William Griffiths
Jan 29, 2022
WILLISVILLE - William Griffiths Sr., 88, better known as "Wild Bill," "Big Red," or "Honest Abe," passed away peacefully on January 29, 2022, in Granite City, Illinois.
"Big Red" was a combat veteran who volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a seasoned ironworker who mentored many.
In retirement,...
Pien Lawton
Jan 28, 2022
SPARTA – Pien Lawton, 71, of Sparta, passed away Friday, January 28, 2022, at Sparta Community Hospital in Sparta, IL.
Pien was born in the Kingdom of Thailand. She married Steven W. Lawton on June 22, 1979 in East Alton, IL. She was a Homemaker and enjoyed gardening and taking care of their home.
She...
Donald H. Svanda
Jan 27, 2022
MURPHYSBORO – Donald H. Svanda, 73, of Murphysboro, passed away at 1:54 pm, Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Herrin Hospital in Herrin, Illinois.
Donald was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on August 20, 1948, the son of Frank E. and Esther M. Stegmann Svanda. Â He married Alice Graff on May 16, 1970, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Campbell...
Richard F. Reiman
Jan 26, 2022
MURPHYSBORO – Richard Fred Reiman, 68, of Murphysboro, passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at his home in Murphysboro, IL.
Richard was born May 15, 1953, in Murphysboro, IL, to Glenn and Erma L. Bastien Reiman. Richard was retired from the Illinois Department of Corrections, after a 27-year career. He was a member of Missionary Baptist Church...
Helen "Faye" Deppe
Jan 26, 2022
PERCY - Helen "Faye" Deppe, 91, of Percy, passed away at Cedarhurst in Sparta, Illinois, at 11:39 am, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.
Helen Faye was born in Marion, Illinois, on September 2, 1930, the daughter of Allen S. and Edra E. Buescher Whitehead. She married Ernest "Dale" Deppe on June 20,...
Joseph A. Specogni
Jan 25, 2022
SPARTA – Joseph A. Specogni, 36, of Sparta, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2022, at his home in Sparta, IL.
Joseph was born September 9, 1985, in Danville, IL, to Joseph P. and Dauna D. Jiles Specogni. Joseph was the owner of J.S. & Sons Construction, Sparta, IL. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church,...
Wendell "Ray" Byers
Jan 25, 2022
WILLISVILLE – Pastor Wendell "Ray" Byers, 82, of Willisville, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Sparta Community Hospital, Sparta, IL.
Ray was born August 14, 1939, in Herrin, IL, to John and Anna Ruth King Byers. He married Evelyn June Bailey on August 3, 1962, in Herrin, IL. Ray was a Veteran of the U.S....
Alma F. Dierks
Jan 22, 2022
AVA – Alma F. Dierks, 67, of Ava, passed away at 9:35 am, Saturday, January 22, 2022, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Murphysboro.
Alma was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on October 4, 1954, the daughter of Curtis Frank and Kathleen McRoy Dean. She married Lester Dierks on November 24, 1972, at the Ava Missionary Baptist Church. Alma...
Ralph Edward Clover
Jan 16, 2022
AVA – Ralph Edward Clover, 86, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, January 15, 2022, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. He was a resident of Ava, Illinois for many years and resided at Manor Court of Carbondale over the past few months.
Ralph was born November 20, 1935, in Pomona, Illinois; the youngest of four children born to Edward...
Catherine "Katie" S. Rieckenberg
Jan 16, 2022
STEELEVILLE – Catherine "Katie" Rieckenberg, 85, of Steeleville, passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Cedar Hurst Assisted Living, Sparta, IL.
Katie was born April 23, 1936, in Percy, IL, to William and Edna Meyerhoff Rabe. She married Ardell Rieckenberg on July 8, 1955, at Peace Lutheran Church, Steeleville. Katie was retired from the Research and Development...
Merle E. Miller
Jan 15, 2022
CAMPBELL HILL – Merle E. Miller, 80, of Campbell Hill, passed away Saturday, January 15, 2022, at VA Medical Center, Marion, IL.
