Obituaries
Obituary of Carol Sue Landers
Carol was born on December 20, 1958, to Mearl and Viola, (Koch – Gerdes) Landers, whom both preceded her in death.
Carol had six siblings, Victor Landers, Marilyn /Orville Sneeringer of Bunker Hill, Stella Goebel and partner Lloyd Maxwell of Liberty, TX, Judy/Jack Hochmuth of Staunton, Beverly/Mark Bennett of Benld, and Larry Landers of Benld; six nieces and nephews, David/Yoconda Goebel, Casey/Lacey Goebel, Janean/Zane Northrip, Justin Hochmuth, Chad/Krystal Hanks Bennett, and Benisha/Sadatoshi Abe; and multiples nieces, nephews, step nieces and step nephews.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Victor Landers; sister, Judy Hochmuth, whom was a Shrine Hospital recipient; great nephew, Tsubasa Abe; and step nephew, Orville Jr Sneeringer.
People don’t write their own obituary or do they? Obituaries are written through the hearts of those that were touched. The actions that were taken in that person’s life, their choices, their accomplishments, that’s what we write.
Carol Sue, she was our families “Heartbreaking Blessing.” See, our mother contracted German Measles in her first trimester, which left Carol non verbal, and with the mental and physical capabilities of less than an 8 month old. Doctors informed our parents, Carol wouldn’t live beyond 13. Well, she proved them wrong. Even despite her long life, many would feel Carol had no accomplishments. I am here to tell you those accomplishments through, her family’s eyes, through my eyes. Because it was Carol who taught me the most about life.
Her lessons lasted me a lifetime of benefits that has helped me in my best of times and worst. She taught me listening skills that go beyond just words, compassion, fostered in me a love of caring for others, and taught me how kindness doesn’t cost one red cent. The knowledge of how blessed we are to have a voice, arms and legs that functioned correctly, things we often take for granite. Through her I learned to love and respect others no matter how they looked. She wasn’t a teacher without a degree, but no teacher could offer these type lessons that only Carol could.
The nurses who tended to Carol called her their little sweetheart. When the sun was on her face, she would smile at the warmth, waving her hand awkwardly in front of her face, the movements giving her peace. Those of us blessed with a normal life don’t take into consideration all the little things. Hoping someone is going to help you walk by holding your hand, give you assistance to help get a piece of food toward your mouth. Such simple but necessary things. Those of us blessed with a normal life often miss these lessons that have shaped me. Kids and adults ignored her as not to stare, some even made rude comments about her. But she continued to be herself, she had no choice. As we are all aware God wants us to forgive those who do wrong, God gave her a built in act of automatic forgiveness.
Fear, being uncomfortable, not knowing how to act around the disabled, causes so many to look away. I wish they could have seen her how I saw her. I wish they would have looked long enough to allow Carol to spark the same type of understanding, love, and compassion it sparked in me. So that you might not miss the opportunity to learn such an important lesson, next time you feel the need to look away try to look again with a desire to understand, to see something, yes uncomfortable, but beautiful in it’s own special way! Look again with kindness and a smile in your heart to make space for a heartbreaking blessing.
Request no flowers, as a graveside service is for immediate family members.
Any donations are requested to Onita Place Care Center in Virginia, IL or Shriners Hospital.
Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Ross Beckman, 90, joined his Lord in Heaven on April 29, 2026, at 2:27 AM. He was born on April 1, 1936, in Highland. His parents were Vernon Otto Bartels and Arlene Beckman, both of New Douglas. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Emma (Sievers) and George Beckman of New Douglas.
Ross attended New Douglas Elementary School in New Douglas and Highland High School in Highland. His first job was at Kline’s Grocery Store in New Douglas. He also was employed at McDonnell Douglas as a sheet metal worker. He worked for Artophone Corporation and also distributed Armstrong Flooring, worked in sales, and traveled Illinois.
He purchased Sherman’s Department Store on East Main Street in Staunton and renamed it Beckman’s Department Store. He operated the store for 30 years before retiring. He then bought property for a new business in Equine Ranch.
