Monday, July 6, 2026

Rebecca Knuffman

Springfield, Illinois – Rebecca (Becky) L. Knuffman, 56, passed away July 1, 2026 in Memorial Hospital.



She was born December 10, 1969 in Quincy, Illinois, to Kenneth Knuffman and Maria (Morrell-Knuffman) Calvin. Rebecca was a 1988 graduate of Judson high school in Converse, Texas.



She proudly served her country in the United States Armed Forces (ARMY) dedicating herself to the ideals of duty, honor, and sacrifice. Following her military service, she was recognized as a disabled veteran and remained proud of the time she spent serving her nation for eleven years, two of which were in Afghanistan after 9/11.



Becky really enjoyed cooking, crafts, traveling, and animals. She was always making and bringing a new recipe to functions. Her home was always well put together with her homemade floral arrangements all around. She loved the color pink and spoiling her 7-year old Chihuahua, Dakota, who also survives. She had a memorable laugh and sense of humor.



Survivors include her mother Maria Calvin of Quincy, Illinois, and siblings Christina (Kent) Vonderheide of Quincy, Illinois, Amanda (Keith) England of Quincy, Illinois, Tammy (Karl) Carman of Quincy, Illinois, Todd (Missy) Wemhoener of Belleville, Illinois, and sister-in-law Cheryl (late Robert) Knuffman of Hamilton, Illinois; grandmother Margie Morrell of Texas, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father (Kenneth Knuffman), brother (Robert Knuffman), step-mother (Jessie Knuffman), step-father (Don Calvin), and grandfather (Charles Morrell).



Her wishes were to be cremated and military honors will be rendered at Camp Butler in Springfield, Illinois at a later date (TBA). A toast to her will follow at the local VFW.



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield, Illinois VFW or a local animal rescue organization near you.



The family wishes to thank all our and Rebecca’s friends and family for the love and support during this time. A special appreciation goes to Margie Morrell, Nick and Ben Knuffman-Brewer, Adrina and Ed Brewer, Tom Zaffiri, Jaime Wales, and Martha Shishani. Please be with us in prayer and thoughts.



To send online condolences visit henrylange.com

Patricia A. Hunt

Patricia A. Hunt, 65, of Farmington, passed away at 11:09 AM on Friday, July 3, 2026 at her home. She was born on October 19, 1960 in Havana, IL, to Charles E. and Joyce (Cox) Hunt.


She is survived by her mother; three children, Alison Young, James Young, and Zayne Young all of Farmington; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Jim Hunt of Canton and Charles Hunt Jr. of Morton; and one sister, Marsha Cullen of East Peoria.


She is preceded in death by her father and one brother-in-law, Jerry Cullen.


Patricia loved her kids, grandkids and dogs. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, and eating good food. She was a member of the Faith Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in Canton.


Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM on Friday, July 10, 2026 at the Faith Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in Canton, IL. Service will be held the same day at 2:00 PM at the church. Pastor Fred Albanito will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded after services with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Memorials may be made to Faith Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in Canton, IL. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Deborah Elaine St. Clair

Deborah Elaine St. Clair, 71, of Manito, passed away at her home at 1:12 p.m., on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. She was born May 30, 1955, in Jacksonville, Florida, to James Albert and Adelia Irene (Sisson) Blessman Sr. She married Robin St. Clair on April 17, 2004, in Creve Coeur, Illinois. He survives.

Mrs. St. Clair is survived by her wonderful and loving husband, Robin, of Manito; one son, Matthew D. Seckman; four daughters: Meredith D. Albus, Melissa D. Swingle, Carla J. Hodgson, and Amy D. Lohrenz; one sister, Cindy Welch; as well as four stepbrothers: Frank Williams, James Blessman, Joe Blessman, and Jason Blessman.
Mrs. St. Clair graduated from nursing school in 1980 and worked for St. Francis and Pekin Hospital in Critical Care. She loved spending time with family and friends, her patients, and her pets. All of her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She enjoyed reading, quilting, sudoku, Nascar, catfishing, and buying shoes.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., at Maas-Hurley Funeral Home, in Manito, with visitation one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at Meadowlawn Cemetery, in Manito. Rev. Steve Oaks will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to T.A.P.S. in Pekin, Illinois, or Pekin Hospital Critical Care Unit. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Maas-Hurley Funeral Home, in Manito, is in charge of arrangements.

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Anna Marie Merrick

Anna Marie (Homolatsch) Merrick, 82, of Canton, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Graham Hospital in Canton. She was born on May 14, 1944 in Germany to Viktor and Freida (Vogler) Homolatsch. She married Jerry Merrick Sr. on August 1, 1964 in Springfield, IL. He preceded her in death in 2018. Also preceding her in death were her parents.

