Obituaries

Mar 8, 2016

Randolph E. “Randy” Robinson, 67, of Pocahontas, IL, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at Greenville Regional Hospital, Greenville, IL, after a long battle with cancer.

Randy was born August 31, 1948, to Raymond and Violet (Nee Abell) Robinson in E. St. Louis, IL. On November 16, 2006 he married Carolyn Hinze at Southern Baptist Church, Highland, IL....

Mar 7, 2016

Helen Vaughn (nee Dickerson), 83, of Pocahontas, IL, died Monday, March 7, 2016, at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.

Helen was born September 21, 1932, to Harvey and Sylvia (nee Heilig) Dickerson in Alexander County, IL.

She was a member of the VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary. She was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and...

Mar 5, 2016

Patty P. Sterkis, 81, of Jamestown, IL, died Saturday, March 5, 2016 at her residence.

Patty was born June 19, 1934, to Robert and Pansy (Nee McKinney) in Carlyle, IL.

Per her wishes, there are no services.

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Feb 26, 2016

Fred Vaughn, 90, of Pocahontas, IL, died Friday, February 26, 2016, at his residence with his family by his side.

Fred was born November 9, 1925 to Fred and Nannie (Nee Huddleston) Vaughn in Pocahontas, IL. On August 27, 1949, he married Helen Dickerson in Pocahontas, AR.

He signed up for the Army after his...

Feb 20, 2016

Carol E. “Ducky” (nee Dubach) Ruehrup, 79, of Belleville, IL, formerly of Alhambra, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2016, at Four Fountains Nursing Home, Belleville, IL.

Carol was born on September 15, 1936, at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL, to Milton and Nora (nee Ammann) Dubach of Highland, IL. On August 30, 1969, she married LeRoy...

Feb 17, 2016

Shirley Mae Monken (nee Frick), 89, of Lebanon, passed away in her home on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, after a short battle with leukemia.

Shirley was born in 1926 in Belleville, IL, to Frank and Anna (nee Beck) Frick. She graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1944 and shortly after, in 1946, married her lifelong partner,...

Feb 16, 2016

Richard A. (Ricky) Smith, at 50 years old, took his last breath in the morning of February 16th, 2016, at his home in Pocahontas, IL, after battling renal and liver failure.

Ricky was born April 28, 1965 in Chicago. Ricky’s childhood home was in Orland Park and he graduated from Victor Andrew High School in Tinley Park,...

Feb 8, 2016

Gordon W. Clanton, Jr., 66, of Pocahontas, IL, died Monday, February 8, 2016, at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

Gordon was born October 30, 1949, to Gordon and Edna (nee Rommerskirchen) Clanton, Sr., in Highland, IL.

After high school, he enlisted in the Army and served in Vietnam. He was a member of...

Jan 31, 2016

Lloyd A. Vrell, 85, of Lebanon, IL, died Sunday, January 31, 2016, at Cedar Ridge Rehabilitation Center, Lebanon, IL.

Lloyd was born September 29, 1930, to Ralph and Alta (nee Elliott) Vrell, in Canton, IL. On February18, 1951, he married Lois Launer in St. Louis, MO.

After high school he enlisted as a reservist in...

Jan 30, 2016

Judith A. Ogden (nee Cotts), 73, of Lebanon, IL, died Saturday, January 30, 2016, at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

Judy was born November 25, 1942, to James and Elizabeth “Betty” (nee Brinkman) Cotts in Belleville, IL. On September 10, 1960, she married Richard “Dick” Ogden in Lebanon, IL.

Judy was a Secretary for many...

Jan 26, 2016

Rick Switzer, 56, of Branson, MO, died Tuesday, January 26, 2016, in Branson, MO.

Rick was born October 1, 1959, in E. St. Louis, IL, to Joseph and Patricia (Nee Schutzenhofer) Switzer. On August 21, 2003 he married Stephanie Branum.

He graduated Highland High School in 1978. He worked for Switzer Foods and Crossroad Ford...

Jan 18, 2016

Vincent J. Jakel, 90, of Highland, IL, died Monday, January 18, 2016, at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.

Vince was born August 20, 1925, to John and Mary (nee Pfister) Jakel at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, Illinois. On November 15, 1947, he married Betty Jane Wagner at St. Paul Church, Highland, IL.

He was a...

Jan 10, 2016

Sylvester O. “Sal” Korte, Sr., 97, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2016, at Cedar Ridge Healthcare Center, Lebanon, IL, surrounded by his family.

He was born January 8, 1919, to Henry and Ellen (Nee Riebold) Korte in Mascoutah, IL. On October 15, 1940 he married Elenora M. “Nora” Wittmer.

Sal was...

Jan 10, 2016

Bobby C. Howell, 86, of Lebanon, IL, died Sunday, January 10, 2016, at his residence with his daughter by his side.

Bobby was born June 26, 1929, to Everett and Helen (nee Barney) Howell in Fleming, Kentucky. In 1952 he married Miyoko Yoshida in Tokyo, Japan.

After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force...

Jan 8, 2016

Robert G. Hood, 76, of Sorento, IL, died Friday, January 08, 2016, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Robert was born July 9, 1939, to Mildred Ballard, in Granite City, IL. At 3 months of age he was adopted by Curtis and Penelope (nee Behrends) Hood. On February 11, 1959, he married Dolores Tindall at Fort Leonard Wood,...

Jan 5, 2016

Robert L. Dietz, 80, Lebanon, IL, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2016.

Bob was a hard working man who would help whenever needed. He worked for Crook Development building beautiful houses in the Oak Hill Subdivision for many years. He never wanted to retire so he went to work at St. Henry’s Church and Creative Learning...

Dec 29, 2015

Mary L. Manville (nee Merkle), 80, of Highland, IL, died Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at her residence.

Mary was born April 22, 1935, to Walter and Verna (nee Keilbach) Merkle in Highland, Illinois. On March 19, 1954, she married Jim Manville at the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland, Illinois.

She was a member...

Dec 27, 2015

ReJon L. Brooks, 16, of Lebanon, IL, died Sunday, December 27, 2015, at Memorial Hospital.

ReJon was born February 21, 1999, to Craig and Renee (nee DeBoe) Brooks in Belleville, IL.

He loved to draw and play station. He enjoyed being around people, family and friends.

He is survived by his parents, Craig...

Dec 22, 2015

Alisa McNeese, 57, of Belleville, IL, died Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Alisa was born October 7, 1958, to Mae Rose McNeese, at St. Mary’s Hospital, E. St. Louis, IL.

S he was a member of Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church, Lebanon, IL. She enjoyed studying horticulture and taking walks....

Dec 18, 2015

William J. “Bill” Black, 65, of Highland, IL, died Friday, December 18, 2015, at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.

Bill was born November 24, 1950, to William and Laura (Nee Kassing) Black, in E. St. Louis, IL. On June 14, 1969, he married Peggy Peck in E. St. Louis, IL.

Bill retired from Southwestern Illinois...