Who can but prophesy?
In the scriptural portion that was read this past week in Jewish congregations the patriarch Jacob, on his deathbed, speaks to his sons about the future destiny of the tribes that they will found and that will bear their names. “I will tell you what will befall you in days to come.” (Genesis 49:1) The…
NILS RONALD THUNMAN
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…
FRANK COBLE
A legacy of care for animals Frank Coble was a second-generation Springfield veterinarian who radically changed how animals are cared for in the community by instituting advanced treatment techniques, establishing an emergency clinic and training a new generation of animal doctors. Coble died Sept. 8 at the age of 80 after battling dementia for several…
SUSAN LYNN BOONE
Taking care of the families Susan Boone used her compassion to guide families dealing with the death of relatives after homicides, accidents, suspicious situations and other circumstances that required the attention of the county coroner. The reflections about Boone, a longtime former Sangamon County coroner who died at 76 on Dec. 30, 2024, came from…
JAMES AUBREY DURKIN
It’s been almost a year that I lost my Jim. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him and I miss him even more. My wonderful husband was smart, funny, handsome, loving and giving. Jim was the youngest of four sisters and a true gentleman. A wonderful dad/stepdad, granddad/step granddad, great granddad,…
GEORGE HOMER RYAN
He cleared Illinois’ death row George Ryan was a cigar-chomping, salty-tongued Illinois pol whose political career pinnacled in the governor’s mansion and ended in a prison cell. The state’s 39th governor died May 2 at the age of 91 in his hometown of Kankakee. Ryan was a product of the Kankakee political machine, which was…
VINCENT “KEITH” HUSTON
This year we give thanks for mustachioed men with ornery temperaments and hearts of gold. Upon approaching this unusual species in his natural habitat, an ordinary person could very easily be expected to pay little attention to such an immediately unassuming individual. However … if that same someone was to endeavor beyond the surface, just…
JOHN STEVEN KELLER
An advocate for the Pillsbury neighborhood When the Springfield community experienced the passing of John Keller this year, we lost a committed and active voice for the Pillsbury neighborhood. John was the longtime president of the Pillsbury Neighborhood Association who had organized the association in the late 1990s. He led the efforts to find lasting…
JANET I. EDEN
Janet Eden, 88, passed away on Aug. 9, 2025, in Springfield. Seven years earlier her husband, John Eden, passed away after 59 years of mutual respect and devoted married life. Janet lived a quiet life as a homemaker. For most of their marriage they lived on three partially wooded beautiful acres on State Park Road…
DANIEL SCHULL
Daniel Schull, 74, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 13, 2025, while in hospice care at the Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Springfield. Dan had retired after working as an eligibility case worker for the Illinois Department of Human Services for 45 years. He was also union steward and a member…
CARRIE MICHELLE EICHEN
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…
JOE SEMANIK
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…
CHARLES ARTHUR SCHWEIGHAUSER
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 A. EWING
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…
IRVIN FRANK SMITH
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…
WAYNE CALHOUN TEMPLE
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…
CLYDE E. BUNCH
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 DANIEL SNOW
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…
JOE A. SCOTT
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…
JACK A. KANADY
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…
ROBERT A. STULTS
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…
JAMES ROBERT EDGAR
Civility, compromise, compassion It is appropriate that former Gov. Jim Edgar lived his final years in Springfield, a place he called home. Jim and Brenda had made lifelong friendships and raised their children, Brad and Elizabeth, here. They chose to return after spending several years near Champaign while Jim served as a distinguished fellow at…
Five young lives gone too soon
Alma Lee Buhnerkempe July 10, 2017 – April 28, 2025Ainsley Grace Johnson Feb. 16, 2017 – April 28, 2025Bradley James Lund April 4, 2017 – June 2, 2025Kathryn Susanne Corley June 22, 2017 – April 28, 2025Rylee Denae Britton Nov. 8, 2006 – April 28, 2025 What started as a typical day in April turned to…
MARGARET ANN TIMONEY
Always dedicated in her generous contributions to many and volunteer for all where she was needed. Missed by family and all the Springfield community while being her first Christmas in Heaven with Larry. We cherish the memories with her Nativity sets, butter cake and smiles and laughter with her Mel-O-Cream. -The Timoney family
RICHARD KEITH ALLENDER II
I met the love of my life in 1964, and we married on June 18, 1966. We were blessed with 59 wonderful years together, and I will always be grateful for the beautiful celebration we shared on our 59th anniversary. God gave us two amazing children, and later in life, we reunited with our third…