Surviving are her two children; Debra (Mike) Sorrill of Canton and Jerry (Heidi) Merrick Jr. of Kewanee, IL, four grandchildren; Alicia (Andy) Gillam, Daniel Sorrill, Eli Merrick and Ellie Merrick and two great-grandchildren; Augustus Gillam and Austin Gillam.

Anna graduated from Ursuline Academy in Springfield, IL. She was employed by Robbins Jewelers in Bushnell, IL and the Bushnell-Prairie City School District. She also volunteered at Meals on Wheels. With a passion for art, Anna served as a BPC art department judge for many years.

Anna enjoyed arts, crafts, decorating, shopping, exercising, weightlifting, walking, researching, cooking, gift giving, and the Christmas season. Her love of her family was truly the focus of her life.

Cremation rites have been accorded and she will be laid to rest with Jerry at Camp Butler Cemetery in Springfield, IL. Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of arrangements. Donation in Anna’s remembrance can be made to Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary or to the donor’s preference in support of the arts. To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Fred Thomas Swanson

Fred Thomas Swanson, 82. Was born in Peoria, Illinois on April 26, 1944, the son of Leonard and Irene (Robinson) Swanson. He died on June 30, 2026 at Carle Health Methodist Hospital after a fall at his assisted living apartment.


Fred married Karen (McKeever) Swanson on July 5, 1964. She survives, along with a daughter, Sherri Swanson of Trivoli, a grandson, Dezmend Swanson, of Peoria, his two children, Bryson and Miley, and a sister, Shirley Litwiller, of Eureka. Proceeding him in death were his parents, his son, Shawn, and a sister, Dolores Lee of N. Pekin.


Fred attended Bradley University on a football scholarship, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering. He worked as an Engineer for Caterpillar for 30 years, while also raising and showing Angus cattle. He served as President of the Illinois Angus Association, and as a voting delegate of the National Angus Association.


In his lifetime, Fred enjoyed many hobbies, including horse-back riding, motor cycle racing, fishing, and golf. He was a member of Maple Lane Country Club for over 50 years, and a member of Trivoli United Methodist Church. Fred served as a volunteer fireman in Trivoli, coached little league ball, and hosted the famous "Trivoli/Elmwood Frog Fries."


He was a loving husband, father, and grandpa, who helped shaped many lives. He will be sorely missed.


Visitation will be held from 10 AM – 11 AM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington, IL. Service will be held the same day at 11 AM at the funeral home. Rev. Walter Wilkins will officiate. Burial will follow service at Trivoli Cemetery in Trivoli, IL. Memorials may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Pauline M. Wilcoxen

Pauline M. Wilcoxen, 86, of Canton died on June 29, 2026 at Graham Hospital in Canton. Pauline was born on January 9, 1940, the daughter of Paul R. and Clara M. (Wilson) Martindale. She married Richard A. Wilcoxen on June 6, 1958.


Surviving Pauline is her husband, Richard of Canton; two sons, Montie (Becky) Wilcoxen of Canton, and David (Sherry) Wilcoxen of Fiatt; 4 grandchildren, Mandy (Brent) Wheeler, Derek (Ashley) Wilcoxen, Travis (Jessa) Wilcoxen and Chase Wilcoxen; and 8 great-grandchildren, Sarah Wheeler, Allison Wheeler, Nicholas Wheeler, Kayden Wilcoxen, Kadence Schoolcraft, Kamryn Wilcoxen, Baron Wilcoxen and Braylon Wilcoxen. Also surviving are a brother, Charles (Cathy) Martindale; and 2 stepbrothers, Robert Behymer and Lewis Behymer; and many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Paul (Tina) Martindale.


Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, James E. Behymer; sisters, Janice Martindale and Cinda Livek; stepsisters, Juanita Deford, Rosemary Walters, Shirley Snowman and Elaine Schoonover; and stepbrother Jack Behymer.


Pauline was the owner and operator of Pauline’s Beauty Shop in Bryant for 25 years. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and especially enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they were young. Pauline also enjoyed cooking, baking, and camping and spent several winters as a “Texas snowbird.”


A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at Apple Cemetery in rural Lewistown. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.sedwickfuneralhomes.com.

Peggy A. Davis

Peggy A. Davis, 75, of Canton, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

She was born on May 29, 1951 in Canton to Maurice and Loraine (Murphy) Ellsworth. They preceded her in death.

She married Richard “Dick” Davis on May 28, 1971 in Canton. He survives.

Also surviving are her son Bradley Davis and her many friends.

Peggy retired from the Fulton County Health Department after over 20 years of dedicated service.

She was a talented landscaper and interior designer.

Cremation rites have been accorded at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton.

Memorials may be made to Fulton County Humane Society.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com