Derek J. Morgan

 Derek J. Morgan, 47, of Ogden, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Derek was born on July 28, 1978, in Urbana, the son of Donnie and Teresa (Sanders) Morgan. On April 12, 2003, he married the love of his life, Amy Latham, in Ogden, and together they built a life centered on family, friendship, and laughter.

He leaves behind his devoted wife, Amy; his daughter, Sandra (Jack) Vaughn of Fisher; and his sons, Blake and Deacon Morgan of Ogden. He is also survived by his father, Donnie (Kristi) Morgan of Potomac; his mother, Teresa Morgan of Savoy; brothers, Jason (Michelle) Morgan of Mahomet and Jaycen (Katie) Herndon of St. Charles, Missouri; sisters, Brittany (Kal) Lutz of Broadlands, Brianna (Patrick) Gones of Sidney, and Rae-Ann (Matt) Jones of Chatham; sister-in-law, Beth McCall of Potomac; maternal grandparents, Dawn and Glen Sanders of Mission, Texas; paternal grandfather, Jim (Barb) Morgan of Tilton; and his father- and mother-in-law, Riley and Sherry Latham of Ogden. Derek is also lovingly remembered by his aunts and uncles, Glenda (Rick) Estes of Danville, Cindy (Paul) Burow of Rantoul, and Rick (Joann) Ren of South Carolina, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Dustin Morgan; his paternal grandparents, Darlene and Richard Ren; his aunts, Becky Ashcraft and Lori Byrne; and his sister-in-law, Kristina Wills.

Derek graduated from St. Joseph–Ogden High School in 1996 and later worked for several years as a tree technician with Spring Green. He was a passionate sports fan, proudly cheering for the Illini, Yankees, Cubs, and Bears. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing cards, and listening to country music. Above all else, Derek's greatest joy came from spending time with his family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Potomac Community Building. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Greg Breeden officiating. Burial will take place in Potomac Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. The family asks that everyone come casual or wear your favorite Illini apparel to honor Derek.

The Morgan family has entrusted Blurton Funeral Home with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/derek-morgan-obituary?id=61149286

Marvin Duitsman

 Marvin Duitsman 90, of Ogden passed away peacefully at home on Thursday March 5, 2026.

 Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday March 13, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Richard Lewis will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the church.

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

Marvin was born April 5, 1935 in Ogden Township. The son of Louis and Ida (Huls) Duitsman. His dad later married Marie (Duden) who treated him like a son. He married Alice Roelfs on November 17, 1954 in Flatville. She survives.

 He is also survived by his daughter Jody Martinie of St. Joseph. 3 grandchildren; Nic, Kaleigh and Neal. 3 great grandchildren Adreona, Kolton, and Ryleigh.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, son Stan Duitsman, and two brothers Virgil and Everett.

 Marvin was a member of St. John Lutheran Church where he was a member of the choir. He farmed in the Ogden-Royal area all his life. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the Royal American Legion Post.

 He enjoyed camping, playing cards, fishing, having cocktails with his buddies, and playing slow pitch softball.

 Memorials may be made to St .John Lutheran Church.

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Marvin-Duitsman

Bill Caine

 Bill Cain, age 72, of St. Joseph passed away on Saturday March 21 st . He was born in Urbana, Il

on June 5, 1953. He was the son of Wayne and Doris Cain (Cress).
He is survived by his siblings Roche (Heather) Cain of St. Joseph, Pat (Steve) Simko Ogden
Darlene (John) Kiser Champaign Mike (Lynn) Cain Bill was a devoted father to his three
children: son Wayne (Heather) of Fithian son Tyler (Gina) Cain of Fithian and daughter Missy
(Matt) Gray of Kingston Springs, Tn. He cherished his grandchildren Maitlyn and Matthew
Gray, Karlie Cain, and Mikhel Cain.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and his grandson Mikhel Cain.
Bill spent most of his career as a dedicated sheet metal worker and estimator and was a member
of Local 218 out of Champaign, Il
A lifelong sports fan, Bill loved the Chicago Cubs and the Fighting Illini, passionately following
their games and sharing his enthusiasm with family and friends. He was a devoted father, brother
and gave so much of his time help in any way he could. He will be deeply missed. Everyone
knew him as “Uncle Bill”

A celebration of life will be held at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph, Il on Sat. March 28th from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M..Family, friends, and all who knew Bill are invited to celebrate his memory.
Please feel free to wear Illini or Cub gear to honor him.

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Bill-Cain

James "Jim" Hacker

 James "Jim" Hacker, 87, of St. Joseph passed away at 7:28 P.M. Tuesday March 31, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

 Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday April 6, 2026 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana.

 Jim was born August 30, 1938 in Urbana. The son of Lawrence and Helen (Wingler) Hacker. He married Judith Pierce on March 19, 1961. She preceded him in death on September 15, 2019.

 He is survived by his children, Brenda (Chris) Collenberger of St. Joseph, Brett Hacker of Urbana. 3 granddaughters Ashley Bigelow of St. Joseph, Brittany (Adam) Friese of St. Joseph, Kara Hacker of Catlin. 4 great-granddaughters Addy, Brylee, Avery and Charlee.

 He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

 Jim worked at Connor Company in Urbana for 46 years retiring in 2000. Jim attended all his grandchildren's and great granddaughter's school and sporting events. He enjoyed woodworking and his and Judy's friend group outings. 

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Jim-Hacker

Juanita Ruth Downing

 Juanita Ruth Downing, 96, of Rantoul passed away on April 12, 2026.

