Helen Virginia Bear

 
Helen Virginia Bear went to Heaven on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11AM, with funeral services to follow at 11AM on Saturday May 30, 2026 at Homer United Methodist Church, Homer.  Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is assisting with arrangements.

She was born November 17, 1922, the daughter of the late Albert and Emma Pruitt in Homer.  She married Marion “Ned” Bear on June 30, 1941.  He preceded in death on November 7, 2009.  They had been married 68 years.

Preceding her in death are her husband, her brothers, Don and Bill Pruitt, her sisters; June Larkin, Betty Dean and Wanda Peck and a nephew Elbert Rogers.

Helen leaves behind two sisters; Lucille Goad and Darlene Clark, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She enjoyed being a wife and farmer, traveling, baking and spending time with family and friends.

Helen was a member of the United Methodist Church in Homer.  A special Thank You to her care team in her final years.

Memorials can be made to the Homer United Methodist Church or the Homer Fire Department.

https://www.freesefh.com/notices/Helen-Bear

Keri Elizabeth Fonner

 

Kari Elizabeth Fonner, 38, of Danville passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at her home. Kari Beth was born September 30, 1987, in Urbana, the daughter of Lester and Cindy (Kamerer) Fonner.

Kari is survived by her father, Lester (Vickie) Fonner of Ogden, her brother, Chad (Candy) Fonner of Philo, her sisters, Amber Fonner of Tolono and Shelbie (Codie Swan) Murphy of Champaign. She is also survived by her nieces Emmie, Sienna, and Asjah, and her nephew Ashton.

Kari grew up in Philo as a typical small-town girl who was extremely close to her maternal grandparents, Richard and Fayetta Kamerer, and her many uncles, aunts and cousins. She attended schools at Unity and was an active member of Countryside United Methodist Church.

When Kari Beth was 15 years old, her mother tragically passed away from leukemia. At that time, she went to live with her father in Ogden and she attended St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Whatever school Kari attended, she had many friends. She enjoyed hanging around her father’s workplace, Long’s Garage in Urbana.

Kari really enjoyed old and new country music. Her favorite part was singing country songs with her mother or her father while they were driving on “country cruises”. Cindy and Kari both loved Patsy Cline’s songs.

At age 21, Kari developed Type I diabetes and was physically disabled for the balance of her life. At that time, she became friends with Steve Miller who helped her meet her health challenges. Together they built a deep friendship, attending many Illinois sporting events and enjoying boating. They traveled throughout the Midwest, including the 2008 Kentucky Derby, Justin Beiber concerts with Shelbie and vacations to Table Rock Lake in Missouri. They also attended the Salvation Army on Prospect Avenue in Champaign where Kari became reacquainted with her uncle, Barry Kamerer. The congregation welcomed her with constant love and support, and Kari loved them in return. Many others assisted in Kari’s care in the last 18 years, including her most recent beau, Mike Mullins.

Kari was passionate about everyone and everything who meant anything to her, especially her dogs, including Nyah Jean, Cheeko Alfred, Baby Girl, Scrappy, and Bella (still living). Her dogs were her heart and the ashes of the dogs who have gone before her will be buried with her.

Kari was a light in the world and she loved hard. She was sweet to her very core, and she will be missed terribly. She had lots of friends and always wanted to be the life of every party. She loved all children, and they all loved her. Her deepest regret was not being able to bear children of her own.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main St., Sidney. Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. Visitation is one hour prior to the services from 10 to 11 a.m.

https://www.freesefh.com/notices/Kari-Fonner

Francis A. "Fran" Bosch Jr.

 Francis A. "Fran" Bosch Jr., 69, of Homer entered into heaven at 1:39 A.M. Saturday May 23, 2026 at his home.

 Fran was born April 10, 1957 in Urbana. The son of Francis A. and Mary Ellen (Melton) Bosch Sr.. He married Vicki Kurlakowsky on September 26, 1998 in Ogden. She survives.

 He is also survived by his son Anthony "A.J." Bosch of Homer. Sisters Theresa Bosch of Champaign, Mary Bosch of Arthur, Dianne (Basil) Auteberry of Longview, and Susan (Mark) Zwilling of Pesotum. Mother-in-law Helen Foht of Tolono. Sister-in-laws Nancy Keck of Tolono, Candy (Tom) Foster of Tolono, and Tammy Kurlakowsky of Greenwood, LA. Several nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Joe Bosch.

 Fran was retired from the University of Illinois as a large animal caretaker. He was the owner operator of FHG Farm and  Equestrian Center. Homer. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Fran was a charter member of Lighthouse Church in Pasadena, MD. He loved his family, enjoyed having a farm and gardening and being outdoors.

 Visitation will be held Thursday May 28, 2026 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Freese Funeral Home 407 N. Bourne St. Tolono. A service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Thursday with the Rev. Ken Young and Rev. Mike Mack officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Bongard.

Freese FH 5/25/2026 https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Fran-Bosch

Dorothy Buhr

 Dorothy Buhr, 86 of Tolono formerly of Royal, passed away at 6:29  P.M. Saturday may 16, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital.

 Dorothy was born September 24, 1939 in Sidney. The daughter of Lou and Lena (Poll) Wienke. She married Harold Buhr on September 8, 1957 in Broadlands. He preceded her in death on October 5, 2006.

 She is survived by her daughters Lisa (Gary) Mitchell of Tolono and Karen Buhr of Danville. Four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her parents and 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

 She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. She retired from the University of Illinois.

 Dorothy loved baking. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with family and attending her grandchildren's and great grandchildren's events.

 The family would like to thank the Carle Hospice team especially the nurses for the professional care given to Dorothy.

