Obituaries
Obituary of Stephen B. “Butch” Huhsman
Stephen B. “Butch” Huhsman, 75 of Staunton, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at his residence in Staunton. He was born on February 11, 1950, in Litchfield, the son of the late Michael and Berna (Stemploski) Huhsman. He married Kathy Fenton on December 9, 1972, and she survives.
Butch was a man of many passions, each one reflecting his big heart and vibrant spirit. He adored his family above all else and took great joy in every gathering, celebration, and moments spent together. His friendships were lifelong and deeply valued – he never met a stranger and those who knew him felt his genuine kindness.
One of his favorite places to be was in his garage, where he spent countless hours working on and detailing cars. The garage wasn’t just a workspace – it was a gathering place. If the garage door was open, anyone was welcome to stop by to “shoot the bull”, share a cold beer, and flip through the famous picture album that held decades of memories and stories. He knew how to “GET THE CAR STARTED”, and if you didn’t he’d let you hear about it.
A true enthusiast, Butch had a lifelong love for cars and the thrill of racing. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Blues, the Fighting Illini, NASCAR, and Formula One cheering loudly, celebrating victories, and staying loyal through every season.
Butch was also deeply committed to his community and church. He believed in helping others, lending a hand wherever needed, and giving back to the people and places that shaped his life. He was known to dabble in auctioneering and would volunteer to auction at fund raisers and the St. Michael Octoberfest. He really knew how to bump up the bids when the extra dollars were needed. His infamous line was “Alrighty, what ya wanna give!”, and “It’s only money, honey!” His generosity, sense of humor, and willingness to serve left a lasting imprint on his community.
He will be remembered for his big smile, his bigger heart, and the way he made every person feel seen and valued. His legacy lives on in the love he shared, the stories he leaves behind, and the countless lives he touched.
Butch was employed as an Insurance Aduster for National Flood Insurance. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church of Staunton and served in the U.S. Air National Guard.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Huhsman of Staunton; two sons, Jason (Cynthia) Huhsman of Bethalto and Aaron Huhsman of Staunton; two grandchildren, Jacob and Jaiden Huhsman of Bethalto; his inherited brothers and sister, Mike, Roger, Johnny, and Cheri Fenton, whose love and respect for Butch will live on forever.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, James (and his wife, Marilyn) Huhsman; one sister, Marian (and her husband, Hartford) Henry; two nieces, Tricia and Andrea Huhsman; and one nephew, Bradley Fenton.
Visitation will be from 9 AM to 12 noon on Monday, November 24, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton. A memorial mass will be held at 12 noon on Monday, November 24, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton with Father Thomas Hagstrom officiating. The Staunton Military Honor Guard will conduct military rites outside the church following the service. Interment will follow at a later date at Chapman Cemetery near Mt. Olive..
Memorials are suggested to either the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois or to the Staunton Food Pantry. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
“Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles…..I’ve only gone to rest for a while.”
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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.
