Obituaries
Obituary of Kimberly Schmedeke
Kimberly Schmedeke, aged 54 of Carlinville, passed away among beloved friends and family on the evening of Friday, May 9, 2025, at her Carlinville home. The daughter of Loren and Shirley (Maguire) Schmedeke, Kimberly was born on July 6, 1970, being raised in Carlinville from which she graduated high school with the class of 1988.
Kimberly had always loved cooking and baking as it was a highlight of her life both professionally and recreationally, her skill forming her to be an artist in the kitchen as she poured her heart and soul into every dish. She also prepared Christmas breakfast every year for the entirety of her family, as well as anyone needing company. Kimberly was also an avid gardener, as she filled the yard and every room she could with flowers, ferns, trees, and all manner of plants, her favorite flower being the Calla Lily.
Kimberly’s life revolved around her daughter and son, Cheyenne Schmedeke and Lathan Hill, giving every ounce of effort to make their lives as happy as possible, no matter how hard it might be, as she navigated being a single mother. Kimberly’s generosity knew no bounds, outreaching a hand to any and all who needed it, no matter how small. She lived by an open-door policy, going so far as to house others in their times of need on several points in her life.
Kimberly was known for her strength, both physical and mental, as she had worked several hard labor jobs in her life and was even a certified welder. Kimberly also allowed no problem to get to her, smiling through every hardship and injury as she faced it head-on.
Kimberly was preceded in death by her parents, Loren and Shirley (Maguire) Schmedeke.
Kimberly is survived by her daughter, Cheyenne (significant other, Bryan Huff) Schmedeke of Carlinville; her son, Lathan (significant other, Alex Smith) Hill of Carlinville; her brother, Darren (Lisa) Schmedeke of Carlinville; and her nephews, Rhy and Alex Schmedeke.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville. Memorials may be made to the family or the Carlinville Bark Park. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, 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.
