Alice A. Toppe

ALLERTON — Alice A. Toppe, 86, of Allerton passed away at 6:35 a.m. Sunday (June 16, 2019) at Newman Rehab, Newman.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, with the Rev. Kathy Murphy officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Toppe married Donald O. Toppe on July 23, 1955; he preceded her in death Dec. 20, 2003.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Owen P. and Wilma B. Seaton Meehan; two brothers, Leroy and Leon; and a sister, Grace Marie.

She is survived by a son, Donald E. (Lora) Toppe; two grandsons, Donald E. (Brandy) Toppe Jr. and Daniel W. (Jasmine) Toppe; eight greatgrandchildren, Austin (Cheyann), Chelsey, Dalton, Sadie, Dakota, Danny, C.J. and Caleb; two greatgreat- grandchildren, Avah and Abel; and a sister, Leah Mae (Bob) Darley.

We would like to acknowledge Leanor Holmes for all her help with our mother.

Champaign News-Gazette 6/17/19

Robert Nolan Drew

ST. JOSEPH — Robert Nolan Drew, 79, of St. Joseph passed away surrounded by family and friends on Saturday (June 8, 2019) after complications from a surgery.
A celebration of life will be held in late July.

Bob was born July 31, 1939, in Chicago, to Iola Drew and was raised by his grandparents, Jay and Mamie Drew.

Bob was married to Karen McBratney (Huffman) from 1964-1979, and from this union came three children, Shannon Drew (Tammy), Kerry Burriss (Tab) and Molly Ann Dang (Khoi); and five grandchildren, Cheyenne Drew, Emma and Addie Buchanan and Matthew and Emily Dang.

Bob married Jolene, the love of his life, in 1985.

After graduating from Parker High School in Chicago, Bob spent two years on a full scholarship at the University of Illinois. He took a 10-year hiatus from higher education to work as a draftsman and layout designer. He finished his undergraduate degree and graduated with a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois in 1972. During his years at the University of Illinois, he was awarded the U of I Varsity “I” for wheelchair sports. Bob was always an advocate for accessibility. His passion for barrierfree access to homes and public spaces throughout the community was constant. He always reminded everyone that being able-bodied is only temporary.

Beginning in 1972, Bob spent 28 years teaching vocational education at Urbana High School. When asked what he taught, his answer was always “students.” He implemented the house construction class entitled “The Project House” and an educational travel course called “Pathfinders,” through which many young lives were touched and redirected as Bob took students to Colorado, focusing on history, flora, geography and physical fitness. He also participated in the 1985 NASA Teacher in Space program.
Bob’s interest in media may have begun when he won a car in a singing competition at age 18 on the Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour on Chicago station WGN. At Urbana High School, he developed the first television production class that broadcasted hundreds of hours of Urbana High School events on the local cable television show “Tiger T.V.”

After retirement, “Bobby D” spent five years as a weekly DJ on WEFT, hosting The Monday Lunch Bunch Blues community radio broadcast.

Bob had a keen interest in genealogy. He was on a constant search for family history and connection. Yet, many of his “family” members shared no blood. If you were his friend, you were counted in that family.

He attempted to capture and hold many memories with his creative use of photography. By using photos he had taken and by restoring and preserving photos from long ago, he was able to bridge the gap from past to present.

St. Joseph’s social scene may be a bit quieter as it has lost one of its hambaking/ firework-shooting/ margarita-making party hosts. He loved to entertain and cook for others. He was known for his baked hams, soups and pickled vegetables.

Bob wanted the world to be a more beautiful place, and he and Jolene shared their lovely garden with many friends and visitors.

In addition to Jolene, his children and grandchildren, Bob is survived by his special cousins, Gene Buhrmester, Connie (Max) Peterson and Darlene (Dick) Barker; and cousin-in-law, Helen Buhrmester.
He was preceded in death by his cousin, Don Buhrmester.

Many may think of Bob’s “larger than life” voice, but his heart was larger. He truly wanted to help and love others. This was evident in one of his final wishes, which was to be an organ donor with the Gift of Hope organization.

The family thanks the dedicated medical staff who supported Bob over the past four months.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, please consider donating to Eastern Illinois Foodbank or other charitable organizations.

