Obituaries

Lois G. Koontz Wood, 86, of Carmi, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, surrounded by family. Born October 7, 1939, in Princeton, IN, she was the daughter of Royal and Mary Josephine (Walker) Martin. Lois married Kenneth L. Koontz on August 1, 1958, and they shared more than 45 years of marriage before his passing on April 7, 2004. She later married Ted Wood in November 2023, and they shared over two years of marriage. Lois was an active member of First Baptist Church in Carmi and taught the Blanche Williams Women’s Sunday School Class for over 20 years. She enjoyed cooking, baking, caring for her home, and hosting family gatherings.

Charles E. "Charlie" Hale, 81, of Carmi passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026 at Murray Calloway County Hospital in Murray, KY. He was born in Tuttle, KY on October 16, 1944 the son of Claude and Otie (Hopper) Hale.

   David E. Briscoe, 86, of Norris City passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion, IL. He was born August 9, 1940 in Flora, IL the son of James and Elizabeth Rita "Betty" (Uebinger) Briscoe. Shortly after David graduated from Flora High School he joined the United State Marine Corp serving till 1961 and achieving the rank of Corporal. On August 5, 1975, David married Nancy J. Joyce who preceded him in death on May 24, 2021. He had been the store manager at Jones in Ridgway and Kincaid's in Fairfield. David was a faithful member of Plainview General Baptist Church near Norris City and a member of the Norris City American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking, working on small engines, but his greatest joy was his family and spending time with them.

Valerie Sue Horwath, 65, of Enfield, passed away at her residence on Tuesday, September 2, 2026. Born on November 22, 1960, in Kankakee, IL, she was the daughter of George and Virginia (Windmiller) Nanos. In 1991, Valerie married David Eugene Horwath, with whom she shared 35 years of marriage. She worked as a CNA and found particular joy in making ceramics during her free time.

Paul Von Corbett, 88, of Norris City, passed away at his residence on Monday, August 31, 2026. He was born November 16, 1937, in Rostraver, Pennsylvania, to James K. and Mildred Elizabeth (Hepple) Corbett. On October 19, 1966, Paul married Donna June (Lambert) Corbett, and they shared more than 39 years of marriage before her passing on February 7, 2006. He retired from General Tire in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where he worked as a relief operator. Paul enlisted in the Army, served in Germany, and was assigned to border patrol. He enjoyed collecting coins and arrowheads, fishing, and fellowship with others.

Helen Julia Haywood, 76, of Carmi, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. She was born January 15, 1950, in Centerville, Illinois, the daughter of William “Bill” and Cecelia (Mattson) Barbre.

 Jody W. Abell, 65, of Carmi, passed away at his residence on August 23, 2026. He was born January 29, 1961, to Billy Joe and Garnet Eloise (Davis) Abell. Jody worked in construction, lawn and garden section at Walmart, and in the Galatia and Pattiki coal mines. He enjoyed riding horses, repairing mowers, doing yard work, planting flowers, and was known for his green thumb.

Brenda Jenny, 78, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026, in Wilmington, North Carolina, with her son by her side.
She was born on February 15, 1948, in Posey County, Indiana, to Lee and Helen (Brand) Anderson.

Dr. Fred L. Smith, 78, of Carmi, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on Saturday, November 1, 1947, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, the son of Silas Junior and Leola Jean (Richardson) Smith. Fred married Brenda Kay York on September 1, 1968, at the Free Methodist Church in Mt. Carmel. Together they shared over 57 years of marriage.

Joyce Marie Copley, age 93, longtime resident of Albion, Ill., passed away August 23, 2026 at Aviston Countryside Manor, Aviston, Ill., following a brief illness. Joyce was born April 17, 1933 in Comanche, Texas. She grew up in Oklahoma, and later moved with her parents to Olney, Ill., where she met her husband, Doyle.