All Obituaries

\ Sparland – With deepest sorrow, we announce that Ronald D. Kingsley ”Ron”, age 67, our most beloved son, father, brother, family member, and friend passed away suddenly on Friday, May 13, 2022, at his home in Sparland.  He was born April 1, 1955, in Keosauqua, IA, the son of Marian James and the late Richard D. Kingsley.  Ronald married Dixie L. Ohlman on February 23, 1988, in Davenport, Iowa.  She preceded him in death on May 31, 2010.  He is...

Russell W. Light II, 56, of Sparland, formerly Lacon, died on May 13, 2022 at OSF Saint Francis in Peoria. Born on December 8, 1965 in Rolla Missouri to the late Russell W and Janice Sue (Bean) Light, Russ was a CNC machinist at caterpillar for over 15 years. He was also employed at Thermetic Glass for over 15 years till its closing. Russ was with Angie Davis and had a daughter. he later married Kim Cowell and they had two children. Russ was a family guy who loved getting together with his...

Robert J. Grieves, 69, of Lacon Illinois, died on May 12, 2022 at OSF Saint Francis in Peoria. Born in Peoria on May 29, 1952 to the late John Crawford and Mary Jane Moore (Russell) Grieves, he later married Jacqueline Buswell on September 8, 1973 in Ipava IL, she survives. Robert worked as a welder at Caterpillar and became Union Stewart for about five years. After the strike in 1982, he was offered a job as an operating engineer at Illinois American Water Company where he stayed for over...

Anna J. “Loretta” Forrest, 75, of Lacon Illinois, formerly Henry Illinois, died on April 29, 2022 at her residence. Born on July 5, 1947 in Samantha OH to the late James and Hazel (Oppy) Holt, she married Harvey Forrest and had three children. Loretta was a CNA for many years serving over 15 years at Saint Joseph Nursing Home in Lacon and over 15 years at Asta Care in Toluca. So many lives have been touched by Loretta; from a doting CNA, to a beautician, to a loving sister,...

Wayne Gerry Brian, age 77, of Sparland, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2022 at UnityPoint Health Proctor Hospital in Peoria. Wayne was born on January 10, 1945 in Peoria, IL to Donald and Mildred Irene (Bacon) Brian.  They preceded him in death. Surviving are his significant other of over 20 years, Barbara Kear; his daughters, Denise (Rob) Novak of Ladysmith, WI and Teresa (Matt) Thompson of Hanna City, IL; four step children; Teresa (Tim) Swanson of Chillicothe, IL, Charles Edward...

Robert E. Cunningham, 90, of Lacon, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at his home.  Bob was born on July 26, 1931 in Streator, Illinois to Arley and Ora (Shrigley) Cunningham.  He married Jean Elmquist on April 17, 1954 in Stillwater, Minnesota.  Jean passed away on February 19, 2022.  He is survived by his children, Nancy Gent (Eric Becker) of Charleston, Illinois, Julie (Ed) Carpenter of Lacon, Illinois and Alan (Theresa) Cunningham of Washburn, Illinois; 9...

Shirley R. Schultz, 83, of Sparland IL, died on April 10, 2022 at her home. Born in Chillicothe Illinois on August 28, 1938 to the late Howard and Melissa (Spence) Passage, she married Richard Schultz on January 10, 1959 in Peoria. Richard died on June 30, 2002. Shirley was a homemaker that raised eight children. She was a woman that told it like it was, whether you wanted to hear it or not. She loved all animals and nature. Shirley will be missed by all that knew and loved her. Shirley is...

Patricia A. “Patty” Schierer, 55, of Lacon Illinois, formerly Henry Illinois, died on April 1, 2022 at Unity Point Proctor Hospital in Peoria. Born on December 22, 1966 in Spring Valley Illinois, to the late Robert and Margaret (Crook) Fox, she married Darrin Schierer on March 3, 1986 in Henry. Patty spent over 25 years as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Lacon caring for our elderly. Patty enjoyed sitting around a campfire with family...

Eugene A. Schoepke, 84, of Varna Illinois, died on Sunday March 27, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. Born in Streator Illinois on December 16, 1937 to the late Carl and Margaret (Ahlstrom) Schoepke, he married Janet Phillips on July 4, 1957 in Henry Illinois. She survives. Eugene is also survived by his children Jeffrey (Connie) Schoepke of Varna, Elizabeth (Sam) Jamali of Orange City FL, Gloria (Tom) Whalen of Frankfort Illinois, Gregory (Laura) Schoepke of Varna, Gary (Stacy)...

Helen L. Alden, 81, of Chillicothe Illinois, formerly Sparland, died on March 14, 2022 at her son’s home in Belle Plaine Iowa. Born in Ohio to the late Alfred and Irene (Plant) Kennison, Helen was raised by her grandparents till she was in her teens. Helen Married Joseph Alden on June 16, 1958 in Miami Florida. Joe died May 4, 2008. Helen was a hard worker, she worked at Specialty Packaging, and Cable Printing for many years. She also cleaned houses on the side. Helen ran...