Rachel Wenta

ST. JOSEPH – Rachel Wenta, 88, of St. Joseph passed away at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Paul Dinges officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Rachel was born April 20, 1928, in a farmhouse in Owen, Wis., the daughter of Josef E. Serafia Haapaniemi Bjorn.

She married Joseph Wenta on April 10, 1948, at Great Lakes. He preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 2002.

She is survived by her son, David (Kelly) Wenta of St. Joseph; daughters, Anona Stack of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Sanna (Patrick) King of Winchester, Mo.; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Elvie Fredbeck of Gurnee.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and three sisters.

Rachel worked many years at Champaign County Bank and Trust and Busey Bank and later Collegiate Cap and Gown.

She was a member of the Mayview Methodist Church and later the St. Joseph United Methodist Church. She was a member WSCS out of the Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School and Bible school and Methodist Youth.

She enjoyed baking and won numerous ribbons at the Champaign County Fair.

Rachel and her husband welcomed for many years international students from the University of Illinois into their home.

The family would like to thank Amber Glen, Champaign County Nursing Home, Habour Light Hospice, St. Joseph United Methodist Church, friends and neighbors.

Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph United Methodist Church.

Keith Kropp

SIDNEY – Keith "Keeter" Kropp, 48, of Sidney passed away at 9:04 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at home.

Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at Bill Huss Chapel Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney. Family asks that you wear casual attire.

Mr. Kropp was born Oct. 11, 1968, in Champaign, a son to Martin "Marty" and Susan Mitchell Kropp.

He married Teresa Feldkamp on May 12, 1990, at Sidney. She survives. Also surviving are his dog, Hannah, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kevin.

He was owner/operator of Redneck Apparel Company, Sidney. He was a lieutenant on Sidney Fire Department.

He was considered a pillar of the community always wanting to help anybody, showing his big heart. He was instrumental in the car show during Sidney Fun Daze for 15 years.

Memorials may be made to Sidney Fire Department.

Phyllis May Hale

OAKLAND – Phyllis May Hale, 88, of Oakland passed away Saturday (Dec. 24, 2016) at Hilltop Nursing Home in Charleston.

She was born Sept. 20, 1928, in Ishpeming, Mich., the daughter of Madge and J. Kenneth Smith. She married the Rev. Charles E. Hale on June 30, 1950. He passed away Dec. 11, 2000.

Phyllis is survived by three sons, Stephan (Priscilla) of St. Joseph, Robert (Donna) of Oakland and Donald (Chris) of Oakland; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a brother, David (Toodie) Smith of Marion, Ind.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother, Lt. Richard Smith; and a sister, Mary Alice Yates.

Phyllis graduated from Franklin College and earned her master's from the University of Illinois. She taught home economics, high school English, remedial reading and second grade and third grade at schools in central Illinois. Towns included were Champaign, Decatur, Oakland, Niantic-Harristown, Heyworth and Wapella.

She was a member of the Oakland United Methodist Church and was an active member of the United Methodist Women. She loved to sew and make blankets and quilts for the Baby Fold and relief organizations. She made several beautiful wall hangings for the church in Oakland. Phyllis was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma in Douglas County.

Phyllis and Charles served many churches together in East Central Illinois. Churches included were Clifton, Danville, Hume, Metcalf, Kansas, Harmony, St. Joseph, Decatur, Oakland, Hindsboro, Chatsworth, Heyworth, Gays and Edgar, Ill.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Oakland United Methodist Church, Oakland Memorial Library or Oakland-Hindsboro Charitable Foundation.

Services will be at Krabel Funeral Home in Oakland at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, with a visitation one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the Harmony Cemetery north of Kansas. Online condolences may be left at www.krabelfuneralhome.com.

Forrest Edgar Anderson

DANVILLE - Forrest Edgar Anderson, 82, of Danville, passed away at 2 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2016 at Heritage Health in Hoopeston. 

Forrest was born on Sept. 11, 1934, in Homer, the son of Edgar J. and Nellie Mae (Yeazel) Anderson. 

