Losing someone in a tight-knit community like the Metro East isn't just a private family matter; it’s a ripple that hits everyone from the local diner to the high school bleachers. If you've been scanning the bnd obituaries for this week, you're likely looking for more than just dates and times. You're looking for a legacy.
Honestly, the Belleville News-Democrat has always been the primary place where we say our final goodbyes. It’s a tradition. It’s how we find out that the guy who used to fix our lawnmower was actually a decorated veteran, or that the quiet librarian down the street once traveled the world as a jazz singer.
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Local Legacies in the Metro East
This week, we’ve seen several names that remind us of the deep roots planted in Belleville, Fairview Heights, and O’Fallon. Seeing names like Walter Richard Cempura, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who passed away on January 14, 2026, hits home. He spent his life serving, and his family remembers him for his hard work and generosity. Then there’s Francis “Frank” J. Pawloski, who left us on January 11. He was 80 years old, a lifetime resident born in East St. Louis. These aren't just names; they are the people who built the neighborhoods we walk through every day.
People often get it wrong—they think obituaries are just for the "important" people. Not true.
The bnd obituaries for this week highlight everyone. Look at Shelley King from Belleville, who passed away on January 9 at just 57 years old. Her memorial is set for this Saturday at the Tavern on Main. It’s a local spot where friends will gather to share stories over a drink, exactly how a community should celebrate a life. Then you have Myrtle P. "Myrt" Vierheller, who lived to be 99. Think about that. She saw nearly a century of change in St. Clair County before passing on January 7.
Why Searching Online is Kinda Tricky
You might’ve noticed that finding these notices isn't as simple as it used to be. Back in the day, you’d just wait for the paper to hit your porch. Now, you’re navigating Legacy.com or hopping between funeral home sites like Renner, Kurrus, or Kassly.
If you're hunting for a specific service time for Jonathon Ross White or Susan Thomas, who both passed recently, you have to be quick. Services happen fast. For instance, Eddie McGee Sr. has a visitation scheduled for January 17 at New Mt. Zion MB Church. If you wait until the Sunday paper comes out, you've already missed the chance to pay your respects.
Basically, the digital shift means you have to be a bit of a sleuth.
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How to Effectively Track BND Obituaries for This Week
If you're trying to stay updated, don't just rely on a single Google search. Here is how most locals actually keep up:
- Check the "Recent" Tab: On the BND website, the "Passings" section is updated daily, but the full narratives often take a day or two to appear after the initial death notice.
- Funeral Home Direct Feeds: If you know the family uses a specific home, like George Renner & Sons or Kurrus, their websites often post the full service details 24 hours before the newspaper does.
- Sign up for Alerts: Most people don't know you can actually set an email alert for specific last names. It’s a lifesaver if you’re looking for a distant relative or an old coworker.
It’s also worth noting that the "this week" part of your search can be broad. Some families wait a few weeks to hold services, especially during the winter months or if they have relatives flying in from across the country. Alice Ann Gyerman, who passed at 94 on January 7, is a perfect example of a long life that deserves a well-planned send-off.
The Stories We Often Overlook
Sometimes the most poignant entries aren't the ones with the long lists of achievements. It's the short ones. Brian William Gegel, who was 82, passed away peacefully at home in Belleville just after the New Year. He was born in Marissa, a small town that still feels like a world away from the Belleville suburbs. These smaller connections—where someone was born versus where they ended up—tell the real story of the Metro East.
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We also see younger losses that shake the community. Amber Johnson, only 40, passed away after a long battle with cancer. It reminds you that these pages aren't just for the elderly; they are a reflection of the fragility of life in our own backyard.
What You Should Do Next
If you are looking for a specific person in the bnd obituaries for this week, don't just stop at the name. Read the guestbook. Often, old classmates or neighbors leave comments that provide a lot of comfort to the family. If you're planning on attending a service, double-check the location. With so many churches and chapels in the area—from Fairview Heights to O'Fallon—it's easy to get turned around.
Check the date of the publication. A notice appearing on Wednesday might be for a service on Friday. If you missed a service, sending a card to the funeral home to be forwarded to the family is still a very common and appreciated gesture in our area.
Keep an eye on the local weather too; January in Illinois is unpredictable, and sometimes service times get pushed back if a snowstorm hits the 62220 or 62221 zip codes.
To stay truly current, visit the official BND obituary portal or the specific funeral home websites daily, as the "week" often resets in the system on different days depending on the provider.