Lavonne Ethyl Berry

 ST. JOSEPH – Lavonne Ethyl Berry, nee Grimes, of St. Joseph died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, of complications from old age.

Mrs. Berry, 89, was born in San Bernardino, Calif., on July 28, 1919. She was the widow of Henry T. Berry, formerly the Superintendent of St. Joseph High School, who preceded her in October of 2000.

Mrs. Berry was especially proud of her service as a "Rosie the Riveter," helping to manufacture the P-38 Lightning fighter planes during World War II.

Mrs. Berry is survived by her three children, Henry T. Berry, Jr., age 62, of New York City, Charles V. Berry of St. Joseph, and Barbara A. Berry, 54, of St. Joseph; as well as three grandchildren, Jennifer, Charles and Calvin; and a great-granddaughter, Maggie.

The funeral will be private and Mrs. Berry will be buried with her husband at the Danville National Cemetery, Danville. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Published by The News-Gazette on Nov. 17, 2008.

Mary Margaret Phillips

 Mary Margaret Phillips Allen, 91, a longtime resident of Urbana, died at 2:20 a.m. Thursday, May 7, 2009, at Illini Heritage Rehabilitation and Health Care in Champaign.

Arrangements are being handled by Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, U.

Ms. Allen was born at home near Deer Station on April 25, 1918, the third child of James Richard and Mary (Corray) Phillips. She is survived by three daughters, Nancy Jo Allen of Urbana, Kathleen Stratton of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Christine Allen, also of Urbana; one son, James Phillip Allen of Santa Cruz, Calif.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother.

Ms. Allen was a 1936 graduate of St. Joseph High School and attended Barry Castle Business School in Champaign. She worked as a bookkeeper in the livestock brokerage of her father, J.R. Phillips, and for Champaign National Bank prior to her marriage to Joseph H. Allen on April 9, 1942, in San Antonio. She farmed with him for many years in Ford and Champaign counties. Their union ended in divorce in 1969.

Ms. Allen worked for the University of Illinois in accounting, retiring in 1980 after 17 years of service. She was an enthusiastic collector of antiques who also enjoyed gardening, reading, films, politics, and studying American Indian history. She was especially interested in the Lakota people of the North American plains.

In accordance with her wishes, Ms. Allen is to be cremated and there will be no services. Interment in the family plot at Mount Olive Cemetery will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to Anpetu Luta Otipi, P.O. Box 275, Kyle, SD 57752, a drug and alcohol treatment center for the Oglala Sioux Tribe; the Oglala Sioux Tribe Emergency Youth Shelter, 100 Youth Shelter Drive, Highway 18 Below Old Hospital, Pine Ridge, SD 57770 in care of Pauletta Red Willow; or the American Indian College Fund, 8333 Greenwood Blvd., Denver, CO 80221.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/mary-allen-obituary?id=28645197

Richard Ferrett

 Richard Ferrett, age 60, of Urbana, passed away at 3:37 AM Thursday, December 31, 2009 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM Monday, January 4, 2010 at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand, St. Joseph, with the Rev. John Kraps officiating. Visitation was on Sunday from 3:00-6:00 PM at the funeral home.Mr. Ferrett was born October 17, 1949 in Port Huron, MI, the son of Newell and Marion Shaw Ferrett. He married Sharon Clark on April 7, 1973. She survives.Also surviving are sons, Ryan (Kristin) Ferrett of Evanston, IL, Adam Ferrett of Norfolk, VA; daughter, Sarah (Dustin) Reifsteck of Philo, IL; his dog, Sadie; sister, Loniita (Tim) Gordon of Croswell, MI; brother, Raymond (Tricia) Ferrett of Britton, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents.Richard graduated from Croswell-Lexington High School in 1968 and Michigan State University. He was a member of the St. Joseph United Methodist Church. Past member of the St. Joseph School Board from 1996-2003. He was active in 4-H. Richard worked for FMC, retiring after 39 years. He now worked for Eurofins recently returning to the Champaign area. He was very social - no one was a stranger. He loved the outdoors, farming, golf, hunting, animals, coins, landscaping and carpentry.Donations can be made to the American Heart Association. A scholarship will be established at St. Joseph Ogden High School for a student entering the field of agriculture in Mr. Ferrett's honor.Visit www.legacy.com/lockportjournal for online guest register.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/richard-ferrett-obituary?id=28318331