He married Carolyn Lavonne Lusk on Oct. 20, 1957, in Rossville, and she survives. 
Other survivors include his son, Mark Russell (Lisa) Anderson of Sunrise, Fla.; one grandson, Ryan Matthew Anderson of Sunrise, Fla.; three sisters, Shirley (Donald) Kelly of St. Joseph, Judith (Henry) Dunn of Lehigh Acres, Fla., and Karen (Ken) Currier of Lakeland, Fla.; and one brother, Donald (Gayle) Anderson of Las Vegas, Nev. as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Forrest is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Richard Dean Anderson; two sisters, Jean Murray and Barbara Anderson; and one brother, Larry Anderson. 

Forrest graduated from Homer High School in 1952 and proudly served his country in the United States Army with Company A of the 70th Engineering Battalion in Salzburg, Austria and Germany. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 31, 1962 and attained the rank of SP-3. During his time in the service, he received the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Occupation Medal. Forrest was a farmer for most of his life and during the off-season, worked seasonally at FMC Corporation as well as Stokely-Van Camp Plant. Forrest was a member of Rossville United Methodist Church in Rossville. 

In his free time, he enjoyed tinkering out in his tool shed, working on various projects, and maintaining his farm equipment. Forrest was amazing with his hands, passing those skills to his son, Mark. If it broke, he could fix it! He was known as the "go to guy" by everyone. 
A Chapel Committal Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, at Sunset Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum, 3901 N. Vermilion St., in Danville. Raymie Gordon will officiate. Inurnment will be in Sunset Memorial Park Danville. 

Memorials may be made to St Jude's Children's Hospital. 

Please join Forrest's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. - See more at: http://obituaries.commercial-news.com/story/forrest-anderson-1934-2016-857520912#sthash.53lnKBjR.dpuf

Brian Lyn Kilian

SAN MATEO, Calif – Brian Lyn Kilian, 50, of San Mateo, Calif., formerly of Homer, passed away on Dec. 6, 2016, at AM Residential Care Home in Burlingame, Calif.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, at Homer United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Teri Shane officiating. Burial will take place in St. John's Cemetery, Broadlands. There will be no visitation.

Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, is handling arrangements.

Brian was born on Aug. 31, 1966, in Champaign, the son of Harold Glen and Mary Anne Lee Kilian.

Survivors include his father, Harold Kilian of Homer; brothers, Keith (Anne) Kilian of Homer and Craig (Lorita) Kilian of Truman, Minn.; nieces and nephews, Tricia (Ryan) Kurtenbach, Reid (Shannon) Kilian, Wade (Mary) Kilian, Zachary Kilian and Cydney Kilian; and great-nieces and nephews, Gabriel Kurtenbach, Miranda Kurtenbach and Cameron Kilian.

He was preceded in death by his mother and brother, Brett.

Brian was an elevator mechanic. He was a member of International Union of Electric Constructors Local No. 8. He had a wonderful family of friends.

Memorials can be made to Homer United Methodist Church or Homer Fire and Rescue.

Steven Hodge

BROADLANDS – Steven Hodge, 62, of Broadlands passed away at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at Meadowbrook Health Care, Champaign.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the Joines Funeral Home, 401 W. Gillogly St., Newman, with the Rev. Kathy Murphy officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, northeast of Newman. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Steve was born June 17, 1954, in Danville, the son of Charles and Wilma Cross Hodge. He married Bobbi Gilstrap on Jan. 6, 1979, in Newman. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother of Decatur; one son, Adam Hodge, Champaign; one daughter, Bridget (Jim) Sellers of Rosewood Heights; three grandchildren, Landon, Haley and Kyle Sellers, of Rosewood Heights; one brother, Chris (Kathy) Hodge, Champaign; two sisters, Cha (Mike) Bishop, Decatur and Tina (Gary) Henderson, Allerton; several much loved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father in 2015.

Steve was a 1972 graduate of ABL High School.

He served as a medic in the U.S. Air Force. He was retired from the U.S Postal Service. Following retirement he returned to work as an EKG tech at Carle.

For many years, he coached football at both Heritage and Salt Fork high schools. He also coached both boys' and girls' basketball at Heritage. He enjoyed playing himself on the Nostalgia basketball team and on a slow pitch softball team.

