ROCKBRIDGE -- Biannca Lynne "Beebe" Barnes, 43, died Thursday, May 17, 2001, at her home.

Born Feb. 8, 1958 in Sikeston, Mo., she was a daughter of John and Wanda Urhahn Haney.

She was a 1976 graduate of Greenfield High School, was employed at the Hertzberg Book Bindery in Jacksonville and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys and the Faith Bible Church in Greenfield.

She married Steven Barnes Oct. 8, 1976, in Greenfield. He survives.

Also surviving are a son, Aaron Barnes, at home; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Sandy Haney of Leroy; a sister and brother-in-law, Cherie and Joe Vinyard of Greenfield; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Charity Southern Baptist Church in Greenfield, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Burial will be at Witt Cemetery in Rockbridge.

Memorials may be made to the WIBI Christian Radio Station in Carlinville.

Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield is in charge of arrangements.

The Telegraph, Alton, IL., May 28, 2002

PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Francis Dean Bishop, 87, formerly of Rockbridge, Ill., died Saturday, May 18, 2002.

He was born Jan. 2, 1915, in Rockbridge to Leslie and Elsie (Barnett) Bishop.

He married the former Margaret L. Egan Dec. 24, 1941, in Granite City. She died Dec. 7, 1957.

He married the former Pearl C. "Polly" Miller July 20, 1963, in Oakland, Md. She survives.

A 1933 graduate of Rockbridge High School, he was a World War II Air Force veteran, having served as a lieutenant. He was a senior labor relations manager for Stone and Webster Engineering until his retirement in 1982, and he was past secretary of the National Contractors Association.

Also surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Alice Ann and Richard Egan of Redwood City, Calif.; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael Dean and Judy Bishop of Overland, Mo.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Dean E. Bishop Sr. of Greenfield.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dale Bishop.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Witt Cemetery in Rockbridge, with the Rev. James Schuetz officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Greene County Hospice or the Rockbridge United Methodist Church.

Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield is in charge of the local arrangements.

The Telegraph - Alton, IL., Monday, November 18, 2002

PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Pearl C. Bishop, 76, formerly of Rockbridge, died Oct. 31, 2002, in Port Richey.

She was born Jan. 26, 1926, in Fayette County, Pa.

She married F. Dean Bishop July 20, 1963, in Oakland, Md. He died May 18, 2002.

Surviving is a stepdaughter and her husband, Alice and Richard Egan of Emerald Hills, Calif.; a stepson and his wife, Michael Dean and Judy Bishop of Overland, Mo.; four stepgrandsons and three spouses, Jeff and Denise Bishop of Overland, Joe and Kelly Bishop of St. Louis, Tom and Kirsten Egan of Hayward, Calif., Mark Egan of Asville, N.C.; three step great-grandchildren, Natalie Bishop of Overland, R.J. and Jake Horstman of Hayward.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son.

Graveside memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Witt Cemetery near Rockbridge. The Rev. James Schuetz will officiate.

Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield is in charge of arrangements.

The Telegraph - Alton, IL., Sunday, November 24, 2002

Margaret Caroline Bollini, 84, died at 10:05 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, with family by her side. The Lord called her home and took her in his warm embrace.

The daughter of Troy and Myrtle Banks Burger, she was born Nov. 10, 1918, in Chesterfield, Ill.

She married Henry Bollini July 24, 1937. He survives.

She and her husband enjoyed camping with the "Has Beens" as well as fellow members of the Chapter 10 Road Runners Coachman Club. She had many wonderful friends who will miss her dearly.

She will be forever in the hearts of her surviving sons, William and his wife, Constance Bollini of Alton, and Donald and his wife, Candyce Bollini of Rockbridge; and her daughter, Patricia and her husband, Terry Seymour, of Godfrey.

Also surviving are the lights her life, her grandchildren, Steven and his wife, Paula Bollini of Godfrey, Rodney and his wife, Angel Bollini of Brighton, Angela and her husband, Jeffrey Nason, of Jerseyville, Linon and her husband, Richard Davis, of Shipman, Tara and her husband, Darin Trent, of Bethalto, Corey and his wife, Melissa Seymour, of Alton, Amanda Seymour of Godfrey, Jeff and his wife, Cyndi Polster, of Florida and Tiffany Gebben of St. Louis.

