Verne Wiekne

Verne Wienke

HOMER – Verne Eugene Wienke, 90, of Homer passed away at 1:32 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 23, 2014) at his home.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Broadlands, with Rev. John Sharp officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Burial with military rites accorded will be in GAR Cemetery in Homer.

Verne was born June 6, 1924, in Homer, the son of Ernest and Emma (Rahn) Wienke. He married Barbara Lee on Dec. 7, 1946, in Homer. She preceded him in death on May 16, 1990.

Survivors include his two daughters, Cynthia Robbins of Danville and Anita (Kenny) Whitt of Homer; three grandchildren, Heather (Garrett) Douglass, Cory Whitt and Roger (Hilary) Whitt; four great-grandchildren, Blake Douglass, Brennen Douglass, Cameron Douglass and Micaela Childress; three sisters, Lois Swan of Aurora, Irma Clem and Orthalyne Taylor, both of Homer; several nieces and nephews; and his caregiver, Crystal.

He was also preceded in death by three brothers, one sister and a granddaughter, Andrea Robbins.

Verne was a member of Homer American Legion Post 290, Elks Lodge, Champaign County Farm Bureau and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

He served in the Army during World War II, "the greatest generation."

His high school basketball team won county tournaments five years in a row, during which time he was on the team for four years, most notably in 1941.

Verne was a rural mail carrier for 35 years in Homer and St. Joseph and a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.

He was an avid Cardinals fan, loved Fox News and Illini basketball and was a proud member of the Republican Party.

He enjoyed bowling, golfing and EI baseball for several years.

Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or Danville VA.

Harm Schluter

Harm Schluter

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RANTOUL – Harm Henry Schluter, 87, of Rantoul transitioned into life eternal on Friday (Aug. 22, 2014) at Heartland Nursing Home in Paxton.

Harm was born on Sept. 14, 1926, in Compromise Township, a son of William and Margaret Schluter. He married Vernetta Bunting on Dec. 14, 1947, in Gifford.

Surviving are his sisters, Regina Gronewald of Royal and Erna (Dick) Albers of Rantoul.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Henry Schluter.

Harm was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Gifford. He was an active member of American Lutheran Church in Rantoul. Harm served three terms on the church council, during which he was a trustee, an elder and president of the congregation.

Harm had a particular passion for farming. He learned to farm as a young boy when alongside his father he tilled the soil and planted using only the power of horses. His love for farming and horses continued throughout his life. Harm retired in 1992, but maintained an interest and involvement in farming through his sons.

Harm had a profound love for his family, which he consistently expressed in various ways. He established a loving relationship with each family member. In particular, Harm enjoyed taking his grandchildren for rides on the farm equipment and the horse and buggy. Harm liked simplicity and he would often lie on the floor watching his young grandchildren play. He kept a very good poker face when playing Old Maid.

Harm instilled his Christian faith by the way he lived his life and the manner in which he interacted with all people. Harm was compassionate, kind and humble. He was often referred to as a "gentleman."

Harm loved life. He wholly embraced his earthy existence. On Aug. 22, he surrendered his soul and peacefully passed with his family by his side. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy lives on through his family.

He is survived by four children: Linda (Charles) Smith, Lloyd Schluter, Wayne (Susan) Schluter and Steven (Becky) Schluter; his grandchildren, Michael (Tina) Smith, Christine (Jeff) DuBeau, Jana Dalton, Derek (Addi) Schluter, Brandon (Kayla) Schluter, Katherine Schluter, Emily Schluter, Benjamin (Brenna) Schluter, Mathew (Kellie) Schluter, Andrew Schluter; and his great-grandchildren, Coty, Randy, Tommy, Michela, Reese, Amber, Ryan, Skylar, Ella and Owen.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today (Monday) at Lux Memorial Chapel at Rantoul.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at American Lutheran Church in Rantoul.

