Obituaries
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
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
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
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
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...
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...
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,...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,...
Norma Mae Schimpf
Feb 11, 2021
NORMA DREYER SCHIMPF DESOTO - Norma Mae (Cluster) Dreyer Schimpf, 91, died Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Manor Court Nursing Home in Carbondale, Illinois with loving members of her family present. Services will be at Meredith Funeral Home at 11:00 on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 with Pastor Larry Gilbert officiating. There will be visitation prior to the funeral from 9:30...
Orene Faye Williams
Feb 2, 2021
CARBONDALE – Orene “Nana” Faye Williams, 69, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at her home. Orene was born on January 26, 1952 to Preston and Flossie (Gilmore) Grady in Hope, Arkansas. Nana is survived by her sons, Kenny Mays of Chicago and Orlan Mays of Carbondale; her siblings, Henry Grady and Twinet of Washington D.C, and Wilma of...
Prudy Rushing
Jan 31, 2021
CARBONDALE - Prudy (Ledbetter) Rushing, entered her eternal reward on January 31, 2021 with her loving husband and children near. She now joins her parents and a brother John Ledbetter. Her wonderful sister Barb and Borden Hines and bonus sister Mary (Robinson) Ledbetter remain. She graced us for 76 years teaching us how to be peacemakers and demonstrating that true...
Matthew Ian Holloway
Jan 28, 2021
CARBONDALE – Matthew Ian Holloway, 49, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Matthew was born on October 28, 1971 to Frederick B. and Barbara A. (Hill) Holloway in Carbondale, Illinois. Matthew is survived by his mother, Barbara; brother, Brian; sister-in-law, Salina; and nephew, Jonathon. He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Harold U. Hill, Vesta W....
Kathryn Starbuck
Jan 22, 2021
HERRIN - Kathryn Jo Starbuck, 92, of Herrin died on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Herrin Hospital. Kathryn was born on May 3, 1928, in Abilene, Kansas, the oldest of eight children, to Wallace and Maude Funston. Kathryn married Kenneth (Ken) Starbuck on June 23, 1952. They were married by Ken’s Uncle Martin Starbuck in Salina, Kansas. They had six...
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