Obituaries
Obituary of Vernon Lee Thrasher
Vernon Lee Thrasher, 58 of Litchfield, passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at home with his family by his side. He was born on February 10, 1967, in Denver, CO, a son of Linda Ann (Odle) Schwehr and Kenneth Lee Thrasher. Vernon married Kay Hamby in 1984, and they later divorced. He married the former Patti Brown at Litchfield Southern Baptist Church on June 8,1991, and they enjoyed nearly 34 years of marriage. She survives.
Vernon was known for his strong work ethic, always giving 110%. He always had a full-time job and usually had a side-job as well. Jobs he held included cooking at Maverick Steakhouse, a 22-year career at Echlin Manufacturing, and the City of Litchfield’s Street and Sewer Department. His last job, which he loved most of all, was with the Montgomery County Housing Department. Over his 10-year career with the housing department, he had the opportunity to teach his skills and knowledge to many of his coworkers. He was well-respected among his colleagues, and after illness forced his retirement, they continued to call him for expert advice.
Vernon loved to flip houses, do woodworking, and proudly passed those skills, along with his strong work ethic to his children and grandchildren. Family and friends were important to him, and he enjoyed camping, spending time at their property, and having them over to his garage, where he was always working on something. He had many friends in many places. He was heavily involved in the Litchfield Eagles, Aerie 4499, where he served as a Trustee and the President for many years. The Eagles motto is “People Helping People”, and that is how he lived his life.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Patti; mother and stepfather, Linda and Bob Schwehr of Litchfield; father and stepmother, Kenneth and Shirley Thrasher of Shenandoah, IA; children, Nathan Thrasher, Joshua (Morgan) Thrasher, Nicolle Thrasher, and “adopted daughter” Shelly (Brett) Jackson; grandchildren, Hayden Parker, Chevy Thrasher, Nataleigh Jackson, Skylynn and Leham Thrasher, Lincoln Killam, and Kinleigh Jackson; and siblings, John (Nicole) Thrasher of Litchfield, Todd (Rachel) Schwehr of Ocala, FL, Sherry (Robert) Galvin of Shelbyville, and Bobby Schwehr of Litchfield.
Preceding him in death were his maternal grandparents, Vernon and Vivian Odle.
Funeral services for Vernon will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. David and Cailey Nordheilm of Washington, IL, will officiate. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.
The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Montgomery County Cancer Association, 106 Pinnacle Point Drive, Hillsboro, IL, 62049. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield 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.
