Area Obituaries

  Janet Kay Seketa, 74, of Gillespie, passed away at her home, surrounded by her family and friends, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 11:56 a.m. She was born in Litchfield, on May 27, 1949, to Joseph G. Reiniesch and Eleanore J. (Kulenkamp) Reiniesch. Janet married her husband Paul “PJ” Seketa on Oct. 9, 1999…

  Kenneth R. Schwab, 70 of Girard, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at his residence in Girard. Kenneth was born June 6, 1953, in Carlinville, a son of Raymond and Pauline Kessinger Schwab. Kenneth graduated from Girard High School with the class of 1972. He married Sherri Pence in 1992 and they were later…

  Brian Michael Myers, 56, of Girard, passed away on May 10, 2024. Brian was born on Nov. 7, 1967, the son of the late George Myers and Joyce Conwill Myers. He is survived by his mother, Joyce Payne, of Girard; brother, George Steven (Sandy) Myers; sister, Melissa (Kent) Vanbebber; several aunts, uncles, step-sisters, brothers, and…

  Mary Helen Hammann, 98 of Waggoner, passed away peacefully at Carlinville Area Hospital in Carlinville, on Friday May 17, 2024. She was born on March 2, 1926, in Alton, a daughter of Louis Christian and Helen Amilia (Tieman) Reiher. She married Charles Elmer Hammann on April 6, 1947 in Carlinville. He preceded her in…

  SJay Stewart, 85 of Carlinville, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2024, at his home in Carlinville. SJay was born Jan. 11, 1939, in Girard, a son of Wendell and Deloris Imogene Hull Stewart. He married Beth Gardner Boward, in Palmyra on May 29, 1994. SJay served our country in the United States Navy for…

  Keith W. Burrell, 69 of Palmyra, formerly of Carlinville, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2024, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Keith was born on Sept. 17, 1954, in Carlinville, a son of Ralph and Dorothy (Gilander) Burrell. Keith attended Carlinville Schools. He married Jean Williams on Dec. 2, 2001, in  Carlinville. Keith was…

  Karen Rose Smith, 77, of Carlinville, formerly of Gillespie, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her husband and children, on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 6:35 a.m. She was born in Litchfield, on March 8, 1947 to Karl, Jr. and Stella (Turco) Guna. Karen graduated from Gillespie High School with the Class…

  William R. Rodgers, 92, of Carlinville, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Bill was born on July 29, 1931, in Chesterfield, the son of Thomas and Lula May Houseman Rodgers. He was a U.S. Army veteran during the Korean War. He married Linda Kuester on June 4, 1955.…

  Sylvia A. Bort, 86, of Prairietown, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024. She was born on Feb. 7, 1938 at Litchfield Hospital, and was the daughter of the late Theodore and Cordelia Heine Bunte. Sylvia was baptized on March 6, 1938 and was confirmed on March 18, 1951 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.…