Kent Karraker '58

Kent Karraker, long-time council member and former mayor of Normal passed away March 24, 2024 in Stuart, Florida. He was 87.

Kent was born in DuQuoin, Ill., on Feb. 6, 1937, to Ward M. and Camille Davis Karraker. He grew up in Mound City, Ill., where his first job was to lead cows from the barn to a pasture across the road in the mornings and lead them back in the evenings. His father passed away when Kent was 7, and the family moved to Champaign, Ill., when he was 13.

He attended University High in Urbana where he was an outstanding athlete. He was captain of the basketball team, named most valuable player on the track team and lettered in football. Kent graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Radio and Television. He was a member of the Illini Glee Club, the cheer squad and Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. While at the university, Kent met Marcia Landgren on a blind date. They were married on Feb. 14, 1959.

In addition to his wife of 65 years, Kent is also survived by his sister, Kay (James) Cook in Boca Raton, Fla., his daughter, Carla (Mike) Lindner in Longview, Texas, and sons Craig (Jane) Karraker of Stuart, Fla., Kyle (Dana) Karraker and Kent "Chip" Karraker in Normal, and Keith (Steve Silberman) Karraker in San Francisco, Calif. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and a nephews.

After a brief stint with the U.S. Army in New Jersey, Kent moved to Monmouth, Ill., where he was the news director and sports reporter for WRAM Radio. He relocated to Normal in 1962 to work for the Illinois Farm Bureau. He later worked at Heartland Community College in Community Relations and was instrumental in launching the Heartland Foundation.

Kent was initially elected to the Normal Town Council in 1983 after being encouraged to run by his friend and then-Mayor Paul Harmon. He was elected to his first term as mayor of Normal in 1993 and served until 2003. During his tenure, the town began the redevelopment of the uptown area, built the Fairview Aquatic Center and a new Amtrak station.

Kent was an avid golfer and would play regularly with former Normal officials David Anderson and Ron Blemler at Ironwood Golf Course, another development that occurred while he was in town government.

He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Normal where he served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. He was also a member of the Methodist Men organization at the church.

After retirement, he and Marcia began spending winters in Florida and eventually moved there full time. They always made a point of returning to Normal for an extended stay during the summer. Kent and Marcia traveled throughout the United States visiting family and friends and went on a mission trip to Central America. They also made a number of trips to Europe as well as Normal's sister city, Asahikawa, Japan.

They're most recent trip was a cruise to see the Northern Lights in Norway. While leaving the boat, Kent was knocked down by a violent wind, causing a minor brain injury. He was healing and regained his sense of humor, but succumbed to pneumonia shortly after returning to Florida.

Kent enjoyed spending time with his 10 grandchildren, Kyle Karraker, Bethany (Chris) Modos and Dylan Karraker in Normal; Kent Lindner, Keenan Lindner, Kane Lindner and Karin (Angel) Rocha in Texas; and Allison (Joe) Hesketh, Reid (Angelyn) Karraker and Molly (James) Robin in Florida. One of his favorite memories was taking all of his family on various Caribbean cruises. In 2023, he was able to spend time with each of his great-grandchildren, Penelope and Birdie Hesketh, Emmett Modos, Margot Karraker, James Robin and Mia Rocha.

A celebration of life will be held in Normal during the late spring or early summer. Memorials may be made to the Children's Discovery Museum or charity of your choice.

Published by The Pantagraph from Mar. 31 to Apr. 1, 2024.

Thomas E. Pollard '52

September 22, 1929 ~ July 15, 2023 (age 93)

Dr. Thomas (Tom) Earl Pollard passed away in Ballwin, MO, on July 15, 2023, with his loving wife of 70 years, Barbara, at his side. He was born at home in Wayne County, Illinois, on Sept. 22, 1929, to Charlie and Zella Pollard. They preceded Tom in death, as did his 5 brothers Ray, Raleigh, Harry, Lou & Chuck, his sister Pat Andrus, and his grandson Vincent Cascella.

Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara, his three children Linda (Phil) Stern of Ballwin MO, Mark (Nan) of Harrison TN, and Eve Cascella of St. Louis MO, 15 of his 16 grandchildren and their families, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Tom grew up on a farm in southern Illinois, rode a horse to school, (a 1-room schoolhouse), and graduated from Carmi Township High School in 1948. He was a talented athlete and excelled in many sports including track, basketball, baseball and football.

Barbara and Tom met as undergrads at the University of Illinois. Tom helped put himself through college and medical school by being a sulky driver in the midwestern harness races. He and a horse named Dr. Cooper had their moment in the spotlight when they set the record in Maywood Park in 1951. Though he quit driving to finish medical school and become a doctor, Tom was passionate about harness racing for the rest of his life and owned shares in many horses over the years.

After their marriage, he and Barbara lived in Chicago where Tom completed his medical residency at Cook County Hospital.

In 1958, after serving a 3-year commitment to the US Army Medical Corps at Ford Ord, California, (where daughter Linda was born), Tom and Barbara moved to Danville, IL, at the request of medical school pal Dr. Bill Hensold. Tom would practice family medicine there for nearly 35 years, delivering hundreds of Danville residents into the world in the process.

Tom’s commitment to love and provide for his family was a driving force in his life. In addition, he was a devoted follower of Christ and a long-time active member of the Rock Church in Danville IL. He was an active and involved supporter of several charities and organizations including Project Concern, the Jaycees, and the Women’s Care Clinic.

Tom was highly competitive and loved playing tennis and racquetball. He was also an avid fisherman (especially with his grandchildren), and he kept a very respectable vegetable garden.

Dr. Pollard’s remains were laid to rest beneath a shade tree at Atherton Cemetery on Perrysville Road in Danville, IL.

All are welcome to a celebration of his life on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in the Chapel at Meramec Bluffs Lutheran Senior Services in Ballwin, Missouri at 11:00 AM. Memorial gifts may be made to the Rock Church in Danville, IL.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Meramec Bluffs for the loving care Tom received during the last year of his life.

George M. Simmons, age 80, passed away with his family by his side on Friday, January 5, 2024. He was born in January, 1943, in Murphysboro, IL, to George and Mildred Simmons.

He graduated with the Class of 1961 of Springfield High School in Springfield, IL. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he participated in the ROTC program, was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and majored in economics. During his senior year, he married the love of his life, Ruthie. After graduating from the U of I, he served two years stateside in the U.S. Army as a tactical nuclear weapons officer and battery commander at a Nike Hercules nuclear missile site on the south end of Lake Michigan, achieving the rank of Captain. Following his military service, he received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

He spent his professional career in the specialty chemical manufacturing field, starting with Monsanto. In 1985, he moved his family to Madison, MS, and began working for First Chemical Corporation. For First Chemical, he traveled the world, often accompanied by his wife, and his First Chemical counterpart, Mickey Harbin and his wife Judy, calling on customers throughout Europe and Asia. He retired as president of First Chemical in 2002. He had the honor of serving as a member of the board of directors for and president of the Drug Chemical and Allied Trade Association.

His Christian faith guided and inspired him throughout his life. At Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, IL, he and Ruthie helped found the Questors Sunday school class in 1977. After moving to Mississippi, George was for thirty years that red-headed usher, who always found you a seat at Christ United Methodist Church of Jackson.

All his life he enjoyed being outdoors, including walking in the woods, hunting quail, playing golf, and gardening. His love of nature was evident every spring with the blooming of the hundreds of tulips and daffodils that he and Ruthie planted each January.

With his wife and daughters, he went on many travel adventures, most often to coastal destinations. As a father and grandfather, he taught two generations of his family to ride bikes and to learn basketball, baseball, and softball fundamentals, cheered on two generations of swimmers at summer and year-round swim competitions, and enjoyed listening to his grandchildren sing in church and school choirs and musicals.