Annette Gronewald

Annette Gronewald

RANTOUL – Annette K. Gronewald, 93, of Rantoul passed away on Friday evening (Aug. 22, 2014) at her home.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immnauel Lutheran Church, Flatville. Burial will follow at Beckman Cemetery, Thomasboro.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday also at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.
Annette was born May 8, 1921, on the family farm in Rantoul Township. She married Henry F. Gronewald on Feb. 8, 1941. He preceded her in death on March 10, 1988.
She is survived by a son, Roger (Betty) Gronewald of Royal; a son-in-law, Cary Wamsley of Peoria Heights; three grandchildren, Susan (Jim) Cotter of St. Joseph, Sharon (Jim) Miller of Philo and Holly (David) Wilderman of Maryville; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra Wamsley; a granddaughter, Alicia Champeau; two sisters; and a brother.
Annette was a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She loved to paint and write. She also spent many hours refinishing furniture.

Floella Hawkins

Floella Hawkins

URBANA – Floella L. Hawkins, 91, of Urbana passed away at 4:25 a.m. Friday (April 18, 2014) at her home.
Floella was born on Nov. 28, 1922, in St. Joseph to Bert and Bertha Whall Kirby. She married Don Hawkins in Danville on Nov. 29, 1947, and he survives.
Also surviving is one son, Terry (Elizabeth) Hawkins of Champaign; one granddaughter, Amber; and one grandson, Ian.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.
She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1941 and was employed by Kuhn's as head cashier for many years.
She was a past president of the Champaign County Nursing Home Auxiliary, charter member of the Urbana True Kindred Lodge 15 and served as secretary for over 20 years.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview.
Memorials should be directed to Carle Hospice or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy, is in charge of arrangements.

Sandra Wamsley

Sandra Wamsley

PEORIA HEIGHTS – Sandra S. Wamsley, 67, of Peoria Heights passed away at 12:03 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 14, 2014) at Proctor Hospital in Peoria.
A memorial service will be at noon Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at a later date.
She was born May 2, 1947, in Urbana, the daughter of Henry and Annetta (Jansen) Gronewald. Her father preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Alicia Champeau.
She married Cary W. Wamsley on April 7, 1990, in Champaign. He survives.
Sandra is also survived by her mother, Annetta Gronewald of Rantoul; daughter, Holly (David) Wilderman of Maryville; grandchildren, Katherine, Sarah and Chloe Wilderman of Maryville; and brother, Roger (Betty) Gronewald of Royal.
She was a mortgage loan officer for several companies in Peoria. She was an associate member of the Navy-Marine Club Ship 34 in Peoria Heights and the East Peoria Boat Club.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery in Peoria.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 W. Lake Ave., Peoria.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ClaryFunerals.com.

Donald "Sonny" Hayn

Donald Hayn

URBANA – Donald "Sonny" Hayn, 77, of Urbana, formerly of Ogden, passed away at 11:39 a.m. Friday (Aug. 15, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, with Pastor Jay Johnson and Pastor Rich Tomlinson officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.
Donald was born Nov. 10, 1936, a son of Carl and Frieda Hayn. They preceded him in death.
He married Rosalie Brownfield on March 23, 1957, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. She preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 2010.
Surviving are two daughters, Debra (Gary) Mitchell of Homer and Donna Bradley of Bement; two grandsons, Nolan and Nathan Bradley; four sisters, Helen Humphrey of Ogden, Clarene Johnson of Fithian, Lois Samson of Mesa, Ariz., and Jo Ann Lynch of Newman.
Donald retired from Illini Pest Control after 26 years of service.
He enjoyed helping his family and friends, spending time with his grandsons, taking a drive around the area towns and countryside and visiting with his neighbors and friends.
Donald enjoyed fishing as much as he could and was a Cubs fan. He will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at the Carle Heart Center for all the care he received during his illness.
Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Royal.