Such a loving mother, she eagerly awaited the birth of each one of her 14 great-grandchildren and delighted in rocking them to sleep, smiling as she would hum a sweet lullaby.

She was preceded in death by her son Robert L. Bollini in 1975.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Elias-Smith Funeral Home in Godfrey, with a prayer vigil at 4 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held in her honor at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Monsignor Virgil Mank will be the celebrant.

Burial will follow at Witt Cemetery in Rockbridge.

Because of her lifelong love for children, memorials may be made to the St. Ambrose Church Youth Group.

The Greenfield Argus--March 7, 1919

Mrs. Martha Jones Cannedy was born in Greene County, Illinois in 1848 and died at her home near East Alton, Ill. on Monday, February 17, 1919 aged 70 years and 8 months. She was united in marriage with James F Cannedy in 1866. To this union were born 9 children, 3 sons and 6 daughters. One daughter died in infancy. Her husband died February 7 1897, and since that time she has made her home with her children. She suffered of dropsy and asthma. Buried in Witt Cemetery.

Greene Prairie Press, Carrollton, IL., Wednesday, July 16, 2003

1923 - 80 years ago (White Hall Register-Republican)

Hazel Pauline Ewings, aged little past 15 years, eldest daughter of John and Nellie Ewings, of Rockbridge, who was one of the victims of the powder explosion at the plant of the Western Cartridge Co., at East Alton the afternoon of Tuesday, July 10, had been working at the plant only a day or two when the fatal accident occurred.

The Telegraph, Alton, IL., January 7, 2001

JERSEYVILLE -- Lula L. Brooks Fritz, 87, died at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, at Greenwood Manor.

Born Feb. 6, 1913, in Rockbridge, she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Ethel (Bridges) Perrin.

A homemaker, she was a member of First Baptist Church in Jerseyville.

She married Ralph E. Brooks Oct. 9, 1932, at the Bethel Baptist Church. He died Sept. 17, 1973. She married Eugene Fritz May 2, 1982, at the Bethel Baptist Church. He died Nov. 15, 1986.

Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Joanne and Robert Brinkman of Brandon, Fla., and Ethel Marie and Paul Anderson of Eldred; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ralph Robert and Donna Brooks of Prescott, Ariz., and Ronnie L. and Cheryl Brooks of Godfrey; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two half sisters, Hazel Young of Jerseyville and Theo Kohne of Greenfield; and a half brother and his wife, Oliver and Sue Loy of Jerseyville.

She was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Cory Clark; a sister, Clara E. Perrin; two brothers, Kenneth Perrin and Lloyd Perrin; and two half sisters, Flora Ann Wellhausen and Zadie Irene Loy.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Gubser Funeral Home in Jerseyville and will continue from 9:30 a.m. at Believers Baptist Church near Carrollton, where services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday. Pastor Clyde Myers will officiate.

Burial will be at Witt Cemetery near Rockbridge.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Jerseyville or a church of one�s choice.

The Telegraph, Alton, IL., January 5, 2001

SOUTH JACKSONVILLE -- William C. "Bill" Huff, 65, formerly of Greenfield, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. today, Shields Memorial Home, Greenfield. Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, Greenfield United Methodist Church. Burial: Witt Cemetery. Memorial: Tiger Backers or team.

THE TELEGRAPH, Alton, IL., Wednesday, May 28, 2003

JERSEYVILLE - Edna C. Jackson, 97, died at 2:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, 2003, at her home.

Born in Alpine, Ark., on June 14, 1905, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Florence Perry.

She married Jake Jackson in 1921 in Carrollton and he preceded her in death Aug. 21,1981.

The oldest member of Faith Temple Church in Jerseyville, she was a kind and gentle spirit, whose presence will be missed.

