Robert Mark Francisco

CRETE, Ill. — Robert Mark Francisco of Crete, Ill., a son of Robert and Euna Francisco of Mattoon, passed away on Monday (Aug. 20, 2018). Mark was born April 21, 1964, in Champaign. He grew up in Ogden and graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

After high school, Mark spent several years pursuing his interests in music. A self-taught guitarist, Mark worked with several well-known rock bands in the Champaign-Urbana and Chicago areas, sometimes even playing and singing his own compositions. Among his musician friends, he was known for his kindness and thoughtfulness. Musically, he was well- known for his singingstyle and exuberance.

Mark attended Lewis University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in aviation administration and business administration. In business, Mark was an entrepreneur. For many years, Mark owned his own real estate business, rehabilitating properties in the Chicago area and in the Republic of Panama. In more recent years, Mark owned a business as an arborist, providing his services in the Chicago area. However, Mark’s main interest in life was being a good father to his two sons, Zander and Lance. He enjoyed taking them on many outings to the beach, surfing, skiing and baseball games. Mark is survived by his sons, Alexander (13) and Lance (10). He is also survived by his parents; his sister, Rebecca Hatter of Mattoon; his brother, Michael (Kris) of Royal; his brother, Charles (Trinity) of Killeen, Texas; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Marie Francisco, and his nephew, William Hatter. Mark’s family was with him at the time of his passing.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Royal.

News-Gazette 8/26/2018

J. Robert Ulbrich

CHAMPAIGN — J. Robert (Bob) Ulbrich passed away on Thursday (Aug. 23, 2018) at Evanston Hospital, Evanston. He was born on Dec. 6, 1942, in Bloomington, a son of Edward B. and Anne Marie Capodice Ulbrich.

He is survived by his wife of over 51 years, Karen (Satterfield) Ulbrich. They are proud parents of their son, Tim (Sarah) of Omaha, Neb., and their daughter, Sara (Jay) Greenstein of Winnetka. Five grandchildren, Matthew, Isabella and Makayla Greenstein and Riley and Lauren Ulbrich, have filled the last 13 years of Bob’s life with abounding love and joy beyond measure. Family was a cornerstone of Bob’s life, and he loved the precious time spent with his family on vacations and holidays. The five “grands” enjoyed a special bonding time with their memaw and pawpaw as they spent their one-grandchild- at-a-time week-long “summer camp” in Champaign each year.

Bob also leaves a brother, Ed (Angie) of Normal, a sister, Rozanne (Larry) Starkey of Bloomington, and a brother, Richard (Stephanie) of The Villages, Fla. The Ulbrich clan managed to continue the Ulbrich family tradition of always celebrating holidays together. Bob’s nieces and nephews loved and will miss their “Uncle Bob,” and he loved each one of them right back.

Bob graduated from Trinity H.S. in Bloomington where he was elected senior class president. Over the years, he maintained close friendships with many of his classmates. He graduated from Illinois State University and earned a master’s degree at the University of Illinois. He taught high school in the Chicago suburbs for several years and also served as a school administrator. The bulk of his teaching career (over 33 years) was in the Department of Business and Agri-Industries at Parkland College. He also farmed in the Homer area for many years.

Bob was an altar boy as a child and followed in his father’s footsteps when he was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church in 2007. Since that time, he has served at Holy Cross Church in Champaign. Bob provided spiritual care to many parishioners and most of his friends. He was very involved as a spiritual director of Cursillo, an adviser to Catholic Daughters of America, a member of the Champaign Rotary Club, and served on the foundation board of OSF.

Bob enjoyed fishing, golfing, time spent with friends, and especially those family vacations. He was fun to be around and will be sorely missed, but he gave a great gift to family and friends because they have abundant amusing anecdotes about times they spent with Bob. Being remembered fondly is a sincere tribute to this man who lived his life well.

Owens Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Holy Cross Parish Center, 403 W. Clark St., Champaign, with the rosary service beginning at 2:30. The funeral Mass will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 405 W. Clark St, Champaign at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal.