John A. Hill

VILLA GROVE - John A. Hill, 85, of Charleston, IL passed away Friday, July 30, 2010 at the home of his daughter on Magician Lake in Sister Lakes, MI. surrounded by his loving family. John was born on November 12, 1924 in Villa Grove, IL to John W. and Eve (Shaffer) Hill. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, in St. Joseph, IL in 1942 and immediately entered the army where he proudly served with the 10th Mountain Infantry Division in Italy until the end of WWII, and received the Bronze Star. John leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Rosemary Sidell Hill; his son, John R (Angie) Hill of Coal City, IL; son, James R. (Ruth) Hill of Kalamazoo, MI; and daughter, Annette (Richard) Wolfe of Niles, MI; step-son, Rick (Terri) Sidell of Addison, IL.; and step-daughter, Roxy (Keith) Graham of Flora, IL.; grandsons: Mykel (Christine) Hill; Shawn (Sharlene) Hill; Jaim (Jessica) Wolfe; John A. Wolfe; granddaughters: Heather and Amanda Wolfe; step-grandchildren Wendy, Kristin and Chad (Sara) Graham; three great grandchildren, Sawyer, Addison and Parker; two brothers: George (Ann) Hill and Gene Hill, both of St. Joseph, IL; two sisters: Fae Jackson of Urbana, IL and Margie Reynolds of Savoy, IL. John was predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Vivian to whom he was married for 56 years. John was a general contractor for many years building numerous beautiful homes and apartment buildings in the Douglas and Champaign County areas. John was a faithful servant of the Lord's ministering with the First Christian Church in Villa Grove as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, trustee and caring loving member. John was on the ground floor of establishing and then sustaining Little Galilee Christian Assembly in Clinton, IL and Illini Christian Homes in St. Joseph, IL. Visitation will be held at Joines Funeral Home in Villa Grove on Sunday August 1, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the First Christian Church in Villa Grove on Monday August 2, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with internment immediately following in the Villa Grove Cemetery. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers donations be made to either Little Galilee Christian Assembly in Clinton, IL. or to the Villa Grove First Christian Church.

Published by Journal Gazette & Times-Courier on Jul. 31, 2010.

Vernon Loeschen

 Vernon Loeschen, 84 of Paxton, died at 8:14 p.m. Sunday, March 1, 2020, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2020, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville with Rev. James T. Lehmann officiating. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery, Rantoul.

Visitation will be before the service from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Friday at the church. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville is handling the arrangements.

Vernon was born July 11, 1935 in Champaign County the son of William H. and Henrietta Weis Loeschen. He married Erika Eilts December 4, 1960 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. She survives.

Along with his wife, Erika, he is survived by a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother.

Vernon graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1953. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. He was a member of Operating Engineers Local 841 and was a heavy equipment operator for Lehigh Paving, Paxton.

Vernon grew up in the Flatville area. He and Erika moved to Bayles Lake, Loda and then to Paxton for the past 19 years. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville and the Martin Luther Men’s Chorus.

Vernon enjoyed music, singing and wintering in the Tampa, Florida area.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.

https://www.baierfuneralservices.com/obituary/vernon-loeschen

Eugene M. Ward

 

Eugene M. Ward, 99, of Broadlands passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Born April 22, 1924 he was the son of Jesse and Helen (Gaines) Ward of Broadlands, IL where he lived until his passing.

Gene attended and graduated from Longview High School in 1942. He served proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War, was a farmer, and worked for the University of Illinois as an Operating Engineer for over 40 years. He was also an avid fan of the Fighting Illini basketball team and would rarely miss a game. He was volunteer firefighter and a member of the town board.

