Area News

  Kenneth David Gleason, of Rosiclare, IL, age 79, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025, from complications related to exposure from Agent Orange during his Navy service in Vietnam. Ken was born on February 23, 1946, in Dallas, Texas, to Ellis and Juanita Averitt Gleason. He had two sisters, Camille and Sharice; and six brothers,…

Debbie (Hale) Williford, 65, of Harrisburg, Illinois died on Friday, September 26, 2025. She was born July 4, 1960 to Mabel and Johnny Hale. She is survived by her sister, Katie (Eddie) Dutton of Eldorado; brothers, Larry Banks of Eldorado, and Deon Banks of Alton; niece, Hailee Maurer of Harrisburg; and nephews, Jimmy Long of…

Margie Lou Sisco, 94, died on Monday, October 6, 2025, at Axiom Healthcare of Rosiclare. Margie was born in Rosiclare, Illinois on January 9, 1931, to Ralph Volle and Maude Volle (Amsden). She was a member of the Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Sisco; and brothers, James “Dub”…

Laverna B. Simmons, 89, of Cave In Rock, Il passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Midtown Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. Laverna was a member of the Free Pentecost Church of Rosiclare. She loved her family and was her husband George’s soulmate. She was also a minister of God. Laverna is survived…

  Avery Eugene English was born April 11, 1932, in Hardin County, within the Catholic Church Community to Charles Frederick English and Olive Irene (Cowsert) English. Fred operated a farm while Olive managed household responsibilities. Avery spent his childhood both playing and working on the family farm. While he did not have any siblings, he…

  William Dee “Bill” Switzer, 92, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 3:15 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025. Born on August 16, 1933 in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, Bill was the son of William “Dee” Sr. and Helen (Mayfield) Switzer. He married Laura Barnard on August 10, 1957 in Grand Tower, Illinois. He was…

Carroll Lee “Doodle” Tolbert passed away peacefully, at the age of 89, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at his home, with his loving family by his side. Born on April 9, 1936, in Elizabethtown, Illinois, Doodle was the third of seven children of Wilson and Beatrice (Showalter) Tolbert. He often shared stories with family and…

In the morning hours of Thursday, September 18, 2025, Guy Page Heller walked through the gates of heaven. Guy was born in Avon Park, FL, on August 23, 1945. After graduating from high school, Guy proudly served in the U.S. Navy. He traveled around the world with the U.S. Navy. Upon being discharged from the…

Pamela “Pammy” Renee (Winters) Spear, 66, of Rosiclare, IL was promoted to Glory on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Axiom of Rosiclare. She was born January 21, 1959 to Robert “Bobby” and Lovern Winters. Left behind to celebrate and remember her life, include: her brother, Charles “Corky” (Donna) Winters of Golconda, IL; sisters, Chelle Jones…