Ehme Schmidt

Ehme Schmidt

GIFFORD – Ehme R. Schmidt, 100, of Gifford passed away on Monday morning (April 28, 2014) at Country Health Care and Rehab, Gifford, surrounded by family.
He was born Aug. 6, 1913, on the family farm in Rantoul Township, a son of Rolf and Tida (Duitsman) Schmidt. He married Emma Ackerman on Dec. 31, 1937. She survives.
Also surviving are 10 children, Gene (Joan) Schmidt of Gifford, Merle Schmidt of Rantoul, Delmar (Beverly) Schmidt of Gifford, Amy (Pat) Manwaring of Thomasboro, David (Peggy) Schmidt of Fisher, Ruby (Gary) Nuss of Thomasboro, Rose (Roger) Robison of Gifford, Shirley (Dave) Waters of Urbana, Danny Schmidt of Champaign and Doug (Gina) Schmidt of Gifford.
Also surviving are 23 grandchildren, Denise (Keith) Erhard, Brenda (Tony) Tuttle, Scott Schmidt, Michael (Liz) Schmidt, Jason (Natalie) White, Ashley (Matt) Steele, Holly Tucker, Emily Schmidt, Eric Schmidt, Josh (Mary) Shepherd, Todd (Jackie) Shepherd, Zak (Melissa) Shepherd, Clint Anglin, Dave (Donna) Nuss, Rich Nuss, Ross (Danielle) Robison, Abbie (Mike) Goodwin, Lee (Sara) Waters, Lance Waters, Lyle (Cayla) Waters, Bobbi (Rob) Reinier, Cody (Kelli) Vaughn and Zach (Michelle) Vaughn; 24 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Cecelia Peters of Rantoul.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and Ted; sisters, Margaret, Bertha, Regina and Evelyn; two infant brothers; and a daughter-in-law, Rita Schmidt.
Ehme was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.
He retired after farming the Rantoul, Flatville and Gifford areas most of his life. Ehme loved gardening, working on older machinery and especially loved spending time with his family. He was also known to be a bit of a euchre player.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. Rev. James Lehmann and Rev. Barbara Busboom will officiate. Burial will be in Huls Cemetery, Gifford.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Country Health Care and Rehab or a charity of the donor's choice

Marian Hall

Marian Hall

MORTON – Marian L. Hall, 90, of Morton passed away on Saturday (April 26, 2014).
Marian, daughter of Horace and Susan Hazen, beloved wife of Duane Hall, completed her journey suddenly on April 26 at the UnityPoint Health-Methodist Hospital in Peoria.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Lindsey Hall. She is also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Stacy Kelly and her husband Colin and son Finian of Union, Maine; Jeff Hall of Sycamore; Erin Hopp and her husband Rob Hopp of Kahoka, Mo., and Garret Hall of DeKalb.
Marian worked as a dedicated teacher and administrator from 1953 through 1988 in the Danville and Ogden school districts.
She was a proud graduate and Lifetime Alumni member of the University of Illinois, having graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in 1946 and a master's degree in education in 1959.
She was an avid volunteer and a passionate lifetime learner, including work with the University of Illinois Extension, Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma, The St. John Lutheran Church of Royal and The American Association of University Women.
Marian served for many years on the board and was an active supporter and volunteer for the Vermilion County Museum.
She was an avid reader of history, nature, astronomy and political science. She enjoyed following UI athletics and the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, April 30, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Jay Johnson officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Arthur James

Arthur James

HOMER – Arthur James, 93, of Homer died on Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Heartland Health Care of Champaign.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Rich Snyder officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Carol Hillman