Merle was born July 12, 1941, in Coulterville, IL, to Frank and Florence Holmes Miller. He married Martha McCrary Keller on December 12, 1985, in Perryville, MO. Martha preceded Merle in death on October 8,...
Rose Renee Kranawetter
Jan 13, 2022
JACOB – Rose Renee Kranawetter, 65, of Jacob, passed away at 4:56 pm, Thursday, January 13, 2022, at home.
Rose Renee was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on April 24, 1956, the daughter of John and Rose Johnson Nelson. She married Lloyd Kranawetter on June 15, 1974, at Christ Lutheran Church, Jacob. She was retired from the Jackson...
Steve L. Waltemate
Jan 10, 2022
SPARTA – Steve L. Waltemate, Sr, 57, of Sparta, passed away Monday, January 10, 2022, at his home in Sparta, Illinois.
Steve was born January 16, 1964, in Eldorado, IL, to Willard and Beulah Durham Waltemate. Steve was a mechanic at various auto shops and was of the Lutheran Faith. He enjoyed car racing, watching NHRA, car...
David A. Nicholson
Jan 8, 2022
SPARTA – David A. Nicholson, 81, of Sparta, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Coulterville Care Center, Coulterville, Illinois.
David was born in Millisburg, Indiana, on July 19, 1940, the son of Clarence A. and Clata Taylor Nicholson. He married Margaret Bergfeld Willingham on June 23, 1984 in Sparta, Illinois. He was a retired Superintendent...
Clifford P. Schremp
Jan 5, 2022
STEELEVILLE – Clifford P. Schremp, 83, of Steeleville, passed away at his home, Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Cliff was born in Perryville, MO, October 31, 1938, and was raised by his aunt and uncle. He married Alberta E. Braun, May 19, 1962. She survives. Cliff was a hard-working man who loved hunting, fishing, and talking with family...
Dale L. Bryant
Jan 5, 2022
MURPHYSBORO – Dale L. Bryant, 56, of Murphysboro, passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2022. He was born December 6, 1966, in Joliet, IL, to William Earl and Carol M. Sandusky Bryant.
Dale is survived by his son Dale James "DJ" Bryant of Marion, IL, daughter, Rachel Lee Bryant of Murphysboro, IL, grandchildren, Micha and Camille, mother, Carol...
Dale L. Krack
Jan 4, 2022
GOREVILLE – Dale Louis Krack, age 50, of Goreville, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Franklin County Hospital in Benton, Illinois.
Dale was born on January 22, 1971, in Carbondale, Illinois, the son of Joseph Krack and Karen (Muench) Wilson. He married the love of his life, Alison Ann Gerberding on May 6,...
Vivian Mccrary
Jan 1, 2022
STEELEVILLE – Vivian McCrary, 89, of Steeleville, passed away at 11:35 am, Saturday, January 1, 2022, at Coulterville Care Center, Coulterville, Illinois.
Vivian was born in Ava, Illinois, on June 12, 1932, the daughter of Ralph and Nora Kenner Melville. She married Valley V. McCrary on August 15, 1948, in Willisville. He preceded her in death on...
Robert W. Zierenberg
Jan 1, 2022
SPARTA – Robert W. Zierenberg, 60, of Sparta, IL, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022.
Robert was born February 26, 1961, in Scott Air Force Base, IL, to Henry and Erma Ehmke Zierenberg. He married Margaret Diamond in Cutler IL. Robert was a United States Army Veteran. Robert was a member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Sparta,...
Doris E. Wall
Dec 31, 2021
AVA – Doris E. Wall, 97, of Ava, passed away at 4:49 pm, on Friday, December 31, 2021, at home.
Doris was born in Elkville, Illinois, on August 31, 1924, the daughter of Elmer and Glenna Nehring Peckler. She married Randall J. Wall on November 24, 1943, in Ava, Illinois. He preceded her in death on March...
