All Obituaries

Karen S. Spurgeon, 70, of Morrisonville, IL, passed away at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Heritage Health Hospice in Springfield, IL. Karen was born March 4, 1949 in Pana, IL, the daughter of William Eugene and Sarah Kathryn (Caulk) Mayberry.  She married John E. “Joe” Spurgeon on July 25, 1971 in East St. Louis, IL. Karen graduated from Morrisonville High School, and then went on to be a beautician.  She worked beside her sister at JoAnn’s Beauty...

Kristy Tryon Brown, 41, of Taylorville, IL, passed away unexpectedly at 10:48 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, IL. Kristy was born November 9, 1977 in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Lynn and Kathy (Blount) Tryon.  She married Chad Brown on May 9, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV. Kristy graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1995, and was currently employed by the State of Illinois Division of Motor Vehicle in Springfield.  She was crafty,...

Henry “Ott” Hemken, 96, of Walshville, IL, passed away at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Heritage Health in Litchfield, IL. Ott was born June 1, 1922 in Walshville, IL, the son of Henry and Ada (Vogel) Hemken.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II, as 1st Scout in General Patton’s 3rd Army.  Following his service, he worked as a laborer for Local’s 1084 out of Hillsboro in which he was a member for over 55...

Donnie Harris, 55, of Morrisonville, IL, passed away at 8:08 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019 at his residence.   Donnie was born April 3, 1964 in Taylorville, IL, the son of Joseph E. and Loretta (Scott) Harris.  He graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1982, and worked for Sorrell’s Elevator in Raymond for 5 years.  He then went to work in the family business with his dad, Harris Tree Service until his retirement.  Donnie lived life to the fullest, having fun...

Larry Richard Wheeler, 74, of Taylorville, IL, passed away at 5:15 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Heritage Health in Pana, IL. Larry was born November 8, 1944 in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Fred and Lucille (Thompson) Wheeler.  He married Donna Heiter, and she preceded him in death.  Larry then married, Martha Jean Neece on June 20, 1981 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylorville, and they have been happily married for over 37 years. Larry graduated from Shelbyville...

Wilhelmina “Faye” Degani, 86, of Panama, IL, passed away at 1:10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Montgomery Nursing & Rehabilitation in Taylor Springs, IL. Faye was born April 19, 1932 in Panama, IL, the daughter of Emory and Lillian McCoy Martin.  She married Lacy “Gene” Degani on July 2, 1949 in Hillsboro, IL, and they have been happily married for 70 years. Faye co-owned and operated Gene’s Tavern in Panama for 23 years, with her...

Velma Marie Shaw, 103, of Taylorville, passed away March 11, 2019, at Hickory Estates of Taylorville. Born October 4, 1915, in Bingham, IL, Velma was the oldest daughter of Cassie and Cecil Casey. The family lived in Iowa and in Morrisonville before moving to Taylorville. She married Alex Shaw on October 31, 1936, and celebrated 61 years with him. He preceded her in death on December 30, 1997. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Shirley Shaw of Taylorville; five...

Edna Mae Brandt, 83, of Pana, IL, formerly of Morrisonville, IL, passed away at 9:01 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at Prairie Rose Healthcare Center in Pana, IL.   Edna was born December 18, 1935 in Green County, IL, the daughter of Matthew and Verna (Book) Smith.  She married her childhood sweetheart, Arthur Lewis Brandt, on August 29, 1954 in Green County, IL.  He preceded her in death on April 20, 2018. Edna graduated from Greenfield High School and was a homemaker and...

Ina Claire Jedlicka Gardner, 89, of Taylorville, IL, passed away at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2019 at Life’s Journey Senior Living in Taylorville, IL. Ina was born August 10, 1929 in Taylorville, IL, the daughter of Arthur L. and Edna (Haenni) Jedlicka.  She married Richard M. Gardner on June 17, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Taylorville, IL.  He preceded her in death on September 30, 1999. Ina graduated with honors from Taylorville Township High School in 1947,...

T. Robert “Bob” Miller, 74, of Morrisonville, IL, passed away at 5:55 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. Bob was born February 4, 1945 in Morrisonville, IL, the son of Theodore R. “Ted” and Roberta (Spillman) Miller.  He married Janet Kay Deal on July 30, 1967 at the First Presbyterian Church of Morrisonville.  She preceded him in death November 7, 2000.  Bob then married Heather Benning on May 27, 2003 at the...