Lawrence Tatman

Lawrence Tatman (November 14, 1919 - October 27, 2014)  Send Flowers Send Sympathy Gifts Send Sympathy Card Sign Guest Book | Send Private Condolences Lawrence Tatman, 94 of Urbana died at 8:53 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2014 at Amber Glen, Urbana. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at the Shiloh Cemetery, Mahomet. Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana is in charge of arrangements. Lawrence was born November 14, 1919 in Seymour, a son of James and Maggie Johnson Tatman. He married Dorothy Mae Inskeep July 24, 1939 in Williamsport, Indiana. She preceded him in death, January 2008. He also has two surviving children, Judy (Jerry) Carlos of Port Isabel, Texas and Mary Rose (Michael) Middleton of Mercedes, Texas. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Debbie Larson of Northport, Florida, Crystal Merritt of Bourbonnais, Father Robert Tatman of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Linda Judd of Carmel, Indiana, Dan Tatman of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ron Bryant of St. Joseph, Kim Fleming of Arthur, Sue Sansone of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Matt Mabry of St. Joseph, and Tim Mabry of Champaign. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Lawrence was preceded in death by a daughter Linda, who died at birth in 1948 and in 1967, his son Robert L. Tatman was killed in the line of duty as a Champaign police officer. He suffered from the loss of his son until the day of his own death and felt especially honored that the police included him in the annual Law Enforcement Awareness Say each May. He lost his daughter, Becky Mabry, December 24, 2009. She was a features writer for the News-Gazette and author of “The Amish of Illinois’ Heartland”. Lawrence farmed for Arthur Burwash in Savoy until he took his family and moved to San Pedro, California in 1942. He worked as a shipyard/boilermaker building new ships for the war. They left California in 1943 and he went back to farming for Richard Burwash until 1952 when he moved his family to St. Joseph and farmed for Professor Bauer. He was also director of the Farm Bureau Board in the 50’s. In 1962 he worked nights at J.M. Jones and farmed during the day and in 1965 built a home in Urbana. While farming, working for J.M. Jones, building a house, he also found time to drive a school bus for the St. Joseph High School. In 1966 he worked for SuperValu driving a semi until he retired in 1984. He could never sit still so he raised bees from 1974 – 1996. He was a bee inspector for 14 years and was always on call when the Champaign Police called for him to remove swarms of bees around town. He also won First in State at the Illinois State Fair and First in white honey at the San Diego Beekeepers convention. Lawrence attended Savoy United Methodist Church, and later the Mayview Methodist Church where he was church superintendent for a number of years. Lawrence went back to school and became a master gardener. He helped people with gardening questions and his yard was always beautiful. Lawrence always made sure his family never went without and was never afraid of hard work. In his later years he went walking every day at the mall in Urbana and stayed in touch with his family on Facebook. He was proud of his family and loved to brag about each of them. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Urbana Free Library to go toward the purchase of large-type books. Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel.com

Stan Cato

CHAMPAIGN – After a brave fight, Stanley R. Cato, 71, of Champaign and The Villages, Fla., lost his eight-month battle with melanoma at 3 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 25, 2014) at home surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Stan was born June 27, 1943, in Mount Vernon, a son of Clell R. and Clara Pauline Turpin Cato. He married Jodie Vaughn Hendrix on Jan. 8, 1977, in Bement. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter and her husband, Bobbie Jo and Justin Kirby of Champaign; four grandchildren, Maeve, Mia, Wilson and Wyatt Kirby of Champaign; three nieces, Kim Ioerger, Tammy Loman and Jodi Bourquin; and one nephew, Jared Cato.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ronnie and John.

Stan was in the grocery business for 40 years. He owned and operated the former Springfield IGA, Homer IGA and Tolono IGA. He retired in May 2000.

For the past 15 years, Stan and Jodie have split their time in Champaign and The Villages, Fla.

Papa to his grandchildren, they were his pride and joy and he loved them "to the moon and back." He enjoyed going to all their activities. His grandchildren always looked forward to his bedtime stories. He was an avid golfer and dearly enjoyed his golf buddies.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Carle for the care he received, especially from the Carle Cancer Center and Carle Hospice; Alpha Care Home Health Services; and family, friends and neighbors for their support.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Carle Center for Philanthropy in care of Carle Hospice or Carle Cancer Center, 611 W. Park, Urbana, IL 61801, or an organization of the donor's choice.

Angela Shafer

ST. JOSEPH – Angela Marie Shafer, 54, of St. Joseph passed away at home on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014.

