obituaries

Sep 1, 2023

Barbara Jean "Jeanie" Ratermann, 79, of Sandoval passed away surrounded by the love of her family, Friday, September 1, 2023, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia, Il. She was born on October 9, 1943, the daughter of Floyd and Eunice (Ververs) Walker in Vandalia, Il. She married Jerome "Jerry" Ratermann on June 17, 1966 at St. Mary's...

Aug 29, 2023

Rubye Lee (Norman) Sherrod was born on September 1, 1935, in Altheimer, Arkansas to Ruby Lee and Galatian Norman, Sr.. When Rubye retired at age 65, we learned of an error on her birth certificate. The midwife recorded August 31 instead of the actual date Rubye entered the world. Since age 65, we celebrated Rubye's birth on both days....

Aug 28, 2023

Lynn Ryan , 83, of North Palm Beach, Florida passed away Monday, August 28, 2023. She was born on February 4, 1940. She married George Baker on December 31, 1993, at Great Sands Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Lynn was grateful to live in Florida where she was able to enjoy the beauty of the ocean...

Aug 26, 2023

George E. Baker , 83, of North Palm Beach, Florida passed away Saturday, August 26, 2023. He was born on October 4, 1939. He married Lynn Ryan on December 31, 1993, at Great Sands Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

George will be remembered for his passion for golf and racecars.

Interment will be with...

Aug 23, 2023

Mary Furlong , 85, of Kell was welcomed Home by her Lord and Savior after spending her last moments on her Earthly home, surrounded by the love of her family on, Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Salem Township Hospital in Salem, IL. She was born on April 22, 1938, the daughter of Grover and Blanche (Ellis) Spencer in Mt....

Aug 21, 2023

Mrs. Rita Louise McKinney , 75, of Arlington, Texas, formerly of Centralia, Illinois passed away Monday, August 21, 2023, at Medical City Arlington Hospital in Arlington, Texas. She was born on March 27, 1948, the daughter of Cloruse and Helen (Worlds) Bradford in Centralia.

Survivors that will hold dear memories of Rita include her husband, Thomas E....

Aug 18, 2023

Paul Jason Booth, age 49,  passed away on August 18, 2023.  Jason was born on September 13, 1973,  the son of Janet Fortag.

Jason is survived by his loving family;  mother, Janet Fortag; grandmother, Elva Mueller; sisters, Tammy Borozovich and Davalynn Booth; brother, Rob Pursley; Aunts,  Andrea Means and Pat Neff; uncle, David Collinsworth Jr.; nieces, Tara...

Aug 12, 2023

Jeffrey Alden West , 66, of Centralia passed away Saturday, August 12, 2023, at his home. He was born on July 7, 1957, the son of Jack and Nancy (Long) West in Waukegan.

Survivors include his sisters, Karen West of Lebanon, Illinois, Terry Frontzak of Lake Villa, Illinois, Susan Umdenstock of Marion, Illinois, and Megan (Edward) Hollowell...

Aug 12, 2023

H. G. Lee , 50, of Centralia passed away August 12, 2023, at home. He was born on August 14, 1972, to Harry Paul and Loretta Jean (Johnson) Lee. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. He married Patricia (Wells) Lee on September 5, 1992, she was his beloved wife of 31 years, she survives him in Centralia.

Aug 8, 2023

Betty Katherine Reynolds , 95, of Centralia passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Centralia Manor. She was born on December 15, 1927, the daughter of Silas J. and Mary Etta (Daugherty) Scott in Centralia, Illinois. She married the love of her life, Dale C. Reynolds on January 3, 1946, at Faith Methodist Church and he preceded her in...

Aug 4, 2023

Gary Bruce Bird , age 76 of Patoka, passed away peacefully in his home on August 4, 2023. Gary was born on October 26, 1946 in Goodland, Kansas to the late Everett and Alice Bird. Gary married Pamela (Irby) Bird on December 20, 1969. In addition to his wife of over 53 years, he is survived by his son...

Jul 26, 2023

Dr. Samuel M. Smith Jr. , 75, of Irvington entered into Heaven and the presence of our Savior on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at his home. He was born on December 22, 1947, the son of Samuel M. Sr. and Zina (Furlow) Smith in St. Louis, Missouri. He married the love of his life, Linda Lea Barnes on June...

Jul 25, 2023

Maxine Hamburg , 97, of Centralia passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Saginaw, Texas. She was born on July 15, 1926, the daughter of Charles and Ola (Boem) Flowers in Centralia. She married Jerry Hamburg on June 7, 1942, in St. Charles, Missouri and he preceded her in death on August 27, 1991.

Survivors that will...

Jul 24, 2023

Linda Theresa McGibany , 76, of Odin passed away Monday, July 24, 2023, at the Odin Health Care Center. She was born on June 21, 1947, the daughter of William Elgan and Theresa Ann (Warren) Hall. She married the love of her life, Dennis McGibany, Sr. on March 29, 1968, in Greenville and he preceded her in death on...

Jul 22, 2023

Jon Joseph Thomas of Mustang Oklahoma passed away on July 22, 2023 at Hospice House in Oklahoma City.  Jonnie Joe, as he was known until he was old enough to say, "My name is Jon", was born on October 25, 1955 to Burton and Zota  (Rich) Thomas in Centralia, IL.

He attended Central School and graduated from...

Jul 20, 2023

Leona June Martin , 93, of Centralia passed away, surrounded by the love of her family, Thursday, July 20, 2023, at her home. She was born on May 31, 1930, the daughter of Dewey Phillip and Beatrice Laura (Keith) Beal in Centralia. She married Gerald Eller on November 23, 1946, and 5 children were born to this union. He...

Jul 15, 2023

Penny Sue Spencer, 76, of Odin passed away Saturday, July 15, 2023, at her home in Odin. She was born on August 22, 1946, the daughter of Delbert and Virginia (Bregger) Turner in Centralia. She married James Spencer on July 5, 1963, in Odin and he survives her in Odin.

Along with her devoted husband of 60...

Jul 14, 2023

Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Eskew , 89, of Centralia passed away Friday, July 14, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. She was born on December 22, 1933, the daughter of Erie Marler and Tommie Holt.

She married James Gibson in 1951 and had two daughters, Rhonda and Brenda. They later divorced. Bette then married...

Jul 11, 2023

Bessie Smith , our beloved Yia Yia, 84, of Centralia passed away surrounded by her devoted family, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. She was born on April 30, 1939, the daughter of John and Bertha (Drokos) Deley in Centralia. She married the love of her life, Leroy Smith on July 30, 1961, in Centralia...

Jul 8, 2023

James Samuel "Sam" Foshee , 79, of Patoka passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023, at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles, Missouri. He was born on September 20, 1943, the son of Coy and Ruby Nora (Walls) Foshee. He married Dixie Schaubert and she preceded him in death.

Survivors include his son Joe (Sarah) Foshee...