Obituaries

 Lifetime Cubs fan Joseph Frank Willis, 96, of Mahomet, IL formerly of Carmi passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Bridle Brook Assisted Living in Mahomet. He was born on June 13, 1927 in Tamaroa, IL the son of Charles Raymond and Marietta Merle (Marlow) Willis.

Charles Ray Garner, 84, of Ft. Myers, Florida, died Monday, March 11, 2024, at Solarbron Family-first Senior Living in Evansville, Indiana.  He was born October 1, 1939, in White County, Illinois, the son of Charles C. and Vella (Harvey) Garner.  He was married to Margaret Ann (Maurer) Garner, on February 7, 1960, and she preceded him in death on December 9, 2022.

Julia Ann Ballard, 66, of Carmi, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. She was born on October 2, 1957, in Oakridge Tennessee, the daughter of Frank Gray and Patricia Ann (Turner) Gray.

Andrew: In Greek, the name means strong, manly, courageous. He was all of that.

Andrew: The first disciple to be called by Jesus.

Andrew Jefferson “Andy” Holtzclaw, a preacher’s kid, took more than 83 years to call Jesus his Savior, but in his last week of life, he confirmed that he knew it, had called on Him — and said that while he’d rather live a lot longer, he would be ready when God called him home.

At 9:17 p.m. Saturday, March 9, with family praying, singing and laughing through tears at his bedside at Hamilton Memorial Hospital’s emergency room, their hero went to the arms of Jesus. “The Dad,” the source of so many iconic witticisms and eccentricities worth a book (and there will be one!) left the building but lives eternally larger than life now.

Sidney Dale Lenington, 76, of Raleigh, IL passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024 at Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado, IL.  Sidney was born on May 15, 1947 in Waltonville, IL to Nolan & Maxine (Panzier) Lenington. 

      Barbara Ann Nielson, 89, of Norris City passed away peacefully on March 6, 2024 at Wabash Senior Living in Carmi, IL.  She was born in Chicago, IL on March 23, 1934 the daughter of Paul and Helen D. Barnes.  Barbara later moved to Addison, IL and attended Calumet High School.  She worked as a secretary at Clark Equipment before her marriage to Raymond Nielsen. She and Raymond retired to southern Illinois where she worshiped at Norris City United Methodist Church. Barbara was a fun, loving and caring individual. In her free time, she enjoyed writing letters to friends and family members, traveling and camping with the Illinois StarCraft Camper Club.

Russell Keith Rudolph, 88, of West Salem, Illinois, died Friday, March 8, 2024, at Deaconess Gibson Hospital in Princeton, Indiana. He was born September 232, 1935, in Grayville, Illinois, the son of Russell and Dorcas (Bowman) Rudolph. He was married to Ramona M. (McDonald) Rudolph, and she preceded him in death on February 7, 2023.

 Herbert Eugene "Gene" Ellison, 83, of Norris City, passed away at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on July 26, 1940, in Cottonwood, Illinois, the son of Herbert and Berniece (Taylor) Ellison. Gene married Linda Kay Howard on April 25, 1964. He worked for Production Credit Association and Banterra Bank as an Ag Loan Officer for 32 years. Gene served six years in the Illinois National Guard. His hobbies included reading westerns, collecting and driving tractors, gardening, and playing checkers.

John Edward Keith Jr., 76, of McLeansboro, IL passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado, IL.  John was born January 20, 1948 in Denison, TX to John “Ed” Keith Sr. and Ethel (Carr) Keith.  On May 22, 2004 he married Becky (Yohe) Keith, who survives.

Mary Louise Hammell, 99, of Crossville, Illinois, died Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.  She was born December 7, 1924, in Crossville, the daughter of Fred and Clara (Renshaw) McKnight.  She married David Eugene “Gene” Hammell on March 27, 1943, and he preceded her in death on September 11, 2007.