Marie Minniear

 GIFFORD — Marie Minniear, born on March 20, 1926, in Gifford, passed away peacefully in her beloved hometown on Sept. 12, 2025.

A spirited and feisty individual, Marie touched the lives of all who knew her with her vivacious personality.

Marie is survived by her children, Darrell (Joyce) Minniear, Chuck Minniear, Cindy (Charles) Schlatter and Gaile (Gary) Bradford. Her legacy continues through her eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Marie’s greatest accomplishment was being a devoted mother, and she embraced her role with pride and dedication.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Uvah Alcorn; her brother, Raymond Alcorn; and her son, Larry Minniear, who all hold a special place in her heart.

Marie found joy in the simple pleasures, whether it be playing bingo or exploring games on her laptop. She also enjoyed the companionship of her cats.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., both taking place at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Lux Chapel 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul. She will be interred in Welles Cemetery in Penfield.

Arrangements have been made at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Lux Chapel 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul.

Please join Marie’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Barbara Cannon

 
URBANA - Barbara Cannon, 94, formerly of Urbana, passed away peacefully on Saturday (Sept. 6, 2025).

Born in Tuscola on June 7, 1931, to Frank and Bertha Hartman, Barb graduated from Tuscola High School in 1949. She married Clifford Cannon on June 13, 1951.

Barbara Cannon was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford; brothers, Charles Hartman and James Hartman; sisters, Virginia Bailey, Dorothy Parker and Catherine McCumber; and longtime partner, Chuck Brooks.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Eva) Cannon and Patricia Cecil; grandchildren, Steve (Sarah) Peters, Alexandra Cannon, Andrea Cannon and Rebekah Cannon; three great-grandchildren; and the families of nieces and nephews. Barb will be greatly missed by her loving family and the many close friends who felt like family.

She is fondly remembered for the years of Cannon's Dairy Lane in St. Joseph, where she cherished everyone and loved making people smile and laugh. Subsequently, she worked at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Carle Pavillion, and as a part-time caregiver. In retirement, Barb really enjoyed traveling with Chuck and Cat.

While in long-term care at Heartland, University Rehab and Hilltop, Barbara continued as a bright, always complimentary light. She appreciated all the friendships she developed with staff members. She considered you all her family. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and warm kindness that made everyone feel at home.

There will be a visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St., Champaign. The funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 405 W. Clark St., Champaign. Entombment will be in Mount Hope Mausoleum, Champaign.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/barbara-cannon-obituary?id=59412405

Richard Dean "Dick" Reinhold

 
URBANA - Richard Dean "Dick" Reinhold, 90, of Urbana passed away Tuesday (Sept. 9, 2025) at home with his family.

Richard was born on June 26, 1935, in Urbana, to William and Rosa (Hren) Reinhold.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings, Katherine (Entler), Frederick, Walter, Edward, Robert, Gene and Sharon.

He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Betty Jean (Johnson); daughter, Kelly (John) Vogel of Royal; son, Jeff (Brenda) Reinhold of Champaign; and beloved granddaughters, Sara (Devin) McDermand of Urbana and Megan Reinhold of Clinton. He also leaves behind many "kids" he loved as his own throughout the years, including Brian, Nicholas, Lauren, Rachel and Robin.

Graduating from Urbana High School in 1955, Richard was a standout wrestler and football player. He won three letters in football and two in wrestling. He was a two-time state qualifier in wrestling. As a junior, Richard was awarded the Pittman Memorial Football Award for outstanding linebacker of the year and was All-State on the Chicago Sun Times team as a senior offensive guard. He received a football scholarship to the University of Illinois and married his high school sweetheart, Betty, on Dec. 3, 1955. Due to continued military presence after the Korean War's armistice, he was not able to take the field with the Illini and instead served in the Army as an MP in Korea until 1959. In 1983, he was inducted into the Urbana High Sports Hall of Fame.

Richard was employed with Northern Illinois Water Corp for 42 years before retiring and also worked as the press-box elevator operator at gate 18 in Memorial Stadium, until its reconstruction in 2008. He never missed an Illini home game and enjoyed his time with the reporters and box owners.

Richard was a 50-year member of the St. Joseph Freemason Lodge No. 970 A.F. & A.M., a St. Joseph Webelos Pack Leader, and longtime coach of the Champaign Wild Cats pee-wee football team. He enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling, riding his bicycle, and truly lived each day to its fullest.

A memorial service with honors will be held at noon Thursday, Sept. 18, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana, with the Rev. Lutz Braunig officiating. Visitation will be prior to the memorial service, beginning at 10 a.m. Cremation rites have been accorded.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite children's charity.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/richard-reinhold-obituary?id=59412399

Mary Ann Griffet

URBANA — Mary Ann Griffet, 84, of Homer passed away peacefully on Friday (Sept. 5, 2025) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. She was born on March 2, 1941, in Pontiac, Mich., the daughter of Leslie Hubert and Loyal Delores (Hudson) Dunning.

Mary is survived by her husband, Michael Griffet of Homer; daughters, Trudy Parks of Urbana, Twila of Tolono and Trina of Mahomet; eight grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Paul Dunning and Vivian Ellis.

