Beulah Ruth Compton

HOMER — Beulah Ruth Compton, age 93, of Homer passed away at 8:41 a.m. Wednesday (March 27, 2019) at Autumn Fields Adult Community in Savoy.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. The Rev. Teri Shane will officiate. The burial will be in the G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. There will be a visitataion from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2019, at the funeral home.

Ruth was born on Oct. 11, 1925, in Ogden, a daughter of William and Bertha Loeffler Wilson. She married Gerald R. Compton on Sept. 6, 1947, in Sidney. He passed away on Jan. 5, 2011. Survivors include two sons, Ray (Sherry) Compton of Indianapolis, Ind., and Paul (Bonnie) Compton of Homer; one daughter, Mary Compton of Homer; Grandchildren, Erik (Stephanie) Compton, Ariel (Zach) Wells, Bryce (Caley) Compton and Whitney Compton; step-grandchildren, Brad Mumm, Ryan (Julie) Mumm and Bart (Jill) Mumm; great-grandchildren, Kallie and Quinn Compton, Elijah and Gabriel Wells and Nolan, Chloe and Claire Compton; step-great-grandchildren, Addison, Brooklyn, Ashley and Lucas Mumm; nephews, William (Sandy) Wilson of Ogden and Robert (Stella) Wilson of Fithian. She was also survived by her beloved cat, Ned.

Mrs. Compton was preceded in death by her two brothers and one sister-in-law.

Ruth was a member of the Homer United Methodist Church and a member of the Art and Needle group. Ruth was a homemaker and loved to farm, garden and canning, and she was known for her fruit cakes, pies, noodles and applesauce. Ruth had a great love of people and her generosity of bringing people homemade pies or cakes. This would always allow for her passion to visit with people.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ogden and Broadlands Food Pantry through the Methodist Church or Homer United Methodist Church.

News-Gazette 3/28/2019

Charles E. "Charlie" Hartman

COLLISON — Charles E. "Charlie " Hartman, 75, of Collison went to be with the Lord on Thursday (March 21, 2019) at home surrounded by his wife and daughters.

He was bornon Nov. 5, 1943, in Champaign, the son of Ernest and Alberta (Grove) Hartman. He was united in marriage to Ruth Troxell on Nov. 26, 1994. She survives. Also surviving are his daughters, Jessica (Rick) Breitenfeldt, Kristin (Mitch) Allen, Kate (Leon) Jess and Teresa (Steve) Evans.

Papa's grandchildren loved him to the moon and back. He was always full of life's loving stories for them. He believed children are the heritage of the Lord. He loved Cameron Ackerson, Kaitlyn Breitenfeldt, Colton Breitenfeldt, Lillian Jess, Khloe Jess, Brinley Allen, Steele Allen, Jacob Evans and Joshua Evans.

His surviving siblings are Mary Hafner, Patty Wakefield, Diana Thrush, Rob Hartman, Sue Hartman and Judy Lynn.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandsons, Cody Breitenfeldt and Zachery Evans.

Charlie loved Jesus with his whole heart. He was a steadfast man of God.

As a boy he worked tirelessly alongside his dad. He worked as a carpenter before going on to manage the horse farm at the University of Illinois until retirement in 2002.

Charlie was a gifted horseman and cowboy. His entire life was spent pulling ponies, training, selling, breeding and racing horses. He bred and raced Deckum Larum, who in 1983 set an AQHA world record that still stands today.

He served as Illinois AQHA Racing Association president for 10 years. Charlie also enjoyed serving as a trustee for Pilot Township.

Share in our celebration of his life at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at Homer New Life Church of Faith, 505 W. Crittenden St., Homer, IL 61849.

Memorial donations may be made to Homer New Life Church of Faith.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61834, is assisting the family in making arrangements.

Please join Charlie’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at sunsetfunealhome.

CU NG 3/26/2019

Mary E. "Betsy" Dickerson

ST. JOSEPH — Mary E. "Betsy" Dickerson, 80, of St. Joseph passed away at 2:26 a.m. Tuesday (March 19, 2019) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 25, 2019, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Urbana, the Rev. Luke Spannagel officating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with a rosary at 1:30 p.m.

Betsy was born April 1, 1938, in Brazil, Ind., the daughter of Ruth Forrest. She married Harlan W. Dickerson on Sept. 11, 1959, at Brazil, Ind. He preceded her in death on March 29, 2000.

She is survived by her children, Marla (Reed Johnson) Dickerson of Los Angeles and Barry (Elizabeth) Dickerson of Champaign; three grandchildren, Mary Evans Dickerson and Claire and Caroline Dickerson; and sister, Barbara Koers of Carmel, Ind.

She was preceded in death by her mother and daughter, Marianne Dickerson.

