Geraldine Jerri Ann Esworthy

OGDEN — Geraldine (Jerri) Ann Esworthy went to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 29, 2019, at 11:10 a.m. at Meadowbrook in Urbana.

The funeral service will be Monday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Pastor Kathy Murphy will officate. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Jerri was born Oct. 19, 1933, the daughter of Harold Wilson and Inez Smith in Homer. She graduated from Homer High School. She married Richard M. Esworthy on May 8, 1953, in Homer. He preceded her in death. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and aunt.

She is survived by her sons: Paul (Loretta) of Homer; Bruce (Cathy) of Brentwood, Tenn.; Dale (Mimi) of Brentwood, Tenn.; Brent (Dorian) of Wichita, Kan.; four grandsons: Michael, Luke, Colin and Parker; six granddaughters: Hannah (Travis), Lauren (Alex), Rebecca, Mia, Morgan and Taylor. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Teresa Wilson; a brother-in-law, Jim Esworthy, a niece and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter and grandson.

Jerri was a member of the Ogden United Methodist Church, where she was the treasurer and helped with the Food Pantry. She retired from Ogden/Longview Bank and was a past Treasurer for the Ogden School Board.

Jerri enjoyed sports and auto racing. She was a devout Illini fan. She enjoyed traveling and visiting friends and family.

Memorials may be made to the Ogden United Methodist Church or the Ogden Food Pantry through the church.

NG 11/30/2019

Virgil Ralph Carrington

HOMER — Virgil Ralph Carrington, 87, of Homer passed away on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at Country Health Care and Rehab in Gifford.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, with the Rev. Kim Dancey officiating. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Indianola.

There will be a visitation from noon to 1 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Virgil was born Jan. 4, 1932, in Jamaica Township, the son of Clyde and

Naoma Bell Carrington. He married Margaret Loretta Mackey on Dec. 23, 1962, in Sidell. She preceded him in death just two months ago on Sept. 16, 2019.

Survivors include daughter Jane (Peter) Carrington-Garceau of Hallandale, Fla.; son Lynn (MaryFrances) Carrington of Columbia, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Betty Wilson Ligda, Wilma Dowers and Lois Minick.

Virgil was a member of

Homer United Methodist Church. He was the manager at Jamaica Farmers Elevator and Homer Grain Company. He served in the Army (1953-1956) as a communications officer in Germany.

His hobbies included travel, and he was an Illini sports fan and Cubs fan.

Memorials can be made to Homer United Methodist Church.

NG 11/22/2019

Florine "Flo" Bennett

HOMER — Florine “Flo” Bennett, 84, of Homer passed away at 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at her daughter’s home.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main Street in Homer with Pastor Mike Picklesimer officiating. Burial will take place in Mansfield Cemetery in Mansfield with Rev. Nick Gleason officiating. There will be a visitation from 10-11 a.m. prior to the funeral at the funeral home.

Flo was born July 23, 1935, in Fisher, the daughter of Joseph Otto and Bertie Mae Depuy Elkins. She married James H. Davis on June 28, 1951. He passed away Nov. 7, 2005. Flo married Tommy Bennett on Feb. 19, 2000, in Ben Wheeler, Texas. He preceded her in death on April 24, 2003.

She is survived by daughter Pam (Jerry) Stanfield of Homer; son Jeff (Cindy) Davis of Texas; daughter Mary (Mitch) Crawford of Mansfield; daughter Sheri Davis of Homer; son Kenny Davis of Texas; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by son Joe Davis; granddaughter Michelle Davis; granddaughter Racheal Davis; grandson Kenny Sterner; one sister; and two brothers.

Flo was a member of Sidney United Christian Church and Champaign County Home Extension. She was a welcome person at Meijer and volunteer at the former Provena Hospital.

Ray D. Moorhous

ST. JOSEPH — Ray D. Moorhous, 85, of St. Joseph passed away at 8:07 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 802 E. Douglas St., St. Joseph. Pastor Dennis Meyer will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church.

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

Ray was born March 7, 1934, in Ogden Township, the son of Earl and Julia (Chestnut) Moorhous. He married Maria Cook on Feb. 14, 1978. She survives.

He is also survived by his children; Deanna (John) Buss of St. Joseph, Cathy (Randy) Goyne of St. Joseph, Rod Moorhous of Royal, Julie (Bill) Jankowski of Danville, Ind.; six grandchildren, Tara Smith of St. Joseph,

Nathan Buss of St. Joseph, Ryan (Shilpa) Buss of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Joel (Chrissy) Goyne of Sidney, Megan Shipley of Danville, Ind., Mitchell (Samantha) Jankowski of Indianpolis; 10 greatgrandchildren, Raegan and Payton Smith, Brady and Tyler Buss, Bastian and Baron Buss, Marek Shipley, Boston and M.J. Jankowski, and Barbara Farney; and sister Jean Motsinger of Savoy; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Patricia Barrett.