Carol Hillman

ST. JOSEPH – Carol (Koehn) Hillman of St. Joseph passed from this life on Tuesday (April 22, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
She was born Jan. 3, 1937, at Urbana, the daughter of Harold and Erna Prahl Koehn of Mansfield. Carol married Delmar Hillman on June 30, 1957.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, April 28, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Dave Birch officiating. Burial will be in Blueridge Cemetery, Mansfield. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Carol is survived by her husband, Delmar, as well as her brother Kenneth (Nancy) Koehn of Normal. She is also survived by several aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and many other family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Carol was a 1954 graduate of Mansfield High School and received her B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of Illinois.
She taught music in Mansfield Elementary and High School, and then moved to St. Joseph and taught 31 years before retiring. Following her retirement, Carol taught part time in the Tolono schools and also one year at St. Thomas in Philo.
She began playing for church at the age of 12 at Centerville Methodist Church near White Heath, and later at the Mansfield Methodist Church.
After she and Delmar moved to St. Joseph, she played at the St. Joseph Church of Christ for 31 years, and more recently at the Oakwood Christian Church for 13 years.
While teaching in St. Joseph, her students presented many school concerts, and performed for several groups in St. Joseph. They also performed for Penny's Bridal Christmas Show at Market Place Mall, and for many years led singing groups and handbell choirs at the mall. Her students also performed at Six Flags in St. Louis.
She and her husband both volunteered in Boy Scouts as Merit Badge Counselors, with Little League, as well as track and basketball games.
For many years she played flute in Parkland Community Summer Band. After retiring from teaching in St. Joseph, she taught in the College for Kids programs at both Parkland and Danville Area Community College and she taught eight years in the Elderhostel Senior and Intergenerational programs at the University of Illinois.
She also helped the State Office of Education for several years as a representative and team member doing Five-Year College reviews.
Carol belonged to the UI student chapter and the Urbana-Champaign Alumni Chapter of the Mu Phi Epsilon music sorority, serving as secretary, vice president and president, and chapter delegate to two national conventions.
She was a member of the Illinois Education Association (IEA), National Education Association (NEA), Music Educator's National Conference (MENC), and she received a National Music Educator's award in New Orleans in 1990 at the National Convention.
She was also listed in Who's Who in Teachers of America in 1994 as well as in the Educational Communities Inc., and in Who's Who Among America's Teachers.
Mrs. Hillman was selected by the village of St. Joseph as their 1986 Citizen of the Year and was a state finalist for Illinois Teacher of the Year two years in a row.
After retiring, Carol continued singing in the choir and playing in the Community Band which was an organization that played summer concerts in various nearby towns for the enjoyment of the communities.
Carol loved people of all ages, and fervently loved teaching and keeping in touch with her former students, as well as other friends and family, and participating in church activities.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the Oakwood Christian Church (P.O. Box 236 Oakwood, IL 61704), or an organization of the donor's choice.

Kenneth Suits

Kenneth Suits

PENFIELD – Kenneth E. Suits, 75, of Penfield passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, at 5:18 a.m. Tuesday (April 22, 2014).
He was born July 19, 1938, in Champaign, a son of Henry B. and Emma C. (Busboom) Suits. He married Rosetta Fruhling on June 22, 1958, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. She survives.
He is also survived by two children, Jeff (Melissa) Suits of Penfield and Kimberly (Mark) Wood of Gifford; a sister, Doris Osterbur of Champaign, and a brother, Virgil Suits of Thomasboro; four grandchildren, Randi (Corey) Rademacher of Fithian, Morgan (fiance, Jeff Blankenship) Wood of Champaign, Evan Suits of Penfield and Taylor Wood of Gifford; and four great-grandchildren, Nolan, Reagan, Quinn and Carson Rademacher, all of Fithian, with the fifth to arrive in June.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Emma Suits; his father- and mother-in-law, Mane and Grace Fruhling; and his brother-in-law, Raymond Osterbur.
Kenny was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, where he served on church council and was a member of the wonderful Cathedral Choir. He was also an active member of the I&I Tractor Club and Champaign County Farm Bureau and a former member of the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association.
He served as a member of the Penfield Grade School Board and was a leader for 20 years for the Penfield-Gifford Ag 4-H Club. He also was an EI baseball player and an avid softball player. He was a lifelong farmer in the Penfield, Gifford and Flatville areas.
Kenny was a loving husband, father and grandfather and truly enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the most, always making sure to attend their many activities.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 Friday morning at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. James Lehmann will officiate. Burial will follow at Beckman Cemetery, Thomasboro. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 Thursday evening at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, or an organization of the donor's choice.

Vera Nussmeyer

Vera Nussmeyer

SIDNEY – Vera B. Nussmeyer, 89, of Tuscola, formerly of Sidney and St. Joseph, passed away Monday (April 21, 2014) at Tuscola Health Care Center, Tuscola.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Living Word Family Church, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Larry Millis and the Rev. Mike Mack officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph.
Mrs. Nussmeyer was born Oct. 7, 1924, in West Lebanon, Ind., the daughter of Lawerence and Monzell England Kincade. She married Irvin F. Nussmeyer on Feb. 4, 1945, in Tab, Ind. He preceded her in death on Dec. 31, 2010.
Survived by two sons, Ronald Nussmeyer of Sidney and Steve Nussmeyer of St. Joseph; one daughter, Karen Reifsteck of Villa Grove; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four brothers, Clifford Kincade of Indianapolis, Robert Kincade of Williamsport, Ind., Marion Kincade of Fowler, Ind., and Harlan Kincade of Jamestown, Ind.; and one sister, Mary Ellen Waymire of Attica, Ind.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.
Mrs. Nussmeyer was a member of Living Word Family Church in St. Joseph. She was a homemaker and helped her husband farm for 56 years. She enjoyed singing, Christian music and fill-in puzzles. She was a Chicago Cubs fan.
Memorials may be made to Living Word Family Church, St. Joseph.

