Johnson & 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

03/19/2026

Tongsuk “Dolly” Romine, 82, of Sims, passed away at 11:49AM on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at her home. She had been a homemaker. Dolly was born in Thailand on January 1, 1944, to Peem Saengchan and Muang Jan Jansushm.

Dolly is survived by her sons- Allen (Corey) Downen of Yorkville IL, Donnie (Whitley) Downen of Sims, and Kevin (Jessica Waldrop) Downen of Fairfield; daughter- Michelle Downen of Sims; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-eight great grandchildren also survive.

Dolly was preceded in death by her husband- Michael Romine, son- Ronnie Lee Downen, and grandson- Nick Downen.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30AM on Monday March 23, 2026, at Baltimore Cemetery. There will be no visitation, family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home is in charge of all the arrangements.

03/18/2026

Congratulations to Ryan Best on his opportunity to serve as the newest Wayne County Coroner, starting in December, 2026!! 👏🇺🇸

03/17/2026

It's Illinois Primary voting day! Get out to the polls and vote, if you haven't done so already!! Good luck to our funeral director, Ryan Best, on his run for Wayne County Coroner!!🍀