All Obituaries

Mary Runyon Gibbs, 95, died of natural causes on Friday, March 8, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. She was born on October 22, 1928 in Carthage, Illinois, the daughter of Eve Runyon Graham and Dr. Royal Runyon. A graduate of Carthage High School and Knox College, she married fellow Knox College student Charles J. Gibbs in 1948 with whom she was married for 66 years until his death in 2014. After graduation from Knox in 1951, Chuck and Mary settled in Galesburg where they were active members of the...

Janet L. Swank, 89, of Galesburg, died at 2:21 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Marigold Health Care Center. She was born May 2, 1934, in Galesburg, the daughter of Fred and Bernice (Allen) Parkinson.  She was married to P.J. Nelson.  Later she married Donald E. Bean on July 15, 1967, in Galesburg.  He preceded her in death in January 1978.  She then married Paul E. Swank on October 6, 1978, in Galesburg.  He preceded her in death on August 8, 1998. She is...

Betty Joyce (Powell) Miller of Abingdon, Illinois passed away on April 9th, 2024. She was 82 years old. Betty was born in Kirkmansville, Kentucky on January 2, 1942. She was the second of three children of Albert Thornton and Lena Rushie (Long) Powell. She loved retelling stories of her childhood and cherished memories growing up in Kentucky. She was a 1960 graduate of Todd County High School in Elkton, Kentucky. Betty met James Edward “Jim” Miller when Jim was stationed with...

Royce L. Kunkle, 70, of Galesburg, died at 11 p.m., April 11, 2024, in Allure of Knox County in Galesburg, surrounded by family and friends. He was born March 23,1954, in Galesburg, the son of Ronald and Annilee (Deulen) Kunkle.  He is survived by his sister, Rhonda Tucker of Abingdon; his children, Matthew (Shannon) Kunkle of Morton, Scott (Beth) Kunkle of Galesburg, Megan (Ryan) Bowers of Muscatine, Iowa, Kyle Kunkle of Goshen, Indiana, and Amber Kunkle of Moline; and three...

Glenn Harold Paulsgrove, 98, Knoxville, passed away on April 12, 2024, at the Knox County Nursing Home.  He was born January 27, 1926, east of Abingdon, the son of James R. and Alta Hatch Paulsgrove.  He attended Hobbs, Windmill, and Victoria grade schools and Victoria, Oneida, and Gilson High Schools, graduating in 1943.  He was active with 4-H and F.F.A., raising Hampshire hogs and club calves. Glenn served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on a Landing Ship Tank (LST)...

Mr. Dick Eugene Mayall, 80, of Wataga, died at 11:45 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center. He was born Wednesday, October 20, 1943, in Canton, Illinois, the son of Dick H. and Oma M. (Workman) Mayall.  He married Joyce Lorraine (Crow) Garrison on July 6, 1985, in Galesburg. He is survived by his wife of nearly 39 years, Joyce. Dick was a welder with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for many years before retirement.  He was a graduate of Carl...

Gaylord Toncey Pedigo, 78, of rural Galesburg, died at 5:55 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2024, in Seminary Manor. He was born June 23, 1945, in Monmouth, the son of Clarence “Toncey” Llewellyn and Berneice (Quiggens) Pedigo.  He married Patricia Morris on August 8, 1965, in Abingdon. He is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Patricia; three daughters, Shereth and Christian Doenitz, Greta and Paul Brooks, and Alethea and Brian Morse; eight grandchildren, Peyton, Kennedy,...

Mrs. Phyllis Wallace, 91, of Wataga, Illinois, died 12:24 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at Seminary Manor in Galesburg, Illinois.  She was born May 30, 1932, in Speer, Illinois to Lester and Ethel Mae (Russell) Gruner.  She married R.E. Wallace, Jr. on July 31, 1955, in Princeville, Illinois.  He preceded her in death on June 11, 1999.  Surviving is her daughter, Terri Wallace of Wataga, two nephews, Steven (and Terry) Mace of Bloomington, Illinois and Curtis (and Monica)...

Mrs. V. Mae Heck age 87, of Galesburg Illinois died at 11:13 a.m. Monday, April 8, 2024, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.  She was born October 19, 1936, in Laura, Illinois to Carl and Glenna (Wilmot) Motz.  She married H. Blain Heck on June 3, 1955, in North Henderson, Illinois.  He preceded her in death on February 18, 1990. Surviving is a son, Steven B. (and Lori) Heck of Galva, Illinois, four daughters, Margaret Sherbeyn of LaFayette, Illinois, Pamela (and...

Mrs. Miriam Rosalie Matthews, 89, of Altona, Illinois, died 11:33 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois. She was born November 2, 1934, in Peoria, Illinois, the only child of Bernard and Jesse Lorene (Brown) Camp.  She married John Bolin in Alpha, Illinois, on July 7, 1954.  She later married Roy F. Matthews, Sr. on July 11, 1983, in Altona.  He preceded her in death on January 5, 2020. Surviving are two daughters, Krystal...