Vernon Rademacher

Vernon Rademacher

ROYAL – Vernon Rademacher, age 76, of Royal passed away at 3:45 p.m. Monday (April 21, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford, with the Rev. Steve Lombardo officating. Burial will be in Stanton Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m.
Vernon was born July 21, 1937, at rural Fithian, the son of Frank and Hiske Schlueter Rademacher. He married Norine Buhs on Feb. 8, 1959, at Flatville. She survives.
He is also survived by two daughters, Sharon (Dennis) Osterbur of Gifford and Lori (Ron) Bensyl of Royal; a daughter-in-law, Beth (Leon deceased) Rademacher of St. Joseph; eight grandchildren, Tammy (Troy) Vallee of St. Joseph, Dallas (Kacie) Osterbur of Penfield, Kristen (Nate) Massey of St. Joseph, Kyle (Leah) Rademacher of St. Joseph, Kurt (Maria) Rademacher of St. Joseph, Kelsie (Seth) Blackford of Potomac, Ryan Bensyl of St. Joseph and Kalee Bensyl of Royal; six great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Macy and Payton Vallee, Noah and Ellee Rademacher and Korbin Massey; five brothers, Arnold (Emma) of Royal, Ernie (Marleen) of Gifford, Norman (Jeannie) of Gifford, Marvin (Shirley) of Rantoul and Wayne (Glenna) of Fithian; and three sisters, Elaine (Marvin) Flessner of St. Joseph, Carolyn (Duane) Schluter of Penfield and Janet (Ron) Suits of Urbana.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Leon Rademacher.
Vernon was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford. He farmed in the area all his life. Vernon enjoyed spending time with his family and friends

Arthur James

Arthur James

HOMER – Arthur James, 93, of Homer passed away Thursday (April 17, 2014) at Heartland Health Care, Champaign.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. April 26 at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Rich Snyder officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mr. James was born Aug. 23, 1920, at Thomasboro, the son of Marion F. and Mary Evelyn Rogers James. He married Dorothy Stamm; she preceded him in death in 1981.
He is survived by one son, Thomas James of North Carolina; three daughters, Ruth Penny of St. Joseph, Evelyn Boatz of Urbana and Tina Cumston of Colorado Springs, Colo.; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and special friend, Eva Pruitt of Homer.
He was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters.
Mr. James farmed north of St. Joseph. He enjoyed woodworking and making lawn ornaments and wishing wells.
Memorials can be made to the donor's choice.

Cinda Mullis Pridemore

Cinda Pridemore

CHAMPAIGN – Cinda Mullis Pridemore, 60, of Champaign passed away on Monday (April 14, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
She was born Sept. 21, 1953, to "Sailor" and "Bea" Mullis of Homer. She married Gene Pridemore on Oct. 30, 1992. They combined hearts as well as families, and they shared three daughters, Christine Nargelenas of Fairmount, Colleen Hatton of Champaign and Elizabeth Hatton of Urbana, and one son, Jeff Pridemore of Sidney.
She is survived by her husband, children and her beloved grandchildren, Katherine Hatton, Chandler May, Hailey Doeden, Kevin Doeden, Lily Doeden, Olivia Nargelenas and Jackson Nargelenas.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Madeline Mullis Shreeves and Glenda Mullis Shreeves.
Cinda was a teacher at Judah Christian School for almost 25 years. She had gone back to the University of Illinois to become a teacher in 1984 and she found her true calling. She loved being a teacher and teaching fourth grade was her favorite grade. She was able to evaluate each student's needs and make sure that each received what was needed to succeed.
She was also a very active member of the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed prayer groups, vacation Bible school and youth club.
She was a proud grandmother to all of her grandchildren, including the children of many of her friends. She loved them all and was always sharing their accomplishments.
She loved to travel with Gene. Whether it was a nature trip to Michigan to look for rocks or just to have coffee in another state, she loved a good car trip.
More than anything, Cinda loved her friends and family. She was always happy to go out of her way to help someone and loved to just spend time with the people that she loved. She will be missed by many family, friends and students.
The visitation to celebrate Cinda's life will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Faith United Methodist Church in Champaign, and the memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday April 23, 2014, at Faith United Methodist Church.
The family will have a memory box for family and friends to bring loving memories to share. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Judah Christian School Financial Aid Fund to help continue Cinda's passion for education.

