All Obituaries

Joseph J. Early   February 7, 1923 – April 8, 2021   Joseph J. Early, age 98 passed away on April 8, 2021 in Middletown, NJ where he lived with his wife, Lucille D. Early. The couple were formerly of Glen Carbon, Il.   He was born on February 7, 1923 in New Douglas, IL and was the son of John Justi and Ethel Clara (Rule) Early. He was married to Lucille D. Early in 1948 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive, Il. They had celebrated over 70 years of...

Ruthmary Eleanor Zubal Ruthmary Eleanor Zubal, formerly of Mt. Olive, IL, passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 1:03 a.m. at Heritage Health in Staunton, IL. Ruthmary was 95 years old. Ruthmary was born in Mt. Olive, IL on June 24, 1925, the daughter of John Yancik and Anna (Tomso) Yancik. She attended school in Mt. Olive and later worked at Western Cartridge in Alton, IL as a secretary. Ruthmary was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Mt. Olive where she was the...

Kenneth William Weidler Kenneth W. Weidler passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at 11:05 p.m. at his home surrounded by his loving family. Kenny was 89 years old. Kenny, the son of the late Valentine and Minnie Weidler, was born on April 26, 1931, in Mt. Olive, IL. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and attended grade school there. He was a 1951 graduate of Mt. Olive High School. He married the surviving Georgia Dean Brown on June 12, 1954 at the Mt. Olive...

Jeffrey Edward Soapes   Jeffrey Edward Soapes passed away at 4:31 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, IL. He was 65 years old.   Jeffrey, the son of Edward and Barbara (Taylor) Soapes, was born in Litchfield, IL, on July 20, 1955. He attended school in Mt. Olive, IL, and graduated in 1972. Jeffrey worked as a welding inspector and for the City of Mt. Olive. He was retired. Jeffrey attended the First United Methodist Church of Mt. Olive....

Rodger Ray Best   Rodger Ray Best passed away at 9:17 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Hillsboro, IL. Rodger was 71 years old.   Rodger is the son of Frederick Best and Ruth Lanette (Welch) Best. He was born on June 18, 1949, in Alton, IL. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, IL, and was confirmed there. He attended Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, IL, and Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Education...

Marie Wilma Ferguson   Marie Wilma Ferguson passed away on March 3, 2021 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Litchfield, IL. She was 95 years old.   Marie was the daughter of the late John Luenemann and the late Emilie (Schmidt) Luenemann. She was born on September 25, 1925 in Cahokia Township, Macoupin County, IL. Marie married Hal B. Ferguson on October 5, 1945 at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield, IL, and he preceded her in death on September 27, 1969. Marie...

Charles (Chuck) Joseph Dees age 67 died near Panama City, FL on February 18, 2021 as a result of a single vehicle accident. Chuck graduated from Litchfield High School in 1972. He started his professional photography career in the early 1970's while in service to the U.S. Navy as a still and motion picture photographer and was assigned to make training programs for pilots and anti-submarine warfare technicians.  After his military service Chuck attended Santa Fe...

DOLORES J. (RILL) SIMBURGER   Dolores J. (Rill) Simburger, 89, of Hillsboro IL, formerly of Mt. Olive, died on February 13th , 2021, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. She was born on November 11th, 1931 to Phillip and Bertha (Enos) Rill. Dolores attended Hillsboro Elementary and High School. She married Lawrence Simburger, Jr. on February 26th, 1949. She was a member of the Mt. Olive P.T.A. and the Women’s Democratic Party Club, where she served as President for...

Eugene Rosenthal Eugene Joseph Rosenthal, 87, was called to eternal life Saturday, February 6, 2021, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. He was born Saturday, June 17, 1933 in Mt. Olive, Illinois to Otto and Phillomena (Darda) Rosenthal. He married Antonia Meyer on Saturday, May 2, 1959 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Madison, Illinois. He graduated from Mt. Olive High School in 1951. Eugene (Gene/Rosie as he was known by many) was baptized and confirmed at Church of...

Ken Hinkley (The Hink) left the party on January 28, 2021. The Hink, as many of you knew him, was Judy’s best friend. He loved, honored and cherished her always – so cliché but sincerely true. He believed in never letting a day pass without making her laugh. They met in the ninth grade when he took her by surprise asking for help sneaking into the circus. That moment turned into a sixty plus year adventure. Happy memories of his love for sunsets, comedy, pranks, and his...