Rodney L. Rademacher

 RANTOUL - Rodney L. Rademacher, 65, of Rantoul died at 12:49 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 28, 2024) at home.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 108 E. Church St., Gifford, followed by a funeral service at 6 p.m. with Pastor Scott Guhl officiating. Private family burial will be at Woodland Cemetery, Chrisman. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is handling arrangements.

Rodney was born July 15, 1958, in Champaign, the son of Ernie and Marleen Huls Rademacher. He married Tracey McKnight.

He is survived by a daughter, Reanna (Ryan) Rademacher Diener of Chrisman; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Olivia, who were affectionately referred to as "Bud" and "Little Bit" by their Papa; his parents, Ernie and Marleen Rademacher; one brother, Rich (Cindy) Rademacher of Penfield; one sister, Ranae (Jeff) Ault of Penfield; and a sister-in-law, Teresa Rademacher of Gifford.

He was preceded in by death his son, Jared Rademacher; a brother, Randy Rademacher; and an infant brother, Wesley Rademacher.

Rodney graduated from Armstrong High School in 1977. He was a heavy-equipment operator for University Asphalt for several years and was currently working in the fertilizer business. He also helped on the family farm whenever he could.

He was a member of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 841. He enjoyed cooking and loved traveling with his grandkids. Rodney never knew a stranger and always enjoyed hanging out with his many friends.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at baierfuneralservices.com.

Published by The News-Gazette on Jan. 30, 2024.

Sharon K. Mohr

 Sharon K. Mohr, of Royal, Il, previously of Broadlands, Il died at home on Saturday, January 27th after a courageous battle with Parkinsons disease.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 PM on Thursday February 1, 2024 at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, with Pastor Steve Brady officiating.  Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery near Broadlands.

Sharon was born August 4, 1945 in Effingham, IL, a daughter of Beulah and Raymond Martin.  She married Ron Byrley on June 6, 1962 in Effingham and to that union were blessed with two daughters.  She later married Rodney Mohr on December 26, 1989, in Champaign, he survives.

She is also survived by her daughters, Starla Shouse and Jackie (Craig) Siefert both of Lewisville, TX, six grandchildren; Phillip (Amanda) Shouse of Altamont, IL, Nicholas (Jamie) Shouse, Kari (Frank) Vasquez, and Kassidy Shouse, John (Ash) Siefert and Carl (Kathryn) Siefert all of Lewisville, TX and her brother, Randy (Lori) Martin of Effingham, step-daughters; Terri (Mark) Magsamen of New Braunfels, TX, Vicki (Todd) Roberts of Royal, and step-son; Jeffrey (Ginger) Mohr of St. Joseph, nine step-grandchildren; Shannon (Darcie) Mohr of St. Joseph, Laura (Jess) Brandes of New Braunfels, TX, Bradley (Courtney) Siuts of Tolono, Richard (Sara) Siuts of Sadorus, Derrick (Shanna) Siuts of Atlanta, GA, Chelsey Mohr of Danville, and Calvin (Brook) Mohr of Ogden, Lindsay Wallace of Chicago and Lauren (Noah) Schroeder of Ogden and 15 step great-grandchildren

Sharon drove school buses for over 30 years with most of those years driving for Unit 40 in Effingham.  She also drove for several small-town schools near their home in Broadlands after she and Rodney were married.  She loved her kids on her buses, and they loved her, especially her special needs kids.

Sharon had a deep love for the husband and her daughters, and her grandchildren were her pride and joy.  They were her life, visiting with them as much as possible in Texas.  They often met in Branson for family vacations as Sharon loved Branson and the water and traveling with Rodney in their camper as much as possible.

Her dachshund, Molly, was her everything taking her on trips when she and Rodney would travel to sell or buy antique toys.  Strangers at these sales loved her and always looked forward to seeing her down the road at the next sale.  She also loved to shop and cook big meals for her family and was meticulous about how she looked and dressed.

But more that anything she loved the Lord.  She was a Christian her whole life knowing who her savior was, praising him with every chance she had because of her great love of Him.  She loved to sing about him and to him and there is no doubt she is in heaven singing as she made her way to His arms.

The family would like to thank her hospice team out of Champaign, who took tender loving care of Sharon for many weeks.  Your kindness and dedication to service will never be forgotten.

