David W. McCrady, 68 of Divernon passed away Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023 at his home. He was born Sept. 15, 1955 in Springfield, the son of Charles and Rose Miller McCrady.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Ashley. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service on Cook Street prior to this retirement. Surviving are one daughter, Tara (Devin) Heriford; one son, Steven (Ashley) McCrady; one granddaughter, Sydney McCrady Cornish; one brother, Keith McCrady. Private...

Marjorie Jo Eldridge, 81 of Virden passed away Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 at St. John’s Hospital. She was born June 30, 1942, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Centko Yasinski. She married Bruce Eldridge on Jan. 21, 1966 and he preceded her in death on March 20, 2022. Marjorie was a nurse at St. John’s Hospital for 35 years prior to her retirement. Surviving are five children, Daniel (Charlene) Eldridge of New Berlin, Bruce L. (Denise) Eldridge of Auburn, Scott (Jackie)...

Marjorie Anne King Gaule (October 16, 1932 to November 18, 2023), of Chatham, is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, William; her four children — Deborah Seelhoefer (Leroy), Cynthia Bryan, Michael Gaule and Patricia Kane Gaule (Kim Osgood); eight grandchildren — Greg Seelhoefer, Jill Seelhoefer Babulal, Lara Seelhoefer Bartels, Ben Bryan, Will Bryan, Rachel Bryan Cangello, Jenna Gaule and Griffin Gaule; and eight great-grandchildren — Arya, Andrew and Ahna...

Robert W. Ketchum, 84 of Fountain Hills, AZ formerly of Petersburg passed away Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. He was born Oct. 20, 1939 in Langleyville, the son of Roy and Maude Campbell Ketchum.  He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jim and Gene; one sister, Anna Belle. He married Joyce Ladage on Oct. 14, 1961 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn. Robert served in the U.S. Army.  He owned and operated Ketchum Standard Service in Petersburg.  He also operated...

Ronald A. Carlson, 69 of Auburn passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023 at his home. He was born July 12, 1954 in Joliet, the son of Albert and Lucille Haag Carlson.  He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are three siblings, Robert Carlson of Sarasota, FL, Greg Carlson of Forsyth, IL and Carol (Greg) Kirchgesner of Fernandina Beach, FL; several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at a later date.

Charles “Chuck” N. Hamilton, 71 of Springfield passed away Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at his home. He was born Dec. 16, 1951, the son of Charles and Verlyn Fairchild Hamilton.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Brad Hamilton. Chuck served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.  He was an excavator for many years and later as a drywaller.  He enjoyed smoking, drinking and his country. He was a disabled service veteran and a member of Chatham and...

Larry Boblitt, 76 of Pawnee passed away Thursday, November 9, 2023. He was born April 21, 1947 in Taylorville; the son of Orville and Frances Hall Boblitt.  He was preceded in death by his parents. Larry married Mary Barrowman on July 8, 1972 in Divernon. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and his antique tractors. Surviving are his wife, Mary; Tim (Amy) Boblitt; two grandchildren, Griffin and Adalyn; sister, Marilyn Reynolds; several nieces and nephews. Visitation...

Susie Mae Wiggins, 73, of Virden, Illinois, passed away at Memorial Medical Center on November 7, 2023. Born February 24, 1950, in Maysville, Kentucky, Susie was the daughter of Bruce and Pearl Richards. She was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings, Cecil Richards, Don Richards, Bruce Richards, Tommy Richards, Herby Richards and Wanita Schrock; and two grandchildren, Crystal Turner and Danny Rae Turner. With her life centering around her family, Susie’s proudest title was...

Dawn Marie Spires née Young of Chatham, Illinois passed away Tuesday night October 24, 2023, surrounded by her family. She leaves behind her sister, Shawn Fuzy of Phoenix, and five adored children: son Jeremy Spires and his wife Beth of Springfield, Tabby Spires-Anderson and her husband Joe Anderson of Springfield, Jamie Spires of Tulsa, Lauren Spires of Chicago, and Cary Spires of New York City. No memorial or funeral will be held in accordance with her wishes. She will be cremated...

Lawrence L. “Skip” Conrad, 91 of Flora, formerly of Auburn, passed away October 13, 2023 at Flora Gardens. He was born July 14, 1932 in Galesburg the son of Paul and Marian Strong Conrad. He married Patsy Snyder on April 2, 1955 and she preceded him in death on October 17, 2010. He was also preceded in death by one son, Michael and one granddaughter, Becky Jo McDannald. Surviving are two sons, Jeffery Conrad and David (Brenda) Conrad; two daughters, Patti (Steve) Beverlin and...