All Obituaries

Mrs. Willodeane M. Carlson, 99, of Galesburg, Illinois, formerly of Alpha, Illinois, died at 11:52 p.m. Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Hawthorne Inn in Galesburg. She was born June 14, 1926, in Galesburg, the daughter of Elvin and Nellie (Clute) Brown. She married Curtis E. Carlson on July 18, 1948, in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on May 29, 2003. Surviving are two sons, Steve (and Karen Jacobs) Carlson and Lowell (and Nellie) Carlson; one daughter, Gloria Carlson; six grandchildren; ...

Mr. James R. “Jim” Carlson, 88, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 12:42 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on March 29, 1938, in Galesburg, to Raymond Glenn and Juanita Blessing (Sweborg) Carlson. He married Judith Ann Douglas on November 25, 1960.  She preceded him in death on May 3, 1981.  He later married Diane (Beeson) Cyganek in 1985, in Knoxville. She preceded him in death on August 25, 2017. Surviving is a son, Douglas and ...

Peggy Henderson, 97, of Galesburg, left her earthly home and loved ones on December 19, 2025. She was serenaded by the music of Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn just in time to join husband Bill for an evening of dancing and a reunion of friends and family. Peg was born on June 16, 1928, to Floyd (Cotton) and Rose McElroy Pugh in DuQuoin, Illinois. The family moved to Rio, Illinois during her 6th grade year, she graduated from Rio High School in 1946. Mom said she fell in love with Bill Henderson ...

Susan Leigh Medina, 79, of Galesburg, died at 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2026, in OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, with her daughters by her side. She was born August 15, 1946, in Galesburg, the daughter of Fred W. and Dorothy Irene (Bayless) Nyman.  She married John “Juan” Medina in 1973.  They later divorced but remains friends until the time of his death. She is survived by her daughters, Andrea Leigh Medina and Elizabeth Irene Medina, both of Galesburg; ...

Mr. James Everret Kilburn, 76, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 4:38 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Allure of Lake Storey, with his loved ones by his side. James was born on June 27, 1949, in Avon, Illinois, the son of Wayne E. and Bertha Marie (Clifford) Kilburn. He graduated from Avon High School in 1967 and later served his country in the United States Army from 1970 to 1972. He was stationed in Germany and held the rank of E-4. Following his military service, James ...

Betti A. Lemmer, 76, of Galesburg, died at 1:38 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2026, in the emergency room of OSF St. Mary Medical Center. She was born April 15, 1950, in Galesburg, the daughter of William E. and Virginia M. (Natalie) Lemmer Sr. She is survived by her companion of many years, Rick Smith; a sister, Joyce Lemmer of Galesburg; a brother, Lance Lemmer of New Orleans; two great granddaughters; and a niece.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Tammi; a ...

Mr. James “Jim” J. Hardine, 71, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 12:35 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, surrounded by the love of his family. Jim was born August 11, 1954, in Galesburg, the son of Harold James “Jim” and Marilyn Mae (Sherwood) Hardine. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1972, where his lifelong love of music and the arts first flourished. Jim proudly participated in the “Singing Streaks,” ...

Mr. David Ryan Pruett, 52, of Cameron, Illinois died at 3:17 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. He was born on June 3, 1973, in Chula Vista, California, the son of David Edward and Laura (Kempster) Pruett. He married Amy Ennis in 2013 in Cameron, Illinois. Surviving is his father, David E. Pruett of Cameron; his mother and stepfather, Laura and Michael McGillivray of Florida; two stepdaughters, Alison DePauw of Galesburg and Sydney ...

Mrs. Rhonda Kay Watkins,64, of London Mills, Illinois, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026, at home. She was born July 22, 1961, in Galesburg, the daughter of James and Shirley (Engle) Schisler. She married Sammie Watkins on July 10, 1985, in Galesburg. She is survived by her husband, Sammie; Daughters:  Jennifer (and Zack Brown) Watkins, Tracie (and Jared) Yocum, sons:Rob (and Kate) Watkins, Steve (and Erin) Watkins; brothers, Brian Schisler and Mike (and Chris Wells) Schisler; nephew, ...

Helen “Marilyn” Van Fleet, 93, of Galesburg passed away peacefully at Seminary Manor in Galesburg, Illinois on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Marilyn was born on May 6, 1933, in Galesburg, the daughter of Basil and Helen (Carlson) Zugg. She lived her entire life in Galesburg. Marilyn married her lifelong partner in all things, John Van Fleet, Sr., on November 1, 1953. They were married for 68 years, until he passed away on April 2, 2022. Marilyn graduated from Galesburg Senior High ...