John Conerty

CHAMPAIGN - John Conerty, 90, of Champaign passed away peacefully at home on Monday (March 31, 2025).

He was born on Dec. 16, 1934, in Urbana, to Hugh James and Mary Helen (Henry) Conerty. John married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Hissong, in 1956 at St. Patrick's Church in Urbana. Together, they built a life full of love, laughter and cherished memories in their 68 years of marriage.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by three daughters, Corrine (Harold) Crawford of Thawville, Cheryl (Kim) LeNeve of East Peoria and Cathy (Don) Schaeffer of Taylorville; and one son, Chris Conerty of Urbana. He is also survived by his sister, Cleta Conerty of Champaign; and five grandchildren, Darcy (Kevin) Nekolny, Phillip (Skylee) Crawford, Jeff and Tim Schaeffer and Stasia Conerty. John's legacy also includes five great-grandchildren, Delaney and Alayna Nekolny of St. Joseph and Sydney, Leo and Ted Crawford of Roberts.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Hugh Conerty Jr.; and granddaughter, Lexi Barbour.

John graduated from St. Joseph Community High School, where he served as chapter president of the FFA and earned his Illinois Star Farmer Degree in 1951. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois in 1956. John served in the U.S. Navy Reserves and was honorably discharged 1961. He began his professional career in agriculture as an assistant farm adviser with the UI Agriculture Extension Office in Coles County. Later, he worked as an area adviser for Farm Bureau Farm Management in Douglas County. He was a life member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

In 1978, John transitioned to a successful banking career, serving as the president of Longview State Bank. He retired in 1999 as the vice president of three additional bank branches. During his working career, John remained deeply involved in agriculture, working on the family farm, which he continued well into retirement, along with establishing his own real-estate brokerage.

Always up for an adventure, John loved taking his family on trips to places such as Washington, D.C., Wyoming, Colorado and Canada. He was particularly proud of the brick home he and Joanne built along the Embarrass River in Tuscola, where they spent many joyful years surrounded by nature. Their home became a special place for their family to gather, explore and create lasting memories. Grandchildren reveled in searching for "Benny the Bear" in the hollow tree and enjoyed countless hours of fun playing "ping pong pool" in the basement.

John was a lifelong Illini fan and a proud member of the UI Alumni Association. He loved following the accomplishments of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially their sports and academic achievements. Known for his humor, John will be remembered for his sharp wit and classic "zingers," which brought laughter to everyone around him.

A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 7, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Champaign. The Rev. Father Nathan Hopper will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. in Feeney Hall at the church. Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy, is in charge of arrangements.

A celebration of John's life will be held with an invitation for friends and family to wear orange and blue attire in honor of his love for the UI.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St. Joseph-Ogden High School FFA, St. Matthew's Church in Champaign, St. Mary School in Taylorville or an organization of your choice.

John's presence will be missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Condolences may be offered at morganmeorialhome.com.

NG 4/2/2025

Hans Hinrich Pein

 Hans Hinrich Pein passed away at the age of 83 in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2025 at Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy. Burial will held at 1:00 p.m. Monday with military honors at the Danville National Cemetery, Danville, IL.

Hans was born on November 9, 1941 to Minna and Hans Emil Pein in Pinneberg, Germany. He married Linda Blobaum in 1969; they divorced in 1992. He is survived by his sister Linda Sagemann of Hamburg Germany, daughters Gretchen Pein (Michael Faullin) and Christina Pein, grandchildren Roxy Todd of Champaign, Maxwell Baloun of Birmingham Alabama, Lily Skiles of Tuscaloosa Alabama, Trenton Faullin and Trey Faullin (Karisma Saymiknha), all of Champaign. He was preceded in death by sisters Annelies and Leni and grandson Trevor Faullin.

