Macz Funeral Homes

11/22/2025

💔🤍💔🤍💔

This season is hard with empty chairs at the table. The little reminders of your loved ones appear, but in ways that sometimes you need to be looking for them. Don’t stop looking for those little reminders of someone you lost.

I try every day to remind you I’m still here.
Not the way I used to be,
but close enough that you can still feel me if you pay attention.

The cardinal that sat outside your window — that was me.
The penny under your desk — I put it there.
The song that started playing when you were thinking about me — I made sure you heard it.

You don’t always see the signs,
but I still send them.
I know you’re tired.
I know you’re trying.
And even when you’re not looking,
I still find ways to reach you.

I don’t show up to make you cry.
I show up to remind you —
you’re not walking this alone.
You never have been.

I know you miss me.
And I wish I could take that from you.
I can’t take the pain,
but I’m still close — closer than you think.
When the world feels too quiet, I’m there.
When you start to lose faith in your own strength, I’m there too.
You won’t always feel it, but I haven’t gone anywhere.

It’s me.
Still finding ways to reach you.
Still loving you from where I am.

11/21/2025

Dorothy Ann Kriesel, 62, of Farina
Dorothy was quickly accepted into her new family-by-marriage and really, any group she was introduced to, and quickly loved by all. She was a strong supporter of her husband, Kevin, serving proudly as an Air Force wife for twenty years, and through four years of Seminary later in life. A mother of three, she helped raise dozens of other kids, making them feel safe and important, especially those who didn’t feel that way in their own homes. Some remain important parts of our family today. She had a truly compassionate heart, and loved her students at Mascoutah Middle School where she was an instructional aid for many years. She enjoyed traveling the U.S. and Europe with her family. When someone recently thanked her for loving them, she replied, “that was my job”, a job given by God. Dorothy was a lady of wisdom, who shared the best advice with family and friends, on how to navigate this beautiful life. She modeled how to live with fierce courage, strength in faith, and unending compassion. Dorothy encouraged those she loved to always stay true to themselves, no matter how weird, and to love without abandon. She was quite easily the world’s very best hugger, always at the ready to offer a love filled embrace. Dorothy will be forever remembered for the joy that illuminated her, her contagious happiness, her quirky, silly side, and her vibrant, enthusiastic approach to life.

As we say goodbye, we know a new day has dawned for you Dorothy, and our Lord who has loved you the longest, with an everlasting love, has come for you. In the words of your namesake, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, you now exist “Somewhere over the Rainbow”.

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11/21/2025

Marty Lynn Melton, 45, of Sandoval
Marty had a strong conviction to serve his country, that prompted him to enlist in the Army National Guard in his late twenties. He dedicated his whole heart to honor the country he loved. He was a true outdoorsman, who looked forward to time reconnecting with nature. Marty was a skilled hunter, prepping every year for deer season and squirrel season. Some of his best hunting memories were from deer season, searching for deer with his mom, Terrie. Marty liked spending time by the water, fishing for anything that would bite. When it came to family, Marty was the first to show up and the last to leave. To Marty, his two kids were the most important people in his life. He was always trying to teach and guide them in the best ways. Marty will be remembered for his loyalty, great sense of humor, and tremendous love for his family and friends.

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11/18/2025

Otis Mitchell Downey, 76, of Centralia
Mr. Downey served his country with honor and pride in the United States Air Force during Vietnam. A lifelong resident of Centralia, Otis was highly unwavering in his community. He served as trustee of the board for Murray Center credit union and was the precinct #10 committeeman for Marion County. Otis was proud to be a founding member of Men United, formerly known as Black Men United.

Otis was a faithful member of New Bethel Baptist Church, where he served The LORD and His people diligently. He was a loyal employee of Vandalia Correctional Center and Warren G. Murray Center in Centralia. Combined, he worked for the State of Illinois for almost forty years, before his much-deserved retirement. Otis was so good at keeping in touch with family and friends, even on the phone he liked to razz them. He was friendly and kind. He never met a stranger, and he would lend a hand to anyone in need. Otis was a pillar of his community, helping others at the food bank and offering a warm hello to everyone who came.

His hobbies included dancing to some good music, hosting meals for family and friends, serving his famous fried fish, gumbo, and green beans. Otis enjoyed vegetable gardening and beautifying his home with the fresh flowers he grew. During his working years and in retirement, he helped others with their lawn care for his business D & O. Otis was a self-proclaimed, worlds top fan of his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. He will be remembered for being a sharp dresser and loved receiving compliments on his attire.

Otis was a great mentor and supporter for his family, and everyone loved their “Pops”, “Pop-O”, and “Uncle Boogy”. Otis will be remembered for his generosity, his story telling abilities, his hard work ethic, his support for his community, and especially his love for his family. He will be deeply missed and his memory will be forever cherished.

