Judith Arlene Corray

ST. JOSEPH — Judith “Judy” Arlene Corray, 79, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at Country Health Care & Rehab, surrounded by loving family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, and a memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, both at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802. Per Judy’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and burial will take place at a later date.

The oldest of five children, Judy was born at Mercy Hospital in Urbana on Sept. 29, 1939, to William Paul Sr. and Erlene B. (Cook) Cedusky. She married Roger M. Corray on Oct. 26, 1957, in Urbana.

Judy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Roger Corray of St. Joseph; daughter, Elizabeth “Katie” (Terry) Andersen of St.Joseph and grandchild Kimberly Andersen and great-grandchildren Lindsey and Jacob Rowland of Hampton, Va., and grandchildBrian (Amanda) Andersen and greatgrandchild Brooke

of Mahomet; daughter, Debbie (Max) Corray Calvo of St. Joseph and grandchild Emily Corray of Urbana; son, Michael (Denise) Corray and grandchildren Aidan, Jaren and Shannon Corray of Charleston; sister, Jaci (Bob) Nickelson- Smith of Urbana; sister-in-law, Norma Pittman of Bayles Lake; sister- in-law, Judy Cedusky of Winter Haven, Fla.; brother-in-law, Robert Corray of St. Joseph; and many loving nieces, nephews, family members and close friends near and far.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Frances Koster; and two brothers, William Paul Cedusky Jr. and Daniel Cedusky.

Judy touched countless people in her professional life, which included many years at The Andersons Grain Elevator, over 30 years as a Mary Kay consultant, and ended with a long, successful career at the University of Illinois, where she was an active member of The Secretariat and the Business and Professional Women’s Club. After retirement, she remained involved as a member of the St. Joseph Village Gardeners and St. Joseph Home Extension.

Judy was a strong supporter

of her children, enthusiastically helping whenever and wherever she could with their businesses, and she loved attending all school events for her grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, as she was a kind, thoughtful and loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend.

Roger and family thank Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Country Health Care & Rehab and Transitions Hospice for their care during Judy’s last weeks and days. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Siteman Cancer Center (foundationbarnesjewish. org/), 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140, St. Louis, MO 63110-1337.

A. Lucille Fiscus

ST. JOSEPH — A. Lucille Fiscus passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones Sunday (Nov. 18, 2018) at Country Health Care and Rehab, Gifford. Scriptures were read, prayers were given and Amazing Grace was sung to her as she entered God’s holy place, joining precious family loved ones who have gone before her. 

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11 Monday, Nov. 26, at Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview, Champaign County. Pastor Darrell Howard, nephew-in-law of Lucille, will officiate. 

Lucille was born Feb. 18, 1926, in LeRoy, the daughter of Herschel and Ethel (Petty) Messenger. She married Wendell B. Fiscus on April 20, 1947, in Sumner.

Lucille is survived by her daughter, Candice J. Sullivan (Richard) of St. Joseph; granddaughter, Holly L. (Sullivan) Mollicone (John) and their new baby daughter, Ava Jacqueline, of Cranston, R.I.; daughter-in-law, Amy Fiscus (Mike) and their daughter, Jennifer, of Wrightstown, Pa.; a brother, Wendall Messenger (Alice) of Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Lois Messenger (Kenneth) of Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews, along with their families.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell B. Fiscus; son, Michael B. Fiscus; brother, Kenneth Messenger; sister, Edith Wells; and brother-in-law, Ray Wells.

Lucille worked a variety of retail positions during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s in Urbana and Champaign, including Carson Pirie Scott, Fannie May Candies, the Treadle Sewing Center and Willow Springs Salon and Tanning. Lucille enjoyed gardening, board and card games and spending time with her family. She was an avid Illinois men’s basketball fan. Following Lucille’s move to assisted living in 2015, she and her daughter enjoyed playing dominos, bingo, attending various facility activities and weekly luncheons.

By God’s grace, Lucille was able to see the face of her precious great-granddaughter, who was born the morning of her passing. They will forever be bound together, signifying as one precious life begins, another precious life comes to an end. Lucille will be greatly missed by her family, as well as all who knew and loved her.