She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Urbana, and St. Vincent DePaul Society, and delivered Meals on Wheels. Betsy was an avid Illini fan. She loved spending time with family and friends.

NG 3/20/2019

Karen Mae "Shorty" Taylor

HOMER — Karen Mae “Shorty” Taylor, 72, of Homer passed away at 4:10 a.m. Monday (March 18, 2019) at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 22, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, with the Rev. John Erwin officiating. Burial will be in G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at the funeral home.

Shorty was born Oct. 15, 1946, in Danville, the daughter of Charles and Marilyn Poulson Stulginskis.

She married Richard L. Taylor on May 22, 1966, in Homer. He preceded her in death Oct. 6, 2014.

She is survived by her mother, Marilyn Place of Homer; brothers, Denny Summer of Mesquite, Texas, and Gary (Shelley) Place of Homer; many nieces and nephews; many great- and great-greatnieces and -nephews; and her beloved dog, Molly.

She was also preceded in death by her father and stepfather.

Shorty was a member of Homer United Methodist Church and was a bookkeeper at Alexander Lumber in Champaign. She enjoyed crocheting and made afghans for many of her nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be made to G.A.R. Cemetery or the Heritage High School boys’ basketball program.

NG 3/19/2019

Marvin R. Roelfs

Marvin R. Roelfs, 87 of Rantoul, formerly of Royal, passed away peacefully at his home at 5:03 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville with Rev. James T. Lehmann officiating. Burial will follow in Kopmann Cemetery.

Visitation will be three hours before the service from 10-1 p.m. at the church. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville is handling services.

Marvin was born April 28, 1931 in Compromise Twp., Champaign County, Illinois the son of Harm and Rena Bunting Roelfs. He married Irine A. Schlueter August 21, 1955 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. She survives.

Along with his wife, Irine, he is survived by two sons, Gregory L. (Cathy) Roelfs of Rantoul, Michael L. Roelfs of Champaign; two daughters, Suz A. Smith of Peoria, Heidi U. (William) Ostrowski of Kankakee; five grandchildren, Katie (Mike) Kenig, Rebecca (Drew) Knutson, Nicole (Tyler Renshaw) Smith, Jennifer Ostrowski, Elizabeth (Andrew) Lesch; two great grandchildren; a brother Norman (Lois) Roelfs of Mediapolis, Iowa; brother-in-law, Charles Hooper; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Norris and Cheryl “Bunny” Schlueter and a sister-in-law, Aleta Schlueter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Bernice Hinrichs, Arlene Hooper, Shirley Pritchard; brother Lewis Roelfs; infant son, Mitchell L. Roelfs and son-in-law, Gregory Smith.

Marvin graduated from Rantoul Twp. High School and went on to receive his bookkeeping/accounting degree from Champaign Commercial College. He was the bookkeeper/estimator at Tile Specialist, Inc, Champaign for 55 years. He served in the United States Army 1951-1953. Before moving to Rantoul in 2014, he and his family lived in Royal.

He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville and the Bible Study group. He served on the Village of Royal Board for 20 years. Marvin enjoyed playing golf, watching all Illini sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan. He also liked to mow his yard and always looked forward to playing cards with his family and friends.

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

Dick J. Albers

GIFFORD — Dick J. Albers, 92, formerly of Royal, went to be with his Lord at 12:55 a.m. Tuesday (March 12, 2019) at Country Health Care & Rehab, Gifford.

Dick was born July 22, 1926, at the home of his parents, William and Almuth Janssen Albers, near Gifford. On Dec. 1, 1950, Dick married Clarine Loschen. She preceded him in death on Dec. 1, 1961. On July 1, 1967, Dick married Erna Schluter Miller. She preceded him in death on June 24, 2018.

Dick is survived by his children, David (Chris) Albers of Champaign, Sandra (Terry) King of St. Joseph,Richard (Jody) Albers of Gifford, Barbara Albers of Danville, Elaine (Gary) Busboom of Gifford and

Eugene (Becky) Miller of Ogden; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Vernetta Schluter, Regina Gronewald and Lorine Schluter; many nieces and nephews; and family friend, Diane Valentine.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter; grandson, Kevin Busboom; seven brothers; two sisters; four brothers in- law; and seven sisters in- law.

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

Dick grew up as a member of Flatville Immanuel Lutheran Church and later transferred to Saint John Lutheran Church of Royal. Dick was a lifelong farmer in the Penfield area. He retired from University

of Illinois Building Services. In his early years, Dick played guitar in a band, the Ramblers. He enjoyed farming and gardening, planting trees, fishing, bluegrass music and collecting toy tractors. Dick was very proud of his German heritage.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church Youth Mission Trip, the Heifer Project or donor’s choice.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Jay Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Huls Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

NG 3/13/2019