Ray farmed in the St. Joseph area until retirement in 2002. He was an avid St. Joseph-Ogden and Illini sports fan.

Ray loved to play cards and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a loving and generous Husband, Father and Grandpa Ray.

Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 802 E. Douglas, St. Joseph, IL, 61873.

NG 11/19/2019

Steve Wayne Higgs

Urbana — Steve Wayne Higgs, 70 of Urbana, passed away at 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at University Rehab, Urbana.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview.

Mr. Higgs was born April 18, 1949, in Altamont, a son to Wayne and Nancy Spoor Higgs.

He is survived by two sisters; Jackie O’Leary of San Diego, Calif., and Belinda Barton of

St. Louis, Mo. He was preceded in death by three sisters; Connie Jones, Rita Inskeep, and Tamera Barton, his parents, a great-uncle Jerry “Pete” Frye, and his grandmother, Ruby Spoor.

He graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1967. After 30 years retired from University of Illinois in the operation and maintenance department. He was a member of the grounds crew. He was a fan of motorcycle and car races, sprints, midgets, and drag cars. He enjoyed traveling around the country with his buddy Craig Stephen. “Nothing was better that a race and a cold beer.”

NG 11/13/2019

Daniel Ennis

SIDNEY — Daniel Ennis, 11, of Sidney died at 4:13 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Daniel was born Dec. 15, 2007, in Urbana to Matt and Erin (Happ) Ennis. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Daniel Happ; maternal great-grandfather, James McCarthy; paternal great-grandfather, Norman Ennis; paternal great-grandmother, Eileene Hart; paternal great-grandfather, Roy Hart; and his favorite dog, Georgia Bean.

He is survived by his parents, his sister Haley of Sidney, grandparents Andy and Nancy (Hart) Ennis of Urbana, Terry (McCarthy) Happ of Urbana, great-grandmother Louise Ennis of Sidney, great-grandmother Jenilee McCarthy of Savoy, great-grandparents Donald and Dorothy (Bosch) Happ of Philo, Aunt and Uncle Bryan and Holly Ennis of Champaign, Aunt and Uncle Meghan Happ and Cameron Walters of Champaign, many great aunts, great uncles, family members and numerous friends.

Daniel was currently a sixth-grade student at Unity Junior High School in Tolono. He loved bowling, baseball, playing video games and spending time with family and friends. He also loved the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks and the Fighting Illini.

Visitation will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at First Christian Church, 3601 S. Staley Rd., Champaign.

Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at the church.

Donations may be made to the Daniel Ennis Memorial Fund at Longview Bank.

Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is handling arrangements.

ENNIS

Christy Ellen (Hausmann) Elliott

Christy Ellen (Hausmann) Elliott, 77, of Urbana passed away peacefully at 1:48 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2019 at her home surrounded by family.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date at Rushville Cemetery, Rushville, IL.

Christy was born in Chicago on November 22, 1941 to parents Gustav and Helen (Pippig) Hausmann. They preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her son Thomas Elliott.

She grew up in Chicago and Fox Lake.

On March 3, 1963 Christy married the love of her life, Robert Elliott in Macomb, IL. They learned to collaborate and taught each other many things. Robert passed away in December of 1995.

She is survived by her daughter Lori Elliott of Urbana, three grandchildren; Kayla Elliott, Jenna Elliott and Matt Pieper and five great grandchildren.

Christy earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois; she was a teacher for over thirty years, retiring from Urbana School District #116.

Christy loved her family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them over the years. She loved celebrating the holidays, volunteering with very dedicated individuals and watching the new generations develop.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Champaign County Humane Society.

Renner Wikoff Funeral Home 11/10/2019

Judith Elaine Kopmann

ROYAL — Judith Elaine Kopmann, 77, of Royal passed away Friday (Nov. 8, 2019) at home.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, with the Rev. James T. Lehmann officiating. Burial will follow in Kopmann Cemetery, Royal. There will be no public visitation. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Judith was born July 23, 1942, the daughter of Martin and Anna Albers Flessner. She married Lorence J. Kopmann on Nov. 20, 1960, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. He preceded her in death Oct. 30, 1967. She later married Delmar Schlueter, and he also preceded her in death.

She is survived by one son, LeRoy (Tana) Kopmann of Bismarck; one daughter, Bonita Kopmann of rural St. Joseph; four grandchildren, Levi (Elise) Kopmann of rural St. Joseph, Kallie (Aaron) Horn of Gibson City, Tyre Stephens of Bloomington and Karsen Kopmann of Springfield; two great-granddaughters, Braylee and Everlee Horn; and two sisters, Sylvia Flessner of Royal and Ellen (Lonnie) Ferguson of Decatur.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and daughter, Anita Kopmann.

