Morris Davis

SIDNEY – Morris Davis, 89, of Sidney, formerly of Longview, died at 6:15 a.m. Tuesday (April 25, 2017) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29, at Sidney Christian Church, 305 E. Main St., Sidney, the Rev. Barry West officiating. Burial will be in Fairfield Cemetery, Newman. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main St., Sidney, assisted with arrangements.

Debra S. Wright

OGDEN — Debra S. Wright, 63, of Ogden died at 3:28 p.m. Sunday (April 23, 2017) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 28, at the Ogden Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. J.D. Garlock officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana.

Debra was born on Oct. 2, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Ind., the daughter of John Michael and Hope

Ramos Eavey, who survive in Fort Wayne. She married Terrill Wright on Aug. 5, 1970, in Urbana; he survives.

Also surviving are her children, Jennifer S. (Kevin) Budd of Fort Wayne, Ind., John Ryan Wright of St. Joseph, Josiah (Jami) Wright of New Haven, Ind., James (Bailee) Wright of Fithian, Joel Wright of Fithian, Jordan (Brittany) Wright of Ogden and Jillayna (Steven) Skinner of Tolono, brother, Michael (Amy) Eavey of Fort Wayne, Ind.; sister, Teresa (Paul) Smith of Shelbyville, Tenn.; and 10 grandchildren.

Debra attended the Ogden Church of the Nazarene.

Debra loved sewing, embroidering,

cooking, Southern gospel music and, most importantly, her grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ogden Church of the Nazarene.

Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel. com.

WRIGHT

Bill Williams

ST. JOSEPH – Bill Williams, 78, of St. Joseph passed away at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday (April 19, 2017) at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Danville.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Paul Dinges officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Bill was born in Kingston, Pa., on March 8, 1939, to Ralph and Charlotte Pugh Williams.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph Jr. and Jack; as well as a sister, Rachel Richards.

He is survived by a son, William "Billy" M. (Tram) Williams Jr. of Monticello; a daughter, Brenda (Rick) Kinkade of Mahomet; as well as six grandchildren, Shane (Erin) Bryant of Beresford, S.D., Kristen Bryant of Mahomet, Kevin Bryant of Mahomet, Heather (Tim) Schrage of Quincy, Derek Williams of Monticello and Zack Kinkade of Mahomet; also stepson, David (Julia) Cross of Urbana; stepdaughter, Lisa (Jeff) Bathe of Hudson; step-grandchildren, Bryan Bathe of Hudson and Isabel Cross of Urbana; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

Bill worked at Meadow Gold Dairy for 37 years, retiring just before it closed in 1996. He then worked at St. Joseph High School and drove a school bus.

Bill was married to Judith Heggenbart and later married Phyllis Swanson, both survive.

He served on the St. Joseph Fire Department for three years, and in the U.S. Air Force for four years at Chanute Air Force Base and two years in the reserves. He served as vice president of the Meadow Gold Credit Union for two years.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the donor's choice.

Mary Carson Fisher

ST. JOSEPH – Mary Fisher, 72, of St. Joseph passed away on Sunday morning (April 16, 2017) at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at noon Tuesday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Paul Dinges officiating. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.

Mary was born on July 2, 1944, at Champaign, the daughter of Raymond and Naomi Leonard Carson. She married Glen Fisher on June 5, 1965, at St. Joseph. He survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Leslie Fisher of Champaign; granddaughter, Karsyn Peters of St. Joseph; and two sisters, Carol Walker and Deanna Judy, both of St. Joseph.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Andrew; and daughter, Karen Fisher-Peters.

Mary worked at the American Savings and Loan in St. Joseph, later Busey Bank.

She was active in her church, St. Joseph United Methodist Church.

She enjoyed following St. Joseph-Ogden sports. She also her Friday morning breakfast on game days.