DR. CAROL EVERLY FLOYD
Dr. Carol Everly Floyd passed away while in hospice care at Memorial Hospital on June 24, 2025. She was born on Nov. 11, 1946, and spent her childhood in Cicero. She graduated from Knox College in 1968 and earned a master’s and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Carol excelled…
JEROME L. “JAY” WATSON
We lost our beloved patriarch earlier this year. Jay was a devoted father, husband, grandpa and great grandpa. He lived a life marked by resilience, courage and countless fishing trips. He grew up in Riverton, where he played baseball and basketball, graduating from Riverton High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army…
DONALD DALE AUDI
Pops wore a lot of hats on his life journey, growing from a son to husband, father, mentor. His No. 1 asset, he was a good human being, which made him a great husband and father. He was loyal, supportive, encouraging, and put his family first, always loving and respectful, caring, understanding and patient. During…
JANET KRAMP
The loss of Janet Kramp marked 2025. She lived her entire life in the service of the community of Springfield. She found her true passion in teaching the young minds of Springfield School District 186 and embraced her role as educator with unending dedication and love for her students. She was fun and funny and…
Music for the new year
Howdy, folks! Come on in and say hey to your new friend, 2026, while waving goodbye to good ol’ 2025. As we work our way through the celebrations and commemorations inherent in the passing of the years, let’s not forget the live music we cherish, enjoy, experience and promote day after day, season after season…
RICHARD DELOSE RINGEISEN
Vision and commitment to UIS Richard Ringeisen arrived in Springfield in 2001 with a big vision as the new chancellor at University of Illinois Springfield. With a doctorate in mathematics, he came from East Carolina University after also working at Colgate, Clemson and Old Dominion universities. Ringeisen wanted UIS to become “the best small public…
JAMES A. NORVELL
Jim was a special friend to others. He put his friends and family first in his life. If you asked him for help, he was there for you always. He loved to hunt and fish in his free time, going to his brother’s in Montana yearly, hunting deer and fishing in the lakes. He helped…
Remembering 2025
Our annual REMEMBERING edition, the last issue of the year, reminds us small-town folks that people we thought we knew we didn’t know as well as we wish we had, and those we didn’t know, we wish we had known. It reminds us that many more have died this year than we could possibly write…
STUART ALLEN YAFFE
Gentleness that transcended words Dr. Stuart Yaffe practiced medicine for 60 years. He graduated from medical school in 1956 and retired from family practice at Springfield Clinic in 2016 at age 89. Patients were his priority; he did not have patience when others didn’t share his priority. “One keeps practicing whatever they’re practicing until they…
GREG “LUCKY” ALLAN PATTERSON
Made music with his friends Greg Patterson was born in Springfield, the son of Charles Patterson and Nancy Clark. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and later served two tours in Iraq, receiving the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and several other decorations during his service. Greg married Michelle Abbott…
BRIAN KEITH BAPTIST
Sgt. Brian Keith Baptist had planned to retire in November 2025 from the Jacksonville Police Department after more than 20 years of service. His sudden death has changed the lives of all of those who knew and loved him. Brian was known for being the life of every party and was known for his smile…
MEGHAN LYNN HARMON
A passion for helping others Meghan Lynn Harmon changed my life. I will see to it that her legacy has a lasting impact on others. Born to Beth and Bob Harmon, Meghan also had a younger brother, Kyle. I am the surviving spouse of nearly 10 years, but our relationship began when we were just…
MYRL BURGENER
Myrl Burgener was a hardworking family man who didn’t know a stranger. Everywhere he went he made friends. After he retired from a long and successful career with Lincolnland FS he became a “snowbird” and wintered in San Benito, Texas, where he was known as the “Mayor of M Street.” Myrl was always up for…
DR. BLAIR WHITNEY
Blair had many interests. He was a writer, actor, sports fan and book lover. He performed in more than 20 plays in high school, college and community theater. Blair wrote over two dozen plays. In 1979 his play, Vachel, was performed as part of the Vachel Lindsey 100th Birthday Celebration. This work resulted in Blair…
SCOTT STEVEN MCFARLAND
Yours in service “Yours in service.” If you’ve ever received an email or a letter from my older brother, Scott McFarland, you may be familiar with his sign off. Scott’s entire life was dedicated to helping others. Although he was taken far too soon – a week prior to his 42nd birthday – he touched…
JAMES THOMAS WOODSON
“Hey Kemosabe!” There are many people, past and present, who could tell you colorful, incredible, amazing and heartfelt stories about my Dad (someone who had epilepsy his entire life yet was a tremendous athlete), served in the Korean War and garnered a ‘laundry list’ of accolades in his 91-plus years on this Earth! I just…