She was born March 6, 1930 in Fithian to Joseph and Ettis (Musson) Jenkins.

 Ruth was preceded by her parents, husband Howard Downing; two brothers and one sister.

 Ruth is survived by daughters Sandra Downing and Sheri Harris; son in law Jack Harris; granddaughters Sharlene Harris and Stephanie Wilson; grandson in law Matthew Wilson; great grandchildren Xander, Audri, Jeniveve and Roane Wilson; sister Nora Crook; brother David Jenkins and several nieces and nephews.

 Ruth and Howard were married on April 17, 1948 and were together for 51 years before he passed away.

 She was an avid reader and enjoyed learning about new things. Ruth loved nature, often going to parks to walk and observe the birds and wildlife. When she was younger, she liked to roller skate. She met her husband, Howard at a roller skating rink.

 Ruth worked as a telephone operator for Eastern Illinois Telephone Company. Later she was employed as a nurse's aid at Country Health.

 Funeral Services will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday April 17, 2026 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Burial will be in Stearns Cemetery, Fithian. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Friday.

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Juanita-Downing

Patricia "Pat" Allen

 Patricia "Pat" Allen (Grandma Pat) passed away peacefully at home in Ogden on Sunday April 12, 2026, at the age of 79. She is survived by her husband and partner of 60 years, Richard "Dick" Allen, the love of her life.

 Patty was a devoted mother to her two sons, Shawn (Karen) and Brian (June) who, along with their families, carry forward cherished memories of their mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren Austin (Tawna), Ryan (Cece) Matteo, and Luke brought her immense joy, and she treasured every moment spent with them. Sisters Carol (Steve) Maddock and Paula (Mike) Hill.

 Patty was born July 24, 1946, in Danville, Illinois to Louie and Julie Karlau. A graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1964, Patty went on in higher education starting at Northern Illinois University and ended as a registered nurse, compassionately caring for others through her work at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, PA and then Carle Hospital Emergency Room and in Home Health Care.

 Patty was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed. Her warmth, kindness, and the memories she created will remain with all who knew her. A visit to your local library in lieu of flowers would be appreciated, as she developed a love of reading in retirement that transported her to distant lands or offered intricate knowledge about the lives of others.

 Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday April 17, 2026 at Friends Cemetery, Stanton Township. Friends may join the family at 9:30 A.M. Friday at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph to join the family in procession to the cemetery.

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Pat-Allen

Dr. James H. Finnell

 Dr. James H. Finnell (Doc) 94, of St. Joseph, formerly of Gilman, passed away Saturday April 18, 2026 at Amber Glen Memory Care, Urbana.

Jim was born June 15,1931 in Pontiac, IL. The son of Walter and Leota (Carlin) Finnell. He married Shirley Ann Carney in Rantoul, lL. She preceded him in death on February 15, 2026.

He is survived by his daughter Kim (Husband Terry Hill) Blair of St. Joseph. Grandchildren Megan (Jason) Wheatley of St. Joseph, Mitch Blair of Newport Beach, CA, and Maddie (Chris) Brooks of Aiken, SC. Great grandchildren Reese, Raegan and Roman Wheatley, and Carter Brooks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son in law Mike Blair, and three sisters Bernice Sterritt, Margaret Babinton, and Helen Ferguson.

Jim was a 1949 graduate of Pontiac High School. He then attended the University of Illinois School of Veterinarian Medicine where he was awarded his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1955.

Jim served in the U.S. Air Force as the base veterinarian in Libia in North Africa and later at Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, where he met the love of his life Shirley. After his service was completed, they settled in Gilman, where he joined the Piper City Vet Clinic. Doc was a veterinarian for over 50 years. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Gilman, and later St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Urbana. He served as a member of the Gilman School Board for many years. He served on the Judicial Council of the American Veterinary Medical Association from 1986 to 1992. He was featured in a Life Magazine article in October 1992. Jim was known for being quite the storyteller combining wisdom and life lessons with humor. He dearly loved his family, friends, and community. 

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday April 24, 2026 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Priest will officiate. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be Friday from 12:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Josephine "Jody" Payne

Josephine "Jody" Payne, 86 of St. Joseph formerly of Fithian passed away at 1:03 A.M. Sunday April 19, 2026 at her home. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday April 25, 2026 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Rev John Cody will officiate. Inurnment will be in Stearns Cemetery, Fithian. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Saturday. Jody was born on May 5, 1939 in Hollywood, CA. The daughter of Lional J. and Marion L. (McCoy) Wathier. She married Frank A. Payne in 1967. He preceded her on October 2, 2002. She is survived by two step children, many dear friends. Granddaughter Heather (Bob) McMasters of Danville. Four great grandchildren Taylor (Dakota) Loden, Maddie McMasters, Billy (Mayson) Hickey, Joanna Anderson. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 step sons, brother Lional Wathier Jr. Jody was a 1957 graduate of Oak Park High School, and a 1961 graduate of Miami University, Oxford, OH, also receiving her Master's in 1963. She taught school in Dayton, OH, Park Ridge, IL. She then met her husband and worked at Champaign Unit 4 Schools for 28 years. Jody then worked 12 years at the University of Illinois as a lecture and with the student teachers. Jody was a member of the Fithian United Methodist Church, Fithian Women's Club, Delta Gamma Gamma, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also an avid antique collector. Memorials may be made to the Fithian United Methodist Church.

Freese FH https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Jody-Payne