Claud Melton Awalt

ST. JOSEPH – Claud Melton "CM" Awalt, 74, passed away peacefully at home from a terminal illness at 8 p.m. Saturday (April 25, 2015) with his loving wife by his side.

The visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 29, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., with a funeral service immediately following, with Pastor Dave Ashby officiating. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph.

Claud was born Dec. 31, 1940, in Omaha, Ill., to parents Claude and Inis Rister-Awalt.

He graduated from Norris City High School in 1959. At the age of 19, he joined the Air Force in August 1959 and was stationed in Blytheville, Ark., through August 1963.

While in the Air Force, he met and married his wife, Wanda Sue Hogue, on May 5, 1962. After the Air Force, they moved to Garland, Texas, in 1963, where he started his 32-year career with Kraft Foods.

He was transferred to the Kraft facility here in Champaign in 1971, retiring in 1996 as raw material manager.

Surviving him are his wife Sue of St. Joseph, daughter Robin Cruse (Roger) of Mahomet and his son, Scott Awalt of Rowlette, Texas; and his three sisters, Faye Swango of Indiana, Dorthy Johnston (Karl) of Tennessee and Juanita Short of Illinois. Also surviving are six grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Preceding Claud in death were his parents and one sister.

Claud immensely enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends. He shared his passion for woodworking with others by making countless baby doll beds and barns for children he knew.

He spent much of the spring and summer working in his yard and garden. He took pride in sharing the bounties of his labor of love with neighbors and friends, and was best known for his annual crop of jalapenos and tomatoes.

He absolutely loved deer hunting, especially the sport of mounting his prize antler racks and deer heads. He also made unique knives from the antlers that he often gave as gifts and donated for charity.

When his children were young, he enjoyed fishing during summer family vacations in Wisconsin.

Claud will be missed dearly by his family and by all who knew him.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, please make donations to Red Cross or Carle Hospice, which are organizations both Claud and his wife supported.

Marie H. Mennenga

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Marie H. Mennenga, 94, of Franklin, Tenn., formerly of the Flatville area, died at 12:15 a.m. Friday (April 24, 2015) at the assisted living at Belvedere Commons in Franklin.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. The Rev. Cindy Bisser will officiate. Burial will follow at Beckman Cemetery, Thomasboro.

Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at Immanuel Lutheran. Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.

Mrs. Mennenga was born Dec. 21, 1920, in Champaign County, a daughter of Jelde and Annie (Duitsman) Frerichs. She married Carl R. Mennenga on July 28, 1941, in Flatville.

Surviving are her son, Darrell (Marilyn) Mennenga of Franklin, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Traci Bluhm of Louisville, Ky., Chris Mennenga of Franklin and Wendy Morefield of Franklin; a sister, Verna Hewitt of Gifford; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; her parents; a sister, Hilda Sjuts of rural Urbana; and a brother, Harm H. Frerichs of rural Gifford.

Mrs. Mennenga spent most of her life in the Flatville area on the farm with Carl. She was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and sang for many years in the choir.

Bernice Huls

OGDEN – Irene Bernice Huls, 89, of Ogden passed away at her home with her family at her side at 2:52 p.m. Tuesday (April 21, 2015). Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery Royal, with a dinner following at the Royal Community Building. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a 4:30 p.m. prayer service, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph.

Bernice was born Aug. 22, 1925, in Ogden Township, the daughter of George and Katherine Behrens Frerichs. She married Elvin John Huls on June 29, 1947.

She is survived by her husband, Elvin. Her survivng family also includes her sons and their wives, Terry and Donna Huls of Champaign, Norbert and Maris Huls of Penfield and Tim and Susi Huls of St. Joseph; six grandchildren and their spouses, Kim Huls, Kerry Huls, Michelle and Shaughnessy Rice, Michael and Alyson Huls, Tracey and Jeff Mathis and Craig Huls; and eight great-grandchildren, Alexis Rosenberry, Lily, Roisin and Shaughnessy Michael Rice, Milo and Maisy Huls and Blair and Levi Mathis; sisters, Leona Saathoff of Urbana, Erma Christians of Champaign and Clarine Saathoff of Mahomet; a sister-in-law, Annetta Frerichs of Royal; and brothers-in-law, Arnold Hinrichs of Royal and Junior Duitsman of St. Joseph.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John and Herman Frerichs; and sisters, Eleanor Lubben, Rosetta Richards and Carolyn Hinrichs.

Bernice was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal, where she was batized, confirmed and married.

