Obituaries

Apr 22, 2025

Caroline “Carol” Stork, 80, of Palestine, IL, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Robinson Rehab & Nursing. Carol was born on April 18, 1945, in Grape Creek, IL. The earliest chapters of her story were not easy—she and her siblings were adopted into different homes—but even from that fractured beginning, Carol became a woman marked by peace, not...

Apr 21, 2025

Deanna Marie Guffey, 74, of Casey, IL, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 21, 2025. She left this earth peacefully with her children by her side at SBL Hospice House. Born on June 5, 1950, she grew up north of Casey in Oilfield, IL. A 1968 graduate of Charleston High School, Deanna went...

Apr 20, 2025

Ila “Rozan” McCormick, 73, of Robinson, IL, entered into the arms of Jesus on April 20, 2025, when she passed from this life at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, IN. Born April 28, 1951, in O’Neill, NE, she grew up in Carter Lake, IA, where her heart for people and faith in Christ began to take root. She graduated from...

Apr 20, 2025

Lenora "Becky" Baum, 48, of Palestine, IL, passed away on April 20, 2025, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, IL.

Born on July 2, 1976, in Charleston, IL, Becky was the daughter of William "Bill" Andrews and Donna (Owen) Andrews.

On April 7, 1996, she married the love of her life, Roy Baum, and together they built a life full of laughter,...

Apr 17, 2025

Linda Elder, 75, of Palestine, IL, passed away on April 17, 2025, but not before living one heck of a life.

Born on August 14, 1949, Linda grew up north of Oblong near White Oak, where bare feet in creeks and tree-climbing adventures shaped her early years. From the start, she was a force—tiny in stature, but full of fire and...

Apr 16, 2025

Mamie M. Courtney Arnold went to be with her heavenly father on April 16, 2025.

Born on April 8, 1932, she was the ninth child of Homer and Mary M. Allen Courtney. She was the last survivor of her generation. All of her siblings and their spouses, as well as one grandson, have passed on.

She married Norvil D. Arnold on July...

Apr 16, 2025

Elizabeth "Beth" Lowe, 68, of Palestine, IL, passed away on April 16, 2025, at her home.

Born on November 23, 1956, she was the daughter of Ausby Lowe III and Elizabeth (Willis) Lowe, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her brother, Larry Lowe.

Beth was a strong-willed woman who valued her independence and never hesitated to...

Apr 13, 2025

Michael Ealy, 83, of Casey, IL, passed away on April 13, 2025.

He was laid to rest at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, and the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson was in charge of these arrangements.

Apr 10, 2025

Jim McKinney, 69, of Robinson, Illinois, passed away at home on April 10, 2025—still doing what he loved, still serving the community he called home. To understand Jim’s life is to understand a man deeply rooted in one place and completely invested in its people.

Born on October 31, 1955, Jim grew up here, graduated from Robinson High School in 1973,...

Apr 5, 2025

Margaret Mary "Peggy" Keen, 72, of Robinson, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on April 5, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Peggy was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Leonard and Jean Raczkowski. She graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston in 1975. Over the years, she worked for four Chicago mayors in roles focused on budgeting, economic development, resource management, and the...

Mar 29, 2025

Joe E. Bliss, 84, of Oblong, IL, passed away on March 29, 2025, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, IL. His passing marked the end of a long and faithful labor—hands that had shaped fields, cradled grandchildren, and quietly held the weight of generations finally laid to rest.

From the very beginning, Joe’s hands told...

Mar 28, 2025

Jack L. Blankenbeker, 95, of Robinson, IL, passed away on March 28, 2025, at Robinson Rehab and Nursing.

Born on July 25, 1929, in Flat Rock, IL, Jack cut his teeth on the dirt roads of Crawford County before heading north to Chicago, where he worked at Givens Winstead Service. Soon after, duty called, and...

Mar 28, 2025

C. Russell Preston, Jr., 78, of Robinson, IL, passed away on March 28, 2025, at Richland Nursing & Rehab in Olney, IL.

Born July 3, 1946, he was the son of Clyde & B. Jane (Pinkstaff) Preston, both of whom preceded him in death. A 1964 graduate of Lawrenceville High School, his career began with...

Mar 25, 2025

Patricia Ellen Deisher, 84, of Flat Rock, Illinois, passed away on March 25, 2025, at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born on December 17, 1940, in Honeycreek Township, Patricia was the daughter of Ernest and Lucille (Moore) Shidler. She grew up in the countryside near Flat Rock, where her love for family and a...

Mar 21, 2025

Jacob Lee-Alexander Coates, 29, of Mount Carmel, IL, formerly of Palestine, IL, passed away on March 21, 2025. Born on November 3, 1995, in Robinson, IL, Jacob arrived in this world with a story already attached. According to family lore, he was born with a tail—a detail that may or may not be true, but was too good not...

Mar 12, 2025

Ramona “Gayle” Lewis, 74, of Oblong, IL, passed away on March 12, 2025, in the comfort of her home. Born on March 10, 1951, in Robinson, IL, she was the daughter of Harold F. “Red” Lewis & Joy D. (Bruner) Lewis-Collings, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her paternal grandparents, Orville Brody Lewis...

Mar 9, 2025

The whistle has blown, and the train has pulled into the station one final time for Thomas Clinton Woodward, Sr., 87, of Palestine, IL. A man whose life was built on iron rails, hard work, and unwavering devotion to his country and family, Tom passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in the comfort of his home, surrounded...

Mar 9, 2025

Susan "Sue" Ballard left this world on March 9, 2025, at the age of 64. Born on November 4, 1960, at Fort Campbell, KY, while her dad was stationed there, Sue grew up in Robinson, IL, before the family moved to Palestine when she was 10. She wasted no time making a name for herself—mostly by getting into trouble....

Mar 5, 2025

Donnie Pollock, age 62, of Oblong, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on March 5, 2025. Born on February 1, 1963, in Princeton, Indiana, Donnie was a beloved husband, uncle, brother, son-in-law & friend whose vibrant spirit touched the lives of many.

Donnie found joy in playing his guitar with his favorite song "Night Moves" echoing through...

Mar 3, 2025

Linda Louise "Lulu" DeBruhl Stewart of Robinson, IL, 77, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on Monday, March 3, 2025.

She was born on July 23, 1947, in El Paso, TX, the daughter of Alfred & Frances (Cloud) DeBruhl. She grew up in El Paso, where she helped care for her five...