Barbara Ann Frantz

ST. JOSEPH — Barbara Ann Frantz, 83, passed away on June 20, 2018, at The Bickford ofChampaign.

Barb was born June 13, 1935, in Tazewell County to Vilas and Erma Nafziger. She graduated from Minier High School in 1953 and spent a year at Goshen College, Goshen, Ind., taking secretarial classes. After two years of voluntary service in Puerto Rico, Barb was married to Ronald Wyse who lived in Midland, Mich., from September 1958 through 1971. They lived in Michigan and Indiana before moving to Bloomington, Ill., in 1964.

Barb worked for the Bloomington Police Department. She later became thesecretary for the chief of police.

Barb married Kenneth Frantz from Urbana on Jan. 29, 1979. Barb worked for the city of

Champaign in the public works department where she was secretary to the operations manager. Upon retirement, Barb and Ken moved to St. Joseph.

They enjoyed camping with the Tawaskote Long Rifles, a group that depicts the lifestyle of the pre-1840 years wearing the clothes of the era. She loved sitting around the fire visiting and listening to music. Barb also enjoyed antiquing and going to University of Illinois games.

Barb served as an auxiliary volunteer at Carle Foundation Hospital brightening patient’s days and was active in her church.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, who died on June 8, 2016; her parents; and a sister-in-law, Emma Jean Nafziger.

Barb is survived by her stepchildren, Cheryl (Greg) Sizer, Mahomet, Karl(Alison Sampson)

Frantz of Broomfield, Colo., and Kurt (Maggie) Frantz of Allen, Texas; and six grandchildren, Ashlie, Tyler, Connor, Ellen, Matthew and Jack. She is also survived by her four siblings, Marlene (Wendell) Birky of Valparaiso, Ind., John (Connie) Nafziger of Gahanna, Ohio, Keith Nafziger of Bloomington and Shirley (Gerald) Brunk of Harrisonburg, Va.; as well as four nieces, one nephew and their families.

Barb was greatly loved by her family and friends. She will be remembered for her love and commitment to family, her faith, her free spirit and her genuine kindness for all whom she met.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2018, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at the funeral home.

Penny A. Bates

ST. JOSEPH — Penny A. Bates, 74, of St. Joseph passed away at 7:18 p.m. Sunday (June 24, 2018) surrounded by family and friends as she left this life in the arms of an angel, she will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 28, 2018, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Jay Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Penny was born Jan. 2, 1944, in Champaign, the daughter of Lawrence and Anna Osterbur Wantland. She married John “Jack” Bates on Oct. 19, 1963, in Pesotum. He preceded her in death Dec. 23, 2006.

She is survived by her son, John Troy (Rita) Bates of St. Joseph; three grandchildren, Brandon and Justin Koehler and Ashley Bates; sister, Candy (Mark) Frye of Roseburg, Ore.; two great- grandchildren, Leighton and Jaxson Koehler; and niece, MadelynFrye. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Penny was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. She was a strong supporter of her community, serving on the church board and several committees, helping wherever she could.

She worked first at The News-Gazette, then in banking at First National Bank of Ogden, then C.I.B., finishing her career at Longview Bank.

Penny enjoyed playing cards, walking on the beach and visiting with family and friends.

She spent her early retirement years in Florida.

Champaign News-Gazette 6/26/2018

Erna C. Albers

GIFFORD — Erna C. Albers, 87, of Gifford passed away at 5:40 p.m. Sunday (June 24, 2018) at Country Health Nursing Home, Gifford.

Erna was born May 24, 1931, at her parents’ home in Gifford, to William “Bill” and Margaret Saathoff Schluter. She married Henry Miller on Feb. 4, 1950. He preceded her in death June 1, 1965. She then married Dick Albers on July 1, 1967. He survives.

She is also survived by her children, Elaine (Gary) Busboom of Gifford, Eugene (Becky) Miller of Ogden and Barbara Albers of Danville; stepchildren, David (Chris) Albers of Champaign, Sandra (Terry) King of St. Joseph and Richard (Jody) Albers of Gifford; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Regina Gronewold; sisters-in-law, Vernette Schluter and Lorine Schluter; many nieces and nephews; and family friend, Diane Valentine.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Kevin Busboom; two brothers, Harm H. Schluter and Henry W. Schluter; 10 brothers-inlaw; and eight sisters-inlaw.

The family would like to thank the staff of Country Health, Gifford, for the care they gave Erna.

Erna was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, the Royal Home extension. She liked to play cards and go to garage sales.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Alzheimer’s Association or donor’s choice.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Jay Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday.

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

Champaign  News-Gazette 6/26/2018

Phillip Brad Brown

 CHAMPAIGN — Phillip Brad Brown, 53, of Champaign went to be with the Lord on Sunday (June 17, 2018).

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2018, at First Baptist Church of Champaign, 1602 S. Prospect Ave., Savoy. The graveside portion of the services will be at 1  p.m. the same day at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Military rites will be accorded by Champaign VFW Post 5520.

