Wilson's Funeral Homes, Ltd

05/28/2026

Mark L. Hancock

SPARTA – Mark L. Hancock, 67, of Sparta, Illinois, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, at his home.

Mark was born on April 17. 1959, in Red Bud, IL, to Leroy and Kathyrn (Grafton) Hancock. He married Debra Nowotny at the Faith Baptist Church, Marissa, IL on February 21, 1981. Mark was a Veteran of the U.S. Army and was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed camping, fishing, golfing, playing his guitar and spending time with his family.

Mark is survived by his wife, Debra Hancock of Sparta, IL, his children: Philip (Patricia) Hancock of Erie, PA, Zach Hancock of Sparta, IL, Jacob Hancock of Sparta, IL, David Hancock of Schofield Bks, HI, his grandson, Trenton Hancock, his siblings: Jeff (Robin) Hancock of Marissa, IL, John (Rhonda) Hancock of Sparta, IL, Rex Gregory of Licking, Mo, Frank Gregory of Collinsville, IL, Sande (John) Wasson of Sparta, IL, Tim (Becky) Gregory of Sparta, IL; his mother, Marilyn Hancock of New Athens, IL, and his family pets, Lucy and Penny.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn (Gene) Ingram, his father, Leroy Hancock, and his brother, Jay Hancock.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 2:00 pm, at First Baptist Church, Sparta, IL, with Pastor Tim Gregory officiating. Burial to follow at Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, IL. Visitation will be Tuesday morning, June 2, 2026, where friends may call from 11:00 am, until time of service at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Randolph County Humane Society and can be mailed to Wilson’s Funeral Home, P.O. Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288.

View Mark L. Hancock's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/27/2026

Lawrence "Larry" A. McCaleb

MURPHYSBORO – Lawrence “Larry” A. McCaleb, 75, of Murphysboro, Illinois, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, Illinois.

Larry was born on January 5, 1951, in Grand Tower, IL, to Lawrence “Bud” and Evelyn (Franklin) McCaleb. Larry worked at Curwood in Murphysboro, IL for over 30 years. He then retired from Gilster Mary Lee after 11 years.

Larry is survived by his children: Larry (Tiffane Pilzer) McCaleb of Murphysboro, IL, Bruce (Cindy) McCaleb of Steeleville, IL; his grandchildren: Jaci Garbesi, Timber Leeper, Tatum McCaleb, Sophia McCaleb, Hazel McCaleb, Gage McCaleb; his brothers: Bruce (Sharon McCaleb of Murphysboro, IL, Tony McCaleb of Murphysboro, IL; his sister Nancy Farley of Murphysboro, IL, and his ex-wife, Virginia Qualls of Murphysboro, IL.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Rusty McCaleb.

Larrys wishes were for cremation and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To sign the guest book, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.

View Lawrence "Larry" A. McCaleb's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/25/2026

Delbert R. Bierman

BALDWIN – Delbert R. Bierman, 88, of Baldwin, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Accolade of Waterloo in Waterloo, Illinois.

Delbert was born in Percy, Illinois, on January 18, 1938, the son of Rudolph and Alberna Fisher Bierman. He married Betty L. Lively on February 22, 1958 in Steeleville, Illinois. She preceded him in death on March 3, 2021. He was retired from John Morrill (Meat Packers Morrill & Co.). Delbert was of the Lutheran Faith. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors with his family.

Delbert is survived by two sons, Donald (Vicky) Bierman of Red Bud, IL and Robert Bierman of Baldwin, IL; two grandchildren, Pamela (Mike) Midgley and Coby Bierman; and one great grandson, Andrew Dover.

Delbert was also preceded in death by his Parent; and two brothers, Glen and Orville.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 1:00 pm, at Wilson’s Funeral Home, Steeleville, with Rev. Norlyn D. Bartens officiating. Burial will follow at Percy Village Cemetery, Percy, Illinois. Visitation will be at Wilson’s Funeral Home, Steeleville, where friends may call on Wednesday from 11 am until 1 pm. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, and can be mailed to Wilson’s Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288.

View Delbert R. Bierman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Frank E. McCree

SPARTA – Frank E. McCree, 94, of Sparta, Illinois, passed away on May 21, 2026, at Randolph County Care Center.

Frank was born on February 3, 1932, in Herrin, IL, to Lowell and Marie (Ashoff) McCree. He married the love of his life, Marge (Pinkley) McCree on August 4, 1951. They shared many wonderful years together until her passing in 2016. Frank worked for many years at World Color Press before retiring. After retirement, he became a school bus driver, a job he truly loved. He especially enjoyed driving students to sporting events and treated every child as if they were his own. Frank was a devoted St. Louis Cardinal fan and rarely missed an opportunity to attend his children’s, grandchildren’s, sporting events, and activities.

Frank was a faithful member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sparta and an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus Council #6577.

Frank is survived by his children: Mike (Vicki) McCree of Jackson, TN, Larry (Sharon) McCree of Paragould, AR, Sue Stein of Salem, IL, Judy (Nick) Androvandi of Sparta, IL, and Julie Hanna of Sparta, IL. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren, his sister, Martha Jean Harpst of Weldon, IL, along with many others who lovingly considered him their grandpa.

Frank was preceded by his wife, Marge McCree, his parents, Lowell and Marie McCree, 2 brothers, Ken McCree and Bill McCree, 2 sisters, Pat Wagner and Barbara Bockhorn, and 1 grandchild, Jamie Hanna.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:00 am, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Sparta, IL, with Fr, Charles Anynoku officiating. Burial to follow at Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, IL. Visitation will be Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, where friends may call from 9:00 am, until time of service at the church. Memorials may be given to Sparta Senior Center, and can be mailed to Wilson’s Funeral Home, P.O. Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288.

