Obituaries
Obituary Cathy Chiarodo
Cathy Chiarodo, born on December 24, 1957, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025, at 4:55 PM at Belleville Memorial Hospital, surrounded by family.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend—fierce in her love, bold in her presence, and unwavering in her loyalty. Cathy adored her son, Jimmy, and was the most joyful, playful grandmother to Kaiya and Vance. She treated her nieces and nephews like her own children, shared a deep bond with her brother, Richie, and cherished her relationships with her cousins.
For 45 years, she was married to David Chiarodo, the love of her life and her perfect counterpart. She kept him on his toes with her big personality, while he was her steady, calm presence. Where she was outspoken, he was quiet; where she was bold, he was patient. Together, they balanced each other in a way that only true soulmates can.
Cathy was tough, funny, and full of life, never letting her multiple sclerosis diagnosis slow her down. She was preceded in death by her mother, Delores Adams; her sisters, Pamela Adams Barrero and Delores Adams Pratt; and numerous beloved fur babies that she considered her children. Cathy shared an unbreakable bond with Pamela and Delores, who were not just her sisters but her best friends. Their relationship was filled with love, laughter, and the kind of mischief only sisters understand.
Cathy was also her brother Richie’s fiercest protector, standing by his side through every challenge life threw their way. And in turn, Richie was her rock, offering her unconditional love and support until the very end. Their bond was unshakable—a relationship built on deep trust, loyalty, and an endless well of love.
She is survived by her father, Richard Adams; her husband, David; her son, Jimmy; her grandchildren, Kaiya and Vance; and her brother, Richie [Lori]. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom will forever miss her warmth, humor, and protective spirit.
Though she deserved more time, Cathy’s energy—her huge, unforgettable, and beautiful spirit—will live on forever.
A funeral service celebrating Cathy’s life will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Benld Adopt-A-Pet (www.benldadoptapet.org) through their website, by mail at 807 Stewart Ave., P.O. Box 53, Benld, 62009, or in person at the same address.
Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To sign the online guest book, light a virtual candle, or for more information, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
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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.
