Bonnie Jean Ellis Wienke

HOMER – Bonnie Jean Wienke, 89, of Urbana, formerly of Homer, passed away at 5:10 a.m. Friday (Jan. 23, 2015) at Amber Glen facility in Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Broadlands. Pastor John Sharp will officiate. Burial will be in the G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Mrs. Wienke was born Jan. 6, 1926, in Danville, a daughter of Roy and Hazel Haworth Elli (they were the owners of the Ellis service station in Homer). She married Ernest Wienke Jr. on April 18, 1946, in East Hardin. He passed away on Sept. 18, 2000. She is survived by three daughters, Melissa Morrison of Los Alamos, N.M., Candace (Kenny) Thurman of Sidney and Kristina Finney of Indianola; six grandchildren, Amanda (Scott) Ferran, Aaron Morrison, Stacey Erdman, Bronwyn (Zach) Cain, Blane McClellan and Bailey McClellan; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Charles Dale Ellis.

Bonnie was a graduate of Homer High School in 1944. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Broadlands, Homer Historical Society and Homer American Legion Auxiliary. She worked at a few places in the area, including the bakery at the Sunnycrest IGA and the Grab It Here store, and her latest employment was working at her brother-in-law's shoe store in Homer, Wienke's Shoe Repair. Bonnie enjoyed spending time with her family. She was an avid reader and loved to paint, travel and crochet.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Homer Library.

Marie Buhr

PENFIELD – Marie Lorraine Buhr, 86, of rural Penfield passed away at 3:55 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 27, 2015) at Presence Covenant Medical Center., Urbana

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Jay Johnson will officate. Burial will be in Kopmann Cemetery Royal. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Marie was born July 13, 1928, at rural Thomasboro, a daughter of Victor and Theda Lubben Strom. She married John Buhr at Peace Lutheran Church, Thomasboro, on June 19, 1949. He preceded her in death on Sept. 17, 2007.

She is survived by her son, Duane Buhr of Penfield; daughter, Diane (Loren) Riddell of Ogden; three sisters, Myra Rucker of Champaign, Mary Jane (Richard) McGee of Pana and Marilyn (Al) Bramlet of Utah; one brother, Mervin Strom of Champaign; four grandchildren, Jeremy (Angela) Crawford of Gifford, Angela (John) Crawford of St. Jacob, and Nathan Buhr and Christopher Buhr, both of Penfield; and four great-grandsons, Keegan Brooks, Taylor and Kendrick Crawford, all of Gifford, and Jacob Crawford of St. Jacob.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son David, two brothers and one sister.

Marie was a homemaker and farm wife. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Royal.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or to a charity of the donor's choice.

The family would like to thank the staff of Presence Covenant Medical Center, Hospice and Country Health Care and Rehab Center for the care given to Marie.

Lewis Bishop

HOMER – Lewis Dean Bishop, 84, of Urbana, formerly of Homer, passed away at 8:29 a.m. Monday (Jan. 26, 2015) at the Champaign County Nursing Home in Urbana.

Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Oakwood. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Mr. Bishop was born Oct. 3, 1930, in Tilton, a son of Alvie and Goldie Bumgard Bishop.

He is survived by his cousins.

Mr. Bishop enjoyed riding his motorcycle around the Homer community.

Memorial contributions may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.

Robert Routh

ST. JOSEPH – Robert Routh, 91, of St. Joseph passed away at 10:15 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 24, 2015) at his home.

A private service will be held.

Robert was born in St. Joseph, the son of Charles H. and Beulah Davis Routh. He married Imogene Chambliss in November 1953. She preceded him in death in 1982.

He is survived by his children, Don Routh of Urbana, Tom Lewis of Bloomington, Ind., and Susan Dahburg of Bloomington, Ind.; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Esther Maron of St. Joseph.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lowell and Earl "Tuck" Routh; and one sister, Velma Baylor.

Robert farmed in the St. Joseph area all his life. He was a member of the Champaign County Farm Bureau.

Rusty Chism

ST. JOSEPH – Rusty Chism, 50, of St. Joseph passed away at 9:11 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 22, 2015) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 9:11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Vineyard Church, 1500 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, with Pastor Dave Ashby officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church with the Fire Department Walk-through at 7 p.m.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Rusty was born Jan. 1, 1965, in Champaign, the son of Forrest and Nancy Swan Chism. He married Prease Winkler on Oct. 5, 1991, in St. Joseph. She survives.

He is also survived by his son, Addison, and daughter, Aidynn, at home; his parents of St. Joseph; brothers, Brad Chism of Fishers, Ind., and Scotty Chism of St. Joseph; parents-in-law, Darrell and Cheet Winkler of Fisher; sister-in-law, Zachera (Joseph) Wier of Gibson City; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Rusty was a division chief with the Urbana Fire Department and also served as the chief of the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District. He previously worked as a paramedic and a flight medic for Carle.

