Obituaries

      Phylis Jean Weldin, 91, of Enfield, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Wabash Senior Living in Carmi. She was born on December 9, 1933, in Norris City, Illinois, the daughter of Ben and Mary (Cusic) Wicker.

Joe Alan Murphy, 46, of Carmi, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025. He was born on March 16, 1978, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the son of Roy and Carolyn S. (Rumsey) Murphy.

  Brenda White, 67, of Maunie passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at Heart to Heart Hospice in Evansville, IN.  She was born in Evansville, IN on June 12, 1957 the daughter of Virginia Lee (Washington) White.  Brenda had worked as a coal miner and most recently worked at Champion Labs and enjoyed fishing, gardening and taking her chances with a scratch off.

Victoria Renee (Zappa) Koker, 50, of Thompsonville, IL, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2025 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. Victoria was born January 11, 1975, the daughter of John and Barbara (Troutman) Zappa.

William "Willie" Michael Skropka, 71, of McLeansboro, Il passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025 at his home.  Willie was born August 21, 1953 in Oklahoma City, OK to Henry & Rosalie (Wasik) Skropka, and was later raised by Henry & Gloria (Mayberry) Skropka. 

Donald S. Taylor, 86, of Grayville, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Select Specialty Hospital in Evansville, IN. He was born on Thursday, March 10,1938 in Mill Shoals the son of Clarence and Nell (Thackrey) Taylor.

Longtime local businessman, Ronald Gene Kingery, 80, of McLeansboro, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Ron was born on Sunday, June 18, 1944, in Carmi a son of Paul and Genevieve (Baker) Kingery. On August 22, 1975, he married Sharon Suttle and together they have shared over 49 years of marriage.

  Gary Ray O'Neal, 73, of Norris City, passed away on February 3, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 29, 1952, in Herald, Illinois, the son of James Robert and Venita (Millikan) O'Neal.

Chris C. Brown, 70, of Carmi passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, January 31, 2025. He was born in Carmi on June 4, 1954 the son of Johnny Leroy and Verla Maxine (Kiefer) Brown.

Bobbie Lane Gragert, 87, of Norris City, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Wabash Senior Living in Carmi. He was born on March 19, 1937, in Xenia, Illinois, the son of Ernie and Nina (Lane) Gragert