Obituaries

Darwin Shane Koch

Darwin Shane Koch

May 14, 2021

CARTERVILLE - Darwin (Shane) Koch, 55, of Carterville, Illinois, lost a courageous battle with cancer on May 14, 2021. He was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, the son of Dienard (Bud) and Verna Koch of Herrin, Illinois. He is survived by a sister Shannon Koch of Denton, Texas and three children Tabitha Elizabeth, Abigail Jordan Koch, and Darwin Michael Anthony Koch...

Ray C. Finstad, Jr.

Ray C. Finstad, Jr.

May 10, 2021

ANNA – Ray Carrol Finstad Jr., 64, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021 at his home. Ray was born on May 14, 1956 to Ray and Barbara (Devaney) Finstad, Sr. in Clifton, Texas. He married Laura Susan Conner on December 26, 1979 in Dumas, Texas. Ray is survived by his wife, Laura; children, Erica, Charles, Barbara and William; grandchild...

Stephen Alan Vaughn

Stephen Alan Vaughn

May 7, 2021

Stephen Alan Vaughn Anna, IL - Stephen "Steve" Alan Vaughn, 74, originally of Danvers, IL, beloved brother and son, died peacefully at the Illinois Veterans Home at Anna, IL on May 7, 2021 where he spent his final weeks surrounded by family and his many loving friends and devoted caregivers. He was born June 16, 1946 in Bloomington, IL to...

Richard N. Klaine

Richard N. Klaine

Apr 27, 2021

CARBONDALE – Richard Norbert Klaine, 95, of Carbondale passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Richard was born on August 17, 1925 in Covington, Kentucky to George and Margaret (Tuemler) Klaine. He married Dorothy Caroline Huesing in Covington on September 30, 1950. She preceded him in death on August...

Sara "Sally" Marie Yarbrough

Sara "Sally" Marie Yarbrough

Apr 21, 2021

On April 21, 2021 Sara (“Sally”) Marie Yarbrough passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Born June 15, 1934 in Carbondale, Illinois to Mable and Walker Schwartz, Sally graduated from Carbondale Community High in 1952. At the tender age of 16, Sally and her best friend, Sally Lewis, left Illinois to attend Stevens College in Missouri. Subsequently, Sally returned...

Michael Keith Francis

Michael Keith Francis

Apr 16, 2021

ANNA - Michael Keith Francis, 62, passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021 at Landmark Hospital of Cape Girardeau, MO, surrounded by his loving family. Michael was born on November 20, 1958 to Herman "Bill" and Anna Kathleen "Kay" (Bratcher) Francis in Carbondale, Illinois. He married Julie Bernadean Nannie on February 10, 1988 in Paducah, KY. Michael is survived by...

Donald Lee Watson

Donald Lee Watson

Apr 14, 2021

Donald Lee Watson, 87, of rural Williamson County, IL, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on April 14, 2021, following a battle with Alzheimer's. His faith, his loving family, and their firm belief in God supported them all through this heartbreaking time. Donald was born to Fred and Reba Watson on July 20, 1933 in Williamson County, IL....

Sheila Estelle Bengtson

Sheila Estelle Bengtson

Apr 12, 2021

Carbondale, IL – Sheila Estelle Bengtson died on Monday, April 12, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, surrounded by her daughter, Andrea, and family friends, following complications brought on by a fall at the start of the year. Sheila was preceded in death by her best friend and loving husband Dale in 2019, her parents, and her brother David Gordon....

Gary Allen Highland

Gary Allen Highland

Apr 7, 2021

CARBONDALE - Gary Allen Highland, 77, of Carbondale passed away on Wednesday April 7, 2021 at the SIH Memorial Hospital at Carbondale. Gary was born March 21, 1944 in Carbondale, Illinois to Lewis R. and Dorothy L. (Petty) Highland. He married Meribeth Lerner in Carbondale, Illinois on June 22, 1968. Gary is survived by his wife Meribeth (Betsy) and three...

Russell Wayne Biggs

Russell Wayne Biggs

Mar 26, 2021

CARBONDALE – Russell “Rusty” Wayne Biggs, 54, of Carbondale passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Rusty was born on June 13, 1966 in Carbondale to George and Almeta Lynn (Hicks) Bean. Rusty’s father, George, died while serving his country in the Vietnam War. Almeta Lynn married Frank Biggs who adopted and...

