Phyllis A. McPherron

 

Phyllis A. McPherron, 86, of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, October 29, at home surrounded by family. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the St. Joseph United Methodist Church.  The service begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by a lunch. Visitation will  be from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at the church.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph is managing the arrangements.

Phyllis was born October 27, 1937, in Stillwater, MN. She was the oldest daughter of Herman and Olga (Pederson) Reese. She married Thomas A. McPherron on March 29, 1956, in Northwood, IA.  Tom preceded Phyllis in death on May 5, 2023. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Phyllis is survived by her children: Timothy McPherron of St. Joseph; Kelly (Dan) Molchan of Valparaiso, IN; and Stephanie  Neff of Ogden, IL.  Grandchildren Daniel (Courtney) Molchan – children Harper and Lennon; Cory (Katie) Molchan – children Baker and Lincoln.   Sister Rose (Jim) Joyce of Isle, MN; nephews Scott (Kim) Markgraf, Terry Markgraf and Michael Joyce.

A graduate of Stillwater High School in MN, Phyllis also lived in CO and IL.  She was a homemaker who also worked in hospital administration, floral design and spent several years at the Atkins Tennis Center in Champaign.  Passions included spending time with her beloved cats and dogs, creative flower gardening, playing tennis, singing, shopping, reading and watching her favorite series Outlander.   She was a Super Fan of Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser in Outlander) and was a member of The Chorale, a singing group with whom she enjoyed traveling the world.  She was also a member of the St. Joseph United Methodist Church. Fun Fact … Phyllis won a Gold Medal in the Senior Olympics for Tennis Mixed Doubles. 

Memorials may be made to the McPherron Family Trust or to the St. Joseph United Methodist Church.

Freese FH 10/30/2023

Arnold F. Rademacher

 

 Arnold F. Rademacher 89, of Royal passed away at 2:56 A.M. Sunday October 29, 2023 at his home.

 Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday November 2, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor's Jay Johnson and Emil Blobaum will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph.

 Arnold was born December 6, 1933 in Pilot Township. The son of Frank and Hiske (Schluter) Rademacher. He married Emma Wilken on August 8, 1954 in Gifford. She preceded him in death on November 10, 2021.

 He is survived by his children; Linda (Curt) Blair of Madison, WI, Karen (Richard) Frick, of Sidell, Donna (Ron) Townsley of Armstrong, Debra Townsley of Fithian. 8 grandchildren, 7 great-grand children, and 1 great-great-grandson. Siblings; Ernie (Marlene) Rademacher, Norman (Jeanne) Rademacher, Marvin (Shirley) Rademacher, Wayne (Glenna) Rademacher, Carolyn (Duane) Schluter, Elaine (Marvin) Flessner.

 He was preceded in death by his parents 1 brother Vernon Rademacher and 1 sister Janet Suits.

 Arnold was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Where he had served as a church deacon, and church treasurer. 

He started working construction in 1951 with Habben Construction. In 1957 he started Rademacher Construction with his brother Ernie. He retired from building homes in 1992 and started building custom cabinets and furniture from his workshop at home and his Santa workshop in Florida until 2017.  Arnold bought his first farm in 1967 and farmed in the area until his retirement. 

 Arnold devoted his time and talents to his church and community. 

Arnold's greatest treasure was his family and spending time with them.

The family would like to thank Arnold's niece Sheri Lehrer and the ladies of Forever Strong for the care they provided him.

 Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or Cemetery.

Freese FH 10/30/2023

Suzanne C. Ayers

 
Suzanne C. Ayers, 30, of Sidney passed away Friday (Sept 22, 2023) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Visitation will be at Freese Funeral Home in Sidney on Thursday, Sept. 28th from 4 PM to 6 PM. The funeral service will be held at First Christian Church in Champaign on Friday, Sept 29 from 10 am. She will be laid to rest at Lynn Grove Cemetery South of Sidney. Suzanne was born on June 24 1993, in Woodbridge, Virginia to Kevin and Laura Ayers. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Gene and Juanita Ayers of Champaign and Ron and Dodie Meyer of Sidney and several cousins. Suzie is survived by her parents, her sister Holly Handley (Jonathan) nephews Jace and Graham of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and her brothers Roger (Emily) nephew Maximilian of Bloomington, IL and Jeffrey of Sidney.

Suzanne graduated from Mt. View H.S. in 2011 in Stafford, VA, and with honors from the University of Illinois in 2017 with a degree in History. Suzanne worked at the Meyer Produce Farm for several years. She was employed as a greeter and then in the Produce dept. at the Walmart in Savoy , IL. She described her position as a greeter on steroids! 

Suzanne enjoyed baking, working outdoors, latch hook, watching Anime, creating a Christmas Village, decorating for the holidays, and playing board games with family and friends. She also enjoyed playing with her two cats. Suzie was very bubbly and her smile could light up the room.

Suzanne was a strong Christian and attended services at First Christian Church in Champaign. She was an active member of her Social Thinking group and the Mid-Central WCTU.

Freese Funeral Homer 10/23/2023

Peggy Louise Yeazel

 Peggy Louise Yeazel 92, of St. Joseph passed away at 3:20 A.M. Sunday October 8, 2023 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

 Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday October 12, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Emil Blobaum will officiate.

 Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the church.

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

 Peggy was born September 13, 1931 in Long Beach, CA. The daughter of Anthony J. and Esther M. (Johnson) Brunner.