Rusty enjoyed four-wheeling, especially with his son. He enjoyed spending lots of time with his children.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District or to NCI Thymic Cancer Research, ATTN: Arlene Berman, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 10, Room 12N226, Bethesda, MD 20892. Checks should be made out to NCI/Thymic Cancer Research.

Danny Mark Esposito

OGDEN – Danny Mark Esposito, 56, of Ogden died at 1:52 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Ogden United Methodist Church, 105 W. Main St., Ogden. Arrangements are by Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Ogden Rescue Squad.

Terry Bishop

ST. JOSEPH – Terry Bishop, 70, of St. Joseph passed away at 6:46 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 17, 2015) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 802 E. Douglas St., St. Joseph, with Pastor Seth Jersild officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Sandusky Cemetery, Westville.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Terry was born June 1, 1944, at Danville, the son of Willet and Anne Savoldi Bishop. He married Nancy Gilbreath on Aug. 19, 1962. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Laura (Tim) Reardon of Potomac and Tracy (Todd) Richardson of Ogden; grandchildren, Jennifer (Beau) Acton of Royal, Kristina Robertson of Royal, Ashley (Clayton Thomas) Robertson of Broadlands and Brock Loschen of Ogden; great-grandchildren, Ashton and Carlee Thomas of Broadlands; and one brother, Willet Bishop of Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Beatrice Bishop.

Terry was a graduate of Westville High School. He retired from the University of Illinois Printing Division in 1998 after 25 years. He attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Terry enjoyed tournament bass fishing, sports, traveling, trap shooting and furniture restoration.

He was a loving and devoted husband, caring and compassionate father and a guiding light to his children and grandchildren as they liked to say "Grandpa can fix it."

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the Carle Foundation Hospital inpatient oncology staff for all the care and compassion they provided.

Memorials may be made to the Mills Cancer Center.

Linda Routh Shunk

CAMARGO – Linda Shunk, 57, of Camargo passed away on Sunday morning (Jan. 11, 2015) at home.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Villa Grove Methodist Church, 302 2nd St., Villa Grove, with Pastor Sandi Hire officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the New Life Center at the Villa Grove United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Camargo Cemetery. Joines Funeral Home, Illinois 130 South, is handling arrangements.

Linda was born on Dec. 17, 1957, in Urbana, a daughter of Earl "Tuck" and Mary Routh. She married Todd Shunk on Oct. 1, 1977.

She is survived by her husband, Todd Shunk; son, Jeremy Shunk of Camargo; and daughters, Jaime (Drew) Mitchell of Monticello and Jill Shunk of Lexington, Ky.

Also surviving are her grandsons, Kaleb Reid and Easton Mitchell; her siblings, Randy Routh of Thomasboro, Diane (Charlie) Berry of St. Joseph and Bill (Debbie) Routh of St. Joseph.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents.

Linda spent her career working as a dental assistant in central Illinois. Her hobbies included spending time with friends and family.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Shunk Family Trust, which will go to her grandchildren's college education.

Verniece Yeazel Krukewitt

SIDNEY – Verniece Yeazel Krukewitt, 96, of Sidney passed away at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 7, 2015) at Country Health Care, Gifford.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, with Rev. Mike Picklesimer officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Krukewitt was born Nov. 28, 1918, a daughter to Everett Blaine and Bessie Maude Mauck Sylvester. She married Harold Yeazel in 1940 and later married Raymond Krukewitt in 1970; both have preceded her in death.

She is survived by two sons, H. Gene (Susan) Yeazel of Sidney and Robert A. (Diane) Yeazel of St. Joseph; two stepsons, Kent (Linda) Krukewitt of Homer and Lynn (Kathy) Krukewitt of Fort Worth, Texas; a stepdaughter, Carolyn J. (Case) Masic of Wisconsin; four grandsons; two granddaughters; three step-grandsons; two step-granddaughters; nine great-grandchildren; a niece, Vergene Rodman; and nephew, Kemp Berbaum.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and a brother.

She graduated from Homer High School in 1936 and taught in a one-room school southwest of Homer. She later taught at Sidell, Fairmount, Georgetown, Danville and Homer grade schools, retiring in 1980.

Verniece will always be remembered for her strong devotion to her family and great smile. She touched many lives during her years as an elementary school teacher. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Memorials may be made to Sidney Fire and Rescue or St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection.

William Burwell

URBANA – William "Bill" Burwell, 86, of Urbana was called home to meet his Lord and savior at 11:49 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 7, 2015) at Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab Center in Savoy.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. The Urbana and St. Joseph Masonic Lodges will perform Masonic rites at 7 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Minister Bret Hammond officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olive Cemetery in Mayview.