Bernice graduated from Armstrong High School in 1944 and then from the Illinois Commercial College. She worked for a few years at the Air Force base in Rantoul, but most of her life she cleaned people's homes, and also helped Elvin on the farm, milking cows and preparing meals to take to the field.

She enjoyed time with her family and loved to play cards and go dancing with Elvin. Her strong faith and her quiet ways of always helping the people she knew will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America or to the family to go toward the Darrel Meuser Fund of the American Cancer Society.

Margaret "Louise" Denhart Stipp

SAVOY – Margaret "Louise" Stipp, 91, of Savoy entered heaven at 10:15 p.m. Sunday (April 19, 2015).

A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, April 23, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. with the service following. Entombment will be in Mount Hope Mausoleum, Champaign.

Louise was born on Sept. 11, 1923, in St. Joseph, the daughter of Frank and Grace Denhart. She married Myron Stipp on Aug. 20, 1944. He preceded her in death on Oct. 30, 2013.

She is survived by a sister, Pat Dyer Paul (Stan) of Urbana; three daughters, Teresa Ackeberg (Kenyon) of Bossier City, La., Denise Blaze (Tom) of Oshkosh, Wis., and Renee Ballistrea (Mike) of Mayfield Heights, Ohio; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

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

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her memory to First Christian Church, Champaign.

Norman J. Franzen

RANTOUL – Norman J. Franzen, 79, of Rantoul passed away on Saturday afternoon (April 18, 2015) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

He was born May 27, 1935, on the family farm in Compromise Township, Ill., a son of John H. and Grace (Hinrichs) Franzen. He married Lynda Clements on Nov. 1, 1969, in Flatville.

He is survived by four children, Brett Palmquist of Homer, Christy Laswell of Rantoul, Shannon (Johnna) Franzen of Ogden and John (Caroline) Franzen of Rantoul; five sisters, Annetta Frerichs of Royal, Erna Mennenga of Thomasboro, Bernice Loschen of Flatville, Evelyn Paul of Rantoul and Lucille Ryan of Savoy; and 11 grandchildren, Drake, Alicia, Briar, Kelsey, Jacob, Caleb, Harley, Denley, Davyn, Chesney and Sayge.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Norman graduated from Rantoul Township High School. He farmed the Flatville area all his life. He served in the U.S. Army. Norman was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

He enjoyed playing euchre and going to auctions. He was an avid Cubs fan and his greatest joy was spending time with all his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. The Rev. James Lehmann will officiate. Burial will follow in Huls Cemetery, Gifford.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.

Ronald Dale Ray

SIDNEY – Ronald Dale "Ron" Ray, 65, of Sidney passed away peacefully on Monday (April 13, 2015).

Ron was born in Cairo on July 16, 1949, to Lester and Rosalie (Lindsey) Ray.

He graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1968 and went on to graduate from Eastern Illinois University in 1973.

He was married to Paula Karlau on Dec. 18, 1970. He was the owner of Ron Ray & Associates and was co-owner of Loman-Ray Insurance.

He was an active trustee of the C-U Elks Club No. 2497, Moose Lodge No. 1001 and American Legion No. 71. He enjoyed spending time camping and boating in Shelbyville and being around family and friends. He will be remembered forever in the hearts of many.

Survivors include his loving mother, Rosalie of Sidney; his three sons, Travis (Leah) Ray of Royal, Troy (Andrea) Ray of Royal and Tim Ray of St. Joseph; and five cherished grandchildren, Addison Rose, Korben Dale, Elcie Elizabeth, Graham Michael and Easton Charles Ray.

Services and interment will be privately held by the family.

Memorials in Ron's name may be made to C-U Illinois Elks Association Children's Care Corp., C/O C-U Elks Lodge No. 2497, 903 N. Dunlap Ave., Savoy, IL 61874-9611.

Please join Ron's family in sharing video, pictures and memories on his tribute wall atwww.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Marguerite Fleming

ST. JOSEPH – Marguerite Fleming, 96, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday (April 14, 2015) at Alden Estates in Barrington.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Marguerite was born March 16, 1919, at Holland, Mich., the daughter of Avery and Leona Mapes Jarrett. She married Howard Fleming on Jan. 30, 1942. He preceded her in death on Oct. 27, 1989.

She is survived by one son, Wayne Fleming of New Castle, Colo.; three daughters, Barbara Ann Watkins of Los Lunas, N.M., Shirley Mae Bertagnoli of Round Lake Beach, Ill., and Diana Marie Fleming of Cary, Ill.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and one sister.

