Robert "Bob" Sarnecki

RANTOUL — Robert “Bob” Sarnecki, 78, of Bucyrus, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at St. Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park, Kan.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 Tuesday morning at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul. Father Joel Phelps will officiate a service beginning at 11. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rantoul.

Bob was born on July 6, 1946, in Champaign, the son of Frank and Ruby (McIntyre) Sarnecki. He grew up in the Champaign area and graduated from Champaign Central High School with the Class of 1964.

After high school, Bob enlisted with the U.S. Army in August 1964. He proudly served his country for three years during the Vietnam War. Bob was honorably discharged in August 1967 and was very proud of his military service.

He was united in marriage to Kathryn Remesch on Nov. 16, 1968, in Urbana. From this union, they had three children, Philip, Todd and Katie. The family made their home in Homer and St. Joseph for many years. The couple was happily married for nearly 56 years.

Bob worked for the University of Illinois in the housing division for 33 years before his retirement. He served as the volunteer coordinator for the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) for many years while living in Homer. Bob was an avid storm chaser. He also worked part time as an EMT on the ambulance service for many years.

In 2012, Bob and Kathy moved to Bucyrus to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He was a member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Wea parish for 13 years.

After moving to Kansas, Bob became a loyal fan of the Kansas City Royals and hardly missed watching a game on TV. He collected HO gauge train sets and enjoyed “casual fishing” on occasion. Bob enjoyed coffee and cinnamon rolls with his closeknit group of friends and loved having conversations with anyone over ice cream. Bob also loved his music. In his younger years, country/ western music was his favorite. And in his later years, ’60s music was always on the radio. Bob enjoyed the old country western TV shows and watched them on repeat. He was a loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ruby Sarnecki; sister, Frances Good; and a cherished fourlegged friend, Deogee.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Sarnecki, of the home; three children, Philip (Heidi) Sarnecki of Bucyrus, Todd (Stacie) Sarnecki of St. Joseph and Katie (Thomas) Kazyak of Derby, Kan.; nine grandchildren, Emily, Blake, Ava, Malorie, Carson, Shelby (Travis), Bailey, Riley and Rubey; one great-grandchild, Skylar; three brothers, Frank (Barbara), Mike and Pat Sarnecki; one sister, Paula Butcher; and his Shiatzu mix, Rue; as well as many extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to Disabled American Veterans or Children Incorporated, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, P.O. Box 669, Louisburg, KS 66053.

To share your memories of Bob or to send a special condolence message to his family, please click the “Share A Memory” tab.

NG 11/08/2024

Paul Edward Bretz

 
VILLA GROVE — Paul Edward Bretz, 95, of Villa Grove passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon.

Paul was born on Sept. 14, 1929, on the family farm near Broadlands. He was the fourth child of Adolph and Blanche (David) Bretz. He attended school in a one-room schoolhouse in Ayers Township until the fourth grade, when they moved to Douglas County and he attended Carmack School in Murdock Township through the eighth grade. He graduated from Villa Grove High School in 1947. He joined the Army Air Corps shortly after and served 2½ years in the occupation of Japan and Korea before the Korean War with the 20th Weather Squadron, 5th Air Force. Paul was honorably discharged in 1950, and came back to Villa Grove to work on the family farm. He farmed with his son and grandsons until his retirement.

On Jan. 4, 1953, he married Doris Combs in Murdock. She preceded him in death. They were blessed with three children: Thomas (Ruth) Bretz and Joyce Bretz, both of Villa Grove, and Susie Bretz Yerxa of Woodland Hills, Calif. They have six grandchildren: Rachel (Andy) De-Witt, Timothy (Amanda) Bretz, Jonathan Bretz, Thomas “Ted” Yerxa, Danielle Yerxa, and Julianna Jobe. He also has two great-grandchildren: Zachariah DeWitt and Owen Meador.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, one brother Charles (Nancy) Bretz, nieces and nephews, and his longtime employee Jr. (Nancy) Raymer. Preceding him in death was his wife, Dodie, his parents and brothers: Louis Bretz, David Bretz, sisters: Dorothy Balanski, Zella Mae Revell, and Jaunita Baldridge, and two infant brothers.

Paul was a member of the Douglas County Farm Bureau and was instrumental in forming Illini FS, serving as secretary on the first board of directors. Paul was a member of the Walter Jones Post VFW in Villa Grove, a member of the President’s Counsel of the University of Illinois, the I-Fund, and longtime season ticket holder in basketball and football. Paul loved to support the Junior League Football program and the high school football team, serving many years as part of the chain gang. Paul also served as a Camargo precinct committeeman for several years.

In his lifetime, Paul went from helping his dad farm with horses to farming with tractors that can drive by themselves, having no phone to the party line to your own personal smartphone, and so many more things that the young boy could never have dreamed about.

Funeral services will be held at the Joines Funeral Home in Villa Grove on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at 2 p.m., with the visitation starting one hour before the service. Burial will follow the service at the Murdock Cemetery, Murdock.

Memorial donations may be made to the Villa Grove VFW or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

NG 11/1/2024 

https://www.joinesfuneralhome.com/obituary/Paul-Bretz