Frank Carter

ST. JOSEPH – Frank Carter, 84, of St. Joseph died at 10:53 p.m. Friday (April 14, 2017) at Clark-Lindsey of Urbana.

Frank was born in Wayne County on Dec. 5, 1932, to Johnnie R. Carter and Eva (Melrose) Carter. He attended school in Flora and later in Urbana where he graduated from Urbana High School in 1952.

He served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Amarillo, Texas.

He married the love of his life, Luella Joyce Hall, on July 23, 1960, in Champaign and they shared 51 years of marriage together. She preceded him in death on Dec. 26, 2011.

They raised three children, Lenore Shaffer (deceased), Curtis (Angela) Carter of St. Joseph and Judith (Rand) Broutin of Edwards, Ill.

Other survivors include grandchildren, LeAnne (Tyler) Uden of Monticello, Joseph Shaffer of Wisconsin, Stephanie (Chase) Gilliland of St. Joseph, Derek Carter of St. Joseph, Taylor Broutin of Edwards and Cord (Cassie) Shaffer; and great-grandchildren, Carson, Cutler, Colton Uden, Camden Yette, Josiah and Canaan Shaffer.

He was the oldest of 10 siblings of which four now survive, Ken (Fran) Carter, Sharon Brost, Lynda (Dale) Matejkowski and J.D. Carter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Russell, Carroll Ray, Larry and Jerry; and one sister, Elnora.

Frank worked as a building service worker at the University of Illinois and Kobelt Apartments.

He was an active member of the Church of Christ in St. Joseph, where he served many years as a deacon. He also attended Weber Street Church of Christ.

He was also a member and past commander of the St. Joseph American Legion. He belonged to the St. Joseph Senior Citizens.

Frank enjoyed talking with others, watching the weather and spending time with family and friends.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with David Barcus officiating. Entombment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery, Urbana. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Kevin Brown

ST. JOSEPH – Kevin Lester Brown was born on May 18, 1959, to Wayne Brown and Susanne Middleton Brown in Madison, Wis.

He deeply loved his three siblings, Becky (Teresa Souders) Brown of New Glarus, Wis., Christopher (Gretchen) Brown of Stoughton, Wis., and Kathy (Rick) Monson of Monroe, Wis.

He also cherished his nieces (Emily and Samantha Monson) and nephews (A.J. and Chander Brown).

In 2000, Kevin married Amy Fischer in Madison. They moved to St. Joseph, Ill., in 2005. They had a large four-legged family and provided a loving foster home to countless shelter animals over the years.

Kevin was famous for his handcrafted cat trees, which he happily made for friends and family, and also donated to various animal-related charities.

Kevin was a highly skilled heavy-equipment operator and enjoyed a long career in construction, both as an operator and in management. In Illinois, he was employed with Stark Excavating (Champaign).

Upon retirement in 2014, he began to explore and develop other talents, such as welding, woodworking, gardening and arboriculture.

He also provided extensive and invaluable behind-the-scenes support for his wife's professional activities in Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois.

Kevin joined his heavenly Father on April 8, 2017. He was truly a selfless, kind and generous man. He will be deeply missed.

A celebration of Kevin's life will be held on Saturday, April 22, at the Homer Lake Forest Preserve (Salt Fork Center). It will be an open house from 4 to 8 p.m., with a brief service at 5 p.m.

An additional celebration will be held in Madison on Sunday, April 30, at Warner Park, with an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a service at 11:30 a.m.

Parties wishing to make memorial donations are offered suggestions of the Danville Rescue Mission or their local animal shelter.

Arrangements were handled by Kirby Funeral Home, Homer.

Orthalyne Alise Rohl Ressler

HOMER – Orthalyne Alice Ressler, 92, of Homer passed away at 2:28 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2017, at Newman Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Newman.

Funeral services will be private. Burial will take place in GAR Cemetery, Homer. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, April 17, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer.

