Obituaries

Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing James Scott will be forever saddened to learn of his passing on Saturday, November 11, 2017.

James loved, and lived, this life, like few others. James loved nothing in Heaven or on Earth so much as he loved his beautiful high school sweetheart and wife of 29 years, Shari Moenster Scott and their perfect daughter, Emma Mary Scott. It is to them that he would commend our prayers and invite our fellowship.

Until June of this year James served as Juneau District Attorney in the State of Alaska Department of Law. 

James was born in Decatur, IL, on September 21, 1965. He attended the public schools at Highland, IL, where he excelled at literature, history, and good humor. He competed in high school football, cross-country, and track and field, and served as Class President of the Highland High School Class of 1983. James received a Bachelor's Degree with Honors in Political Science from Illinois State University and his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law, where he graduated at the top of his class and served as an Editor of the Law Review. Prior to his appointment as Juneau District Attorney James served for 14 years as an Assistant District Attorney in the Ketchikan District Attorney's Office and prior to that in private practice in Belleville, IL, Donovan Rose Nester P.C., and as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for St. Clair County Illinois.

Charles R. “Chuck” Garnati, 65, passed away peacefully at 2:10 a.m. Nov. 14, 2017, surrounded by his loving family in St. Louis University Hospital. Chuck was born Oct. 21, 1952, in Herrin, to Sam and Helen (Hemlock) Garnati.

He received a B.A. in history and pre-law at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIUC). He also attended University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. He completed his law degree at SIUC.

He was first elected as Williamson County state’s attorney in 1984 and continued to serve eight consecutive four-year terms. Chuck was the longest continuous serving state's attorney in the State of Illinois. He retired Sept. 8, 2014, having served 30 consecutive years. Chuck built his career being tough on crime. He tried 30 murder cases in 30 years as the county’s top prosecutor, gaining first-degree murder convictions in 29 of them and manslaughter in the other.

Chuck also initiated programs such as a domestic violence program which provided assistance and advocacy for both adults and juveniles. He also started a bad check program which collected thousands of dollars for the county and businesses.

Advocating for and supporting children was one of the primary goals for his office. He was a man who gave his life to public service. That service helped him to support two groups he helped create. The Williamson County Child Advocacy Center and CASA, a court appointed advocacy for children who are abused and neglected. Garnati’s Annual Golf Day Tournament raised large amounts of money for these programs to continue helping children. Brandon Zanotti has continued that tradition with the amount raised approaching a half million dollars.

Gregory Paul Erthal passed away at 55-years-old at 12:52 AM on Monday, November 13, 2017 at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was born in Alton on January 14, 1962 the son of the late Paul and Mary (Abbott) Erthal. After his parents passed he was then raised by his aunt and uncle Bonnie and Dick Peipert. Greg was a 1980 graduate from Marquette Catholic High School and then went on to graduate cum laude with his B.A. from Bradley University in Peoria, where he was nominated for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship and on the Dean’s List. He earned his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1987. Greg was an attorney for over 25 years and joined the Simmons firm in 2005. He has extensive trial experience prosecuting both felonies and misdemeanors as an assistant state’s attorney in Madison and Jackson counties. In addition, Greg served as the city attorney for Alton. On October 11, 2014 he married the former Michelle (Puckett) in Las Vegas and she survives. Also surviving are one step daughter; Leslie Gossard of Bethalto, a step grandson; Noah Gossard and two cousins that are like brothers; Rich Peipert of Godfrey and Scott Peipert of Charlotte, NC.

Robert (Bob) Richard Kenski, 89 of New Carlisle, Indiana, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Monday Oct. 2, 2017. Born in St. Louis on Nov.18,1927, and married on Nov. 21, 1952 to the late June Carol Poertner. He proudly served in the U.S Army in 1946-1947 in Tokyo Japan. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a J.D. in 1952. He worked for 30 years for Ryerson Steel as a credit manager and later assistant general counsel. He joined Rockwell International in 1972 as associate general counsel until 1986. He served as a board member and president of School District 68 in Woodridge from 1968 through 1972. He also served as a board member of the Dupage County Council Girls Scouts of America from 1969 through 1972. A consummate bridge player, lover of fine food, and traveling. He was also an avid photographer and loved books. Innately curious he took up weaving in retirement until his vision failed. But above all else he loved his wife and family and took great joy in their accomplishments.