Special Issues

Vice Adm. Nils Ronald Thunman was born in 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Swedish immigrants who moved to Springfield in 1939. His father, who dearly loved his adopted country, became an engineer, helping to build several of Springfield’s most important public works. To say that the admiral led a consequential life would be […]

Who was Carrie Michelle Eichen? Carrie was one of the two most wonderful women I knew in my life. I loved both, continuing to love them more and more every day. Before dying, my late wife, Diana, told me she wanted me to find another woman to take her place, so she would know I […]

I am not the first and certainly won’t be the last to lose a beloved spouse. We met through Leadership Springfield, married in 1994 and shared 30 exceptional years. Joe was so smart, quick-witted and funny, as well as handsome and hot! He kept me thinking and laughing. He was truly my best friend. One […]

Star prof He opened minds to worlds they had not imagined Charles Schweighauser of Pleasant Plains was born in Alton June 1, 1936, and died at home with his family in Pleasant Plains July 14, 2025. Known as Charlie to his friends, he was the first director of the McDonnell Planetarium in St. Louis, and […]

Dorothy “Dot” Ewing lived a full and joyous life for 94 years. She was a truly inspiring person. Countless people called her friend, and those who had the privilege of meeting her were soon laughing with her. One of those people often told her that “she wanted to be her when she grew up.” Another […]

Our father, Irv Smith, lived for 96 years. Except for time away for his education and military service, he lived all of those years in Springfield. That’s certainly a long time, but it’s difficult to describe the breadth and longevity of his influence. There are countless ways he touched those around him. • Irv was […]

A constant writer, with a bent for discovery He was universally known as “Doc” from the years he taught at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, 1958-1964. Students loved him, including the young ladies who helped in the history department and in the Lincoln Museum he headed. They loved his wife, Lois, and the Temples […]

Fighting for the people Clyde Bunch was the opposite of term limits. First elected to the Sangamon County Board in 1980 at 44, he served 44 years, representing District 21 and a predecessor district. He was elected 14 times, including just two months before his death. Bunch also served 60 years as a Democratic precinct […]

Trevor was one of those friends that you keep for a lifetime. He was so full of life and charisma and unfortunately his bright flame was snuffed out early. He was an active member of the local car and motorcycle community and surrounded himself with an army of friends who he considered his family. Trevor […]

I can still hear Grandpa Joe (as I called him) playing his bass guitar, and from the other room Vertie calling out, “Joe, put it up!” We’d all be at the table laughing as he did just that. The dining room table was always long – so long it filled the room – because Joe […]

If you walked into a gathering of friends and Jack Kanady was there, you knew it. Not because he was talking, but because you’d hear that big, confident, full-throated laugh as he listened to what others were saying. Jack had a presence honed by observation, great listening skills and a finely tuned sensitivity to those […]

Dad was one of a kind. He was able to fix anything. And when I say anything, I do mean anything. He had this ability to look at something and he would figure out a way to fix it. It may take him a while, but he usually always found a way. I believe that […]