Lucille’s daughter and her family want to extend special thanks to the administrators and staff of The Villas of Holly Brook in Savoy and Country Health Care and Rehab in Gifford. There are many at these institutions who selflessly contributed to helping provide Lucille with the best quality of life possible in her final years and last days. 

Expressions of sympathy can be made with contributions in Lucille’s name to the American Cancer Society, 675 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.

John K, Compton

ST. JOSEPH — John K. Compton, 78, of St. Joseph died at 5:02 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 14, 2018) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with funeral services at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Pastor Bill Henry will officiate. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Military rites will be accorded at the cemetery.

John was born Aug. 2, 1940, in Champaign Township, the son of John A. and Ruby Ione (Paul) Compton. He married Joyce Mackey on Sept. 10, 1960, in Amarillo, Texas, and she survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Angi Landis (Tim) and Tami Biehl (Rob) of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Ashley Langley (Chris), Katie Landis, Austin Anderson and Bryant Anderson; and a sister, Jeanine Taylor (Gene) of Sadorus.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

John retired from Illinois Bell/AT& T. He enjoyed making items, which he sold at flea markets; owned and operated a food truck for many years; and worked for St. Joseph Grade School in the cafeteria. He was a life member and past commander of American Legion Post 634, St. Joseph. John served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-67 and served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and on the USS Denebola and the USS Truckee.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 634. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel. com.

News-Gazette 11/19/2018

John (Jim) Mullen

ST. JOSEPH — John (Jim) J. E. Mullen, 79, of St. Joseph passed away peacefully at 4:20 a.m. Thursday (Nov. 15, 2018) at Carle Foundation Hospital.

Jim was born Feb. 18, 1939, in Champaign, to Bernard and Ruth (Patterson) Mullen. He had three siblings, Bernadean (Tom) Hammersmith, Susan Yount and Rick (Mary) Mullen. His parents and sisters preceded him in death.

Jim is survived by his three children, William (Elie) Mullen of San Antonio,Texas, Sharon Gibson of Mesa, Ariz., and Marianne Douglas of Mesa, Ariz.; as well as his eight grandchildren,

Breanna, Danielle, Taylor, Ashlyn, Davin, Zach, Alyssa and Jayden. Jim was a proud firefighter with the University of Illinois for 30 years until his retirement. He enjoyed spending time with familyand friends, working on his land and being a part of the local retired firefighters group.

Memorials can be made to the International Association of Fire FightersFoundation.

Per his request, in lieu of a funeral, the family will be hosting a celebration of life Saturday, March 16, 2019, at O’Charley’s restaurant in Champaign from 1 to 3 p.m.

Margaret Jane Widick

St. Joseph IL– Margaret Jane Widick, 85, loving mother of 6, grandmother of 6, and great-grandmother of 1, passed away at home on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

​Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 17th, with services to follow at 11 a.m. at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, IL. Pastor Scott Millis will officiate. Burial will follow at Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph.

​Margaret Jane was born Aug. 19, 1933, in Urbana, Illinois, the only child of Edward C. Leigh and Ruth Parrett Leigh. She was raised and lived nearly her entire life on the family farm in St. Joseph and was a descendant of some of St. Joseph’s earliest pioneers. She married Robert (Bob) Dale Widick at the Church of Christ in St. Joseph on June 8, 1952, and together they raised 6 children. Bob preceded her passing in 1991.

Of Margaret Jane’s 6 children, her much beloved sons Timothy Dale Widick and Charles Edward Widick preceded her in death. Surviving are 4 children: David Leigh (Candy) Widick of St. Joseph, Deanna Sue (Rick) Richards of Urbana, John Robert (Nancy) Widick of Champaign, Jeffrey William Widick of San Diego, and her daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Charles) Widick of East Moline; grandchildren Jarrod, Daniel, Blake, Brandon, Jesse, and Timothy; and great-granddaughter Lillie. Margaret Jane loved her grandkids & great-granddaughter deeply, and her face would always light up brightly when she would see them.

​Margaret Jane was a long-time member of the St. Joseph Church of Christ and very active for over 25 years in the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs, having served as local chapter president. She loved attending their annual conventions in Chicago.

