Area Obituaries

Kenneth “Gail” Barth, 83, of Bethalto, IL, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton. Per Gail’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A Graveside Service and Interment will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 23, at McInturff Cemetery, rural Vandalia with Military Rites performed by Crawford-Hale American…

Leonard Charles Pinney went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Jan. 3. Born on Dec. 4, 1933, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, he was the beloved son of Edwin Earl Pinney and Marian Sellers Pinney. Rev. Pinney’s formative years were spent in various states as his father’s work as…

Pamela Grace Smith, 56, of Springfield, was called to her eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. She was born on July 2, 1969, in Vandalia, the daughter of Merrill and Grace (Moore) Thull. Pamela married Kristopher D. Smith on Sept. 2, 2006. Pamela graduated from Vandalia High School in 1987, received her bachelor’s degree…

Randal Gregory “Greg” Bigelow, 64, of Escondido, CA, passed away on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 at his residence. Per the family’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. There will be no services held at this time. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to a veteran’s organization of their choice. Online condolences…

Shirley Ann (King) Fravell Ehrat, age 93 of Staunton, IL, formerly of Vandalia, passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, at Community Hospital in Staunton, IL. She was born Feb. 29, 1932 in Edwardsville, IL, the daughter of Arthur D. King & Capitola (Row) King. She married James E. Fravell on October 20, 1951. He passed away…

Carl Thomas Bolyard, age 70, of Ramsey, IL, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Carl was born July 28, 1955 in Ramsey, IL the son of John Leroy Bolyard Sr. and Virginia Alice (Pritchett) Bolyard. He married Patricia Ann Graeser on February 14, 1984 in Bayle City, IL.…

Sharon M. Brown, 60, of Ramsey, IL, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 at her home. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia with Pastor Kenneth Morell officiating. Interment will follow in Sharon Cemetery, rural Vandalia. Visitation will be held…

Lewis Alan “Lew” Mitchell, 73, of Vandalia, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, surrounded by his family. A Prayer Service led by Father Seth Brown of Mother of Dolors Catholic Church will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, Illinois, with visitation following until 7 p.m.. An…

John Mark Duncan, 66, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away on Christmas Eve, 2025. The world lost a big hearted, Christ centered, teddy bear of a man. Mark was born Jan. 10, 1959, in Pampa, TX to Bill and Katherine Duncan. He graduated from Amarillo High School, Amarillo, Texas in 1977, then went on to…

Edward Wayne Ruble, age 83 of Keyesport, passed away at home Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, peacefully surrounded by his family. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at the Vera Baptist Church in Vera, Illinois.  Visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 10:00 a.m.  Donnell – Wiegand…