Orthalyne was born November 14, 1924, in Homer, the oldest child of William and Thelma Heselden Rohl. She married Paul Johnson in 1946. He preceded her in death. She then married Bob Ressler.

She is survived by one granddaughter, Stephanie, and two great-grandchildren in Pennsylvania; two brothers, Orville Rohl of Homer and Bill (Marti) Rohl of St. Joseph; many nieces and nephews; stepchildren; step-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Barbara; two sisters, Olive Neilhaus and Betty Irwin; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Rohl.

Orthalyne lived many years in Ohio and Pennsylvania, until returning to Homer in 1987. She worked at the Homer Library for several years. She was a member of Art Needle Club and Eastern Star. She loved to read, sew and knit.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of Newman Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for all their care and loving support.

Memorials can be to Homer Fire Department or GAR Cemetery.

Donnie Haynes

SIDNEY – Donnie Haynes, 66, of Sidney passed away at 7:26 p.m. Thursday, April 13, 2017, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main, Sidney, is in charge of arrangements.

Donnie was born June 17, 1950, in Urbana, the son John and Eva Kingston Haynes. He married Vickie Holt in 1999, in Urbana. She survives.

Survivors include a daughter, Dawn Marie Haynes; two sisters, Myron Cooper of Fisher and Nancy Pfeiffer of Texas; and a brother, Kenny Haynes of Sidney.

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

Donnie liked to mow with his John Deere mower. He loved traditional archery and bow hunting.

Donations may be made to the family to help with expenses.

Dick L. Peters

HOMER – Dick L. Peters, 83, of Homer passed away at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (April 13, 2017) at his home.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Pastor Raymie Gordon will officiate. Burial will be in GAR Cemetery, Homer. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the funeral home.

Dick was born on April 30, 1933, in Urbana, the son of Clarence and Gladys Swearingen Peters. He married Betty Bukowski on Nov. 23, 1954, in Oakland, Calif. She survives.

Survivors also include son, Randy (Nancy) Peters of Holden, Maine; daughter, Lynn Peters of Monticello; son, Ronald (Salena) Peters of Urbana; grandchildren, Lindsey (Stuart) Purcell, Nicole (Ian) Stanberry, Dana (Dan) Arney, Christopher (Mackenzie) Peters, Katie Peters, Laura (Andrew) VanMeerbeke and David Peters; sister, Joan (Lowell) Terry of Crystal Lake; and great-grandchildren, Scarlet, Ella, Irelyn, Jacelyn and Chase.

Dick was a member of Homer Masonic Lodge.

He owned and operated the Shell Station and Custard Cup in Homer.

Dick taught science and was a coach at the Ogden grade school for 25 years. He was a self-employed flooring contractor, owning his own business for 10 years.

Dick served in the Navy during the Korean War where he was a radio operator for military transport planes.

He was an avid Cubs fan and loved golfing, bowling and hunting.

The family would like to express their thanks to Homer Rescue.

Memorials can be made to Homer Fire and Rescue.

Marilyn Reese Blaze

GALESBURG – Marilyn Reese Blaze, 91, formerly of Galesburg, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Lombard.

She was born on March 2, 1926, to Marian (Sadler) and Harry Cook Reese in St. Joseph. A 1944 graduate of St. Joseph High school, she attended the Fine Arts School of the University of Illinois.

On March 17, 1946, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart Francis L. Blaze upon his return from World War II.

The Blazes moved to Galesburg in 1954 and in 1960 they bought acreage outside Knoxville, Ill., where they established the Blaze Nursery, a landscaping and greenhouse nursery business servicing the local area. Marilyn operated a gift shop, The Tree House, along with the nursery and continued her painting that she had started when in Galesburg as a charter member of a small group of artists known as the "Studio."

She became well-known for her paintings on barn wood, much of it taken from their own barn, and depicting scenes of her early childhood. In 1964, she had a one-man show at Marshall Field's State Street store followed by shows at art galleries located in Detroit's Dayton Hudson and Lord and Taylor in New York City department stores.

