Barry D. Carter
May 28, 2026
PINCKNEYVILLE – Barry D. Carter, 75, of Pinckneyville, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Cutler, Illinois.
Barry was born on December 18, 1950, in Murphysboro, IL, to Fritz and Ruby (Dierks) Carter. He worked at various coal mines and was a heavy equipment operator. Barry was a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served in the Vietnam...
Judith McSmith
Aug 7, 2026
STEELEVILLE – Judith “Judy” McSmith, 83, of Steeleville, passed away at 8:55 am, Friday, August 7, 2026 at Coulterville Care Center, Coulterville, Illinois.
Judith was born in Belleville, Illinois, on March 20, 1943, the daughter of Andrew E. and Pauline A. Hentze Bass. She married Raymond R. “Dick” McSmith in Steeleville on November 30, 1963, he preceded her in death on...
Ashley Schroeder
Aug 5, 2026
AVA – Ashley Schroeder, 38, of Ava, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Ashley was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on November 5, 1987, the daughter of Thomas and Angela Rigdon Schroder. She was a Licensed Massage Therapist. Ashley attended Ava Assembly of God Church, Ava, Illinois.
Ashley is survived by two daughters, Dixie Murray and...
Beverley Jarrett
Aug 4, 2026
MURPHYSBORO – Beverley Jarrett, 83, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at her home in Murphysboro, Illinois.
Beverley was born on November 29, 1942, in Murphysboro, IL, to Gene Herbert and Mary H. (Gregersen) Heiple. She married Dan Jarrett on September 28, 1963, at Murphysboro First Christian Church. Beverley was a member of First Christian Church, Murphysboro, IL and attended...
Carol Jean Arndt Knop
Aug 2, 2026
WILLISVILLE – Carol Jean Arndt Knop, 87, of Willisville, passed away at 7:26 pm, Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.
Carol was born in Steeleville, Illinois, on October 5, 1938, the daughter of Ferd and Nina Jacoby Bierman. She married Leland H. Arndt, on March 16, 1957. He preceded her in death on June 29, 1994. She...
Raymond C. Phoenix
Jul 31, 2026
AVA – Raymond C. Phoenix, 81, of Ava, Illinois, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, Illinois.
Raymond was born on April 16, 1945, in Ava, IL, to Fred Andrew and Josephine (Cheatham) Phoenix. He married Jeanne K. Russell on July 31, 1965, at Ava Missionary Baptist Church, Ava, IL. Raymond was a retired Superintendent of Building...
Carl Joseph Schulz
Jul 28, 2026
CARBONDALE – Carl Joseph Schulz, 82, formerly of Carbondale, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at his home in University City, Missouri.
Carl was born in Milwaukee, WI, on March 28, 1944. He spent his first five years there with loving grandparents, aunts and uncles, while his mother recovered from Tuberculosis.
When he was six years old, he moved to...
Betty Barrows
Jul 28, 2026
PERCY – Betty Barrows, 71, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at her home in Percy, Illinois.
Betty was born on January 23, 1955, in Cutler, IL, to Dale Illig and Myrtle (Morgan) Illig-Smith. She was a Homemaker and attended Tri-County Pentecostal Church. Betty enjoyed sewing, art, and music; especially singing with her family.
Betty is survived by her children: Sarah...
Tanya Wilson
Jul 22, 2026
AVA – Tanya Wilson, 50, of Ava, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, Illinois.
Tanya was born on June 25, 1976, in Chester, IL, to Michael and Cheryl (Kraus) Kennedy. She married Brett Wilson in Pinckneyville, IL. Tanya was in management for Toyoda Gosei Company and a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Steeleville, IL....
Gertrude Helmers
Jul 21, 2026
STEELEVILLE – Gertrude Helmers, 90, of Steeleville, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Southeast, Cape Girardeau, MO.
She was born on July 8, 1936, in Evansville, IL, to William C. and Thea (Wegener) Koester. Gertrude married Edgar W. Helmers on April 22, 1961, in Red Bud, IL, he preceded her in death on October 22, 2013....