View Frank E. McCree's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/22/2026

Just placed 438 flags on our Veterans graves at the Ava Evergreen Cemetery. 4 generations of Wilson’s helped today! Join us Monday for our Memorial Day program at 10 am! (Not pictured Earl Meyerhoff, Aaron Wilson, Bob Spangler and Ronda Wilson took the picture)

05/20/2026

Laura L. Husband

SPARTA – Laura L. Husband, 94, of Steeleville, passed away at 7:09 am, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Randolph County Care Center in Sparta, Illinois.

Laura was born on March 12, 1932, in Hurst, IL, to C. Edward and Iva Mae (Gregersen) Reames. She married Claude P. Husband on October 20, 1950, in Chester, IL, and they shared nearly 68 years of marriage together. He preceded her in death on October 13, 2018. Laura was a homemaker and also worked as a secretary at various businesses. She attended Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Rockwood, IL. Laura supported the American Red Cross blood drives.

Laura is survived by her children: Edie (James) Ernsting of Neenah, WI, Claude (Elaine) Husband of Steeleville, IL and Emma (Paul) Wolters of Percy, IL; son-in-law, Robert Appel of Steeleville, IL, her 9 grandchildren: Sara Appel (Bryan White), Marc (Jaydee) Appel, Lance (Stephanie) Ernsting, Matt (Stephanie) Ernsting, Lori Beth (Jason) Helmers, Katie (Nathan) Schatte, Jessie (Adam) Henson, Melinda Wolters LaSalle and Rachel Wolters (Lance Picker); her 13 great grandchildren: Caitlyn Appel, Jacob, Andrew, Alexander and William Ernsting, Hazel and Caroline Helmers, Seth and Kody Schatte, Hailey and Herold Henson, Ada and Nyla Picker; and her sister, Mary Beth Scott.

Laura was also preceded in death by her parents, 10 brothers: Ed, Bob, Jim, Bill, Phil, Ken, Tom, Doug, Dave and John; 1 sister, Donna, and a daughter, Linda Appel.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:00 am, at Wilson’s Funeral Home, Steeleville, IL, with Rev. Dr. Cecil T. Dunning officiating. Burial to follow at Mt. Summit Cemetery, Rockwood, IL. Visitation will be Saturday morning, May 23, 2026, where friends may call from 9:00 am until time of service at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Ebenezer Presbyterian Church or Mt. Summit Cemetery and can be mail to Wilson’s Funeral Home, P.O. Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288.

View Laura L. Husband's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/20/2026

Patricia M. Sternberg

STEELEVILLE– Patricia M. Sternberg, 71, formerly of Steeleville, IL, passed away at 10 am, Monday, May 18, 2026, at her home in Springfield, Missouri.

Pat was born November 5, 1954, in Chester, IL to Howard and Maydell Ernsting. She attended High School in Steeleville, IL. She married Jim Sternberg on November 9, 1973, at Peace Lutheran Church in Steeleville, IL. She attended and worked at Southern Illinois University/Carbondale as a Computer Programmer and received a Bachelor of Science degree. She moved to Missouri in 1989, where she worked for the University of Missouri/Columbia as an Academic Advisor until retiring in 2017. She then moved to Springfield, MO to be close to her grandchildren. She volunteered as a girl scout leader and as a member of the University Extension Service. She was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Nixa, MO, where she played in the bell choir. She enjoyed walking in the park with her husband and dog Charlie; she also enjoyed traveling. She was a part of a weekly lunch group in Springfield called The Friday 5. She and her husband were members of the Show Me T's Model T Club in the Springfield area.

She was preceded in death by her father, Howard Ernsting and her brother, Marcus Ernsting.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Sternberg, their daughter Jill Brock and son Chris (Amelia) Sternberg and grandchildren, Maggie Brock and Sadie Brock, her mother, Maydell Ernsting, her sister, Melissa Gilhooly and her sister-in-law, Patty Ernsting.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Nixa Redeemer Lutheran Church/Preschool and or The American Cancer Society and can be mailed to Wilson’s Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 11:00 am, at Peace Lutheran Church, Steeleville, IL, with Pastor Deb Rathert officiating. Burial to follow at Peace Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday morning, May 26, 2026, where friends may call from 10:00 am until time of service at the church.

View Patricia M. Sternberg's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/20/2026

Marvin D. Brockmeyer

AVA – Marvin D. Brockmeyer, 75, passed away Monday, May 18, 2026, at his home in Ava, Illinois.

Marvin was born on December 21, 1950, in Murphysboro, IL, to Clarence and Emma (Lehnhoff) Brockmeyer. He married Patricia Paul on April 20, 1979, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Marvin was a farmer and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church – West Point.

Marvin is survived by his children: Michael Nicolaus (Kimber) Monje of Carbondale, IL, Michelle Marie (Brian) Hopkins of Mansfield, TN; his grandchildren, Huntar (Josh) Lee, Sydney (Lukis) Lissimore, Cori Lynn Hopkins; his great grandchildren: Easton Lee, Huntley Lee, Harlow Lee and Kaiser Lissimore.

Marvin was also preceded by his parents and a brother, Delbert.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:00 am, at Immanuel Lutheran Church – West Point, Campbell Hill, IL, with Rev. Mark Sedwick officiating. Burial to follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Campbell Hill, IL. Visitation will be Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, where friends may call from 10:00 am until time of service at the church. Memorials may be given to St Judes Children’s Hospital or Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cemetery or Building Fund, and can be mail to Wilson’s Funeral Home, P.O. Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288.

View Marvin D. Brockmeyer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.