Obituary o-k002, Macoupin County IL  ©1998-2011

Name of Deceased: KLAUS, George
Name of Newspaper: Girard Gazette
Date of Obituary: June 2, 1887 
Obituary: Grandfather G. Claus (KLAUS) died at his home southeast of Nilwood Wednesday. He had attained the age of about eighty years, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Rev. M.V. KITZMILLER of this city, conducted the funeral services at his late home today, after which his remains were conveyed to Sulphur Springs cemetery and deposited in the bosom of mother earth to sleep that sleep which knows no waking. Since the above was in type, Rev. KITZMILLER furnished us with the following facts. George KLAUS, Sr. was born in Alt Eckendorf, Canton Holfeldon, France November 5, 1804. He came to this country fourteen years ago; was a member of the Lutheran Church. He was nearly blind for a number of years, but retained his mental faculties to the close of his life. Died Tuesday a.m. May 31st. 1887 in the eighty-third year of his life.

Name of Deceased: KNIBB, William J.
Name of Newspaper: Bunker Hill Gazette-News
Date of Obituary: Friday Nov 10, 1911, p7 c4 & Nov 17, 1911, p1 c6
Obituary:Death of John KNIBB Our community was shocked to learn of the death of John KNIBB, one of our oldest citizens, on Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock. He had been up town the day before, though he had been ailing. A congestive chill was the immediate cause of his death. Funeral at the M. E. Church Friday, the 10th. Obituary next week.

John KNIBB John KNIBB was borne at Leamington Warwichshire, Eng. July 1, 1845, died at his home in Bunker Hill, Ill. Nov. 8, 1911 7:50 P.M, aged 66 yrs, 4ms, 7ds. His father died at the home of his birth. The mother with the family came to this country making their home in St. Louis where his boyhood days were passed. His mother died in St. Louis. After this, he came to Bunker Hill where he resided the rest of his life. He served his country in the Civil War. He was united in (paper worn and not readable so wife's name is missing in this tear) --------------------- 25, 1872.---------eight children. Two Jennie and Bradley died in infancy. The other six, William J., Frank E., Geo H., Richard W. David and Lydia with the widow survive. He united with the M. E. Church when a young man and has been very regular in attendance all his life. While the years were bearing upon him his death came as a shock to the whole family. A congestive chill being the immediate cause of death. His wife and children, George and Lydia were with him in the hour of death. All the rest case as soon as the learned the news. All the children with their families, were present at the funeral. Mrs LINBERG, a niece from St. Louis, and Mrs. J. A. SCARRITT, a sister of Mrs. Knibb, attended the funeral from out of town.

Name of Deceased: KNIBB, Mildred Marie HUEBNER
Name of Newspaper: Illinois State Journal Register
Date of Obituary: 29 Dec. 1960
Obituary: Mrs. Mildred M. KNIBB, 33, of Bunker Hill died at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. The body is at the Jacoby Wise funeral (sic) Home in Bunker Hill where services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday with burial in Bunker Hill Cemetery. She leaves her husband, Sterling, and eight children, Katherine, Dave, George, Jeffrey, Danny, Bradley, Sandy, and Nancy. Note from submitter: Mildred Marie HUEBNER was born 18 Aug 1927 in Granite City, Madison County, IL, the daughter of Louis George and Wilhelmina (BRANDES) HUEBNER. She married Sterling Austin KNIBB on 26 Jan 1948.

Name of Deceased: KNIBB, William J.
Name of Newspaper: Bunker Hill Gazette-News
Date of Obituary: May 29, 1908, Front page
Obituary: William James KNIBB was born in Leamington, Warwickshire, England July 9, 1837. He died at his home in Bunker Hill, Illinois, May 22, 1908, aged 70 years, 10 months and 13 days.
The deceased came to America and settled in St. Louis in the spring of 1858. He was married there in November of 1859 to Miss Eleanor Carson MOORE, and they moved to Bunker Hill in May 1861. To this union were born ten children, one died in infancy. the deceased leaves a wife, nine children, fourteen grandchildren, a sister and a brother. When about twenty years of age be became actively engaged in church work and his interest in the cause of righteousness continued until the time of his death.
The funeral services were held in the Baptist church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. W. JUDD. The interment was in the Bunker Hill cemetery.