Steve's hobby was ballroom dancing. He also enjoyed watching TV so much, especially the old black and white movies, that he earned the nickname of "TV Steve".

He belonged to the Masons and was a member of the Homer American Legion.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors or to the American Cancer Society.

Joines Funeral Home, Newman, is in charge of arrangements.

Sandra K. Pinaire

URBANA – Sandra K. Pinaire, 70 of Urbana passed away at 1:45 a.m. Sunday (Dec. 4, 2016) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph, with David Barcus officiating. Burial will be in Yearsley Cemetery, Urbana. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Sandra was born March 5, 1946, at Clinton, the daughter of Ralph and Tressie Golden Tudor. She married Larry Pinaire Nov. 27, 1966 at Weldon. He survives.

She is also survived by a son Bryan (Carla) Pinaire of St. Joseph; brother Carl E. (Linda) Tudor of Pearl, Miss.; six grandchildren Cortney (Craig) Hall, Austin Pinaire, Dakota Pinaire, Jacinta (Jesse) Smith, Jordan (Yaritza) Bladen and Chase Chapman; nine great-grandchildren Kylan, Reese, Zoe, Cheyanne, Jeese Jr., Loyatt, Karsyn, Drayven and Jasmyn.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother.

Sandra worked as a waitress, retail sales and babysitting children. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting events, spending time with family and decorating her house.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.

Elvin J. Ackerman

RANTOUL – Elvin J. Ackerman, 88, of Rantoul died at 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville with the Rev. James T. Lehmann and the Rev. Barbara Busboom officiating. Burial will follow in Kopmann Cemetery. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville is handling arrangements.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, in Dier's Hall, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville followed by a prayer service.

Elvin was born Jan. 15, 1928, in Compromise Township, the son of Ehme and Ida S. Saathoff Ackerman.

He married Mildred Ehmen March 6, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. She preceded him in death Oct. 20, 2010.

He is survived by three daughters, Linda (Tom) Finger, Barbara Hall, Lois (Gary) Sjoken, all of Rantoul; four grandchildren, Lisa (Pastor Nathan) Feig, James Finger, Jessica (Christopher) Baker, Timothy (Brooke) Sjoken; three great-grandsons and expecting a fourth great-grandson in May and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Elvin was a lifelong grain farmer. He was also a dairy farmer for a number of years raising registered Holstein cattle and a top milk producer in Champaign County. He later raised beef cattle, showing them at local county fairs and the Illinois State Fair winning many trophies and awards, including the Grand Champion Bull in the State of Illinois.

He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville and served on the church council. He was a 50-year member of the Gifford Lion's Club and a former school board member of the Flatville Grade School and Rantoul Township High School.

He enjoyed bowling and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. After his retirement, he pursued his passion for woodworking and worked on projects around the house.

He was a loving father, "opa" and friend and will be missed by all.

Memorials may be made to the Gifford Lion's Club, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville or an organization of the donor's choice. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com

Annis Skinner

BROADLANDS – Annis Skinner, 93, of Broadlands passed away at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at Joines Funeral Home, 401 W. Gillogly St., Newman, with the Rev. Ben Williamson officiating. Burial will be in the Fairfield Cemetery north of Newman. Visitation will be one hour before service time.

She was born Oct. 28, 1923, in Indiana, a daughter of Everett and Mattie Chandler Wagoner. She moved to Illinois as an infant with her grandparents with whom she made her home. She married James R. Skinner on Nov. 22, 1942, in St. Louis. He preceded her in death in 1985.

Surviving are one daughter, Sue (Bob) Todd of LeRoy; two granddaughters, Tara (Jason) Bolding of LaGrange and Trina (Brent Wallace) Todd of LeRoy; and seven great-grandchildren.

Annis was one of 10 children, five brothers and four sisters. Several have preceded her in death.

She was a member of the United Community Church of Broadlands. She had been employed by the Heritage and ABL school districts and worked for the Jury Commission of Champaign County for many years.

She had resided for the past one and a half years at the LeRoy Manor in LeRoy.

Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital or to the donor's choice.