She graduated from Marion High School in Marion, and worked as a clerk at Colwell Systems/ Patterson Office Supply in Champaign for 28 years.

Mary will be remembered for her love of family, her generosity, and the many lives she touched. Her devotion, laughter and wisdom were gifts to everyone who knew her.

A private viewing for the family will be held at Renner-Wikoff Funeral Home, Urbana. Condolences may be shared online at renner-wikoffchapel. com. 

NG 9/9/2025

Shirley Huls

PONTIAC — Shirley Huls, a beloved daughter, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday (Sept. 6, 2025) in Pontiac.

Born Sept. 21, 1951, in Champaign, Shirley’s life was marked by her kind spirit and warm smile.

Shirley was involved in the Futures Unlimited Inc. program and was a resident at Mosaic Independent Living in Pontiac.

Shirley leaves behind her sister, Pat (Tom) Crane; along with several cherished cousins and her dear friend Marcie Buhr. Their collective memories of love will forever honor the joyful spirit and smile that Shirley brought into their lives.

She enjoyed her shared love of music with her mother, doing needlework, and spending time with her housemates, friends and family. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for many years and then became a member of First Lutheran Church in Pontiac. Shirley was a resident of Martin Luther Home in Beatrice, Neb., for several years. She later moved to a new location developed by Martin Luther Homes, which later became Mosaic in Pontiac.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Lorene (Aden) Huls, and grandparents.

A visitation to celebrate Shirley’s lifewill be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Home’s Lux location, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul, IL 61866. A service will follow at 11 a.m. Shirley will be interred in Huls Cemetery, Gifford.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made in Shirley’s name to Mosaic in Pontiac or Huls Cemetery in Flatville. Please join Shirley’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome. com.

 

Sharon Jane Morisette

 LONGVIEW — Sharon Jane Morrisette, B.S. Ed, M.S., CAD, 76, of Longview passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Born Oct. 6, 1948, in Chillicothe, Sharon lived a life devoted to love, family, learning and service.

For 56 years, she shared a joyful marriage with her husband, Fred, building a partnership rooted in family, friendship and faith. Together, they raised two daughters, Lahn and Lisa Jane, of whom Sharon was immensely proud. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend — loved deeply by all who knew her. Sharon will be remembered not only for her wisdom and encouragement, but also for her boundless kindness, compassionate heart, engaging smile, and infectious laugh that brought warmth to every room she entered.

Teaching was Sharon’s true calling. For more than three decades in the classroom, she inspired students in science, English and social studies, instilling curiosity and confidence in young minds. Even after retiring from Unit Seven Schools in Tolono, she pressed forward with her own education, earning her master’s degree and pursuing a Ph.D. in her 60s. She taught and mentored student teachers in the classroom at the University of Illinois, influenced the curriculum, and, later, following her full retirement, she returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher at Tolono Junior High, always reminding those around her that learning never ends.

Her impact extended far beyond the classroom. Sharon was active in her church, community and book clubs. She deeply cherished her “Mary Poppins” group of lifelong friends from the Fischer movie theater in Danville. She lived her life with compassion and perseverance, showing by example that true education is about shaping lives with love.

Through the gift of organ donation, Sharon continues her lifelong lesson in caring for others. Just as she nurtured generations of students and gave of herself to her family and community, she now offers the gift of life and healing to others in need.

She is survived by her husband, Fred Morrisette of Longview; daughters, Lahn Henn and husband Andrew of Fayetteville, N.C., and Lisa Jane Morrisette of La Mesa, Calif., and husband Jon Zapp of Carbondale; grandchildren, Jordan Neill and wife Sierra and their children, Lincoln, Britton and Callum of Brocton, Jacob Neill and wife Cailynne and their children, Finley and Sutton of Hume, and Madison Henn of Marshall; siblings, Kai Lynch and husband Dale of Chesapeake, Va., Scott Richey and wife Linda of Rossville, Ind., and Cindy Anderson and husband Jim of Lafayette, Ind.; as well as her beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Marilyn Richey.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m., with the funeral service following, at the Villa Grove United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Villa Grove United Methodist Church.

Sharon’s story reminds us all that one life lived with purpose, kindness and love can change the world in ways that never end.

NG 9/9/2025

Gayle Robert Thomas

 
NOKOMIS, Fla. - Gayle Robert Thompson, 86, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Nokomis, Fla.

He was born Dec. 12, 1938, in St. Joseph, to Robert and Almedah White Thompson. A 1957 graduate of Unity High School, Gayle graduated in 1961 from the United States Naval Academy, where he became a naval aviator and military test pilot. He was a member of the eight-man rowing team that won the Olympic Trials competition to represent the United States at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, where the team finished fifth. In 1991, Gayle was honored as one of the first names included in the Champaign Park District's Olympic Tribute at Dodds Park. In 2022, he was inducted into the Unity High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his son, Jeff of White Lake Township, Mich.; grandson, Garrison of Westland, Mich.; granddaughter, Caitlyn of White Lake, Mich.; sister, Jan Renn of Goreville; and sister, Judy Wirth of Naples, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; son, Greg; and sister, Barbara Watson.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/gayle-thompson-obituary?id=59370969

A celebration of life is planned for a later date, following his interment in Sarasota National Cemetery in Florida.