Brenda J. Hargrave, 75

Brenda J. Hargrave, 75, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2025, at home. She was born on March 30, 1950, in Mount Carmel, the daughter of Alfred and Mildred (Hall) Adams. She married Richard “Dickie” Hargrave on April 2, 1966, and together they enjoyed fifty years of marriage until his passing on June 27, 2016.

Brenda was a wonderful cook and worked many years, along with her sisters, at Snack and Grill and Twin Rivers. Brenda was a dedicated worker at any job or task she had undertaken. Brenda was known as a loving wife, mother, mammaw and sister. She loved her family with all of her heart and her grandchildren held a special place in her heart, especially her little great-grandson.

Brenda leaves behind her daughter, Misty and husband Roy Parcell of Wayne City, Illinois; grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Aaron) Ramsey, Matthew Parcell and Aimee (Jack Bagin) Parcell; great-grandson, Mason Ramsey; siblings, Charles (Barbara) Adams, Janet (Rick) Oliver; many loved nieces and nephews.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Dickie; sister, Lois Holcomb; brothers, Roy Adams, Gene Adams and Richard Adams.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a Visitation from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2025, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2025, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Tony Hodgson officiating. Burial will follow at Allendale Cemetery where Brenda will be laid to rest beside her husband.

Memorial contributions may be made in Brenda’s memory to Heartland Worship Center.

Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.

Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Brenda’s tribute wall and leave condolences for the Hargrave family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com

Deanne Jonay Fry, 87

Deanne Jonay Fry, 87, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2024. She was born to John and Viola Montgomery on August 19th, 1937, in Rocky Ford, Colorado. 

Her early years were spent on her family’s dairy farm near Rocky Ford. Upon graduation from high school, she attended the University of Colorado, where she met her future husband, Jim Fry, an Airman stationed in Denver with the Military.  Deanne and Jim were married on December 15th, 1956, in Rocky Ford, Colorado, and shared life’s adventures for 68 years.  Deanne continued her educational pursuits, attending the University of Illinois, National college of Education and received a Master of Education degree, with a certificate in Professional Counseling, from the University of Evansville. She was employed by School District 348, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, for over 40 years. She held the positions of Teacher, Guidance Counselor and Director of Special Education. Dee loved working with students and colleagues and positively impacted many lives during her tenure. 

Deanne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was also a youth leader and Sunday School teacher for many years at First Baptist Church in Mt. Carmel.  In their retirement years, Deanne and Jim moved to The Villages, Florida, and thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle offered by the retirement community. Deanne loved to travel with friends and family and visited many countries and continents around the globe. An avid golfer, Dee cherished her time spent with friends on the golf course. Her skill, dedication, and love for the game of golf led her to win numerous awards, including Gold and Silver medals in the National Senior Games. 

Deanne is survived by her husband, James D. Fry, of The Villages, Florida; daughter, Terri Lynn Edwards, also of The Villages, Florida; son, Kevin Scott Fry, of Canton, Georgia; two granddaughters, Kirby (Mike) Cheesman, and Shelby (Gary) Howder, and three great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Jemma, and Corrin Cheesman.  

A Celebration of Life, honoring Dee’s life and legacy, is planned for Sunday, May 4th, 2025.  An open house will be held from 1:00-4:00pm at the home of Mike and Kirby Cheesman, 8455 N. 1220 Blvd, Mt. Carmel, IL.

Donations in her memory may be made to:

MCHS Alumni Foundation

C/O Emily Teague

115 Northwood Drive

Mt. Carmel, IL  62863

(Envelopes available at the Celebration of Life)

Mary Ellen Chalcraft, 80

Mary Ellen Chalcraft, 80, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025 at Wabash General Hospital surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on October 13, 1944 in Albion, Illinois, the daughter of Charlie and Hula (Neaveill) Clark. On April 12, 1963 she married Gary Edward Chalcraft at the Olive Congregational Church and together they enjoyed fifty-one years of marriage until his passing on May 27, 2014.