Probate Court The Carlinville Democrat 10 June 1908, p2 c2
William J. KNIBB died at Bunker Hill, May 22, 1908. His widow, Ellen C. KNIBB, petitioned for the probate of the will. Personal estate is estimated at $2,000. Real estate consists of two business houses and lots in Bunker Hill. The will is dated April 23, 1897, and is witnessed by E. W. HAYES and Charles E. DREW. By its terms, the widow is given all the personal property, after the payment of the debts, and a life estate in the realty. At her death, or upon her re-marriage, the real estate is to be divided equally among the children. The widow is nominated as executrix without bond. Hearing on the petition is set for June 25. Petitioner asks that Jeffrey KNIBB appointed administrator with the will annexed.

Obituary of Lillian KNOERZER (LANCASTER) , Macoupin County Illinois (c)2002 Submitted by: Chris Grove-Surgis

Name of Deceased: KNOERZER, Lillian (LANCASTER)
Name of Newspaper: Daily Enquirer
Date of Obituary: December 12, 1930
Obituary: Lillian (LANCASTER) KNOERZER Carlinville paper 12-12- 1930 Mrs. Lillian (LANCASTER) KNOERZER, wife of Sebastian KNOERZER, died at her home in East St. Louis, Friday Dec. 12. She was born and reared in Carlinville. They moved to East St. Louis about 15 years ago. Surviving are the husband, three sons and a daughter, and a foster daughter, Lilly Lee LANCASTER. Four brothers also survive. Funeral services were held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. from the Heinz funeral home in this city. Burial was in Mayfield Memorial cemetery.

Obituary of Michael B KOENIG, Macoupin County Illinois ©2008 Submitted by: Great Granddaughter Deloris DeAnn Summers

Obituary of Ernest KORTUM, Macoupin County Illinois 1© 2008 Submitted by:  Barbara Hitch

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Ernest
Name of Newspaper: Carlinville Democrat
Date of Obituary: Saturday, February 23, 1871
Obituary: Our quiet town was startled very much yesterday by the sudden death of Ernest CORDUM, a young man living about two miles from town. He was felling a tree from which to make rails when a large limb broke off from the tree and struck him on the head with such force as to kill him instantly. An inquest today developed the above facts, and the corpse was taken to Bunker Hill for interment.

Obituary of Eula Louise KORTUM, Macoupin County Illinois 1© 2008 Submitted by:  Barbara Hitch

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Eula Louise
Name of Newspaper: Edwardsville Intelligencer
Date of Obituary: 12 September 1924
Obituary: Nut Causes Death Child Strangled on Kernal Here Recently Eula Louise KORTUM To Be Buried on Sunday Eula Louise KORTUM, 30 months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John KORTUM, who moved here several weeks ago from Gillespie with the intention of making Edwardsville the family residence, died this morning about 3 o'clock at the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium in St. Louis from the effects of getting one or more salted peanuts in her lungs. Double pneumonia developed about two weeks ago and caused the death. The KORTUMS had been here but two or three weeks when the mother went to a neighborhood grocery store to make some purchases. The little girl wanted some peanuts but the mother did not want her to eat them. A traveling salesman later placed a penny in the machine and gave the girl the nuts. The mother turned just as the child put her hand to her mouth to eat some of the nuts, little Lula Louise laughing as she looked at her mother. The girl strangled and had a severe coughing spell which lasted fifteen minutes before having the least bit of relief. The breathing of the child changed within a few hours and she was taken to a Carlinville doctor and later to Springfield where the parents were told to go to St. Louis specialists. In the meantime one of the kernels had lodged securely and was giving off an injurious gas. Doctors found the condition too serious for an operation and were helping the child to some extent by inserting a tube which removed the gas. She had chances to recover until pneumonia developed. The KORTUMS are related to a number of Edwardsvillians and had partially arranged to sell their Gillespie home and come here to reside. The little girl is the only child. The funeral is to be held Sunday afternoon from the HAYES home north of Gillespie. The HAYS are grandparents of the child.

Obituary of Louis KORTUM, Jr., Macoupin County Illinois 1© 1999 Submitted by:  Barbara Hitch

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Louis, Jr.
Name of Newspaper: Edwardsville Intelligencer
Date of Obituary: 12 September 1924
Obituary: Meets Death On Railroad Crossing Louis KORTUM, Jr., of Gillespie was killed Friday morning when his auto was hit by the west bound morning train on the Big Four railroad about two miles east of Gillespie. According to the report, while crossing the railroad track his engine died and the west bound train struck him demolishing the car and he was internally injured. The train was stopped and he was brought to Gillespie but died soon after he was taken to the office of Dr. HIGGINS. He was a prominent citizen of Gillespie, and his death was a sad shock to his relatives and friends. Corner W. W. JACOBY went to Gillespie to conduct an inquest.