After studying animal husbandry in Germany, he traveled to the United States to work on his Uncle Rudolph’s dairy farm in Poughkeepsie, New York. He learned English by reading the daily newspaper and carried a German-English dictionary in his pocket at all times. Hans played soccer with Blau-Weiss Gottschee, a semi-pro New York team in the American Soccer League in the 1960s. He was drafted into the US Army while awaiting his green card and completed boot camp at Fort Dix, subsequently earning the M60 Expert Badge, the M14 Expert Badge, and the M14 Sharpshooter Badge. His service as part of the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was wounded in combat and experienced significant exposure to Agent Orange during his time in southeast Asia. Following his recovery, he became a Naturalized American Citizen. His identity as a soldier was salient throughout his adult life, and he tried to help as many veterans as he could. In his later years he was a fixture at the Danville VA Medical Center.

Following his military service, Hans returned to the states and settled in West Chicago Illinois, where he completed a degree from DuPage Horticulture School and met his future wife, Linda Blobaum. Upon graduation, he returned to upstate New York to work in a greenhouse. Hans was fiercely independent and was meant to be his own boss - one of his signature phrases was “there’s the right way, the wrong way, and my way” - so in 1972 he and Linda, their infant daughter and their Yorkshire Terriers moved to rural St Joseph, Illinois. It was there that Stanton Greenhouses was established.

Stanton Greenhouses employed many throughout thirty years: recent immigrants, locals throughout central Illinois, college and high school students, and anyone who couldn’t otherwise catch a break in life. If you were ready to work, Hans would give you work. He also provided extended learning opportunities for numerous DuPage Horticulture School and University of Illinois student interns. He graciously donated plants to various community organizations, nursing homes, and schools. He worked closely with the University of Illinois Horticulture Club for 20 years, providing space for plant production and hands-on instruction to club members. The 2001 Hort Club Mom’s Day Flower Show was dedicated to him. He also helped establish the Urbana Farmer’s Market, and Stanton Greenhouses was a consistent vendor for many years.

In his retirement, Hans spent many hours managing the athletic fields and grounds at the High School of St Thomas More and received a volunteer award for his efforts. He briefly worked in the Lowe’s garden center in Champaign. For many years, he provided landscaping consultations freely to friends and acquaintances and patiently answered many houseplant care questions.

Hans was an avid fisherman and traveled to his “second home” in Manitoba, Canada at least once each summer and made many lifetime friends there. He loved to bring relatives or central Illinois friends along for the experience and always returned to Illinois with loads of Northern Pike and Walleye. He was also an excellent bowler. He competed in the American Bowling Congress Championships in 1974, was awarded an American Bowling Congress 300 Game Watch, and was inducted to the Champaign County Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2001. Golfing was another passion; Hans was a long-time member of the Urbana Country Club and spent many, many hours socializing and perfecting his skills on the golf course.

Hans did not know a stranger, and he leaves many friends and even more memories. Whether he was bartending Zsa Zsa Gabor’s parties in the Catskills, meeting new people on European cruises, attending Stammtisch at Rigg’s Brewery or driving his golf cart through the neighborhood, he had advice and a story for everyone.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. Consider some of Hans’ favorites: Disabled American Veterans, Stop Soldier Suicide, Make-a-Wish Illinois, or any animal rescue organization.

Condolences may be offered at www.morganmemorialhome.com.

NG 3/26/2025

Dorothy Bruns

 

Dorothy Bruns, 102, of Gifford passed away at 8:00 A.M. Saturday March 22, 2025 at Country Health and Rehab, Gifford.

 Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday March 26, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Emil Blobaum will officiate. Burial will be in Kopmann Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the church.

 Dorothy was born March 3, 1923 in Rantoul Township. The daughter of Eilt and Antje (Miller) Bruns. She married Claas H. Bruns on September 14, 1956 in Thomasboro. He preceded her in death on March 2, 2002.

 She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers John, Robert and Edgar. 2 sisters Minnie Bergman and Annetta Osterbur.

 Dorothy was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. 

 Dorothy and Claas farmed near Royal until 1987. When they retired they moved into their house in Royal. She was a devoted farm wife and homemaker. She was always willing to help anyone in need.

 In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Kopmann Cemetery, St. John Lutheran Church or Country Health and Rehab.

Freese FH 3/25/2025

Dustin E. Morgan

 

OTOMAC - Dustin E. Morgan, 40, of Potomac passed away at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday (March 4, 2025) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, after a battle with cancer.

