Lance Waters

Lance Waters

URBANA – Lance Robert Waters, 29, of Urbana passed away at 11:45 a.m. Sunday (July 27, 2014) at home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor James Lehmann officiating. Burial will be in Yearsley Cemetery, Urbana. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Lance was born May 6, 1985, in Champaign, the son of David and Shirley Schmidt Waters.
He is survived by his parents of Urbana; two brothers, Lee (Sara) Waters of Sellers and Lyle (Cayla) Waters of Urbana; two nephews, Lucas and Benjamin Waters; maternal grandmother, Emma Schmidt of Gifford; paternal grandmother, Gladwyn Waters of Gifford; aunts and uncles, Genalee (Mike) Tevebaugh, Mary (Charles) Butzow, Gene (Joan) Schmidt, Merle Schmidt, Delmar (Bev) Schmidt, Kathy (Pat) Manwaring, David (Peggy) Schmidt, Ruby (Gary) Nuss, Rose (Roger) Robinson, Danny Schmidt and Doug (Gina) Schmidt; and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Robert Waters and Ehme Schmidt; and aunt, Rita Schmidt.
Lance graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 2004. He attended Parkland College and was a licensed EMT Basic and a certified nursing assistant. Lance enjoyed spending time with friends and family.
Memorials may be made to Community Choices, 44 E. Main St., Suite 206, Champaign, IL 61820.

Shirley Harry

Shirley Harry

SAVOY – Shirley J. Harry, 85, of Savoy passed away at 8:15 a.m. Friday (July 25, 2014) at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.
A celebration of life will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 2014, at Windsor of Savoy, 401 Burwash Ave., Savoy. A private graveside service will take place at a later time.
Shirley was born in Mattoon on May 19, 1929, to mother Leatha Todd, who preceded her in death. On Dec. 26, 1949, she married Donald G. Harry (former Champaign County auditor); he preceded her in death on July 15, 1998. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Corky Waters.
Shirley is survived by three children, Diana (Bill) Williams of Urbana, David (Kay Zindars) Harry of St. Joseph and Richard (Brenda) Harry of Smithton; three grandchildren, Corrine Williams (Aaron Weinzierl), Brittany Harry and Jordan Harry; and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Harry was a clerk at the Supervisor of Assessment Office of Champaign County for over 20 years and a member of First United Methodist Church of Urbana, Champaign County Farm Bureau and United Methodist Women. She was an accomplished seamstress and, later in life, became a champion Wii bowler.
Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley's name to First United Methodist Church of Urbana or to the MDA for research on Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) at Muscular Dystrophy Association - USA (MDA.com) National Office, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606 (800-572-1717).
Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.

LaVerne Osterbur

LaVerne Osterbur

ROYAL – LaVerne Osterbur, 88, of Royal passed away at 7:16 a.m. Monday (July 21, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, with Pastor Jay Johnson officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Prayer service will be held at 8 p.m.
LaVerne was born on June 21, 1926, near Flatville, the daughter of John B. and Katie J. Johnson Duitsman. She married Louis Martin Osterbur on Aug. 23, 1944. He preceded her in death on March 14, 2012.
She is survived by her children: son, Rodney (Sandie) Osterbur of Royal; and daughters, Gloria (Robert) Schmidt of Rantoul and Ranae (Larry) Barnstable of Brimfield.
Also surviving are six grandchildren, Jeff (Gina) Osterbur of Dayton, Tenn., Tricia (Gabe) Keith of Catlin, Kyle (Jami) Schmidt of Oundle, England, Jamie (Mark) Johnson of Dayton, Ohio, Thea (Jay) Austin of Morton and Brady (Hannah) Barnstable of Minneapolis.
Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren; sister, Betty (Herbert) Osterbur of Royal; and sister-in-law, Janice Duitsman of Gifford.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, John W. Duitsman.
She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, where she served as organist for over 50 years. She was also a member of the church sewing group and the Sarah Bible study circle.
She helped her husband on the family farm. LaVerne worked as a cook at the Royal Grade school for 11 years. She served on the Country Health Nursing Home auxiliary in Gifford. LaVerne loved playing the piano and cooking for others.
LaVerne was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her friends and family. She truly enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Country Health Nursing Home or St. John Cemetery, Royal.