Surviving are nine daughters and five sons-in-law, Opal Crafton of Jerseyville, Wilma and Glen Edison of Bossier City, La., Mary and Walter Adams of St. Louis, Joann and John Crafton of Jerseyville, Rose Bushong of Peoria, Carolyn Salto of Jerseyville, Sandra and George Leone of Godfrey, Joyce and Jerry Votaw of Louisville, Ky., and Judy Panchame of Jerseyville; five sons and three daughters-in-law, Glen and Berta Jackson of Jerseyville, Perry and Kay Jackson of Medora, Guy Jackson of Jerseyville, Donald and Mary Jackson of Jerseyville, and Clyde Jackson of Roodhouse; 69 grandchildren, numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Charles Perry of Eldorado and John Perry of Beardstown.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Elba Dewitt and Frankie Bailey; a brother, Gus Perry; and four grandchildren, Lori Crafton, Steve Crafton, Aron Bailey and Roger Bailey.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of services at noon Friday at Faith Temple in Jerseyville.

Following services, graveside rites will be conducted at Witt Cemetery near Rockbridge.

Memorials maybe made to Faith Temple Church.

Airsman-Hires Funeral Home of Carrollton is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent to www.airsman-hires.com.

The Telegraph, Alton IL., December 4, 2003

ROCKBRIDGE - Rodney "Cob" Johnson, 43, died at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003, at St. Anthony�s Medical Center in St. Louis as the result of an accident.

He was born May 24, 1960, in Carrollton to Wayne and Betty (Thiel) Johnson.

He married the former Cindy Baiter on Dec. 12, 1980, at the Rockbridge United Methodist Church. She survives.

He had worked as a herdsman for South Side Stock Farm in Rockbridge for more than 20 years. He was a construction laborer for Aarrow Boring Co. Inc. of Bridgeton. He was a member of Laborers Union Local 110. He was a 1979 graduate of Greenfield High School and a member of Rockbridge United Methodist Church. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing for crappie. He enjoyed mushrooming, riding horses and all animals, especially cows.

In addition to his wife, survivors include four sons, Kyle, Jeffrey and Jared Johnson of Rockbridge and Scott Gage of Jacksonville, Ill.; one sister, Ann, and her husband, Lou Walden, of Rockbridge; one brother, Ronnie, and his wife, Linda, Johnson of Shipman, Ill.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Marge Baiter of Godfrey; two nephews, Steven and David Baiter; three nieces, Shelly Custer, Tonya Baker and Jennifer Pond; and seven great-nieces and great-nephews.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Rockbridge United Methodist Church. Mike Adams and the Rev. James Schuetz will officiate.

Burial will be at Witt Cemetery in Rockbridge.

Memorials are suggested to the Rockbridge United Methodist Church or Witt Cemetery.

THE TELEGRAPH, Alton IL., Saturday, November 1, 2003

ROCKBRIDGE - Mildred "Mid" Lovel, 97, died at 8:27 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, at Prairie Village Health Care Center in Jacksonville, Ill.

She was born Aug. 5, 1906, in Ruyle Township in Jersey County to Samuel Newton and Ida (Kitzmiller) Frost.

She married Ralph J. Lovel on Dec. 23, 1931, in Jacksonville, Ill. He died March 6, 1991.

She was a teacher at the Washington School in rural Rockbridge and a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Jerseyville.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanne and Dan Pryor of DeKalb, Ill., and Carrie and Earl Clagg of Rockbridge; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Alan and Jean Lovel of Alton and Forrest Lovel of Flat Rock, Ill.; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, eight sisters and two brothers.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Targhetta Funeral Home in Medora.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Bethel Baptist Church in rural Jerseyville. The Revs. Earl Clagg and Jeff Feagins will officiate.

Burial will be at Witt Cemetery in Rockbridge.

Memorials may be given to the Bethel Baptist Church.

Gazette-Patriot - Carrollton IL July 6, 2000

Former Greene County resident Mrs. Blanche Maholland, 90, of Jerseyville died at 5:15 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2000, at her residence.

She was born Aug. 30, 1909, in Rockbridge, the daughter of Douglas and Laura (Whitlock) Meeks. She married Lynn Maholland in December of 1940, and he died March 4, 1959.

