Betty Dale Marsh

ST. JOSEPH — Betty Dale Marsh, 88, of St. Joseph passed away at 12:20 a.m. Friday (May 25, 2018) at home.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2018, at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Pastor Mike Mack will officiate.

Betty was born Jan. 1, 1930 in Gary, Ind., to parents Frank and Jessie (Deem) Wheeler. They preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was one grandson.

On May 23, 1948, she married Leland “Bud” Hissong; he passed away Sept. 21, 1967. Betty married her second husband, Glenn “Doc” Marsh, on Nov. 30, 1969; he passed away May 12, 2001.

She is survived by her children, David Hissong (Sherrill) of St. Joseph, Richard Hissong (Deborah) of Urbana and Laura Dawkins (Jeff) of St. Joseph; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Betty graduated from University High School and took college courses at the U of I. She was a bookkeeper for many area businesses for over 20 years and a member of Living Word Family Church in St. Joseph.  

Betty loved travelling and crafts of all kinds. She also enjoyed spending time with her family.

Memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s honor to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Champaign News-Gazette 5/27/2018

Rick Walden

ST. JOSEPH — Rick Walden, 69, of St. Joseph, formerly Homer, passed away at 7:49 p.m. Sunday (May 20, 2018) at home.

Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be private.

Mr. Walden was born Nov. 26, 1948, in Urbana, a son to Francis “Fuzz” and Betty Rhodes Walden.

Surviving are his sister, Sherry Welty of St. Joseph; brother, Gary Walden of St. Joseph; daughter, Melissa Walden; two sons, Rick and Rex Walden; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; special friend, Brenda Rockamann; and special companion and cat, Kittles.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Walden drove a truck and farmed in the St. Joseph area. He enjoyed fishing.

Memorials may be made to Carle Hospice.

Eula Elizabeth Thurman

SIDNEY — Eula Elizabeth Thurman, 94, of Sidney passed away Monday (May 21, 2018) at home.

Eula was born Sept. 29, 1923, in Raymond Township, the daughter of Robert Leroy and Ellen Loretta Cole Mower. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1941. Shortly after high school, Eula and her cousin, Betty Owens, took a train to Wichita, Kan., in 1943, where they became “Rosie the Riveters” and worked on B-29 Boomers for Boeing. On Aug. 14, 1947, she married Clifford I. Thurman. He preceded her in death. They farmed many years in the Sidney area.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Kenneth Thurman; stepson, Gene Thurman; brother, Curt Mower; and two sisters, Mary McCarrey and Doris Aufdenkamp.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Candace Thurman; two granddaughters, Amanda Reilson and Melinda Douglas; several nieces and nephews; and stepdaughter, Judith Shreeves.

Eula loved gardening, reading the newspaper and was the Cubs number one fan.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, with Robin King officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Sidney American

Champaign News-Gazette 5/23/2018

Hilda Swanson

AKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — Hilda Swanson passed away Sunday, May 13, 2018, in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

She was born Oct. 28, 1922, in Gifford, to Herman and Emma Ackerman. She married Marvin “Bud” Swanson on March 3, 1946, in Gifford.

Hilda was a farm wife who also worked at Chanute Air Force Base for 26 years (or from June 16, 1956 to Oct. 29, 1982), retiring from the base supply unit in 1982. Hilda loved to travel and toured Germany and Sweden with her friends after her husband’s death at an early age. She loved to entertain at her farm house in Gifford, especially for her big family and a large group of pheasant hunters who enjoyed her hospitality and home cooking for many years. She was also actively involved in genealogy.

Hilda attended an all-German speaking school until the sixth grade. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville, and loved her Bible study groups.

Hilda is survived by her daughter, Marla Ellis of Roswell, Ga.; son, Dale Swanson and Laurie

of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; granddaughter, Courtney Burrows and Brian of Alpharetta, Ga.; grandson, Christopher Ellis and Caitlin of Columbus, Ohio; great-grandchildren, Ansley and Reagan Burrows; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bud; their infant daughter; her parents; and two brothers, Billy and Johnny.

Services will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, on May 24, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. with viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Kopmann Cemetery following the service.

Donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Flatville.

Lux Memorial Chapel is handling local arrangements.

Champaign News-Gazette 5/23/2018

Helen Lois Stoner

URBANA — Helen Lois Stoner, 98, of Urbana passed away at 9:14 a.m. Sunday (May 20, 2018) at Champaign County Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2018, at Mount Hope Mausoleum, Champaign. The family will receive visitors for 30 minutes prior to the funeral.

Helen was born July 10, 1919, in Ogden, to parents Charles and Cora (Lee) Wright. They preceded her in death.

In 1938, she married H. Eugene Stoner. He passed away in 1998. Also preceding her in death were her son, Gene Stoner II; grandson, Jeff Stoner; brother, Charles “Sonny” Wright; and sister, Betty Ross.

She is survived by her son, Michael L. Stoner of St. Charles; grandchildren, Michael E., Laura, Kelli, Ryan, Adam and Erin; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two nephews; one niece; and one daughter-in-law.