Judy spent her childhood in Stanton Township and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1960. She worked for many years at Chanute Air Force Base in Civil Service and helped on the family farm. Judy later retired from CERL in Champaign. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, and a past church secretary. Judy was also a member of the Homemakers Extension in Royal and the TWIN club.

She enjoyed sewing and making blankets for her children and grandchildren; cooking, particularly baking; and riding her Gator around Royal. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her great-granddaughters.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals or Kopmann Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at baierfuneralservices.com.

News-Gazette 11/10/2019
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Sharon L. Cook

URBANA — Sharon L. Cook, 78, of Urbana, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday (Nov. 5, 2019) at Brookdale Senior Living, Urbana.

Sharon was born Oct. 16, 1941, in Urbana, the daughter of Seymour and Helen Lewis. She was one of seven children. She married David Cook on May 16, 1965, in Urbana, and he survives.

Sharon is also survived by a daughter, Kimberly Ann Coyne of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Blair Ann Coyne of St. Joseph and Justin Awalt of Orange County, Calif.; and greatgrandchildren, Cain Awalt and Jax Awalt, also of Orange County.

Sharon graduated from Champaign Central High School in 1960 and was a telephone operator at

Illinois Bell, which later became AT& T. She retired after 30 years of service. She enjoyed being with her family and spent the next years traveling and assisting them in their businesses. She enjoyed, for entertainment, playing slot machines.

The Cook family sincerely appreciates the care and caring of Harbor Light Hospice and its staff and the Brookdale Senior Living staff and facilities with Sharon’s seven-year battle with cancer.

There are no services planned.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel. com.

CU News-Gazette 11/9/2019

Billy Aten

ST. JOSEPH — Billy Aten, 66, died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019.

Billy was born in Kankakee on March 17, 1953, to Leo and Lois (Tuttle) Aten. He married the love of his life, Judith “Jan” Francisco, on Oct. 9, 1983.

Surviving are his loving wife, Jan; daughter, Casey Aten of St. Joseph; sons, Billy Aten (Kierra Fonner) of Champaign and Austin Aten of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Colton and Casen Huls, Kali Fonner and Kash Aten; and his best friend and cousin, Max Aten of Greenville.

Billy earned a bachelor’s

in education from Northwest Missouri State University and received the honor of being an All-American college athlete while playing baseball. When he wasn’t on a ballfield, you could usually find him at the nearest pond. If they were biting, he was fishing.

He cherished his grandchildren and took the responsibility of “papaw” to another level.

Whether it was walks at Homer Lake, days on the golf course, “car talk” or watching tennis tournaments, he always put his family first.

Billy was known as B.A. in the car biz for more than 30 years.

He never met a stranger and was everybody’s “best” friend.

A celebration of life will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at Eastland Suites, 1907 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana. This will be a time for all friends and family to gather and share their stories and memories.

Memorials are suggested to Papaws Legacy Memorial for his grandchildren, in care of Barkley Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 381, Greenup, IL 62428.

CU News-Gazette 11/6/2019

Norma L. Huls

ST. JOSEPH — Norma L. Huls, 82, of St. Joseph passed away at 9:54 a.m. Friday (Nov. 1, 2019) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. Pastor James Lehmann will officiate. Burial will be in Beckman Cemetery, Thomasboro. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Norma was born Feb. 1, 1937, in Ridge Farm, the daughter of Chester and Daisy (Tate) Strohl. She married Ernest Huls on Feb. 24, 1956, in Homer. He preceded her in death Dec. 27, 1988.

She is survived by her son, Gary (Julie) Huls of St. Joseph; three grandchildren, Josh, Greg and Alicia; and four greatgrandchildren, Alexia, Chase, Austin and Avery.

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

Norma was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. She retired from the University of Illinois. Norma enjoyed camping and, most of all, spending time with her grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the family.

NG 11/3/2019

David L. Hooker

SIDNEY — David L. Hooker, 56, of Sidney passed away at 9:29 a.m. Friday (Nov. 1, 2019) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney.

Mr. Hooker was born May 14, 1963, in Champaign, a son to Paul and Patricia Hannah Hooker. He married Donna Williams on June 30, 1990; they had a son, Derek Hooker, and he survives in Sidney.

Also surviving are a brother, Dwight (Terri) Hooker of Mahomet, 12 nieces and nephews; and four great-nieces and -nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

David retired after 30 years from the University of Illinois in the printing services department. He also worked with the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department and was a trustee for both the Sidney Township and Sidney Cemetery boards. He enjoyed detailing and washing cars, Illinois sports, the St. Louis Cardinals and NASCAR. His favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Memorials may be made to the Sidney Fire Department.

NG 11/3/2019