Local obituaries for Pitchford Funeral Home
Betty J. Cox
May 11, 2017
Rosewood Heights: Betty J. Cox, 85, passed away and went to be with the Lord at 12:10am on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Barnes – Jewish Hospital with her loving family and friends by her side. She was born on June 15, 1931, in Wood River, the daughter of the late Elisah and Dena (Dixon) Odle. She married James...
Ken Huff
May 4, 2017
Wood River: Ken Huff, 69, passed away at 6:08pm on Thursday, May 4, 2017, in the emergency room at Christian Northeast Hospital. He was born on September 6, 1947, in Fayette, Illinois, the son of the late Charles and Sylvia (Fry) Huff. He married the former Marilyn Thompson on September 19, 1971, in Jerseyville, and she survives. Other survivors...
Mildred Michael
May 3, 2017
Bethalto: Mildred A. Michael, 81, passed away at 3:24pm on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at Barnes – Jewish Hospital as a results of injuries that she sustained in an automobile accident. She was born on July 12, 1935, in Granite City, Illinois, the daughter of the late Harold and Mildred (Woods) Morgan. She married George Michael and he preceded...
William "Bill" Harpole
Apr 4, 2017
Alton: William “Bill” Harpole, 75, passed away at 12:45am on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at his residence. He was born on October 2, 1941, in Alton, the son of the late William K. and Ruby (Sailor) Harpole. He married the former Patricia “Pat” Whelan on March 5, 1960, in Alton and she preceded him in death on March 11,...
Terry L. Knoche, Sr.
Apr 2, 2017
West Plains, Missouri: Terry L. Knoche, Sr., 57, passed away at 10:19am on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born on February 16, 1960, in Wood River, Illinois, the son of Pauline Knoche of West Plains, Missouri. In addition to his mom, survivors include his best friend and companion: Tamra Koch, five...
John W. Whitten
Mar 29, 2017
Wood River: John W. Whitten, 76, passed away at 6:41pm on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at his residence. He was born on February 26, 1941, in Cottage Hills, Illinois, the son of the late Homer C. and Mary M. (Turnbeaugh) Whitten. Survivors include a daughter and son in law: Mary and Monte Cope of Wood River, a son: Robert...
Kevin J. Stoeckel
Mar 17, 2017
South Roxana: Kevin J. Stoeckel, 50, passed away at 5:46pm on Friday, March 17, 2017, at his residence. He was born on July 21, 1966, in Alton, Illinois, the son of Loren Stoeckel of South Roxana and the late Janet Kamp. Survivors include his father and step – mother: Loren and Carolyn Stoeckel of South Roxana, two sons: Nick...
Vernon Joseph Michelmann
Mar 14, 2017
Alhambra: Vernon Joseph Michelmann, 63, passed away 2:06pm on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in the emergency room at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 5, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of the late Vernon and Mary (Collier) Michelmann. Survivors include four sisters and two brothers in law: Verna and Gary Grim of St. Peters, Missouri,...
Shirley "Meme" Williams
Mar 7, 2017
Godfrey: Shirley "Meme" Williams, 80, formerly of East Alton, passed away at 9:09am on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at her daughter's residence in Bethalto. She was born on November 29, 1936, in Rolla, Missouri, the daughter of the late Judge Cletis and Veeda L. (Johnson) Fowler. She married George R. Williams on February 12, 1955, in Alton, and he...
Rodney P. Smith
Mar 4, 2017
Wood River: Rodney P. Smith, 59, passed away at 2:15am on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at his residence with his loving family by his side. He was born on September 24, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Bonnie (Routh) Smith of St. Louis and the late Nova Smith. In addition to his mother, in survived by his...
Yvonne Jacobson
Mar 4, 2017
Bethalto: Yvonne Jacobson, 81, passed away at 5:30am on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Edwardsville Nursing and Rehab. She was born on January 11, 1936, in McLeansboro, Illinois, the daughter of the late Clyde and Helen (Sizemore) Jeffries. She married Frank Jacobson, Sr. on June 30, 1956, in Crown Point, Indiana, and he survives. Other survivors include two daughters...
Melvin Schieler
Mar 3, 2017
Bunker Hill: Melvin Schieler, 83, passed away and went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 3, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. He was born on January 19, 1934, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of the late Alfred and Pauline (Recker) Schieler. He married the former Margie L. Wilken on May 10, 1957, in Alton...
Marilyn Werkmeister - Rix
Mar 2, 2017
Glen Carbon: Marilyn Werkmeister - Rix, 82, passed away at 2:33am on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Barnes – Jewish Hospital. She was born on September 14, 1934, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of the late Donald and Lola (Bellmore) Jones. Survivors include her husband: Richard Rix whom she married on September 13, 1997, in Denver, Colorado, a daughter...
Margaret N. Royal
Feb 24, 2017
Margaret N. Royal, 92, of Girard, IL formerly of Cahokia and Virden, passed away Friday, February 24, 2017, at her residence. She was born on June 1, 1924, in Newton, Mississippi, the daughter of the late Willis and Virginia (Brantley) Norman. She married Lyle W. Royal on March 6, 1943, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and he preceded her in death...
Jack F. Talley
Feb 24, 2017
Cottage Hills: Jack F. Talley, 82, passed away 10:15pm on Friday, February 24, 2017, at Barnes – Jewish Hospital. He was born on July 26, 1934, in Leota, Missouri, the son of the late Charles E. and Daisy M. (Taylor) Talley. He married the former Betty L. Strain on April 14, 1955, in Leota, Missouri, and she preceded him...
Catherine Schafer
Feb 21, 2017
West Alton: Catherine Schafer, 62, passed away at 8:30am on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at her residence. She was born on September 24, 1954, in Louisiana, Missouri, the daughter of the late Elmer and Atlas (Rogers) Sinningson. She married Dan Schafer on August 10, 1994, in Dumas, Arkansas, and he survives. Other survivors include one daughter: Jamie Kinnard of...
Evelyn M. Beemer
Feb 19, 2017
Alton: Evelyn M. Beemer, 92, passed away at 11:06am on Sunday, February 19, 2017, at Rosewood Care Center in Alton. She was born on October 5, 1924, in Jacksonville, Illinois, the daughter of the late Clarence and Eva (Crowder) Morrow. She married Albert Beemer on September 19, 1940, in Bowling Green, Missouri, and he preceded her in death on...
Charles William Rose
Feb 17, 2017
Norwalk, California Charles William Rose, 95, passed away at 5:25pm on Friday, February 17, 2017, in Norwalk, California. He was born on June 4, 1921, in Alton, the son of the late Homer and Cornelia (Jones) Rose. Survivors include a brother in law: Buford Henry of Alton, two nieces and their spouses: Cheryl and Greg Johnson of Godfrey, Beth...
Bonnie L. Trail
Feb 12, 2017
Godfrey: Bonnie L. Trail, 72, passed away at 8:18pm on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Christian Northeast Hospital. She was born on October 8, 1944, in Alton, the daughter of the late Joseph and Beatrice (Loftis) Crane. She married Carrel “Gene” “Mark” Trail on November 5, 1962, in Boise, Idaho, and he survives. Other survivors include two daughters and...
Tristan Ray Gihring
Feb 6, 2017
Wood River: Tristan Ray Gihring, 10, earned his angel wings at 3am on Monday, February 6, 2017, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital following a heroic battle with cancer. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends. He was born on March 3, 2006, in Alton, the son of Dan Gihring and Jennifer Hamlett. Survivors include his dad...

