Obituaries
Obituary of Jerry J. “Jon” Eldred
Jerry J. “Jon” Eldred, 87 of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center in Litchfield. Jon was born on June 18, 1937, in Chesterfield, a son of James Melvin and Nelle (Schuetz) Eldred.
Jon was a 1955 graduate of Carlinville High School. He married Kathleen Martin on January 16, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Church in Carlinville. Jon was drafted in the Army in September of 1960 and he and Kathleen moved to Aberdeen, Maryland where he served as a light vehicle driver until August of 1962. He then served in the US Army Reserves until his discharge in August of 1966.
Jon worked as a salesman in the agriculture industry starting at FS, moving to Area Ag and returning to FS before his retirement. He was also part owner of Fred Smith Chevrolet for a time. Jon spent many hours on the road traveling to sporting events. He was a regular fan at his grandchildren’s games and was known as Papa Jon to many of their teammates. He was an avid CHS football fan, attending nearly every game for decades.
He also served as chauffer over the years driving his friends to many horse races. Jon’s love of golf came once he finally retired. He golfed with friends regularly and decided only a week before his death not to pay his Carlinville Country Club dues. He was a member of Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church and an honorary lifetime member of the Carlinville Elks Lodge #1412. Never knowing a stranger, Jon’s smile, laugh and kindness will be missed my many.
Jon is survived by his daughter, Kim (Mark) Mehrkens of Pontiac; son, Andy Eldred of Carlinville; grandchildren, Alex (Brittany) Eldred, Madalyn (Caleb) Leach and Seth Mehrkens; great-grandchildren, Avery, Kali, Bella and Cece; sister-in-law, Polly Eldred of Carlinville; and two nephews, Jeff and Jim Eldred.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother, Max.
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville. Mass of Christian burial service will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Joe Koyickal, Sac as celebrant. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Loomis Cemetery in Chesterfield. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Robert Leeroy Blevins, 77 of Litchfield, passed away the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born in Litchfield on December 24, 1947, a son of Robert James and Betty Bernadine (Cranford) Blevins.
He graduated from Centralia High School and proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He was employed for many years as a cabinet maker with Adenca Manufacturing in Litchfield. Robert enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and looking for buried treasures with his metal detector.
He was a talented musician and played guitar and saxophone. Robert enjoyed watching and listening to all spectator sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He married the former Wanda Kay Large and they later divorced.
Robert is survived by sons, Christopher (fiancée Grace) Blevins and Jason (Jamie) Blevins, all of Litchfield; daughters, Jennifer (Gordon) Fenton of Salem, MO and Shannon Large of Litchfield; brothers, Chesley Blevins of Staunton, Joseph Blevins of Litchfield, Floyd Blevins of Highland, and Fred Blevins of Litchfield; sisters, Barbara (Ray) Schuster of Sorento, Sharon (John) Wickerheim of Chicago, and Pamela Poppenhouse of Litchfield; and several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Betty B. Blevins.
Funeral services for Mr. Blevins will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Pastor Gilbert Dealey will officiate. Burial will be in Crabtree Cemetery. Military honors will be at graveside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family of Robert Blevins, c/o Christopher Blevins. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Joyce Carleen Simmons, 83 of Litchfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 23, 2025. She was born in Pana on May 31, 1942, a daughter of Carl Cornelius and Lucille Romelta (Miller) Brakenhoff.
She was a member of the Litchfield High School graduating class of 1960. She married Raymond “Larry” Simmons on June 6, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and they enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage until his passing on January 23, 2022.
Joyce was an excellent cook and well known for her beef and noodles, Texas cake, and stew. Joyce’s delicious cooking skills were evident during her 22-year career as manager of Jubelt’s Variety Bakery in Litchfield and as a ten-year cafeteria worker for the Litchfield Community School District #12. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, tending to her fruit trees, and sewing. Joyce enjoyed serving others by teaching Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and volunteering for the local Meals on Wheels.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Raymond (Vicki) Simmons of Evansville, IN and David (Jacqueline) Simmons of Haymarket, VA; daughter, Laura Simmons of Edwardsville; brothers, Leslie (Sue) Brakenhoff of Litchfield, Byron (Terry) Brakenhoff of Chattanooga, TN, and Dale (Nancy) Brakenhoff of Litchfield; sisters, Ramona Warman of Charleston, IL and Marilyn (Don) Loptien of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Zachary Simmons, Makenzie (Jeremy) Frazier, Emma Simmons, and William Simmons; and great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Eli and Calla.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Rev. Larry Brakenhoff and Bernard Brakenhoff; brother-in-law Robert, “Bob” Warman; and niece, Kimberly (Brakenhoff) Bergman.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141-8557. Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