Helen graduated from Urbana High School. She worked as a bookkeeper for over 20 years, working for Black Hawk Optical and Bailey Himes Sporting Goods. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Urbana, where she also volu nteered. Helen loved to dance. She especially enjoyed ballroom and swing dancing at the Regency in Savoy with her late husband, Gene, where they were members of the “White Hat Club.” She was an amazing seamstress, embroiderer and crocheter. Helen made hundreds of beautiful afghans, which she bestowed upon her family and friends. Helen was also an avid Illini fan.

Since Helen adored animals, her family requests that in lieu of other expressions of sympathy, any memorial contributions be made to Champaign County Humane Society. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Champaign News-Gazette 5/22/2018

Wilbur A. Flessner

RANTOUL — Wilbur A. Flessner, 90, of Rantoul passed away Friday (May 18, 2018).

Services for Wilbur will be Tuesday, May 22, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. and the funeral at 11 a.m. at Rantoul American Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Eden Park Cemetery.

Wilbur was born Oct. 15, 1927, in Fithian Township, a son of Andrew and Trientje (Franzen) Flessner. He married Mildred Ihnen on April 4, 1948 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. They had two daughters, Bonnie Henderson of Rantoul and Brenda (Cliff) Sorensen of Salt Lake City. They all survive. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Emma Flessner; two grandchildren, Stephen (Sandy) Henderson and Sarah Hatfield; and five great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Audrey Kate, Graham, Elizabeth and Benjamin.

Wilber was preceded in death by his grandson, Benjamin Hatfield; brothers,

John and Henry; and sister, Bertha. He was also preceded in death by his baby sister, Emma.

Wilbur was extremely involved in his church, singing in the Lutheran men’s choir, teaching confirmation classes, serving as a church elder and served on the Church board. He was a farmer west of Rantoul and an associate judge of Champaign County. Wilbur loved his family and was active in the lives of all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Wilbur’s family wishes to thank the staff at Brookstone Estates, Country Health Nursing Home and Transitions Hospice for Wilbur’s excellent care. They also wish to extend a special thanks to Henry Sutherlin for his gentle caring. Memorials may be made to American Lutheran Church and Country Health Nursing Home.

Services are being handled by Lux Memorial Chapel.

Larry Overholt

ST. JOSEPH — Larry Overholt, 77, of St. Joseph passed away at 2:30 p.m. Sunday (May 13, 2018) at home.

Funeral services will be Friday, May 18, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. The Rev. Gene Turner will officiate. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Larry was born March 15, 1941, in Rantoul, the son of Leroy and Faye

Overholt. He married Kerrin Goings in 1975 in Urbana. She survives.

He is also survived by his siblings, Wilma Busboom of Gifford, Russell ( Barbara) Overholt of Thomasboro, Saundra (Chester) Machnowski of Fort Wayne, Ind., David (Loretta) Overholt of Thomasboro and Pamela (Ray) Lawrence of Monticello; two stepsons, Doug (Alice) Pettyjohn of Vancouver, Wash., and Mark Pettyjohn of Kenosha, Wis.; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death

by his parents.

Larry was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He worked in financial services. He also built homes. Larry liked travelling and gardening. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and University of Illinois.

Memorials may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society.

Champaign News-Gazette 5/15/2018

Marion J. Wienke

HOMER — Marion J. Wienke, 87, of Homer passed away at 9:13 a.m. Friday (May 11, 2018) at her home.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands. The Rev. John Sharp will officiate. Burial will take place in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Broadlands. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer.

Marion was born June 18, 1930, in Danville, the daughter of George and Kathryn Krukewitt Dohme. She married Maurice D. Wienke on July 25, 1954, in Broadlands. He preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 2009.

Survivors include her daughter, Marla Wienke of Homer; son, Mark (Lieschen) Wienke of Bloomington; and brother, Paul (Karen) Dohme of Champaign.

She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Karen Dohme, Frances Jervis and Ilene Boudreaux; and a brother, Fred Dohme.

Marion was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Women's Legion Auxiliary and worked at WILL in Urbana for 10 years.

Memorials can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Champaign News-Gazette 5/12/2018

John Raymond Lannert

ST. JOSEPH — John Raymond Lannert, age 79, passed away peacefully Wednesday (May 9, 2018) at his home in St. Joseph, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born in Lafayette, Ind., on July 3, 1938, the son of William Francis and Mary Eva (Storch) Lannert. On May 20, 1961, John married Carol Elaine Greene, who survives.  

After serving in the Army, he lovingly raised two children, Sandra Lannert (Curtis Short) and David (Amber) Lannert. John deeply enjoyed his whole family, especially his grandchildren. Some of his happiest times were spent with grandchildren Drayke, Ashlyn and Lauren.

He was preceded in death by his elder siblings, Marge (Eddie) Elkins, Fr. Maximillian, Catherine (Joe) Bickett, Mary (Dick) Little and Anthony (Mickey).

His sister Ann (John) Dean of Georgia survives. 

With a heart so big and full of life it could not stay healthy, John enjoyed watching the Cubs, especially the World Series, fishing at Vermillion Lake and celebrating the Fourth of July and many other holidays with friends and family. He left this world thankful for a good family and a good life.

Services for John will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 708 W. Main St., Urbana, IL 61801. Visitation will be at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2018, with the funeral following. The attire will be casual in celebration of how he preferred to live.

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