Marguerite was active in the American Legion Auxiliary.

James A. Bensyl

OGDEN – James A. Bensyl, 92, of Ogden passed away at 6 a.m. Friday (April 10, 2015) at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 13, at G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

James was born Aug. 12, 1922, in Ogden Township, the son of Ora and Bessie Bradley Bensyl. He married Wilma Ruth Jacobs on May 8, 1948. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Sandra (Rusty) Sandberg of Neoga, Marilyn Sue Hasty of Urbana, Ann (Jerry) Schmidt of Champaign, Janet (Michael) Brown of St. Joseph and Gary (Kim) Bensyl of Ogden; 10 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Pete (Connie) Bensyl of Ogden. He was loved by many nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by five brothers, Ora, Jack, Roy, Don and Laverne; and four sisters, Mary, Norma Jean, Pauline and Jane.

James was a veteran of the U.S. Army in World War II. He was one of six brothers who served in World War II, all coming home safely.

James was a plumber and co-owner of Bensyl Brothers Plumbing and Heating in Ogden. He also worked in the Champaign area and was a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 149.

James enjoyed working in his garden and growing tomatoes and working on garden tractors.

Betty Lou Webb

HOMER – Betty Lou (Ballou) Webb, 90, of Homer passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her daughter's home in Homer at 4:42 p.m. Monday (April 6, 2015).

There will be a celebration of life service at noon Saturday, April 11, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Officiating will be Rev. John McIntosh. The burial will be at a later date in the Florida National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Webb was born on March 4, 1925, in Plano, a daughter of Herbert and Nancy Williams Ballou. She married William Webb on Sept. 4, 1943, in Yorkville. He passed away on Sept. 16, 2011.

Survivors include three children, Diane (Frank) Dutton of Mahomet, Donna (George) Heppe of Homer and David Webb of St. Joseph; and grandchildren, Doug (Shorouk) Dutton, Beth (Jared) Painter, Craig Wakefield, Keith (Tiffany) Wakefield, Ryan (Amy) Heppe, Luke Heppe, Leah (Terrance) Wynne and Michael (Anna) Webb. She was also survived by 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one daughter (Barb Wakefield); one granddaughter (Katie Webb); two sisters; and one brother. Betty worked as a loan officer and assistant vice president at the First National Bank in Ogden for 27 years.

After retirement, she and Bill lived in Hawthorne at Leesburg, Fla., for 20 years where they were very active in the boating club and other activities. She loved to travel and they did travel the U.S. in their motorhome for 20 years.

She was a member of the Clermont Methodist Church in Clermont, Fla., where she and her husband did mission work in addition to their membership.

Upon returning to Illinois after Bill's death, she lived with her daughters in Mahomet and Homer.

Betty was an avid reader up until the time of her death. She also enjoyed crocheting and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mahomet Public Library, Homer Public Library or Carle Hospice.

Michelle Osterbur

DANVILLE – Michele Marie Osterbur, 51, of Danville passed away at 8:14 p.m. Monday (April 6, 2015) at home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.

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

Michele was born on March 27, 1964, at Danville, the daughter of Elmer and Louise (Lois) Schlueter Osterbur.

She is survived by one brother, Jim (Hilda) Osterbur of Virginia; seven sisters, Terri (Bob) Herbst, Cheryl (Tyrone) Ferrell, Charlie Osterbur, Susan (Ethan) Moe of Arizona, Sharon (Nick) Manea, Debbie Kahn and Barb (Tom) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

Michele was a graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

She loved the outdoors, bowling, cats and her family and friends. Michele had a strong love of God.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Joanne Hartman

ST. JOSEPH – Joanne G. Hartman, 85, of Normal died on Jan. 20, 2015, at her apartment at Evergreen Place, Normal.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, with the Rev. Mike McGaughan and the Rev. Deana Reed officiating.

Joanne was born March 13, 1929, in Glasgow, Ill., daughter of Glenn and Florence Yates Graybael, and grew up in Winchester.

She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Illinois where she was also a Bronze Tablet Scholar.

On Sept. 2, 1951, she married Arlin P. "A.P." Hartman. He died in February 2014. Her parents, and a brother, Ed Graybael, also preceded her in death.

Surviving are a son, Chuck (Lexi) Hartman of St. Joseph; a daughter, Jan (Deana Reed) Hartman of Napa, Calif.; two grandchildren whom she adored, Jordan and Courtney Hartman of St. Joseph; and several beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joanne worked throughout her life in a variety of administrative assistant roles at the University of Illinois Athletic Association, Faith United Methodist Church in Champaign and the ISU College of Business. The work she enjoyed most, however, was that of wife, mother and grandmother.