Lori Ostendorf

Lori Ostendorf

DANVILLE – Lori Ann Ostendorf, 46, of Danville passed away at 12:58 a.m. Monday (Aug. 11, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
A visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Pape Family Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams St., Danville, with funeral services immediately following at 2 p.m. Minister Matt Sickmeir will be officiating. Relatives and friends are encouraged to wear their St. Louis Cardinals gear to the services in honor of Lori's favorite baseball team.
Lori was born Feb. 22, 1968, in Urbana. She attended St. Joseph Grade School and St. Joseph High School, graduating in 1986.
Lori went to work for Kraft Foods for seven years in Champaign and then for almost 16 years at the U.S. Postal Service in Champaign and Danville.
Lori enjoyed watching her St. Louis Cardinals and attending games whenever possible. She loved animals and her signature color was RED. Most of all, Lori enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, especially her son, Sebastian.
Lori was preceded in death by her grandparents, Wesley and Gertrude Flesner, Charles and Vera Ostendorf; and her uncle, Junior Ostendorf.
Surviving are her precious and only son, Sebastian Starkey of Danville, who will miss her dearly; her parents, Larry and Mary (Flesner) Ostendorf; brother, Brian, and sister-in-law, Dorsey Ostendorf; cousins, Melody Ozuna and Kevin Ostendorf; and many loving friends.
Messages and memories may be left on our website at www.papefuneral.com, or on the Pape Family Funeral Home Facebook page.

Marjorie Krukewitt Clem

Marjorie Clem

URBANA – Marjorie Clem, 94, of Urbana passed away at 8:10 p.m. Monday (Aug. 11, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, with her family by her side.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at the funeral home. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer.
Marjorie was born in Homer to parents Rudolph and Grace (Bowen) Krukewitt. They preceded her in death. On Dec. 23, 1939, Marjorie married Walter Clem in St. Louis. He passed away on Sept. 28, 2001. Also preceding her in death were her brother, Donald; and granddaughter, Deena Liggett.
Marjorie is survived by five children, Dorothy (Gil) Brinkmeyer of Champaign, Mary (Jim) Liggett of Yorkville, Carol (Bob) Apperson of Bondville, Wilson "Willy" (Penny) Clem of Philo and Edward "Ed" (Stephanie) Clem of Homer. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Clem farmed alongside her husband, whether driving the tractor, running her own combine, keeping records or taking meals to the field.
She was a member of Homer United Methodist Church, although she attended Grace United Methodist Church in Urbana in her later years. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Champaign County Farm Bureau.
Marjorie enjoyed visits from family and friends and always had a jigsaw puzzle on the table for everyone to help complete. She was an avid reader and loved country and bluegrass music and Molly B. Pokla Party on TV. She took pleasure in crocheting baby blankets for new babies in the family. There were always fresh cookies in the refrigerator. She especially enjoyed manning her table at the Philo Country Music Show.
Marjorie and her family are especially grateful to her new friends - her home care providers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Homer United Methodist Church. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Delmar Knipfer

Delmer Knipfer

URBANA – Delmer Knipfer, 79, of Urbana passed away peacefully at 5:35 a.m. Monday (Aug. 11, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Private graveside services will be held.
Memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Del was born on April 17, 1935. He served eight years in the U.S. Air Force. He loved his construction work and colleagues and was able to contribute until his passing.
His favorite pastime was working in his shop and sharing his woodworking talents with family and friends. He also enjoyed fishing and traveling.
Delmer is survived by his wife Eleanor (Ellie) Knipfer; children, Sandy Roberson of Colorado, Mike (Sue) Knipfer of Hartford, Wis., Bruce (Kathy) Knipfer of Wisconsin, Terrance Dallas of Colorado, LoriMae (Alan) Reynolds of Ohio, Larry Bradshaw of St. Joseph, Delmer "Buddy" (Shaun) Knipfer of Huntley, Ill., Chris (Karen) Knipfer of St. Joseph, Todd (Debbie) Knipfer of Tolono, Ivory "Willy" (Donna) Knipfer of Rochester, Minn., Jeff (Tina) McCarty of Urbana, Rhonda Bates of Pesotum, Karen (Sam) Shreeves of Homer and Kelly (Luke) Castrogiovanni of Oak Lawn; 19 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He is also survived by his sisters, Carol (Mac) McClatchey of Madison, Wis., and Linda (Rick) Gibson of New Auburn, Wis.; and brother, Lee (Brenda) Knipfer of Tulsa, Okla.
Delmer was preceded in death by his father Bryon Knipfer, mother Theresa Knipfer, brother Ronald Knipfer, daughter Theresa Knipfer, stepson Michael McCarty and grandsons Donavan Knipfer and Tylor Knipfer.