Cover Story
Remembering the lives they lived 2021
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…
Business incubator slated for Southtown
A historic area on Springfield’s east side could soon spawn businesses that benefit the entire community. That’s the dream of Dominic Watson, president of the Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce and executive director of The Springfield Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to unite the community by improving the quality of life in its neighborhoods.…
Text messages between top state politicians made public
Matt Chapman, a self-described data nerd who runs a nonprofit group called Free Our Data, recently filed Freedom of Information Act requests with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office. He wanted everything received by the Chicago Tribune this year via their FOIA requests. Chapman’s trove included text messages sent back and forth between Lightfoot and state…
Community leader and volunteer, devoted to family
Peggy Ryder was fearless, vibrant and alive in all ways, says her youngest son, Tim. Everyone who knew her was touched by her warmth, beautiful smile, generosity, good humor and positive attitude. She left her mark on Springfield as an extraordinarily dedicated community leader and volunteer. Sadly, she passed away on Sept. 16, after valiantly…
Illinois’ consummate statesman
One of the benefits of growing up on South St. Mary’s Road in rural Libertyville, Illinois, was being a neighbor to Adlai Stevenson II. The elder Stevenson was the grandson of vice-president Adlai Stevenson (the Grover Cleveland administration), former governor of Illinois, twice-nominated candidate for the presidency on the Democratic ticket and the U. S.…
New Year’s Eve music
Hello there, and happy New Year to you and yours. Here we are about to embark on 2022 and I was just getting used to hanging out with 2021. Strange times indeed, but I got a feeling this upcoming year will bring us closer to the norm than the last. So let’s see what we…
A spiritual dynamo
Before succumbing to COVID-19, the Rev. Tinnie Randall had a final word for her family: Pray. She was a spiritual dynamo packed into a 5-foot-tall body. She died Dec. 17, 2020, at age 63, after a 54-day stay at Springfield Memorial Hospital. Her husband of 35 years, the Rev. Nate Randall, recalled with a laugh…
Always there to help
Bill Boyd was always there to help, whatever was needed. That’s what you hear when you talk to people who knew Bill well and served alongside him during the decades he devoted to Springfield. He was a tremendously effective leader, a devoted husband and father and an esteemed mentor to many individuals. His kindness, sound…
Tamara S. Fanale
We always heard the first year of loss was the toughest. For that first year, every day was the first without you. November was the hardest so far, with your birthday and our anniversary among the days. You were our rock, our foundation and our compass. You still remain so. Your legacy will always be…
Jim Cox
This year, Springfield lost Jim Cox, who had portrayed Santa in downtown Springfield for the past 10 Christmases. His seasonal job made him proud. He loved interacting with kids, many of whom visited year after year. Jim would listen to their wish lists and hand them a candy cane. Sometimes he even got to pose…
Dr. J. E. (Jack) Gillen
His obituary mentions his 40 years as a chiropractor in central Illinois, but there was also his work at IDOT/Division of Waterways helping with several of the man-made lakes coming to fruition in this state, his work as a Springfield police officer and a narcotics officer with the Illinois Narcotics Bureau and his run for…
Lobbyist for society’s vulnerable
When Len Lieberman was hired in 1981 to be the Government Affairs Director for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, he had found his dream job. In his previous positions working for the state, he had acquired an impressive knowledge of state government and of the legislative process that would serve him in good stead.…
David Lee Thursby
We are reminded of how precious life is every day. Someone who lived his life to the fullest was my co-worker and friend, David Thursby, who died in June, a mere five hours after his last shift at work. He was a friend to all who shopped at Schnuck’s on Montvale Drive and the old…
Samuel Bruce Davis
Sam grew up in the village of Dawson, Illinois. Toward the end of the Vietnam War, he was a member of the U.S. Air Force stationed in England. His horizons were widened by the experience and he returned home with a passion to live a life less ordinary. At Southern Illinois University Carbondale Sam studied…
“A passion for preserving history, with a wicked sense of humor”
Remember Susan Mogerman? If so, get ready to think back over many memories of this amazing lady. If you did not have the pleasure of knowing Susan, sit back and savor learning what you missed. I met Susan in 1975 when we both worked at the fledgling Illinois Times, a weekly downstate newspaper where I…
Davie Sue Raker