Freese FH 1/28/2024

Earl D. Buenting

 
GIFFORD - Earl D. Buenting, 72 of Gifford, passed away at 8:05 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton on Pells, from a 12-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 108 E. Church St., Gifford. 

There will also be a visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford, with Pastor Scott Guhl officiating. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is handling arrangements.

Earl was born Nov. 23, 1951, in Champaign, the son of Robert and Evelyn Baker Buenting. He married Diane Kerber on April 16, 1983, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Colfax. She survives.

Along with his wife, Diane, he is survived by two brothers, Alan (Sandy) Buenting of Mahomet, and Paul (Lorraine) Buenting of Tennessee; a sister, Patti Walsh of Florida; nieces, a great-niece and great-nephews; and a sister-in-law, Karen (Jim) Hipskind of Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Verna Kerber; and a brother-in-law, Pat Walsh.

Earl was a graduate of Rantoul Township High School and Illinois State University. He retired as a database administrator with Administrative Information and Technology Services, University of Illinois.

He was a life-long member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford, and had served on the church council. He was also a member of Ducks Unlimited and the NRA. Earl was a Compromise Township trustee for many years and eventually became Compromise Township clerk. 

Earl enjoyed wood carving, hunting and fishing. He was an outdoorsman and nature lover. He always looked forward to spending time with his dad salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. Earl loved living on the hill west of Gifford and being close to nature. After his Alzheimer's diagnosis, he enjoyed riding his bicycle on the country roads close to his home.

He willingly accepted his Alzheimer's diagnosis at an early age and reassured Diane many times that this walk was God's path for him.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford, Alzheimer's Association or Shriners Hospitals for Children. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.

Published by The News-Gazette from Jan. 27 to Jan. 28, 2024.

Ruth M. Jay

 Ruth M. Jay 67, of Catlin formerly of Champaign passed away at 1:05 P.M. Thursday January 25, 2024 at her home.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M Monday January 29, 2024 at Homer New Life Church, Homer with Pastor Brad Wilson and Pastor C.W. Greer officiating. Burial will be in Old Homer Cemetery. Visitation will be 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.

 Ruth was born October 27, 1956 in Champaign. The daughter of Chris and Grace (Scales) Jay.

 She is survived by her children; Jon (Amy) Sanford, Jeff Sanford, Zane Sanford, Jolee Sanford Wyatt Sanford, and Courtny Sanford.  Two grandchildren Austin and Kanen Lutz. Two sisters Ann Rollins and Beth Barnes. Brother Ralph Jay. Her best friends Patty and Betty Kay.

 She was preceded in death by a son Jeremiah Wilson, her parents, two brothers John Jay and Gayle Jay.

 Ruth was a phlebotomist for 20 years and a nurses aid for 20 years at Carle, Christie and Champaign County Nursing Home.

 She loved being outside, flowers, gardening, horses, hanging out by the pool. Most of all Ruth loved being with her family and animals.

 Memorials may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society.

Freese FH 1/26/2024

Scott Cordier

 Scott Cordier, 49, of St. Joseph passed away at 4:25 P.M. Sunday January 21, 2024 at his home.

 A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M Tuesday January 30, 2024 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Pastor Jim Davis will officiate. Burial will be in Bailey Memorial Cemetery, Tolono. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday.

 Scott was born February 12, 1974 in Mattoon. The son of Gary and Virginia (Fisher) Cordier.

 He is survived by his children; Tim (Kaitlyn Eckman) Cordier of Oakwood, Brianna (Peter) Brown of Monticello. Two sisters Susan (Brian) Kulfan Cordier of Phoenix, AZ, Stephanie (Kurt) Cordier Crandall of Richmond, VA. Two nieces Sonoma and Abilene.

 He was preceded in death by his mother.

Freese FH 1/24/2024

Teresa Simonis Emkes

 

GIFFORD - Teresa Simonis Emkes, 61, of Gifford died Thursday (Jan. 18, 2024) at Farmer City Rehab & Health Care after a valiant battle with early-onset Alzheimer's disease over the last four years.

Teresa was born at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Dec. 8, 1962, the daughter of Kenneth and Barbara (Washolovich) Simonis. She married Kevin Emkes on Oct. 17, 1981, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, Rantoul.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is also survived by her two children, Cayla (Lyle) Waters of Sellers and Regan (Clayton) Myers of O'Fallon; four grandchildren, Natalie Waters, Robert Waters, Adele Myers and baby Myers due in May 2024; longtime best friend, Diana Phillips-Gray; father- and mother-in-law, John and Norma Emkes of Gifford; and various aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Teresa was a 1981 graduate of Rantoul Township High School in Rantoul. After many years of night and weekend classes, she received her bachelor of arts in general studies from Eastern Illinois University in 2012. She also received her associate in applied science in massage therapy from Parkland College in August 2012.