 She is survived by her sons; Scott (Lynne) Yeazel of Mahomet, and Todd (Kim) Yeazel of Whitewater, WI. Two brothers Kenneth (Karen) Brunner of Paris, IL and Larry Brunner of Streator, IL. One sister Kathy (Butch) Dalton of St. Joseph. Grandchildren; Tony Yeazel, Whitney (Mike) Neal, and Kate (Tony) Tanner of Champaign, Kassie Yeazel of Green Bay, WI, Anna Yeazel of Franklin, Wi, Jared (Beth) Painter of Fithian, and Lindsey Nelson of Champaign. Eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter Lea Ann Loschen.

 Peggy graduated from St. Joseph High School and studied nursing. She worked at McKinley Health Center Business Office and retired from the U of I.

 She enjoyed the U of I athletics, spending time with her family, quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, Bingo and playing Mahjong with friends.

 Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Royal or Hospice Hearts.

Freese FH 10/23/2023

Raymond F. Dable

 Raymond F. Dable, 81, of Homer, passed away at 8:40 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.

Raymond, known fondly as Dago by friends and Poppy by his grandkids, was born Oct. 20, 1942, in Waukesha, Wis., the son of Raymond and Rose (Panella) Dable.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 5-8 pm at Homer Funeral and Cremation Services, 708 S. Main. A memorial service will be Thursday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Homer United Methodist Church, with Pastor Raymie Gordon officiating. Private burial will be later in GAR Cemetery.

He graduated from Urbana High School in 1960 and married Janet Lewis Oct. 21, 1961. She preceded him in death Aug. 29, 2003.

He then married Carol (Magers) Keller Sept. 17, 2011. She survives.

Raymond worked in construction for years, both as a carpenter and a brick laborer, before working for the City of Urbana, retiring after 20 years of service.

He was a huge sports fan, rooting for the Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Cardinals, Illinois Fighting Illini and Dale Earnhardt, with whom he shared a trademark mustache, as well as any team his grandkids played on. He was a longtime baseball coach and umpire for the Homer youth leagues. He also became an avid crappie fisherman later in life, taking spring and fall trips with family and friends to Mill Creek Lake and Lake Shelbyville in Illinois and Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee.

He is survived by one sister, Ellen Beedy of Champaign; two daughters, Angel Dable of Homer and Bridgit (Charles) Hubert of Bondville, two sons, Perry (Jill) Dable of Catlin and Darrell (Stephanie) Dable of Mahomet; two step-daughters, Jenna Keller of Mahomet and Lindsay Keller of Catlin; grandchildren Ross, Zachary, Brandon and Blake Dable and Erin and Wyatt Hubert; step-grandchildren Kamryn and Kobe Hinkle, Kyson Keller and Karsyn and Karolyne Bryant; great-grandchildren Jackson and Jordan Hall and Aubrey Hubert, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Janet, he was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Martha Hoyt.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Source:  Homer Funeral and Cremation Website 10/23/2023

Donald Ritten

 

Donald "Don" Ritten, 88, of Ogden formerly of St. Joseph passed away at 10:32 A.M. Saturday October 21, 2023 at his home.

 Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday October 27, 2023 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Urbana. Fr Anthony Co will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. at the church. Private burial will be held at Patterson Cemetery.

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

 Don was born September 8, 1935 in Belle River Twp., MN. The son of Louis and Anna (Roers) Ritten. He married Monica Jean Lee on July 20, 1957 in Bisbee, ND. She survives.

 Also survived by his children; Karla (Larry Dolan) Ritten of Helena, MT, Karen (Kent) Knoernschild of Augusta, GA, Mark (Kathi) Ritten of Champaign, Cindy (Jim) Acklin of Ogden, Becky (Greg) Mills of St. Joseph, and Barbara (Jim) Gibbs of St. Joseph. Ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. One brother Bernard (Marie) Ritten of Sturgis, SD. Three sisters Eileen Engh of St. Louis, MO, Louanne Stephenson of Moorhead, MN, and Mary Lou Bagwell of Rogiers, MN.

 Don was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gerald and Richard and one sister Beatrice.

 Don worked for Super Valu (J.M. Jones Co.) for 35 years. The last 25 as Treasurer-Controller. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1964.  Don had served as a board member for St. Joseph-Ogden High School, administrator of 35 IGA Profit Sharing Trust, Vice President of DSC, boss of the year for American Business Women's Association.

 Most of all Don loved spending time with his family, and he enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing and woodworking.

 Memorials may be made to DSC at DSCIllinois.org

Freese FH 10/23/2023

Ilene D. Hays

 URBANA — Ilene D. Hays, 91, of Clinton, formerly of Urbana, passed away at 10 p.m. Oct. 19, 2023, at Manor Court in Clinton, surrounded by her family.

She was born in St. Joseph, on June 14, 1932, the daughter of Raymond & Faye Blaker. She married Ronald J. Hays on Sept. 2, 1949, in Urbana. Ron passed away on Sept. 9, 2011.

Ilene is survived by her daughter, Ronna Simmons of Decatur; son, Donald (Marsha) Hays of Fisher; three grandchildren, Darci Grenko, Kaden and Cole Hays; and a great-grandchild, Kelsey Grenko.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ronald, and son-in-law Bob Simmons.

Ilene graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School. She was an owner- operator, along with her husband, of Ron’s mower shop in Urbana. She was a member of Land of Lincoln Chihuahua Club and Chihuahua Club of America.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Hank Sanford will be officiating.

Condolences may be made at www.renner- wikoffchapel.com.

News-Gazette 10/22/2023