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Obituaries

  • September 22, 2017 | People
    Joseph R. Brown Jr. 1949-2017

    Joseph R. “Joe” Brown, Jr. 68 of Troy, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 surrounded by his family and friends after a long battle with cancer. 

    Joe was born on June 6, 1949 in Kansas City, Missouri; a son to the late Joseph Ross and Elizabeth (Etter) Brown Sr. Joe graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1967. He attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, graduating in 1971 with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. In 1974 he graduated from law school at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and became licensed to practice the same year.

    Following graduation, Joe became an assistant state's attorney in Edwardsville, Illinois, where he handled many prosecuting assignments, including felony trials. In 1978, he left to work for Paul E. Riley and J. William Lucco, following the death of the legendary Dick Mudge. Becoming a partner in 1980, he practiced law in Edwardsville for 39 years with his great friend and partner, Bill Lucco, until shortly before his death. Joe served as a Madison County prosecutor and assistant state's attorney from 1974 to 1978.

    He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Madison County Bar Association, and the Missouri Bar Association. 

  • September 20, 2017 | People
    Robert P. LeChien 1952-2017

    Honorable Robert P. LeChien, 65, of Belleville, born August 29, 1952, in Belleville, Ill., passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2017.

    A lifelong resident of St. Clair County, Bob graduated from Althoff Catholic High School in 1970, and three years later obtained his B.S. in administration of justice administration from SIU-C. He proudly entered Southern Illinois University School of Law and graduated with its first class of distinguished alumni in 1976. He then embarked on an esteemed legal career. From 1976 to 1980, he served as an assistant state's attorney in St. Clair County and then joined his brother in private practice at LeChien & Associates. In 1985, he founded the Consumer Law Center where he undertook precedent setting cases which continue to provide protection for homeowners today.

    In 1987, Bob began 30 years of dedicated service to the bench when he was appointed as associate circuit judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit. Judge LeChien was elected as resident circuit judge of St. Clair County in 1998, and most recently was re-elected to that position in 2016. He will be remembered not only for his respect for and dedication to the law, but for the empathy he showed to those who appeared in his courtroom.

  • September 19, 2017 | People
    Russell R. Goehl 1935-2017

    Russell R. "Russ" Goehl, 81, of 6231 Horseshoe Valley Road, died Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, at his home. He was born Sept. 6, 1935, in Fowler, a son of Raymond and Johanna Bockenfeld Goehl. He married Annette Ashdown on June 22, 1957, in Elmhurst. She survives.

    Russ was a partner in the law firm of Goehl, Schuering, Cassens and Bier, practicing law in the Quincy area for over 55 years. Russ was honored by the Illinois State Bar Association for 50 years of practicing law. He was dedicated to his profession and was a mentor to many people throughout his career.

    Russ was an ideal man who had a passion for life and touched many people with his rigorous life journey. Russ came from a family of dedicated farmers, and he loved riding his horses and giving Sunday buggy rides.

    Most of all, Russ loved his family unconditionally. He treated his children and grandchildren as though each was his favorite, and that each of their activities were equally and vitally important to him. He was a model family man and was loved by all.

  • September 19, 2017 | People
    Kenneth G. Boles Sr. 1950-2017

    Kenneth G. Boles Sr., age 67, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, August 15, 2017.

    Kenneth is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Maria (nee Flores); daughters, Christian E. (Douglas Hawksworth) Boles and Laura M. Boles; grandchildren, Emma and Adhalia Boles-Hawksworth; brother, Garret (Charla) Boles; sister-in-law, Diana (the late Joseph III) Boles; numerous nieces and nephews.

    Preceded in death by his son, Kenneth G. Boles Jr.; parents, Joseph and Shirley (nee Thompson) Boles; and brother, Joseph Boles III.

    Kenneth was born and raised in Joliet, and graduated from Providence High School and from Boston University. He then went on to graduate from Lewis University College of Law, obtaining his J.D.. Kenneth retired as an attorney from Macon County in Decatur, IL. He was a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Holy Trinity Council #4400 in Joliet. Kenneth will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

  • September 19, 2017 | People
    Raymond Karl Schultz 1962-2017

    Raymond Karl Schultz, 54, of Swansea, Ill., passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Susan, nee Sheppard, Schultz, and loving father of Raymond Kyle Schultz, Joseph Schultz and Danielle Schultz.

    Raymond was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on November 6, 1962, and grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey and later in Topeka, Kansas. He was the son of Raymond T. Schultz and Dorothy Davenport, Step-Son of Walter Davenport; and son-in-law of William and Phyllis Sheppard.

    Raymond received his  J.D. from Washburn University in 1988, and practiced employment law for approximately 30 years. 

    He also leaves behind his sisters Dorothy Schultz and Mari Henson; his sisters-in-law, Jeannie (Gary) McFalls, Mary Peterson, Kristie (John) Moore, Elizabeth (Josh) LaRose; brothers-in-law, William (Jeanine) Sheppard Jr. and Michael (Melissa) Sheppard; 22 nieces and nephews; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.
     