Teresa was best known for her outstanding cooking and love of get-togethers with loved ones. She thrived on planning and hosting events, oftentimes cooking for an entire army regardless of the number of people invited. She was an avid lover of shoes, dogs, traveling, wine, recipes, family and friends. She was proud to have found her calling in massage therapy and loved helping her clients.

The family has entrusted Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, with Teresa's final wishes. Per her request, a funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, Rantoul. Father Joel Phelps will officiate. Burial of ashes will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Penfield.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to her in-home health caregiver, Stacy Glazik Couch, for the dedication and compassion she's shown to Teresa over the past two years.

For memorials and in lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to the Alzheimer's Association to fund the advancement of research for a cure.

Published by The News-Gazette on Jan. 21, 2024.

Donald Ray Kern

 

THE VILLAGES, Fla. - Donald (Don) Ray Kern was born on Oct. 20, 1939, to Clarice and Josie (Curl) Kern, and he passed away on Oct. 9, 2023.

Don married Sharon (Denhart) Kern on Oct. 25, 1968, and they lived in Ogden until she passed in 2012. He then retired full time to Florida and resided in The Villages. 

Don graduated from Mount Vernon High School and then moved to Chicago and worked for Abbot Laboratories. In 1961, Don joined the U.S. Airforce, where he received training in electronics. After completing his service, Don moved to Homer and drove a Redi-Mix truck. He then began working for Magnavox in Urbana and at Koerner Electric, where he continued his work with electronics prior to beginning his career in the asphalt industry.

Don enjoyed a successful career of 35 years in the Operating Engineers Union while working for University Asphalt and retired from Open Road Asphalt in 2008. Don used his vast skills and knowledge of electronics while he managed various hot mix asphalt plants in central Illinois. There was nothing the man could not figure out once he put his mind to it.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon (Denhart) Kern; parents, Clarice and Josie (Curl) Kern; brother David Kern; and sister-in-law, Nancy Kern.

Don is survived by his wife, Patsy Kern of The Villages; two sons, Trace Kern and Jeffrey (Lori) Kern, both of St. Joseph; and four grandchildren, Cody Kern, Aubrey Kern and Jacob Kern, all of St. Joseph, and Morgan (Tyler) Roy of Neoga. Don also leaves behind two great-grandchildren, River and Dottie Roy of Neoga.

Also surviving are five brothers, Walt (Jean) Kern, Tom (Irene) Kern, Joe Kern, Roger (Karla) Kern and Jim (Kim) Kern.

Don loved playing golf with family and friends. He appreciated a good card game and watching baseball. He cherished spending time with his family and will be forever missed.

A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Published by The News-Gazette on Jan. 20, 2024.

Don Edward Denny

 

SAVOY - Don Edward Denny, 87, of Savoy died Saturday (Jan. 13, 2024) in Danville.                

Mr. Denny was born Feb. 20, 1936, in Cloverdale, Ind., son of Willard Doyle Denny and Crystal Branson Denny. He married Phyllis M. Neese in 1954. He married Barbara A. Bohor, who survives him, in 1982.

Also surviving are his daughter, Deborah K. Zbinden, and her husband, Ray, of St. Joseph; grandson, Brian Zbinden (Courtney Schlueter), and Courtney's children, Maggie, Jesse and Jake, of Royal; stepchildren, Sue Bohor (Ron Sundell) of Marquette, Mich., Jacqui Auterman of Champaign, Laurie Roth (Mark) of Seattle and Tom Bohor (Evelyn) of Arvada, Colo.; and Barb's grandchildren, Eric and Matthew Sundell, Jesse Auterman, Will and Abigail Roth and Benjamin Bohor.

He is remembered by his siblings Jerry U. Denny (Susie) and Diana Brumfield (Lonnie) of Cloverdale; niece, Brittany Brumfield of Indianapolis; nephews, Bret Brumfield of Indianapolis, Steve Denny of Indianapolis and Scott Denny of Cloverdale; and sisters-in-law, Melanie Denny of Trafalgar, Ind., and Pat Denny of Greencastle, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Jack Denny, James E. Denny and Willard M. Denny.

