Charles Lorenz Lovekamp, 80, of Quincy, IL formerly of Rushville, IL, passed away at 11:55 p.m. Friday, November 8, 2024 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Quincy, IL.   He was born on August 2, 1944 in Beardstown, IL a son of the late Edwin Chris & Mabel Louise Ham Lovekamp.  He married Patricia Hamm on April 27, 1969 at the Rushville Christian Church.  She preceded him in death on September 29, 2024.  He is survived by (1) son; Billy Lovekamp & Candice of Quincy, IL, (1) daughter; Catrina Warner & Terry of Cocoa Beach, FL, (4) grandchildren; Ruby Warner, Sadie Warner, Marcus Johnson, Nathaniel Johnson. (2) sisters; Marvel Gardner of Pickerton, OH, Mary Ann Lovekamp of Beardstown, IL.  He was preceded in death by (6) siblings; Theresa Curry, June Houston, Gladys Thomas, Cora Mae Scheer, Antone Lovekamp, Myra Sundberg.  Charles was a U. S. Army Veteran serving in Vietnam.  He was retired from the Illinois National Guard and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, after over thirty years of service. He enjoyed woodworking, nature, watching westerns and NASCAR.  Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arenzville, IL with Pastor Andrew Dierks officiating.  Interment will follow in Arenzville Cemetery North with Military Honors by U.S. Army Honors Detail.   Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services.  Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society. 

Julius Lee Pippenger, 61, of Littleton, IL passed away at 2:40 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024 at his daughter’s home.  He was born on February 17, 1963 at Carthage, IL.  He was a son of the late Donald & Zelma Avery Pippenger.  He married Cindy A. Norris on October 2, 1991. She preceded him in death.  He is survived by (3) children; Raini Ray & Jeff of Table Grove, IL, Joshua Derry of Camden, IL, Dalton Pippenger of Macomb, IL, (6) grandchildren; Patricia, Zelda, Lance, Jimmy, Hunter & Nicholas. He was preceded in death by a grandson Dillon.  He loved his milk, his old Pontiac, fishing, gory movies, westerns, Law & Order SVU, Little House on the Prairie and Touched by an Angel.  His greatest love was his dog, Charlie and his children and grandchildren.   A memorial service will be held a 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Worthington Funeral Home with Vicki Hull officiating.  Inurnment will be held in Black Oak Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services on Thursday.  Memorials may be given to his family. 

 Florence Marie Thomas, 63, of Marietta, IL passed away at 5:31 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.  Florence began her rich life on January 22, 1961 in Effingham, IL.  She was a daughter of the late Calvin and Alberta Flowers Russell.  She took pleasure in many things; the Green Bay Packers, collecting coffee cups, chickens, fishing, camping, mushrooming, house plants, going tubing on the Spoon River, taking pontoon boat rides with her friends on Spring Lake, figure 8 races and yard work among many other things.  The one thing she took the most pleasure in however, were her children and grandchildren.  Her grandchildren were the light of her life and her favorite topic of discussion.  They were truly her pride and joy and came before all others in her life.  Florence was known as “Mama Flo” to many and loved by all.  She was the type of person to help any and all who needed it, no matter her own circumstances.  Her authenticity was unmatched, and she didn’t care how she was perceived. Her free spirit shone through all and was characterized by her Native American heritage, of which she was very proud.  Florence was known to pray daily for anyone needing the help of the Lord.  She loved Jesus and held many conversations with him.  She knew she had a spot in Heaven and had no fear of when the time would come for the Lord to call her home.  She is survived by her children Jessica Jo Russell, Amy (Curtis) Logsdon, and Dennis (Nichole) Thomas; her grandchildren Colten, Azlynn, Jadelyn, Natalee, Angelica, Reyni, Hunter, Joseph, and Whitney; her siblings James (Teresa) Russell, Betty Smith, Linda Stine, Brenda (Richard) Mason, Sharon Russell, and Wayne (Lena) Russell; many nieces and nephews and an abundance of friends.  She was preceded in death by her son Michael, six angel babies and two angel grand-babies, her siblings Dean Russell, Shirley Brown, and Gary Russell.  Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Worthington Funeral Home with Pat Clements officiating.  Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Food and fellowship will follow the service in the Virginia at Scripps Park.  Memorials may be given to her family. 

Linda Ellen Prather Smart, 78, of Rushville, IL passed away at 4:21 p.m. on October 24, 2024 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.  She was born on May 1, 1946 in rural Ray, IL to the late Curtis & Mary Ellen Fisk Prather.  She married William (Bill) Smart on April 5, 1980 in Rushville, IL.  He survives along with (1) step-son; Eric Smart & wife Melinda, of rural Browning, IL (1) grandson; Brett Smart of rural Browning, IL, (1) brother; Randall Prather & wife Darlene of Mindale, IL, (1) sister; Patty Davis & husband Dale of Rushville, IL, (3) sisters-in-law; Joy Winter of Shelbyville. IL, Helen Baker of Jonesville, LA, Carolyn Bouchez of Pana, IL, (2) brothers-in-law; Kenny Smart of Herrick, IL, Larry Smart of Tower Hill, IL and many nieces & nephews.  She was preceded in death by (1) sister; Diana Ocheltree, (4) brothers-in-law; Mervin Smart, Garold Smart, Melvin Smart, Steve Ocheltree, (1) sister-in-law; June Rehfelt.  Linda taught over thirty years of elementary education beginning in Fulton County, IL and ending in Schuyler County, IL.  She enjoyed children and inspired many students.  She loved seeing them learn and used laughter and humor in the classroom.  Many students appreciated her love of sports especially the St. Louis Cardinals.  Linda listened to the radio to Cardinal games as a child and continued listening and watching them all her life.  She enjoyed blue grass music, cooking and helping in the community.  Linda worked and served on the board of the Rushville HELP Center for many years. She was office manager at Charles Place for five years. She was thoughtful and was a wonderful cook. She prepared and shared her cooking with many.  She loved her family and helped others as much as she could but most of all she loved the Lord and serving Him. She was a member of the Frederick Christian Church serving as treasurer and wherever else she was needed for many years. Linda will be missed by many.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the Frederick Christian Church in Frederick, IL with Brother Matt Haberman officiating.  Interment will follow in Rushville City Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be given to Frederick Christian Church, Schuyler Humane Society or Cass-Schuyler Hospice