All Obituaries

Velma Ruth Buske Velma Ruth Buske passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at her home in Troy, Illinois. Velma was 82 years old. Velma was born on September 20, 1939 in Salem, Illinois to Harry and Hazel Helm. She graduated high school and worked as a real estate broker.  Velma owned and operated Gateway Properties in Collinsville, Illinois. She married Glenn Allen Buske on September 5, 1959 in Litchfield, Illinois. Velma is survived by...

Judith Diane Rigg, 62, of Bradenton, Florida, was called to heaven on December 24, 2020 after a battle with cancer. She was born in Litchfield, Illinois on January 5, 1958 to Arlyn H and Minnie (Niehaus) Mindrup. Judy graduated from Mt. Olive Community High School in 1976. In 1978, she graduated from St. John's School of Radiology in Springfield IL. She married Michael Rigg Sr. in June of 1981. In 1985 Judy moved to Bradenton, Florida with her husband and son. There, she was employed...

Wanda Lee Robison   Wanda Lee Robison passed away on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 7:01 p.m. in Mt. Olive, Illinois. She was 79 years old.   Wanda, the daughter of Hosea and Alice Louise (Spencer) Horton, was born on February 6, 1942 in Vina, Alabama. She attended Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Wanda worked at Dana Brake Parts for 37 years; she retired in 2005. After enjoying one year of retirement, she began working at Wal Mart in Litchfield, Illinois....

Ronald Norman Bessemer Ronald Norman Bessemer passed away at 7:40 P.M. on Tuesday, September 14th, 2021, in Hillsboro, Ill. Ron was born on August 16th, 1937, in Chicago, Ill. He was the son of Gottlieb Bessemer and Ilona (Marcus) Bessemer. Ron was married to Arlas King, of Mt. Olive, and she survives. Ron is also survived by his brother Eric Bessemer, his children Matt, Laura, Steve and Brad Bessemer as well as his stepsons Matt and Boyd Ballard and two foster sons, Joe Martin and...

On Thursday, September 16th of 2021, in his home surrounded by his children, Frank C. Schwab passed away at the age of 92. Frank was born at home, delivered by a midwife, in White City, Illinois on 12-11-1928. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Tanczula) Schwab had immigrated from the old country, Kirald, Hungary, on 09-05-1908. Their ship the Zeeland landed in New York Harbor Ellis Island on 09-14-1908. Frank's parents and eldest sister, Mary, immediately headed to White City where his...

Betty Lou Vukelich Betty Lou Vukelich passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 1:51 p.m. at Glenwood Assisted Living in Staunton, IL. Betty was 87 years old. Born on December 12, 1933, in Staunton, IL, Betty was the daughter of August and Betty (Reese) Firley. She graduated from Staunton High School and enjoyed cheerleading. She was employed as a data processor at FiServ. She married Lawrence Vukelich on September 13, 1953 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Staunton, IL. Betty...

Alvin John Schuette   Alvin John Schuette passed away Monday, September 13, 2021 at 1:50 p.m. at Community Hospital of Staunton in Staunton, IL. He was 86 years old.   Alvin was born on September 5, 1935 to Herman and Meta (Fritzche) Schuette in Litchfield, Illinois. He attended grade school in Hardinsburg, Illinois and graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1953. Alvin was a member of the Illinois National Guard as an E7 sergeant from 1958-1965. He completed...

Sondra Anne Gonzales Sondra Anne Gonzales passed away at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 5:20 p.m. She was 86 years old. Sondra was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 1, 1935, to Sal Miller and Anne Dobrinich. She was a homemaker and an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.  Sondra was a member of the Ascension Catholic Church in Mt. Olive, Illinois. She is survived by three sons: Daniel (Dawn) McCarthy of Mt. Olive,...

Janis Marie Renfro   Janis Marie Renfro passed away at her home on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 9:50 a.m. She was 71 years old.   Janis was born on May 26, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from high school and later was a homemaker.   She is survived by her friend, Richard Lee Ellington, Sr.   A graveside service will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Chapman Cemetery in Mt. Olive IL.   Becker and Son Funeral Home is in...

Jerry Allen Lewis, Sr.     Jerry Allen Lewis, Sr. passed away on Friday, August 27, 2021 at his home. He was 74 years old.   Jerry was born on December 21, 1946, in Hickman, Kentucky, to Lenoard and LaVerne Lewis “Vernie” (Elmore). He graduated from Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, Illinois. He married Virginia Helen Jackson on April 26, 1969, in Bethalto. Jerry, a machinist, was employed by Olin Brass in East Alton for 42 years. He served in...