Joanne was an avid reader who devoured newspapers, magazines and stacks of books from the library on a weekly basis. Throughout her life, she was interested in the world around her and was conversant on a wide range of both historical and current events.

She enjoyed watching sports, especially college basketball and the Chicago Bulls, and anything that her grandchildren happened to be playing.

Joanne excelled at cooking and baking, and was especially known for her pies.

She was a lifelong correspondent, maintaining relationships with family and friends around the country through calls, cards and the disappearing art of letter writing.

We will miss her happy chatter, her enjoyment of a good laugh, the twinkle in her eye, and the sweet and steady presence that she was in our lives.

The family would especially like to thank Dr. Pankaj Kumar, Nancy Erwin and all those at the OSF Oncology Center who treated Mom's leukemia and gave us many more months to be with her; the incredibly kind and caring staff at Evergreen Place; and our special friends, Glen and Ginny Schmidt - it truly does take a village and Mom was so grateful for all of you, as are we.

Memorials may be made to Faith in Action, the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor's choice.

Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.

Frances Jervis

ST. JOSEPH – Frances D. Jervis, 82, of St. Joseph passed away at 6:34 a.m. Thursday (April 2, 2015) at home.

Private services will be held.

Freese Funeral Home in St. Joseph is handling arrangements.

Frances was born June 13, 1932, in Broadlands, the daughter of George and Kathryn Krukewitt Dohme. She married Palmer Jervis on Oct. 21, 1961, in Champaign. He preceded her in death on July 28, 1998.

She is survived by two sons, Todd (Marni) Jervis of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Mike (Julie) Jervis of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Emily Jervis and Michelle and Miranda Jervis; and one great-granddaughter, Audrey.

Frances retired from Chanute Air Force Base Fire Department as its secretary. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Charles Alt

ST. JOSEPH – Charles Alt, 88, of St. Joseph passed away at 12:44 a.m. Thursday (April 2, 2015) at home.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastors Jeff Brown, Chuck Alt and Kyle Alt officiating. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Charles was born March 22, 1927, at Cropsey, the son of Wesley A. and Ethel M. Miller Alt. He married Geraldine Lockhart on June 17, 1951, at Hoopeston. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Debbie Alt of Champaign, Chuck Alt of Hoopeston, Greg (Sherry) Alt of Normal, Nancy (Mike) Devitt of Whitestown, Ind., Terry Alt of Champaign and Mary (Jeff) Brown of Devils Elbow, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ken (Sharon) Alt of Sublimity, Ore., and Alvin (Lorraine) Alt of Keizer, Ore.; and a sister, Sandy Heisinger of Salem, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Roger, Robert, Richard and Clifford.

Charles was a member of IUOE Local 841, working as a machine operator, mechanic and welder in Illinois and Indiana.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Besides his family, Charles enjoyed camping, fishing, tractor pulls and visiting with neighbors.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.

Edith R. Schiff

ST. JOSEPH – Edith R. Schiff, 89, of St. Joseph passed away at 2:50 p.m. Monday (March 30, 2015) at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at noon Thursday, April 2, 2015, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with the the Rev. Norm McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at the funeral home.

Edith was born Dec. 5, 1925, in Urbana, the daughter of Edward and Dottie Heater Munds. She married Robert W. Schiff on Sept. 20, 1947, in Urbana. He survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Don W.(Eva) Schiff of Pontiac, Darrell D. (Mary) Schiff of St. Joseph and Dale J. (Linda) Schiff of Collinsville; grandchildren, Andrea (Niel )Dose of Belvidere, Ingrid (Brandon) Schwoerer of Washington, Michael Schiff of Chicago, Troy (Ashley) Schiff of Urbana, Todd (Bailey) Schiff of Ogden, Kelli (Mat) Williams of Troy and Jennifer (Todd) Hecht of Troy; and great-grandchildren, Landon and Ingrid Dose, Nora and James Schwoerer, Owen Schiff, Dean Schiff, Beau Hauersperger, Noah Starr and Sam Starr.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Marguerite Bruce.

Edith was a member of First Baptist Church of Urbana. She drove a school bus for St. Joseph Grade School for 21 years; she also worked at Avis for 10 years. Edith helped farm for many years and liked to take bus trips and play bingo, and she enjoyed driving.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association.