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Obituary of Sarajoan “Sally” Crane

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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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Obituaries

Obituary of Ronald D. Semplowski

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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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Obituary of Donald Bernard Swann

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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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Obituary of John Lee Kellenberger

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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.

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