Janet Howell

Janet Howell

HOMER – Janet Kay Howell, 73, of Sun City, Ariz., was called home at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2014.
Mrs. Howell was born on Aug. 17, 1940, in Eugene, Ind., the daughter of Chester and Daisy Tate Strohl. She married Lyman Howell on March 8, 1965, in Champaign.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three sisters and a brother.
Survivors include a daughter, Kimberly Buttery of Sun City, Ariz.; a sister, Norma Huls of St. Joseph; three grandchildren, Kurtis Flick, Erika Flick and Krystal Hoover, and one great-grandson, Kolton Flick, all of Arizona; and many nieces, nephews and extended family she loved dearly.
Mrs. Howell was a longtime resident of Homer. She was active in her community and church. She taught Sunday school and Bible school for several years at the Homer United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed working in her community at the Custard Cup and at the dime store. She retired after 15 years at Colwell printing company. Mrs. Howell had a love for life, laughter, family and friends. She enjoyed picnics and family gatherings.
Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the Homer New Life Church of Faith. Pastor C.W. Greer will officiate. Burial will follow at Old Homer Cemetery. Please join the family for a picnic at Homer Park, south pavilion, immediately following services.
Memorials may be made to the hospice organization of choice

Janet Suits

Janet Suits

URBANA – Janet Suits, 65, of rural Urbana passed from this earthly life on Monday (May 12, 2014) at home.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford, with the Rev. Steven Lombardo officiating. Burial will be at Beckman Cemetery, Thomasboro, immediately following the service. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford.
Janet was born May 21, 1948, in rural Fithian, daughter of Frank and Hiske Schlueter Rademacher. She married Ronald Suits on Nov. 12, 1966, at Royal. He survives.
She is also survived by two sons, Doug (Kelle) Suits of Urbana and David (Ann) Suits of Robbinsdale, Minn.; four grandchildren, Emily and Brianna Suits of Urbana and Benjamin and Sarah Suits of Robbinsdale, Minn.; five brothers, Arnold (Emma) Rademacher of Royal, Ernie (Marleen) Rademacher of Gifford, Norman (Jeannie) Rademacher of Gifford, Marvin (Shirley) Rademacher of Rantoul and Wayne (Glenna) Rademacher of Fithian; and two sisters, Elaine (Marvin) Flessner of St. Joseph and Carolyn (Duane) Schluter of Penfield.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Vernon (Norine) Rademacher.
Janet was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford.
She retired from Parkland College in 2005 after 18 years of dedicated service.
She taught Sunday school for several years and was involved in Bible study fellowship throughout the years. She also loved cooking, baking, and sewing - often sharing those goods with neighbors, friends and family.
The family would like to express a heartfelt note of appreciation to all the physicians, nurses and staff of the Carle Cancer Center for the loving care they gave Jan the past 13 years.
Janet's strong faith in Jesus Christ allowed her to handle the debilitating effects of cancer with tremendous grace and peace. She found comfort and reassurance in Scripture, including one of her favorite verses from Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Sandra Aden

Sandra Aden

CHAMPAIGN – Sandra K. Aden, age 65, a lifelong resident of Champaign County, died Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, following extensive cancer treatments.
She was born March 27, 1949, in Urbana, the daughter of Clarence G. Aden and Minnie Buhr Aden, who preceded her in death.
She was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Royal. Growing up in the Royal community, Sandy attended Royal Grade School and St. Joseph-Ogden High School, all of which prepared her well for her academic pursuit in higher education.
She received her bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Southern Illinois University, where she earned the distinction of becoming a Rhodes Scholar, and was awarded a fellowship to pursue graduate work.
She applied her knowledge, sense of fairness, kindness and compassion in her personal as well as her professional life. She gave to numerous charitable organizations throughout her life and gave the ultimate gift as an organ donor upon her death.
Her commitment to fairness and advocacy for the underprivileged served as the foundation for her 20-year career as a social worker for the Department of Child and Family Services in Champaign County.
Sandy loved research, music, nature and animals. She was particularly fond of her annual trips to Lake Michigan, where she would spend a few days enjoying the wonders of nature and the serenity of God's love. She was a very private person yet touched the lives of many.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Aden.
She is survived by her twin sister, Brenda, and her brother, Dennis. Other survivors include nephews Mark Aden, Christian Aden and Timothy Aden and a niece, Kelly Kathrens. She is also survived by her aunt, Irene Buhr, and her cousins, Steve, Russel, Kenneth and Marcie Buhr, Shirley Huls and Pat Huls Crane from Pontiac. Also surviving are numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and her beloved feline friend, Aspen.
Arrangements are being made by Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory of Urbana, with memorial services planned for a later date.
Memorials are handled by Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory and may be made to the Champaign County Stepping Stone Men's Shelter. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.

George Flesner

George Flesner

THOMASBORO – George M. Flesner, 86, of Thomasboro died at 12:03 p.m. Thursday (May 8, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
George was born on Nov. 20, 1927, to Martin and Johanna (Rocker) Flesner. He married Carolyn L. Christians on Feb. 7, 1953, at Peace Lutheran Church in Thomasboro. She survives.
He is also survived by his two children, daughter Nancy (Kenneth) Schmidt of Thomasboro and son Jeffrey (Susan) Flesner of rural Rantoul; a sister, Annetta (Robert) Ackerman of Gifford; eight grandchildren, Kurt Schmidt, Justin Schmidt, Katie (Justin) Einck, Travis (Nikky) Flesner, Teresa (Jonathan) Bruns, Tara Flesner, Jason (Delia) Hinton and Chelsie (Damien York) Rosa; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Chris, Henry, and Bill Flesner; and two sisters, Hattie Brown and Elizabeth Barnett.
George was a member of numerous boards including The Immanuel Lutheran Church Council of Flatville, the Flatville Grade School, the Gifford Elevator Board, the Flatville Special Drainage District, the Compromise Township Board of Trustees and the German Fall Festival Board of Gifford.
He farmed the family farm near Flatville all of his adult life and ran a custom corn sheller for 40 years. He also drove a Gulf gas truck for 15 years.
George enjoyed pitching in a fast-pitch softball league, playing horseshoes and bowling. He was an avid Cardinals fan.
Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com.