Obituaries
The nationally recognized Southern Illinois Music Festival, SIFest, is planning to celebrate the history of the nation’s music in 2026. “America at 250” is the theme for this year’s festival. Concert venues for the 2026 SIFest include locations in the Union County area.
The festival, which is...
Kathern E. “Kathy” Dillow, age 82 of Jonesboro, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
She was born on Oct. 9, 1943 in Anna, the daughter of Sam and Alice (Newton) Ellis. She married Gene Dillow on Feb. 20, 1965.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Gene Dillow; children...
Janet Rae Ragan, age 80 of Jonesboro, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
She was born May 13, 1945 in Anna, the daughter of Herman and Margaret (Shephard) Pretzsch. She married Robert Logan Ragan on Oct. 11, 1962 in Anna.
Janet is survived by her husband,...
Lloyd “Dean” Newman, 77, of Anna passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale surrounded by family.
He was born in Anna on Nov. 14, 1948 to Archie Lloyd Newman and Ruth Lucille (Alger) Newman. He married Linda Faye Womack on Dec. 14, 1968.
Dean is survived by his wife of 57...
Jane E. Baggott, age 80, of Anna, formerly of Cobden, passed away on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 at Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital.
She was born on Nov. 12, 1945 in Union County, Ill.
On Dec. 8, 1961, she married Donald Baggott and together they spent over 57 years.
Jane’s passion was for...
Shawn Gunn, age 53, of Carbondale, formerly of Cobden, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
He was born on April 3, 1972 to Terry and Judy (Basler) Gunn in Carbondale, Ill.
Shawn worked at Neuro Restorative in Carbondale since 2011.
In his spare time,...
Leslie W. Grubbe, age 84, of Jonesboro, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at his home.
He was born on Oct. 1, 1941 to Leslie W., Sr. and Dorothy (Standburg) Grubbe in Chicago, Ill.
Leslie worked at Southern Illinois University for 27 years until his retirement.
He enjoyed showing Indian...
Wendel Dean Davis, age 84, of Anna, passed away on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 surrounded by his family.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1941 to Wendel and Wilhelma (Pearce) Davis in Johnson County, Ill.
Wendel worked for many years as a carpet installer and then worked at Choate Mental Health, and following...
Janet Dabbs, age 67 of Mill Creek, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born on April 8, 1958 in Cape Girardeau, Mo., the daughter of Grady and Imogene (Nolan) Dabbs. She married Cecil Salyers.
Janet is survived by her daughter, Addison Newell-Dabbs;...
David J. “Butch” Cook, age 80, of Anna, passed away at Mercy Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. on Dec. 28, 2025 at 2:50 a.m., surrounded by his family.
David was born July 17, 1945 at home in Cobden, the son of David and Helen (Adams) Cook.
He married Frances Tucker on Dec. 27, 1964 in...
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