Memorial donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Professional Development Fund at Holy Cross School, 410 W. White St., Champaign IL 61820, or The Parkland Foundation, 2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign, IL 61821.

Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes. com.

News-Gazette 8/26/2018

Connie L. Behrens

ST. JOSEPH — Connie L. Behrens, 72, of St. Joseph passed away at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 21, 2018) at home.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Jay Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Connie was born Oct. 16, 1945, in Danville, the daughter of Paul and Violet (Wolfe) Sharp. She married Gary L. Behrens on June 9, 1963, in Royal. He preceded her in death Dec. 20, 1996.

She is survived by her sons, Mike (Kristie) Behrens of Royal and Doug (DeAnn) Behrens of St. Joseph; and five grandchildren, Katelyn, Jacob and Abigail Behrens, Anna and Mason Behrens. Also surviving is one sister, Sandra (Gary) Criss of Mendota.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.

Connie was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Royal, and recently was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. She was active in both churches. She worked at the grain elevator in Royal. She also worked for Dr. Basler in Urbana. Connie liked to vacation at the beach and go on cruises. She enjoyed playing bunco with her friends. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Alata Mae Reed

ST. JOSEPH — Alta Mae Reed, 97, died at 6:20 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 18, 2018) at Gardenview Manor, Tilton.

Alta Mae Reed was born Aug. 6, 1921, in Champaign. She was the daughter of Van and Ellen (Dill) Rice of St. Joseph. Her father delivered ice around the area, and her mother was a homemaker and seamstress. She had three sisters and one brother. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1940.

Alta Mae married Dale L. Reed Sr. on Dec. 3, 1943, in Catlin. They had three children, Dale Jr. (1947), employed by the Champaign Police Department and retired from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office; Dennis (1953), who was co-owner of Li’l Porgy’s Bar-B-Q; and Karen (1958), who has worked at Burnham, Covenant/ Provena and Carle hospitals and the U of I Veterinary College as a histotechnologist.

She was preceded in death by her husband and two sons, Dale L. Reed Jr. and Dennis R. Reed.

Alta is survived by her daughter, Karen (David)Reed-Trautman of St. Joseph; a sister, Bernice Wilkinson of Florida; five grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren;

and many nieces and nephews.

Alta always wanted to be a nurse. Her inspiration came from the family physician, as well as a friend who was attending St. Elizabeth Nursing School in Danville. She found St. Elizabeth was a great fit for her. She enjoyed all the nuns and her nursing supervisors. She gained knowledge of procedures, instruments, responsibility, dependability and organization. Most importantly, she always kept up on current procedures. She developed into a wonderful, brilliant and intuitive RN, which she carried throughout her career and life. Alta graduated in 1943.

She started private duty after graduation. In 1944, she worked staff duty at the veterans facility for a few months, then returned to St. Elizabeth for approximately nine years. They moved to St. Joseph when her husband returned from the service. He started working at the U of I as a cement finisher, and Alta began working at Mercy Hospital, where she was employed for 10 years. In 1968, she started as a staff nurse at the U of I McKinley Hospital in Urbana, where she worked for 14 years. Alta then retired in April 1982.

Alta continued to dedicate herself to family andfriends who needed her

experience in many different medical conditions. So many individuals are thankful to have had her help for their loved one. Alta loved to garden, cook and bake. She loved her grandchildren, enjoyed traveling with her friends and she even rafted down Snake River.

Alta was also a member of Song’s Kung Fu Academy from 1990-1998, where they offered demonstrations of tai chi, a form of martial arts, to senior citizens groups. Many thanks to Marla Mast, instructor, for her friendship and support over the years.

She will be missed by many, but forever in our hearts.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820. Minister Hank Sanford will officiate. Graveside committal will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made in Alta’s name to the Wounded Warriors Project. Please join her family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome. com.

