Obituaries
Jerry Lee Ellis
May 7, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jerry Lee Ellis, a beloved husband, devoted Papa, Great-Papa, Brother, Friend and Proud Veteran. Jerry passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at the age of 79 years old.
Born on August 30, 1945, in Murphysboro, IL to the Late General Ellis, Ruth Justine Cripps-Ellis. Jerry was a man...
Leona Nadine Lacy
May 2, 2025
ELKVILLE - Leona Nadine Lacy, beloved mother, grandmother and cherished friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the age of 87 in Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.
Nadine was born on January 24, 1938, in Cobden, Illinois, to David and Kathleen (Johnson) Wright. She married Charles E. Lacy, Sr. on May 22, 1954,...
Randy Grant
May 2, 2025
CARBONDALE - Randy Grant, 83, passed away on Friday, May, 2, 2025 at Manor Court of Carbondale.
Randy was born on September 14, 1941 in Donalsonville, Georgia to Elbert and Inice (Starling) Grant. He married Jean Olson on October 25, 1963 in Pensacola, Florida.
Randy served his country in the US Marine Corps from July of 1959 until July of 1963. After...
Ila Rae Yocum
Apr 30, 2025
HURST – Ila Rae Yocum, 87, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Ila was born on November 9, 1937 to J.C. and Mattie (Craig) Battle in De Soto. She married Richard Yocum on October 22, 1960 in Bartonville.
She is survived by her husband, Richard; son Ed Yocum of Carterville, grandchildren Marlee Yocum...
Jo Ann Whitehead
Apr 27, 2025
CARBONDALE – Jo Ann Whitehead, 76, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Jo Ann was born on February 15, 1949. to Charlie G. Branan and Julia M. (Hughes) Middleton in Conway, Arkansas. She married George Whitehead on June 14, 1970, in Peoria, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 2016.
Jo Ann is survived by her...
Sharon Simons
Apr 26, 2025
CARBONDALE - Sharon Jeanette Simons, born on May 29, 1947, in Peoria, Illinois, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Carbondale, Illinois. She was 77 years old.
For many years, Sharon served as a secretary at Southern Illinois University (SIU), where she left a lasting impression on her colleagues and students alike. Her commitment to fostering a nurturing and...
Frank Douglas Meade
Apr 20, 2025
Frank Douglas Meade, 62, currently of Maynard, Arkansas, passed away in his home on April 20, 2025. Born to Chalk and Dubie Meade in Carbondale, Illinois, on October 21, 1962. Frank lived a life of hard work, love, a little rowdiness, and the outdoors.
He proudly served his country in the United States Navy, aboard the USS Vancouver. He then served...
Mary Kelly
Apr 15, 2025
CARBONDALE - Mary Kelly, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Mary was born on October 5, 1942 in Iowa City, IA to C. Addison and Dorothy (Hoeffler) Hickman. Mary was married to David Michael Kelly for 27 years. He preceded her in death in 1995.
She obtained a Bachelor degree from SIU, and a...
Shannon Ezra-Lee Crane
Apr 14, 2025
GRAND TOWER - Shannon Ezra-Lee Crane, age 24, left us far too soon on Monday, April 14, 2025.
Shannon was born on August 29, 2000 in Murphysboro to Michael and Jilian (Cripps) Crane.
At a young age Shannon became a very talented heavy equipment operator and a third-generation member of IOUE Local 318, he will be remembered for his skill, work ethic,...
Philip W. Camp
Apr 12, 2025
GRAND TOWER - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Philip Camp, a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished son, who left us on April 12th 2025. Philip was a man of unwavering kindness and generosity, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. His spirit of compassion touched the lives of many,...
Walter Carl Henneberger
Apr 9, 2025
CARBONDALE – Walter Carl Henneberger, 95, passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at his home.
Walter was born on January 17, 1930 to Peter and Gertrude (Link) Henneberger in Bradley. He married Gerlinde Emma Gleissner on August 17, 1967 in Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany. She preceded him in death.
Walter is survived by his sister Eleanor McCormick of Pheonix, AZ area; his...
Janis Fay Dunning Morris
Apr 6, 2025
CARBONDALE - Janis "Jan" Fay Dunning Morris, age 77, of Destin, Florida, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL.
Jan attended University of Houston, Southern Illinois University, and SIU College of Law obtaining a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Juris Doctorate degree. She also completed coursework for her PhD. She served on many...
Patricia Margaret Waters
Apr 2, 2025
Patricia Margaret Waters (née Gannon) passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, (formerly of Carbondale, Illinois) surrounded by her children. Pat was born in Maquoketa, Iowa on January 30, 1932 to Marilla Ann (née Kimball) and Michael Patrick Gannon and reared on the family farm outside of Delmar, Iowa, alongside other aunts, uncles, and cousins, on their...
Imogene Catherine Beckemeyer
Mar 26, 2025
Imogene Catherine Beckemeyer, 95, passed away March 26, 2025, at Manor Court, Carbondale, Illinois. Imogene was born June 21, 1929, in Bartelso, Illinois, to the late Barbara Schlott and Leo Beckemeyer. She grew up in Carlyle, Illinois, and graduated from Carlyle High School in 1947. She had planned to get a job, but an influential H.S. math teacher, Coach Harris,...
Lou Bigler
Mar 24, 2025
Lula Rae "Lou" Bigler
CARBONDALE - Lou Bigler was born on February 9, 1933. She passed away on March 24, 2025.
She was born in Ware, Illinois to Stanley and Verna (Davis) Kinder.
She graduated Wolf Lake High School and attended SIU in Carbondale. Lou started work with General Telephone Company, then Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Admitting Department. She then worked at Jackson...
Zackary Morse
Mar 23, 2025
GRAND TOWER – Zackary Morse, age 14, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at home in Grand Tower.
Zackary was born on October 4, 2010 in Carbondale to Chirstopher Morse and Britany Scholz.
Zackary loved watching Sponge Bob and Lion King. He enjoyed riding in dad’s truck and getting the ladies attention.
Zackary is survived by father, Christopher (Jessica) Morse; mother, Britany...
John Peterson
Mar 21, 2025
CARBONDALE - John Landers Peterson, age 80, of Carbondale, Illinois, passed away March 21, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.
John was born January 13, 1945, in Alton, Illinois, to Oma Leah and Forrest Peterson. He married the love of his life Barbara (Carroll) Birkhimer on February 9, 1973, at the First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale and enjoyed over 52 years...
Mary Kathryn McGuire
2025
Mary Kathryn McGuire, Ph.D., passed away at home in Carbondale, IL on March 19, 2025. Mary was the third of seven children born to Mae and William McGuire in Cedar Rapids, IA, where she graduated from LaSalle High School. She earned a BA in Humanities from the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), and MA in Human Services (Gerontology) from the...
Kenny Wayne Cowan
Mar 13, 2025
CARBONDALE - Kenneth "Kenny" Wayne Cowan, age 59, of Carbondale, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025 at Unity Point School in Carbondale with Pastor Ed Falgout officiating. Burial will follow in Makanda Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to...
Ben Balsano
Mar 12, 2025
CARBONDALE - Ben Balsano, 87, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at his home.
Ben was born on July 15, 1937 to Angelo and Myrtle (Spangler) Balsano in Murphysboro. He married Kathryn Schwartz in August of 1997 in Carbondale.
After a long, distinguished career, Ben retired from FW Woolworth Company. He was often known as a happy, storytelling, Italian ball of...
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