When they closed the nursery, the Blazes established Barnstone Farm to continue Marilyn's artwork as well as provide a destination for locals to visit the gallery along with enjoying Frank's petting zoo.

Marilyn also taught art at Carl Sandburg Junior College in Galesburg.

In 1983, she was commissioned to paint the Stations of the Cross for St. Aloysius Church in Wataga, Ill.

Marilyn and Frank were part of the "Barn Pals," a group of local artists, at Walnut Grove Farm and would exhibit Marilyn's artwork there during the Spoon River Scenic Drive and during the Christmas season.

In 2012, she published her book "Eda's Comfort," a story she wrote and illustrated about her great-grandmother.

Marilyn was the cherished wife of Francis "Frank" Blaze and sister to her younger brother, Alan Cook Reese, both who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Cary) Brown, and son, Jonathan (Lisa) Blaze; five grandchildren, Elizabeth and James Brown, Rachel (Matthew) Stoughton, Alexandra and McKenzie Blaze; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Elliette and Jack Stoughton.

Also surviving are a sister, Rosemary Simonson, many nieces and nephews and cousins.

She moved from Galesburg in 2015, relocating to the Chicago area to be closer to her children and her sister and other family members.

Cremation has been accorded. Burial will be at the Abraham Lincoln National Veterans Cemetery, Elwood, on April 17 alongside Frank, a World War II and Korean War veteran. A Celebration of Life will be held at Walnut Grove Farm, later this spring.

Memorials can be made to Advocate Hospice at Advocate Charitable Foundation, 3075 Highland Pkwy F 16, Downers Grove, IL 60515, or Historic Walnut Grove Farm, 1455 Knox Station Road, Knoxville, IL 61448.

Arrangements have been provided by Brown Funeral Home, Manteno.

Edward W. Brooks

URBANA — Edward W. Brooks, 82, of Summer Shade, Ky., formerly of Urbana, Fisher and St. Joseph, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2017, at the Hospice House of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green, Ky.

He was born in Illinois, the son of the late Les and Mintie Hunt Brooks.

He was a retired homebuilder and farmer. He attended Glasgow Wesleyan Church.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Alice Basham Brooks; two sons, David Brooks (Lisa) of St. Joseph and Jeff Brooks of Summer Shade, Ky.; three daughters, Connie Blacker (Larry) of Inverness, Fla., Linda Flickinger (Jim) of Glasgow, Ky., and Cindy Fox of Jasper, Ind.; one brother, James Brooks of Illinois; one sister, Ann Hood of Illinois; nine grandchildren, Danny Blacker (Crissy), Matt Blacker (Vicki), Joey Blacker, Jim-Bob Flickinger, Chanda England (Josh), Justin Flickinger (Misty), Celee Wyatt (Billy), Jamie Brooks (Nichole)

and Abby Brooks; three step-grandchildren, Tristan, Tyler and Tanner Key; 14 great-grandchildren, Madison, Andrew, Noah and Lexie Blacker, Kora, Ryan, and Tessa England, Jake, Khloe, Eli and Andrew Flickinger, Kinley Wyatt, Hailey and Lilly Brooks; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dogs, Buddy, Maggie, Rally and Annie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, a brother, two stepbrothers, a sister, two stepsisters and a nephew.

Mr. Brooks’ wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial contribution may be made to your local Humane Society or Hospice of Southern Kentucky.

The long long night has passed. He is home at last.

Linda Huffman

ROYAL – Linda Huffman, 72, of Royal passed away at 3:45 p.m. Saturday (April 8, 2017) at Country Health Nursing Home, Gifford.

Memorial services will be held at noon Friday, April 14, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Jay Johnson officiating. Inurnment will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.

Linda was born on Nov. 3, 1944, at Danville, the daughter of Francis and Ella Juanita Jordan Bell. She married James D. Huffman on Sept. 13, 1969, at Urbana. He preceded her in death on June 1, 2016.

