Area Obituaries

Robert W. “Bob” Kates, 97 of Carlinville passed away Wednesday morning, September 10, 2025, at Hallmark Health Care in Carlinville. He was born September 14, 1927, in Atwater, a son of Martin and Daisy Gates Kates. Bob married Dora Bell and she passed away June 21, 1968. He later married Audrey R. Rhodes October 14, 1970 …

Janet Hedden, 66, of Centralia, formerly of Carlinville, passed away on Sept. 14, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones. Janet was born on Jan. 11, 1959 in Carlinville, to Robert and Ramona Anderson Leefers. She graduated from Carlinville High School in 1977 and worked in the banking industry for 40 plus years. She enjoyed attending…

Jay W. Endress, 65, of Oglesby, passed away Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 at his home. Jay was born Sept. 5, 1960 in Freeport, the son of Merle and Karen (Woker) Endress. He graduated from Mendota High School in 1978 and later from Illinois Valley Community College, Northern Illinois University, and Marquette University Law School. Jay…

Jason Robert Eades, 45, of Jerseyville, formerly of Hettick, passed away Friday morning, September 5, 2025 at Jerseyville Healthcare in Jerseyville. He was born on August 26, 1980 to Melvin and Linda (Coad) Eades in Springfield. He graduated from Northwestern High School with the class of 2001. Jason was a special person who enjoyed being…

Alice Browning, 85, passed away on Sept. 10, 2025, at Piedmont Hospital in Athens, Georgia. She was born Aug. 23, 1940, in Joliet, she was the daughter of Darst and Gail Yant. Alice grew up in Gillespie, alongside her sister Dorothy where she capably accepted many family responsibilities due to the loss of their parents…

Roena “Ro” (Ward) Dart, 80, of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday evening, Sept. 2, 2025, at her home in Carlinville. Ro was born Dec. 7, 1944, in Rose Hill, a daughter of William Kenneth and Thelma (Wilson) Ward. Ro graduated from Newton Community High School with the class of 1963. She married Darrell Dart on…

Roberta J. Wenzel, 86, of Carlinville, passed away at Carlinville Area Hospital, Carlinville, on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 6:10 a.m. She was born Jan. 23, 1939, in Mt Clare, to Fred B. Barnabe and Lucy Rosa Barnabe. Roberta married Mike Wenzel III on Feb. 15, 1958 at St. Joseph’s Church in Benld.  He preceded…

William (Bill) Edgar Keepper, 93, of Carlinville, formerly of Schaumburg, passed away on Tuesday evening, Aug. 26, 2025, at Hallmark Health Care in Carlinville. Bill was born June 22, 1932, in Waukegan, a son of Lester H. Sr. and Martha (Herrin) Keepper. He graduated from Waukegan High School with the class of 1950 and joined…

Cindy J. Hartline, 65 of Palmyra, passed away Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2025, at her residence. Cindy was born on Dec. 5, 1959, in Carlinville, to Robert L. Crays and Alberta Lucille (Burrell) Damm. Cindy graduated from Northwestern High School in 1978. She managed several local restaurants in Carlinville, including KFC, Subway, and Pizza Hut.…

Becky Cerkoski, 92, of Gillespie died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 11:06 pm. She was born October 23, 1932, in Taylor Springs, to George Homa & Mary Homa. She married Leonard Cerkoski on June 7, 1952 in Hillsboro. She had Becky’s Beauty Shop in Gillespie, where she was…