 Memorials may be given to St, John Lutheran Church 203 Church St. Royal, IL 61871.

 Private family services have been held.

https://www.freesefh.com/notices/Dorothy-Buhr

Sharon Struck

 
Sharon Struck was born in Champaign on 21 Jan 1941 to Leslie Ray and Marie Nora (Sitts) Mitchell. Sharon grew up in Champaign, IL, graduating from Champaign High School, class of ’59, and attending Commercial College. Sharon spent a decade in Florida as co-owner of Splendid Co., an architectural accessory company. After moving back to IL, she was employed at Buhrmester Accounting and later at ASC, retiring in 2013. During this time, she married Marty Struck of Broadlands, IL, and had two children, Elizabeth “Betsy” Lancaster and Corey Struck. Sharon was a longtime active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Broadlands, IL, who enjoyed sewing, playing cards, reading, crossword puzzles, and traveling with siblings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Martin “Marty” Struck, her parents, her sister, Carolyn (Earl) Davy, and her brother, Nolan (Pat) Mitchell.

Sharon is survived by her daughter, Elizbeth “Betsy” (Dave) Lancaster, her son, Corey (Laura) Struck; grandchildren, Trenton Thompson, Kallie Lancaster, and Henry Struck; sister, Gloria (Larry) Buhrmester; brother, LeRae Jon Mitchell; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A visitation will be held from 10 AM-11 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11 AM on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Broadlands, with Pastor Jason Braaten officiating. Burial will follow at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

https://www.freesefh.com/notices/Sharon-Struck

Linda Kay Butzow (McCamy)

 Linda Kay Butzow (McCamy) died peacefully surrounded by family on April 29, 2026.

She was the beloved mother of Martha McCamy, Faye McCamy; dearest grandmother of Mac Staples (Sophia Caruccio), Zack McCamy-Staples; joyful “mother-out-law” of Chris Staples; darling sister of Drew Butzow; dear aunt of Angie (Butzow) Albers (Todd Albers), Mark Butzow (Traci Cokely). She is preceded in death by her parents C. Gleason and Eleanor (Phillips) Butzow; partner in the important things Colin McCamy; sister-in-law Kathy (Garman) Butzow; and son-in-law Roan Kaufman. She will be missed by her many friends, including those young people who found in her the sort of maternal unconditional love and acceptance everyone deserves.

Linda was born in 1942 in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, grew up in St. Joseph, Illinois and ultimately made Spring Green and Madison, Wisconsin home. She completed studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Dental Hygiene and worked as a hygienist in Madison and Mineral Point. But Linda found her true professional stride as an entrepreneur—at a time when mothers were not single and women were not found in board rooms and town halls, she founded Rosy’s Rubbish Removal, the first rural garbage pick up service in the River Valley area. Linda was as capable at presenting to boards, as she was at driving the thirteen speed garbage truck with a red rose emblazoned on the packer. After selling to a larger waste management company, Linda helped run the office for party planning business It’s Your Party, before eventually becoming a successful realtor for Stark, Keller-Williams and then Restaino.

Anyone who spent time with “Mamalinda” knew her life wasn’t all about work. Her love for traditional folk music was born in Carbondale and nourished in Madison among those who gathered at Glenn ’n’ Ann’s Cozy Inn. She went on to sing in “Jake’s Band” that frequently played the Walker House in Mineral Point. She prioritized traveling as well as sharing coffee and her unforgettable laugh with family and friends. Linda took great delight in spending time with her niece and nephews in her hometown, especially during harvest season. She supported and nurtured the curiosity and humor of her grandchildren, and was unwavering in her always-there love and support of her “girls”.

Linda always led with heartfelt expression in song and conversation. Her timing in reaching out with encouraging words was impeccable. Her patient listening and deep empathy were unmeasurable. Near the end of her life, she reflected on being five years old and seeing a picture of Jesus with children on his lap. What she remembered most clearly was that the children were all different colors—a testament to her enduring belief in the importance of love and belonging. Linda’s passion for beauty and kindness will reverberate in the lives of her family and friends.

Linda will be buried at a small private burial at the Old Helena Cemetery. A memorial gathering will be held at SlowPoke on Jefferson St in Spring Green on Monday, May 4 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. At the request of Linda, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Community Food Pantry of Spring Green.

https://www.staffordfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Linda-Kay-Butzow?obId=48274248&sfnsn=mo

Roger Lee Gebbink

 

Roger Lee Gebbink, 68, of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed away on Sunday, April 19,

2026.

Roger was born on February 11, 1958, in Champaign, Illinois. He spent most of his life in

St. Joseph, Illinois, before moving to Palm Harbor, Florida in 2016.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn Gebbink and Ruth (Kitchen) Gebbink,

and both sets of grandparents.

Roger is survived by his older brother Morris, his three children Matthew, Megan, and

Kimberly and his grandchildren. Roger is also survived by his very special longtime

friend, Sandra, whom he knew for years in Illinois before later becoming roommates in

Florida.

Roger was a proud and patriotic man who loved his country. He served for several years

in the National Guard as a Reservist. He was a long-time member of Legion Post #634 in

St. Joseph, Illinois, including as a former commander. Roger also served on the St.

Joseph-Ogden school board.

He enjoyed collecting model cars, trucks, and ships. He loved spending time in the

country and was very knowledgeable about plants and animals.

Roger spent his final working years as an over-the-road semi-truck driver and enjoyed

the opportunity to travel and see most of the United States.

He will be dearly missed.

https://www.brewerfuneral.com/obituaries/Roger-L-Gebbink?obId=48175701#/obituaryInfo