She is survived by her children, Sheri (Michael) Woller of Champaign and Jay (Pam) Huffman of St. Joseph; four grandchildren, Aaron Woller and Nolan Woller, Carter and Claire Huffman; and one sister, Dorothy Gabbard of Beecher City.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Richard McCollom.

Linda was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal.

She formerly worked as a nurse's aide at the Champaign County Nursing Home and at Superior Printing, Champaign.

She was a homemaker most of her life. Linda was a Cubs fan and enjoyed listening to Elvis.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Country Health Nursing Home.

Robert E. Weaver

ST. JOSEPH — Robert E. Weaver, 97, of St. Joseph passed away at 7:40 a.m. Tuesday (April 4, 2017) at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Scott Millis and the Rev. Paul Dinges officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Bob was born on Jan. 3, 1920, at St. Joseph, the son of Charles M. and Della A. Farner Weaver. He married Bernice C. Cress on Oct. 11, 1953, at Martel, Tenn. She died on June 27, 1998.

He is survived by one son, Charles R. Weaver of Henderson, Nev.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four brothers and six sisters.

Bob served as postmaster at St. Joseph from 1950 to 1980.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps for four years during World War II. He served on the invasion convoy to North Africa and also served in India.

He was a member of the St. Joseph United Methodist

Church and St. Joseph Senior Citizens. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 634 and served as past commander. He was past president of the St. Joseph Lions Club and early member of the St. Joseph Fire Department, and belonged to 40 and 8.  He was a member of St. Joseph Masonic Lodge No. 970 and the Valley of Danville Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite

He was the St. Joseph Citizen of the Year in 1980 and served as the grand marshal of the Fall Festival Parade in 2011. He also served as the guest of honor at the 2011 homecoming football game, having attended St. Joseph football games for over 80 years.

Because of a letter written by his son to Sen. John McCain requesting help, Bob was a guest of the base commander at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Ariz., for the 2016 Air Show on Heroes Day. He was escorted by Lt. Col. Roy viewing all the planes on the flight Line and Air schedule.

Bob enjoyed traveling to Europe and Hawaii. He also took seven cruises to Mexico and visited most of the States.

He wintered in Tucson for 36 years and was the oldest person in the RV park.

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

JoAnn Rush Phillips

JoAnn (Rush) Phillips, 72, Attica, passed away in the Parkview Nursing Center, Attica, at 8:22 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

JoAnn was born in St. Joseph, Illinois on Aug. 21, 1944.  She was the daughter of the late Lowell and Cora Alice (Eddy) Rush.

JoAnn married Luther D. Phillips on April 23, 1988 in Attica. JoAnn was raised and educated in St. Joseph, Illinois.  She moved to Attica in 1969.

JoAnn and her husband owned and operated the Spartan Inn in Wingate for several years.

JoAnn was a former member of the Church of the Nazarene Attica, where she served as youth leader.  She was an excellent cook and baker.  She enjoyed playing bingo and was a member of the Bunco Club.  She liked to travel and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Eagles Lodge, serving as president several times.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

She leaves behind her husband, Luther Phillips of 29 years; three daughters, Pamela (Les) Scheffer of Lafayette, Kim Clark of Lafayette and Kathy (Justin) Cline of Oakwood, Illinois; three step-daughters, Penny (Ken) Krout of Veedersburg, Patty (Joe) Carter of Wingate and Marla (Jack) Tanner of Marshfield; a step-son, Timothy (Angela) Phillips of Attica; 23 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter; a brother, Robert (Angel) Rush of Oakwood, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by a son, Richard (Emily) Vallangeon, Jr.; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Friends may call at the Maus Funeral Home, Attica, from 11 a.m. until service time at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2017 with Rev. Curtis Rush officiating.  Burial will follow in the Old Baptist Cemetery, west of Newtown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to www.mausfuneralhome.com.