All Obituaries

Joshua Richard Smith, age 36, of Rockport, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024. He was born on May 30, 1987, in Naples, Florida to Jennifer Smith. Josh’s father, Paul Michael Niebur came into his life at age 9, and a special bond was born. Josh found his lifelong love in Kasey Pruett, whom he married on August 10, 2013, in San Antonio, TX.  Josh's journey began in Naples, but at age 4, he and his mother, moved back to Pike County to be closer to family. He...

Kathlena Joan Ellis Rakes, age 91 formerly of Pittsfield, Illinois, died May 1, 2024 at the Maranatha Manor, Sebring, Florida. She was born March 20, 1933, in Jacksonville, Illinois, the daughter of Irvin and Mabel (Sharrow) Mitchell, Milton, Illinois. She is survived by her son, Richard L. Ellis, M.D. (Jean); brother, Carrol Mitchell (Barbara); grandchildren Denise Merschman, Tiffany Ellis, and Rachel, Angela, and John Mitchell Ellis; and great grandchildren Emily, Nicholas, Lexus, and...

Rosemary Sanderson, age 71, of Pittsfield, IL passed away Monday, April 29, 2024, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. She was born December 28, 1952, in Jacksonville, IL to Paul Junior and Mary Helen Kaltschnee Neff. Rose married Robert Khoy Sanderson October 19, 1974, in Pittsfield and he preceded her in death August 31, 2007. Rose graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1970 and she is a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She started her working career at Brown Shoe Factory,...

Kickstart McCollum, age 33, of Perry, IL passed away Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield, IL. She was born September 12, 1990, in Quincy, IL. Her parents were Herbert and Theresa Irwin Stewart. Kickstart grew up in Barry and attended Liberty schools. She worked at Wendy’s in Barry and County Market in Pittsfield and several area gas stations, most recently at Pioneer Express in Perry. She attended church at The Crossing in Pittsfield. Kickstart or...

    Darline Christian, age 73 and formerly from West Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Beloved Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hannibal, MO. She was born on March 11, 1951 in Ravenden, Arkansas, to Charley Morgan and Mae (Adair) Morgan. Darline married Jack Christian.      Darline enjoyed traveling from place to place, often stopping and seeing the sites. She was well known for her beautiful smile and was a free...

Vicki Daniels, age 73, of New Hartford, IL passed away Saturday, April 27, 2024, at OSF Transitional Care Hospital in Peoria, IL. She was born June 16, 1950, in Pocahontas, AR to Jack and Ava Harris Clem. She married Robert Daniels September 11, 1970, in Pleasant Hill, IL and he survives. Vicki was a 1968 graduate of Louisiana High School. She worked in the banking industry as a teller and bookkeeper at Central State Bank, Cornbelt Bank and Carlinville National Bank. Vicki was an avid...

Albert Dale Stone, age 73, of Pittsfield, IL passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at St.  John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL surrounded by his family. He was born August 8, 1950, in Pittsfield, IL to Nellie Irene Stone. Dale married Joyce Raftery February 19, 1977, in Barry, IL and she survives. Dale grew up in Nebo and attended Pittsfield High School. He went to work at Kamar Buildings, then to Brown Shoe Factory until they closed and then helped them open other factories in...

Norma Lorraine Jankowski, age 93 of Griggsville, IL passed away Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield, IL. She was born in Nashville, IL on December 24, 1929, to Fredrick and Bertha Struckmeyer Nagel. Norma married Bernard Carl Jankowski, Sr. on May 7, 1955, in Corinth, MS and he preceded her in death June 1, 2013. Norma grew up in Nashville, IL and attended the Lutheran School, graduating in 1948. She met her husband while he was playing baseball at the...

Laura Ann Norris, age 80, of Pittsfield, IL passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Eastside Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield. She was born June 29, 1943, in Pittsfield, IL to Joe and Mabel Hubbard Fletcher. Laura worked at Brown Shoe Factory in Pittsfield for 11 ½ years. Laura was one of the first women to work at Hercules in Louisiana, MO in 1976; she continued to work there for 32 years until her retirement in 2008. After retirement, Laura volunteered at the...

James Edward Fennell, 71, suffered a massive heart attack in St. Louis, MO, and passed away at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, on January 12, 2024. Jim was born December 20, 1952, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Quincy, IL, to William Wayne Fennell (1910-2005) & Cecelia Lillian Fennell (1915-2003). Jim grew up on the family farm near New Salem, IL. After attending Barry Elementary and High School, he graduated from Quincy College in 1974 with a degree in Chemistry and a...