Carl Austin Parks Jr.

SIDNEY – Carl Austin "CJ" Parks Jr., 18, passed away on Thursday (Oct. 26, 2017) in Tolono as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident.

CJ was born on Jan. 7, 1999, in Urbana. He is survived by his parents, Carl and Heather Parks of Sidney; sister, Chelsea (Austin) Dixon of Peoria; and grandparents, Rodney and Teresa Crozier of Pembroke Pines, Fla.

CJ was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard Parks and Patricia Stout-Cookson.

CJ was a wonderful young man with a kind heart and a big personality. CJ was very outgoing and had many friends whom he loved. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his dad. His most recent hunt involved hunting doves, which he and his dad enjoyed for the first time together. CJ's greatest joy was being with family and friends.

CJ graduated from Unity High School in May 2017. During his time in high school he loved playing football and fishing on the bass team which he did for all four years. He began attending Parkland College this fall. He worked at Attie's Bar and Grill as a server. CJ was a hard worker.

CJ will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

Arrangements include the visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, and celebration of life services at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Christian Church in Champaign.

Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main, Sidney, is assisting with arrangements.

Joseph Allen Gudeman

ST. JOSEPH – Jason Allen Gudeman, 40, of St. Joseph died at 8:18 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 22, 2017) at St. Mary's Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church, 1255 South Lake Ridge Ave., Decatur. Pastor Scott Andrews and Chaplain Kit Troeger will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the church. Military honors by the Illinois Army National Guard will follow the service at the church. Private family burial will be held at a later date.

Tanzyus Logan Funeral Services, Decatur, is in charge of the arrangements.

Jason was born on July 12, 1977, in Champaign, the son of Don and Martha (Zike) Gudeman. Jason was a graduate of Oakwood High School and Parkland College.

He was a carpenter for Local Union 243 in Champaign.

Jason was in the Illinois National Guard for 20 years and served his country in Iraq, achieving the rank of SFC.

Jason is survived by his parents, Don and Martha Gudeman of St. Joseph; brothers, Doniel Gudeman and wife Charlene and Michael Gudeman, all of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister, Jennifer Nelson and husband Brian of Eagle Grove, Iowa; and two nieces.

Jason was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Please sign the family guestbook at www.tanzyuslogan.com.

Christopher Eugene Matthis

NEWMAN — Christopher Eugene Matthis, 58, of Newman passed away at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 17, 2017) in Broadlands as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. M o n d a y, Oct. 23, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana. Deacon Anthony Nickrent will officiate. There will be no visitation. Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, is handling arrangements.

Christopher was born Feb. 9, 1959, in Rantoul, the son of Billie J. and Mary M. Mueller Matthis. He married Patricia Chandler on Nov. 23, 1996. She preceded him in death on Sept. 12, 2015.

Survivors include his mother, Mary Matthis ofFithian; son, Christopher (Jaci) Matthis II ofPlainfield, Ind.; daughter, Kaylee (Jake) Oltean of Tuscola; daughter, Kaysee Matthis of Broadlands; son, Seth Matthis of Broadlands; two stepchildren, Shaylah

Jones and Joe Clark; grandchildren, Harper Grace Matthis, Noah Christopher Matthis and Kolton Trey Oltean; sister, Marianne (Ken deceased) Reid; sister, Deborah (David) Richardson; brother, Jeff (Kim) Matthis; brother, Craig (Michele) Matthis; sister, Dawn (Brett) Coddington; sister, Jodi (Mark) Muller; and 16 nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his father, grandparents and nephew, Justin Matthis.

Christopher was selfemployed in construction. He loved cooking, fishing and bowling. He was a handyman who loved to fix stuff.

Memorials can be made to the GoFundMe account under Jodi Muller.

James Markus Hurley

 ST. JOSEPH – James Markus Hurley, 4 months old, left his heartbroken family to join his Heavenly Father on Monday (Oct. 16, 2017) at Presence United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville.

He was born on June 4, 2017, in St. Joseph to James and Jenna (Lockhart) Hurley.

Baby Jamie was a Rainbow Baby and a Heart Warrior. His courage and fortitude were an inspiration to the thousands of people who followed his miracle story. He survived a congenital heart defect at birth, open heart surgery at 3 days old and a lifetime of recovery. He smiled throughout it all. He spread his joyful light even during his darkest hours.