Davie Sue Raker was born in East St. Louis and spent her pre-school years in Dupo, Illinois. Her family moved to Springfield where she attended West Grand School, Franklin Middle School and Springfield High School, from where she graduated in 1966. She played in the high school band, was a member of Les Bas and…
Charles F. “Chuck” Harris
Charles F. Harris died in Buffalo, Illinois. He had been born in Springfield and spent his life in central Illinois. He was a member of the Cathedral Boys School class of 1955 where he earned 11 varsity letters. He was married for 61 years to Ursuline Academy graduate Mary Lou Mehlick Harris who survives him,…
The father of academic medicine in Springfield
They call themselves “Zookies,” the physicians scattered across the planet who trained under Springfield’s legendary plastic surgeon, Elvin Zook. But Zook was more than an accomplished teacher and brilliant plastic surgeon, he was a father of academic medicine in the capital city, said Ed Curtis, president and CEO of Memorial Health. Zook came to Springfield…
Edward M. Hettinger
I lost my father after having him for 69 years. Yes, I was blessed, and that’s why it’s been so hard to not have him around anymore. He was born in Chicago and lived through the Great Depression, World War II and the pandemic. He had a great sense of humor that continued to the…
Mary Fran Ralph
Mary Fran Ralph passed away gently and quietly at Lewis Memorial Christian Village surrounded by love and peace. She was born in Springfield, the daughter of Elmer and Rose (Brunner) Ralph. Mary was known for living her life as a quiet Christian, focusing on service to others in her personal and professional life. She was…
A teacher at heart
Chuck Flamini held about every job in education in Springfield District 186 one could possibly have: teacher, coach, union president, principal, athletic director, central office administrator, assistant superintendent and board member. Ask anyone about his main philosophy while serving in any of these roles, and the comment always is, “Chuck had teachers in his heart.”…
A passionate life well-lived
Even though we lost Mike Austin, often called Augie or Mikey, way too soon, no one who knew him would say he didn’t get every bit out of his nearly 57 years on this earth. The “living life to its fullest” phrase fit him very well, and maybe he didn’t express such a thing out…
Carol Hopkins
Carol Hopkins was the receptionist for AgeLinc for many years, beginning in May of 2008 until her passing in March of this year. An incredibly hard worker, Carol retired from the Illinois Department of Public Health before beginning work at AgeLinc. To say that she was a shining light for our organization is an understatement.…
Soccer missionaries
In the 1960s, missionaries from such foreign places as Greece and England and South America and New York City landed on Springfield’s barbarian shore. They introduced to the natives a new gospel that had conquered the rest of the world – soccer. Some had been players at home, others just fans, but all loved the…
Joseph “Bobo” Beneky
Bobo loved everyone and everyone loved him. He had such a passion for life. His laughter filled a room, and it was matched only by the laughter of those around him enjoying his jokes and stories. He was a horseshoe-throwing star, a marathon runner, an amazing dancer and he loved a good party. He had…
Elaine Diane Roth
Elaine Diane Roth was the picture of kindness. She always had a smile that was gentle and contagious, and she rarely had a conversation that didn’t mention Jesus. Her unwavering love for our Lord, her selfless nature and the way the Holy Spirit shown through her made Elaine special. She had a servant’s heart of…
Joan Huggins
In 2016, as members of the Springfield-Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter (SDAAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority promoted the annual Pre-Kwanzaa Expo, a call was received from Joan Huggins, a Delta new to the area, asking how she could assist. From then on, she became an active member of SDAAC – attending meetings, serving as general…
Carla Stroemer
I lost my mom and my best friend six months ago. She was an amazing person, funny and fun, opinionated, political, religious and smart. She lusted after Clark Gable, adored John Kennedy, worshipped Jesus Christ, idolized her father, enjoyed music, dancing, Jack Daniels and an occasional cigarette. She loved to read. She loved to collect.…
Retired Lt. Candace Cain
Candace “Candy” Cain left this world in the early morning hours on March 29. Candy would do her best to provide the homeless by getting them food and giving them blankets. Candy loved to read and was a devoted reader of crime stories and mysteries. She was a worker, and on Nov. 25, 1993, she…
Larry Eugene Morris
Larry Eugene Morris died on Thanksgiving Day this year. I met Larry some 65 years ago. He was my oldest and dearest friend. We were like brothers. Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy and then the U.S. Army, serving for more than 20 years, including several tours in Vietnam. He was a well-decorated veteran with…
Leo “Lee” Dondanville Jr.