Anetta Osterbur

Annetta Osterbur

GIFFORD – Annetta L. Osterbur, 92, of Gifford passed away peacefully at the Country Health Care and Rehab Center, Gifford, surrounded by family and friends at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday (April 16, 2014).
She was born Sept. 5, 1921, on the family farm in rural Thomasboro, a daughter of Eilt and Antje (Miller) Bruns. She married Frank Carl Osterbur on April 8, 1945, at the Peace Lutheran Church, Thomasboro. He preceded her in death on Jan. 27, 2010.
She is survived by three children, Darlene Osterbur of Rantoul, Barbara Osterbur of Rantoul and Dennis (Sharon) Osterbur of Gifford; a brother, Edgar (Martha) Bruns of Gifford; a sister, Dorothy Bruns of Royal; two grandchildren, Tammy (Troy) Vallee of St. Joseph and Dallas (Kacie) Osterbur of Penfield; and three great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Macy and Payton Vallee, all of St. Joseph.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Minnie Bergman; and two brothers, John Bruns and Robert Bruns.
Annetta was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Royal where she quilted. She also quilted with the Penfield Quilting Group. She worked several years at Bilek's Greenhouse.
She loved to garden, work jigsaw puzzles and play cards.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Rev. Jay Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Kopmann Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at St. John Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to the Country Health Care and Rehab Center or St. John Lutheran Church.

Isabelle Fritzen

Isabelle Fritzen

URBANA – Mary "Isabelle" Fritzen, 95, of Urbana passed away at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday (April 16, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 18, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview; Rev. C.W. Greer will officiate. There will be no public visitation.
Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Fritzen was born on March 15, 1919, in Vance Township, the daughter of George Cecil and Bertha Mae Peters Marsh. She married Norman St. John; they had two daughters, Darlene Kay Wright of St. Joseph and Barbara Ann Reed of Camas, Wash. She then married Clarence I. Fritzen in March 1967; he died on Nov. 8, 1988.
She is survived by her two children, six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Gladys Mae Munds of St. Joseph; one brother, Robert "Pete" (Charlotte) Marsh of Newman; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Russell and Glenn; one sister, Helen; her son-in-law, James Wright; great-grandson, James Wright; and a stepson, John Fritzen.
Mrs. Fritzen graduated from St. Joseph High School.
She was a clerk for A&P Grocery in Urbana and worked with her husband at Fritz Flower Shop.
Mrs. Fritzen was a member of the St. Joseph United Methodist Church.
The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses for the wonderful care Isabelle received.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to an organization of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Maude Price

Maude Price

ST. JOSEPH – Maude Ellen Price, 100, of St. Joseph passed away at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday (April 15, 2014) at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 17, at St. John Cemetery, Royal.
Maude was born July 26, 1913, at Dillsburg, Ill., the daughter of Frank and Vernie Wright Alcorn. She married Leo Russell Price on Aug. 10, 1932. He preceded her in death in 1976.
She is survived by her children, Donald (Sandy) Price, Terry (Alesia) Price and Phyllis (Roy) McCarty, all of St. Joseph; five grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by six brothers; three sisters; one daughter, Darlene Maris; and four grandchildren.

Neva Wood

Neva Wood

ST. JOSEPH – Neva E. (Fiock) Wood, 99, of St. Joseph passed away at 2:30 a.m. Sunday (April 13, 2014) at the Champaign County Nursing Home in Urbana.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., and funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, April 15, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with David Barcus officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview.
Neva was born Sept. 20, 1914, at St. Joseph, the daughter of Louie Randolph Fiock and Leona Tryphenia Swearingen Fiock.
She married Lorin Ferris Wood on July 1, 1939, at St. Joseph.
Survivors include her niece, Barbara G. Maddock Knott and husband Jack Knott of St. Joseph. Lorin and Neva raised Barbara while she was growing up.
She is also survived by great-nephews Greg Knott (Brooke) of St. Joseph and their children Riley Knott and Hayden Knott; and Kevin Knott (Julie) of Homer, as well as many other nieces and nephews.
Neva was preceded in death by her husband Lorin on April 9, 1993; a brother, A. Conn Fiock; and her sisters, Bonnie Mae Fiock, Maurine Fiock Overman, June Fiock Head and Mary Fiock Routh.
She was a 1932 graduate of St. Joseph High School and a 1936 graduate of St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing in Danville.
Lorin and Neva farmed near Tipton in St. Joseph Township and Neva spent her life caring for others as a Registered Nurse.
She was a lifelong member of the St. Joseph Church of Christ, where she and Lorin taught Sunday School for many years. She was also a member of the St. Joseph Women's Club and the Royal Neighbors of America.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society or Champaign County Nursing Home.

