Obituaries

Shirley A. Wyke, 87, of Grayville, Illinois, died Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Parkview Care Center in Evansville, Indiana. She was born June 1, 1936, in Scott City, Missouri, the daughter of Martin and Anise (Shedelbower) Rahmoeller. She was married to Vincent Wyke, and he preceded her in death.

Charles Lavern Crow Sr., 67, of McLeansboro, IL passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.  Charles was born on March 25, 1956 to Lewis Isaac “Tob” Crow and Mary Helen (Mayberry) Crow.  On June 2, 2021 he married Annette (Malone) Crow, who survives.

Mary Ruth Crackel, 76, of Grayville, Illinois, died Friday, January 12, 2024, at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. She was born September 4, 1947, in Grayville, the daughter of Harry and Ruth (Read) Spruell. She was married to Gale Keith Crackel on June 7, 1966, and he preceded her in death in September, 2021.

Kenneth Robert Shields, 77, of Hillsboro, Ohio and formerly of Dahlgren, Illinois passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  Kenneth was born February 26, 1946 to Kenneth Avery Shields and Jean Mary (Oliver) Shields.  He was the oldest of 9 children.

     Marie Mitchell, 85, of Enfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday morning, January 10, 2024. She was born to Louis and Rose (Zilch) Kohl in Ridgway, Illinois, on August 1, 1938. Marie married Bernard Mitchell on August 28, 1956, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ridgway, having celebrated 67 years of marriage last August. She was a devoted farm wife, loving mother and proud grandma and great-grandma. Marie was a selfless and compassionate woman, who loved to serve her family, her St. Patrick's Church family and the Enfield and McLeansboro communities.

George Nicholas Bougas, 73, of Enfield passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024 in Enfield, IL.  He was born on September 13, 1950 in Greece, the son of Nicolas George and Eleftheria Bougas. George married Monica Zytnowski on November 6, 1983.  He spent most of his life in the Chicago area and had worked as a cook and worked his way up to restaurant manager. George later went into Real Estate, starting as an agent and later as a broker before retiring as an appraiser.

     Billy Dale Sampson, 65. of McLeansboro, Illinois, passed away on Monday, January 8. 2024, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. He was born on February 20, 1958, in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Leamuel Thomas and Elsie Mae (Pemberton) Sampson. Billy worked in construction, as well as the oil field and also worked with various carnivals and could work on or fix anything that came his way. The joy of his life was riding his Harley Davidson that he owned for over 20 years.

 Ryan James McGhee, 24, of Carmi, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024. He was born on January 3, 2000, in Hanford, California, the son of Patricia Escovar. Ryan worked at Walmart as well as Pizza Hut in Carmi. He enjoyed sketching, drawing, cooking, gaming, working out and reading.

  Sharon J. Gwaltney, 74, of Carmi passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Eldorado Rehab and Health Care.  She was born in Eldorado, IL on October 30, 1949 the daughter of Frieda (Kanady) Roe and Raymond Stanley. Sharon married Edward Hon on August 15, 1969 and during their 26 years of marriage, they were blessed with a daughter, Andrea.  She later married Stephen Gwaltney on August 6, 2002 and he preceded her in death on March 21, 2010. Sharon enjoyed going to church and had attended First Baptist Church in Carmi, later she would attend New Beginnings Church of God with Stephen and in recent years attended the Crossville Church of Christ with her daughter.  She loved watching Disney movies, spending time with her grandchildren and calling and visiting with her friends.

Elizabeth “Liz” Barbre went to her heavenly home on January 6, 2024. She was born on January 30, 1926 in Enfield, Illinois to Leonard Daniel Apple and Flora Elsie Espy. She married Paul Kenneth Barbre on November 20,1943 and he preceded her in death on November 19, 1999.