Susan Joy Messman

 Susan Joy Messman, 66, of Homer, Illinois, passed away on April 27th, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Susan was born on June 19th, 1956, to Ralph and Betty Taylor in Germany. She graduated from ABL High School in 1974. She graduated from Parkland College in 1976 with a degree in medical record coding and began her career working at Burnham Hospital/Covenant Hospital where she worked for 40 years.

In 1974, she met her husband, Paul Messman, and they wed in 1976. In 1978 and 1984 they were blessed with the birth of their sons Craig and Jeff. Her boys were her life, and she did everything she could to be with them. Even until the end she made sure to let her sons know she never stopped fighting.

Susan loved all things that evolved around athletics. She would regularly attend football and basketball games cheering on her beloved Illini. She also loved to travel, especially if there was a beach.

Anyone who knew Susan knew that she was a the most loving mother and wife a family could ask for. Susan is survived by her loving husband, Paul Messman, of Homer, IL; her sons, Craig and Jeff Messman, Son-in-Law, Troy Molitor, Daughter-in-Law, Sarah Messman, three grandchildren, Lucy, Luke, and Maggie, and sister, Sandy Erwin. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Betty Taylor (Homer) and grandparents, Louis and Floy Mosier (Ridge Farm) and John and Robeka Taylor (Homer).

A “Celebration of Life & Memorial Service” will be held on Sunday, April 30th, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 390 Country Rd 2400 E, Broadlands, IL 61816. Flowers or memorials may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com.

Freese FH 4/28/2023

Irene Medrow

 Irene Medrow 88, of St. Joseph passed away at 3:56 P.M. Monday April 17, 2023 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

 Funeral services will at 1:00 P.M. Friday April 21, 2023 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Pastor Dennis Meyer will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Champaign.

Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M.

 Irene was born August 11, 1934 in Cleveland, OH. the daughter of Robert and Mary (Reid) Clark. She married Charles Medrow on October 12, 1962. He preceded her in death on May 25, 2010.

 She is survived by her Sister-in-law Betty Medrow of St. Joseph. One brother Robert (Judy) Clark (both deceased) and their children, Robert (Ingrid) Clark  and their children Marverann and Ford, Sally (Rod) Lorang and their children Melissa, Karen, and Jeramy., Michael Dianna) Clark their child Alex. Sister Agnes (Clifford) Trimble (Both deceased) and their children; Jane (Jerry) Salazar and their children James (Rachel) Salazar, Elizabeth, Johnathon, William, Robert Salazar, David Salazar (deceased). Clifford (Terri) Trimble their children Nina Trimble and Hayley Brandt Trimble.

Nieces Tonya (Nikki) Medrow, Danielle (Chuck) Routh of Urbana, their children Jared and Madison (Isaac) Ambrose, DeAnn (Kenny) Buhr of Flatville and their children Travis (Melissa) Fruhling and Macy, Tanna (Greg) Suits and Connor and Logan, Emily (Brandon) Williams and Mia, Libby, Bristol and Tate, Kyle Buhr and Leah Buhr. Nephew Danny (Laura) Ehmen of St. Joseph their children Taylor (Alex) Heape and Brooks, Kinze Ehmen.

 Irene was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force (WAF) during the Korean War 1952-1955.

 She worked as a Weather Instructor at Chanute AFB in Rantoul. Irene worked for AT&T as a results manager and retired in 1989 after 27 years of service.

Freese FH 4/19/2023

David Lee Cordes

 KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. — David Lee Cordes, 66, of Kimberling City, Mo., passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

He was born on June 30, 1956, in Atlanta. His family relocated to Illinois, where he graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

Dave was an avid Fighting Illini and Chicago Bears fan. While in his later years, his kids gave him grief for not being able to watch a full game through, he was always on top of the stats of his teams.

David was very proud of his career in sales at Kellogg’s. He thrived during his time working there, and even after retirement, he never stopped talking about his experiences with Kellogg’s. Dave was also a man of habit. Whether it be making it to his beloved happy hour or a ride in his boat, he had his routine, and he stuck to it.

On March 21, 1980, David married Nancy Gilbert (Cordes). For 43 years, he never stopped calling her his bride. He adored his wife, children and grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by his brothers, Doug Riden, Chris Cordes and Brad Riden.

David is survived by his wife, Nancy Cordes; daughter, Sarah Geist (Tayah); two sons, Ryan Cordes and Justin Cordes; grandchildren, Brady Cordes, Mason Cordes, Ryley Smith, Skylar Geist, Sullivan Geist and Sofie Cordes; parents, Rita and Melvin Cordes; and sisters, Sheila Dodd, Jennifer Martin, Pam Cordes and Sheryl Fisher.

No services will be performed. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association (heart. org) in his name.

News-Gazette 4/18/2023

Richard H. Shiley

  

Richard H. Shiley 93 of Sidney passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his family at 1:34 A.M. Tuesday April 11, 2023 at his home.

 Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Sunday April 16, 2023 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 802 E. Douglas St. St. Joseph. Pastor Dennis Meyers will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be Sunday from 12:00 P.M.-1:00 P.M. at the church. Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. is in charge of arrangements.

 Richard was born March 31, 1930 in Chicago. The son of Clifford and Helen (Schultz) Shiley. He married Dorothy Lambert on February 10, 1951 in Albion, IL. She survives.

 He is also survived by his sons; David (Susan deceased) Shiley of Monticello, Dan (Vicki) Shiley of Frederick, CO, Dennis (Dawn) Shiley of Adairsville, GA. 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Three sister-in-laws; Judy Winkler, Susie (Jim) Shiels, Kathy Lambert-Wood. Many nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents.

 Richard worked as a chemist at the State Geological Survey on the University of Illinois campus. His important accomplishments include developing chemicals to protect our troops and reducing the lamprey eels  in the Great Lakes.

 He loved his family, nature and the Fighting Illini.

Freese FH 4/13/2023

Brent E. Stark

 

St. Joseph, Illinois – Brent E. Stark, 61, of Catlin, Illinois passed away at 3:22 pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at his home. 

Brent was born on October 10, 1961, to Harold Albert and Patricia Sue Edwards Stark.  Surviving are:  his mother:  Patricia Sue Stark of Catlin, Illinois; one sister: Donna Jean Herron of Cedar Hill, Missouri; one brother-in-law:  Clarence Streuer of Danville, Illinois; two nephews; and four nieces.  He was preceded in death by:  his father, one brother:  Linden Earl Stark; and one sister:  Marlene Louise Streuer.

Brent attended Oaklawn Grade School, Danville, Illinois and graduated from St. Joseph High School.  He had worked in a cabinet shop in Quincy, Illinois and was a member of the St. Joseph Church of Christ.  He enjoyed gardening.

Graveside services at 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Sunset Cemetery, Danville, Illinois with Pastor James Blue officiating.  Memorials to the organization of the donor’s choice.  Robison Chapel, Catlin, Illinois is handling the services.  Online condolences www.robisonchapel.com.

Robinson Chapel website 4/15/2023

Carlene M. Roberts

  Carlene M. Roberts, 80 of St. Joseph passed away at 8:50 P.M. Sunday April 2, 2023 at her home.

 Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday April 7, 2023 at Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. rev. Jim Davis will officiate.

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

 Carlene was born December 12, 1942 in Taylorville. The daughter of Paul L. and B. Opal (Denny) Griffiths. She married Frank David Roberts on January 2, 1965. He preceded her in death on May 21, 2005.

 She is survived by her son Frank D. Roberts II of Littleton, Co. Daughter Paula Kaye Roberts of Jacksonville Beach, FL. Four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren. One brother Denney Griffiths of Gilbert, AZ

She was preceded in death by her parents.

 Carlene retired from the University of Illinois as a software programmer. She enjoyed gardening and antiquing.   

Freese FH 4/5/2023

George Latinovich

 
George Latinovich, 83, of Catlin, IL, passed away at 4:50 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2023 at Saint Francis Hospital in Indianapolis surrounded by his two sons.  Visitation will be at Kruger Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams Street in Danville, IL from 12-3pm on Saturday, April 8, 2023. A second visitation will also be held at Giovanini Funeral Home, 408 Vine Street in Clinton, IN on Monday, April 10th from 11-1pm. Funeral services will follow at 1pm with burial at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Clinton, IN.

   George was born on March 14, 1940 in Universal, IN to Eli and Dorothy (Dotlich) Latinovich.  He attended Universal Elementary School and Clinton High School.  After high school, George had the opportunity to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals, but elected to attend Saint Louis University on a basketball scholarship.  Upon his graduation in 1962, he attended Indiana State University where he received a Master’s Degree.  From there he went on to teach and coach at Scotland High School, St. Joseph-Ogden High School, and Danville Area Community College until he retired in 2011.  While at DACC, George was able to continue his love of baseball by helping start the program in the late 1960’s and coached through 1982.  He also coached for the former Danville Roosters in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, with several former players making it to the majors.  George was a die-hard Chicago Cubs and Bears fans and always tuned in to watch the Saint Louis Billikens men’s basketball games.  George was inducted into the Danville Area Community College Hall of Fame in 2011 for his contribution to the game of baseball. 

   George married the love of his life, Nancy Carty on August 21, 1965, at St. George’s Orthodox Church in Terre Haute.  George is survived by his two sons, L. Michael Latinovich and Jon (Leticia) Latinovich; four grandchildren, Taylor, Nadine, Dane, and Aiden; sister Rose Astley; one sister-in-law Irene Carty; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy, his parents: Eli and Dorothy; older sisters: Melva Griffin, Smelia Kairns, Mary Schaumburg; and older brothers: Joseph Latinovich and Eli Latinovich.

   Messages and memories for the family may be left on the Kruger Funeral Home Facebook Page or on our website at www.krugercoanpape.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in George’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.