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Louis Henry
Name of Newspaper: Macoupin County Inquirer
Date of Obituary: March 1, 1899
Obituary: Died: April 13, 1924, son of Ludwig H KORTUM
Found Dead In Bed Our citizens were shocked Sunday morning to learn of the sudden death of one of our highly esteemed citizens in the person of Louis KORTUM at the home of his daughter, Mrs Minnie TAYLOR on Park Avenue. The deceased had always enjoyed good health and was up and around on Saturday and did not complain of feeling badly. At six o'clock Sunday morning his daughter entered the room and he seemed to be sleeping peacefully and naturally. A short time afterward when she went to call him he was dead. The deceased was for many years one of our prominent farmers, and resided on a farm just west of this city. After the late war he retired from the farm and came to this city to reside, making his home with his daughter. He was a member of the Lutheran church and an honorable and honest citizen, highly respected by all who knew him. He leaves to mourn his sudden demise five children: Miss Matta, John, Charles and Miss Minnie TAYLOR of this city, and Mrs Emma MEYER of Denver, Colo. He also leaves one sister, Mrs Minnie WATERS of St Louis, and one brother, Edward of near Gillespie. His wife preceded him in death many years ago. His death was due to a sudden attack of heart trouble. He was aged 62 years at the time of his death. Funeral services were conducted from the Lutheran church in the city on Tuesday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Rev L KRECKELER officiating, and the interment took place in the Gillespie cemetery.

Obituary of Louis Henry KORTUM, Macoupin County Illinois ©2008 Submitted by:  Barbara Hitch

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Louis Henry, Jr.
Name of Newspaper: Macoupin County Inquirer
Date of Obituary: November 9, 1921
Obituary: Died: November 4, 1921
Meets Death On Railroad Crossing Louis KORTUM, Jr., of Gillespie was killed Friday morning when his auto was hit by the west bound morning train on the Big Four railroad about two miles east of Gillespie. According to the report, while crossing the railroad track his engine died and the west bound train struck him demolishing the car and he was internally injured. The train was stopped and he was brought to Gillespie but died soon after he was taken to the office of Dr. HIGGINS. He was a prominent citizen of Gillespie, and his death was a sad shock to his relatives and friends. Corner W. W. JACOBY went to Gillespie to conduct an inquest.

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Louis Henry, Jr.
Name of Newspaper: Gillespie Area News
Date of Obituary: November 9, 1921
Obituary:
Died: November 4, 1921
Louis KORTUM, Jr was run over and killed by the Big Four west bound passagener train Friday evening. (The train fireman stated that the train had struck his auto at a crossing north of Gillespie). On the morning of the accident, Mr KORTUM, accompanied by a Mr SIESKA of South Dakota was going to an adjoining farm where Mr KORTUM was going to paint a new barn that he had lately erected. Mr SIESKER was badly shocked, but suffered no injuries, stated that the train had struck KORTUM's auto at a crossing north of Gillespie.

Obituary of Louisa KORTUM (GRAWEN), Macoupin County Illinois ©2008 Submitted by:  Barbara Hitch

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Louisa
Name of Newspaper: Bunker Hill Gazette
Date of Obituary: March 1, 1899
Obituary: Died--at her home in Bunker Hill, on Thursday (February 23, 1899), at 11 o'clock a.m., Mrs. Louisa KORTUM, aged 78 years, 11 months and 19 days. Deceased was born in Germany and came to this country half a century ago, locating in Bunker Hill. Her husband died at this place about eight years ago. One daughter, living in St. Louis, and two sons, Edward, near Dorchester, and Louie, near Gillespie, survive her. Deceased was a respected and much beloved old lady, and a member of the German M. E. Church. The funeral services will be held at the German M. E. Church this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Ludwig, H.
Name of Newspaper: Bunker Hill Gazette
Date of Obituary: November 2, 1892
Obituary: Ludwig H. KORTUM, died on Wednesday, aged 85 years and 8 months. He was a native of Germany, and came to this country in 1852, locating in this place in 1859. He leaves a widow and six children. Rev KITTLE of Gillespie conducted funeral services on Friday.

