All Obituaries

Sharon Jo Kramer, 73, of Taylorville, passed away at 8:23 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2020, at home with her family at her side. Sharon was born May 14, 1947 in Taylorville, the daughter of Clarence and Marcella (Redman) Denning.  She married Bernard “Barney” Kramer on April 4, 1985 in Paducah, KY.  He preceded her in death on March 4, 2017. Sharon graduated from Taylorville High School in 1965.  She worked for Essen Hardware, Davis Memorial Christian Church,...

Patti Irwin, 64, of Taylorville, passed away at 6:52 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Patti was born April 8, 1956 in Taylorville, the daughter of Kenneth Whitsett and Janice Keigley.  She attended Stonington schools, and graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1974.  Patti worked for many retail stores and restaurants, including Wal-Mart in Taylorville, as well as for Borg Warner in Decatur. She loved to crochet, and she used her talents...

Michael Lee Fullerton, 75, of Cerro Gordo, formerly of Morrisonville, passed away at 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at his residence. Mike was born June 28, 1944 in Chicago, the son of Norman and Virginia (Tavender) Fullerton.  He married Joan Jurgena, and they later divorced.  Mike then married Beverly Fullerton, and she preceded him in death. Mike graduated from Morrisonville High school in 1962, and proudly served our country in the United States Air Force. After his...

Carolyn A. Otey, 67, of Taylorville, passed away at 7:58 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at her residence. Carolyn was born August 4, 1952 in Robinson, the daughter of Albert Gene and Betty Jean (Watts) Miller.  She married William Henry Otey, Jr. on April 6, 1974 in Hardinville.  Carolyn was a homemaker, but worked as a seamstress and babysitter out of her home for many years.  She loved camping, fishing, and hunting with her family.  Carolyn was also a fantastic cook,...

Brenda R. (Thunhorst) Schleyhahn, 65, of Springfield, formerly of Morrisonville, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at her residence. Brenda was born October 10, 1954 in Taylorville, the daughter of Walter J. “Tunie” and Ruth M. (Swain) Thunhorst.  She was a member of the Morrisonville Class of 1972, and went on to work the State of Illinois Department of Human Services for many years, until her retirement.  Brenda was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church...

Brenda Sue (Cole) Fleigle, also known to many as “Fin”, 61, of Morrisonville, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.   Brenda was born September 9, 1958 in Taylorville, the daughter of Ron and Jean (Beaty) Cole.  She married Francis Fleigle on September 24, 1976 in Morrisonville.  Brenda retired after 35 years of service with the State of Illinois Retirement System.  She was a member of the St. Maurice...

Diane K. (Redfearn) Essex, 62, of Panama, IL, passed away at 8:37 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at her residence. Diane was born September 8, 1957 in Hillsboro, the daughter of George L. and Burnetta (McGill) Refearn.  She graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1975.  Diane worked for Echlin in Litchfield for many years, and had her own in-home daycare service.  She married Kenneth E. Essex on April 24, 2004 at Rend Lake, where they enjoyed camping together over the years....

Vicky L. Vice, 61, of Riverton, passed away at 4:09 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2020 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Vicky was born June 24, 1958 in Crossville, TN, the daughter of Louis and Polly (Deck) Farmer.  She graduated from Edinburg High School in 1976.  Vicky married Larry D. Vice on September 10, 1978 at West Side Christian Church in Springfield.  She worked in the insurance industry her entire career, first for Franklin Life Insurance Company for...

Eddie H. Harris, 71, of Taylorville, passed away at 11:38 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at his residence. Eddie was born July 17, 1948 in Stanford, KY, the son of Lloyd and Ella (Simpson) Harris.  He married Brenda J. Titran on December 8, 1969 at Davis Memorial Christian Church in Taylorville, and they later divorced.  Eddie then married Marsha McKinnon on May 3, 1980, and they later divorced.  He then remarried Brenda (Titran) Harris on September 23, 2005. Eddie worked for...

Missy Lowis-Owens, 45, of Taylorville, passed away at 2:23 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Missy was born December 28, 1974 in Springfield, the daughter of Vernon G. and Julie V. (Harris) Lowis.  She graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1993, and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Taylorville.  Missy worked for the Currency Exchange in Decatur for eight years, and then worked as a waitress and bartender for Smokey Bones and Whit’s...