Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home

04/10/2026

Michelle Tucker, 63, of Fairfield, Illinois;
Welcomed into Heaven on April 9th, 2026

Michelle Jo Tucker was born on November 11th, 1962, in Fairfield, Illinois, to Charles L. Savage and Sammy K. Meritt. Michelle was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, April 9th, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous 19-month battle with Glioblastoma.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 13th, 2026, at Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home, from 5:00-7:00 pm. Graveside Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, April 14th, at Maple Hill Cemetery at 11:00 am. Michelle had a lifelong career in the automotive industry. She most recently served as the Catalog Manager and Content Director for First Brands Group. She loved her work and the relationships she built over the years.

The true joy of Michelle’s life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. Their interests quickly became her interests. She enjoyed attending the sporting events of her grandsons; most recently, watching her grandson, Landon, become a coach; keeping up with her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in Texas; traveling with family; working outdoors; shopping with her daughter; and spending time at her family farm. Michelle especially loved her time with her daughter, Marissa, her primary caregiver for the last 19 months. Her husband, Robert, her grandsons, Landon and Tucker, and son-in-law, Justin, also joined in her care, and for that she was so grateful. In addition, Michelle was a member of the Fairfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years.

Survivors include her husband of 38 years, Robert D. Tucker; daughter and son-in-law, Marissa and Justin Townsend of Fairfield; son and daughter-in-law, Derek and Alyssa Tucker of Spring, Texas; and three grandchildren, Landon Zurliene, Tucker Townsend, and Capri Tucker. Michelle is also survived by two siblings, Luther Savage of St. Elmo and Maralyn Savage of Fairfield.

Michelle was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Savage and Sammy Meritt.

The family would like to thank the staff of Clay County Hospice, Clay County Hospital, and Mayo Clinic for their wonderful care and is grateful to all who supported Michelle throughout her cancer journey.

In lieu of flowers, Michelle requested that memorial donations be made to the FCHS Mules Football team and to Fairfield Junior Mules Football. For many years, Michelle had been an avid supporter of Mules Football and rarely missed a game. She especially loved the Mules coach, her son-in-law, Justin Townsend. She also really enjoyed watching her son, Derek, and grandsons, Landon and Tucker, play over the years.

04/10/2026

Roy “Sonny” Thomason, 89, of Fairfield, passed away at 2:53pm on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Fairfield Memorial Hospital in Fairfield, IL.

Sonny was born on February 27, 1937, in Wayne County, IL, to Loren and Nettie (Morlan) Thomason. On September 28, 1957, he married the love of his life, Violet (Dunn) Thomason who preceded him in death in 2017.

Sonny had worked for Bunnage Truck Parts for 36 years before going to work at Airtex Products for another 13 years. He attended Full Gospel Tabernacle and loved to help his family and neighborhood friends with anything he could, especially auto mechanic work.

Survivors include his daughter Nancy (Dewayne) Gregory of Fairfield, five grandchildren Jason Thomason (Kelli Hixenbaugh), Justn (Brad) Young, Sonny Jaymin Gregory, and Lucy Gregory, all of Fairfield, James (Lisa) Gregory of Rockford, IL, five great grandchildren Jaeda, Ryland, and Ellyse Thomason and Oliver and Sadie Young, a brother-in-law Loren Lee (Debi) Dunn, sisters-in-law Alice Dunn, Janis Dunn, Sharon Miranda, and Sharon Thomason all of Fairfield, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Violet, a daughter Cindy Hammond, an infant son Doyle Thomason, three sisters Dorothy Keen, Helen Talbert, and Doris Morlan, and two brothers Hershel Morlan, and James Thomason.

Funeral services for Sonny Thomason will be at 12pm next Saturday, April 18th, at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, with burial to follow in Koontz Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10am until the time of service at the funeral home. The family has requested casual dress for the service. The Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

04/07/2026

A memorial service will be held this Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2PM at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home.

Julia A. "Judy" Jelley died at 4:08 AM, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Cisne Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Cisne, IL. She lived in the Chicago area for many years and worked as an Office Manager for various physicians. After retirement, she returned to Fairfield where she volunteered for many years on the skilled care unit at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the Cornerstone Community Church in Fairfield.

Julia was born on January 7, 1931, in Geff, Illinois to John Stanton Jefferson and Nellie Gray Jelley.

Survivors include her sisters, Eva Lane and Velma Bunting of Fairfield. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Julia was preceded in death by half-brothers, Floyd Young, and Perry Young as well as brothers James, Donald, and Ray Jelley and sister Lois Totten.

She will be cremated with a memorial service Held on Friday April 10, 2026, at Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home.

04/04/2026

Good Friday-A day of remembrance and gratitude for Christ's GREAT LOVE for us.

04/03/2026

Donald R. Brake, 91, of Fairfield, passed away at 3:25am on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Fairfield Memorial Hospital Skilled Care Unit.

