Darrell E. Edwards, 95, of Edinburg passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Taylorville Care Center. Darrell was born on April 29, 1928, in Edinburg, the son of Harold and Edith (Beamer) Edwards. He married Marilyn Thornton on November 29, 1946 in Hannibal, Mo. and she preceded him in death on May 13, 2009. Family was always Darrell’s top priority. He also loved fishing, gardening and photography. Darrell worked as an inspector for Allis-Chalmers and also helped local farmers during...

Norma Jean Smith, 86, formerly of Riverton, IL passed away on Saturday May 6, 2023. Norma was born in Springfield on January 26, 1937 and was the daughter of William and Gladys Truter. Norma married her husband, John H. Smith, on June 23, 1952.  She is survived by her husband of 70+ years, John. She is also survived by her children, Debbie Woodson, John (Lynn) Smith, Rick (Kathy) Smith, and Julie (Eileen Simpson) Smith; 8 Grandchildren, 6 Great Grandchildren; 1 Great Great...

Sandra May (Grant) Stark, 75 of Springfield passed away Friday, May 5, 2023 at Springfield Memorial Hospital. She was born June 3, 1947 in Springfield, Illinois to Marvin and Helen May (Davis) Grant. She married Daniel Lee Stark on October 28, 1972, in Ashland, Illinois. She graduated Valedictorian from Pleasant Plains High School in 1965. She later went to Western Illinois University majoring in English with a minor in Library Science, graduating in 1970. She worked for the State of...

Shirley Ann Birkman, 80, of Springfield, IL passed away on April 20, 2023. Shirley was born in Houston, Texas and was the daughter of Vincent E. SR. and Bertha F. Birkman. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sister, June Lumpkin (John); sister, Nancy Matheis (Jim); brother, Vincent Birkman JR. (Lisa); as well as numerous Nieces, Nephews, and extended family members. Shirley was a loving daughter and sister. She enjoyed baking cakes in her younger days and...

Emily Ann (Turpin) Pickel, 73, of Illiopolis, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in Sullivan, Illinois. Emily was born October 14, 1949 to Forrest and Emma Turpin of Somerset, Kentucky. She had one sister, Sandra. She graduated from Baker High School in Fairborn, Ohio in 1967. Emily married Donald Wayne Pickel on June 26, 1976.  Emily worked at various places throughout her life, including the Civil Service Department of Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio and the...

Cynthia Kaye Wheeler “Cindy”, 73, a lifelong resident of Springfield, passed away April 20, 2023 at home surrounded by family. Cindy was born March 15, 1950 to Billie M. Ruhl and Kenneth R. Wheeler. She attended Enos Elementary, Grant Middle School and Springfield High School. After being a homemaker with her 4 oldest children she graduated from Capital Area School of Practical Nursing in 1981. She went on to have 2 more children while working as an LPN. As a nurse she worked...

Elizabeth "Libby" Pickrell Ruddie was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She passed, peacefully and surrounded by family and friends, on April 24th, 2023. Libby was born on November 18th, 1952, to John and Carolyn Pickrell in Buffalo, Illinois. She was a Registered Nurse and Clinical Nursing Instructor until 2020. After graduating from Tri-City High School in 1970, she then attended the University of Wyoming and obtained a degree in English. She went on to...

Dorothy J. “Dotty” Welch, 88, of Rochester, passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Rochester. Dotty was born on October 8, 1934, in Nortonville, KS, the daughter of Joe and Lois (Fulton) Sloop. She married Robert L. “Bob” Welch on November 27, 1954 in Oskaloosa, KS and he survives. Dotty worked as a teacher for Deland-Weldon Schools for 4 years before moving to Clinton Jr. High where she taught for 20 years before retiring. She...

Vernon “Sonny” Morris, 73, of Sherman passed away April 14, 2023. He is survived by his son Chad, daughter Teresa, sister Patricia (Marion) Upton, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Sonny was an iron worker who specialized in ornamental railing and steel fabricating. He loved working in his yard especially gardening. He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon Sr. and Velma Morris, sister Linda Johnson, and nephew Christopher Johnson. As per Sonny’s request, no...

Robin Cheryl Taft, 72, of Rochester, passed away on April 11, 2023 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Robin was born in Clayton, MO., the daughter of Troy Carl and Jean (Armstorng) Roberts. She married Steve Taft on July 14, 1979 and he survives. Robin lived in Rochester for 50 years and worked for Rochester School District as a P.E. teacher and girls volleyball and track coach. Rochester Athletic Director J.R. Boudouris recently referred to Robin as the "First Lady of...