Obituaries

James “Jim” Curtis Carter, 83, of Enfield, IL., passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro, IL. Jim was born on March 18, 1942, in Carmi, IL, the son of Harold T. Carter and Lucille (Garrett) Carter. He married Kay (Wageneck) Carter on September 8, 1962. Jim was a member of the Enfield Methodist Church. Jim was a longtime grain farmer, and he enjoyed studying the weather and his crops. He was a part of the McLeansboro Elks for 35 years and the White County Farm Bureau. In his younger years he was an avid boater and snowmobile rider.

Camela Bolton Cleveland, 32, of Bone Gap, Illinois, passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at her grandparents’ home.

  Michael J. Staley, 77, of Carmi, IL., passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, IN. Michael was born on August 20, 1947, in Evansville, IN, the son of William Henry Staley and Velma Catherine Pollard.

     Longtime Carmi Educator and Businessman, Thomas G. Mears, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025 at Cedarhurst Senior Living of Highland in Highland, IL.  He was born on January 30, 1947 in Carmi the son of Dallas and Velma Maxine (Wilson) Mears.

James Everett Boyd, 84, of Norris City passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Hamilton Memorial in McLeansboro, IL. James was born on September 30, 1940, at his homestead in Norris City, IL the son of Wendall and Lucille (Bloodworth) Boyd.

   Margaret Ann Hughes, age 94, of Kokomo, Indiana stepped into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 5:26 p.m. on August 2, 2025 while living at Bloom Memory Care. She was born October 24, 1930 in New Harmony, Indiana, the daughter of the late George E. Jacobs and Helen Fisher Jacobs.

Joy Welch, 80, of McLeansboro, IL. passed away Monday, August 4, 2025 at Fox Meadows Supportive Living, McLeansboro, IL. Joy was born November 18, 1944 in Henderson, KY. Joy was a daughter of Clayton Jones.

CWO3 (ret. USMC) Robert Brian “Bob” Duvall, 56, of Crossville died Friday, August 1, 2025, as the result of a motor vehicle accident in rural White County, Illinois. Bob was born September 26, 1968, in Carmi, Illinois, the son of Henry “Leon” and Theresa (McMinn) Duvall.

Melissa A. Fitzgerald, 72, of Crossville passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, July 28, 2025, at her residence in Crossville. Melissa was born on February 16, 1953, the daughter of Fred Grimwood and Ethel Maxine (Hanks) Grimwood.

   Larry D. “Hayrake” Gunter, 70, of Norris City passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.  Larry was born on November 15, 1954, in rural Franklin County, IL the son of Freeman and Violet (Gossett) Gunter.  He married his High School sweetheart, Brenda J. Curtis on July 2, 1995.