Sherri (Short) Mallory

 

CHAMPAIGN - Sherri (Short) Mallory, 55, of Plainfield, formerly of Homer, passed away at 9 p.m. Jan. 3, 2025, at home.

She was born in Champaign on Nov. 25, 1969, the daughter of David and Sandra (Kay) (Pridemore) Short.

Sherri is survived by her parents; son, Preston Mallory; daughter, Madison Mallory; and brother, Doug Short.

She is preceded by her grandparents, Delmar and Margaret Short and Ray and Ethel Pridemore; uncles, Gary Pridemore, Ron and Mike Short; and aunt, Susie Dodd-Casey.

Sherri graduated from Homer Community School in 1987. She worked as a caterer for Caston Tips, a California company thru Sam's Club, in Montgomery. Sherri enjoyed gourmet cooking and spending time with her children.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's.

NG 1/11/2025

Denis "Hoggy" F. Ray

 

NEWMAN - Dennis "Hoggy" F. Ray, 83, of Newman passed away Friday (Jan. 3, 2025) in Newman.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1941, in Rossville, the son of Fred Ray and Faustene Nicoson.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila; children, Traci (Paul) Jensen, Angie Decker (Jerry) and Denise (Doug) Grussing, all of Villa Grove; grandchildren, Alisha (Bob) Beringer of St. Charles, Dane (Kara) Jensen of Villa Grove, Jordyn Ray of Villa Grove, Jena Decker of Champaign and Brandon McConkey of Fisher; and great-grandchildren, Laken, Jake, Spencer, Adalyn and Aiden. He is also survived by his mother; brother, Jack (Pam) Ray of Rossville; and sister Sandra (William Albert) Wilson of St. Joseph.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Ray; stepfather, Ted Nicoson; and sister Fredna Glover.

Dennis served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. Once discharged, he worked as an engineer for Union Pacific Railroad, from which he retired. He was an avid fisherman and hunter known worldwide for his famous hog calls. He loved his Farmall tractors, Harley riding, fish fry's, his friends and family and his dogs. He also enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Fighting Illini.

Per his wishes, he will be cremated, and a celebration of life will be held in his honor at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Newman American Legion.

NG 1/06/2025

Roger K. Flynn

 
Roger K Flynn 79 of Saint Joseph IL, was reunited with his parents and sister on January 2,

2025 at home. He was born March 19 th 1945 to Joseph and Marie Flynn of Saint Joseph. He married
his high school sweetheart, Connie K Mabry of Saint Joseph on August 7 th 1965. He is survived
by his wife and daughter Lori (Pat) Flynn-Walle of Saint Joseph. Grandchildren, Tommy (Maddi)
Mullvain of Saint Joseph, Rachel (Josh) Mullvain of Mahomet, Katie (John) Green of Chrisman.
Five great grand children whom he adored, Skyler, Jaxon, Rosemary, Elenor and Zoey.
Throughout his life he did what he loved, farming in Stanton Township, raising Corriedale and
Cheviot sheep, Trap shooting, Superintendent of the Champaign County sheep division, served
as a 4-H leader for the Royal Ag Club and spent time judging sheep. Roger served on the
Stanton Township Board, Stanton Friends Cemetery and the Stanton Township Drainage Ditch
Board. He enjoyed dates with his wife at the Assembly Hall watching The Fighting Illini and daily
coffee with friends. You could hear his laugh from across the room and watch his cheeks turn
cherry red. Go Cubs Go!

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday January 7, 2025 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave.

St. Joseph. David Barcus will officiate. Burial will be in Stanton Cemetery,  St.  Joseph. Visitation will be Tuesday from

9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District.

Freese FH 1/6/2025

Deborah Cope Vaughn

Deborah Vaughn 67, of Thomasboro passed at 8:49 P.M. Thursday December 26, 2024 at Carle Foundation Hospital.

 A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday December 30, 2024 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph.

 Deborah was born September 17, 1957 in Champaign. The daughter of Wayne E. and Dorothy (Endsley) Cope. She married Greg Vaughn on July 11, 1977 in Urbana. He survives.

 She is also survived by her children; Billy Ray (Danice) Vaughn of Flatvile, Aarron (Pha) Vaughn of St. Joseph. 4 grandchildren; Alex, Taylor, Waylon, Lexi. Sister Joyce (David) McCabe of Champaign. Nephews and Niece; Mark McCabe, Ryan McCabe, Torey Rein, Natalie Cope.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister.