She is survived by a stepdaughter, Betty Price of Carrollton; a stepdaughter-in-law, Beulah Maholland of Jerseyville; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lora Belle Roberts of Kemper and Hattie Brannan of White Hall; a brother, William Meeks of West Point, Ill.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were two stepsons, Hargiss "Cotton" Maholland and Kenneth Maholland; three brothers, Von Meeks, Arnold Meeks and Charles Meeks; a sister, Cora Gross; and a half sister, Nora Meeks Williams.

A homemaker, Mrs. Maholland was a member of the Providence Baptist Church in Carrollton.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Friday at Gubser Funeral Home in Jerseyville, until service time at I p.m. Burial will be at Witt Cemetery near Rockbridge.

Memorials are suggested to the Carlinville Area Hospice.

The White Hall Register--March 19, 1897

Mrs. Sarah A Morris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Scroggins, was born in Kentucky, Sept. 19, 1821, and came with parents to Illinois in 1836, settling in Greene County.

She married to Isaiah Stephens, July 11, 1839, of this union, three daughters were born. Of these, one died in childhood, two living to womanhood, those being: Elizabeth, and Nancy, the former of whom married to Freeman Mains of Jersey County, and the latter to Hiram Dixon of Rockbridge.

Mrs. Morris' first husband died Nov. 9, 1845, and on July 28, 1846 she was married to Rev. H H Witt. Three sons born of this union, Franklin, William, and Jackson. Rev. Witt died May 15, 1853 and Aunt Sallie, was a widow the second time. July 21, 1873, she was married to L D Morris, who died in Jun 1888, in Carrollton since which time she has made her home principally, with her son-in-law, Hiram Dixon, of Rockbridge, where she died after brief illness, March 2, 1897, at age of 75 years, 5 mos, and 17 days.

The Telegraph, Alton, IL., June 20, 2003

ROCKBRIDGE Opal Ruyle, 97, died at 5:57 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2003, at Saint Anthony�s Health Center.

She was born Dec. 22, 1905, in Wrights, Ill., to Edgar and Etna (Tucker) Read.

She married Rollie Ruyle on July 4, 1929. He died Nov. 16, 1988.

She had taught in country schools many years ago and was a member of the East Alton Baptist Church.

She is survived by two nieces and their spouses, Lavone "Vonnie" and Bill Armstrong of East Alton and Dorothy Read and James Burns of Snohomish, Wash.

In addition to her parents and husband, preceding her in death was one brother, Walter "Pete" Read.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield, with the Rev. Roy F. Gibbs officiating.

Burial will be at Witt Cemetery in Rockbridge.

Memorials are suggested to the Witt Cemetery.

Unknown paper probably Gazette-Patriot Carrollton IL

Nathan A. (Shorty) Scoggins, 67, of Rockbridge, a retired section worker for the C. B. and Q. railroad, was pronounced dead on arrival at Boyd Memorial Hospital Tuesday, September 19, at 9:30 p. m.

A resident of Rockbridge since 1942, he had previously lived in Jerseyville, Carrollton and Kane.

The deceased was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.

Born February 9, 1900 southwest of Carrollton, near Spankey, he was the son of the late Robert and Elizabeth Varble Scoggins.

Mr. Scoggins was preceded in death by his first wife and three children. On February 9, 1958 he was married at Carrollton to Vera Stewart, and she survives.

The following children of his first marriage survive: Mrs. Hal Barnes and Mrs. Glenn Roberts of Rockbridge and Mrs. Harvey Roberts of Roodhouse; also two stepchildren, Jerry Stewart of Carlinville and Mrs. Jack McManus of Rockbridge. There are 18 grandchildren.

One brother, Robert Scoggins of Jerseyville, and four sisters survive: Mrs. Ben Lorton of Eldred, Mrs. Pearl Jones of Kane, Mrs. Lee Jones of Jerseyville, and Mrs. Forest Mosier of Louisiana, Mo. A half brother, Lewis Gaige, lives in Georgia.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield with the Rev. Leroy Sanders officiating. Interment will be in the Witt Cemetery.