Mr. Burwell was born Aug. 22, 1928, in Ivesdale to parents Ardie and Mayme (Ray) Burwell. He married the love of his life, Helen Perkins, on June 12, 1948, in Arcola; she survives.

Also surviving are children, Richard Burwell (Paula) of St. Joseph, Allen Burwell (Pam) of Granbury, Texas, and Teresa Marsh (fiance, Tom Twigg) of Mahomet.

Mr. Burwell's six grandchildren are Jimmy Burwell (Lisa) of Granbury, Texas, Tyler Marsh (Brittany) of St. Joseph, Laura Marsh (Douglas Martin) of St. Joseph, Christy Nivison of Urbana, Susan Burwell of Texas and Anna Burwell of Mattoon. Also surviving are seven great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death.

Mr. Burwell worked as a fireman for the University of Illinois for 11 years. He then worked for the university at the Physical Plant as a locksmith for 20 years before retiring.

Bill was a member of the Webber Street Church in Urbana, a lifetime member of the Champaign Moose Lodge, and a member of both the Urbana and St. Joseph Masonic Lodges.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carle Hospice Foundation or Alpha-Care Professionals.

Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Michael Wayne Hallett

HOMER – Michael Wayne Hallett, 61, of Homer passed away at 3:45 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 8, 2015) at University Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind.

There will be a funeral service at noon Monday, Jan. 12, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. The Rev. Teri Shane will officiate. The burial will follow in the G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. There will be a visitation from 11 a.m. until service time on Monday at the funeral home.

Mr. Hallett was born Sept. 1, 1953, in Danville, a son of Charles and Nellie Worley Hallett. He married Kathy Wolf on Sept. 13, 1975, in Villa Grove. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Toby (Jill) Hallett of Homer; a daughter, Tera (Eric) Hallett of Chicago; six grandchildren; three brothers, Chuck Hallett of Homer, Bob Hallett of Danville and Frank Hallett of Catlin; and two sisters, Wilma Wolf of Homer and Eileen Bloxom of Ashmore.

Mr. Hallett was preceded in death by two granddaughters. Michael's hobbies included fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid Bears and Cardinals fan.

The family has requested that family and friends attending services dress casual and warm.

The memorial contributions may be made to the University Hospital IU Health or the Homer Fire and Rescue.

Joanna Hodges

OGDEN – Joanna Hodges, 88, of Ogden passed away at 3:06 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 3, 2015) at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Joanna was born March 30, 1926, at Ogden, the daughter of Erzie and Vera White Fiscus. She married Raymond Hodges on Feb. 2, 1946. He preceded her in death in July 2000.

She is survived by son, Steve (Sherry) Hodges of Mahomet; three grandchildren, Madeline (Trent) Gill, Katie (Jon) Bowman and Leslie Hodges, and their mother, Randa Hodges; one step-grandchild, Tabytha Lawless; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.

Joanna worked at the Ogden and St. Joseph-Ogden High School as a secretary. She was a big Illini basketball and Chicago Cubs fan. Joanna loved dining out with her family.

Memorials may be made to Empty Tomb, 301 N. Fourth St., Champaign, IL.

Helen Krukewitt

HOMER – Helen E. Krukewitt, 95, of Homer passed away at 6:48 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 6, 2015) at her home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Pastor Raymond Gordon and Pastor Doug Krukewitt will officiate. The burial will be in the G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Krukewitt was born on Aug. 18, 1919, in Roundup, Mont., the daughter of Charles W. and Lena Houtrouw Tibbetts. She married Donald R. Krukewitt on March 14, 1939, in St. Charles, Mo. He passed away on Feb. 13, 2003.

Survivors include three sons, Charles W. Krukewitt of Dixon, Ronald W. Krukewitt of Largo, Fla., and David M. Krukewitt of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Kathy Bown of Champaign; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Irene King of Boise, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.

Helen was a member of the Homer Historical Society for many years. In former years, Helen and her husband Donald would enjoy going square dancing.

Memorials may be made to the Homer Historical Society.

Norma Jean Ward

ST. JOSEPH – Norma Jean Ward passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. She was 84.

Jean was born April 15, 1930, in Redmon, to E. Glenn and Muriel Gifford. In March 1951, Jean married Wayne E. Ward and moved to Champaign County. They lived in St. Joseph for over 50 years.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave, St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Jean is survived by two sisters; her children, Pam Reid of Potomac, Wayne Ward Jr. (Karla) of St Joseph, Donna Lutz (Mike) of Olney and Roger Ward of Olney; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, her husband and one child.

Jean worked at the data service in St. Joseph until she retired. She and Wayne showed American Saddlebred horses for many years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.