Rodney Karcher
Born July 20, 1954 - Died October 15, 1996
Rodney D. Karcher, 42, of McLeansboro, died 3:06 p.m. October 15, 1996, at Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado, Illinois of injuries suffered in an auto accident on Illinois 142 north of Eldorado.
He was a classroom training co-ordinator at Mid-Five Employment and Training Center in Eldorado.
Mr. Karcher was born on July 20, 1954, a son of Leo L. and Dorothea (McConnaha) Karcher. He married Jetta Engel. He was a member of St. Clement's Catholic Church in McLeansboro. He was also a baseball coach for the McLeansboro American Legion Post #106 baseball team.
The funeral was at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 18, 1996, at St. Clement Catholic Church, under the direction of Gholson's Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Rev. Alan Ruppert officiated. Burial was in St. John Cemetary in McLeansboro, Illinois.
Mr. Karcher is survived by his wife, Jetta Karcher; two sons, Ryan L. Karcher and Jefferey L. Karcher, both of McLeansboro and a daughter Juliana K. Karcher of McLeansboro; a sister, Beverly Wells of Sims; and a brother, Gary Karcher of Mount Vernon.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 106 baseball team, which he coached.
Steven Johns
Born November 25, 1959 - Died October 15, 1996
Steven Franklin Johns, 36, of McLeansboro, died 7:15 a.m. October 15, 1996, at home of natural causes.
Mr. Johns was born November 25, 1959, in Elgin, a son of Vernon Franklin Johns. He attended Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church.
The funeral was at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18th, 1996, at Gholson Funeral Home. Revs. Robert Sefried and Ken Cook officiated. Burial was in IOOF Cemetary.
Surviving are his father, Vernon F. Johns of McLeansboro; one uncle, Manuel Smith of McLeansboro; an aunt who helped raise him, Thelma Steffler of McLeansboro; and several cousins.
Matthew Brady Roberts
Born May 16, 1978 - Died October 17, 1996
Matthew Brady Roberts, 18, of Broughton, died 10:38 p.m. October 17, 1996, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. He was a student attending Rend Lake College in Ina and employed at McDonald's in McLeansboro.
Mr. Roberts was born on May 16, 1978, in Mt. Vernon, a son of Wayne and Carole (Dewhirst) Roberts. He was a 1996 graduate of McLeansboro High School. He was a four-year member of the golf team and a member of the FBLA while at McLeansboro High School. He was also an ardent deer hunter and fisherman.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 21, 1996, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Rev. Barry Winders officiated. Burial was in Prospect Cemetary in McLeansboro.
Mr. Roberts is survived by his parents, Wayne and Carole Roberts of McLeansboro; one sister, Stephanie Roberts of McLeansboro; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Roberts of Newton; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Dewhirst of Kirkland, Illinois; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Memorials may be made at the funeral home for The American Heart Association.
Hester A. Belangee
Born October 27, 1914 - Died October 19, 1996
Hester A. Belangee, 81, of Dahlgren, died at 6:50 p.m. on Saturday, October 19th, 1996, at Hamilton Memorial Nursing Home. She was a housewife and a member of the First Methodist Church of Dahlgren.
Mrs. Belangee was born on October 27, 1914, in Hamilton County near Dahlgren, a daughter of Lemuel and Eva Jane (Zellers) Gage. She married Harold Belangee on May 8, 1937. Mrs. Belangee was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Dahlgren.
The funeral was at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 1996, at the First United Methodist Church in Dahlgren. The services were under the direction of Gholson Funeral Home. Revs. Jim Hefner, David Schlag and Bill Minor officiated. Burial was in IOOF Cemetary in Dahlgren.
Mrs. Belangee is survived by one son, Eddie Belangee and wife Teresa of Dahlgren; one brother, Herbert Gage of Dahlgren; one sister, Jeanette Trotter of Dahlgren; one sister-in-law, Genevieve Gage of Dahlgren; three grandchildren, Kelli, Terri, and Michael Belangee, all of Dahlgren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers, Herman and Frank Gage.
Artie M. Sebree
Born July 30, 1909 - Died October 20, 1996
Artie M. Sebree, 87, of McLeansboro, died at 1:20 a.m. on Sunday, October 20th, 1996, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital. She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Sebree was born on July 30, 1909, in Hamilton County, a daughter of William and Drusilla (Trout) Hutcheson. She was married twice, to Jesse L. Mann and Oscar J. Sebree, both of whom are deceased. She was a member of the Dale Christian Church.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 1996, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Brother Bob Johnson officiated. Burial was in Digby Hill Cemetary in Dale.
Mrs. Sebree is survived by one daughter Bonnie (Mann) Johnson of husband Jack of McLeansboro; one grandson, Kevin Johnson of McLeansboro; one brother, Herman Hutcheson of Dale.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, one son Lawrence Mann and brothers and sisters.
Memorials may be made at the funeral home for the Dale Christian Church.
Arthur N. Allen
Born May 4, 1904 - Died October 24, 1996
Arthur N. Allen, 92, of McLeansboro, died at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 24th, 1996, at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.