Angie was born in Springfield on Dec. 4, 1959, to Paul and Nova Gilbert. She was the third born of six sisters: Sallie Wilkins of Urbana; Gina Lapp of Maricopa, Ariz.; Bekki Kist of Danville; Jennifer Thompson of Danville; and Sandra Penrod of Danville. Her parents and sisters all survive.

She grew up in Champaign and attended Kenwood Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School and Centennial High School. She graduated early from Centennial High School in 1977 with honors.

Angie was married to William C. Shafer on Feb. 14, 1977. He still survives.

Angie is survived by her son, William P. Shafer of St. Joseph. She is also survived by the loves of her life, her grandchildren, Andrew Shafer and Emma Shafer.

Angie lived the way she loved, with a heart as big as the sky. Always doing for others, never herself, Angie touched the lives of everyone she met with her warmth and kindness. She was a certified podiatry medical office assistant at Christie clinic on Windsor in Champaign and provided evening hospice care part time. Angie was loved by her colleagues and patients for her positive attitude, profound empathy and always offering a kind smile and a listening ear to co-workers and patients alike.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy, IL 61874. Memorial services will follow the visitation at Morgan Memorial Home.

Katherine "Kaddy" Hawthorne

GILMAN – Kathryn "Kaddy" Hawthorne, 88, of Gilman, formerly of Saybrook, Rochelle and St. Joseph, died at 2:56 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 23, 2014) at Iroquois Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church - Gilman, Main and 2nd streets, Gilman. The Rev. Anita Munden will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Saybrook. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.

Redenius Funeral Home, 234 N. Central St., Gilman, is in charge of arrangements.

Claude Pinaire, Jr.

URBANA – Claude Ellis Pinaire Jr., 86, of R.R. Urbana, passed away and joined Annette, his beloved wife and soul mate of almost 70 years, at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Claude was born June 28, 1928, in R.R. Urbana to Hazel Burley Pinaire and Claude Ellis Pinaire. He married Agnes Annette Asher on Sept. 19, 1947, and they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on Sept. 19, 2013, prior to Annette's death on March 9, 2014.

Claude is lovingly remembered by his three sons, Richard A. (Margie) Pinaire of Junction City, Kan., Daniel E. (Lydia) Pinaire of Madison, Tenn., and David W. (Annette) Pinaire of Germantown Hills; one daughter, Deborah S. Linn of Hendersonville, Tenn.; 14 grandchildren, Benjamin (Courtney) Pinaire, Joseph Pinaire, Emily Pinaire, Chris (Nicole) Pinaire, Nicole (Eric) Yorgason, Kaylyn (Billy) Short, Daniel Pinaire, Stephen Pinaire (fiancee, Micah Krantz), Nickolaus (Allison) Pinaire, Sean (Erin) Pinaire, Adam Pinaire, Lorelei (Nick) Steen, Zachary Linn and Alexis Linn; nine great-grandchildren, Hollis Yorgason, Jackson Steen, Brooklyn Steen, Bowden Pinaire, Sophie Pinaire, Zoe Pinaire, Finley Pinaire, Emmersen Short and Adalyn Pinaire; his brother, Larry (Sandy) Pinaire; and his sister, Sandy (David) Barcus.

Also surviving him are his sisters-in-law, Etha Broom, Vareta Hartley and Roberta (John) Harriss; brother-in-law, James (Ruby) Asher; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his wife, parents and two brothers, Richard Pinaire and Robert Pinaire.

Claude grew up on the family farm north of Sellers Corner in rural Urbana, and he graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1948. He enlisted in the Navy and served a peacetime tour of duty on a ship throughout the Mediterranean Sea following World War II.

Following his Navy service, Claude and Annette briefly engaged in a farm and dairy operation near Loda. At that time, he also worked nights as a janitor with the Post Exchange (PX) Service at Chanute Air Force Base.

This employment opened the door for Claude to enter a career in food service at Chanute. He worked his way up from his position as a janitor to the position of food supervisor of the PX.

He moved his family from St. Joseph to Junction City, Kan., in 1965 to assume the position of food supervisor at Fort Riley, Kan. At the urging of his wife, the family later returned to central Illinois, where he took a position as vice president of company-owned stores for Dog n Suds, one of the original fast-food chains in the U.S.

