Steve Woodworth

 
Steve Woodworth 66, of Homer passed away at 1:55 P.M. Tuesday July 1, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

 Steve was born February 8, 1959 in Urbana. The son of Fran and Theresa (Eckstein) Woodworth. He married Brenda Shelby on April 18, 1988 in Wisconsin. She survives.

 He is also survived by his son Ramey Williams of St. Joseph. Sisters Cheryl (Dick) Cain of Savoy, Celia (Dave) Shanahan of South Dakota and Amy Richardson of Tolono. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 He was preceded in death by his parents.

 Steve was a truck driver for Woodworth Trucking and Illinois Brick. He loved to go camping and motocross.

 Private services will be held.

 Memorials may be made to CatsNap 1713 S. State St. Champaign, Illinois 61820, or the American Heart Association.

Freese FH 7/2/2025

Arnold Elwayne Nichols, Jr.

 URBANA — Arnold Elwayne Nichols Jr., 81, of Urbana died at 3:44 a.m. on June 25, 2025, at home.

Private family graveside services will be held at Immanual Lutheran Church, Broadlands, at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 30, with Pastor Jeff Caithamer officiating.

Arnold was born on March 19, 1944, to Arnold Sr. and Bonnie (Paul) Nichols. Arnold married his one true love, Myla (Messman) Nichols on Oct. 14, 1972, and they have had 53 wonderful years together.

Arnold is survived by his wife; a nephew, Ryan (Jennifer) Huls of Homer; three nieces, Kendra (Ray) Manselle of rural Urbana, Lorynne Huls of Fox Lake and Lorae Huls of West Lebanon, Ind. Arnold was an avid reader and historian. He also really enjoyed old classic cars. His favorite hymn was “The Church’s One Foundation”.

Mr. Nichols was employed at the U.S. Postal Service for more than 35 years. He worked as a distribution clerk and as an accounting clerk at the Urbana Post Office and served as personnel assistant and injury compensation specialist in Champaign. He was postmaster at Anchor from 1989-91 and was postmaster at Sidney from December 1991 until his retirement in 1999. He authored a book on the history of post office badges and an article for Philatelic Magazine on the same subject. He was a member of the Society of Automotive Historians and the California Law Enforcement Historical Society.

He wasamember of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Champaign. His favorite hymn was “The Church’s One Foundation”.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 509 S. Mattis Ave., Champaign.

Renner-Wikoff Funeral Home in Urbana is in charge of arrangements.

NG 6/28/2025

Joyce Ann Canaday

 MONTICELLO — Joyce Ann Canaday, 86, of Monticello passed away at 3:27 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Joyce was born on Feb. 26, 1939, in Urbana. She was the daughter of Melvin Lester and Vera Mae (Bahlow) Place.

Joyce is survived by her daughters, Jill (Layne) DelValley of Monticello and Beth (Dave) Myler of Windsor; grandchildren, the Rev. Jessica (Eric) Baldyga, JR (Nichole) Lauer, Joshua (Karianna) Lauer, Chad (Anna) Myler, Jordan (Kayla) Lauer, Kyle (Megan) Myler and Joy (Michael) Palazzolo; 12 great-grandchildren; and brother, John (Kay) Place of Homer.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Joyce retired from the University of Illinois as an administrative aide. She was an avid Illini fan, loved quilting, and lived for her family and grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Tatman Village 2000 E. Washington St., Monticello. Joyce’s granddaughter the Rev. Jessica Baldyga will officiate a short service at 5 p.m. and the evening will conclude with a light supper. Everyone is encouraged to wear Illini gear. A private family burial will be held in G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cunningham Children’s Home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at mackey-wrightfuneralhome. com.

NG 6/28/2026

Don Alan Rademaker

 CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Don Alan Rademaker of Clarksville, Tenn., passed away Monday (June 23, 2025) at home.

Funeral services will be held at Neal-Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison St., Clarksville. Visitation will be on Friday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a memorial service at noon.

Don was born in Urbana on Oct. 11, 1972, the son of Eldon and Marilyn Rademaker.

He is survived by his mother, Marilyn of St. Joseph; and brother, Doug Rademaker of St. Louis.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eldon.

Don graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in St. Joseph in 1991 and then attended Illinois State University in Normal, graduating with a degree in biology. He then received a doctor of optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. He practiced optometry at a clinic on Fort Campbell air base in Fort Cambell, Ky.

He was an active member of Warfield Boulevard Church of Christ. He enjoyed being in his boat on the lake fishing, long bike rides, spending time walking outside or watching a fire in the evening sitting on the patio. And he could not pass by a Saturday morning garage sale.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to charity of donor’s choice.

