Obituaries

Dean Allen French, age 85 and a resident of McLeansboro, IL, passed away at 2:30 a.m., Friday, December 22, 2023 at his residence in McLeansboro.

Charles Lee Lenard, Jr, age 79, passed away at his residence at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023.

     Elijah I. James, 34, of Carmi passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, IN.  He was born in Normal IL on November 19, 1989 the son of Claude E. James and Joyce Kloth. Ellijah was raised by his grandparents, Claude and Betty (Grant) James. Elijah loved to talk and visit with his family and friends. He was instrumental in starting a Pen Pals for Prisoners program.

Dawn Ann Beadles, 68, of Carmi, passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 3, 1955, in Carmi, Illinois, the daughter of Arnold Lee and Joyce (Hawkins) French. Dawn married Jonathan R. Beadles on August 24, 1974, and he preceded her in death on February 7, 2011. She graduated from Carmi Community High School in 1973. Dawn worked as the Activity Director at Wabash Christian for 27 years and then went on to work for four years at Brownsville School as an Individual Aide. 

Joseph Warren “Joey” Wolf, 66, of Grayville, Illinois, died Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at his home. He was born April 9, 1957, in Flora, Illinois, the son of Lloyd and Edna (Ripple) Wolf.

Paul Leo Wellen, 89 of Piopolis, IL went to be with the Lord on December 15, 2023 in his home surrounded by his family. Paul was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Paul was born March 23, 1934 in Belle City, IL the son of Andrew and Isabella (Karcher) Wellen.

Tracy Wayne Johnson, 61, of McLeansboro, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at his home with loved ones by his side.  He was born on August 29, 1962, the son of Floyd and Jeana (Bybee) Johnson.  On October 18, 2014, he married Charlotte (Biggerstaff) Johnson, who survives.

Linda L. Hill, 76, of Evansville, Indiana, formerly of Grayville, Illinois, died Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Hamilton Pointe Health and Rehabilitation in Newburgh, Indiana. She was born December 28, 1946, in Chebanse, Illinois, the daughter of Roy and Nina (Crowe) Creek. She was married to Larry M. “Mick” Hill for more than 57 years, and he survives.

Sherry Lynn “Sam” (James) Castic, 64, Carthage, Missouri, passed away early Sunday morning, December 10, 2023, at her home. She was born February 16, 1959, in Carmi, Illinois, the daughter of Charles James and Linda (Daniel) Trout. She married Robert “BJ” Castic on December 1, 1977, in Miami, Florida. Sam loved to paint and enjoyed gardening.

Dwight Cullen Thomas, 79, of Enfield, Illinois, died Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Veteran Administration Hospital in Marion, Illinois. He was born March 24, 1944, in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Ray Moore Thomas and Nanie Geneva (Cullen) Thomas.