Obituaries
Obituary of Shanna Michelle Bruckert
Shanna Michelle Bruckert, age 47, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Godfrey on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Shanna was born on August 2, 1977, in Litchfield to Denny and Peaches (Stankoven) Bruckert.
From the moment she entered this world, Shanna brought pure joy, light, and love to her family. Though she faced life with developmental challenges, her heart was boundless, her laughter contagious, and her love for others knew no limits. To know Shanna was to be loved by her.
She had the rare gift of making every person she met feel special, seen, and cherished. Her radiant smile, her endless stories, and her affectionate nature made the world a brighter place. She could fill a room with warmth simply by being in it, and her playful sense of humor never failed to bring smiles to those around her.
Shanna graduated from Gillespie High School with the class of 1998 and spent many years surrounded by her friends at Illinois Valley in Gillespie. There, she formed friendships that lasted a lifetime—she never forgot a face, a name, or a birthday, and her friends always knew how much they meant to her.
In June 2021, Shanna bravely took the biggest step of her life—moving into her own apartment at Beverly Farm in Godfrey, Illinois. Though she had always lived with her parents, her independent spirit was ready to shine. At Beverly Farm, Shanna found not only an apartment but a loving community who quickly became her second family. She shared her home with two lovely women, and there she built a life filled with laughter, friendship, and care.
Shanna embraced her independence with pride and joy. She loved going to the coffee shop, enjoying meals at the café, seeing movies, traveling, and participating in countless activities with her new friends. For the first time, she was responsible for her space—keeping her bedroom and bathroom tidy and doing her laundry. She amazed everyone with how much she accomplished, but no one was surprised by her determination.
Of course, Shanna’s big, loving heart meant there was never a shortage of “boyfriends” in her life. She loved love, and she shared it freely—with her family, her friends, and just about everyone she met. Shanna found happiness in the simplest things—coloring beautiful pictures, sending and receiving cards, watching her favorite movies, and spending hours on the phone with those she loved. Her joy, her gentle soul, and her unwavering love for others were her greatest gifts to this world. She taught us all how to live with kindness, with courage, and with a heart wide open.
She leaves behind so many who adored her including her “other mom” Susan Bruckert; her sister, Brandy Bruckert (Daniel Fisher); her brothers, Alan (Kelley) Young and Robert (Justine) Young; her bonus sister, Shelly (Matt) Alepra; her nephew, Marcus (Christine) Young; her niece, Ashley Young; and Dominic and Isabella Alepra, all of whom cherished their Aunt Shanna with all their hearts.
Waiting to welcome her home in heaven are her parents, Denny and Peaches Bruckert; her grandparents; and many aunts and uncles who surely wrapped her in their arms. Also welcoming her home are her four-legged companions who meant the world to her—her beloved “puppies,” Sammy, Missy, Mitzy, and Jovi. They were her constant comfort, her joy, and part of her family.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie with the funeral service to follow at the funeral home at 12 p.m. Burial will be at Gillespie City Cemetery, where Shanna will rest beside her beloved Daddy— who she missed so deeply.
In honor of Shanna’s love for her home and her friends, memorials are suggested to the Hardin Apartments at Beverly Farm, where she found independence, joy, and lifelong friendships. Kravanya Funeral Home 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.
