Remembering Southern Illinois neighbors: Today's obituaries
Read through thesouthern.com obituaries.
MARION — Norman Taylor Duncan, 82, passed away Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, in Heartland Regional Medical Center.
Cremation rites will be accorded, and a private burial will be at a later date.
Blue Funeral Home in Marion is assisting with arrangements.
CARBONDALE — Michael Albert Kondzella, 92, passed away peacefully at his daughter's home Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019.
Mike was born June 9, 1927, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Michael Nicholas and Gertrude (Landowski) Kondzella. Upon graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of Illinois, where he received his bachelor's degree and immediately enlisted in the Navy to fight in World War II.
Upon completing his military obligation, he returned to school, earning a law degree from Rutgers and later a master's in chemistry from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.
Michael had a long career practicing patent law for a number of law firms in New York City; Elkhart, Indiana; Chicago; Shaker Heights, Ohio; and the Los Angeles area, as well as a private practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Circumstances necessitated that Mike move closer to family in 2016, and he chose Carbondale, where he could retain a degree of independence at Prairie Living at Chautauqua. There he happily spent his last few years. Living in the same community as his daughter and son-in-law, Mike was able to continue activities he enjoyed most: maintaining Rotary membership, playing his viola in the Logan community orchestra and being an active member of Epiphany Lutheran Church. He made friends wherever he went, and his friends played an important role in helping him maintain an active lifestyle and a new sense of community.
Mike is survived by his children, Valerie (Dan) Theisen of Lake Orion, Michigan; Kate (Jim) Renshaw of Carbondale; Toby (Lisa) Kondzella of Chesapeake, Virginia and Patrick Kondzella of Los Angeles, California, as well as grandchildren, Seth and Dana Milam and Elizabeth, Michael and Thomas Kondzella.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frederick Kondzella; sons, Dana Frederick and Michael Joseph and his wife and mother of their children, Barbara (Dalrymple) Kondzella; and wife, Maureen Bisanz.
Mike's faith in the Lord was unwavering. He expressed that faith through his loving acceptance of others and volunteering much of his time to humanitarian causes.
It was his wish to be cremated. Pastor Paul Waterman will be officiating a 2 p.m. memorial service this Saturday, Oct. 19, at Epiphany Lutheran Church. Following the memorial service there will be a time of fellowship and light refreshments. There will also be a celebration of Mike's life at Prairie Living at Chautauqua, time is pending. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
CARBONDALE — Terry Anne (Jefferson) Locke, 67, passed away early on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, from complications of early onset Alzheimer's disease.
The family is conducting a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, in First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale, with a reception afterwards.
For more information and the full obituary, visit www.walkerfuneralhomesandcrematory.com.
SESSER — Barren Township Road Commissioner, Roy Lynn Miller, 69, passed away at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, in St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, surrounded by the loving care of his family.
Roy was born May 17, 1950, to Harold Glenn and Wanda Miller, in Christopher.
He grew up in Rend City with his brothers, Jim and Evan Miller. The son of a coal miner and farmer, his childhood was that of a typical, working-class American youth. The work ethic and values he learned in his childhood remained with him throughout his life, and he worked hard to provide for his family and instill those lessons to the future generations of his family.
Roy married his wife of 51 years, Signa (Page), on July 6, 1968. They put down roots in Sesser near their respective families, where they remained for the remainder of their life together. They had three children, Russell, Carrie, and Lane. Much like his father, Roy began a life of a coal miner and farmer. Although he retired from mining after 35 years, he continued to operate his family farm with his son, Lane for the remainder of his life. Roy truly loved farming and raising cattle.
Roy was also passionate about drag racing with his sons, Russell and Lane. While he thoroughly enjoyed working on the car and prepping it for the drag strip, he enjoyed watching his boys win even more. Anyone who knew Roy will recall the twinkle in his eyes after a great weekend at the track. If you asked him how they did at the track over the weekend, he would reply “we put ‘em all on the trailer and sent ‘em home.” Anyone who knew Roy also knew that he could repair or restore absolutely anything. Roy's mechanical skills and abilities were second-to-none. Friends and neighbors knew where to go if they needed help with a repair that may have been a bit more than they could handle on their own. Roy's workshop in his barn was probably his favorite place to be. It is easy for many of us to picture him working in his shop wearing his well-worn and well-loved Carhartt coveralls.
Throughout his life, some of Roy's various achievements include 33 years as a Barren township Road Commissioner, member of Goode Lodge 744 and a lifelong member of Rend City Baptist Church.
Roy is survived by his wife, Signa; his daughter, Carrie Miller; his son, Lane Miller and wife Joanna; granddaughter, Jordan Miller Evrard and husband, Brandon; two very dear grandsons, Keaton and Brantley Miller; one beloved great-granddaughter, Madalyn Evrard; his brother, Jim Miller and wife, Carolyn; sister-in-law, Dixie Miller; and father-in-law, Olen Page. He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.
Roy was preceded in death by his son, Russell Miller; his father, Harold Glenn Miller; his mother, Wanda Veach Miller Coffman; his brother, Evan Miller; his nephew, Jimmy Miller; mother-in-law, Alberta Page; his stepfather, Floyd Coffman; and brother by heart, Dan Page.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Saturday. Roy will be laid to rest in Masonic-Odd Fellow Cemetery in Benton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