Jerry William Knowles, “The Ice Cream Man”,87, of Galesburg, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2024, at 4:19 a.m. surrounded by his loving family. Jerry was born September 15,1936 to John and Pearl (McMeins) Knowles of Huntsville, Illinois. Jerry began working at National T grocery store stocking shelves. It was there that he met Nell Rose Adams while her father would deliver bread to the store. They married on December 24, 1954, and spent 51 years together raising their two...

Sheryl Lynn Bacon, 82 of Galesburg, died at 5:32 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. She was born Tuesday, April 29, 1941, in Monmouth, the daughter of Saylor E.C. and Beryl E. (French) Conard.  She married Jerry L. Cooper in September 1960 in Galesburg.  She later married George W. Bacon on August 8, 1969, in Galesburg.  He preceded her in death on June 30, 2012, after nearly 43 years of marriage. She is survived by four sons, Jay P....

Chuck Pierce, with his wife and best friend, Sandy by his side, transitioned to his heavenly home on January 2nd 2024 He was welcomed by his mother and father James Delmar and Margret Jane (Burke) Pierce, Brother, Bob Pierce, sister Donna Cecil and sister Mary Catherine Pierce.  He was born on September 2nd 1939 in Doniphan Missouri, explaining why he could be as stubborn as a mule at times. Chuck was a big man both in stature and personality. He was a jovial man and a jokester who...

Kenneth E. Batson, 84, formerly of Little Swan Lake, died at 11:35 a.m. Sunday, January 21, 2024, in LaMoine Assisted Living Center in Macomb. He was born July 28, 1939, in rural Laura, Illinois, the son of Charles and Dora E. (McCullough) Batson.  He married Louise P. Sabetti on June 27, 1964, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Abingdon. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Louise; a son, David (Stacy) Batson of Little Swan Lake; three grandchildren, Hope, Alex, and Abby; a...

Mr. Edwin L. Glisan, 79, of Abingdon, Illinois, passed away at 8:05 pm Sunday, March 31, 2024, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria with his family by his side. Ed was born January 24, 1945, in LaHarpe, Illinois, the son of Elmer C. and C. Ada (Mohr) Glisan. He married Patsy A. Kenney in Abingdon on May 6, 1972. After forty-four years of marriage, she preceded him in death on February 27, 2016. Ed is survived by his daughters, Barbara (Scott) Felt of Galva, Nancy (Mike) Felt of...

Mrs. Helma Jean (“Jean”) Palmer, 88, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away Friday, January 19, 2024, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center. She was born April 8, 1935, in Kewanee, Illinois, the daughter of Roger and Lenora (Vandemore) Ingelson. Special gratitude to her maternal grandparents, Philip and Florence Vandemore, who helped raise her. She married Marvin L. Palmer on May 3, 1958, in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on April 5, 2016, after 58 years of...

Ethel Irene Bailey, 81, of Galesburg, died at 12:45 p.m. Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Allure of Knox County. She was born July 31, 1942, in Canton, the daughter of Robert and Laura (Hicks) Forshee.  She married Jerry Leroy Bailey on August 10, 1992, in Peoria. She is survived by her husband of nearly 32 years, Jerry; a step-daughter, Charlene (Mike) Ashley; three grandchildren, Nick (Katie) Bailey, Jennifer Ashley, and Cody Ashley; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews,...

Mr. Donald H. “Don” Nott, 90, of Galesburg, Illinois, formerly of Maquon, Illinois died 9:25 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Allure of Knox County, Galesburg. He was born October 10, 1933, in Abingdon, Illinois, the son of Harvey and Irene (Peck) Nott.  He married Betty Duggins on March 2, 1957, in Elmwood, Illinois Surviving is his wife of almost 67 years, Betty Nott of Galesburg, a son, Douglas (and Ruthie) Nott of Maquon, two daughters, Lois Grohmann of Lincoln,...

Mary L. Morlan, 92 of Galesburg, died at 11:40 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. She was born November 25, 1931, in Gilson, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Clara (Kellar) Swank.  She was married to Roy J. Morlan on October 9, 1948. She is survived by daughters, Linda Ronk and Janet Grover; twenty grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; parents, Charles, and...

Koreena Kay Rhea transitioned over on March 23rd, 2024. She was 76 years young. She was born on January 9th, 1948, in Camden, Missouri. Her parents were Mary Ellen Rash and James Garfield Rash. Her sister was Marion Louis Rash, and her brothers were Marvin Earl Rash, William Phillips Rash, Garfield Edward Rash, Raymond Junior Rash, and Donald Eugene Rash. All of them precede her in transitioning. She married Harold L. Rhea on June 12th, 1966, and they had one son, John H. Rhea on October...