The Telegraph, Alton, IL., August 29, 2000

GREENFIELD -- Frances C. Stotler, 75, died at 7:40 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, at her home.

A daughter of the late Carl C. and Ruth E. (Dixon) Wright, she was born near Wrights.

An employee with the Greenfield School system as a cook, she was a member of St. Michael�s Catholic Church in Greenfield.

She married William G. "Jug" Stotler on Jan. 29, 1943, in San Diego, Calif. He died Nov. 7, 1998.

Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary R. and Dennis Dalton of Collinsville and Carla "Sue" and David Woods of Greenfield; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael W. and Tara Stotler of Springfield; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara L. and Bill Griswold of Rockbridge; and a brother and sister-in-law, Donald D. "Bud" and June Wright of Rockbridge.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield with a prayer service at 6 p.m.

A funeral mass will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michael�s Catholic Church by Father Edward Groesch.

Burial will follow in Witt Cemetery near Rockbridge.

Memorials may be given to St. Michael�s Catholic Church, Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, the American Heart Association, or to masses.

The Telegraph, Alton, IL., October 2, 2001

ROCKBRIDGE -- Lyndell Turner, 72, Air Force Korean War veteran and retired Arizona lineman/electrician, died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2001. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. today; services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Shields Memorial Home Greenfield. Burial: Witt Cemetery near Rockbridge. Memorials: Donor's choice.

The Telegraph, Alton, IL., January 2, 2002

EDWARDSVILLE -- Alta Whittaker, 79, died at 5:05 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, 2001, at the home of her daughter in Edwardsville.

She was born Nov. 28, 1922, in Carlinville to the late Melvin and Elizabeth (Shuttleworth) Pitman.

On Oct. 25, 1944, in Greene County, she married Keith R. Whittaker. He died Jan. 29, 2000.

The former resident of Rockbridge and Greenfield was a homemaker and member of the Rockbridge United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing, reading, flower gardening and quilting.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia A. and Jim Heinemeier of Edwardsville; two grandchildren, Stephanie N. and Edward J. Voumard; and a brother, Eldon Pitman of Alton.

She was preceded in death by a son, James Keith Whittaker, and a brother, Clifford Pitman.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield, where services will be at 11 a.m. Friday.

Burial will be at Witt Cemetery in Rockbridge.

Memorials may be given to the Rockbridge United Methodist Church, Diabetes Association or the Greenfield Public Library.

The Telegraph, Alton, IL., April 9, 2002

ROCKBRIDGE - Alice Laura Williams, 92, died at 5:57 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2002, at Boyd Memorial Hospital in Carrollton.

She was born April 9, 1909, in Dow to the late Henry H. and Caroline (Volkert) Depper.

Her marriage to Wilbur C. Williams took place on June 22, 1932, in Carrollton. He died Feb. 26, 1991.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon Adele and Dale Justice of Bethalto; a son, Charles E. "Bud" Williams of Greenfield; seven grandchildren, Jana and her husband George Moran Jr. of Granite City, Brian Justice of Godfrey, Kevin and his wife Diane Williams, Diana and her husband Steve Schirz, and Lori and her husband Gale Joyce, all of Greenfield, Jeff Williams of Hazelwood and Julie Stribling of Ashland, Ill.; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Bertha Zimmerman, Grace Grizzle and an infant sister; and four brothers, Hiney, Roy, Edward and Ben Depper.

A 1928 graduate of Jerseyville Township High School, she had been a schoolteacher and served as Rockbridge postmistress for 30 years, retiring July 1990. A member of the Rockbridge United Methodist Church, she was also a member of the Rockbridge United Methodist Women, having served as president for five years and was currently serving as vice president. She was treasurer of Witt Cemetery Association, Rockbridge Precinct committeewoman, member of the Greene County Democratic Women's Club, Royal Neighbors of America and the Tri County Postal Association.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Shields Memorial Home in Greenfield.

The Rev. James Schuetz will officiate at services at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Rockbridge United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow at Witt Cemetery in Rockbridge.

Memorials may be given to the Rockbridge United Methodist Church or Witt Cemetery.

Submitted by: Allen Handling