​Bob and Margaret Jane were long-time leaders of the Mustangs 4-H club in St. Joseph and saw many of St. Joe’s children as members throughout the years, including all 6 of theirs. The highlight every year was the annual 4-H tour and BBQ as well as the Champaign County Fair, where, first as leaders of the Mustangs and then for many years on their own, they would run the food stand by the livestock barns.

​Margaret Jane loved to travel at every opportunity throughout her life. First, with her beloved parents who would take her on car trips around the country in the 1930’s & 40’s. Then, with her husband and kids to many destinations in the US but, especially, Tuscon, Arizona, every year where her parents retired. In later years, she loved taking trips with friends to Branson, Missouri, casinos, the Dells, and absolutely loved to travel to visit her son in San Diego.

​Memorials may be made to the organization of the donor’s choice.

11/15/2018 News-Gazette

Rick McKinney

ST. JOSEPH — Rick McKinney of St. Joseph came into this world Feb. 26, 1952, and soared high Monday (Nov. 12, 2018). He was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Virgil “Mac” and Wanita McKinney, and older brother, Richard Dean (Feb. 26, 1950), with open arms.

Left to cherish the wonderful memories are the love of his life, Vikki Crnekovic (her children: Ryan, Joe, Stefi and Dani); sisters, Patti McKee and Lori (Bob) Bell; nephews, Troy (Jen) Bowman, Travis Bowman and Matt Curtis; nieces, Becky (Stevie) Hall, Trisha McKee and Lindsay Curtis; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nephews and great-nieces.

A celebration of Rick’s life will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at Hudson Farm, 1341 CR 1800 E, Urbana. Family and friends are welcome to bring their favorite stories or photos. Casual attire, casual food and lots of memories to share.

Rick was employed by Illini Pella Windows in Champaign for 35 years. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and had a natural talent for the sport himself. He loved reading, history and old Westerns.

Rick enjoyed motorcycle racing (another sport he accomplished) and took many motorcycle trips with wonderful friends throughout the years. He had a need for speed; 2, 3, 4 or 18 wheels, a true road warrior.

The family requests donations in his memory be made to the ALS Foundation or Carle Hospice.

NG 11/15/2018

Frances M. Hixson

ST. JOSEPH — Frances M. Hixson, 87, of St. Joseph passed away at 10:35 p.m. Monday (Nov. 5, 2018) at Country Health Care & Rehab, Gifford.

Funeral services will be at noon Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Pastor Greg Smith will officate. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.

She was born Feb. 5, 1931, in Homer, the daughter of Charles and Vinne Boise Varvel. She married F. Earl Hixson on June 9, 1951, in St. Joseph. He preceded her in death July 17, 1999.

She is survived by her children, Mike Hixson of Fithian, Jan Walsh of St. Joseph and Terri Miller of Evansville, Ind.; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

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

She was a member of St. Joseph Church of Christ, St. Joseph Home Extension and Illinois Heartland Decorative Artist. She worked for Dr. Keck in Sidney for 27 years as a receptionist.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church of Christ or donor's choice.

News-Gazette 11/7/2018

C. Everett Walters

HOMER — C. Everett Walters, 88, of Homer passed away at 4:15 a.m. Tuesday (Nov. 6, 2018) at his home.

A graveside memorial service will be held at noon on Sunday, Nov. 11, at GAR Cemetery in Homer. A celebration of life open house will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at Uncle Boonie’s Bait Shop after the graveside service. The family requests casual attire, jeans preferred. Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, is handling arrangements.

Everett was born June 20, 1930, in Fairmount/ Conkeytown, the son of Paul Nye and Florence Edith Tracy Walters. He married Olive June Cromwell on Nov. 11, 1948, in Santa Cruz, Calif. She preceded him in death on Jan. 7, 2001.

Survivors include his son, Randy (Cindy) Walters of Covington, Ind.; daughter, Debbie (Doug) Sears of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Sara (Mike) Allen, Jackie (Matt) Hamann, Kim (Jon) Chastain and James Walters; great-grandchildren, Gracie Chastain, Kadence Chastain, John Donelan, Nicholas Donelan, Andrew Donelan, Olive Hamann and Fletcher Hamann; and stepgrandchildren, Lana Turner and George Sears.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, one son, four brothers and three sisters. He was the last remaining sibling of eight.