Karen Meyerhoff
Jul 21, 2026
STEELEVILLE – Karen Elaine Meyerhoff, 79, of Steeleville, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Randolph County Care Center in Sparta, IL.
She was born April 12, 1947, in Belzoni, MS, the daughter of the late Edgar Coalson and Stelle (Duggan) Robertson. She married Roger “Fritz” Meyerhoff on June 14, 1969, in Sparta; he preceded her in death May 15, 2015.
Karen...
Bruce W. Korando
Jul 20, 2026
MURPHYSBORO – Bruce W. Korando, 77, left us to be with the Lord on Monday, July 20, 2026, at his home.
Bruce was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on December 11, 1948, the son of Raymond W. and LaWanda Rose Thomas Korando. In his early years Bruce was enlisted in the US Navy Seabees. He worked on various farms and then worked...
Frank E. Lailer
Jul 13, 2026
CHESTER – Frank E. Lailer, 83, of Chester, Illinois, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at VA Medical Center, Marion, Illinois.
Frank was born on December 23, 1942, in Damariscotta, ME, to Frank A. and Marian L. (Smith) Lailer, Jr. He married Darlene S. Hartman on September 24, 1976, in Chester, IL. She preceded him in death on July 10,...
Jean Ann Jordan
Jul 12, 2026
WILLISVILLE - Jean Ann Jordan, 85, of Lynchburg, formerly of Willisville, IL, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Betty Tallo.
She was born on Monday, January 27, 1941, to the late Gussie and Irene Gerlach Tallo in Willisville, Illinois. Jean graduated from Trico High School and then furthered her...
R. Sue Volkman
Jul 12, 2026
AVA – R. Sue Volkman, 83, of Ava, passed away at her home at 12:50 am, Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Sue was born in Ava, Illinois, on July 27, 1942, the daughter of Woodrow and Ione Bailey Cheatham. She married Robert L. Volkman on June 29, 1963 at Campbell Hill, Illinois. He preceded her in death on April 5, 2011. Sue...
Ardell Rieckenberg
Jul 10, 2026
STEELEVILLE – Ardell Rieckenberg, 93, of Steeleville, Illinois, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Randolph County Care Center, Sparta, Illinois.
Ardell was born on December 4, 1932, in Wine Hill, IL, to Herbert L. and Effie (Otten) Rieckenberg. He married Catherine “Katie” Rabe on July 8, 1955, at Peace Lutheran Church, Steeleville, IL. She preceded him in death on...
Gloria Brandhorst Miller
Jul 9, 2026
STEELEVILLE – Gloria Brandhorst Miller, 89, of Alamo, TX, formerly of Steeleville, IL, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at her home.
Gloria was born on June 24, 1937, in Mulkeytown, IL, to Homer L. and Gladys (Wynn) Young. She married Glenn D. Brandhorst on March 11, 1961 in Cutler, IL. He preceded her in death on September 21, 2013....
Judy "Jan" Blazier
Jul 9, 2026
WILLISVILLE – Judy “Jan” Blazier, 79, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at her home in Willisville, Illinois.
Jan was born on January 9, 1947, in Anna, IL, to David F. and Jewel Elijah Brown Scronce. She married John “Keith” Blazier on June 1, 1968, in Elco, IL. Jan was a Homemaker and a member of Ava Assembly of God.
Jan...
Scott Reiman
Jul 7, 2026
CAMPBELL HILL – Scott Reiman, 66, of Campbell Hill, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Missouri Baptist Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Scott was born on September 17, 1959, in Sparta, IL, to Roy Peter and Patricia (Murphy) Reiman. He married Sandy Smith on July 27, 1994, in Chester, IL. Scott was an Estimator/Superintendent for PJR Ironworkers, Campbell Hill,...
Nikki L. (O'Neal) Lee
Jun 30, 2026
STEELEVILLE – Nikki O’Neal Lee, 76, of Steeleville, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Coulterville Rehab & Nursing Center, Coulterville, IL. Nikki was born on December 29, 1949, to James E. and Gladys L. (Schossler) O’Neal in Berkeley, CA.
Nikki’s wishes were for Cremation and a private service will be held at a later date.
