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

Shirley A. Rothermel

 Shirley A. Rothermel, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away at 4:27 A.M. Monday, September

28, 2026, at Gibson Area Hospital Annex, Gibson City.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday October 2, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran
Church, Broadlands. Pastor Dan Ulrich will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to
11:00 A.M. at the church.
Shirley was the youngest of four born to Boyd and Lessie (Hodson) Bane of Newman.
She attended and was baptized in the Presbyterian Church and graduated from
Newman High School.

She worked in Springfield for the State until she married Glenn Rothermel on January 7,
1956, in Broadlands. She became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Shirley is survived by her daughter Susan (David) Allen of St. Joseph, grandson Logan,
daughter-in-law Judy Rothermel of Tolono, granddaughter Rebecca, great-
granddaughter Mariah, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Mike Rothermel, two brothers William
Bane, Stanton Bane, and sister Beverly Patton, and most recently her best friend,
Bernita Ashwill of Tuscola.

Shirley worked at the U of I High Energy Physics Department retiring in 2001. She loved
being with her family and enjoyed the holidays, picnics at Homer Lake and wiener
roasts. Fall was her favorite season. She enjoyed baking and had a collection of
cookbooks. She was a gifted artist as shown by her numerous oil paintings. Shirley and
Glenn loved traveling and ballroom dancing.
 
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands.

Lois A. Frerichs

 
Royal - Lois A. Frerichs, 93, of Royal passed away at 11:21 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at her home.

She was born Aug. 6, 1933, in Ogden, the daughter of Robert D. and Dorothy (Edwards) Hunter. She married Herb Frerichs on Jan. 10, 1954, in Royal. He preceded her in death on Aug. 11, 2015.

Lois is survived by her children Susan (Mark) Loschen of Royal, and Tim (Teri) Frerichs of St. Joseph; 10 grandchildren, Shannon, Jamie (Erin), Beth (Greg), Josh (Jen), Timbra (Paul), Alyssa (Trever), Thea, Kristin, Tenneal (Griffin), and Kenna; two stepgrandchildren, Travis (Megan), and Brandon; 22 great-grandchildren; and sister Kay Fiscus.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two daughters, Lori and Judy.

Lois was a life member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, where she had played the organ and piano.

She loved spending time with family, and attending her grandchildren's sporting events.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Ryan Sage will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church.

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

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or St. John Lutheran Cemetery.

Linda Ann Marron

Fithian - Linda Ann Marron, 71, of rural Fithian passed away on Sept. 15, 2026, at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis.

Born in Danville on Jan. 20, 1955, Linda was the only daughter of the late John H.E. and Marjorie M. (Gilbreath) Camp. Linda grew up in Collison and graduated from Armstrong High School. She attended the University of Illinois for both undergraduate and graduate studies.

Linda will be remembered for a life centered on education, service, faith, and family. She was a junior high school teacher at Prairieview-Ogden for many years, where she made a lasting difference in the lives of her students. In addition to her work in the classroom, she also assisted in coaching the school's volleyball, track, and basketball teams throughout her career.

Linda's favorite job was being a grandma, supporting her grandchildren in everything near and far. She encouraged her grandkids in all their activities: traveling to rodeo competitions, watching endless hours of baseball, enjoying the performing arts, entertaining all their interests and endeavors, and teaching them to find joy in everything they did.

Her love for family ran deep, extending warmly to family near and far. She also found joy in serving as a host family for two foreign exchange students - opening her home and her heart - bringing both into her family. She also loved to travel, and she especially loved having her toes in the sand of any beach in Florida.

She was a member of the Psi Iota Xi philanthropy sorority for several years and was also a member of Collison United Methodist Church.

Linda is survived by her husband of nearly 52 years, Pat Marron; her sons Mike (Brandy) Marron of Fithian, John (Stephanie) Marron of Indianapolis, and Jim (Megan) Marron of Dublin, Ireland; and her grandchildren Ainsley, Charles, Lucy, and James Patrick. She is also survived by her siblings John (Lora Palmer) Camp of Potomac, William (Martha) Camp of Vonroe, Tenn., Mike (Kristin) Camp of Collison, and Jeff (Wendy) Camp of Armstrong, as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by two grandsons, Henry Ellis Marron and DH Marron.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, located at 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville. A funeral service celebrating her life will take place the following morning on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest at Embury Cemetery in Fithian following services that day. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Toys for Tots or the Collison United Methodist Church. Online condolences, fond memories, and photographs can be shared with her family on her Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.