Eugene "Pete" Meier

ROYAL — As the sun rose Saturday morning, Dad rose to meet his savior, Jesus Christ, and eternal life in heaven. Eugene W. ‘Pete’ Meier, 82, of Royal died peacefully at home Saturday (Aug. 18, 2018).

He was born, the youngest of five, on Nov. 7, 1935, in the same house his father had been born, just west of Royal, to George and Marie (Hayn) Meier. He attended schools at Pleasant Valley and Ogden High School. On June 6, 1958, he married the love of his life, Zona McGee, Sidney, and they were blessed with 60 years together.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Zona; three children, Melissa (Randy) Idleman of St. Joseph, Scott of Royal and Nola (Gregg) Jarman of Crestwood; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Loraine Chambliss of Hindsboro; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Anna Crozier and Tena Cribbett; and brother, Jerry Meier.

Over the years, Pete worked at the U of I, farmed and drove a truck. A lifelong baseball fan, he coached Little League, was a supporter of the EI League Royal Giants and a die-hard Cubs fan. Dad never met a stranger and he counted his family and friends as his greatest treasure. His was a life well-lived. While he loved his kids, he particularly adored his grandkids and great-grandkids and often said, “We have the best family.” Famous for his sense of humor and whit, among his many favorite sayings were “a smile is a curve that will help make things go straight” and “what did we eat before there was pizza?”

He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, where he served as a past council member.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral worship will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Visitation will be at the church for one hour prior.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Pete’s caregivers, Lisa Stone and Kimberlee Knight, as well as the staff of Carle Hospice. Memorials may be made to Carle Hospice or the donor’s choice.

Champaign News-Gazette 8/20/2018

Martha Saathoff Maxwell

RANTOUL — Martha (Saathoff) Maxwell, 90, passed away from this life peacefully at home on July 13, 2018.

She was born a daughter of Behrend and Margaret (Uken) Saathoff on April 21, 1928, and spent her childhood in Flatville. As an adult, she lived and worked from her home in Rantoul. She was a faithful and lifelong member of Immanuel and American Lutheran churches in Flatville and Rantoul.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne Maxwell; and sister, Anna Fruhling.

She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Peterson; two grandc hildren, Erik Peterson and Christine (Troy) Bergman; and several nieces and nephews.

In her early career, Ms. Maxwell was a graphic artist and later solely owned and operated Maxwell Sign Painting and Pinstriping in Rantoul for 40 years.

Over the years, her life’s work has helped advertise many local businesses on signs, windows and trucks ... not to mention some fiery pinstriping on a number of race cars, too. In her free time, Ms. Maxwell enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, growing African violets, reading, creative writing and German translation.

A celebration of life service will be held at Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, from 10 to 11 a.m. Ms. Maxwell was cremated and will be laid to rest with her family in Beckman Cemetery.

In honor of Martha’s free spirit, her passion for life and her favorite color, red, we ask that you attend her service dressed casually and honor her by wearing red.

Champaign News-Gazette 8/20/2018

June Busey Hudseon

URBANA — June (Busey) Hudson, 97, passed away Saturday (Aug. 18, 2018) at Country Health and Rehab Center, Gifford.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802. The Reverend Robert Rasmus of St. Matthew Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the funeral home.

Born Feb. 1, 1921, near Sidney. June was the daughter of Leah (Fisher) and Clyde Busey. She married Ray M. Hudson on March 3, 1940, in Sidney; he preceded her in death May 10, 1980.

June is survived by three sons, Ron (Mary Anne) Hudson of Urbana, Jim (Bonnie) Hudson of Champaign and Cecil (Joyce) Hudson of Urbana; two daughters, Janice (Phil) Bailey of Champaign and Chris Patton of Champaign; and niece, Lorene (Darrell) Ebbersten of Elkhart; 10 grandchildren, Sheri (Randy) Bell, Kim (Todd) Cotter, Michael (Bernadette) Hudson, Nikki Lasater, Eric (Nerissa) Hudson, Greg (Crystal) Bailey, Ryan (Tara) Patton, Beth (Ryan) Gray, Dan (Rachel) Hudson and Leah (Joe) Caniano; 22 greatgrandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

June was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Jane Layman and Marjory Busey, who died in infancy; and son-in-law, Donald Patton.