Leo “Lee” Dondanville, P.E., S.E., didn’t expect to spend his career working for one engineering firm. He had scheduled interviews with firms across the country after he finished two years of post-college service in the U.S. Air Force in 1956. When Walter E. Hanson called that year with an invitation to join his new company,…
Laura Ruth Hage Schemmer
“I Shall Lift You Up” Our daughter dedicated her life to helping others overcome difficulties. Teaching was a perfect fit for her. For example, when the parent of one of Laura’s fourth graders became unable to transport her daughter to school during the fourth quarter, Laura transported the student daily so the student would not…
Playwright, dancer, mentor in the arts
In her 61 years of life, Selvarine Jones worked everywhere from restaurants and retail to city government, the faith community and in the arts, where she mentored dancers and brought a new rhythm to her church and to the Springfield Area Arts Council. To those she mentored and associated with in Springfield, she was known…
Dr. Tracy R. Evans
For Dr. Tracy Evans, life was all about the journey. From her love of travel to her desire, in retirement, to seek a Ph.D., she was always moving forward. Tracy retired as a biologist at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. She was an associate researcher at the Illinois State Museum and she earned her…
A one-of-a kind musician
When Robert Emil Ramelow went on to his next big gig joining up with the everlasting band, the guy everyone knew simply as Butch left behind a striking and deep legacy of making music in central Illinois. Born in Springfield to Robert L. and Gertrude P. (Guyett) Ramelow, no one seems to know exactly when…
“A warm smile and an open ear”
I remember a day in elementary school when I spent an afternoon with my dad. After a quick lunch at Cozy Dog, we went to Jewel Osco for groceries. Dad picked up a few items for the house and then grabbed some cat food. We didn’t have a cat. After we checked out, we walked…
She was always looking forward to life
Whenever Peggy saw me, she smiled, her cheeks touching the bottoms of her gold wire rims, and her peace sign earrings dancing a little as she raised her arms to embrace me. Peg’s signature jewelry held more weight than a few ounces tugging at her earlobes, more than some hippie symbol from the 1960s. Peggy…
Ambassador for Springfield
Tony Leone was a self-proclaimed ambassador for Springfield with deep roots in the capital city. His parents and grandparents lived their entire lives in Springfield. Tony owned his grandfather’s home, which had been in the family for 100 years. Always the entrepreneur, he was developing it into a coffeehouse featuring Springfield memorabilia prior to his…
First female lieutenant governor for Illinois
The Illinois GOP of 1998 had room for candidates like Corinne Wood of Lake Forest, who, as a freshman House representative, threw her hat into the ring to serve alongside Republican Governor George Ryan as lieutenant governor. She would be the first woman to ever hold the post in the state’s history. For some of…
Protect prime farmland from solar
The renewable energy boom is either a boon to some or a boondoggle to others. The billions of dollars being spent on renewable energy today is causing disruptions throughout the ag economy that we are still trying to understand. I’m a trustee for the Sangamon Conservancy Trust, which is a land trust established in 2000…