 Deborah retired from the University of Illinois Physical Plant in 2017. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Homer.

She enjoyed plant shopping with Aunt Joyce, shopping for antiques, traveling, spending winters in Florida. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.

Freese FH 12/30/2024

Morris E. Trees

 CHAMPAIGN — Morris E. Trees, 87, of Champaign, passed away on Dec. 25, 2024, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born on Dec. 15, 1937, in Champaign, the son of Harold & Lenora (Slater) Trees. On July 19, 1964, he married Paulette Shadoan in Urbana.

Morris is survived by his wife, Paulette; daughter Dena (Julie Porcheddu) of Champaign; and granddaughter McKenna Little of Danville.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Morris entered the Navy after graduating from Unity of Tolono. He worked as a foreman for the University of Illinois and later worked as a bus driver for Champaign MTD. He enjoyed Brazilian jazz, ZZ Top, car and airplane shows and family time. He was a member of Sidney American Legion Post 212.

Graveside service will be at 11:30a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at Grandview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to Champaign County Humane Society. Condolences may be made at www. renner- wikoffchapel. com.

News-Gazette 12/28/2024

Georgia Donette Ada

 

HOMER - Georgia Donette Ada, 82, of Homer passed away at 4:23 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Georgia was born Sept. 8, 1942, in Luray, Tenn. She was the daughter of James Hulon and Georgia Lois Farrow Rhodes. She married Tommy Ada on June 20, 1964, at Unity Baptist Church in Luray, Tenn. He survives.

Survivors also include her two daughters, Dawn (Doug) Weisman of Sidney and Dana (Brian) Gream of Foosland; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Roger Rhodes.

Donette went to beauty school in Tennessee and held her beauticians license for a few years until she became a housewife and raised her daughters. She attended Homer United Methodist Church. Donette was an avid garage sale goer and loved spending time relaxing on the porch and especially spending time with her family. She will be dearly missed by her loving family and friends.

Homer Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News-Gazette on Dec. 27, 2024.

Virginia "Ginny" Dillion

 

HOMER - Virginia "Ginny" Dillon, 73, of Homer passed away at 12:20 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Country Health Care & Rehab in Gifford.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 30, at Homer Funeral and Cremation Services, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Pastor Raymie Gordon will officiate. Burial will take place in G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. There will be a visitation from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Ginny was born March 16, 1951, in Danville, the daughter of Louis E. and Betty Shoaf Tracy.

Survivors include her son, Matt Dillon of Homer; grandson, James Dillon of Homer; sister, Connie (Jerry) Messman of Homer; aunt, Molly Shoaf; nephew, Steve (Suzie) Messman; niece, Amy (Sam) Shreeves; three great-nephews, Kyle (Shelbie) Messman, Cody and Cole Messman; and two great-nieces, Brianna Messman and Emma Messman.

She was preceded in death by her parents and nephew, Scott Messman.

Ginny was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin. She loved attending her grandson's sports and high school related programs. Ginny continued the Tracy family tradition of marking height measurements of her grandson on her kitchen wall. She always looked forward to putting the ghosts in the yard with James and decorating her Christmas tree with him as well.

Ginny loved her nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces and celebrating the holidays with the Messmans, who graciously included her small family to share with their gatherings.

Ginny loved Star Trek and all things sci-fi. As a lifelong Cubbies fan, she made sure to let her son know every time they beat the Cardinals. There was something even more special in Chicago than the Cubs, and that was her "other son", Rich Ruscitti Jr. and family.

She was a hard-working single parent who worked for Win C. Smith Auto Dealer, Homer Schools, First National Bank of Homer, Gifford State Bank in St. Joseph, and part-time for Walmart. Ginny was well known through her many years of banking experience and was blessed with wonderful colleagues throughout her journey. Special thanks to Gifford State Bank and current/former GSB team members and the thoughtfulness you shared.

Ginny and family are also grateful for all the doctors, nurses and staff who went above and beyond for her care at Carle Foundation Hospital and Country Health Care & Rehab where she was the third generation to utilize this well-run facility.

Memorials can be made to Homer United Methodist Church or G.A.R. Cemetery.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/virginia-dillon-obituary?id=57102375