All Obituaries

John D. Emmons, 62, of Sparland, died on September 22, 2021 at OSF Saint Francis ER in Peoria. John was born in Peoria on July 30th 1959 to the late Charles and Edna Freeman Emmons. Over the years John worked many jobs, for the last eight years he has been employed by Hearthside Food Solutions at their Wenona IL cookie factory. John is survived by his brothers Jerry Emmons of Lacon, James (Sarah) Emmons of Lacon; nephew Matthew (Nichole) Emmons of Lacon; niece Janelle (Frank) Henningar of...

Lisa A. Cook, 70, of Lacon Illinois, died on September 22, 2021 at Snyder Village in Metamora. Born in Peoria on September 27, 1950 to the late Roger and Margaret (Craine) Pottinger, she married Robert Cook on December 21, 1968 in Washburn. Bob died on March 21, 2013. For more than 35 years, Lisa babysat from her home. With her husband Bob, Lisa “helped raise” many area children from infancy to high school. Each of these kids meant the world to Lisa, who treated them as her own....

Marilyn A. Palm, 88, of Varna, Illinois, passed away from this life on September 13, 2021 at Heritage Health in Chillicothe, with her son Kevin at her side. Marilyn was born January 18, 1933, in Streator, Illinois to the late Ernest and Edna (Petrich) Junker. She married Edwin C. Sandall in 1953, and they had a son, Kevin. Ed preceded her in death in 1979. She later married Floyd E. Palm in 1983 and moved to Varna, IL. Floyd preceded her in death in 1993. Surviving are her brothers, Darrel...

Robert A. Nenninger, 90, of Varna Il, formerly the St. Louis area, died on September 13, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. Born on June 17, 1931 in St. Louis Missouri to the late Edward and Edna (Tebeau) Nenninger, he married Diane Breyer on November 21, 1953 in Fargo, North Dakota. Diane died May 17, 2015. Robert was a medical office administrator for multiple physicians across the nation for over 30 years. He was also an army veteran of the 82nd Airborne and served during the...

Angeline M. Barnes, 88, of Sparland, Illinois, formerly Benson, died on September 7, 2021 at Lacon Rehab and Nursing in Lacon Illinois. Born in Benson, Illinois, to the late Ralph and Marie Gensler Gries, she married John “Tom” Barnes June 11, 1960 in Camp Grove, Illinois. He survives. Angie graduated from Saint Francis College of Nursing, and for over 40 years was a nurse in various doctor’s offices, hospitals, and nursing homes in the area. She was a member of the...

Raymond D. McCune, 78, of Putnam Illinois, died on September 3, 2021 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Born on March 6, 1943 to the late Jefferson and Margaret (Dailey) McCune, he married Shirley Appel on August 10, 1969 in Putnam, Illinois. Raymond was a "jack of all trades", thus building their own log home. As a member of the 7th Virginia Regiment, he enjoyed participating in Civil War reenactments, especially Gettysburg and the Wilderness Campaign. He often talked...

Irma M. Watkins, 98, of Sparland, IL passed peacefully on August 29, 2021at Lacon Rehab and Nursing in Lacon, IL.  She was born June 5, 1923 in Toluca, IL to the late Herman and Minnie Tarmann Krull.  She married John W. (Wes) Watkins on April 17, 1945.  He preceded her in death on October 29, 2007.  She was also preceded her brother Herman Krull Jr., her sisters Jeanne Tenhaeff, Joanne Swanson, Marjorie Knoth, and her sons Bill and Mike. Wes and Irma lived and farmed in...

Gary L. Keffeler, 81, of Lacon Il., died on August 24, 2021 at UnityPoint Proctor in Peoria. Born on October 14, 1939 in Sturgis South Dakota to the late Leo and Lois (Forney) Keffeler, he married Jacquelyn Foley on September 11, 1961 in Sturgis SD. Jaque died on December 8, 2018. Gary is survived by his children Bradley (Patty) of Chillicothe, Garilyn (Glenn) Wells of Minonk, D. Charles (Mary Kate) of Collierville Tenn., Jason (Jennifer) of Peoria, Shanda (Jeff) Carter of Peoria; 13...

John D. McMahan, 96, of Lacon Ill., died on August 23, 2021 at Lacon Rehab and Nursing in Lacon. Born in McLeansboro, Ill. on January 23, 1925 to the late Jesse and Eva Goss McMahan, he married Betty Brown on December 10, 1945 in Morganfield Kentucky. Betty died on September 25, 2007. John was an assembler at Caterpillar in East Peoria for over 30 years. He was always intrigued with people’s lives and stories listening with intent, especially his grandkids lives. John liked Cardinals...

James Lester Leigh, aged 94, of Sparland, IL died August 20, 2021 at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL. Jim was born on October 26, 1926 to Lester E. and Edith (Root) Leigh, proudly becoming the 5th generation Leigh and 6th generation Root, to become the steward of the land in this farming community he held so dear. Jim served in the U.S. Army Air Corp at the end of WW II.  His love of flying continued throughout his life. After discharge, he resumed his studies, graduating...