As a young girl, her father farmed with a team of large brown mules,

and June worked alongside him with her own team of smaller mules. Throughout their 40-year marriage, she and Ray shared many farming duties. She especially enjoyed hauling loads of grain to the elevator during harvest. Ray and June were devoted parents to their children. Not only did the family work hard, they made time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In the late ’50s, Ray and his older sons built a cabin on Lake Mattoon, where, for decades, family and friends happily congregated.

June was a member of Hope Chapter of the Eastern Star, Urbana Lion’s Club Auxiliary and Mayview Home Extension. She was a Carle Clinic Coffee Shop volunteer and worked at Parkland College during registration. She was a member of Mayview Methodist Church and later Grace United Methodist Church, Urbana.

In 2017, June moved to Country Health Care and Rehab Center, where she received excellent care from their loving staff. No words can truly express our heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff at this outstanding facility. Contributions in June’s memory may be made to Country Health Care and Rehab, 2304 CR 3000 N, Gifford, IL 61847. Please write “for June Hudson” on the check’s memo line.

June’s passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of her family, but we are blessed with many wonderful memories and the warm glow of her beautiful and loving smile. That sweet smile epitomized who she was, and always will be, in our hearts.

News-Gazette 8/19/2018

Gladys "Naomi" Bear Shaw

HAMPAIGN — Gladys “Naomi” Shaw, 91, of Champaign, formerly Homer, died at 11:22 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 16, 2018) at Piatt County Nursing Home, Monticello.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, at G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer. Chaplain Dave will officiate. Morgan Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.

Naomi was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Homer. She is the daughter of William Bear and Fanny Pruitt Bear. She married George Shaw on July 25, 1974, in Urbana. He preceded her in death Sept. 3, 2008.

Surviving are their children, Mary Lee of Urbana, Pete Alagna of Riverton, CherylHarms of Peoria, William Alagna of Seymour, Cathie Chandler of Fayetteville, N.C., Tim Alagna of WhiteHeath, Melissa Alagna-McDade of Fairmount and Robin Gill of Urbana. Also surviving is her brother,

Michael Griffet of Homer, and sister, Pat Sullivan of Florida. She has 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were four sisters, two brothers and three grandchildren.

Naomi was a housewife and member of the Champaign VFW 5520. She enjoyed harness horse racing and loved her family dearly.

A special thanks to the staff at Piatt County Nursing Home and Carle Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children Hospital. Online condolences can be shared with her family at morganmemorialhome. com.

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette 8/19/2019

Merle K. Sage

Merle K. Sage, 83, of Thomasboro passed away peacefully at 11:55 p.m. Friday, August 17, 2018 at OSF Medical Center, Urbana surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 22, 2018, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville with Rev. James T. Lehmann officiating. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery, Rural, Rantoul. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 21, in Diers Hall, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

Merle was born at home near Royal on February 8, 1935. He was the son of George and Lena (Wolken) Sage. He married Sylvia Albers on March 17, 1956.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia, of 62 years; four sons, Gary (Sue), Perry (Marcia), Danny (Sheri) and Troy (Maria). He was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Joyce (Sage) Strait.

Merle was a lifelong farmer and dedicated member of the I & I Antique Tractor Club. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors and a couple of trucks in his free time. Merle served as a volunteer firefighter with the Thomasboro Fire Department for 27 years and later was a trustee. He served on the Thomasboro School Board for six years and was a former board member of the Thomasboro Grain Elevator.

He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Flatville where he served as a council member. In his death he was a Gift of Hope donor.

Merle was a farmer until the end and loved keeping an eye on his boys going from farm place to farm place. He will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.

Andrew Decker

SIDNEY — Andrew Decker, 35, formerly of Sidney, died on Aug. 13, 2018, at his home in Bloomington. Andy started life as a 4-pound marvel who held the heart of his family in his little hand. He then spent the next 35 years gathering people into his life through theater, races such as the Tough Mudder, and working with children in need. Friends were the most important thing in his life after family. One of his best friends was his golden retriever, Fergus.