Along with being husband and best friend to Ruthie, George’s most treasured roles in life were being father to his two daughters and grandpa to his beloved granddaughter and grandson. Known for being a good listener and respected for his insightful guidance, he served as an example, mentor, counselor, motivator, greatest supporter, and friend, who will be greatly missed and remembered always.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Leo and Cora Mildred Simmons of Springfield, IL; his older sister, Mary Ellen Guinan of Auburn, IL; and his infant son Geoffrey Brian Simmons. George is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ruth Ann Brown Simmons; two daughters, Stephanie Simmons Zenow and her husband, Eric, of Naperville, IL, and Alisa Colleen Simmons of Naperville, IL, and Madison, MS; two amazing grandchildren, Anna Grace Zenow and George Wesley Zenow; younger sister, Martha Simmons Lovett (Richard) of Benton, Kentucky; numerous nieces and nephews; and treasured next-door neighbors and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse, and Christ United Jackson.

A celebration of his life was held on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Natchez Trace Funeral Home, in Madison, MS. Interment will take place privately later in 2024.

https://epilogg.com/obituary/george-m-simmons-11005

John LeRoy Bitzer, beloved husband, father, and grandfather (“gee-pa”) passed away at the age of 70 on July 14, 2023, at his home in Collinsville, Illinois. 

A native of Shelbyville, Illinois, John grew up as one of six siblings.  He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1970 where he excelled in academics, sports, and holds an Illinois state track record…for an event that may or may not still exist (which means he can never be beaten!).   

John graduated from the University of Illinois in 1974 with a degree in Psychology. In college, he followed his father’s footsteps, becoming a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and served as Chief Illiniwek, the symbol of the University of Illinois.   He held the position for all four years. Each year at the University’s Dad’s Day, John and his father performed together at Memorial Stadium. John and his father were the only father-son duo to both serve as Chief Illiniwek. As Chief, John also led the international Rotary Convention Parade in San Francisco and danced at Candlestick Park. It was at the University of Illinois that John met his wife, Mary Ann, and many lifelong Beta brothers and friends. John and Mary Ann were married for 44 wonderful years and together for 50 years. 

Upon graduation, John backpacked Europe with his brother Jim before attending John Marshall Law School where he graduated with his Juris Doctor in 1979.  John and Mary Ann were married in Olympia Fields, Illinois that same year.  He began practicing Law in Collinsville with Dunham, Bowman, and Leskera where he was a Partner until he opened his own practice, The Bitzer Law Firm, in 2008.  He retired in 2021 after 42 years.

As a Collinsvillian, John was active in the community. He was the Chairman of the Board at The Gateway Center, a member of the Optimist Club, The Rotary Club, and the Jaycees. He was a Parishioner at Saints Peter and Paul where he also coached the class of 2001 girls’ basketball team. 

Above all, John loved and cherished the life he had with his wife and three kids, Katie, Kelly, and Bobby.  They spent summers at Gaslight Pool and Lake Shelbyville where he was part owner of Lithia Springs Marina.  He was known for his barefoot waterskiing skills and whiplash inducing boat tube rides. He took his family on many trips to Giant City with friends and families. He loved music and traveling and had been around the world with Mary Ann, including a recent trip to Tahiti just a few months ago. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marilyn Bitzer, and brother, Jim Bitzer.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Bitzer; daughters, Katie Bitzer, Kelly Schneider (Tyler Schneider); son, Robert Bitzer (Sarah Crafton); and his granddaughters, June and Goldie Schneider. His sisters, Nancy Cruitt (David), Ann Kiley (Mike), Sarah Bitzer; brothers, David (Kathy), Donald (Judy); and 36 nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. 

Services will be held on Friday, July 21, 2023 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL. Visitation 3:00-6:00 PM. Service at 6:00 PM.

Memorials are suggested to the care of Mary Ann Bitzer and charity foundation will be decided at a later date. 

John lived his life to the fullest. As one of John’s favorite singers, Neil Young, said “It’s better to burn out than fade away.” He is loved by many and will forever be missed.