Mary will be remembered most for the love she gave so freely—as a devoted mother, proud grandmother, caring sister, and loyal friend. She never met a stranger and just loved people. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting gifts for family and friends. She also loved to play bingo where she made many friendships. She could often be found in her kitchen where she loved to cook and bake. Above all, Mary cherished her family and the time she was able to spend with them. Mary worked for many years at Champion Laboratories. She was a member of Heartland Worship Center and dearly loved her Church family. Mary will be missed by her family and all who knew her.

Mary will be remembered by her three sons, Greg (Vanessa) Chalcraft, Marcus Chalcraft, and Gerald (Shannon) Chalcraft; one daughter, Mitzi (David) Hutton; grandchildren, Sinjun Chalcraft, Christopher Hutton, Cassie Hutton, Abigail Compton, Kelsie Willson, Karlee Willson, Matthew Hutton, and Joseph Hutton; great grandchildren, Skarlett Newman, Katelyn Hutton, Chandler Hutton and Gideon Hutton; brothers, Dale Clark and Charles (June) Clark; sister, Jenny Farmer; many loved cousins, nieces and nephews; special friends, Laura Smith and Terry Garner.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Keith Clark, Joann Clark, Elmer Clark, Evelyn Compton, Shirley Baker, Russell Clark, and Linda Conover.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1200 p.m., Monday, April 28, 2025 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, north and west of Albion, Illinois, with Pastor Tony Hodgson officiating.

Memorial Contributions can me made in Mary’s memory to Heartland Worship Center. Envelopes will be at the cemetery, or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.

Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Mary’s tribute wall and leave condolences for the Chalcraft family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com

Jason M. Hunt, 52

Jason M. Hunt, 52, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away Thursday, April 17,2025 at Home. He was born on August 15, 1972, in Mount Carmel, Illinois, the son of Myron Hunt and Cheryl (Stone) Hunt.

Jason worked as road commissioner for the city of St. Francisville for a while, until his body took a toll, and he had to step down. He had an interest in cars and trucks. Jason was a homebody who loved his family dearly. He was good at giving advice, and always there for anyone who needed to bend his ear. Jason will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Jason leaves behind his children, Sean Hunt and Ariel Hunt. Two grandchildren, Zoey and Madison Lofton; one sister, Jennifer Harms; many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Jason was preceded in death by his parents.

A private graveside service with be held at Oaklawn Cemetery in St. Francisville, Illinois at a date to be determined.

Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Jason’s tribute wall, and leave condolences for the Hunt family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com

Gary D. Slunder, 74

Gary D. Slunder, age 74, of Glenwood, AR, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He was born in Wabash County, Illinois, on November 22, 1950 the son of Fred and Mary Slunder.

Gary married his wife, Melinda J. Bright, in September 1980. They met at Snap-On Tools in 1977 and enjoyed forty-eight years of marriage. Gary worked in the oil fields in Odessa, Texas, and from there he was drafted into the Army. Then, he started working at Snap-On Tools and worked there for thirty-one years. Later, he joined the Carpenters' Union Local 224 at Newburgh, Indiana, where he met and worked with friends on all sorts of projects but one especially was the big bridge over the Wabash River in Mt. Carmel..

He loved life, camping, deer hunting, duck hunting, goose hunting, and fishing with Scott Slunder and Sons of Cabot, Arkansas. He loved helping people.

Gary leaves behind his wife, Melinda Slunder; his son, Nathan; his daughter, Felicia, and her fiancé, Aaron Wagner; his three granddaughters, Sasha, and her fiancé, Brad, Mikaya, and Trinty; their mother, Brandy (Kiddo); his great-grandsons, Julien, Theron, Jax, Max, and Bennett; his two brothers and sister-in-law, Karl and Michelle Slunder and Bob Slunder; his fishing buddy, Jimmie C. Bright; and his two best friends, Bob and Barb Farmer.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michal; his brother, Fred; his sister, Janice; his mother-in-law, Bonnie Bright; and his in-laws, Bob and Patricia Krug.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home-Glenwood. Keepes Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements. To view Gary’s tribute wall and leave condolences for the Slunder family, please visit www.KeepesFuneralHome.com