Brad leaves behind two daughters, Jennifer (Brown) Pruitt of St. Joseph and Miranda Brown of Camden, S.C.; two granddaughters, Tia and Tysie Pruitt of St. Joseph; and sister, Tresa (Kevin) Hunsinger of Mahomet. His stepmother, Carmen Brown of Urbana; his aunt and uncle, Janice Roy of Philo, and Butch Brown of Sidney, also survive. Also surviving are the mothers of his daughters and lifelong friends of his, Suzi Duncan of Camden, S.C., and Andrea Beaver of St. Joseph.

Brad was born Aug. 31, 1964, in Urbana, to parents, Russell Brown and Sharon Gostage. They preceded him in death along with paternal grandparents, Richard and Hazel Brown; maternal grandparents, Russell and Virginia Gostage; brother, Jeffery Brown; sister, Sandy Gilven; his aunt, Pam Brown; and uncle, Glenn Roy.

Brad graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1983 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He worked as a laborer.

He enjoyed sports and was an avid SJ-O Spartan and Cubs fan. He loved to help his family and friends and had a passion for helping the homeless.

Memorial contributions may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Don M. Bonnell

SIDNEY — Don M. Bonnell, formerly of Sidney, was the last of the eight children generation of Clarence Sr. and Ethel Consoer Bonnell. He ended his earthly life Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Lake Worth, Fla., at the age of 85.

Mr. Bonnell was born in Urbana at Mercy Hospital on April 22, 1933, the identical twin of Dean Bonnell. He was quiet and stoic as he succumbed to cancer without agreeing to chemotherapy.

For 43 years, he and his surviving life partner, Jim Nelson, lovingly cared for one another.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Clarence Jr., William, Wayne, James, Jack and Dean; and sister, Mary Jean Lafenhagen. The surviving spouses are Mildred Bonnell, Jean Bonnell, Barbara Bonnell, Bonita Bonnell and Glen Lafenhagen. There are 16 nieces and nephews in the next generation, with 32 children in the following generation, and the legacy of the Bonnells yet continues. This was a close and loving family that understood the bond of sharing and caring.

Don graduated from Unity High School in 1951, served in Korea in the Army from 1953 to '55, graduated from mortuary school and worked as a funeral director in Illinois and Florida until retirement in 2008.

He shared a special joy with several dogs, especially Cindy, Ruby and Daisy, and also with Charlie the cat. He loved any animal, and they reciprocated with affection. He enjoyed having a good time, sharing a funny joke or playing the penny slots. Don was known to be a gentleman with a gentle soul.

Don grew up in the country in Sidney until after he graduated from high school. The Bonnell family had a farm, and the eight children provided their own entertainment, developed creative talents and could build and fix almost anything. The farm also had a variety of animals, the family gathered to bale hay and then make homemade ice cream, the women cleaned and froze corn by the bushels while the youngsters romped and played and caught the lightning bugs at dusk.

They shared many simple and fullfilling times, and it was an idyllic setting. The family is grateful for the many happy years shared and especially mourn the death of Don Bonnell, the last of the eight siblings. He will long be remembered and cherished by family and many friends.

Charles O. Bixler

OGDEN — Charles O. Bixler, 77, of Ogden passed away at 5:46 p.m. Sunday (June 17, 2018) at home.

Services will be held at later date.

Charlie was born Oct. 11, 1940, in Topeka, Kan. He married Lois Strong. She survives.

He is also survived by his son, Bryan (Donna) Bixlar of Homer; daughter,Shannon O’Neal of Urbana; three grandchildren, J.B. O’Neal, Dakota O’Neal and Mikki Martinez; sisters,

Barbara Beckwith of Topeka, Kan., and Marie Spencer of Seattle, Wash; and brother, Steve Place of South Padre Island, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Charlie was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Germany. He retired from the University of Illinois in 1996 from Building Services. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his friends and family.

Paul James Robertson

DANVILLE — Paul James Robertson, 90, of Danville passed away on Sunday (June 10, 2018) at home, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, June 15, 2018, at Pape Family Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams St., Danville,with service to follow at noon with Joe Humrichous officiating. Burial will follow at Newman Cemetery. Paul was born Sept. 20, 1927, in Homer to Albert and Lillian (Young) Robertson. He married Dolores Simmons on Sept. 14, 1952. She survives.

Paul was a farmer and a trucker, and worked at Salt Kettle Rest Area. He plowed snow for the Department of Transportation.

Paul is survived by his spouse, Dolores; son, Terry Robertson; grandchildren, Brady Paul Robertson and Jessica Jean Stephens; great-granddaughter, Kenzie Robertson; and great-grandsons, Gage, Landon and Jaxon Stephens.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; son, David Robertson; and twin sons, Douglas Jay and Dennis Ray Robertson.

Messages and memories may be offered online at www.papefuneral.com or on the Pape Family Funeral Home Facebook page.

Jerry Kibler

BROADLANDS — Jerry Kibler, 86, of Broadlands passed away at 4:08 p.m. Monday (June 11, 2018) at Newman Health and Rehabilitation Center, Newman.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2018, at Joines Funeral Home, 401 W. Gillogly St., Newman, with Pastor Kathy Murphy officiating. Burial will be in Fairfield Cemetery, north of Newman. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Jerry was born March 22, 1932, in Kewanee, a son of Denzil and Mame Garrett Kibler. He married Marjorie Wiese on June 10, 1954. She preceded him in death on Jan. 4, 2011.

