Athens, IL Obituaries

Apr 24, 2024

Betty Jean Howard, age 91, of Springfield, left us peacefully on April 24 surrounded by her family at home in Andrew, Illinois. Her life spanned over nine decades of love, wisdom, and passionate cooking and baking. 

 Born on May 10, 1932, her journey began as the proud daughter of Matthew Burl and Jessie Marie Kern Neavill. The oldest of five, Betty...

Apr 21, 2024

Lisa R. (Barry) Malinak, age 68, of Athens, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Lisa was born December 18, 1955 in  Macomb, Illinois, the daughter of the late Tom and Mildred (Horrell) Barry.  

She married John Malinak, Jr. on June 14, 1987 in Macomb, IL.

Mourning her passing are her children, Bridget (Gary)...

Apr 20, 2024

Joan McFadden Miller, age 77, of Sherman, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

 

She was born on October 29, 1946, in Lincoln, Illinois, to John and Lorinda (Miller) McFadden

 

Mourning her passing are her children, Lorie (Todd) Masterhan, Larry (Shelly) Clark; grandchildren, Avery Clark, Jorie Clark, Gabriella (Zach) McCloughan, and Elisya Clark; sister, Marilyn Grissom; two nephews; several great nieces and...

Apr 7, 2024

Rebecca Stauffer, age 33, of Greenview, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

She was born July 4, 1990 in Springfield, Illinois the daughter of Don and Nancy (Hall) Stauffer.

Mourning her passing are her parents, Don and Nancy Stauffer; children, Matthew Stauffer and Ethan Hamilton; three brothers, Joshua Bryant, Jeffrey Bryant, Jeremy Stauffer; sister, Angela Harrison; grandmother, Linda Walston; and several...

Apr 2, 2024

Paul Michael “Mike” Forgas, age 74, of Petersburg, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

He was born on April 3, 1949, in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Paul and June (Krug) Forgas.

Mike married Judy Trainor on May 9, 1970, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Springfield.

Mourning his passing are his beloved wife, Judy; son, Michael Forgas;...

Mar 23, 2024

Viola Joyce Friel, age 84, of Springfield, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

She was born March 14, 1940 in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Edgar and Nellie (Nottingham) Marion.                       

Joyce married Edward W. Friel on May of 1969. He preceded her in death in July...

Mar 20, 2024

Carol Freeman, age 88, of Cantrall, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Regency Care in Springfield, Illinois.

She was born on November 13, 1935 in Petersburg, the daughter of Everett and Nellie (Libben) Elliott.

Carol married Jasper Freeman on September 23, 1955 in Petersburg, Illinois.  He preceded her in death on October 14, 1992.

Mourning her passing are a son, Dan...

Feb 23, 2024

Marilyn “MJ” Johnson, age 73, of Springfield, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

 

She was born on November 2, 1950 in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of Lloyd and Mildred (Devocelle) Hinch.

 

Mourning her passing are her daughter, Kim Johnson; cousin, David and Nancy Fuchs, and Carol (Derek) Squires; several other cousins; and many “adopted” children and friends.

 

She...

Feb 20, 2024

Joyce Harrell, age 65, of Athens, passed away on February 20, 2024 at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

 

She was born on January 10, 1959 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of John and Violet (Malinowski) Harrell.

 

Mourning her passing are her children, Brian Harrell and Jennifer Harrell; grandchildren, Conner and Aiden Harrell, Amiya, Yasmine, Faizah, and Rashad; sister, Judi Harrell-Miller (husband Jerry Miller); nephew,...

Feb 19, 2024

Elson Lee Nance, age 52, of Springfield, passed away on Monday, February 19, 2024 at his residence.

 

He was born January 5, 1972, the son of Thomas and Shirley (Sherren) Nance.

 

Mourning his passing are his daughters, Brianna Heidloff and Adrian Nasi; three grandchildren, Orrin Anderson, Xzavier Newton, and Azariah Lloyd; and several nieces and nephews.

 

He is preceded in death by his...

Feb 13, 2024

Agnes M. Halcomb, age 82, of Athens, passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

 She was born on October 19, 1941 in Shelby County, Illinois the daughter of Charles R. and N. Evelyn (Cox) Keck.

 Mourning her passing are her sons, Brian C. Halcomb of Athens and Dale A. (wife Monica) Halcomb of San Diego, CA; granddaughter, Dakota...

Jan 24, 2024

Corinne “June” Minikin, age  89, of Athens, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

June was born on February 2, 1934 in Springfield, Illinois the daughter of Carl and Alma Lucille White Yoakum.

Mourning her passing are children, Kim (husband Paul Gaither) Maisenbacher, Cynthia (husband Pete) Correll, Mary Minikin, and step-daughter, Pam (husband...

Jan 24, 2024

Carolyn “Cari” S. Koke, age 77, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at home near Springfield.

She was born June 3, 1946 in Jacksonville, Illinois, the daughter of Ray and Geneva (Raleigh) Farmer.

Cari married Michael Koke on February 1, 1969 at the Petersburg Christian Church.  Their devotion and love for almost...

Jan 21, 2024

Shirley Kieffer, age 90, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at her home in Williamsville.

She was born on September 15, 1933 in Morrisonville, Illinois the daughter of Charles and Stella (Haywood) Friedrich.  Shirley married James Kieffer on December 15, 1951.

Shirley is survived by her six children, Denny (Nanci) Kieffer, Sheila...

Jan 18, 2024

Sharon Kimmons, age 85, of Athens, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2024.  She was born January 3, 1939, the daughter of Everett L. and Louise (Wampler) Scehnet.   Sharon married Don L. Kimmons in Decatur on April 5, 1958.

Mourning her passing are a son, Donald Kevin (wife Bernice) Kimmons; daughter, Susan (husband George) Nielsen;...

Jan 14, 2024

Douglas Magee, age 60, of Athens, passed away on Sunday January 14, 2024 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

He was born August 31, 1963 in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Arthur Magee and Linda (Rogers) Asher.

Mourning his passing are his mother, Linda; aunts, Vicki Lee Mester, Deborah, Jane Burt; uncle, Michael...

Jan 12, 2024

James Wartenbe, Sr., age 80, of Springfield, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2024 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

He was born on March 5, 1943, in Athens, Illinois, the son of Clarence and Clara (Bunn) Wartenbe.

James married Doris Allmon on March 15, 1963.  They were happily married for over 60...

Jan 11, 2024

Shelly Davis Knuppel, age 63, of Petersburg, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 11, 2024 after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Shelly was born on November 11, 1960 to Leslie Owen Davis and Darlene Rose Tobias. She married John Arthur Clark Knuppel May 25, 1984 aboard the paddle-wheeler Julia Bella...

Jan 10, 2024

Robert W. Furman, age 90, of Riverton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

He was born on July 9, 1933, in Springfield, IIlinois, the son of George C. and Dora (Roseberry) Furman.

Robert married Lorraine Brashear on July 27, 1956, in Springfield, IL.

Mourning his passing are his children,...

Jan 1, 2024

William E. “Willie” Vignali, 96, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024 at Centennial Pointe Senior Living in Springfield, Illinois.

Willie was born September 2, 1927 in Sherman, Illinois the son of Nelo and Mary (Mariconi) Vignali.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor and daughter, Janice Himelsbach; and two sisters....