Andy was born on Oct. 6, 1982, in Urbana. He attended Unit 7 schools and graduated from Unity High School in Tolono. He then earned a BA at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. At the time of his death, he worked with children at Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana.

A visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17, 2018, at Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main St., Sidney, There will be no funeral, as Andy wanted to be cremated.

Surviving family includes his parents, Tim Decker and Lisa Raymond of St. Joseph; his brother, Tyler of Indiana; his brother, Nick of Urbana; his grandmother, Christine Raymond of St. Joseph; grandfather Gary Decker of Belleville; uncle David and aunt Missy Perry of Homer; aunt Rhonda Thomas of Sidney; uncle Chris Pruitt of Tolono; and a wide extended family of cousins, great-aunts and greatuncles.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Kenneth Raymond in March 2018; his greatuncle, Buddy Raymond in June 2018; and his grandmother, Judy Decker in 1994.

Andy remained a marvel his whole life, and it seems wrong his life can be reduced to a few lines of print. He touched so many lives and made each one better. We cannot ask for more out of life.

Memorials may be made to an organization of your choice, but Andy would’ve appreciated anything that benefited children or dogs.

Carol A. Block Clark

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- Carol A. Clark, nee Block, 77, of O'Fallon, Illinois, born Tuesday, January 14, 1941, in Champaign, IL, passed away Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois.

Carol served as a Secretary for Sterling Baptist Church for nearly 25 years. She was a member of Sterling Baptist Church, Fairview Heights, Illinois, Turkey Hill Grange, IL Trekkers Volkssport Club, and Fairview Heights Volunteer Fireman's Auxiliary.

Carol met her husband in 4th Grade in Homer, Illinois. They were married on September 10, 1961 at Homer Presbyterian Church. Together, with the family, they traveled to Germany from where she also visited Israel and Holland.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Orville H. and Alma Jeane nee Baird, Block.

Surviving are her husband, Wilbur H. Clark of O'Fallon, IL, children, David Clark of O'Fallon, IL, Sean Clark of Kansas City, MO, Karla (Charles) McKee of O'Fallon, IL,Kayce (Robert) Morse of Conway, AR, brother, William (Pauline) Block of Tempe, AZ, sister, Brenda (Mel) Geiselman of Altamont, IL, seven grandchildren, Jarrett (Kristen) Clark, Wesley Clark, Clark (Jr) McKee, Grant McKee, Jonathan Harrawood,Robert Morse, III, Samantha Morse, three great-grandchildren, Ryan Franklin, Eleanor Clark, and Genevieve Clark.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.kurrusfh.com.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Sterling Baptist Church.

Visitation: Visitation from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Sunday, August 5, 2018 at Sterling Baptist Church in Fairview Heights, IL. Grange Service at 6:00 pm. Visitation will also be held from 10:30 am - 11:30 at the Church on Monday, August 6, 2018.

Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 am, Monday, August 6, 2018 at Sterling Baptist Church with Rev. David Gray officiating. Interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.

Source:  Journal Gazette & Times Courier August 3, 2018

Betty Ross

ROYAL — Betty Ross, 87, of Royal passed away at 9:37 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 8, 2018) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Jay Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal.Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph.

Betty was born April 8, 1931, in Galton, the daughter of John and Gayle Bonner Cook. She married Carl Ross on Jan. 17, 1949. He preceded her in death April 30, 1997.

She is survived by her children, Jim (Susan) Ross of Ogden and Shirley (Bobby Jackson) Woodward of Ogden; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Stephen Ross; grandson, Nathan Ross; three sisters; and five brothers.

Betty was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. She retired from the University of Illinois after 30 years as the Air Force ROTC secretary. She owned Ross’ Village Pub in Royal. She was an avid Cub’s and Illini fan. She loved doing crafts and making scrubbies.