Michael Lee Osterbur

 Michael Lee Osterbur, 56, of South Bend, passed away unexpectedly at home on October 8th. Michael was born in Decatur, Illinois on July 24, 1970 to Francis and Margy (Hissong) Osterbur. After graduating high school he went on to study cosmetology. A career that led him to the Michiana area. He took great pride in his house, from simply keeping the yard immaculate to all the projects that make it a home.

Michael is survived by his loving parents, Francis and Margy Osterbur, his sister, Susan Osterbur, along with a nephew, all of Savoy, Illinois.

As per his wishes cremation is to take place. Hanley and Sons Funeral Home is assisting Michael’s family with arrangements and express deepest sympathy to all of Michael’s family and friends.

Irene Plotner Kern

 Irene (Plotner) Kern

Brighton, Colo. - Irene (Plotner) Kern, 79, longtime former resident of Ogden, died in Brighton, Colo., on Wednesday morning (Oct. 14, 2026) after a sudden illness.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Tom Kern, in Brighton, where they have lived the past 19 years near their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her children, Melissa Hart (Jeff Green) and Kevin Kern (Leah Rech); three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nancy (Ray) Sanden of Savoy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant twin sister, three brothers and a stepgranddaughter.

A celebration of life for Irene will be held in central Illinois sometime in spring 2027; details will be announced later. Family and friends will gather Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Alli Event Center, Brighton, to remember her.

The family asks that memorials in Irene's name be made to the Alzheimer's Association (donorservicers.alz.org) or the American Heart Association (heart.org).

Published by The News-Gazette from Oct. 17 to Oct. 21, 2026.

David Charles Bruns

 David Charles Bruns, M.D., a longtime physician, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 5, 2026 at IU North Hospital in Carmel, IN.

He is survived by 3 sons, 11 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren:

Son, Matthew (Lesa) Bruns of Westfield, IN and grandsons, Andrew (Libby) Bruns and great granddaughter Anna, Michael (Chrissy) Bruns and great grandson August, Nathan (Serena) Bruns and great granddaughter Lucy, and Benjamin Bruns.

Son, Mark (Jody) Bruns of Carmel, IN and granddaughters, Sarah Bruns, Kate Bruns, and Claire Bruns.

Son Luke (Karen) Bruns of Dallas, TX and grandchildren, Rachel (Jared) Seltzer and great granddaughter Sloane, Julia Bruns, Natalie Bruns, and Joshua Bruns.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years Ellen Mae (Meyer) Bruns in 2007. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret VanHoveln and Esther Flessner, and two brothers, Paul Bruns and James Bruns.

David attended Holland High School in Holland, IN and graduated from Fisher High School, Fisher, IL in 1957. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA for two years then transferred in IU Bloomington before attending IU School of Medicine and graduating in 1964. After finishing his Intern year at Marion County General Hospital he was drafted into the US Army at the rank of Captain and served from 1965-1967. He then moved to Gifford, Illinois to serve as the town doctor and surrounding community until 1977. He worked for the Indiana State Medical Review team from 1978 until April of 2026. He was a physician for 62 years and was known to most as “Doc”.

David was a lifelong Lutheran. He was born in Watseka, IL as the fourth child of Rev. Heye Esterd Bruns and Elizabeth (Harms) Bruns. He was confirmed in 1953 by Rev H. E. Bruns at St. James Lutheran in Holland, IN.

David loved to sing. He was a member of the Castle Singers while at Wartburg College and the Mens Lutheran choir for many years. He loved his family, anything German (especially Audi cars), his Gifford home, and watching sports, mainly baseball and basketball. Talking to people was his gift!

Visitation will be Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 9-11 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, IL with Funeral services at 11:00 am and burial immediately following at Kopmann Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran church of Flatville, 2498 County Rd 2100 East, Thomasboro, IL 61878.

https://www.baierfuneralservices.com/obituaries/david-bruns-md

Rita Evelyn Jessup

 

St. Joseph - Rita Evelyn Jessup passed away Saturday (Oct. 10, 2026) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, surrounded by her children, Natalie (Everett) Miller, Thomas Bedwell and Jamie Jessup.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main St., Sidney, IL 61877, followed by graveside services at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney.

She was born Oct. 6, 1946, in Hymera, Ind., at home to Curtis Ira Dayton and Dixie Marie (Brown) Dayton. She was one of nine children.

