Obituary Listing

Apr 11, 2025

AVA - Gary Ray Fults, 66, of Ava, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Gary was born in Dixon, Illinois, on June 27, 1958, the son of Rufus and Betty Love Fults. He married Elizabeth Glass on May 30, 1992.

Gary is survived by his wife, Elizabeth...

Apr 5, 2025

PERCY – Dee Dee Graf, 65, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at her home in Percy, Illinois.

Dee Dee was born on February 28, 1960, in Sparta, IL, the daughter of Orval A. and Ruth E. (Wolfe) Knop. She married Frank Graf in 1985 in Las Vegas, NV. Dee Dee was retired from office work....

Apr 5, 2025

STEELEVILLE – Erna May Salger, 84, of Steeleville, passed away A5 7:23 pm, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Chester.

Erna May was born in Pinckneyville, Illinois, on November 6, 1940, the daughter of Herman H. and Marie Rabe Mayer. She married George A. Salger on September 21, 1963, at St. Peter Lutheran Church,...

Apr 3, 2025

STEELEVILLE – Mary Ann Badgley, 79, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Memorial Hospital, Chester, Illinois.

Mary Ann was born on November 23, 1945, in Herrin, IL, the daughter of Joe and Virginia M. (Hampton) Craig. She married Donald M. Badgley on August 13, 1967, in Karnak, IL. Mary Ann was a retired LPN from...

Mar 30, 2025

GORHAM – Phyllis Shields Verseman, 88, of Fenton, Missouri, formerly of Gorham, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Phyllis Irene Taylor was born at home in Sand Ridge, IL, on March 5, 1937, to Charles and Elvinia Ticer Taylor. She married Richard Shields on September 5, 1955. They celebrated 36 years...

Mar 29, 2025

STEELEVILLE – Patricia "Pat" Ennis, 77, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Pat was born on May 30, 1947, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Edwin and Dorothy (Crowder) Burke. She married Randall F. Ennis on July 31, 1965, in Chicago, IL. Pat managed the Senior Center in Steeleville...

Mar 25, 2025

WILLISVILLE – Joseph R. Bierman, 89, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, Illinois.

Joseph was born on October 31, 1935, in Willisville, IL, the son of Arthur and Rose (McDaniel) Bierman. He married Darlene Sprietler on June 1, 1957, in Preston, IL. Joseph was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served...

Mar 25, 2025

JACOB – Rose Mary Saupe, 91, passed away on March 25, 2025, at 3:38 AM, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Rose Mary was born on May 12, 1933, in Ava, the daughter of Harry E. Cochran and Bernice (Weatherford) Cochran. She married Robert M. Saupe on October 16, 1954, and they shared 70 years of marriage. Rose...

Mar 23, 2025

STEELEVILLE – Loretta Qualls, 66, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

Loretta was born on December 3, 1958, in Ava, IL, the daughter of Joseph Albert, Sr. and Beulah Mae (Reiman) Qualls. Loretta worked at Gilster Mary Lee Corporation in Steeleville for 49 years. She was a member...

Mar 22, 2025

SPARTA – C. Stanley Baird, 89, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 3:54 PM, in Randolph County Care Center, Sparta, Illinois.

Stanley was born on July 27, 1935, to Clarence and Florance (Montgomery) Baird in Sparta, IL.  On June 11, 1955, Stanley married Alice Smith at Peace Lutheran Church in Steeleville, IL. They shared 69...

Mar 20, 2025

ROCKWOOD -- Ruby Jewell Heins, 77, passed away on the first day of spring, Thursday, March 20, 2025, at her home in Rockwood, Illinois, surrounded by family.

Ruby was born on January 16, 1948, in Murphysboro, IL, the daughter of Hilbert and Theda (Gale) Graff. She married Carl E. Heins on April 8, 1972, at Christ Lutheran...

Mar 19, 2025

MURPHYSBORO - Terry Lee Cottonaro, 73, passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Born on October 23, 1951, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, he was the beloved son of Patricia Lorraine (Ferguson) and Vincent Joseph Cottonaro, Jr.

By the time Terry began school, his family had settled in Murphysboro, where he graduated from Murphysboro Township...

Mar 19, 2025

MURPHYSBORO - It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Herbert McComb, 83, who left us on March 19, 2025. Charles passed away at the Marion VA CLC, surrounded by his daughters and brother.

Charles was immensely proud of his family, particularly his grandsons. His greatest passion in life was fishing, cherishing every...

Mar 19, 2025

CHESTER – Stephanie A. Mauser, 65, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Three Springs Lodge, Chester, Illinois.

Stephanie was born on May 6, 1959, in East St. Louis, IL, the daughter of William E. and Dolores R. (Steele) Mauser. Stephanie worked as a CNA for many years in the area. She was a member of...

Mar 18, 2025

WILLISVILLE – Brenda L. Vogel, 76, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at her home in Willisville, Illinois.

Brenda was born on July 17, 1948, in Willisville, IL, the daughter of Richard and Mildred (Cornehlson) Edwards. She married Norman E. Vogel on July 24, 1971, in Coulterville, IL. Brenda was a member of United Community Church,...

Mar 18, 2025

SPARTA – Doris Creason Arnold, 84, went home to be with the Lord on March 18, 2025. Doris was a resident at Oak hill Nursing Home in Waterloo, IL, for the past two years. Before that she was a resident at Red Bud Regional Care Center since 2017, when her husband, Robert, passed away.

Doris was born...

Mar 17, 2025

STEELEVILLE – Nathan Allen Harding, 51, passed away at Chester Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 17, 2025

Nathan was born on August 14, 1973, in Chester, IL, to Louis "Joe" and Marilyn (Liefer) Harding. He was confirmed and graduated from St. Mark's Lutheran School in 1987, Steeleville High School in 1991, and from Southern Illinois University at...

Mar 15, 2025

SPARTA – George A. Christopher, 73, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Sparta Community Hospital, Sparta, Illinois.

George was born on August 28, 1951, in St. Louis, MO, the son of Claire and Esther (Willingham) Christopher.  He was retired from Hussmann Refrigeration Corp, St. Louis, MO. George was a member of the Thresherman Association, Pinckneyville,...

Mar 15, 2025

SPARTA – Melba J. McMaster, 81, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Clinton Manor Living Center, New Baden, Illinois.

Melba was born on February 9, 1944, in Belleville, IL, the daughter of Riley and Fleta (Finely) McMaster. She was of the Baptist faith.

Melba is survived by her sister, Phyllis Prest of Sparta,...

Mar 13, 2025

STEELEVILLE – Mark Kranz, 72, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, Illinois.

Mark was born on August 13, 1952, in Hamilton, CA, the son of Leland F. and Dorothy (Rodewald) Kranz. He had worked at Spartan Printing – Bindery, Kraft Foods, and Gilster Mary Lee. Mark was a member of Peace Lutheran...