Jamie's favorite things during his short but happy life were lots of kisses, tickles and staring in wonder at the sun-dappled trees. We knew from the moment he was born that he was called to do something special. We were not wrong.

Despite the brief journey he had, he brought strength and love to all who met him; he reminded us of the preciousness of our lives, and he gifted us with a vision of God's own love for us.

We will never forget how bright and frequent his laughter was, nor how strong his heart tried to be. He will be forever missed and cherished. Until we meet again, Fuzz Head, rest in Heaven.

Jamie is survived by his parents; grandparents Tom Jr. and Christy Lockhart and Mike and Tina Hurley; great-grandparents Nancy Holler, Tom Lockhart Sr. and Tamara Lawson; cousins Penelope Greer, Claire, Eric, Spencer, Natalie, David, Leira, Erin, Paul, Faith, William, Anthony, Bridget and Lucas; aunts and uncles Michael (Julie) Hurley of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Thomas (Megan) Hurley, Liz (Sharma) Sookarry of Danville, David (Katie) Hurley of Danville, Jeff (Brandi) Hurley of Danville, Paul Hurley of Danville, Zach Lockhart, Tommy Lockhart III and Ashton Lockhart.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandfather David Holler and uncle Mark Hurley.

A celebration of Jamie's life will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 405 W. Clark St., Champaign. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign.

Memorial donations may be made in Jamie's name to Children's Hospital of Illinois: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Please join Jamie's family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Thea Maria Osterbur Franzen

 ST. JOSEPH – Thea Maria Franzen, 100, of St. Joseph died at 1:30 p.m. Monday (Oct. 16, 2017) at Country Health Nursing Home, Gifford.

Mrs. Franzen was born on Oct. 15, 1917, at her parents' home in rural Royal. Thea was the daughter of Simon L. and Anna Huls Osterbur. She married Oltman Franzen on Feb. 16, 1938, in Royal. He preceded her in death on Sept. 19, 2005.

Survivors included her children, Loren (Carol) Franzen of St. Joseph, Doreen (Roger) Woodworth of Tolono and Leslie (Elaine) Franzen of Farmer City; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and two more on the way; and a sister, Emma Bluhm of Ogden.

She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Hannah (Albert) Franzen; brother, Louis M. (LaVerne) Osterbur; brother-in-law, Alvin Bluhm; and one grandchild, Sara Franzen.

Thea was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. She was the oldest member of the church. She taught Sunday School, belonged to the Women's Circle Bible Study and the sewing circle.

Thea helped her husband on the family farm.

Thea's family celebrated her 100th Birthday on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. One day later she passed peacefully with her children by her side.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, or St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, with Pastor Emil Blobaum officiating. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church in Royal.

  

Donna Ann Davis

ST. JOSEPH – Donna Ann Davis, 82, daughter of Harold and Betty Davis of Urbana, passed away on Monday (May 1, 2017) due to lung cancer.

She was born on March 19, 1935, in Danville. Davis leaves behind one sister, Jo Alice (Jim) Hellmich of Rockford; one son, James Brown of Deming, N.M.; grandchildren, Dr. Susan (Ed) Brown of Akron, Ohio, Eric Brown of Champaign and Jerry (Beth) Mann of St. Joseph; and great-grandchildren, Xavier, Alex and Kyera Mann.

Davis was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy Mann.

She leaves behind her longtime friend, Jim Kippes of Dewey.

Davis was a lifelong educator and outdoor enthusiast, and she retired from the Urbana school system as a grade school teacher.

She was a member of the Arrowhead Sages bowling league and she enjoyed playing bridge with her friends.

Davis will be cremated and her remains will be scattered in Montana.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to the national park of your choice or the St. Joseph Library.

Please join her family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Myron D. Wolken

URBANA – Myron D. Wolken, 70, of rural Urbana passed away at 11:48 a.m. Friday (Sept. 29, 2017) at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at a later date. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Myron was born on Nov. 21, 1946, in Urbana, the son of Dick and Ann Huls Wolken. He graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1964. He worked for Magnavox for a number of years and farmed in rural Champaign County.

He was a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, where he was baptized and confirmed.