John Albert Harrison

John Albert Harrison

Mar 19, 2021

MURPHYSBORO - On Friday, March 19th 2021, John Albert Harrison of Murphysboro, Illinois passed from this life into an eternity with his Lord and Savior. Born on January 9th, 1954 to Hollis and Evelyn (Jones) Harrison, John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a devout Christian as well as an ordained minister. As a successful business owner,...

Katherine Lavone Fulmer

Katherine Lavone Fulmer

Mar 19, 2021

CARBONDALE – Katherine Lavone Fulmer, 70, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Katherine was born on December 13, 1950 to Frank M. and Harriett E. (Ketring) Fulmer in Carbondale. Katherine is survived by her brother, John (Donna) Fulmer; sister, Alesia Fulmer Lipe; several special nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Emma. She was...

Brian Anderson

Brian Anderson

Mar 14, 2021

Brian Anderson, 68, of Murphysboro, Illinois (formerly of Chicago, Illinois) passed away March 14th, 2021 in Carbondale, Illinois. Brian was born in Chicago, Illinois to Walter and Mary Anderson of Chicago Heights, Illinois. He graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School in 1970 and later from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Brian taught himself to play the...

Allen Ray Nunnery

Allen Ray Nunnery

Mar 13, 2021

DESOTO - Allen Nunnery, age 75, formerly of Grand Tower, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Allen was born on November 16, 1945 in Ridgely, TN to Chester and Willimane (Saulsberry) Nunnery. Allen married Sharon Leonard in 1992. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Nunnery; daughters, Tabitha (Bill) Merrell, Melina (Scott Henson) Howard,...

Betty Ruth Heiar

Betty Ruth Heiar

Mar 2, 2021

DESOTO – Betty Ruth Heiar, 91, passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. She was born on July 16, 1929 in De Soto to Albert and Rebecca (Nausley) Jones on her family’s local farm. Betty was steadfast in pursuing her goal in achieving a college degree and graduated from SIU on the Dean’s List with...

Merle R. Rankin

Merle R. Rankin

Feb 24, 2021

CARBONDALE - Merle R. Rankin, 75, of Carbondale passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 in Harrisburg. Merle was born on November 16, 1945 in Springerton to Emerson and Ruby (Garrett) Rankin. He married Cheryl Diane Chase on December 23, 1967. She preceded him in death on December 23, 1997. Merle served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked...

Billy "Shon" Gene Roberson

Billy "Shon" Gene Roberson

Feb 24, 2021

MARION – Billy “Shon” Gene Roberson, 65, of Marion, formerly of Grand Tower, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2021. Shon was born August 31, 1955 to Billy and Myrtle (Abbott) Roberson in Oak Park, Illinois. Shon was a member of the rescue dog organization. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and going on Poker Runs with his friends. Shon...

Anne Marie Hill

Anne Marie Hill

Feb 15, 2021

CARBONDALE - Anne Hill, age 104, of Carbondale, died peacefully on Monday, February 15, 2021 in Carbondale, Illinois. Anne was born on April 9, 1916 in Westwood New Jersey, and called many places home during her long life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Camilla, brother, Edgar, and beloved cousin, Lila Deis-Lauby. Anne is survived by...

Rex Allen Bridgeman

Rex Allen Bridgeman

Feb 15, 2021

Rex Allen Bridgeman, 69, of Cobden, Illinois, passed away on February 15th, 2021 after a three-year battle with cancer. Rex was predeceased by his siblings Dennis Lee and Janice Kay and his wife Linda. He is survived by his siblings Carolene Olson (nee Bridgeman) and Doug Bridgeman, as well as his sons, Bryan and Kent, his step-daughter Robin (Skip) Cutting...

Wilma Lucille Ruffolo

Wilma Lucille Ruffolo

Feb 14, 2021

CARBONDALE - Wilma “Lucy” Ruffolo, age 92, a Carbondale native died peacefully Valentine’s morning 2021 at Manor Court. Lucy was born on October 10, 1928 to Lorraine and Pearl (Holder) Forby.  She spent her early life working as a waitress, where she met her soulmate, Albert Ruffolo, working in Waukegan Il. Albert adored Lucy and they were married August 20,...

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