Obituaries

Michael Eric Collard, 52, of Mt. Carmel, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. He was born on February 23, 1972, in Mt. Carmel, the son of Michael Collard and Pamela (Hawkins) Collard.

Donald Lee Blazier, 87, of Carmi, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana. He was born on January 1, 1938, in Emma, Illinois, the son of William and Vonda Lee (Richardson) Blazier.

Robert William “Rob” Schuster, age 90, a resident of McLeansboro, IL. passed away Monday, January 20, 2025 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital, McLeansboro, IL. Rob was born December 16, 1934 at Hamilton County, IL.

Georgine Isabelle (Hinks) Goldman, 89, of Bonnie, IL and formerly of Wayne City, IL passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at her home in Bonnie.  Georgine was born near Mahanoy City, PA on December 24, 1935 to Albert & Dorothy Hinks. 

Virginia Kay Williams , 72 of Bellmont, passed away, peacefully on, Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel. she was born on Sunday, February 17, 1952 in Fresno, CA, the daughter of James "Jim" and Minnie Aline (Weaver) Hickey.

Thomas James McGuire, 70, of Carmi, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana. He was born on November 8, 1954, in Alton, Illinois, the son of James F. and Miona Jean (Endicott) McGuire. Tom proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was a jack of all trades. Tom was great at carpentry and mechanics. He enjoyed fishing and spending time at Danny's Pool Hall.

 Erik Damion Griffith, 46, of Eldorado, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025. He was born on December 31, 1978, in Marion, Illinois, the son of Dennis and Amber (Smith) Griffith. Erik graduated from Herrin High School in 1997. He played football and basketball during his time in school. He was a member of the Hurricane Memorial Baptist Church in Herrin, Illinois. Erik was an avid sports fan and loved playing video games and watching historical documentaries.

  Dorothy May Jones, 81, of Carmi, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025. She was born on July 11, 1943, in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, the daughter of Earl and Lenora (Smith) Cowan. Dorothy married John W. Russell, and preceded her in death on November 16, 1978. She later married Richard Jones on April 11, 1992, and he survives. Dorothy worked for 13 years until retiring from the Wabash Coal Mine in Keensburg. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Dorothy enjoyed quilting, gardening, reading and playing bingo. She loved to travel with Richard.

Betty Lou (Irvin) Trotter, 92, of Belle Rive, IL passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro, IL.  Betty was born August 18, 1932, the daughter of Albert & Ruth Irvin. 

Timothy Deane Kiefer, 70, of Grayville, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at home. He was born on Tuesday, June 8, 1954 in Evansville, IN, the son of Earnie Deane and Mabel Elizabeth (Lindsay) Kiefer.