FELONIES

Trey W. Fenton, 34 of Mount Olive, is charged with residential burglary, burglary without causing damage, and criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a November 3 incident.

Peyton R. Pehrson, 26 of Benld, is charged with two counts of aggravated DUI/license suspended or revoked, DUI/BAC 0.08, DUI, driving on a suspended license, driving 21-25 mph above the limit, expired registration, disregarding a stop sign, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a November 6 incident.

MISDEMEANORS

John M. Molinar, 40 of Staunton, is charged with criminal trespass to residence in connection with a November 2 incident.

TRAFFIC

Robert M. Keffer, 38 of Benld, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 25 incident.

Haidyn D. Branson, 25 of Hettick, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 25 incident.

Asa M. Proctor, 47 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 28 incident.

Rodjai A. Johnson, 21 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an October 27 incident.

Amber L. Burgess, 45 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 23 incident.

Shane C. Chance, 29 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 28 incident.

Jerry J. Wilson, 77 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an October 30 incident.

Shannon J. Ward, 44 of Modesto, is charged with improper use of registration/title, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and being unlicensed in connection with an October 28 incident.

Blake D. Roberts, 28 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license, unlawful use of cannabis/driver, and display plate attachment in connection with an October 30 incident.

Shota Gagelidze, 44 of Downers Grover, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a November 1 incident.

Christopher P. Smith, 39 of Chesterfield, MO, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with an October 26 incident.

Chad C. Baumann, 54 of Chicago, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an October 27 incident.

David A. Rithe, 44 of Benld, is charged with driving on a suspended license, driver failing to give notice of a crash, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and failure to reduce speed in connection with an October 29 incident.

Donald E. Bruhn, 66 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an October 29 incident.

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED

• Rocky Lyle Smith versus Rebecca Lee Smith

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Tyler Luke Semplowski of Peoria and Margaret Anne Moore of Gillespie
• Craig Charles Wicker and Cheryl A. Scroggins, both of Staunton
• Jacob William Feeley and Kaitlin Marie Moore, both of Plainview
• Peyton Scott Hudspeth and Macy Danielle Rhodes, both of Divernon
• Cody Stephen Bradley and Savannah Michelle Norris, both of Auburn

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.

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.