Obituaries

May 28, 2016

Keith Lou Tomlin, 57, of Rochester, passed away Sat. May 28, 2016 at his home in Rochester.

He was born on January 29, 1959 in Springfield, the son of Clarence and Mary Louise Gordon Tomlin. He married Juanita Tomlin and she survives.

Keith served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a repair technician for...

May 25, 2016

Libbie Mae Cothren, 87, of Normal formerly of Rochester, passed away Wed. May 25, 2016 at Heritage Health in Normal.

She was born November 23, 1928 in Miller, Arkansas the daughter of Roy Herman Moody and Hattie Martha Bell Murphree Moody. She married E. J. (Eulas Jackson) Cothren.

Mrs. Cothren was a devoted member and...

May 24, 2016

Emma Lou Lewis, 88, of Pleasant Plains, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at St. John's Hospital.

Emma was born on March 4, 1928 in Glen Dean, KY the daughter of James and Vera Agnes Critchelow Hockenberry.  She married Arlie Lewis on January 25, 1944 in Harned, KY; he preceded her in death on January 21,...

May 18, 2016

John James Rupnik, 71, of Edinburg, passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at St. John's Hospital.

John was born on November 12, 1944 in Springfield the son of John and Marian Enlow Rupnik.

John was a restaurant owner for over 50 years.  He lived in Edinburg for 37 years and ran Uncle John's Restaurant....

May 12, 2016

Mandi Rae (Simmons) Miles, 35, of Sherman, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, after a courageous five year battle with cancer.

Mandi was born on August 13, 1980, in Springfield, the daughter of Gary and Angela (Lunt) Simmons. She was a 1998 graduate of Rochester...

May 12, 2016

Robert E. "Bob" Fryhoff, 91, of Rochester, passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at St. John's Hospice.

Bob was born on December 31, 1924 in Kirksville, MO the son of Roy E. and Lona M. Rose Fryhoff.  He married Margaret H. "Peg" Rape on January 8, 1949 at Asbury Methodist Church and they have been married...

May 10, 2016

William "Bill" D. Watkins, 84, of Pleasant Plains, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Capitol Healthcare.

Bill was born on February 18, 1932 in Franklin the son of Elmer and Frances Winter Watkins.  He married Marcella Willis on September 23, 1950 at the Methodist Church in Pleasant Plains; she preceded him in death on April...

May 4, 2016

Lillian "Lil" Killian, of Girard passed away at 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday May 4, 2016 at Pleasant Hill Village in Girard.

Lil was born on May 9, 1928 in New Prague, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of John and Ludmila (Kraml) Pilny.  She married Joseph "Joe" Killian in 1951; he preceded her in death in 1995.

May 4, 2016

Charles Joseph Scott, 65, of Springfield, formerly of Rochester, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at St. John's Hospital.

Chuck was born on February 9, 1951 in Christian County the son of Thomas E. and Antoinette Searnier Scott.

Chuck had worked at the Holiday Inn East for twenty-three years, was a resident of Rochester...

May 2, 2016

Pauline A. Rethinger, 96, of Venice, FL formerly of Springfield, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016 at Brookdale Senior living facility.

She was born on December 1, 1919 in Clarksdale, lL. She married Lawrence Rethinger; he preceded her in death on January 24, 1965.

She retired from Pillsbury Mills after 30 years as a...

May 2, 2016

Betty Gobble, 90, of Springfield, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016 at St. John's Hospice.

Betty was born on July 11, 1925 in Peoria the daughter of Enoch and Laura Jones Gilbert.  She married Raymond Gobble on August 18, 1964 in Springfield; he preceded her in death on November 4, 2006.

She was also...

Apr 30, 2016

Weldon L. Niewold, 78, of Lincoln, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center.

Weldon was born on June 13, 1937 in Lawndale the son of Errol and Frances Lockenour Niewold Sr.

He was a veteran of the Illinois National Guard.  He was a truck driver for over 30 years.  He loved...

Apr 26, 2016

Robert D. Owen, 84, of Springfield, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Capitol Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Robert was born in Springfield on August 9, 1931 to James and Mary (Jenkins) Owen.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Richard William Owen.

Bob graduated from Lanphier High School.  He earned...

Apr 26, 2016

Mary Elizabeth Harter, 81, of Springfield, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at her residence.

Mary was born on January 3, 1935 in Springfield the daughter of Albert and Edith Manion Tucker.  She married Raymond Harter Sr.; he preceded her in death.

She was a homemaker and had worked at Catholic Charities in Springfield...

Apr 25, 2016

Beverly Louise Beard, 72, of Springfield, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016 at her residence.

Beverly was born on July 19, 1943 in Jacksonville the daughter of Robert L. and Hazel Sunderland Beard.

She was a homemaker and a volunteer at Memorial Medical Center.  She was a board member for Springfield College of Illinois...

Apr 24, 2016

Betty F. Lower, 80, of Pontiac, Illinois, passed away Sunday afternoon April 24, 2016 in Springfield, Illinois.  She retired from Pontiac Township High School in 1996 after 22 years of service.  Betty was born January 1, 1936, in Franklin Indiana, to Robert Smith and Frances Graham Smith.

Survivors include her former husband, William D. Lower, two sons,...

Apr 23, 2016

Kathy Moore Howell, 72, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 23.  She was born January 9, 1944 to Roger and Lenore Moore.  They preceded her in death.  She graduated from Lanphier High School in 1962 and married Ron Howell on May 9, 1964. Kathy was employed as the Executive Director of Kumler Neighborhood Ministries, retiring...

Apr 22, 2016

Nancy C. Hoehn, 71, of Springfield, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center.

Nancy was born on September 12, 1944 in Springfield the daughter of Roy Edward and Florence E. Singer (Jasmon).

Nancy worked for St. John's Hospital retiring after 34 years.  She was of the Catholic faith.  She enjoyed going...

Apr 21, 2016

Hazel Mae Tracey, 88, of Girard, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at St. John's Hospice.

Hazel was born on May 19, 1927 in Baltimore, MD the daughter of James and Hazel Bull Hughes.

She worked for the State of Illinois and retired from the Department of Public Aid.  She was homemaker and loved...

Apr 15, 2016

Linda Hewitt Bruley, 58, of Buffalo, passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Linda was born on May 29, 1957 in Springfield the daughter of Emmitt and Mary Dragoo Hewitt.  She married Louis R. Bruley; he preceded her in death.

Linda enjoyed writing letters, coloring and going to garage...