Mr. Allen was born May 4, 1904 in Hamilton County, a son of John Logan and Martha Gertrude (Nation) Allen. He was married twice, to Mary O'Neal, now deceased, and to Sarah Evelyn Reed, who survives. He was a retired farmer and livestock operator. He trained border collie sheep dogs and performed exhibitions all over the United States and Canada and was a 25 year National Champion sheep dog handler. Mr. Allen also appeared with several western movie stars during his career. He also starred and appeared in several Walt Disney movies and TV productions. He was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He was a member of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church.
The funeral was at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 28, 1996, at Gholson Funeral Home. Rev. John O'Dell officiated. Burial was in Old Springer Cemetery.
Mr. Allen is survived by his wife, Sarah Evelyn Allen; one daughter, Verla Means of Fairfield; one sister, Edith Hulett of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two aunts, Esther Stanley of Fairfield and Maude Nation of Fairfield; two grandchildren, Allen Fern of Wilcox, Arizona, and John Means of Geff; one great-grandchild, Johnna Means.
Memorials may be made to the Heart Fund.
Elsie B. Wheeler
Born August 10, 1900 - Died October 30, 1996
Elsie B. Wheeler, 96, of McLeansboro, died on Wednesday, October 30th, 1996, at her home. Mrs. Wheeler was a homemaker.
Mrs. Wheeler was born on August 10, 1900, in Dale, a daughter of Anderson and Harriet (Fraizer) Trout. In 1916, she married Alonzo Wheeler, who preceded her in death on July 4, 1972. She was a life member of the McLeansboro American Legion Auxiliary.
The funeral was 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 1996 at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Rev. Robert Sefried officiated. Burial was in Hopewell Cemetery near McLeansboro.
Mrs. Wheeler is survived by two daughters, Nellie Thompson of McLeansboro and Theresa Bluett of McLeansboro; one son, Charles Wheeler of Wilmington, Illinois; one brother, Herman Trout of Loogootee, Indiana; two half-sisters, Ida Fann of McLeansboro and Iva Allen of McLeansboro; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may made to the Legion Auxiliary.
Omer Williams
Born August 28, 1905 - Died October 30, 1996
Omer Williams of McLeansboro, died at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 1996, at Hamilton County Memorial Hospital. He was a retired coal miner and worked several years at the Tinley Park Illinois State Mental Health Center.
Mrs. Williams was born on August 28, 1905, in Franklin County, a son of John and Aria Elizabeth (Musgrave) Williams. He married Nora L. Morris, who preceded him in death on December 11, 1992. He was a member of the McLeansboro Church of God.
The funeral was a 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 1996, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Rev. Rod Joplin officiated. Burial was in Masonic-Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.
Mr. Williams is survived by two sons, Earl "Kirby" Williams and wife Delores of Berkley, Illinois., William "Bill" Williams and wife Barbara of McLeansboro; one daughter, Juanita Metheney and husband Charles of McLeansboro; two daughters-in-law, Gerry Williams of McLeansboro and Rose Williams of Highland, Indiana; one sister, Nora Rector of Lexington, Kentucky; 20 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; three sons, Byford, Donald and Francis; five brothers; two sisters; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Pete L. Kirsch
Born July 29, 1914 - Died November 2, 1996
Pete L. Kirsch of Dahlgren, died at 2:21 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 1996, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital. He was a retired farmer.
Mr. Kirsch was born on July 29, 1914, in Hamilton County, a son of Val and Lena (Miller) Kirsch. He married Clara L. Kreher on May 24, 1944. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in McLeansboro.
The funeral was at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 1996 at St. Johns Catholic Church in McLeansboro under the direction of Gholson Funeral Home. Rev. Joseph Lawler officiated. Burial was in St. John's Cemetery.
Mr. Kirsch is survived by his wife, Clara L. Kirsch; two sons, Maurice Kirsch and wife Ellen of Dahlgren, Randall Kirsch and wife Larna of McLeansboro; three grandchildren, Lori, Christopher and Caleb Kirsch; two step-grandchildren, Matthew and Clint Eilerts.
He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.
Versa F. Johnson
Born February 5, 1912 - Died November 3, 1996
Versa F. Johnson of Lincoln and formerly of Macedonia, died at 8:25 a.m. on Sunday, November 3, 1996 at Abraham Lincoln Memorial in Lincoln. She was a retired housekeeper at Franklin County Hospital in Benton.
Mrs. Johnson was born on February 6, 1912, in Hamilton County, a daughter of Clarence and Anna (Wageneck) Hall. She married Wilford Johnson on July 1, 1935, in Troy, Ohio. He preceded her in death. She was a member of the Lincoln Chapter of Eastern Star #351 and a member of Corinth Methodist Church in Macedonia.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 1996, at Macedonia Methodist Church in Macedonia. Rev. Mary Irwin officiated. Eastern Star conducted a service at 7:00 p.m. on November 5, 1996. Burial was in Macedonia Cemetery. Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro was in charge of local arrangements.
Mrs. Johnson is survived by six sons, Keith, Delbert, Loyd, and Gordon all of Lincoln, Jerry of Atlanta, Illinois, and Kenneth of Mt. Vernon, Indiana.; one daughter, Vera Crain of Morrisville, Missouri; one brother, Clyde Hall of Aden; one sister, Veta Miller of Lincoln, Illinois; 18 grandchildren
