Herbert “Jay” Cockrell Jr., 56, of Rochester, passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2023 surrounded by his family at home.Jay was born on April 15, 1967 in Springfield, IL, the son of Herbert and Lois (Walters) Cockrell. He married Cherie Lynn Cary on April 28, 1990 and she survives. Jay was a production manager for 26 years and was a loving father, pops, master gardener and avid outdoorsman who loved to cook and hunting and fishing in his spare time.He is preceded in death by his...

Melvin R. Kuhnly, 74, of Petersburg, IL passed away on Saturday September 23, 2023. Melvin was born in Gainesville, TX on November 10, 1948 and was the son of Melvin L. and Ruth (Pearson) Kuhnly. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Vickie Daughtry, Becky Balke, Sharon Sistrunk, and Ilene Kuhnly; children, Samuel Miller, Thomas Pickrell, and Carol Maria. Melvin is survived by his wife, Barbara Marie Kuhnly; daughter, Christina Miller; step-children, Renea Cox, Becky Pickrell...

Dorthy J. Ross, 90, of Rochester, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at Lewis Memorial Christian Village in Springfield, IL. Dorthy was born on January 31, 1933, in Pleasant Plains, IL., the daughter of Russell J. and Frances M. (Ferguson) Marcussen. She married F. North Ross on February 5, 1954 in Williamsville and he preceded her in death on January 17, 2008. Dorthy was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Rochester Historical...

Diane Kathleen Paulauskis, 77, of Springfield passed away on September 11, 2023. Diane was born in Springfield on February 4, 1946 and was the daughter of Raymond and Harriet (Stremsterfer) Gobble. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Jay Goble and Raymond Gobble.  Diane is survived by her son, Michael Paulauskis; daughter, Lisa Hardas; grandchildren, Sydney Paulauskis-Lauher, Autumn Hardas, and Isaac Hardas; brother, Preston Michael Gobble (wife, Sandra); and...

Margaret Jane Potter, 67, of Springfield, IL passed away on Saturday September 9, 2023. Maggie was born in Springfield on April 8, 1956 and was the daughter of Richard Johnson and Alice Bisby. She was preceded in death by both of her parents and her brother, George W. Johnson. Maggie is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Tuttle of Springfield; grandsons, Leland and Dominic Tuttle of Springfield; sister, Kathy (husband, Rob) Smith of Springfield; brothers, Richard and Frank Johnson of...

Paul Freeman Bell, 92, of Springfield, formerly of Dawson, died on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Memorial Medical Center. Paul was born on December 24, 1930, in Rochester, IL. the son of Claude “Buddie” and Julia Eva (Baltrunas) Bell. He married Cleon Leach on August 5, 1951. They were married for 68 years before she preceded him in death on August 18, 2019. Paul was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He worked for First National Bank, Gulf Oil Corp. and ended his...

Barbara “Bobbie Jo” Stokes.  October 28, 1943 to September 3, 2023.  Daughter of Betty Lou Jiannoni, Carl Jiannoni, and Robert Moriconi.  Preceded in death by her Husband, Walter C. Stokes Sr. and her son, Walter C. “Butch” Stokes Jr. of Edinburg, IL.  Survived by her daughter, Betty Jo Stokes.  Barbara was born in Louisiana, but grew up in Springfield, IL.  She settled with her husband in Edinburg, IL where she lived for the rest of her...

Jeanne Lois Jackson died July 27, 2023, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. Jeanne was born February 8, 1932, in Racine, Wisconsin to William A Oliver and Dora C Oliver. She was married to Rupert Harris and Percy Jackson. Jeanne was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 husbands, four brothers and one sister. She is survived by two daughters, Ruth Desiree Harris, and Rhonda J Washington (William Jr) and 1 grandson, William H Washington, III. She is survived by her...

Virginia E. Funderburk, 100, of Edinburg, passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Taylorville Care Center in Taylorville. She was born to Edward and Edith (Mitchell) Cowgill of Owaneco, IL. on November 24, 1922. She married Merle H. Seaton, Jr. on July 21, 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland. He preceded her in death on November 5, 1958. She married Russel J. Funderburk on May 5, 1961 in New City, IL. He preceded her in death on November 18, 1976. Virginia loved her family and she was the...

Evelyn L. (Evers) Ramsey, 95, of Rochester, passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023 at Memorial Medical Center surrounded by her family.  Evelyn was born on May 26, 1928, in Newmansville, Illinoisl the daughter of Fred G. Evers and Edith (Watkins) Evers. She married Raymond Ramsey of Rochester, Illinois on November 18, 1950 at St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church of Petersburg, Illinois. Evelyn graduated from Tallula High School and attended Brown’s Business College...