Obituaries

May 9, 2025

JOHN L. “BUTCH” RUSSELL, 86, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 5:53 pm, Friday, May 9, 2025 at SIH Memorial Hospital Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois.

He was born to the late John R. and Martha (nee Kiefer) Barnes on April 6, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri.

John was a retired handyman and had worked for several...

May 6, 2025

HAROLD H. THIES, 95, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away at 12:15 pm, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at his daughter’s house surrounded by his family.

He was born to the late Sigmund and Clara (nee Rubach) Thies on July 10, 1929, in Wine Hill, Illinois.

Harold married Lillian Valleroy on June 4, 1955,...

May 4, 2025

RANDY S. BRUNKHORST , 64, of Ruma, Illinois, passed away at 6:25 pm, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in rural Monroe County, Illinois.

He was born to Leroy and Lois (nee Leeper) Brunkhorst on October 4, 1960, in Red Bud, Illinois.

Randy married Sandra “Sandy” Juelfs on October 21, 1989, in Red Bud, Illinois;...

Apr 27, 2025

THOMAS “MR. S.” STEPHANIDES, 81, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away in his sleep on Sunday, April 27, 2025 after a long day of enjoying his family.

He was born to the late Leo and Mavis (nee McKenzie) Stephanides on April 25, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois.

Thomas married Margaret J. Hill on April...

Apr 21, 2025

CECELIA “SISSY” A. OSMAN, 87, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 11:17 am, Monday, April 21, 2025 at Three Springs Senior Living & Rehabilitation, Chester, Illinois.

She was born to the late Jerome and Silverine (nee Miller) Szabelski on October 30, 1937 in DuBois, Illinois.

She was a retired Certified Nursing Assistant and had worked...

Apr 20, 2025

RICHARD L. TROKEY, 81, of Steeleville, Illinois, passed away at 10:05 am, Sunday, April 20, 2025 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, Illinois.

He was born to the late Isaac and Shirley (nee Cook) Trokey on January 18, 1944 in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Rich married Melinda Scarcliff on June 1, 1972 in Murphysboro, Illinois; she...

Apr 20, 2025

MARIE S. WILFONG, 94, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 10:25 am, Sunday, April 20, 2025 at Oak Hill, Waterloo, Illinois.

She was born to the late Edward and Ola Mae Carnahan on February 25, 1931 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

Marie married Erwin Decker on October 7, 1950; he preceded her in death on February...

Apr 19, 2025

JAMES H. CANTRALL JR., 66, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away at his residence at 11:55 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

He was born to the late James and Barbara (nee Madison) Cantrall Sr. on December 29, 1958, in East St. Louis, Illinois.

James had worked as an over-the-road truck driver for 40 years...

Apr 16, 2025

NORMAN McMILLAN, 80, of Ellis Grove, Illinois, passed away at 7:17 pm, Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

He was born to the late Norman E. and Lucille (nee Geragosian) McMillan on July 23, 1944 in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Norman married Patricia Grah on June 16, 1973; she survives.

He was the owner and...

Apr 14, 2025

GERALD “JERRY” XAVIER MELLIERE , 85, of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, passed away at 1:10 am, Monday, April 14, 2025 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Illinois.

He was born to the late Xavier Francis and Christine (nee Hoffmann) Melliere on August 17, 1939, in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois.

Jerry married Judith “Judy” V. Garleb...

Apr 13, 2025

DONALD E. WHELAN, SR. , 80, of Evansille, Illinois, passed away at 1:34 pm, Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Illinois.

He was born to the late Edward G. and Lucille A. (nee Johanning) Whelan on November 2, 1944, in Red Bud, Illinois.

Donald married Janet Caroline Burmester on September 25,...

Apr 9, 2025

MARY LOU NICHOLSON, 90, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 4:25 pm, Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Independence Care Center in Perryville, MO.

She was born to the late Preston and Madalyn (nee Yost) Peters on March 22, 1935 in Bluefield, West Virginia.

Mary married Harold “Nick” Nicholson on February 7, 1954 in Bluefield, Virginia;...

Apr 7, 2025

JEFFREY S. POWELL , 62, of Freeburg, Illinois, passed away at 4:44 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025, at Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born to Thomas and Gloria Marie (nee Valenzuela) Powell, Sr., on November 30, 1962, in Lynwood, California.

Jeff married Jane Prigge on December 9, 1983, at...

Apr 1, 2025

HELEN REGINA CHILDS, 70, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 2:17 pm, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at her residence.

She was born to the late Lee Eugene and Lorraine (nee Phillips) Baggett on June 7, 1954, in Mobile, Alabama.

Helen married Frank S. Childs III on July 17, 1990, in Chester, Illinois; he preceded her...

Mar 23, 2025

MARCIÁ L. WATTERS , 54, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away at 10:08 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2025, at her residence.

She was born to the late Rev. Armand J. and Doris K. (nee Lobitz) Mueller on May 14, 1970, in Ness City, Kansas.

Marciá married Jeffrey Watters on June 8, 1991, at...

Mar 23, 2025

JOHN “BUTCH” R. HUFF, 78, of Smithton, Illinois, passed away at 3:12 pm, Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. He was born to the late John M. and Fannie E. (nee Haeffner) Huff on September 19, 1946, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Butch married Carolyn D. Collins on March 14, 1968, at Edgemont Bible Church, Belleville,...

Mar 20, 2025

CRAIG EUGENE WHITTINGTON, 56, of Willisville, Illinois, passed away at 2:37 am, Thursday, March 20, 2025 at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois.

He was born to Thomas E. Whittington and Hazel (nee Womack) Essex on May 5, 1968 in Carbondale, Illinois.

Craig married Vicki Baseden on November 18, 1994; she survives.

...

Mar 19, 2025

ROBERT “BOB” ALLEN ASBURY, 86, of Steeleville, Illinois, went home to be with Jesus at 5:20 am, Wednesday, March 19, 2025 peacefully at his home.

He was born 1 of 8 children on July 22, 1938 to the late Ray and Marie (nee Stump) Asbury in Rockwood, Illinois. Bob was the last surviving child of Ray and...

Mar 16, 2025

RONALD HARTENBERGER, 73, of Ballwin, Missouri, formerly of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 10:35 am, Sunday, March 16, 2025 at River Crossing Rehab and Healthcare Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born to the late Clarence and Minnie (nee Kessel) Hartenberger on January 29, 1952 in Chester, Illinois.

Ron graduated from Chester High School...

Mar 13, 2025

ERIC W. BIESTERFELD, 38, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 12:35 am, Thursday, March 13, 2025 at his residence.

He was born to James Biesterfeld and Bonnie Wahl on August 29, 1986 in Chester, Illinois.

Eric had worked at Premier Vapor in Chester.

He had been a member of Grace Church Ministries. Eric...