Everett was a member of Homer United Methodist Church. He owned and operated Uncle Boonie’s Bait Shop in Homer for over 30 years. He was a former member of the volunteer fire department and Boy Scout master for 10 years. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and gardening. Everett enjoyed playing euchre with his friends.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, please make memorial donations to Homer Fire and Rescue or Homer Library.

NG 11/9/2018

Clara Ann Louise Roessler Hill

ST. JOSEPH — Clara Ann Louise (Roessler) Hill, 87, of St. Joseph went home to be with the Lord on Monday (Nov. 5, 2018).

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. Visitation will be from 9 to11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. Both the service and visitation will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph, will be in charge of arrangements.

Clara Ann was born May 15, 1931, to Sophia and Carl Roessler. She was the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Rantoul High School in 1949. She went to Chicago and earned her pediatric nursing degree from Augustana. After receiving her license, she stayed in Chicago to work for families taking care of their newborn children. She worked in Chicago for several years and returned to the Champaign-Urbana area when she learned her older brother, Walter, had been taken prisoner during the Korean War. Then, she started working as an LPN at the Outlook Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Urbana.

Through some mutual friends, Clara Ann met a handsome young man named George Hill. They started dating and eventually married on Sept. 20, 1953, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gifford. In 1957, the couple built a home in St. Joseph. Clara Ann and George had two children, Terry Hill and Laura Mae Hill. Clara Ann continued to work nights as an LPN at Greenbriar Nursing Home. Unfortunately, their daughter, Laura, had some health problems as a young child. So, Clara Ann quit her nursing job and started a day care business in her home. She loved and took care of many children over the years. One very special child she took care of was her own grandchild, Jared Hill. She continued taking care of children until she was in her 80s.

Church was a very important part of Clara Ann’s life. She and her husband attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church from its inception to the present. Clara Ann served the church in many ways, including participating in the church choir and maintaining the church’s sanctuary.

Clara Ann loved taking care of her husband, family and friends. She enjoyed providing people with home-canned peaches, green beans and homemade jelly (both strawberry and black raspberry). She made special sour cream date cookies for her children, grandchildren and friends for Christmas. She enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren, Jared, Alex and Michelle. As part of her family and friend circle, one could always count on Clara Ann to send cards for birthdays and special holidays.

Early in the marriage, Clara Ann once surprised her husband, George, with a new 1956 Harley-Davidson motorcycle for his birthday.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, George; children, Terry (special friend Kim Blair) and Laura (Paul) Woodard; grandchildren, Jared Hill and Alex (aka Matthew) and Michelle Woodard. She has numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, two sisters, one nephew and one niece.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph.

“Until we meet again, rest in peace, Mom. We love you, and we miss you. We know that you are in heaven with the Lord.“

Jerry D. Reifsteck Sr.

FISHER — Jerry D. Reifsteck Sr., 60, of Fisher passed away Wednesday morning (Oct. 31, 2018) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul. Pastor Jeffrey McPike and Jerry Limp will officiate. Burial will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery, Fisher.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Lux Memorial Chapel.

He was born Aug. 5, 1958, in Danville, a son of Melvin and Ara (Boyd) Reifsteck. He married Barbara Ashworth on Feb. 4, 1998, in Urbana. She survives.

Also surviving are seven children, Cory (Kim) Grissom of Roberts, John (Tina) Teter of Camargo, Kurt (Amber) Teter of Villa Grove, Amanda (Clint) Goodmann of Pesotum, Lacey (Marc) Thompson of Atwood, Kari (Chris) Genzel of Fisher and Jerry Reifsteck Jr. of Rantoul; four brothers, Mike Reifsteck of Royal, Steve (Becky) Reifsteck of Danville, Mark (Sherry) Reifsteck of Mahomet and Kurt Reifsteck of Mahomet; a sister, Terry (Virgil) Grant of Potomac; 27 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two daughters, Lisa Tatman and Joni Reifsteck.

Jerry worked for 33 years at ACH Humko, Champaign, retiring in 2009. He spent the past six years driving a truck, ending at Myerscough Trucking out of Seymour.

He was a member of the Eastern Illinois ABATE Inc., where he served as past president. Jerry loved the 10 years he served as honorary Santa for the Swann Special Care Center, Champaign. He was an avid hunter and camper.

Memorials may be made to the family.