Robert L. Danner

 HOMER — Robert L. Danner, 84, of Homer, passed away at 12:25 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at his home.

Funeral services will be 1p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Homer Funeral and Cremation Services, 708 S. Main St., Homer, with Pastor Dan Kitinoja officiating. Burial will take place at G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. There will be a visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Robert was born Jan. 23, 1938, in Homer, the son of David T. and Dorothy V. Brummet Danner. He married Sandra G. Jackson on Dec. 13, 1986, in Indianapolis. She survives.

Survivors also include his daughter, Christy (Allen) Davis of Ogden, sons: Robert K. (Debbi) Danner of Homer, Jeff McPherson of Moorsville, Ind., James McPherson of Hutto, Texas, and Richard McPherson of Indianapolis; daughter-in-law, Shonni McDaniels; brothers, John (Betty) Danner and Charles (Rhonda) Danner; grandchildren: Lindsey, Alexandria, R. Noah, Amber, Chad, Aaron, Lindsay, Randi, Sean, Marc, and Carmen; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lewis and Donald Danner; granddaughter, Lauren Davis; and grandson, Austin Alan Nowakowski.

Robert was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Tilton, where he was a trustee. He was a truck driver for USF Holland until his retirement. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, woodworking, and carpentry. Robert was a volunteer at the food pantry at his church. He loved football and baseball and was in the Homer Athletic Hall of Fame.

Memorials can be made to Calvary Baptist Church.

Troy Irven Brand

 URBANA — Troy Irven Brand, 54, of Normal passed away Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at home.

He was born Oct. 17, 1967, in Urbana, the son of Robert Irven and Peggy Louise (Matsler) Brand.

Troy is survived by his mother, Peggy Brand of Urbana; brother, Darrell Lee Brand (Darcie) of Liberty Township, Ohio; nieces, Katie and Kassidy; nephew, Kooper Brand; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Brand.

Troy is a 1985 graduate at Urbana High School and was in the Urbana High School choir with Director Willie Summerville. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Demolay. He attended Parkland College and graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College and worked as a diesel mechanic service writer. He grew up in Illinois, and over the years, he lived in Kansas City, Mo., Louisville, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., Dallas, Texas, and came back to Illinois. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Champaign, Eastview Christian Church in Normal and a member of the Sons of the American Legion. He has a passion for anything automotive, especially Edsels, Mustangs and Thunderbirds. He also had a passion for cooking and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. Pastor Mark Smith will officiate.

Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel. com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Troy’s name can be made to Bible Baptist Church, Champaign.

NG 10/23/2022

Dale E. Meier

 LINCOLN, Ill. - Dale E. Meier, 80, of Lincoln passed away on Friday, October 14, 2022 at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, IL. 

Dale was born on January 9, 1942 in St. Joseph, IL the son of Jerry F. and Ida D. (Wolken) Meier.

He was baptized in January of 1942 at Flatville Immanuel Lutheran Church in Thomasboro, IL. His sponsors were Henry & Dora Wolken, he was confirmed on April 14, 1959.

Dale married Sandra S. Zbinden and they had two children, Dianne Whitman and Douglas Meier.

Dale later married Jean Goldhammer and welcomed two step-sons, Lane Dumser and Leigh (Amy) Dumser. Additionally, he is survived by 4 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, and 3 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Kenneth, Derald (Sandra), and Virgil (Jane).

He was self employed (Meier Accounting & Tax Service) for 33 years.  He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln and served on several positions of the Church Council. He was also a member of the Lincoln Rotary Club.

Services for Dale will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln. With Rev. Stephen Goodwin & Rev. Brian Wachendorf officiating. A visitation will take place two hours prior to the service from 11:00am-1:00pm. (The family requests everyone in attendance to wear casual attire) Burial will follow the services at New Union Cemetery in Lincoln. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Dale’s name to The ALS Association, Lincoln Rotary Club, or Zion Lutheran School. 

Larry L. Flessner

 Larry L. Flessner, 74, of Springfield (formerly of St. Joseph), passed away Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in St. Joseph.  Larry was born March 13, 1948, in Champaign to Ralph and Ella (Duitsman) Flessner.  Larry spent his early days farming alongside his father on the family farm.  

Larry was a 1966 graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School.  Larry was also a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving two years active duty during the Vietnam War.  

Larry farmed most of his life in the St. Joseph and Penfield areas.  He passed on his love of farming to his son.  Larry also worked for Illiana Construction/Champaign Asphalt Company and University Asphalt.  Later, he was the owner and operator of Larry’s Limousine.

Larry was a member of the Royal American Legion Post 996 and St. John Lutheran Church, Royal.  He was a loyal fan of the Fighting Illini and St. Louis Cardinals.  He was active in the Champaign and Springfield Corvette Clubs.  Larry enjoyed participating in car shows, Corvette rallies, and local parades.

Larry was proceeded in death by his parents; his brother, Gary Flessner; brothers-in law Norman Maier and Leland Albers; a niece, Brenda Maier, and his beloved son, Brad Flessner.  

He is survived by his daughter, Tricia (Chip) Wagner; and grandchildren, Callie and Ian, all of Springfield.  Larry loved watching his grandchildren play sports.  He is also survived by sisters, Bernice Albers and Barb Maier, sister-in-law Linda Flessner, and many nieces and nephews.  

A visitation is planned from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday Oct. 14, 2022, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph.  Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m.  Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Penfield.  

Memorial donations may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. 

