Skip to content

Vandalia

Jo-Ellen (Stine) Frailey, 84, Brownstown

Jo-Ellen (Stine) Frailey, 84, of Brownstown, died at 12:12 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at her son’s home in Urbana, Ill., with Scott and Anna at her side. Funeral services will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown with visitation following until 7:30 p.m. Graveside services will be at 11:00…

Read More

Dorotha M. Rhodes, 88, Vandalia

Dorotha M. Rhodes, 88, of Vandalia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at SBL Fayette County Hospital. A Graveside Service & Interment will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Spring Hill Cemetery, Beecher City with Rev. Dennis Warner officiating. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Northside…

Read More

Ryder J. “RJ” Stock

Ryder Joseph “RJ” Stock, our greatest gift, was called home in his sleep to be with Jesus early Thursday morning, Nov. 6, 2025. Anyone that knew our sweet boy saw him for his contagious laugh, smile and dimples. Ryder was born on September 14, 2023, in Breese, Ill., the son of Faith and Ross Stock.…

Read More

Brandi L. Bolyard, 48, Alabama

Brandi L. (Brown) Bolyard, 48, of Opelika, Ala., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at her home after complications from a recent operation. Per Brandi’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia. There will be a…

Read More

Geraldine C. ‘Jerry’ Hadley, 92, Vandalia

Geraldine Claire “Jerri” Hadley, 92, of Vandalia, Ill., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 at Willowbrook of Vandalia. Jerri was born July 19, 1933 in Loogootee, Ill. the daughter of Nelson Emery and Evelyn Claire (Tarr) O’Dell. She married Louis Manley on May 24, 1952. Together they had five children, Tony (Jenny) Manley, Trudy…

Read More

Steven D. ‘Steve’ Hites, 76, Vandalia

Steven D. “Steve” Hites, 76, of Vandalia, Ill., passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 03, 2025, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hillsboro. Per Steve’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Services will be held at a later date. Interment will take place in Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia. Memorials: Donor’s choice. Online condolences can be…

Read More

Craig Hart, 76, Vandalia

Craig Leroy Hart, 76, of Vandalia, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025 at his home. He was born Oct. 22, 1949 in St. Louis, Mo., the son of Leroy and Delores (Fortuna) Hart. He married Carolyn Allgire on Sept. 9, 1972, at the Religious Center at SIUE in Edwardsville. Craig’s greatest love was teaching.…

Read More

Streetscape project going well

Despite regular interruptions due to bad weather, Vandalia’s most-recent downtown streetscape project appears to be moving along at a good pace.
“I think it’s going very well,” Mayor Rick Gottman said at last week’s city council meeting.
The city’s director of public works agreed with the mayor.
“It’s just going real good,” said John Moyer, giving good marks to the general contractor, Kinney Construction of Raymond. “They’re real particular.”

Read More