Chris E. Kerns

Chris E. Kerns, 59, of Hammond, IL, passed away at 9:40 a.m., Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL with Rev. Don Gerkin officiating. Burial will follow in the Hammond Cemetery, Hammond, IL. 

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home. 

Chris was born on October 29, 1962 in Decatur, IL, the son of Donald and Charlotte “Darlene” Bobbett Kerns. He married Cynthia L. Eddings on October 10, 1992. She survives.  

Also surviving are his daughters: Amanda (Jordan) Pfeifer and Kathryn “Katie” Kerns both of Hammond, grandson: Brentley Pfeifer and several cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents: Eldon and Pauline Bobbett. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the ALAH FFA Alumni, Heritage FFA Program or Tuscola FFA Alumni. 

Chris received his bachelor and master’s degrees both from the University of Illinois. He taught agriculture at Atwood-Hammond, Saybrook-Arrowsmith, Heritage and Tuscola High Schools for 35 years. 

He also was the elementary principal at Heritage school district. After his retirement, he worked as a substitute teacher and taught agriculture part-time at Parkland College.  Chris was very dedicated to youth Ag education and was active with the Illinois FFA Alumni.

He loved farming, working outside, horseback riding, camping and raising animals. 

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com 

Hilligoss FH website 4/24/2022

Kathryn June Travis

 Kathryn June Travis, 72, of St. Joseph passed away Monday evening, April 18, 2022 at her home.

A private graveside service was held at Patterson Cemetery in St. Joseph on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

An informal visitation will be held at Faith Baptist Church at 4601 North Market St., Champaign, IL on Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 11-1:00. A short memorial tribute will be officiated by Pastors Bob Hassel & Brandon Tipsword at 1:00 pm with a meal following.  

Kathy was born July 8, 1949 in Turrell, AR to Ray and Juanita (Burnett) Smithson.  She married Jud Paul Travis on August 30, 1969 in Wood River, IL. He survives.

She is also survived by her son, Paul (Teri) Travis of rural Flatville, IL and her daughter, Lori (Kevin) Taylor of Ogden, IL as well as five grandchildren: Kolten Taylor, Maclayne Taylor, Kenly Taylor, Coy Taylor, and Korinne Travis. Also surviving are her mother, Juanita Smithson, her sister Pat (Tony) Ham of Midland, TX and brother Danny Ray Smithson of Festus, MO.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Bradley Wayne Smithson, her daughter, Amy Kathryn Travis and her father, Ray Moreland Smithson.

Kathy was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, St. Joseph.

She retired after 22 years from Herff Jones Cap & Gown as an administrative assistant. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Faith Missionary Baptist Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Freese FH 4/21/2022

Donald E. Sherfey

 Donald E. Sherfey, 88, of Ogden passed away at 1:20 A.M. Friday April 15, 2022 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday April 20, 2022 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Jay Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be from Noon-2:00 P.M. at the church.

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

Don was born October 7, 1933 at Fairbury, IL. The son of William V. and Delsie (Billingsly) Sherfey. He married Marlene Anderson on October 31, 1952, she preceded him in death on January 1, 1993. He then married Norma (Sjuts) Olson on April 14, 1996 at Royal. She survives.

He is also survived by his children; Kathy Ann (Charles) Dragoo of Champaign, Mark Sherfey of Royal. Three step-children Kathleen (Mark) Weckel of Urbana, Les (Tammy) Olson of St. Joseph, Lowell (Gail) Olson of Bloomington. Four grandcildren; Michael Guarnacci, Mandi Hartley, Molly Dragoo, Maxwell Dragoo. Eight step-graandchildren Tyson Weckel, Shelby Weckel, Jerrick Olson, Kamrie Currie, Erin Zubia, Nathan Elliott, Trevor Elliott, Caleb Elliott . Four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. One sister Jeanette (Earl) Winkleman of TX. Three brothers Bill Sherfey of Roberts, Jim (Pam) Sherfey of OH, Jerry (Janet) Sherfey of TN.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Dorothy Hoover.

Don was a member of  St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, The F&W Flying Club,  Royal American Legion. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He lowered the flag every evening at St. John Lutheran Cemetery.

Don worked at Hicks Gas, Sherfey Grain Bins and the Royal Elevator.

He enjoyed working and most of all taking care of his family.

Memorials may be made to the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal.

Freese FH 4/21/2022

Nicholas J. Wright

 St. Joseph, Illinois - Nicholas J. Wright, 33, of St. Joseph, Illinois passed away at 8:45 pm on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. 

Funeral services 12 noon on Monday, April 25, 2022, at the Vineyard Church of Central Illinois, 1500 North Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, Illinois with Happy & Dianne Leman and Sam Stow officiating.  Visitation is from 10 am until service time on Monday, April 25, 2022, at the Vineyard Church of Central Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.  Robison Chapel, Catlin, Illinois is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.

Tammy G. Williams

 

Tammy G. Williams, 63, of Sidney, passed away at 10:10 AM, Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Memorial service will be 7:00 PM Monday, April 11, 2022 at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney with Rev. Jason Collins officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Williams was born October 20 ,1958 in Fairbury, a daughter of Ozzie and Carol Rigsby Williams.  She married Keith Kilian on December 11, 1976, they had three children.  She then married Jim Henry on October 17, 2014, he survives.