She is survived by her siblings Mattie Vaughn, Dorothy Swalls and Brenda Bedwell; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Blanche Corey, Mae Nash, William "Bill" Dayton, Waine Dayton and Velma Sam's; and husbands, Thomas Lee Bedwell Sr. and James Grant Jessup.

Rita loved spending time with her family, friends and cats and dogs. She also appreciated helping people during her 37-year career at the Social Security Administration and 100-year support at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul.

She was a fabulous mother, grandma (Michael), great-grandma (Axle and Gunnar), sister, aunt and wonderful friend. She will be missed forever.

Darlene Kay Uken

 Urbana - Darlene Kay Uken, 83, of rural Urbana, died at 5:37 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Addington Place, Rantoul.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, with the Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Beckman Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Diers Hall, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, and one hour before the funeral service on Thursday from 9-10 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is handling arrangements.

Darlene was born May 11, 1943, in Urbana, the daughter of Fred J. and Anna Lubben Fruhling. She married Norman Uken on June 17, 1962, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. He survives.

Along with her husband, Norman, she is survived by a daughter, Brenda (John) Mingee of St. Joseph; two sons, Brian (Paula) Uken of Raleigh, N.C., and Bradley (Christine) Uken of Prairie du Sac, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Amber (David) Cluver, Kelsey (Ryan) Munsterman, Lacy Uken, Brooke (Perry) Rudolph, Nicholas (Britta) Uken, Tyler Uken, Jill Uken; eight great-grandchildren, Henry, Elsa and George Cluver, Matthew, Noah and Adam Munsterman, Edward and Stockton Rudolph; and a sister, Joan Cleary of Rantoul.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Zachary Mingee.

Darlene graduated from Rantoul Twp. High School in 1960. She worked as an administrative assistant for the deans in the Colleges of Music, Engineering and ACES at the University of Illinois and retired Jan. 1, 2004, after 23 years.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, and former member of the church choir. Darlene enjoyed yard work, gardening, traveling and reading. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their sporting events.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/darlene-uken-obituary?id=62734520

Keith Rohl

 Keith Rohl, 69, of Homer passed away Saturday October 3, 2026 at his home.

 Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Thursday October 8, 2026 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 P.M.. Pastor Jason Braaten will officiate. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. 

 Keith was born November 23, 1956 in Champaign to Orville and MaryAnn (Rothermel) Rohl of Homer.

 He is survived by his wife Brenda, son Collin (Nicole) Rohl and three beautiful granddaughters, whom he loved dearly, Margaret, Evalynn, and Elisabeth, a sister Kathy (John) Mackinson and their family. Keith felt blessed to have in his life Deana (Tom) Wolf, Mitch Sonsteng and their families.

 Keith lived in the Homer area his entire life. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands, where he joyfully served the Lord on many committees and construction projects over the years. Keith graduated from Homer High School and later was a School Board Member. In his life he enjoyed Harley Davidson motorcycles, fishing, and like his Dad-- farm work. Driving past a field at 55 mph he could spot a weed on the back side of an 80 acre field. He could build, trouble shoot and fix anything; he was a master at auto repair, restoration and painting. Most of all he felt so blessed to have worked and farmed with his dad on a daily basis for over 50 years and also his son.

 One tearful day several weeks ago he knew he would be going to be with Jesus but what saddened him was to leave us all here.

 Memorials contributions can be made to the Homer Fire Department or Immanuel Lutheran Church of Broadlands.

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

Lester Wayne Kinney

 Lester Wayne Kinney, 90, passed away peacefully at home, born on October 20, 1935, to Basil and Maxine Kinney, Lester grew up in Illinois and proudly served his community and state in the Illinois National Guard. On April 30, 1965, he married Marilyn Mosely Bennet, in Paxton, Illinois.

For most of his career, Lester was a familiar and dependable face in Ford parts departments. Outside of work, he enjoyed building and flying model airplanes and he was happiest when tinkering on his workbench or finding creative solutions to fix anything around the house.

He is survived by his Children: David (Kori) Kinney of Urbana, IL, and Jennifer (Ghassan) Ksaibati of Riverview, FL, brother Larry Kinney and sister Linda Walker, five grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.

Lester has been reunited in peace with his beloved wife, Marilyn; his parents, Basil and Maxine; his infant daughter, Kathy; his infant brother, Ronald; and his brother, Gary Kinney.

He was deeply loved by his family, who will forever cherish his gentle spirit, and he will be profoundly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Private graveside services will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney.

Memorials may be made to Sidney Fire Department or

Carle Hospice.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com