Mr. Denny graduated from Cloverdale High School in 1954. He later attended Parkland College in Champaign. He had four years of training as a butcher and ran a butcher shop for a year before his 19th birthday. He joined IBM Corporation in Greencastle in 1955 as a 402/403 accounting machine rebuilder. He also ran letter and offset printing presses and was an inventory clerk. In 1963, he was trained in Lexington, Ky., as an office machine customer engineer. He spent the rest of his IBM career repairing IBM typewriters, time clocks, printing equipment and desk computers based in Champaign, retiring in 1987.

Upon retiring, he bought several houses and restored them to rental properties. He enjoyed all phases of the restoration. He retired from the rental-property business in 2002.

Don was a disabled veteran who served in the early Vietnam era. He was an offset press operator and an accounting machine operator serving in the U.S. Army at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas, in 1959-1961. He was a member of the Hurst-Collins American Legion Post 281.

Mr. Denny trained as an auctioneer in Kansas City, Kan., in 1971. He enjoyed donating his skills with nonprofit organizations such as the Unitarian Church, McKinley Foundation, CASA, Country Side School, the Sierra Club and his grandfather Branson's estate sale.

Don enjoyed history and genealogy, had his DNA tested long before it was popular, participating in a Denny research group. He volunteered photographing memorial stones for findagrave.com (findagrave.com), often riding his motorcycle to remote cemeteries. He was also a local history buff. One of his earliest memories was walking in the 1939 Cloverdale Centennial Parade with his family. His father, dressed as a cowboy, rode his horse; his brother Jack rode his Shetland pony, Charm; and Don followed them pulling a red wagon filled with Dalmation puppies and his brother Jimmy.

Don bought his first BMW motorcycle in 1970 and rode over 300,000 miles in 50 years. He and Barb attended 47 national rallies and camped in all of the 48 lower states as well as Alaska and Canada.

Don was a generous man, often sharing his knowledge and time helping family members and friends building and restoring their homes and projects. As a landlord, he took the time to assist a tenant to qualify for veterans benefits. Don's advice and opinions were backed by his avid reading, native intelligence and practical experience.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Published by The News-Gazette on Jan. 18, 2024.

Bonnie Jo Bohlen

 Bonnie Jo Bohlen, 84 of Fithian, passed away Monday, January 1, 2024, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal.  Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2024, also at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal with Rev. Emil Blobaum officiating. Burial will follow in Embury Cemetery, Fithian.

Bonnie was born on April 9, 1939, the second of four girls to Raymon and Myrtle (Winn) Tucker in Dunmor, Kentucky.  Bonnie married Floyd Bohlen June 1956.

Floyd survives along with 5 children; Pam (John) Soloman of Champaign, Tammy (Brad) Dieken of Danforth, Dwight (Patti) Bohlen of Fithian, Paula (Alan) Hingson of Atwood, Rhonda (Dale) Holliday of Petersburg; 11 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.  Also surviving are sisters Carolyn (Bill) McGregor of Franklin, TN and Jimmie Nell (the late Ronald) Duden.

Preceding her in death were infant son David Dean Bohlen, her parents and one sister Helen (late Raymond) Hayn, brothers-in-law, Ronald Duden and Raymond Hayn.

Bonnie and Floyd farmed together most of their 67 years of marriage.  Bonnie loved time with family and friends, reading, gardening, traveling, and dining every chance she got.  Bonnie was a strong leader.  She was a past president of the Illinois Pork Producers Porkette group.  A member of the County Homemakers, worked for the DTN Company, the Farm Service Agency, and the Soybean Association.  She was also an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Royal.

Bonnie will be missed by all who knew her.  She always had a smile on her face and never knew a stranger.  May she rest in the arms of the Lord.

Memorials can be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Royal or to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.

Anna Maria Duitsman

 FLATVILLE — Anna Maria Duitsman (Ackerman), 97, of Flatville passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday (Jan. 11, 2024) at Plainfield Healthcare Center in Plainfield, Ind.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday (Jan. 16, 2024) from 1 to 2p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville, followed immediately by the funeral service. Interment and a short prayer service will be held at Huls Cemetery, Gifford. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Anna was born Jan. 19, 1926, along with her twin sister Ellen Britt, at the family home in Gifford to Emily (Olson) and Heinrich (Henry) Ackerman.