Freese FH 10/16/2022

Phylis Jean Jarrett

 URBANA — Phylis Jean Jarrett, 84, of Urbana passed away Thursday (Oct. 13, 2022) at Paris Health & Rehab Center, Paris, Ill.

Funeral services for Phylis will be at noon Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, with burial in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. There will be a visitation two hours prior to the funeral Wednesday (10 a.m. to noon) at the funeral home. Hank Sanford will officiate.

Phylis was born Nov. 22, 1937, in Urbana, a daughter of Renos and Mildred (Frederick) Rawley. She married Orval Jarrett on Nov. 16, 1958, in Champaign. He survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Kenneth (Becky) Jarrett of Urbana and John (Brenda) Jarrett of Urbana; six grandchildren, Allison, Justin, Matthew, Brooke, Laura and Jennifer; five great-grandchildren, Adalyn, Esther, Lena, Ruth, Logan and one coming in November; and a sister, Karen Rankin of Gibson City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary Lou McPheeters; and a brother, Richard Rawley.

Phylis attended Champaign schools and Quest Church in Urbana. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, crafts, gardening, flowers, her cat, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Webber Street Christan Church. Condolences may be offered at renner- wikoffchapel.com.

NG 10/16/2022

Jacqueline J. “Jackie” Elliott

 ST. JOSEPH — Absent from the body, present with the Lord. Jacqueline J. “Jackie” Elliott, 83, a long-time resident of St. Joseph, departed this life on Oct. 14, 2022.

She was born on Sept. 30, 1939, to the late La-Verne C. Mathiesen and Edward G. Jachimek in Chicago.

Jackie is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Richard L. Elliott of St. Joseph; daughter and son-in-law Katherine and Charles Dourlet of Farmer City; daughter-in-law Nicole Elliott of Lake Placid, Fla.; granddaughter Josi Elliott of Ft. Myers, Fla.; sister Linda (Sami) Rageb of Franklin Park; brother Paul (Carol) Jachimek of Pensacola, Fla.; brother Richard (Gail) Jachimek of Tampa, Fla.; sister Faye Eden of Chebanse; and brother DeLane (Linda) Bogard of Loda. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepparents J.D. Bogard and Olga Jachimek, beloved son David Elliott, brothers Robert Dreyer, Glen Bogard, Robert Bogard and Jim Bogard, and sister Delores Harrison.

Jackie attended high school in Gilman, where she made many lifelong friends and was a majorette and a member of the marching band. After her children were grown, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Illinois. She graduated with high honors with a concentration in painting. She used her talent for painting and drawing throughout her life, organizing neighborhood art groups, community art shows and creating beautiful artwork for friends, family and for sale. Jackie’s artistic nature was also apparent in other aspects of her life. She was an avid gardener and could achieve just the right mix of colors, shapes and textures to turn her gardens into works of art. And no one could set a more elegant table. Whether simple or elaborate, the meals she served to family and friends never failed to be delicious and were always served on a beautifully arranged table, often highlighted by flowers from her garden.

A dedicated Christian, Jackie loved attending church, Bible studies and fellowship activities.

She especially enjoyed singing during services and with the church choir. Holidays (Christmas was her favorite) gave her joy and she treasured the traditions surrounding them.

She cherished her role as a loving wife, mother and friend. She truly cared about people and supported those around her in countless ways. Her position as volunteer coordinator at Provena Medical Center suited her perfectly, as it allowed her to nurture both her team of volunteers and hospital patients. Jackie’s giving nature brought her rewards throughout her life and especially near the end, when many wonderful caregivers, friends and neighbors provided support to her and her family. She was so grateful to all for their attention, caring and love and she treasured every meal, flower, card, note and phone call.

Beautiful inside and out, Jackie will be deeply missed by family, friends and neighbors.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (108 E. Church St., Gifford) on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2p.m. Visitation will be immediately before the service, from 12 to 2 p.m. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Gifts may be made in Jackie’s memory to The ALS Association (www. als.org), St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Gifford, IL) or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

NG 10/16/2022

Guy Junior Shutt

 Guy Junior Shutt

ST. JOSEPH — April 9, 1930-Sept. 29, 2022 Guy was the son of Ethel Yates and Guy Shutt Sr. of Uniondale, Ind. What a wonderful life he lived. He graduated from Union Center High School in 1948 and excelled in athletics and math. Guy began his career working on his family farm. From there he spent time as a contractor and later worked for Schrock Fertilizer Co. as a plant manager and area manager. After moving to St. Joseph, Guy worked in the fertilizer division of Amoco Oil Co. In Kentland, Ind., he was an employee of Funks seed company.

After retirement, Guy pursued his interests in gourds and woodworking, creating many beautiful works of art. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Goodland, Ind., where he was at times president, vice president, elder and trustee.

Guy married Lois R. Walmsley on May 20, 1960. Together they raised four children, Duane Shutt (Bobbie), Cindy Shutt Feeney (Ed), David Shutt (Eve) and Danny Shutt (Jill), each one a special blessing. He had seven grandchildren, Kristy Ashley, Michael Shutt, Katie Harris, Joe Feeney, Cara Feeney, Will Feeney and Kenyon Shutt; and four great- grandchildren, Elizabeth Ashley Wolfe, Guy Ashley, Kenley Harris and Harper Harris. They were his heart’s delight.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. (CDT) Thursday, Oct. 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Goodland, Ind.

Memorials may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, Goodland. Arrangements by Stitz-Clapper Funeral Home in Kentland. Please share memories and condolences online at clapperfuneralservices. com.

NG 10/4/2022