He is survived by his three children, Mike (Patt) Ward of Champaign, Debbie Ward of Spring, TX, and Greg (Melinda) Ward of Broadlands; 5 grandchildren, Josh Ward of Savoy, Stephanie Ward of Champaign, Caitlin Ward of Camargo, Jasmine Thompson of Marshall, and Pvt. Xander Ramthun of Fort Cavazos Tx.; 5 great-grandchildren, Kailee Hill, Mason Ward, Carter Ward, Khloe Ward, and Harper Ward; and one brother, Willard Ward.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Robert Ward.

A visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at the Joines Funeral Home in Newman. A graveside service will be starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at the Fairfield Cemetery north of Newman with Pastor Justin Smith officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Newman American Legion Post 201.

NG 2/27/2024

Jeffrey M. Osterbur

 Jeffrey M. Osterbur, 53, of Dayton, TN passed away on January 27, 2024. Jeff was born on May 7, 1970 in Peoria. His parents are Mr. Rodney (Sandie) Osterbur of Royal and Mrs. Gloria (Mark) Shambaugh of Miamisburg, OH. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Louis and Laverne Osterbur and eternal grandparents Harry and Virginia Ashcraft

 Jeff was a loving son, husband, dad, and grandpa. He enjoyed fishing, boating, camping and grilling. He has lived in the area since 1995, attending college in Huntsville, AL where he was scuba diving instructor. He attended The Grove Church in Dayton, TN.

 Jeffrey is survived by his wife, Gina Osterbur of Dayton, TN; his parents Rodney (Sandie) Osterbur of Royal and Mrs. Gloria (Mark) Shambaugh of Miamisburg, OH; his mother-in-law Glenda Sholl; his three sons Michael Osterbur and Joshua Osterbur of Dayton, TN; Brandon Osterbur, his daughter Kaitlyn (Hayden) McClung of Grandview, TN and two grandchildren Liam McClung and Landon McClung.

 He is also survived by his sister Tricia (Gabe) Keith; three brothers-in-law Kevin Sholl, Shawn (Lesley) Sholl, Lance (Stacey) Sholl; one niece Alexis (Kyle) Dejenario and four nephews Ben (Monica) Sholl, Charles Christian Sholl, Israel Sholl and Christian Sholl.

 A Celebration of Life service for Jeff Osterbur will be held on Sunday February 25, 2024 from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Fithian Community Center in Fithian.

Freese FH 2/16/2024

Don Hodgson

 

Homer, Illinois - Don Hodgson, 97, well known Homer area farmer & electrician, passed away at 6:09 pm on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at his home.

Don was born November 22, 1926, in Champaign, Illinois to Frank B. & Hazel Womacks Hodgson. Don married Tamela Sue Childers on June 11, 1988, in Odgen, Illinois. Tammy survives as well as, three sons: Steve (Sue) Hodgson of Belleville, Illinois, Mike (Nancy) Hodgson of St. Joseph, Illinois, and David Hodgson of Homer, Illinois; one daughter: Donna (Bruce) Silcox of Clearwater, Florida; seven grandchildren:  Laura, Christopher, Kristina, Heather, Brandon, Andrea, and Kyle; thirteen great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. Don was preceded in death by one son: Mark Hodgson.

Don was engaged in farming and operated Don’s Electric along with Don Morgan. He served on the Odgen school board for 45 years as well as working for a time at Don’s Auto Center in Homer. He was a member of the Homer Masonic Lodge # 190, Danville Consistory, Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Ansar Shrine, Illini Shrine Club, and Farm Bureau. Don especially enjoyed coffee with his friends and bowling.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Homer, Illinois with Pastor John McIntosh officiating. Inurnment will follow in the GAR Cemetery in Homer. Visitation is from 10:30 am until service time at the United Methodist Church. Memorials in Don’s memory to the Homer United Methodist Church or Homer Fire & Rescue Department. The family requests you dress casually for the services. The Robison Chapel in Catlin, Illinois is handling arrangements.  Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.

https://www.robisonchapel.com/obituary/frank-hodgson