Obituaries

Obituaries in Highland, Lebanon, Pocahontas, Albion, Allendale, West Salem, Collinsville, and Cisne and their surrounding areas in Illinois

Craig A. Eads

Craig A. Eads

Dec 21, 2024

Craig A. Eads, 75, of Highland, IL, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at SSM Health DePaul Hospital, Bridgeton, MO 63044.

He was born on August 8, 1949, Granite City, IL, to Rodney and Mertie “Dee” (nee Moore) Eads.  On September 1, 2001, he married Anna Weaver in Vandalia, IL.

Craig was an Electrical...

Kennel R. “Ken” Neff

Kennel R. “Ken” Neff

Dec 16, 2024

Kennel R.” Ken” Neff, 67, of Cisne, IL, passed away Monday, December 16, 2024, at his home.

Ken was born August 3, 1957, in Fairfield IL, to Harold and Sylvia (Tubbs) Neff. He married Kimberly Heisner on January 12, 1980, in Fairfield, IL.

Ken retired from Morton Buildings as a Regional Sales Manager. As you...

Deborah “Deb” Kelm

Deborah “Deb” Kelm

Dec 15, 2024

Deborah “Deb” Kelm, 67 of Cisne, IL, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024, at her residence.

Deborah was born to Kenneth and Vivian (Huffstutler) Sisk in Elgin, IL She married Mark Kelm at Blue Point Church on June 5, 2011.

Deb worked at Brookstone Estates in Fairfield as the business manager and was a CNA....

Paul P. Demay

Paul P. Demay

Dec 12, 2024

Paul P. DeMay, 83, of Lebanon, IL, passed away peacefully in Hospice, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Memorial Hospital East in Shiloh, IL.

He was born September 26, 1941, to Paul M. and Violet (Nee Kelley) DeMay, in St. Louis, MO. On June 15, 1996, he married Kate Godfrey, in O’Fallon, IL.

Paul was...

William “Bill” S. Gilmore

William “Bill” S. Gilmore

Dec 11, 2024

William “Bill” Stanley Gilmore, 94, of Cisne, IL, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at his home.

Bill was born July 22, 1930, in Mt. Vernon, IL at home, to Norbert and Ola (Sights) Gilmore. He married Charlene Thompson on August 24, 1958, at Providence Church in Johnsonville, IL. They had celebrated sixty-six years of cherished memories...

Ruth Ellen (Wright) Laurie

Ruth Ellen (Wright) Laurie

Dec 10, 2024

Ruth Ellen (Wright) Laurie of Lebanon, Illinois, died on December 10, 2024, in Trenton, Illinois.  She was 100 years old.   Ruth was born November 5, 1924, in Brookport, Illinois.  Her parents were Abraham Wright and N.J. Mae (Keel) Wright.  Ruth was one of five children.  She had 3 brothers and one sister.  She lived most of her life in...

Ila “Fae” Zeller

Ila “Fae” Zeller

Dec 9, 2024

Ila “Fae” Zeller, 94, of Highland, IL, died Monday, December 9, 2024, at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL, with her family by her side.

She was born September 27, 1930, in Latham, MO to James and Mildred (Nee Clark) Vaught. On August 19, 1950, she married Melvin Zeller at Salem United Church of Christ, Alhambra, IL.

...

James L. Swearingen

James L. Swearingen

Dec 9, 2024

James L. Swearingen, 83, of Highland, IL, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024, at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, IL.

He was born on January 17, 1941, in Decatur, IL, to Richard and Phyllis (nee Newsome) Swearingen.  On February 11, 1966, he married Patricia Smith in Decatur, IL.

Jim has been living in...

David L. Berberich

David L. Berberich

Dec 8, 2024

David L. Berberich, 83, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at his home in Lebanon, IL.

He was born on October 10, 1941, on the family farm in Mascoutah Township, IL, to Matt and Estella (nee Kebel) Berberich. On November 9, 1963, he married Donaleen “Dona” Travous in Belleville, IL.

David...

Patricia M. “Pat” Baer

Patricia M. “Pat” Baer

Dec 6, 2024

Patricia M. “Pat” Baer, 75, of Highland, IL, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024, at her home, in Highland, IL.

