Obituaries

Jan 3, 2026

Loretta Delores (Beck) Austill, age 84, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Christian Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Loretta was born April 30, 1941 the daughter of Norval Beck and Iona (Green) Beck in Fayette County. She later married Lonnie Austill on October 26, 1968. He passed May 26, 2006. Loretta worked at the Ramsey Caseys...

Jan 1, 2026

Shirley Ann (King) Fravell Ehrat, age 93 of Staunton, IL, formerly of Vandalia, IL, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Community Hospital in Staunton, IL.

She was born February 29, 1932 in Edwardsville, IL, the daughter of Arthur D. King & Capitola (Row) King. She married James E. Fravell on October 20, 1951. He passed away...

Dec 30, 2025

Carl Thomas Bolyard, age 70, of Ramsey, IL, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Carl was born July 28, 1955 in Ramsey, IL the son of John Leroy Bolyard Sr. and Virginia Alice (Pritchett) Bolyard. He married Patricia Ann Graeser on February 14, 1984 in Bayle City, IL. Carl...

Dec 24, 2025

Karen Lee Hale, age 83, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2025 at her home in Rural Shobonier, IL surrounded by her family.

Karen was born March 5, 1942 in Hamilton, IL, the daughter of Melvin Alonzo Martin and Mary Helen (Cox) Martin. She married Silas R. Hale on August 17, 1958 in Warsaw, IL. When Silas was...

Dec 23, 2025

Michael Glen Baucum, age 76, of Vandalia, IL passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at his home in Vandalia, IL.

Michael was born September 4, 1949, the son of William Glen Baucum and Versie Rae (Andre) Baucum in Raceland, LA. He married Melissa Ann Bone on April 2, 1989. Michael worked for many years at the correctional...

Dec 23, 2025

Lewis Alan "Lew" Mitchell, 73, of Vandalia, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, surrounded by his family.

A Prayer Service led by Father Seth Brown of Mother of Dolors Catholic Church will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, Illinois, with visitation following until 7:00 PM. An additional...

Dec 20, 2025

Rev. Houston Cullen Jackson, age 94, of Fillmore, IL passed away December 20, 2025 at Hillsboro Health in Hillsboro, IL.

Houston was born December 10, 1931 in Vina, Alabama the son of James Killis Jackson and Linnie Pearl (McKinney) Jackson. He married Ellen Warren on August 18, 1952 in Booneville, Mississippi. She passed August 18, 2021. Houston...

Dec 5, 2025

Betty Joyce Emerick, age 90, of Vandalia, IL passed away Friday, December 5, 2025 at SBL Fayette County Hospital Long Term Care in Vandalia, IL.

Betty was born May 15, 1935 in Vandalia, IL the daughter of William Earl and Gladys V. (Stone) Carman. She married Noah Frank Emerick on October 6, 1956 in Truro, IA. Frank...

Dec 1, 2025

Doris Jean Street, age 92, of Vandalia, IL passed away at her home surrounded by family on Monday, December 1, 2025.

Doris was born July 22, 1933 in Vandalia, IL, the daughter of Ralph Radcliff Sr. and Ethel Gladys (Ritter) Radcliff. She married John "Butch" Street on April 18, 1953 in Mattoon, IL. Doris attended Parkview Free...

Nov 30, 2025

Robert Arthur Garrison came into this world on May 13, 1945 in Loudon Township, IL, weighing a whopping 13 pounds. He was a special Mother's Day present to his mom, Fern Kathryn (Morris) Garrison and a blessing to his father, Otha Vincent Garrison. He married Ruth Ann Arndt on April 24, 1964, in Vandalia. Our beloved, Robert Arthur Garrison,...

Nov 25, 2025

Jeffrey Clay Oller, age 66, of Vandalia, IL passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Jeffrey was born February 24, 1959, in Louisville, KY, the son of Efton Oller Jr. and Rose Mary (Childress) Oller. He was loved by his family and was a very gentle man. Jeffrey loved to draw and was a great artist.

Nov 23, 2025

Melody Ann (Fry) Steiner, age 70, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Melody was born November 21, 1955 in Des Plaines, IL, the daughter of Don Fry and Alta Rose (Burrus) Fry. She married Robert Lee Steiner on December 31, 2016. Melody loved crafting, gardening, flowers, and going on...

Nov 19, 2025

Marie Davis, age 89, passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Marie was born May 27, 1936 in Northern Illinois, the daughter of Irvin Sasse and Pauline (Davis) Sasse. She worked for the last 20 years in the cafeteria at Fayette County Hospital. She enjoyed watching the cardinals, bowling, and playing...

Nov 12, 2025

Diane Kay (Ammann) Chappel, age 75 of Vandalia, IL passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Diane was born January 29, 1950 in Highland, IL, the daughter of Lester and Laverna (Wiese) Ammann. Diane was a devoted mother, grandmother, and woman of deep faith, she passed away surrounded by her...

Nov 8, 2025

Jerry W. McDowell, age 78, of Vandalia, IL passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Jerry was born May 3, 1947 in Vandalia, IL, the son of James Willard and Betty Irene (Edwards) McDowell. He married Connie Lynn Craig on February 5, 1967. She passed away on November 25, 2015. Jerry...

Nov 4, 2025

Geraldine Claire "Jerri" Hadley, age 92, of Vandalia, IL passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at Willowbrook of Vandalia.

Jerri was born July 19, 1933 in Loogootee, IL the daughter of Nelson Emery and Evelyn Claire (Tarr) O'Dell. She married Louis Manley on May 24, 1952. Together they had five children, Tony (Jenny) Manley, Trudy (Jeff) Petrowich,...

Nov 4, 2025

Nancy Ann Childress, age 71, of Vandalia, IL, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Nancy was born June 15, 1954 the daughter of Dale Britt and Winifred (Harvey) Britt. She worked several places over the years, including McDonald's and Bluff Equipment. She was the choir director and organist for the...

Nov 1, 2025

Howard B. "Brad" Lorton, age 92, of Cowden, IL, formerly of Ramsey, IL, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Effingham, IL.

He was born February 13, 1933 in Fayette County, IL the son of Louis Albert and Mildred Vivian (Forbes) Lorton. Brad served his country in the United States Army from 1950...

Oct 24, 2025

Craig Leroy Hart, age 76, of Vandalia, IL passed away Friday, October 24, 2025 at his home.

He was born October 22, 1949 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Leroy and Delores (Fortuna) Hart. He married Carolyn Allgire on September 9, 1972 at the Religious Center at SIUE in Edwardsville, IL. Craig's greatest love was teaching....

Oct 21, 2025

Richard M. McFarland, age 74, of Vandalia, IL passed away Tuesday October 21, 2025 at St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, MO.

Richard was born April 19, 1951 in Pana, IL, the son of Hershel Owen Bedford and Minnie Ethel (Long) McFarland. He married Ardith Ann Depew on June 19, 1975 in Rockford, IL. Richard was a hard...