Area Obituaries

Keith K. Grodeon, 92, of Mascoutah, IL passed away peacefully on Apr. 24, 2026, at Brightly Senior Living in Mascoutah. Keith was born on November 26, 1933, in his grandparents’ farmhouse south of Mascoutah. As a young boy, he loved to spend time outdoors hunting or just walking in the woods down by his parents’…

Charles (CJ CE) Emil Jefferson died on April 1, 2026, in Belleville, Illinois. He was 73 years old. Charles was part of a military family. He was born on May 27, 1952, in Burtonwood, England and was in London when Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953.  There are pictures of Charles and the rest of…

Fremond E. “Fred” Kunz, Jr., 79, of Lebanon, Illinois, passed away on March 25, 2026, at his home. Fred was born on December 6, 1946, to Fremond Kunz, Sr. and Betty (nee Rieger) Korte. As the oldest of seven children, he grew up learning responsibility early in life, something that would define the man he…

Marilyn C. Rutherford, 92, of Freeburg, IL, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Freeburg Care Center. She was born on March 11, 1934, in Germantown, IL, to Alphonse and Catherine (nee Korte) Hemann. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Alphonse and Catherine Hemann; first husband, Merhl Myers; second husband, Duane Rutherford;…

Richard L. “Dick” Faust, 86, of Lebanon, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Born on August 30, 1939, Richard was a lifelong resident of Lebanon, where he grew up on the family farm and built a life rooted in hard work, faith, and family. He was an agricultural farmer, raising cattle and hogs in earlier…

Joan Ann Funk, nee Reissen, 77, of Mascoutah, IL born Sept. 3, 1948 in Belleville, IL died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, IL. Joan was a retired school teacher from Henry Raab School where she taught first grade her entire career. She loved to travel with her friends. Joan was a…

Kimberly Ann Deters, 39, of Trenton, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. Lovingly known as Kimmy, she was born on October 10, 1986, the daughter of John Ellsworth and Carol, nee Berberich, Ruth. Though she faced the challenges of debilitating pancreatitis with strength and…

Ernest L. Lockwood, 77, of Mascoutah, IL born Nov. 7, 1948, in Fort Totten, NY died Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at Cedar Ridge Health Center, Lebanon, IL. Ernie was a career Air Force officer working with the US space program in many capacities.  He served at the Air Force Satellite Control Facility, was assigned to…

Robert C. Skeen, 89, of Mascoutah, IL born July 23, 1936, in Benton, IL died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at his home. Bob was a retired superintendent for Peabody Coal Co. and co-owner of RDF, Inc. and a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah and the Mascoutah Evening Lions Club. He…

Terry D. Sommers, 59, of O’Fallon, IL born June 22, 1966, in Belleville, IL died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, IL. Terry was a truck driver for Eaton Corporation. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond J. and Erma B, nee Leadendecker, Sommers. Surviving are his brothers, Dennis Sommers,…