Remembering

Barbara Dickerman, known as “Babs” to most, had boundless energy and a vivacious personality. She was a crusader for social justice causes in Springfield. Whether it was fighting for fair and equitable housing or speaking at a city council meeting, Babs wanted justice for all people of all races and all religions. She could be […]

Mary Link was born with a song in her heart to parents Fred C. and Myra Fern (Garrett) Brown, both of Springfield, an expression of joy she carried with her all of her 90 years. She was a pianist, a music teacher, a quilter, a ceramics artist and a member of the Red Hat Society […]

With a shock of red hair, a full white beard and the body of a Weeble, children would often call Dave Leach “Santa Claus.” He was jolly and filled with joy. You would always walk away from Dave with a smile. You might be shaking your head and rolling your eyes, but you would be […]

In courtroom wells, they called him judge, or your honor. In casual conversation, it was Schmidy, a man who rarely lost a case and never an election. John Schmidt grew up in Springfield, played center for the Lanphier football team and once figured on becoming a pilot. But, at some point in high school, his […]

Jack Clarke reigned over the State Journal-Register when newspapers mattered. People believed what they read in newspapers when Clarke was publisher of the capital city’s daily paper. Newspapers were strong businesses, with profit margins that exceeded 25 percent and publishers who were players, sitting on influential civic boards and bestowing make-or-break endorsements on candidates for […]

The day wasn’t perfect. There was wind, with high gusts forcing a 40-minute postponement. And Cambest’s feet weren’t in the best of condition. Can you take a quick lap with the water truck before we start, William “Bill” O’Donnell, the driver, asked. “Yeah, sure,” Joseph “Pete” Morrison agreed. And then history was made. Cambest proceeded […]

Two hundred words is not enough. The impact John had on the lives of those he touched during his short time here will always be remembered. He was a proud father of two wonderful daughters, a beloved brother and son, a loyal friend and so much more. John was a known and well respected Springfield […]

Ryan Cannon met his future wife, Lisa, through an online dating site. “That was about three or four months before her cancer resurfaced,” he said. Nicknamed “Lisa Lu” (short for her maiden name, Lukaszewski), Lisa had been a little over two years cancer-free at the time they met. When her diagnosis came, the couple realized […]

She was a ray of sunshine whose sparkling eyes never met a stranger. My mom, Alfreda “Freda” “Allie” Katauski – a timeless beauty with a heart of gold and passion for fun. Growing up in Gillespie, she was the first grandchild and only granddaughter and niece for many years, making her quite spoiled by her […]

Catherine Staab had just seven nieces and nephews, but if you included the people who called her “Aunt Catherine,” that number would have been in the triple digits. She never knew a stranger – everyone called her Aunt Catherine. A woman dedicated to her career as funeral director, Aunt Catherine served the Springfield community alongside […]

“The only good thing about the good old days is they’re gone.“– Dick Gregory Dick Gregory, who passed away in August at the age of 84, had the rare gift of combining humor with social commentary in a way that created understanding and unity rather than division. As a stand-up comedian starting out in the […]