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11/17/2025

Mary K. Campbell, 73, of Centralia
Mary did not have a lazy bone in her body, always working hard to get her jobs done well. She was a bookkeeper for BCMW, and she worked in the bakery as a donut maker and cake decorator for Country Fair and Priced Right Foods for about twenty years. She was an amazing, single Mom who prioritized her children above anything else. She always slowed down and found time for her kids, no matter how busy life was. Mary loved to curl up with a good Amish romance or Jack Reacher thriller, and she enjoyed watching television. She looked forward to playing games, especially Mahjong and any card game, and she was proud to bowl on a team with her son. Mary liked to listen to and dance to good music, and she enjoyed going to gospel concerts. She was a self-proclaimed homebody, who loved the comfort of her home surrounded by her family and her sweet dog, Mack. Mary will be remembered as the best, most proud Grammy that loved her grandchildren with all her heart. She was a true lady, hardworking, kind, generous, fierce, and resilient. Mary will forever hold a special place in the hearts of every life she impacted.

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11/17/2025

Michael Lawson, 63, of Centralia
Michael was one of the kindest and giving spirits that will be greatly missed. He was the man you would call when you wanted to have good vibes and good laughs. His signature laugh that you could hear chopping through the loudest music.

(Stop and think about it, allow yourself to smile.)

When it came to a meal he took after his mother, Veola and could make a feast out of the least. Blue ribbon barbecue master chef, to all that enjoyed his ribs tips, snoots, well any part of the pig you can eat, which to him was all of it. That flavor could rival any restaurant. He was an enterpriser, he knew how to make a way.

Life tattered him but even in a dark place he was a light and hope for the hopeless. He enjoyed fishing, he loved working and cooking for the youth. Some may consider his contributions to be small but to us, they were huge. He was a loving father, fun hood rich uncle and the best cousin/brother. Cheers to a man whose love you never had to work for.

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11/13/2025

Vivian Winkler, 81, of Centralia, IL
Vivian was a hard-working employee of Kas Potato Chips in Centralia, until her retirement. She enjoyed watching sports on television, college basketball, and of course her favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. She liked the challenge of a good card game, and hunting for treasures at yard sales. Vivian will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.

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11/13/2025

Teresa F. Nail, 66, of Centralia
Teresa greeted customers with a warm smile while working at Pop N’ Go, movie store in Centralia, and in many retail stores in the area. She found great fulfillment in her job for Kaskaskia Workshop, especially rolling up her sleeves to help her clients with their various housekeeping duties. Teresa was a faithful member of 161 Church of Christ in Centralia, where she was a tremendous help to her husband, Stephen’s ministry there. She cherished her supportive church family, and took every opportunity to show the love of Jesus that was given to her to each of them. She enjoyed shopping, sewing, and solving word puzzles. Teresa was faithful, kind, generous, compassionate, and will always be remembered for the way she easily made everyone feel special and loved.

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11/11/2025

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Every battle fought, every sacrifice made, has paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy. Today, we remember and honor all the veterans who made this possible.

11/10/2025

Michael Douglas “Mike” Johnson, 72, of Centralia
Mike was a hard worker and loyal employee of RC Cola for twenty years, and Bears for another twenty years. He enjoyed time outdoors, camping, fishing, grilling, and working in the yard. He loved watching John Wayne movies and eating at buffets. He absolutely loved his dogs, Rusty, Max and Little John, giving them treats, ear rubs, and was always grateful for their unconditional love. One of his favorite places was out on his front porch, visiting with friends and family, and watching everything that was going on in the neighborhood. Mike was deeply loved by all those that knew him and his memory will go on in the hearts of all his family and friends.

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11/10/2025

💡💭🧐💭🤔

⚜️Macz Motivational Monday

“Change the Way you L👀K at things and the things you L👀K at change.”
~Wayne W. Dyer

11/10/2025

💔 Long Grief.

Long grief isn’t a season.
It’s permanent.
It stays with you. It settles in.

You learn how to keep living, but it’s never the same life.
There’s the one you had before and the one that came after.
You don’t go back. You just learn how to exist inside the after.

You stop expecting normal to return.
You start seeing that this is normal now.
You can have a good day and still feel the emptiness sitting right beside it.
You can be surrounded by people and still feel alone in a way you can’t explain.

You rebuild. You laugh. You find new pieces of life, but nothing feels untouched by loss.
It changes how you think, how you trust, how you hope.
Even joy feels different — smaller, quieter, earned.

Long grief is a slow acceptance that this is it.
There isn’t a finish line.
It’s the knowing that you’ll always love them, always miss them, and that both can exist inside the life you’re now living.

That’s what long grief is —
a lifetime of figuring out how to live with a wound that will never heal.