Surviving are two sons, Eric (Kathy) Kibler of West York and Cliff (Karen) Kibler of Mahomet; five grandchildren, Craig Kibler of Hammond, Ind., Kurt Kibler of Columbus, Ohio, Kyle Kibler and Clayton Kibler, both of Chicago, and Kaylee Kibler of Mahomet; two great-grandchildren, Erik and Bailey Kibler; and one sister, Louise Forrester of Newman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Lee, Paul, Karl and Mack; and two sisters, Eileen and Delores.

He was a lifelong farmer in the Broadlands area. He loved fishing, gardening and playing golf. He was a longtime member of the Broadlands Community Club.

Memorials may be made to Newman Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Janice L Divan

ATTICA, Ind. — Janice L. Divan, 80, of Attica, Ind., died at home Friday (June 8, 2018). She was surrounded by her family and loving members of her Great Lakes Caring hospice care team.

She was born Aug. 30, 1937, to Clyde and Charlotte (Roberts) French, in Bloomington. She married the Rev. Dennis Divan on Oct. 5, 1962. He survives.

Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Dennis Divan; three children, Denise Divan-Warnke, Dana (Cindy) Divan and Darla Divan; two sisters, Irma Elmore and Marilyn (Ken) O’Neal; seven grandchildren, Chandler, Jessica, Sean, Kaitlin, Laila, Erin and Justin; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, along with two brothers and a son-in-law.

Janice was a 1955 graduate of Waveland High School in Waveland, Ind. She was a member of Hebron United Methodist Church and was active in mission projects. She served alongside her husband, Dennis, at many churches throughout Vermilion and Champaign counties and retired from the Vermilion County Treasurer’s Office. She was an avid reader and self-appointed family historian. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and was an avid Illini basketball fan. Her favorite times were when all her children and family were together.

A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville. Patti Wise will officiate. Burial will be in Hebron Cemetery, Newtown. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in Janice’s memory to Hebron United Methodist Church, Newtown, or a public library of the donor’s choice.

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

Daniel Vincent Demko

ST. JOSEPH — Daniel Vincent Demko, 68, passed away Friday (June 8, 2018) at home.

He was born March 6, 1950, in McKeesport, Pa., to Joseph Vincent and Helen Louise (Hibner) Demko. Daniel married Vickie Ann Jelly on Oct. 30, 1982, in Champaign. 

Daniel is survived by his wife; children, Jona Demko, Jessica Demko, Josh (Tamara) Demko and Danielle (Jake Ross) Demko; grandchildren, Kylie Ross, Konner Demko, Alyvia Ross and Danika Demko; and siblings, Joseph Demko and Karen Charles.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Danny Boy enjoyed spending time with his family and playing with his grandkids. He was known for playing jokes and pranks on others. Daniel enjoyed watering his lawn, gardening and fishing. 

A celebration of Daniel’s life will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820. Graveside committal with military rites will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 11, 2018, at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made in Daniel’s name to Carle Hospice. Please join his family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.

John Wilson Riggs

John Wilson Riggs, beloved husband of Paula, wonderful father of Lisa, Dan and the late Brett Riggs, stepfather of Kaitlin and Sam Eagle, proud grandpa of Brayden Burke, Mason Burke and Nicole Riggs, step grandfather of Taryn Garza, and loving son of the late Mary Jane Tibbetts Riggs and James Freeman Riggs. Dear brother of Jackie Clark, Eric and Lyna Buzzard, Bob and Judy, Jim and Linda and Tom. A caring uncle, and a great friend to many.

John went home to be with the Lord on June 4th at the age of 71. He passed away peacefully at home and surrounded by family.

A Funeral Service and Celebration of John’s life will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at the White Oak Christian Church, 3675 Blue Rock Rd., 45247. Memorial Visitation will start at 3:30 PM, followed by a 5:30 PM Memorial Service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to White Oak Christian Church Missions Team, IDES (International Disaster Emergency Services), or botanicals can be sent to be planted at John’s home in his memory.

Donald Edward Buracker

Donald Edward Buracker, 70, of Morton, IL passed away at 9:10 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.

A visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory in Urbana. Cremation rites will be accorded. Graveside services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Mayview.

Donald was born in Springfield, IL on August 29, 1947 to parents William and Lucille (Colvin) Buracker. They preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his daughter, Leslie Buracker-Armer

On May 14, 1966 he married Alberta “Bert” Jarrett in Urbana, she survives. Also surviving is his son William “Bill” (Anna) Buracker of Rockford, his sister Sandra (Garrett) Allen of Urbana and four grandchildren.

He graduated from Urbana High School and was an Optician for over forty years. He was a member of Webber Street Christian Church, and a former Mason.

Don had various hobbies, he loved woodworking, fishing, travelling and working on cars. He enjoyed being outside, going on treasure hunts with his metal detector and spending time with friends and family.

Don was an avid, humorous storyteller and is going to be remembered and missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.