Obituaries

Oct 9, 2023

Roger Fornwalt, 61, of Albion, IL, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023, at Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Mt. Carmel, IL.

He was born on January 26, 1962, in Waukegan, IL, the son of Niel and Betty (Berlin) Fornwalt.

Roger was extremely hardworking, dedicated, and determined to provide for his family. He enjoyed traveling...

Oct 4, 2023

James Robert Arbuthnot, aged 72, of Highland, Illinois, embarked on his final journey on October 4th, 2023. Born on the enchanting Christmas Day of 1950 to Marie (Putnam) and Charles F. Arbuthnot in Wood River, Illinois. James was celebrated for his intellect, gentle nature, and boundless generosity.

He leaves behind cherished memories and is survived by his...

Oct 4, 2023

John M. Choma, 62, of Collinsville, IL passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

He was born on December 10, 1960, in East St. Louis, Illinois to John and Sophia (nee Komar) Choma.

John was an installer in the pool and spa industry since the 1980’s. In his free...

Oct 2, 2023

Robert J. “Bob” Schmitt, 93, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023, at BRIA of Mascoutah, surrounded by his family.

He was born on September 27, 1930, in Lebanon, IL, to Joseph and Anna (nee Schaefer) Schmitt.

Bob was born and raised in Lebanon, graduating from Lebanon High School in 1948. He...

Sep 28, 2023

John Philip Geismann, 83, of Highland, IL, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at home surrounded by his family.

John was born on June 6, 1940, in St. Louis, MO, to Lawrence and Ethel (nee Reichert) Geismann. He married his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Colleen Hosey, on August 31, 1963, in Old...

Sep 27, 2023

Kelley Glen Smith, 83, of Fairfield, IL, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Aperion Care in Fairfield, IL.

Kelly was born September 16, 1940, at Johnsonville, IL, to Earl and Dorothy (Henson) Smith.

Kelley was a general laborer. He had worked at George Smith Ag Services in Keenes, IL, for many years. His hobbies...

Sep 27, 2023

James Harvey “Sonny” Mugrage, 93, of Cisne, IL, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Flora Gardens.

Sonny was born in Rinard, IL. on July 13, 1930, to Elmo and Verl (Bullard) Mugrage. He married Alice (Alkie) Vaughan on November 5, 1950, at Fairfield Christian Church in Fairfield, IL. She preceded him in death on October...

Sep 23, 2023

Jerry Neal Garner

Jerry Neal Garner, 78, of Albion, IL passed away on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023. He was born December 3rd, 1944 in Browns, IL to Robert and Doris (Hortin) Garner. Jerry married Staretta (Goldman), on May 27th, 1964 in Cowling, IL and she survives.

Jerry was a hard-working machinist for Snap-On Tools for...

Sep 21, 2023

Tronda D. Gillespie, 78, of Highland, IL, passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at home surrounded by her family.

She was born on August 25, 1945, at home in Risco, MO, to Gerald and Wanda (nee Hoxworth) Hinze. She married the love of her life, W. Joe Gillespie Jr., on May 10, 1963, at the E...

Sep 19, 2023

Michael H. “Mike” Young, 68, of Highland, IL, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.

He was born on March 30, 1955, in Highland to Hayden and Angela (nee Geiger) Young.

Mike was born and raised in Highland, graduating from Highland High School in 1973. He went on...

Sep 17, 2023

Oscar E. Britt Jr., age 98, son of Oscar E. and Edna “Lucy” Britt was born on September 16, 1925, in Pocahontas, Illinois. Oscar passed away on September 17, 2023, at HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville, Illinois.

Oscar moved from Pocahontas to Greenville with his parents and three sisters when he was in high school. After...

Sep 12, 2023

Robert Paul Simms Aged 73 years / Albion, IL

Robert Simms passed away on September 12, 2023 at Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation (Mt. Carmel, IL) after thirty years with Parkinson’s Disease. Robert was born April 17, 1950 in Fairfield, IL to Albert and Ella (Medler) Simms. He was the last born of seven children and was raised...

Sep 10, 2023

Billy E. Causey, 70, of Highland, IL, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

He was born on August 27, 1953, in St. Louis, MO, to James and Inez (nee Powell) Causey. He married the love of his life, Velma Determann, on February 11, 1978, at Assembly of God Church...

Sep 6, 2023

Barbara Jane (Shew) Gill, age 82, went to heaven on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 12:40 a.m.

She will forever be remembered as “The Egg Lady” she loved her chickens. She always put out a BIG garden which if you ever drove by her house, she was probably out in the garden working. She also...

Sep 6, 2023

Betty J. Legier, 85, of Highland, IL, passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at St. Joseph Hospital, in Highland.

She was born on October 11, 1937, in Highland, IL, to John and Melba (nee Buettikoffer) Becker. Betty married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Legier, on October 5, 1957, at the United Church of Christ...

Sep 4, 2023

Imogene Vera Galbraith, 97, of Cisne, IL. passed away Monday, September 4, 2023, at Cisne Rehabilitation & Health Care.

Imogene was born February 3, 1926, to Johnice Gammon and Naomi (Wilton) Gammon at Wayne City, IL. She married Noel Galbraith on November 27, 1944, in Johnsonville, IL. He preceded her in death on July 3,...

Sep 1, 2023

Barbara J. Barton, 79, of Collinsville, IL, passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, in St. Louis, MO.

She was born on April 3, 1944, in Flat River, MO, to Donald and Maxine (nee Rentfro) Polk. On January 7, 1961, she married the love of her life, David Barton, in Flat River, MO....

Aug 31, 2023

James T. “JT” Beard Jr., 81, of Troy, IL, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.

He was born on July 18, 1942, in East St. Louis, IL, to James T. and Lorene (nee Perkins) Beard.  In December of 1990, Jim married the love of his life Rose Beard.

Aug 30, 2023

Keith W. Pope, 63, of Caseyville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at his home in Caseyville, IL.

He was born on August 4, 1960, in East St. Louis, MO, to Lowel and Sharon (nee Strauss) Pope. He was a Field Medical Service Technician in the United States Navy from 1979 to 1983. After he...

Aug 29, 2023

Robert A. Rutherford, 63, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 2:30 pm, at St. Louis University Hospital, surrounded by his family.

He was born on December 6, 1959, in Belleville, IL, to Duane “Nooser” and Ardel (nee Fix) Rutherford. On November 5, 1983, Robert married the love of his life, Kim Frierdich,...