All Obituaries

Louis Barry Schelling Jr., 81, of Worden, IL, passed away at 9:49 AM on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Cedarhurst Senior Living Center in Bethalto, IL.  He was born July 30, 1944 in Urbana, IL, the son of the late Louis Barry & Alice (Quinlan) Schelling Sr. Louis graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1966, then secured his Law Degree from Tulsa University, then his Masters of Law from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.  He served as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army during ...

Helen Ann Rantanen, 77, of Staunton, IL, passed away at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at her residence in Staunton, IL.  She was born February 9, 1949 in Pineville, KY, the daughter of the late Lester Thomas & Maxine (Helton) Decker.  She married Dale Rantanen on February 14, 1969 at the Church of God of Prophecy in Madison, IL & he survives. Helen was employed as a Nurse for almost twenty years, serving in Litchfield, Staunton, & at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in ...

James Robert Denney, 78, of Livingston, IL, passed away at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at his residence in Livingston, IL.  He was born October 9, 1947 in St. Louis, MO, the son of the late Robert Clinton & Elizabeth Ann (Fech) Denney.  He married Jill Hefer on June 8, 1980 at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, IL & they later divorced. Jim graduated from Livingston High School with the Class of 1965.  He was a Bricklayer/Plasterer out of Local #8 in ...

Gilbert D. "Gil" Ellis Sr., 75, of New Douglas, IL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at San Gabriel of Highland, IL, surrounded by family.  He was born November 16, 1950 in Granite City, IL, the son of the late Gilbert & June (Melton) Ellis.  On May 23, 1992, he married Diane "Dee" Weisbrod at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO.  They shared 23 years of marriage before her passing on October 6, 2015. Gil graduated from ...

Jane Marie Biernath, 78, of Brighton, IL - formerly of Staunton, IL, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026 at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, IL.  She was born December 5, 1947 in Litchfield, IL, the daughter of the late Riley J. & Patricia (Self) Best.  She married Charles J. Biernath on September 5, 1970 at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, IL & he passed away July 22, 1997. Jane was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, IL, & enjoyed crocheting & ...

Dianna Lee Diamond, 68, of Morrisonville, IL - formerly of Litchfield, IL, passed away at 8:07 PM on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, IL.  She was born December 23, 1957, the daughter of the late William Louis & Glorian Ruth (Freund) Hartman. Dianna was employed as a Certified Nurses Aide with Home Healthcare.  She was a member of the Seventh Day Evangelist Church, & loved her animals & doing yard work. She is survived by ...

Dale Andrew Wesbrook, 60, of Staunton, IL, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Community Hospital of Staunton, IL. Born October 21, 1965 in Litchfield, IL, he was the son of the late George A. & Lucinda (Barber) Wesbrook.  Dale worked as a Captain on tugboats for ADM in St. Louis, MO.  He was a member of First Baptist Church in Mt. Olive, IL. Dale enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing, & riding his Harley-Davidson.  Most of all, he cherished spending time with ...

Frank L. Slifka, 77, of Livingston, IL, passed away at 9:20 AM on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at his residence in Livingston, IL.  He was born October 31, 1948 in Litchfield, IL, the son of the late Frank & Sylvia Rose (McKinnerney) Slifka.  He married Alice Marie Kovaly on August 24, 1968 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton, IL & she survives. Frank served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.  He was employed as a Master Mechanic, working as a ...

Melvin C. Sievers, 90, of Staunton, IL, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.  He was born March 9, 1935 in Olive Township, Madison County, IL, the son of the late Edwin & Esther (Sievers) Sievers Sr.  He married Lucille E. Brase on October 6, 1962 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel, IL & she survives. Melvin was a self-employed farmer, farming all of his life on the family farm & thoroughly enjoyed his cattle & his 50+ ...

Gary D. Smith, 67, of Staunton, IL, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL.  He was born February 22, 1958 in Staunton, IL, the son of the late Delmar Clark Smith & Ida Lena Mary (Mehlberg) Smith Hutchins & Edward Alvin Hutchins. Gary attended Staunton schools & graduated from Mt. Olive High School in 1977.  As an adult, Gary worked as part of the Maintenance Department at Holiday Shores & part-time for Illinois Valley ...