Ross was married to Lela Conroy of Staunton. They had one daughter, Wendy Arlene. Lela passed away after a long illness with Huntington’s Corea. Ross was married to Frances Lee Simpson of Staunton for 27 years. She passed away from illness in 2016. He then married Sheila Fay Foster of Carlinville on May 27, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
Ross was a member of the Staunton Jaycees for six years and was also the Chaplain for the State Jaycees. The local chapter gave him a lifelong membership. Ross served one term on the Staunton City Council as a ward #4 alderman and also was on the Dorchester Township Board. He was a long-time elder for the Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.
He was an avid horseman. His horse, “Atomico” was not only his show horse but his loving pet. Ross became a member of The Assembly Church in Staunton and was a very active and a devoted servant. He loved his “church family”.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila (Foster) Beckman; son-in-law, John Walker; three brothers-in-laws, James E. Foster Jr., Gary Foster, and Mike Foster; two sisters-in-law, Deborah (Foster) Wilson and Amy Foster, all originally from Carlinville.
Besides his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Arlene.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Assembly Church, 1335 S. Hackman Street, in Staunton with Pastor Arthur Braden officiating.
Ross will be greatly missed, but is in the arms of his Lord Jesus. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Dr. Carla B. Engelke, 47, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at her residence in Tucson, AZ. Carla was born December 7, 1978, in Alton.
She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Prairietown. She was the beloved daughter of Steve and Jeanette Engelke and an awesome sister to Mark Engelke, all of Prairietown. She leaves behind two special aunts, Sharon Schaefer and Christina Urban.
She was preceded in death by her Uncle John “Red” Urban and Uncle Arlin Schaefer and numerous cousins.
Growing up on a family farm, Carla learned relentless work ethic, faith, responsibility, and respect for humanity. Since she was a toddler, she loved animals: turtles, bunnies, bucket calves, pigs, kittens, and especially dogs (jack, Jenny, and Clifford).
She was an avid reader. She was passionate about science, research, the arts, Shakespeare, Jeopardy, Snoopy, music, and college basketball and football. She was also a devoted Cardinal fan. Two of her favorite holidays were Halloween and Christmas. We will miss her smile, her laugh, sense of humor, and spontaneous wit.
Following graduation from Edwardsville High School, Carla expanded her Illinois roots graduating from Saint Louis University Summa Cum Laude with a BS in biology. She completed her optometric education at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee in 2005 and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
During optometry school, Carla participated in SVOSH (Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) traveling to developing countries, performing eye exams, and prescribing donated Lions’ Club eyeglasses to help people see the world better. She then furthered her education by completing a one-year residency in ocular disease and specializing in low vision rehabilitation at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, Arizona which focused on improving the quality of life of legally blind Veterans. Upon completion of her residency, she was immediately hired as a staff optometrist where she spent her entire career serving Veterans while teaching residents and optometry students.
Carla’s career was marked not only by clinical excellence but by visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the optometric profession. She served as President of the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (also known as AFOS) where she helped shape and advance the field of optometry. She was also recognized as the 2019 AFOS VA Optometrist of the Year, which is an honor that reflects the profound respect she earned from her peers and the exceptional care she provided to her patients.
Those who had the privilege of working alongside Carla witnessed firsthand her compassion, integrity, and commitment to mentorship. She set a standard of excellence that elevated the profession and enriched the lives of countless patients and colleagues. Her impact extends far beyond titles and awards as it lives on in the optometry residents and students she inspired and the many patients she cared for especially those with traumatic brain injury and impaired vision.
In dedication to Carla, AFOS has renamed their annual award the Dr. Carla Engelke Resident of the Year award and has started a travel grant to provide funding to residents to travel to educational meetings to honor and memorialize Carla’s legacy. If you would like to contribute to the AFOS optometry resident travel grant, a memorial fund has been set up in her name and honor: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dr-carla-engelke-legacy-fund
Checks can also be sent to:
AFOS
C/o Dr. Lindsay Wright
11705 Airport Way, Suite 306
Broomfield, CO 88201
A private burial to honor Carla will be held at a later date. She is loved and will be sadly missed by her family, friends, and colleagues. Williamson Funeral Home, in Staunton, is in charge of arrangements.
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