Barbara Jean Swinford

Barbara Jean Swinford, beloved mother of three, passed away peacefully on

June 15, 2025, at the age of 82. Born in Kankakee, IL on April 1, 1943,

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was known for her quiet demeanor of love and support for others and

will be deeply missed by those who knew her.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years Paul Swinford; her brother Larry

Yarno and his wife Pat; her brother-in-law Danny Carter; her children Becky

Smith and Becky’s husband Jim, David and his husband Gary Davis, and

Scott Swinford and Scott’s wife Robin; her grandchildren Kyle and Ryley

Smith and Ryley’s finance Oscar Miranda, Zachary Swinford, Danielle Scott

and Danielle’s husband Michael; and her great-granddaughter Hallie Scott.

She is preceded in death by her mother Lorraine Loughry and Lorraine’s

husband Leslie Loughry; her brother Ronald Yarno; and her sister Nancy

Carter.

Barbara, Paul and their family have been members of the St. Joseph, IL

community for more than 50 years, where she was a devout and nearly

plank member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and an avid Illini fan.

She was an operating room nurse at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL

for thirty four years; and a strong supporter of causes designed to help

others. But her greatest joy always came from the togetherness she always

felt around her family and friends. Her memory will always be cherished by

those who she benefited most with her unwavering love and support.

The funeral service will be held at Thursday June 19 at 12:00 P.M. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 802 E. Douglas St. St. Joseph.  Pastor Andrew Jones will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at the church.

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

 Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church or Malawi Orphan Care Project.

Freese FH 6/16/2025 https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Barbara-Swinford

Don Mitchell

 Don Mitchell 82, of St. Joseph passed away at 12:05 P.M. Friday June 13, 2025 at Accolade Healthcare, Savoy.

Don was born September 24, 1942 in Carthage, IL. The son of John and Laura Mitchell. He married Jenny Runner on November 22, 1964 in Blandinsville, IL. She survives.

He is also survived by his son Cory Mitchell of Thomasboro.  Three grandchildren, Madison (Kolton) Kempling, Natalie Mitchell and Hayden Mitchell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers Kenneth and Eugene (Bub). Four sisters Joan, Pat, Phyllis and Nancy.

Don was a 1960 graduate of Macomb High School. He worked as a Pipefitter and was a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #149 for 55 years. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard.

Don served as a St. Joseph Little League Baseball Coach and on the board for many years. He was a member of the Champaign County Farm Bureau, Champaign County Livestock Committee, St. Joseph American Legion and as a Apprenticeship Instructor for Local #149.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 6:00 P.M. Thursday June 19, 2025 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. David Barcus will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home. The family ask that everyone wear their favorite Illini or sports team shirt or jersey. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Little League Baseball or Champaign County Junior Livestock Committee.

Freese FH 6/14/2025 https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Don-Mitchell

Darlene Marie Allen

Darlene Marie Allen, 82, passed away on June 13th, 2025, at 2:22 p.m. at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois. She was surrounded by her loving family, brothers, sister, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends throughout the weeks prior. As she passed, her family sang her favorite songs and hymns.

Darlene was born on September 7, 1942, to Wilfred and Junetta (Martha) Kappes. She married the love of her life, Larry J. Allen, on July 9, 1965, in Rantoul, Illinois. He preceded her in death on July 29, 2000.

Darlene is survived by her son Brad (Tonya), granddaughters Karli Allen and Madeline Allen, her son David (Susan) and grandson Logan Allen, her daughter Lynn Pappalardo (Dino), grandson Nick Goryance (Jessica), granddaughter Halle Pappalardo, great-grandsons Nick Jr. and Joey Goryance and great-granddaughter Adeline. She is also survived by her brother Bob Kappes, brother David Kappes and sister Linda Schiaretti. 

She attended Holy Cross grade school and graduated from Champaign High School in 1960 where she sang in the choir and competed in numerous singing competitions. Throughout all her contests, she received Superior in every event except one, where she received an Excellent. 

Darlene was a fixture in the St. Joseph United Methodist Church choir for decades and was requested on numerous occasions to sing at wedding celebrations. Her love for music resonates throughout the family. She reached a level of singing where she was presented with the opportunity to sing opera at the professional level in New York City.

Darlene was a dental assistant in St. Joseph for 25 years, until Larry got sick. Throughout her life, she was known as a very kind and loving woman with a beautiful, one-of-a-kind smile. Her joys in life were her family and friends. Everyone who met her thought “their” Darlene was their special person. She made everyone feel as if she had a special relationship with only them. Her passion for being a grandmother superseded anything else in her life. She was each of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s biggest fan.

She was known for her outstanding chicken and noodles. 

Services and a celebration of life for Darlene Allen will be held at the St. Joseph United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 17 at 12:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors at the church between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Please feel free to wear Darlene’s favorite color, purple, or St. Louis Cardinal red to celebrate her life. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Joseph United Methodist Church.

Freese FH 6/14/2025 https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Darlene-Allen