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

Champaign News-Gazette 6/11/2019

Daniel L. Medrow

ST. JOSEPH — Daniel L. Medrow, 78, of St. Joseph passed away at 5:03 p.m. Saturday (June 8, 2019) at home.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph, with Pastor Dennis Myers and Pastor Andrew Jones officiating. Burial will be in Kopmann Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph.

Dan was born Oct. 30, 1940, in Champaign, a son of Elmer H. and Ethel Daniel Medrow. He married Betty Miller Ehmen on Aug. 28, 1994; she survives. Also surviving are his daughters, Tonya (Nikki) Medrow of St. Louis and Daniele (Chuck) Routhof Philo; a daughter, Deanna (Kenny) Buhr of Thomasboro; a son, Danny(Laura) Ehmen of St. Joseph;

13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Irene Medrow of Savoy and JoAnna Busboom of Gifford; and a brother-in-law, Larry (Evelyn) Miller of St. Joseph.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chuck Medrow.

He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962. He retired as a printer pressman. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and St. Joseph-Ogden fan and he enjoyed bowling. He was a member of C-U Elks Lodge 2497 in Savoy.

Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Champaign News-Gazette 6/10/2019

Norma Dunkman

URBANA — Norma Dunkman, 78, of Urbana passed away at 1:15 a.m. Sunday (June 9, 2019) at Country Health Nursing Home, Gifford.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2019, at Living Word Family Church, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Mike Mack officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph, is assisting with arrangements.

Norma was born Feb. 14, 1941, in Sidney, a daughter to William W. and Violet M. Taylor Chesnut. She married Richard T. Dunkman on July 17, 1965; he preceded in death Dec. 13, 2002.

She is survived by two sons, Bill (Dawn) Dunkman ofWestfield, Ind., and Brian (Paula) Dunkman of St. Joseph; one daughter,

Dawn Martinie of Urbana; 10 grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; and four brothers, John (Judy) Chesnut of Sidney, Dean (Sandra) Chesnut of Champaign, Chuck (Diane) Chesnut of Ogden and Lee (Lisa) Chesnut of Sidney.

She was preceded in death by a son, Bradley W. Dunkman, and a brother, Dick Chesnut.

Norma was a member of Living Word Family Church, St. Joseph. She graduated from Unity High School, Tolono, and retired from SJO High School as the head cook. She also worked at Marble’s Catering in Savoy. She enjoyed gardening, fishing and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Champaign News-Gazette 6/10/2019

Kenneth Morris Davidson

URBANA — Kenneth Morris Davidson, 83, of Urbana passed away Tuesday (June 4, 2019) at 6:36 a.m. at Meadowbrook Health Center, Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, at Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church, Champaign. Pastor Herb Coates will officiate. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana. Burial will take place in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview, with military rites being performed by the United States Navy and the American Legion Post 71.

Kenny was born Jan. 5, 1936, in Memphis, Tenn., to Kenneth P. and Vietta (Johnson) Davidson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Marlene, his beautiful daughters, Cassie and Kendra, their spouses, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: daughter, Cassie (Randy) Haines of Urbana, grandchildren, Kristi (Jake) Tammen of Tolono and Blaine (Bekah) of Urbana, and great-grandchildren, Mason and Jaxson; daughter, Kendra (Chris) Changnon of Gurnee, grandchildren, Blake (Chris) of Nashville, Tenn., and Paige and Parker of Gurnee.

Preceding Kenny in death

were his parents and grandson, Andrew Haines.

After graduating from Decker High School, Ind., Kenny enlisted in the U.S. Navy. On April 4, 1958, he married the love of his life, Marlene Current. After an honorable discharge, Kenny worked for Eisner Corporation. He finished his career at the University of Illinois, retiring after 15 years.

He was a member of Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church and the American Legion Post 1492.

Kenny brightened every room he was in with his contagious smile and friendly demeanor. He went above and beyond to make his family and friends feel special. He loved his family more than anything in life. Above all, Kenny was a devout Christian who kept Christ the center of his life.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family asks donations be made to Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church, the American Heart Association or Harbor Light Hospice. Condolences may be offered at rennerwikoffchapel. com.

Amy M. Blue-Short

ST. JOSEPH — Amy M. Blue-Short, 48, of St. Joseph passed away at 5:10 a.m. Thursday (June 6, 2019) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 10, 2019, at the St. Joseph Middle School gym. Pastor Dave Ashby will officiate. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the school.

