All Obituaries

Norma J. Baldwin, 91, of Lacon, Ill. passed away peacefully on April 15, 2021 with her only daughter by her side. Born on October 5, 1929 in Princeton Ill. to the late Earl and Florence (Hansen) Lenihan, she married Norris Baldwin on December 16, 1950 in Peru. Norris passed away at the early age of 42 on September 21st 1967.  Norma never remarried. Norma worked as a Pharmacy Tech for nearly 50 years in downtown Lacon.   As the drugstore names changed from Longman, to Shaffer...

Chaise Michael Mangold, 21, of Lacon, Ill. formerly Sparland, died on April 15, 2021 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Born in Peoria on October 14, 1999 to Patrick and Lisa (Murphy) Mangold, he graduated from Midland High School and became an operating engineer in Operating Engineers local 649 working for Minnesota limited. Chaise served his community as a member of the Lacon Sparland Fire Department. Chaise was the most caring and kind-hearted person who never left anyone out. He...

On Friday, April 9, 2021 Patricia Ballard, a loving wife, and mother of 4 children, passed peacefully at the age of 80. Patricia was born April 17, 1940 to the late Howard and Thelma (White) Mace. She married Lewis Geier and had three children, Jennifer, Stanley, and Lori. She later married Albert Kimble and had a daughter, Danielle. She later married Glen Ballard. Patricia loved to read and listen to beautiful music. Some of her favorites were classic gospel hymns and anything by Elvis...

Roberta R. “Bobbie” Baggs, 74, of Sparland, died at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center on April 5, 2021. Born in Cherry, Illinois on March 4, 1947 to the late Kenneth and Cleona Chasteen, she married George Baggs on September 7, 1968 in Utica. Bobbie loved to crochet and watch the birds on the feeders in her yard Bobbie is survived by her son Howard (Mary) Baggs of Sparland; daughter Gena Jordan of East Peoria; brothers Edward (Diane) Chasteen of La Moille, Richard Hale of...

Dixie L. Wren, 79, of Lacon, died on March 31, 2021 at Heritage Healthcare in Chillicothe. Born on June 19, 1941 in Peoria she was raised by her mother and her husband, the late Leroy and Mae (Rickey) Atkins. Dixie worked at Hobbs in Princeton for over 10 years and was custodian at the Lacon laundromat for over 30 years. She is survived by her sister Jacqueline (Jerry) Hess of Bartonville; nephew Bryan (Kay) James of Chillicothe; nieces Michelle (Marc) Minor of Peoria. Tena (Brian) Grubb...

Arlene Yvonne Calpino, 83, of Lacon died on March 29, 2021 at her residence. Born Arlene Yvonne Flick on March 23, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois she was the first child of the late Alfred A. and Yvonne (Poiriez) Flick.  She had four siblings, Alfred Arnold Jr., Alfreyda Helen, Alan Dale, and August Austin.  She graduated from Proviso East High School in Maywood Illinois, where she was the Captain of the cheerleading squad and a member of Future Teachers of America.   She...

Mary Ann Kargol, 85, of Lacon Ill. died on March 26, 2021 at Lacon Rehab and Nursing in Lacon. Born on December 6, 1935 in Des Moines Iowa to the late Alfred and Nelly (Van Scoy) Bougher, she married John Kargol on November 14, 1964 in Peoria. John died November 2, 1996. Mary worked at Harper Wyman in Princeton for over 10 years and enjoyed serving as an Election Judge for many years. She also was a Cub Scout Leader in Lacon, with the help of a few others, was instrumental in the...

Ernest Koch Jr., 95, of Varna, Ill., died on March 17, 2021 at his residence. Born in Danville Ill. on November 12, 1925 to the late Ernest and Donna (Smith) Koch, he served this country in the Army as a Paratrooper during World War II. Ernie married Lois Ward in June of 1949. After three children and 34 years of marriage Lois died in May of 1983. He was a grocery with A&P and National Food Stores for over 25 years. Ernie later worked in maintenance and as a custodian at Prairie Grade...

Frank V. "Vince" Kasky, 71, of Lacon Ill. died on March 8, 2021 at UnityPoint Proctor in Peoria. Born to the late Harvey J. and Zeta (Leddy) Kasky he married Carolyn Thome on April 25, 1986 in Lacon. Carolyn died on February 19, 2021. Vince served his country in the Army during Vietnam. He came home and worked at Caterpillar for over 30 years, servicing and repairing the machines that others used to create Caterpillar tractors. After retiring he worked for Prather Amusement repairing video...

Ruth E Mathewson, 81 of Lacon Ill., formerly of Livingston Mont. and Morton Ill. died on March 3, 2021 at UnityPoint Methodist in Peoria. Born in Middleburg Pennsylvania on June 11, 1939 to the late Ernest and Isabelle (Howell) Zechman, she married Maynard Mathewson on June 25, 1960 in Middleburg. Maynard died on August 13, 2002. Ruth is survived by her sons Steven (Priscilla) of Libertyville Ill., David of Littleton Col., Mark (Kim) of Lincoln Neb., Kevin (Ellen) of Bartonville; sisters...