Obituaries
Obituary of William (Bill) Edgar Keepper
William (Bill) Edgar Keepper, 93 of Carlinville, formerly of Schaumburg, passed away on Tuesday evening, August 26, 2025, at Hallmark Health Care in Carlinville. Bill was born on June 22, 1932, in Waukegan, IL, a son of Lester H. Sr. and Martha (Herrin) Keepper.
He graduated from Waukegan High School with the class of 1950 and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1953 where he played football for the Quantico Marines Devil Dogs football team. Bill received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Illinois Wesleyan University and on June 21, 1958, he married Ruby I. Armour in Bloomington, Illinois.
After his time in the service, Bill became an insurance broker in the Chicago area where he later established his own firm and worked until 2021. He was a member of Evangel Assembly of God Church in Schaumburg, IL. He was very devout man, often asking family members if they wanted to join him for Sunday’s service and was frequently called upon to lead the blessing at family events.
In his spare time, Bill had many hobbies like fishing, but he never lost his passion for team sports, particularly basketball and football (GO BEARS). He played basketball until he was in his 70s and that time spent on the court was full of great memories. Most of all Bill, loved to spend time with his family and his grandchildren. His ready smile and quick wit made an impression on everyone he met, and he had an impressive repertoire of magic tricks (is that a quarter behind your ear?) which he put to good use at family gatherings and children’s parties.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Susan Zinda of Carlinville; daughter, Rebecca Keepper of Springfield, MO; four grandsons, Kyle and Tyler Zinda, Garrett and Adam Love; sister, Beth Foster of Shreveport, LA; sister-in-law, Beth Keepper of Aurora, CO; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son, Jeffrey W. Keepper; infant son, William Keepper; son-in-law, Todd Zinda; and two brothers, John Keepper and Lester H. Keepper, Jr.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, 10:00 to 11:00 am at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Carlinville.
Memorials may be made to the family, care of Sue Zinda. 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.