Dustin was born on April 12, 1984, in Urbana, the son of Donnie and Teresa (Sanders) Morgan.

He is survived by his significant other, Beth McCall of Potomac; daughters, Ali Morgan, Brooklyn Morgan and Ryah Peters of Potomac; sons, Lane Morgan, Kolton Morgan and Beckham Peters; his father, Donnie (Kristi) Morgan of Potomac; mother, Teresa Morgan of Savoy; brothers, Derek (Amy) Morgan of Ogden, Jason (Michelle) Morgan of Mahomet and Jaycen (Katie) Herndon of St. Charles, Mo.; sisters, Brittany (Kal) Lutz of Broadlands, Brianna (Patrick) Gones of Sidney and Rae-Ann (Matt) Jones of Chatham; maternal grandparents, Dawn and Glen Sanders of Mission, Texas; paternal grandfather, Jim (Barb) Morgan of Tilton; aunts, Glenda (Rick) Estes of Danville and Cindy (Paul) Burow of Rantoul; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Darlene and Richard Ren; and aunts, Becky Ashcraft and Lori Byrnes.

Dustin graduated from St. Joseph High School in 2002 and later began his apprenticeship for the union. He worked for 20 years as a heavy-equipment operator for Local 841. He enjoyed activities such as hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, golfing and, most importantly, spending time with his children. Listening to music and socializing with friends were also important aspects of his life.

A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Potomac Community Building, with Pastor Dan Hunt officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Burial will follow the service in Potomac Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Dustin's name to the American Cancer Society. The family has entrusted Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring his life. Condolences may be shared with the family on his memorial page at blurtonfuneralhomes.com.

Vernelle Frances King

URBANA - Vernelle Frances King, 94, of Urbana passed away at 4:31 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. 

She was born on Aug. 1, 1930, in Loda, the daughter of John and Frances (Parsons) Walker. She married Thomas King on Sept. 5, 1948.

Vernelle is survived by her three children, Larry King and Linda King, both of Urbana, and Diane Scott of St. Joseph; seven grandchildren, Laurie Waterman, Callie King, Tricia King, David Smith, Jason Scott, David King II and Jennifer Butts; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A brother, Dean Walker, also survives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; son, David; her parents; brothers, George Walker and Gary Walker; and sisters, Verneta Havener and Sandy Brewer. 

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 21, at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Mayview. Hank Sanford will be officiating.

NG 3/19/2025

Helen M. Feder

 RANTOUL - Helen M. Feder, 100, of Rantoul went to be with the Lord on Tuesday afternoon (March 18, 2025) at ClarkLindsay, Urbana.

She was born Dec. 15, 1924, in Compromise Township, a daughter of Robert August and Mary Caroline (Wagner) Feder.

Helen was preceded in death by her sister, Edna, and a cousin, Bernice, with whom she shared a sisterly bond, as she was raised by Helen's parents.

She is survived by a great-niece, Jackie Meyer; a great-nephew, Jeffery Schrank; and another great-niece, Julie Ann (Schrank) Dortch.

She was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Thomasboro, and she had a strong faith. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards and spending time with friends. She was the kindest of souls and lived a simple, frugal life.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church, Thomasboro. The Rev. Michael Stoerger will officiate. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery. Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service at Peace Lutheran.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Peace Lutheran Church or The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) St. Louis.

NG 3/19/2025

Thomas C. Berry

 

Thomas C. Berry Age 72

Born July 15, 1952 and passed March 16, 2025. Thomas passed away at home, in St. Joseph Illinois, with his family at side. Tom was born in Bloomington Illinois to Thomas and Anna Berry. He served in the US Army. Tom belonged to the plumbers and pipe fitters Union and worked at Bridgestone Firestone tire factory in Normal Illinois. He is survived by his wife, of 53 years, Diana, and daughter Cynthia (Albert) Nachowicz and grandchildren, Melanie and Cole.

A memorial service to be announced at a later date.

https://evergreencremationservices.net/obituaries?name=thomas-c-berry