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

Amy was born Dec. 17, 1970, at Urbana, the daughter of Steve and Bonnie Stambaugh Blue. She married Tim Short on Aug. 29, 1992, at Champaign. He survives.

She is also survived by her daughters, Maureen Short, Audry Short and Katharine Short, all of St. Joseph; parents, Steve and Bonnie Blue of Champaign; mother-inlaw, Judy Short of LeRoy; brother-in-law, Jason Short of LeRoy; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Travis Blue.

Amy had worked at METCAD 911 for 10 years She presently worked at the University of Illinois Advance Education Department since 2001.

Champaign News-Gazette 6/7/2019

Harry Patton

HOMER — Harry Patton, 88, of Benton, Ky., formerly of Homer, passed Thursday morning (June 6, 2019) at Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center, Paducah, Ky.

Visitation with the Patton family will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Marshall County Funeral Home, Benton, Ky. A funeral service is scheduled to be conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Marshall County Funeral Home, interment to follow at Benton City Cemetery.

He was preceded in deah by his parents, as well as one brother, Robert Patton.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Patton of Benton, and three sons, James Patton of Paducah, William (Noreen) Patton of Benton and Daniel (Jennifer) Patton of Bartlett, Tenn. Also surviving are one sister, Lois Denniston of Vero Beach, Fla., as well as seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to the Radio Ministry of First Baptist Church, 410 Main St., Benton, KY 42025, or to Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Center, P.O. Box 7606, Paducah, KY 42002.

Champaign News-Gazette 6/8/2019

Harold Henry Bartell

THOMASBORO — Harold Henry Bartell, 96, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday (June 5, 2019).

He was born in Stanton Township/rural Urbana on Dec. 6, 1922, to Bart and Wilma (Janssen) Bartell. He married Annetta Schluter on Sept. 27, 1947, and was married to her for 69 years before she passed away on Jan. 5, 2017. Surviving are a son, Ed Bartell ( Madonna) of Fisher; and a daughter, Lorraine McElwain (Bob) of Thomasboro. He was an Opa to five: Jason (Fallon) Bartell of Rantoul, Shana Bartell of Pontiac, Matt (Elizabeth) Bartell of Thomasboro, Emily Snyder (Brad) of Palatine and Lorri Batsie (Michael) of Kalamazoo, Mich., and loved being a great-Opa to Luke Snyder, Will Snyder, Jack Bartell, Alex Bartell, Brooke Batsie and Caden Batsie. His namesake will continue to live on, as both Jack (Harold) and Luke (Henry) are named in his honor. He is also survived by his 15 nieces and nephews,their offspring and Vic and Rita Gates.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother; three brothers, Frank, Heye and Art; and two sisters, Christine and Reka.

Harold graduated from Rantoul Township HighSchool in 1940 and shortly after joined the Navy

during World War II. He was trained in diesel engine technology and stationed in the Caribbean, where he was in charge of the engine room on his patrol craft. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

He farmed in the Thomasboro/ Rantoul community for more than 70 years, with his son Ed andgrandson Matt joining him in the business. He served as the farm’s chief mechanic the majority of the time and retired at the age of 90, although most nice days you could still seem him there.

Harold was a quiet and extremely humble man. Anyone who met him liked him, and once you got him talking, his dry sense of humor would make you chuckle. He was always known as a gentle soul who loved animals and would sneak a cookie (or five) for himself and his grandkids when he thought no one was watching. He loved to discuss his carpentry and stainedglass projects, the Cubs and the Illini, the weather, his love of classical music (especially Bach) and his memories of his family and friends.

His favorite thing to discuss was his wife, Annetta, and the family they built together. Annetta was known for her practical jokes and sense of humor, and Harold was always in the background, helping her plan or wisely keeping his mouth shut. She was the love of his life, and their marriage was his proudest accomplishment.

He was active in the Thomasboro/ Rantoul communities as a farmer and member of American Lutheran Church of Rantoul. He enjoyed many church activities, including choir (he was known for his solo of “The Holy City” every year on Palm Sunday), and served as a member of the church council. His faith never wavered, and he relied on the promises of his Savior until the end.

The family would especially like to thank The Villas of Hollybrook in Rantoul and Transitions Hospice for their loving and attentive care these past few months.

Final arrangements are being handled by Lux Memorial Chapel of Rantoul. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at American Lutheran Church in Rantoul, with the funeral immediately following.

Memorials may be made to American Lutheran Church.