Inez Brewer

Inez Brewer

HOMER – Inez L. Brewer, 90, of Homer passed away on Thursday (April 10, 2014) at the Champaign County Nursing Home in Urbana.
There will be a graveside service at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 17, at the G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. Pastor John W. Sharp and Pastor Scott Weiler will officiate. There will be no visitation.
Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Brewer was born on April 23, 1923, at Newman, a daughter of Carl and Josephine Stuebe Schweineke. She married Carlos Brewer on Jan. 19, 1945, at Dallas, Texas. He passed away on June 17, 1980.
Survivors include one son, Terry (Debby) Brewer of Homer; and one daughter, Karen (Dusty) DeLario of Vail, Colo. Also surviving are two granddaughters, Haley (Mark) Hallett and Ashley (Darrin) McCartney.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Inez was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Broadlands, American Legion Auxiliary and RSVP Retired Nurses.
She was a graduate of Longview High School in 1941 and a graduate of Lakeview School of Nursing 1944.
Her hobbies included embroidery and she was an avid Cubs fan.
Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church of Our Savior, G.A.R. Cemetery or Homer American Legion Auxiliary.

Barbara Watson

Bertha Watson

METAMORA – Bertha L. Watson, 93, of Metamora, formally of East Peoria, passed away on Thursday (April 10, 2014) at Snyder Village in Metamora. She was born May 18, 1920, in St. Joseph to Oscar and Isadora (Johnson) Hart. Bertha married Charles Watson Sr. on Oct. 31, 1940, in Bismark.
Bertha attended school in St. Joseph and graduated from high school in 1938. She was a homemaker who loved to cook and read, and was a skilled artisan in knitting, crocheting and hand-crafted lace.
Bertha was also a member of Willow Hill United Methodist Church in Germantown Hills.
Surviving are her two sons Richard (Lynne) Watson of Cordova, Tenn., and Charles (Sandie) Watson Jr. of Metamora; grandchildren, Danielle (Robert) Seemann of Arlington, Tenn., Jason (Angela) Watson of Arlington, Scott Watson of Cordova, Amanda (Evan) Barnett of San Francisco, Kimberly (Brian) Barlow of Dunlap and Melanie Watson of Germantown Hills; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Linda, three sisters and two brothers.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Stearns Cemetery in Muncie, Ill. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Willow Hill United Methodist Church Building Fund. Online tributes and condolences may be made atwww.RemmertFuneralHome.com.

Melvin Blobaum

Melvin Blobaum

GIFFORD – The Rev. Melvin Charles Blobaum, 83, of Gifford died on Thursday evening (April 3, 2014) at Country Health Care Center in Gifford.
He was born July 22, 1930, in the parsonage of Hope Lutheran Church, Rhodes, Mich., to the Rev. August Blobaum and Marie (Duden) Blobaum.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Greek from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, in the spring of 1952. He answered the call to study for the Gospel ministry and graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, with the Bachelor of Theology degree on May 31, 1956.
He married Mary Lou Mixdorf on June 2, 1956, at First Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Iowa. This union was blessed with four children. She died on Dec. 5, 1996.
He was ordained into the gospel ministry at St. James Lutheran Church, Humboldt, Neb., on June 24, 1956.
He answered the call to serve the congregations of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Bassett, Neb., First Lutheran Church, Ohio, Ill., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gifford, and St. John Lutheran Church, Anchor, from 1982 until his retirement in 1995.
He served as interim pastor at Pontoppidan Lutheran, Elliott; and visitation pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, until July 2012.
He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. He served on the board of directors of Country Health Care Center, Gifford, for many years, and was a former member of the Gifford Lions Club.
He was a member of the Martin Luther Men's Chorus and the Central Eastern Illinois Beekeeping Association.
Survivors include four children, Paul Blobaum of Park Forest, Philip (Cindy) Blobaum of Des Moines, Iowa, Margaret (Sean) Coleman of South St. Paul, Minn., and Norman Blobaum of Gifford; four grandchildren, Emily, Jacob, Lee and Anna of Des Moines, Iowa; three brothers, Everett of Strawberry Point, Iowa, Emil of St. Joseph, Ill., and Harold of Strawberry Point, Iowa; and two sisters, Carolyn Schroeder of Lincoln, Neb., and Linda Pein of Champaign.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. The Rev. Jay Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery, Thomasboro.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at St. John Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to the Country Health Care Center, Gifford, or donor's choice.