Surviving are her children Vaughn (Nadezhda), Marc, Deborah, Joanne and Brian.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, John A. Duitsman, who passed away in 2013. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Herman, Emma, Clara, Frederick (Fritz), twin sister Ellen, and Arthur (Art); and by her granddaughter Erin Ann (Brooks) Mann.

Anna was always caring and loving with all her family and friends. She was proud of her farming heritage and loved sharing stories with her family about childhood adventures on the farm. Before marriage, she attended Illinois Commercial College and was employed at Chanute Air Force Base helping with arriving troops during World War II. She was married to John A. Duitsman on Oct. 6, 1945. Anna loved assisting with the family farm alongside John and their sons, Marc and Vaughn.

Throughout her life, Anna was very involved in the church and loved singing in the choir with her husband, John. In the early 1990s, she sang with her twin sister Ellen Britt and their high school friend Mary Ellen Osbourne in the trio The Late Bloomers. They served their community by singing in different churches and at the Danville VA Hospital. Anna felt great pride in their going on to win second place at the Danville area talent show. She was also involved in the auxiliary for Country Health Nursing Home.

Anna loved serving the church, and loved designing and creating artwork for special events there. She was a skilled seamstress, designing and constructing many outfits, doll clothes, and costumes for her family. She was also very proud of her German and Swedish heritage and spent time researching her and John’s family histories. Anna spoke of fond memories growing up speaking Plattdeutsche in the family home. Later in life she took an interest in refreshing her knowledge of the language and was thrilled to have visited relatives in Ostfriesland to celebrate her 80th birthday with her daughter Deborah.

Anna will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and always remembered with love.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at https:// www.nami.org/About-NAMI/ Donate-to-NAMI or the Empty Tomb at https:// missionmatch.org/donate.

Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices. com.

Rosemary McDonald

 Rosemary McDonald, 89, of Savoy formerly of Sidney passed away at 4:28PM, Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at Reflections Memory Care, Savoy.

Graveside services will be 11:00AM, Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney with Msgr. Michael Bliss officiating. 

Mrs. McDonald was born December 22, 1934 on a farm south of Murdock, Il, a daughter to George and Rose Schweighart Lieb.  She married Ralph McDonald on April 16, 1955, he preceded her in death on November 13, 1993.

She is survived by two daughters; Jody Randolph of Moore Haven, Fl and Peggy McDonald of Monticello and a son; Doug (Pam) McDonald of Mt. Vernon, 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, two brothers, a companion, a grandchild, Tyler Auth and two great-grandchildren; McCoy and Moxen Roberts.

She was a member of WIBC Women’s Bowling Association since 1953, and was inducted in to the Bowling Hall of Fame in 1976.  She enjoyed bowling, playing cards, going to grandchildren’s ball games and all of her friends.

Memorials may be made to Champaign County Humane Society or animal shelter of choice.

Freese FH 1/12/2024

Paul Raymond Mohr

 Paul Raymond Mohr, 94, of Broadlands, Illinois passed away peacefully, Tuesday night Jan 9 at Clark Lindsey Village Nursing Home, Urbana.  The funeral will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 12, 2024 with Pastor John Sharp officiating.  Visitation will proceed the funeral at the church from 9:30 to 11:00AM.  Burial will be at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery following the funeral.

Paul was born April 14, 1929 in Broadlands.  He was a son of Howard and Anna Bergfield Mohr Schumacher.  He had one sister, Margaret Collier of Champaign and one brother, Howard (Dutch) Mohr of Homer, both preceded him is death.  He married Alice Wienke on November 29, 1954, she passed from cancer on June 29, 1980.  He was also preceded in death by his friend of many years, Delores Gustafson of Paxton.

Survivors include; his daughters, Paula Mohr of Broadlands, and Angela (Carl) Smith of Allerton.  He has two grandchildren; Allison (Jordan) Lowe and Parker (Erin) Smith, and three great-grandchildren; Carter and Atlee Lowe and Emma Smith.

Paul was a graduate of Longview High School and served in the Navy’s Air Division.  He was a farmer in the Broadlands area his whole working career.  He loved to golf and traveled a lot and had seen many places abroad.  He so looked forward to the coffee hour each morning at the Broadlands Restaurant and visiting with his friends there.  His family and especially his great grandchildren were his pride and joy. 

Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice or Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Freese FH 1/10/2024