She was born on August 3, 1949, in Highland, IL, to Vernon and Dorothy (nee Knabel) Stoecklin. On May 4, 1968, she married Robert L. “Bob” Baer at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL.

...

Roger D. Weiss

Roger D. Weiss

Dec 6, 2024

Roger D. Weiss, 72, of Caseyville, IL, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024.

He was born April 24, 1952, to the late Dale and Anna Mae Weiss. He graduated from O’Fallon TWP High School in 1970, was elected to Pi Mu Epsilon by his professors in 1975, and received a BS in Mathematics from Southern Illinois...

Finnley Joe Walton

Finnley Joe Walton

Dec 3, 2024

Finnley Joe Walton, 4 years old, of Highland, IL, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at home.

He was born on January 9, 2020, in Richmond Heights, MO, to Zachary Walton and Samantha Szoke.

Finnley was nothing short of a miracle. He faced many obstacles after having a stroke days after birth. Despite all...

Mary L. Bailey

Mary L. Bailey

Nov 28, 2024

Mary L. Bailey, 90, of Albion, IL, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2024, just days after celebrating her 90th birthday.

Mary was born in Griffin, IN, on November 24, 1934, daughter of Virgil and Mildred Hancock. She was united in marriage to Edward L. Bailey on October 30th, 1962. Mary was a member of the Albion...

Norma M. Longbons

Norma M. Longbons

Nov 28, 2024

Norma May Longbons, 85, of Albion, IL, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024 at Select Specialty Hospital in Evansville, IN.

Norma was born March 5, 1939 in Effingham, IL to Charles and Bernice (Cazel) Slunaker. She married Donald Longbons on June 8, 1957 at West Village Church and they shared sixty seven years of cherished memories.

...

Doris Harris

Doris Harris

Nov 27, 2024

Doris Louise (Kell) Harris, 89, passed away on November 27, 2024 in Mt. Carmel, IL.

Doris was born on March 15, 1935 in Oakland City, IN, to Gerald and Hope (Brenton) Kell and grew up in Somerville, IN. She married LeRoy Harris on June 1, 1951 and they moved to Ellery, IL when LeRoy was hired to...

Darlene Martin Wynne

Darlene Martin Wynne

Nov 26, 2024

Darlene Martin Wynne (Wilmurth), 81, of Highland, IL, went to be with the Lord on November 26, 2024, with her family at her bedside.

Darlene was born December 22, 1942 to James and Zella Wilmurth in East Prairie, MO.  On October 4, 1958 she married Edward G. Wynne in East St. Louis, IL, he preceded her in...

Walter J. “Joe” Gillespie, Jr.

Walter J. “Joe” Gillespie, Jr.

Nov 25, 2024

Walter “Joe” Gillespie, Jr., also known as “Spider,” to his close friends, 80, of Highland, IL, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Shiloh, IL.

He was born on December 5, 1943, in Highland, IL, to Walter Joseph and Vivian (nee Kantner) Gillespie, Sr. On May 10, 1963, Joe married Tronda Hinze at...

Margaret A. Williams

Margaret A. Williams

Nov 21, 2024

Margaret A. Williams, 89, of O’Fallon, MO, formerly of Ramsey, IL, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the Delmar Gardens of O’Fallon nursing home.

She was born on August 26, 1935, in Marion, IL, to George and Mary (nee Spranghart) Pritchett. On August 15, 1953, she married the love of her life, Virgil E. Williams,...

Frankie Pearl Kortge

Frankie Pearl Kortge

Nov 16, 2024

Frankie Pearl Kortge, 83, of West Salem, IL passed away on November 16, 2024 at home with her family at her side.

She is survived by her husband Michael Kortge; daughter Gina Prullage and son Aaron Fewkes; granddaughters Kandras Kunkel and Charissa Penrod and grandson Nicholas Fewkes. Also surviving are Great grandchildren Madison Kunkel, Brooklynne Kunkel, Brayden...

Ben Wolf

Ben Wolf

Nov 16, 2024

Ben Wolf, 41, of Olney, IL passed away in his sleep on November 16, 2024.

He was born on September 28, 1983 to Rick Wolf and Evelyn Reid. He enjoyed his job as a CNA for 10 years. He had a big heart for friends, family and dogs. He had a laugh that was very contagious.

...