Name of Deceased: KORTUM, Mary C.
Name of Newspaper: Bunker Hill Gazette
Date of Obituary: Sept 25, 1895
Obituary: Died: September 22, 1895 in St Louis, MO
A Fatal Jump Sad Death of a Bunker Hill Woman Mary KORTUM fell from a street car in St. Louis on Sunday night, sustaining internal injuries and skull fracture, and dying a few hours later, without regaining consciousness. She had signaled the motorman to stop, but the car kept on its way, and she jumped off, with result as stated. She was unknown to any on the car, and it was not until her body reached the morgue, and a statement of the case had appeared in the city papers, that her identity was established. Her sister, Lulu was visiting in the city at the time, and returned home on Monday. Deceased was a daughter of Mrs. KORTUM of this place, and about 30 years of age. For a few years past she had earned her own livelihood in St. Louis, and when she met her death she was engaged in a private family. She was the main support of her aged and infirm mother, and but a day before her death had assumed the burden of providing musical instruction for a niece. She was a member of St. John's M. E. Church, St. Louis. The corner's inquest was to have been held yesterday morning. If the newspaper accounts be substantiated, there is good reason for holding the car man for culpable neglect of duty. Funeral services will be held in the German Methodist church, in this place, today at 1:30 o'clock.

Name of Deceased: KOVAL, Joseph Patrick
Name of Newspaper: The State Journal-Register
Date of Obituary: March 27-28, 2020
Obituary: Joseph Patrick KOVAL, 1929 - 2020
Staunton, IL—Joseph Patrick KOVAL of Staunton, IL passed away March 15, 2020 at Heritage Health. Joe was born March 16, 1929 the son of Michael and Anna (Kasalko) KOVAL in Mt. Olive, IL. He married Rosemary VIDOT in 1967 and she died in 1986. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Lucille KOVAL and Virginia MORRIS, and his brothers Mike and John. Joe is survived by daughters Terri MRAZEK of Moses Lake, WA, Linda YINGST of Houston, TX, Rhonda KOVAL of Edwardsville, sons Keith KOVAL, St.Louis, and George (Elizabeth) KOVAL of Ballwin, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren. Nephews Mike (Monica) KOVAL, Virden, Jim MORRIS. Niece Sheila (Mike) NOONAN, Springfield, 3 great nephews and 3 great nieces. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and we will miss his warm smile and giggle that made us all smile. Joe was a graduate of Mt. Olive High School in 1947, Blackburn College 1950, University of Illinois 1952, and received his Bachelor of Law in 1954. Joe was drafted in the Army and served from 1954-1956 as JAG Officer in the 5th Armored Division in Texas. He joined as partner in the law firm of Kelsey and Koval in 1956. He was elected States Attorney for Macoupin County in 1972.He was elected Circuit Judge in Carlinville in 1976.and remained Circuit Judge until retirement in 2006. Judge Joe listed in the Marquis Who's Who, member Macoupin County Bar Association, IL Judges Association, American Judicature Society,and Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, served on the board and was a lector. He served on the board of Adopt A Pet Benld, VFW, sponsored families under the Unbound Charity, sponsored Wounded Warrior, and gave generously to many other charitable foundations. Joe enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers Mike and John and especially his nephew Mickey KOVAL. He was a fan of Emmy Lou Harris, Gunsmoke, Charles Schultz, and St. Louis Cardinals. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Adopt-A-Pet of Benld, IL or St. Michael's Catholic Church, Staunton, IL. Due to the Pandemic a private service will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Joe at a later date.

Name of Deceased: KRATOCHVIL, Frank
Name of Newspaper: Mt.Olive Herald
Date of Obituary: 8 Mar 1935
Obituary: Died At Hospital Frank KRATOCHVIL, Sr. of White City died at the Litchfield hospital Tuesday morning of asthma and complications, at the age of 60 years, 1 month and 20 days. The deceased has been a resident of White City for a long number of years, and is survived by his wife and three sons, Frank KRATOCHVIL, Jr. of Mt. Olive, Louis and Jerry KRATOCHVIL, the latter villiage clerk of White City; also four grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at the residence in White City on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m., and the remains were laid to rest in the Union Miners' Cemetery. The services were in charge of the Checo-Slovakia Lodge, of which he was a member.

Name of Deceased: KRUSE, Wilhelmina
Name of Newspaper: Mt.Olive Herald
Date of Obituary: 11 Feb 1893
Obituary: -Died- At her home East of Mt.Olive, Mrs. Wilhelmina KRUSE, of Pneumonia, Thursday, Feb. 9, '93 Deceased was 74 years old, and has been a resident of Mt.Olive for many years, and was a beloved mother of a large and respected family. Funeral services will be held at the Zion's Church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. 

Name of Deceased: KUZIA, Johanna
Name of Newspaper: Litchfield News Herald
Date of Obituary: July 19, 1927
Obituary: Johanna KUZIA Litchfield News Herald 7-19-1927 Staunton, July 19-Funeral Services for Mrs. Johanna KUZIA, who died at her home here Monday morning, will be held Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock at St. Michael's Catholic church. Rev. Father P. H. MASTERSON officiating. Interment in St. Michael's cemetery.





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