Myron was a member of the Farm Bureau and a former member of the FFA and 4-H. He enjoyed farming, showing cattle and tractor pulls. He was also an avid Chicago Cubs fan and an Illini fan.

Myron is survived by his mother of Urbana; one sister, Dolonna Mecum of Elgin; five brothers, Leland Wolken of Canadian Lakes, Mich., Randy (Lana) Wolken of St. Joseph, Wendell Wolken of rural Urbana, Bruce (Kelly) Wolken of St. Joseph and Ricky (Jodi) Wolken of rural Urbana; a sister-in-law, Mary Wolken of Thomasboro; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Duane Wolken; and a sister-in-law, Marianne Wolken.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.

Terrence J. Lies

BROADLANDS – Terrence J. "Terry" Lies, 70, of rural Broadlands died on Tuesday (Oct. 3, 2017) at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today (Friday) at Joines Funeral Home, Illinois 130 South, Villa Grove. Rosary will be at 5:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, rural Pesotum. Burial with military rites by the Villa Grove VFW Post 2876 will follow in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Broadlands.

Terry was born to Ernie and Mary (Settlemeyer) Lies in New Rockford, N.D., on Feb. 11, 1947. He married Susie (Seider) on Aug. 11, 1974, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Broadlands.

Terry is survived by his wife, Susie; his daughter, Abigail "Abbie" of Bloomington; his brothers, Nolan (Sandi) Lies of Bremen, N.D., Larry (Gerri) Lies of Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Willy (Linda) Lies of Fargo, N.D.; a sister, Vicky (G.A.) Guttmann of Victoria, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Lies of Aulander, N.C.

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

He was proud to have served his country in the Vietnam War in the 1st Cavalry Division.

Terry was a lifelong farmer, beginning as a child on his family farm near Bremen, N.D., and continuing on his and his wife's farm near Broadlands.

He retired from the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services.

After retirement, he enjoyed opportunities to travel with his family.

Terry served on the Illinois Farm Bureau for Ayers Township as well as the township supervisor for more than 20 years.

Terry was a member of the Villa Grove VFW Post 2876, where he participated in the Honor Guard. Terry was a member of the Philo Knights of Columbus, the New Rockford American Legion, the Broadlands Community Club, Guns Save Lives and the Danville AMBUCS.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church of Bongard and then St. Mary Catholic Church of Pesotum.

Memorials may be made to the Villa Grove VFW Post 2876, Immaculate Conception Church or the American Cancer Society.

Anna K. Wolken

URBANA – Ann K. Wolken of rural Urbana passed away at 2:23 a.m. Monday (Oct. 9, 2017) at her home.

Funeral services for Ann and her son, Myron Wolken, who passed away on Sept. 29, 2017, will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, with the Rev. James T. Lehmann officiating. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery, rural Rantoul.

Visitation for Ann and Myron will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in Dier's Hall, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is handling arrangements.

Ann lived 95 extraordinary years. She was born on Sept. 8, 1922, in Stanton Township, Champaign County, the daughter of Poppe and Kate Fruhling Huls.

She married Dick G. Wolken on Feb. 28, 1942, in her parents' home on the farm in rural Royal. He preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 1994.

She is survived by a daughter, Dolonna Wolken Mecum of Elgin; five sons, Leland Wolken of Canadian Lakes, Mich., Randy (Lana) Wolken of St. Joseph, Wendell Wolken of rural Urbana, Bruce (Kelly) Wolken of St. Joseph and Ricky (Jodi) Wolken of rural Urbana; a daughter-in-law, Mary Wolken of Thomasboro; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Abbie Demien of Gifford; and a brother, John J. Huls of Lincoln.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Myron Wolken and Duane Wolken; and a daughter-in-law, Marianne Wolken.

Ann raised eight children and took enormous pleasure in their lives as well as the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed many activities, foremost of which was spending time with family and friends. She made the world's best chocolate chip cookies and enjoyed traveling, gardening and canning.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

Ann contributed to a number of organizations over the years, often in a leadership role, including her church women's group, the Homemakers of Flatville, Prime Timers, University of Illinois Home Extension, Champaign County Farm Bureau and LWR Ladies Sewing Group.

The family would like to thank Carle Hospice and also her caregivers, especially Sharon Busboom for her caring, dedication, hard work and friendship these last two years.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.