Claude and Annette had a goal to own and operate their own restaurant. Their next step towards reaching their goal resulted in them joining forces to manage Bob Johnson's Restaurant in Bloomington, Ill. Following that experience, they had the opportunity to build a restaurant from the ground up, which they named Truckers Homestead, located at Exit 82, south of Springfield on Interstate 55. They built this restaurant operation into a successful business which consumed both of their lives until their retirement 22 years later. Their Broaster Chicken, pies and buffet were widely acclaimed by their customers and their extended family.

Claude will be remembered as an astute businessman who enjoyed conversing with his customers. He was not afraid to tackle any project regardless of the trade involved. He took an active interest in the lives of his children and his grandchildren. He helped his children lay a foundation to enjoy successful careers, with a specific focus on higher education. He will be deeply missed.

Claude was active in his faith with Annette and his children at the St. Joseph United Methodist Church in St. Joseph for many years. Later in life, he attended the First Baptist Church at Savoy in Savoy.

Claude always recognized the importance of giving back, as he was very grateful for their success. He was always willing and ready to help the church and anyone needing a helping hand. He was there to help without fanfare or notoriety. It was quite common for Claude to serve a meal to an individual or employ someone who was down on their luck.

The family would like to thank Dr. D. Webb, Dr. B. Rheehs, Dr. R. Wolf, Dr. J Fruehling, PT E. Basgier and the other doctors, nurses and staff at Carle Hospital/NATS for taking great care of Claude over the past year.

Visitation and funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, IL 61873 (217-469-2331). Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., with the service to follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Dr. Randy J. Gauger will officiate. Burial will follow at the Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 205 N. Third Street, St. Joseph, IL 61873, the First Baptist Church at Savoy, 1602 S. Prospect Ave., Savoy, IL, or the Agnes Annette Pinaire Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Joseph-Ogden High School, 301 N. Main, Box 890, St. Joseph, IL 61873.

Dorothy Goetze

ST. JOSEPH – Dorothy Imogene Goetze, 91, of St. Joseph passed away at 10:59 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 12, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Rev. Paul Dinges officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Dorothy was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on April 6, 1923, to Bernard and Cozie Buie Crago. She moved to Gary, Ind., at the age of 5. She had two brothers, Bernard Oral Goetze Jr. and William Edwards.

She graduated from Edison High School in East Gary, Ind., in 1941. She worked as a secretary until 1985 when she retired.

She married Edward Smith Goetze in 1945. He preceded her in death in 2005.

She is survived by two children, son William E. (Mary Ann) Goetze of Indianapolis, Ind., and daughter Judith (Richard) Blaney of Champaign; grandchildren, Dana (Doug) Kripple and Greg (Jianie) Blaney; and great-grandchildren, Kelly and Kasey Kripple, Darby and Brenna Blaney.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

Her hobbies were crocheting, knitting and crafts and spending time with her friends and family. She was a member of St. Joseph United Methodist Church and the St. Joseph Senior Citizens.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Hospital or the St. Joseph United Methodist Church.

Gary Woods

ST. JOSEPH – Gary A. Woods, 71, of St. Joseph passed away on Friday (Oct. 10, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Celebration of Life services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph.

Gary was born Oct. 31, 1942, in Tuscola, the son of Louis W. and Winnie Allen Woods. He married Jean Magers on Aug. 10, 1963, in Homer. She survives.

Also surviving are sons, Todd A. (Chrystal) Woods of St. Joseph and Troy Woods of St. Joseph; three grandchildren, Lucas, Zachary and Avery Woods; three step-grandchildren, Brittanie Williams, Cassidy Gould and Tucker Williams; one step-great-granddaughter, Peighton Reim; sisters, Louita (Jim) Hartwell of Champaign and Linda (Richard) Reynolds of Monticello; and sisters-in-law, Janice (James) Wienke of Urbana and Carol (Ray) Dable of Homer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, brother-in-law Richard Keller and nephew Kenny Wienke.

Gary was a graduate of Villa Grove High School in 1960. Gary started his meat-cutting career working for Eisner grocery store. He then worked 20 years as a sales manager for Kelly Chips. In 2003, he became the managing owner of the St. Joseph IGA.

He enjoyed woodworking and any activities his grandchildren were involved with. Gary also enjoyed collecting items and giving tours of his collectibles above the displays at the IGA and talking Cardinals baseball.

Memorials may be made to The Autism Project, 2011 Christopher Hall, 904 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801.

Linda Menges

ST. JOSEPH – Linda Menges, 64, of St. Joseph passed away at 5:15 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 12, 2014) at her home.

Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. Pastor Mike Mack will officiate.