  • September 19, 2017 | People
    L. Stanton Dotson 1938-2017

    L. Stanton Dotson, age 79, of Charleston, succumbed to ALS at his home on August 8, 2017. Stanton was born in New Orleans, LA on April 27, 1938, the son of Charles W. and Adele Jahncke Dotson. He is survived by his wife, Nancy K. Dotson, children, and grandchildren.

    Stanton graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign in May 1960 with a BA in Agricultural Law. While at the U of I, he was associated with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, received two major awards for public service as a student, the MA-WAN-DA and SACHEM. He was a senior football manager for the Fighting Illini Football Team. He was a member of the Army ROTC. After graduation he served his active duty time as part of the ROTC Program and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. He continued service as a reservist reaching the rank of Captain. In 1961 he enrolled at Chicago Kent College of Law, graduating in 1964 and passing the bar exam in November 1964. He was hired as assistant state’s attorney by Ralph Glenn in Coles County Illinois in December 1964. In 1968 he was elected the state’s atorney and served until 1972 when he entered into private practice on Wabash Avenue in Mattoon where he remained as a sole practitioner until June 2014. He received recognition from the Illinois State Bar Association for fifty years in the practice of law in November 2014. His ALS diagnosis in January 2015 curtailed his activities, taking official retirement in January 2017.

  • September 19, 2017 | People
    David Brown 1926-2017

    David Emerson Brown, 91, was a long time Wilmette resident, and departed this earth surrounded by family August 10, 2017. He was known for his strong leadership, great athleticism, and his deep devotion to his family.

    Emerson attended the U of I, where he oined Beta Theta Pi fraternity, in which he remained active all of his life, serving a national treasurer for many years. He joined Kemper Insurance as a CPA and later as an attorney with legislative affairs.

    He was elected Republican State Central Committeeman for several terms, was treasurer of the Illinois Republican party and was head of the New Trier Republican Organization for over 30 years. He hosted dignitaries, including Presidents Regan and George H.W. Bush. He was active in the United Way, United Charities, Clearwater Camp, the Northwestern Settlement, and Trinity church.

  • September 19, 2017 | People
    Bart Mann 1957-2017

    Bart Mann, 60, died Thursday evening Aug. 24, 2017, at Herrin Hospital in Herrin. He was born April 2, 1957, in Du Quoin, to Kenneth B. and Mary Ruth (Sharp) Mann.

    Bart was a well-known practicing attorney since July 1986 and a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

    He was a past master of Herrin’s Prairie Masonic Lodge 693; he revived and organized the Herrin Mayors Thanksgiving Day Dinner in 2001 and continued to serve the people of Herrin at the Thanksgiving Day dinner; He was also a member of Mensa Society; served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity and also worked with Habitat for Humanity in both Herrin and Marion.

    He was actively involved with the Dream Factory, a volunteer-driven not-for-profit organization that grants the dreams of children with critical or chronic illnesses.Surviving are a brother, Michael Mann of Blairsville; sister, Nancy McDonald of Herrin; nephew, Ryan B. McDonald of Herrin and a host of friends and clients thoughout the Southern Illinois region.

    He was preceded in death by his parents.

  • September 19, 2017 | People
    James Williams 1928-2017

    James "Jim" Williams, 88, of Hinsdale, Illinois, passed away Friday August 18, 2017. James was born December 15, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Fred and Frances Williams. He graduated from St. Rita High School in 1946. He graduated DePaul University in 1951 with a J.D. He served in the United States Army stationed in Germany from 1951-1953. On January 6, 1962, he married Hannelore (Wehlus) in Chicago, Illinois.

    James became an attorney in Illinois, working at Foote Cone Belding, and US Gypsum. He spent 21 years at American Bakeries as senior legal counsel and chief financial officer. He also worked for Doty and Jarrow and for Charles D. Spencer and Associates as he returned to business community after retirement.

    James was a Knight of Columbus 3rd degree and enjoyed volunteering through his parish St. Isaac Jogues. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He often attended St. Rita High School reunions to visit with friends and classmates. He will be remembered by his devotion to his wife, family and community.

  • September 14, 2017 | People
    Rex L. Brown 1930-2017

    Rex L. Brown, 86, died on September 10, 2017. He was born on October 3, 1930 in Harvel, IL, the son of Loyd and Helen Sanders Brown. Rex is survived by his wife Marilyn M., with whom he enjoyed 67 years of blissful marriage and their 4 children: Bruce (Marilyn K.), Cynthia Zimdar (Bill), Britt (Laurie) and Brad (Michelle), 10 Grandchildren, 7 Great-Grandchildren, sister Sharon Rose Bright, and sister-in-law Sue Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Max, sister Carole Ann and Step-mother Helen Martin Brown.

    As a youth, Rex helped run his family grain farm, cattle ranch and Brown’s Grocery. They also ran a chicken production operation during WWII. Rex attended Knox College, graduated from Illinois State University and the University of Illinois Law School. While in college, he was a butcher, bartender, sports official, newspaper reporter, and photographer. Upon graduation from U of I Law School in 1957, Rex moved his family to Decatur to practice law. He was the senior partner at Brown, Hawkins & Basola, and had several distinguished lawyers in his firm throughout the years. He was loved by his thousands of clients, many of whom became friends.