Obituaries

William E. Luffman, Sr “Elroy”, age 84 of McLeansboro, IL, passed away at 9:17 a.m., Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at White Oak Rehabilitation Center in Mt. Vernon, IL. There are no formal services scheduled at this time and a Celebration of Life is to be planned by his family at a later date.

Virginia Sue "Susie" Nichols, 75, of Mt. Vernon, IL passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024 at her home in Mt. Vernon, IL.  Susie was born March 14, 1948 to Dwight Farris and Norma J. (Allen) Storey.  On November 18, 1994 she married Donald O. Nichols, who preceded her in death in 2012.

  Verla F. Anselment, 90, of Carmi, Illinois, passed away on Monday, February 19, 2024. She was born on March 15, 1933, in Burnt Prairie, Illinois, the daughter of Gus and Pearl (Taylor) Stahl. She married John E. Anslement on September 19, 1954. Growing up, Verla attended Ashland Christian Church in Mill Shoals and later, First Christian Church in Carmi. She worked for over 30 years for General Telephone in Carmi and then retired from the Farm Service Agency. She loved to camp and work in  her flowers. Verla grew up on a farm and had pets from dogs and cats to Squirrels and raccoons. She loved animals of all kinds.

Victoria Bess Steffl-Whipple of Norris City, IL was born on June 18th, 1970 at St. Louis Hospital in St. Louis, MO to Brenda Forshee and David Steffl of Festus, MO.  On Thursday, February 15th, 2024, Victoria was called home at 5:30 a.m. in her home, peacefully asleep and surrounded by her children.

Louise Campbell, age 83 and resident of McLeansboro, IL, passed away at 10:05 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital, McLeansboro, IL. She was the daughter of Floyd and Helen (Faulkner) Prince, born in McLeansboro September 22, 1940.

Mary Ann Pearson, age 74 and a resident of McLeansboro, IL, passed away at 7:05 a.m., Monday, February 12, 2024 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, IN.

Mary was born July 17, 1949 to Emery Vernon Frazier and May Roaslie (Scott) in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Sandra Kay Popp, 76, of Crossville, Illinois, died Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. She was born July 6, 1947, in Carmi, Illinois, the daughter of Eldon “Curley” and Earlene (Carter) Ackerman. She was married to James L. Popp, and he survives.

Gerald Lee Muehlenbein, 83, of Dahlgren, IL passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, IN.  Gerald was born on July 4, 1940 to Edward & Jennie (Garrison) Muehlenbein.

 Neva Mae Hasara, age 93, of McLeansboro, Illinois went home to heaven on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro, Illinois. She was the firstborn daughter of Hobart and Frieda Shelton and was born on August 14, 1930, at the home of her grandparents, James and Minnie May Davis, in Hamilton County, Illinois. Neva married John “Jack” Hasara on July 2, 1976, at St. Clements Catholic Church in McLeansboro, Illinois. She loved being a devoted wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother and spending time with family and friends.

Steven Lee Neal, 67, of Norris City, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital, in Evansville, Indiana. He was born on January 30, 1956, in Benton, Illinois, the son of Frank Holten and Delores Rosan (Sanders) Neal. Steve graduated from Norris City Omaha High School in 1974. Steve worked as a mechanic and a welder. He later carried on his father's business and became owner of Neal's Lawn and Garden on Forrest Street in Norris City. Steve enjoyed drag racing and tinkering with anything that had a motor.