Roy Windler

Roy Windler

URBANA – Roy A. Windler, 76, of Urbana passed away at 6:10 p.m. Saturday (July 19, 2014) at home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph, with Pastor Seth Jersild officiating. Burial will be in Yearsley Cemetery, Urbana. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Windler was born Aug. 24, 1937, at Broadlands, a son to Alvin and Ida Schuette Windler. He married Gerry Marriott on March 5, 1960, at Champaign; she survives.
Also surviving are three children, Kay (Greg) Fink, Cam (Tim) McKinley and Kyle (Jodi Johnson) Windler, all of Urbana; three grandchildren, Lynnette and Bryan Fink and Lindsey Windler; four nieces and nephews, Vicki Hastings, Keith Watson, Craig Leeper and Beth Givan; and several great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Verdell Leeper, Lorraine Watson and Arleen Everett.
He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1955 where he was a member of FFA and he earned the American Farmer Degree.
He farmed east of Urbana all of his life and was named Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer.
He served six years in the National Guard.
He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He also enjoyed bowling, riding Harleys, going camping, boating and snowmobiling. He was a good friend to many.
Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

Beulah Miller

Beulah Miller

SAVOY – Beulah F. Miller, 95, of Savoy passed away at 2:45 p.m. Thursday (July 10, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Private services will be held. Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.
Beulah was born in Murdock, the daughter of James and Mary Ayers Taylor.
She is survived by two daughters, Carol (Jack) Coleman of Sidney and Joan (John) Vito of Roscoe, Ill.; grandchildren, Steve and Ken Osterbur of Royal, John Robert (Lisa) Vito of Marango and Brian (Jennifer) Vito of Pleasant Valley, Wis.; great-grandchildren, Stacey Osterbur, Kyle, Lane and Emma Osterbur, John Russell, Samantha and Abigail Vito, Luca and Zachary Vito; great-great-granddaughter, Makayla Osterbur; and two sisters, Betty Grove of Philo and Joyce Trumble of Urbana.
She was preceded in death by a brother, John Taylor; and sisters, Violet Chesnut and Lily Mae Mumm.

Virgil Duitsman

Virgil Duitsman

OGDEN – Virgil Louis Duitsman, 83, of Ogden passed away at 10:54 p.m. Saturday (July 12, 2014) at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, with Pastor Jay Johnson officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. John Lutheran Church with a 7 p.m. prayer service.
Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.
Virgil was born April 28, 1931, in Ogden Township, the son of Louis H. and Ida C. Huls Duitsman. He married Louise Hardin on Dec. 10, 1949, at Fithian. She survives.
Survivors also include two sons, Gary (Lori) Duitsman of Ogden
and Tim Duitsman of Ogden; four grandchildren, Kelly Duitsman-Loschen, Cory (Robin) Duitsman, Rad Duitsman and Shelby Duitsman; five great-grandchildren, Avery and Annie Loschen, Bradey, Chloey and Kinzey Duitsman; and two brothers, Marvin (Alice) Duitsman and Everett Duitsman.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father and stepmother.
Virgil was a life member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal.
He farmed in the area all of his life. Virgil liked cooking for large groups with his friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.

Bettye Seastrand

Bettye Seastrand

ST. JOSEPH – Bettye Marie Seastrand, 90, a longtime resident of St. Joseph, passed away in her beloved home on Wednesday morning (July 9, 2014) with her husband, daughter and son-in-law by her side.
Bettye was born in Kansas City, Mo., on May 26, 1924. She met and married her husband Daniel when he was stationed in Kansas City during World War II. They were married on Aug. 20, 1945, and moved to Aledo, Ill. They moved to St. Joseph in 1962.
Bettye worked as an insurance broker in Champaign for many years. After retirement, she opened the Rose Cottage Antiques Store in St. Joseph.
Bettye, along with her husband and daughter, was a charter member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. In 2007, she was named St. Joseph's Citizen of the Year.
Bettye is survived by her husband, Dan; daughter, Laura Ann Missitzis and son-in-law, Lambros Missitzis of Chicago; brother, Dean Hunter of Denver; and many friends in St. Joseph.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Laura Stenzel Hunter; father, Frank Hunter; stepmother, Anna Hunter; son, Donald Seastrand; and brothers, Richard Hunter and Hal Hunter.
Funeral services will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, with Pastor Seth Jersild officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be given to the Aleluya Ministries, 310 O'Hara Drive, Pharr, TX 78577, or to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph.
Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.