Don was born on October 21, 1934, in Albion, IL, to Clifford and Nina (Tait) Brake. He attended college at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, graduating in 1957 with his B.A. in education. On March 29, 1958, he married the love of his life, Susan (Childers) Brake, whom he met during college.

Upon his return to Fairfield, Don worked for the Fairfield Public School District 112 as the 7th grade science teacher and shop instructor. Since he was a life-long stamp collector like his dad, he organized a stamp club at Center Street School, which was kept up after his 35-year retirement.

Don had many hobbies and interests including fishing, camping, cooking, and walking. He joined the Health Walkers, an online walking club, and put in his miles each day for many years. Don and Susan traveled to all 50 states and several countries, enjoyed cruising, genealogy of the Brakes and Taits, and making stained glass lamps and suncatchers, selling many of them. Don helped the Boy Scout Troop 170 and went to auctions where he bought and sold many of his purchases on Ebay. He enjoyed making chowder for his friends, family, and TNT Sunday school class. He was a Kiwanis member for 20 years and a volunteer for the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Auxillary for 17 years.

Don was a member of the Cornerstone Community Church, formerly the First United Methodist Church, in Fairfield, where he enjoyed cooking the Thanksgiving dinners and Foodtastic Fridays, feeding high school students. Most of all, he loved being with his family, grandchildren, and his eight great grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Susan Brake and son Stephen (Stefanie) Brake both of Fairfield, his daughter Jennifer (Donald) Bolen of Lamar, IN, four grandchildren Natalie (Josh) Bowman, Andrew (Amanda) Bolen, Alex Brake, and Lauren Brake, eight great grandchildren Eden, Edison, Emmett, Ellis, Everleigh, Parker, Bradley, and Peighton, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Flora Brake, three sisters, and three brothers.

The family would like to thank the staff of Fairfield Memorial Hospital Skilled Care and SSM Hospice for their loving care.

Funeral service for Don Brake will be at 12pm on Monday, April 6th, at Cornerstone Community Church in Fairfield, with burial to follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10am until the time of service at the church. Memorial donations can be made to either the Salvation Army or the Cornerstone Community Church and will be accepted during the services or at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

04/01/2026

Happy first day of April, when showers bring flowers!! ☔️🌱🪺🪻🌷

03/30/2026

Robert Ray “Bob” Simmons, 68, passed away at 3:41PM on Friday March 13, 2026, at Select Specialty Hospital in Evansville IN. He was born in Fairfield on December 21, 1957, to Jack and Frances (Smith) Simmons.

Bob grew up in Fairfield, IL, with his two brothers, Jackie and Troy Simmons. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Riley, KS, where he excelled as a Big Red One Combat Engineer.

Upon returning to his hometown, he worked alongside his father on an oil rig. In 1986, Bob and his family moved to Orlando, FL, where he became a professional painter, working on skyscrapers and high-end celebrity homes.

Bob returned to Fairfield in 2012, where he lived out his years in his childhood home. He was well liked by everyone who knew him and deeply loved by his family. Known for his big heart and intriguing stories, his smile could light up a room, earning him the nickname "Smiley Bob." He will always radiate in our hearts and live forever in our memories.

He is survived by his children- Richard “Rick” Simmons of Fairfield and Teresa Simmons of Cisne; brothers- Troy Simmons of Chicago and Jackie Simmons of Carmi; his best friend Christine Simmons also survives. He was preceded in death by his parents, and stepfather- Ivan Bell.

A memorial service in Bob’s honor will be held on Friday April 3, 2026, at 12PM at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home with burial of ashes at Maple Hill Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by Anthony Wayne Post #176 American Legion and the Wayne County Post #4535 VFW. Visitation will be held from 11AM until the time of service at the funeral home.

03/27/2026

Join us in wishing our Funeral Director/Embalmer/newly elected Coroner, Ryan Best, a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!! 🎉🎂🎈🎁

03/25/2026

Joanne C. Cornwell, 80, of Fairfield, passed away at 8:46am on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Cisne Rehabilitation and Health Care in Cisne, IL.

Joanne was born on July 16, 1945, in Cicero, IL, to Amerigo and Claira Gentili. She had been a cashier for Walmart while she lived in northern Illinois.

She is survived by her daughter Tracy Cornwell of Fairfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thurman Cornwell and her sister Yvonne Marion.

The body of Joanne Cornwell will be cremated and no formal service or burial at this time. The Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home is assisting with the cremation arrangements.

03/23/2026

Join us in wishing our Funeral Director/Embalmer, Staci Morse, a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!! 🎉💐🎂🎈

03/20/2026

What to do for Friday's lunch at the funeral home.... Fairfield Rural Fire Dept fish fry and March Madness Basketball!!! 😁🏀🐟

03/20/2026