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Metro East Humane Society at https://www.mehs.org/support. Kravanya Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements.

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