Amanda M. Fuller

 Alana M. Fuller, 46, of Champaign passed away at 1:07 A.M. Sunday June 7, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

 Alana was born October 5, 1979 in Paducah, KY. The daughter of Alan and Belinda (Walters) Middleton. She married Keith Fuller in 1997. He survives.

 She is also survived by her children Treton (Alexis) Fuller of Champaign, Ayanna Fuller of Champaign. Grandson Joshua Fuller. Her parents in Springfield. Sister Melissa Middleton of Hindsboro. Grandmother Anna Walters of Paducah, KY. Many nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded by her paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather.

 Alana was a 1997 graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School. She worked in hospitality for over 20 years.

 She enjoyed reading, kayaking, water sports and baking. Most of all she loved her family and those she worked with that became like family.

 Services will be held at a later date.

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

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Alana-Fuller

D. Laverne Lafenhagen

D. LaVerne Lafenhagen (Dutton), 93, of Sidney, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

The visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, June 12 at Countryside United Methodist Church, Urbana with funeral service and burial (Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney) directly following. Rev. Jeff Stahl will officiate. Freese Funeral Home of Sidney is assisting with arrangements.

LaVerne was born October 17, 1932, the oldest of five children, to Richard and Hattie Dutton of Homer, IL. She married John Lafenhagen Sr. in 1950.

LaVerne and John had three children: C. Dianne Lafenhagen, John (Terry) Lafenhagen Jr., and Joanie (Kenny) Bonnell; five grandchildren: Tenaya (Josh) Reifsteck, Jordan (Joey) White, Michael, Devan, and David (Lexi) Lafenhagen, and six great grandchildren: Rylee Reifsteck, Haley and Lydia White, O’Mari Thomas, Amira Westfield, and Anakin Clark.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her son, John Jr; her sister, Joyce (Russel) Block; her brothers Richard (Joyce) Dutton, Ted (Marilyn) Dutton, and Frank (Diane) Dutton; along with many friends and loved ones.

LaVerne was the administrator at Green Briar Nursing Home and later became the personnel director for the Chancellor Hotel and Aunt Sonya’s Restaurant, all in Champaign.

She enjoyed dancing with John, was a fabulous cook and the best chocolate pie maker, had a great sense of humor, loved visiting with family and friends, and was a die-hard Illini Men’s Basketball Fan. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know and love her.

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/D-Lafenhagen

Cheryl A. Baird

Cheryl A. Baird, 73, of Homer, passed away at 6:31PM, Monday June 1, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana,

Visitation will be from 5 to 7PM, Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney.  Private burial will be at later date.

Cheryl was born May 23, 1953 in Champaign, a daughter to RF and Dortha Bowles Gerald.  She married Mark Baird on July 14, 1973 in Homer, he survives.

Also surviving are two children; Shauna (Michael) Baird Marsoobian of St. Louis and Justin (Jessica) Baird of Sidney, two grandchildren; Athea and Reese Baird, and four brothers; Darrell Gerald of Champaign, Larry (Denise) Gerald of Broadlands, Tim (Jan) Gerald of Tolono and Mark Gerald of St. Joseph.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

She was a dental assistant for 33 years.  She loved to cross-stitch, her flower garden and watching birds.  She was also a member of a quilting club.  She cherished her grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Homer Fire Department.

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Cheryl-Baird

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