Obituaries
Obituary of Sarajoan “Sally” Crane
Sarajoan “Sally” Crane, 88 of Litchfield, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 4:15 a.m. at The Wealshire of Bloomington in Bloomington, MN, where she was loved by all the staff who considered her one of their favorites. They shared sweet stories of how she would try to put them to work organizing files and getting paperwork done.
Sally was born on Dec. 11, 1936, in Virden, a daughter of Russell Wayne and Elizabeth (Betty) Pence. Sally graduated from Litchfield Community High School with the class of 1954. She then attended one year of college at Eastern Illinois University. Sally later transferred to Southern Illinois University Carbondale for the remaining three years. She graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
Sally married Richard Thomas “Tom” Crane, Jr. on March 24, 1957, at the Old House of Sunshine on North State Street in Litchfield. Following college, Sally taught first and second grades and did some substitute teaching. She lived in Chicago, Shelbyville, Mattoon, and Eureka, IL, and moved to Indianapolis, IN, in 1968.
Sally worked for 16 years in Indianapolis for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, retiring in 2002 when she moved to Litchfield. Sally was a member of Union Avenue Christian Church and the Litchfield Women’s Club. She volunteered at the Route 66 Museum in Litchfield. Sally enjoyed traveling to Germany and throughout the US including Hawaii; she looked forward to vacationing in Branson, MO, every year to see the shows. Sally enjoyed collecting antiques and selling them at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall.
Sally’s husband, Tom, passed away on Sept. 19, 2021. She is survived by one son, Sgt. Major (SGM) US Army Retired, Richard Thomas (Thalia) Crane, III, of Lamia, Greece; three daughters, Laurie Knutson of Bloomington, MN, Sheryl (Michael) George of Peoria, AZ, and Susan (John) Byrd of Bloomington, IN; sister, Susan Jean Pence of Chicago; brother, Russell Eugene Pence of Champaign; 10 grandchildren, Peyton (Dustin) Coar, Toryn White (Tim Hickam), Finnegan Byrd, Eric (Rei Liou) Knutson, Ryan (Mandy) Knutson, Emily (Tyler) Thorpe, Richard Thomas Crane IV (fiancée, Nadine Bittel), Steven Crane, Chistopher George, and Philip (Natalie) George; and 10 great-grandchildren, Hadley, Emery, & Maisie Coar, Hadley & Soren Knutson, Mitchell & Elliott Thorpe, Channing & Charleen Crane, and Mila Crane.
Sally was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Services are pending. Memorials may be designated to Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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Carol Monetti, 92 of Carlinville, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Village at Morse Farm in Carlinville. Carol Joyce Rahm was born on May 25, 1932, in Litchfield a daughter of Edna Sievers Rahm and Elmer Rahm of Staunton.
She attended Zion Lutheran School in Staunton for eight years and graduated from Staunton Community High in 1950. She attended Illinois State University for one and a half years, majoring in art. In the summer of 1952, she accepted a job at Shell Oil Refinery in Woodriver, IL, in the personnel department. In 1955, she married Charles J. Monetti and moved to Carlinville.
She was employed in the office at MJM Electric for several years. When her husband, Charlie, opened his own auto repair shop, the North End Garage, she did the bookkeeping there and generally kept things moving smoothly, as Charlie’s Mom did before her. They spent twenty-three years during the winter months in Ft. Myers, Florida in Heritage Cove.
Carol and Charlie were the parents of two children, Gary Monetti of Tampa and New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Susan Mackay of Raymond, grandparents of Courtney Johnson and Pierson Monetti of Tampa FL, and great-grandparents of Carter Paige Johnson and Glades Hutchinson Monetti.
Carol loved to spend time working in her yard and her flower beds, reading, dancing, laughing, enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never met a stranger and was loved wholeheartedly by one and all. She will be missed by many.
Private graveside services will be conducted at a future date.
Carol is survived by her husband, Charles Monetti of Carlinville; daughter, Susan (John) Mackay of Raymond; son, Gary Alan (Janell) Monetti of Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Courtney Johnson and Pierson Monetti; and great-grandchildren, Carter Paige Johnson and Glades Hutchinson Monetti.
Memorials may be made to Macoupin County Animal Control and Zion Lutheran Church. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, LTD, Carlinville 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.