Linda was born April 4, 1950, in Urbana, the daughter of Lawrence and Lillian Brash Menges.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Sharon Menges of Champaign; nephew, Ed (Lydia) Beebe of St. Joseph; three nieces, Debbie (Steve) Koester of Monticello, Lesli (Thomas) Williams of Fisher and Lori (Jason) Friedman of Fisher; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Menges, and her parents.

Memorials may be made to Living Word Family Church.

Juanita Brown

HOMER – Juanita Brown, 90, of Homer died at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 8, 2014) at Helia Healthcare in Champaign.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at GAR Cemetery, Homer, with C.W. Greer officiating.

Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, is in charge of arrangements.

James Woller

PENFIELD – James "Jim" H. Woller, 77, of Penfield passed away at 2:55 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 5, 2014) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 8, 2014) at St. Peter's United Church of Christ 905 S. Russell St., Champaign, with Pastor Laurie Hill officating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with a 3:30 p.m. prayer.

Jim was born July 6, 1937, at rural Urbana, the son of Henry and Rosea Meuser Woller. He married Dorothy (Dottie) Jackson on Jan. 29, 1960, at Champaign. She survives.

He is also survived by his son, Mark H. (Karen) Woller of North Ridgeville, Ohio; brother, Bernie Woller of Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Joan (Gene) Schmidt of Gifford; sister-in-law, Rosanna Woller of St. Joseph; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Carl.

Jim was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ. He previously worked at Shaff Implement Co., Magnavox and WICD Channel 15. Jim enjoyed farming and restoring old tractors and his membership in the I&I Tractor Club, Penfield, and the Florida Flywheelers Club in Fort Meade, Fla. He enjoyed spending his winters in Leesburg, Fla.

Jim enjoyed coffee hour in Penfield along with camping and fishing.

Memorials may be made to St. Peter's United Church of Christ or the Leukemia Foundation.

Richard Taylor

HOMER – Richard L. "Rick" Taylor, 69, of Homer passed away at 3:20 a.m. Monday (Oct. 6, 2014) at the Champaign County Nursing Home in Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. The Rev. John Erwin will officiate. Burial will be in GAR Cemetery in Homer with military rites at the gravesite.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the funeral home.

Mr. Taylor was born on Jan. 8, 1945, in Danville, a son of John and Robeka May Tate Taylor. He married Karen Mae "Shorty" Stulginskis on May 22, 1966, in Homer. She survives.

Also surviving is a sister, Lois Pugh of Gifford. Mr. Taylor also was survived by many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews and great-great-great-nieces and great-great-great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters.

He was a member of the Homer United Methodist Church and Homer American Legion. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard during Vietnam.

Memorials contributions may be made to the Heritage High School Boys' Basketball Program.

Daniel Ackerman

THOMASBORO – Daniel J. Ackerman, 51, formerly of Thomasboro, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 27, 2014.

He was born Aug. 17, 1963, in Urbana, to John F. and Annetta Fruhling Ackerman. Dan is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Also surviving are his mother, Annetta Ackerman of Urbana; two sisters, Rose Lanter Mabry of St. Joseph and Donna Hartman of Greenview; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, John Ackerman; two brothers, the Rev. Marvin Ackerman and David Ackerman; and a niece, Alicia Ackerman.

Funeral arrangements are private.

Arthur L. Brummet

SIDNEY – Arthur "Art" L. Brummet, 98, of Sidney passed away at 4:16 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 30, 2014) at Country Health and Rehab, Gifford.

Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, with Pastor Jay Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mr. Brummet was born Nov. 23, 1915, in Dahlgren, Ill., a son to Lewis and Cora Seaney Brummet. He married Marjorie Johnson on Feb. 17, 1937. She preceded him in death on April 11, 1993.

Surviving are two daughters, Joyce (Leroy) Werremeyer of Sidney and Donna (John) Thompsen of Ogden; four grandchildren, Randy Werremeyer and Tim Werremeyer of Sidney, Steve (Susan) Thompsen of St. Joseph and Lisa (Mark) Huls of Savoy; four great-grandchildren, Ryan, Cory and Mitchell Thompsen and Ava Huls; a brother, Lyle Brummet of St. Joseph; and sister, Joan Mees of Forsyth.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

He was a member of Sidney United Church, where he was very active, holding many offices within the church. He retired from the University of Illinois Horticulture Department. He enjoyed gardening.

Art was a very gentle, caring and humble man who was always there when needed. The family of Art would like to thank the staff at Country Health and Rehab in Gifford for their superior care and personal touch that was shown every day.

Memorials may be given to Country Health and Rehab, Gifford.