William Clark Reeder died on Sunday, January 14, 2024, in Harvey, Illinois. Bill was born in Bloomington, Illinois on December 24, 1946, and was the son of Charles W. and Irene C. (Bulkeley) Reeder. A lifelong resident of Abingdon, Bill graduated from Abingdon High School in 1965. After graduation, he worked at American Sanitary Manufacturing Company and liked to tell the story of falling through the roof of The Brass Factory without serious injury. Joining the Army in 1968, Bill served as...

Mr. Gary L. “PeeWee” Johnson, 67, of Galesburg, Illinois died 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born December 4, 1956, in Galesburg to Verne L. and Grace Maxine (Craig) Johnson.  He married Debbie J. Erwin on March 18, 1978, in Galesburg.  Surviving is his wife of 46 years, Debbie of Galesburg, a daughter, Ashley J. (and Travis D.) Hess of Princeville, a brother, Craig L. (and Lori L.) Johnson of Peoria, Illinois, two...

Mrs. Betty Jane Crosson “Jane”, born April 22nd 1932, age 91, passed peacefully in her sleep in Galesburg, IL, on March 17th, 2024. Born in Victoria, IL, the daughter of Archie Nathan and Mary Milroy. She graduated from ROWVA High School, class of 1951. Jane was a working woman, as she worked as a telephone operator and supervisor for over 30 years at Centel. Jane retired in 1987 at the age of 55. Throughout Jane’s life she enjoyed many things such as; gardening, sewing,...

Mrs. Elizabeth E. “Betty” Way, 100 years young and just weeks shy from turning 101, formerly of Abingdon, passed away peacefully at 7:20 am Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Knox County Nursing Home with her loving family by her side. Betty was born April 4, 1923, in Elba Township near Yates City, Illinois the daughter of Lewis and Lorraine (Housman) Sherman. She married George H. Way on April 13, 1941, in Kahoka, Missouri. He preceded her in death on August 9, 1976. Betty is...

Mrs. Patricia Joanne Malone, age 91, of Abingdon, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2024, at the Knox County Nursing Home while surrounded by her loving family. Joanne was born September 10, 1932, in London Mills, Illinois, the only child of Clarence Irvin and Alice Loava (Eggers) Combs. Joanne married Elbea Clifford Malone in 1950 in London Mills. He precedes Joanne in death. Joanne is survived by her children: Ed Malone, Judy (and the late Larry) Wherley, Sharon (and Jim)...

Mr. Hal Devore, 86, of Galesburg, Illinois died 1:56a.m. Monday, February 12, 2024, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. He was born May 27, 1937, in Burlington, Iowa to Dayton Delance and Enid Louise (McGaw) Devore.  He married Eunice Maxine Cook on August 17, 1958, in Gladstone, Illinois. Surviving is his wife of 65 years, Eunice Devore of Galesburg, a son, David (and Helena) of Midland, Michigan, a daughter, Lori (and Thomas) Dryg of Bettendorf, Iowa, a sister-in-law,...

Mr. James Martin “Jim” Hollingsworth, 68, of Galesburg, Illinois died at 10:39 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, at his home. He was born September 3, 1955, in Galesburg to Jerry and Alice (Parsons) Hollingsworth.  Surviving are three sisters, Julie (and Ron) Morris of Galesburg, Jeanie (and the late Rick) Wilson of Carterville, Illinois, and Joni (and Bob) Kroeger of Centralia, Illinois, ten nieces and nephews, 18 great nieces and nephews, and many cousins.  He was...

Mrs. Barbara Rutherford, 89, of Galesburg, Illinois, peacefully passed away Friday, March 15, 2024, at Seminary Manor. She was born August 22, 1934, in Peoria, Illinois, the daughter of Leslie and Mildred (Woodley) Clark. Barbara is survived by her husband, Frank Rutherford of Mississippi, her son Robert Britt of Galesburg, a brother, Harold Clark, a sister, Judy (James) Fox, and many nieces and nephews. She is fondly remembered by the special and caring people in her life, Rae Britt,...

Mrs. Cynthia J. Bolt, 80, of London Mills, Illinois died at 2:00 a.m. Monday, March 11, 2024 at Lamoine Assisted Living and Memory Care in Macomb.She was born November 13, 1943 in Canton, Illinois, the daughter of Donald and Marjorie (Woolums) Norville. She married Gerald Bolt on June 25, 1961 in London Mills and he preceded her in death on September 11, 2023.She is survived by three daughters, Tamra Sue (and Steve) Chipman of Good Hope, Illinois; Tina Jo (and Randy) Smith of Maquon,...

Mr. Robert F. “Bob” Daves, age 77, of Galesburg, Illinois died 10:43 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, at a caretaker’s home in Alpha, Illinois.  He was born October 13, 1946, in Galesburg to Ralph and Jewel (Ralph) Daves.  He married Mary Beth Reid on December 2, 1967, in Galesburg.  Surviving is his wife of 56 years, Mary Beth Daves of Galesburg and his daughter, Amy Miller of Fishers, Indiana.  He was preceded death by his parents and a brother, Pat...