She is also survived by three children; Tricia (Ryan) Kurtenbach of Homer, Reid (Shannon) Kilian of Homer, and Wade (Mary) Kilian of Allerton, five grandchildren; Gabriel and Miranda Kurtenbach, Cameron Kilian and Alice and Adaline Kilian, two sisters; Sandy (Mark) Hotlen of Bloomington and Lyn (Jack) Edwards of Downs, several nieces and nephews, many cousins and a special friend; Tom Franks.

She was an accomplished beautician and was an instructor at Concept School of Cosmetology.  She was also a realtor with Priority One in Danville.  She was loving daughter, wife, mother, and she loved everyone dearly.  She enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, camping, shooting guns, shopping, getting her nails done and spending time with her family.

Memorials may be made to Sidney Fire Department or Heritage PTC.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

Freese FH 4/8/2021

Charles E. Benner

 HOMER — Charles E. Benner, 83, of Homer passed away at 11:50 p.m. Sunday (April 3, 2022) at home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 8, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands, with Pastor John Sharp officiating. Burial will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Broadlands. There will be a visitation on Thursday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Homer Funeral and Cremation Services, 708 S. Main St., Homer. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

Charles was born July 20, 1938, in Danville, the son of Max E. and Leona Mae Walters Benner. He married Karen Le Ann Kresin on July 31, 1966, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands. She survives.

Survivors also include his son, Charles Chad Benner of Homer; daughter, Kresin Kerrylynne Humphrey, and her husband, Jack (Jay) Humphrey, of Homer; and two grandchildren, Paige Le Ann Humphrey and Jack Ethan Charles Humphrey, both of Homer.

Charles was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Broadlands. He served his country in the National Guard. Charles attended college at EIU. He was employed as a mail messenger at the UI before his retirement. Charles was also a member of the Pollywog Association, NRA, ISRA and gunssavelife.com. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, auctions, travelling, nature, morel mushroom hunting, cars and historical markers. He liked attending Civil War battlefields and was a Homer historian. He loved many things, but he loved his country and family the most.

Memorials can be made to Homer Fire and Rescue, Immanuel Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

News-Gazette 4/6/2022

Rose Ann Holsapple

Rose Ann Holsapple, 88 of Homer passed away at 2:10 PM, Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney.  Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Saturday at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Greenup Cemetery, Greenup.

Mrs. Holsapple was born November 9, 1933 in Metamora Township, IN, a daughter of William and Ella Mae Robinson. 

Rose Ann worked in the tobacco fields, vegetable and fruit crops with her family.  Rose Ann was one of seven children. 

Rose Ann met her husband to be as Donald Wayne Holsapple was in the National Guard.  He would come to visit her brother, James Robinson.  Rose Ann and Donald Wayne was married on July 1, 1951.  He preceded her in death on February 20, 2022.

They have three children; Sally (Mike) Schelling of Rantoul, Stuart Holsapple of Urbana, and Annette (Mike) Ridinger of Sidney.  She also has three grandchildren; Greg and Allen Schelling and Ryan Ridinger, six great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Rose Ann was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, and three brothers.

Rose Ann was a housewife and raised her three children.  She enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens and canning vegetables.

She also enjoyed camping and fishing along with her husband.  In 1995, after Donald retired from Illinois Central Railroad, they moved to McDaniels, Kentucky where they would spend two weeks in April fishing.  In 2004, they moved to Homer, IL where they had a beautiful home in the country. 

Freese FH 4/2/2022

Betty Louise Hinton Hayes

 Betty Louise Hinton Hayes, 90, died Thursday, March 24, 2022 in Stanardsville, Virginia after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Louise was born on June 30, 1931 in Urbana, Illinois, a daughter of Willard D. “Red” and Helen Agnes Barthelemy Hinton.  She graduated from Urbana High School.    

 

Louise married Z. Burt Parker in June, 1949 in Urbana and moved to St. Joseph, IL in 1956.  Their children include Michael S. Parker of Sedgwick, CO, Teresa Parker (Larry) Crowley of Mahomet, IL, Julie A. (Dan) Green of Perkinson, MS and Thomas Kelly Parker of Lakewood, OH.  Also surviving are 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  Louise was preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard D. (Barbara) Hinton, sister Nancy C. Hinton Cook, and grandson Bryant R. Freese.  

 

Louise was a receptionist for Dr. Harold J. Kolb in St. Joseph.  She was a receptionist at Parkland College in Champaign and later at Busey Bank in Urbana.  Louise was founder and co-owner of The Calico Heart Florist in St. Joseph after working at several area florist shops.  She was active in the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph United Methodist Church, St. Joseph Women’s Club, and Altrusa.   

 

Louise married Col. Thomas F. Hayes April 1, 2000 and moved to Stanardsville, Virginia.  Tom and Louise enjoyed their farm life in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  They were involved in the local American Legion, Stanardsville United Methodist Church, the GRACE program and Garden Club.  They especially enjoyed entertaining friends and family, including Tom’s children Steve, Bruce, Bob, and Tim Hayes and Patricia Hayes Peck.  Tom died February 19, 2019.  Louise then moved to The Harbor at Renaissance of Greene County in Stanardsville.  The family would like to thank the staff at The Harbor for their loving care.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Ryan Funeral Home, Ruckersville, VA is assisting with arrangements in Virginia. Freese Funeral Homes will assist with arrangements in St. Joseph, Illinois.

Freese FH 4/1/2022