obituaries

Feb 2, 2026

Gerald "Jerry" Martin, 55, of Centralia passed away Monday, February 2, 2026, at his home at Warren G. Murray Center.

Arrangements will be held by the family at a later date.

Jan 31, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dona Elizabeth Whaley of Sandoval, Illinois. Dona departed this life peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the age of 77. Born on November 15, 1948, in Salem, Illinois, the daughter of Noble and Pearl B. Wells of Sandoval, Illinois.

She had an eye for beauty—both...

Jan 29, 2026

Georgette S. Jelks , 71, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital. She was born on December 13, 1954, in Centralia, the daughter of Elijah and Majoria (Jefferson) Maines. She married the love of her life, Willie James Jelks Sr. on January 2, 1994, and he preceded her in death on February 5, 2021.

Jan 29, 2026

Roger Allen King , 80, of Centralia passed away surrounded by his family, Thursday, January 29, 2026, at his home. He was born on April 27, 1945, in Centralia - the son of Alva Sr. and Dorothy (Edwards) King. He married the love of his life, Shirley Veller in 1968.

Roger is survived by his wife of...

Jan 27, 2026

Norma J. Cooksey, 89, of Centralia went home to be with the Lord  on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. She was born at her parent's home on Elm St. in Centralia on June 28, 1936, the daughter of Eugene and Helen (Allen) Greer in Centralia. She married the love of her life,...

Jan 22, 2026

James W. Jackson, 91, of Centralia passed away Thursday, January 22, 2026, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon.  He was born on December 21, 1934, in Keenes, Illinois, the son of Lester and Gladys Jackson.  He married the love of his life, Patsy (Epperson) on Christmas Day in 1955, at the Wayne City Baptist Church in...

Jan 21, 2026

Dewayne "Butch" Loren Williams , 81, of Centralia passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. He was born on March 30, 1944, in Salem, the son of Roger Dewayne and Lucille Marie (Steevens) Williams. He married Cathy Miller on July 4, 1992 in Centralia, and she survives him in Centralia.

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Jan 20, 2026

Zola Mae "Toby" Clifton , 89, of Centralia passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Centralia Manor. She was born on May 31, 1936, in Centralia, the daughter of Rev. James Verle and Julia Helen (Sinclair) Clifton.

Toby is survived by her many special nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Phyllis Clifton; extended family members, and friends. They will...

Jan 19, 2026

Roland E. Miller Sr. , 90, of Centralia passed away into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Monday, January 19, 2026. He was born by the hands of a midwife on September 18, 1935, in Beckley, WV, the son of Lee T. and Lelia (Staples) Miller. He married Evon Killion on June 6, 1959, in Centralia and she...

Jan 18, 2026

Whitney Marie Lawson-Williams ,34, of Laveen Az gained her wings to be with the lord Sunday January 18th, 2026. Whitney was born on January 8th, 1992, in Phoenix Az. She is the daughter of Calvin Lawson Sr and Felisicia Lytle.

Whitney leaves behind her husband Melvin William and their two children Peyton and Logan Williams of Phoenix...

Jan 17, 2026

Wayne Keeling , 91, of Vernon passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital. He was born on June 14, 1934, in Elizabethtown, the son of John Louis and Lola Louise (Crowell) Keeling. He married Brenda Thompson in May of 1996, and she preceded him in death on April 16, 2018.

Survivors that will...

Jan 13, 2026

Charlene Crabtree , 74, of Salem passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, MO. She was born on May 20, 1951, in Centralia, the daughter of Dorothy (Harding) Crabtree and Robert W. "Bob" Crabtree.

Survivors that will remember Charlene's sweet smile and positivity include her daughter, Tammy Crabtree of Centralia; grandson, Brayden...

Jan 6, 2026

Richard "Rick" A. Gelsinger , 68, of Kinmundy passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, at Odin Health Care. He was born on September 2, 1957, in Breese, the son of James and Delores May (Gizzy) Gelsinger. He married the love of his life, Daisy McElyea on April 15, 2000, in Sandoval and...

Jan 5, 2026

Bonnie Jean (Maroon) Ward , age 93, of Centralia, Illinois passed away on Monday, January 5th, 2026, with her loving family by her side. She was born on October 29, 1932, in Centralia, Illinois, the daughter of John Calvin Maroon and Selma (Bierman) Maroon. Bonnie worked at the Centralia Evening Sentinel, where she met the love of her life,...

Dec 30, 2025

James "Jimmy" Richard Haskell, 80, of Centralia passed away, into the arms of Jesus, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Axiom Healthcare in Mt. Vernon. He was born on July 20, 1945, in Sacramento, California, the son of Gary and Thelma (Smith) Mulder.

James was a devoted man of faith whose life was rooted in his love for...

Dec 20, 2025

David Krietemeyer , 78, of Centralia passed away Saturday, December 20, 2025, at his home. He was born on August 5, 1947, in Centralia, the son of Kenneth "Bud" and Mary Lou (Knott) Krietemeyer. He married Sheila Futrell on November 9, 2012, and she preceded him in death on May 12, 2024.

Survivors include two sons, Chris...

Dec 19, 2025

Margaret Pepple , 97, passed away on December 19, 2025, at home with her children at her side in Palo Alto, California.

Margaret was born in Odin, Illinois, the eldest of two children, to Elester "Leck" Harville and Martha (VanSant) Harville. She attended Odin School 1st grade through high school, where she graduated twice! She graduated from...

Dec 12, 2025

Walter Grimes , 67, of Centralia passed away Friday, December 12, 2025, at Centralia Manor in Centralia. He was born on May 30, 1958, in New Madrid County, Arkansas, the youngest son of six children to, Walter and Jewell (Timms) Grimes.

Survivors include his nieces and nephews, Cindy Payne, Mindy Konhorst, Beth Baggett, Dianna Lee, Jerry Grimes,...

Dec 8, 2025

Teresa Anne Thompson , 73, of Centralia passed away Monday, December 8, 2025, at her home, Warren G. Murray Center in Centralia. She was born on June 28, 1952, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Carl and JoAnn (Taft) Thompson.

Survivors include her sister, Mary Lou Stiff of MO; brothers, Edward Thompson of IL, and Anthony...

Dec 7, 2025

David Britt , 83, of Patoka passed away peacefully, Sunday, December 7, 2025, at his home. He was born on May 13, 1942, in Vandalia, the son of Raymond O. and Doris Mae (Good) Britt. He married Barbara Jones on June 20, 1964, in Patoka and she preceded him in death on June 6, 1999. He married Cathy Dodd...