Dorothy Sjuts Bunten

 RANTOUL - Dorothy Sjuts Bunten, 82, of Rantoul died peacefully at home at 7:06 a.m. Sunday (April 14, 2024).

She was born on Feb. 10, 1942, to Henry and Katie (Onnen) Sjuts. She married James Bunten on July 11, 1980, in Rantoul. He survives.

Dorothy attended St. Joseph High School and went on to attend Mr. Michael's school of cosmetology, receiving her cosmetology license.

Dorothy worked in several hair salons and at one time co-owned her own. In 1975, she obtained her bus-driving certificate. She drove for Gifford Grade School and then in 1977 went on to drive for Chanute Air Force Base until the base was closed. At that time, she drove for RTHS until she retired at 2007.

Dorothy was a member of the Ostfriesian Heritage Society for many years as well as an avid bowler.

She is survived by her sister, Louise Sjuts Brownfield of Thomasboro; sons, Deon (Lisa) Mennenga of Rantoul, Derald (Linda) Mennenga of Gifford and Aaron (Cindy) Tuller of Gifford; stepdaughter, Nanci Moore of Enid, Okla.; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Darlene Sjuts Walker; and a grandson.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the American Lutheran Church, 500 Church St., Rantoul. The Rev. James Lehmann will officiate. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery, Thomasboro. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the services. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News-Gazette from Apr. 16 to Apr. 17, 2024.

Jared Lewis Stanfield

 

HOMER - Jared Lewis Stanfield, 73, of Homer passed away at 1:40 p.m. Monday, May 13, 2024, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 17, at Homer Funeral and Cremation Services, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Pastor Raymie Gordon will officiate. Burial will take place in G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer. There will be a visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Jared was born Oct. 10, 1950, in Urbana, the son of Russel and Helen Alice Malloch Stanfield. He married Pamela Davis on July 16, 1988, in Urbana. She survives.

Survivors also include four children, Eric (Jamie) Stanfield of Homer, Matt (Michelle) Bundy of Philo, Amanda (Eric) Turnbough of New Lenox and Ethan (Vanessa) Stanfield of Homer; two sisters, Maryann Childers of Homer and Lona Ennen of Roberts; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his best buddy and wonder dog, Ruby.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Joe, John, Teresa, Jock and Cindy.

Jared worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad for many years. He was a member of the NRA and an avid gun collector. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, tinkering in the garage and riding in his golf cart to visit friends around town.

Memorials can be made to Diabetes Foundation.

Published by The News-Gazette on May 16, 2024.

Florence Ackerman

 GIFFORD - Florene Ackerman, 81, of Gifford passed away peacefully at 8:55 a.m. Friday (May 17, 2024) at Country Health Care & Rehab, Gifford.

Florene was born in Champaign on Dec. 29, 1942, to Mane and Grace Buhs Fruhling.  She married Derald Ackerman on Dec. 4, 1963, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville.

She is survived by her husband, Derald of Gifford; two sons, Dion (Colleen) Ackerman of Sun Prairie, Wis., Michael (Cheryl) Ackerman of rural Rantoul; six grandchildren, Zachary, Ashlee, Kellie and Lane Ackerman, Danielle (Reid) Butts and Anthony Krizman; and her great-grandson, Brecken.

She is also survived by her sister, Rosetta Suits of Penfield; sister-in-law, Donna DeHaven of Springfield, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews and dear lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Arnold and Alma Ackerman; and brothers-in-law, Kenneth Suits and Delmar Ackerman.

Florene graduated from Rantoul Township High School in 1960. She retired from Verizon Telephone Company on Rantoul.

She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving on many committees and also working part time for the church. Florene was instrumental in the founding of the German Fall Festival Building in Gifford and also enjoyed cooking for events at the Gifford Community Building.

Florene enjoyed planting flowers, being around her many friends and helping in any way she could. She loved farming with her husband and sons.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, with the Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at baierfuneralservices.com.

Published by The News-Gazette from May 18 to May 20, 2024.

Terrance Wayne Weiss

 
Terrance Wayne Weiss (Terry) was born in Staunton, Illinois, on April 6, 1953, and peacefully passed away in his Ogden, Illinois home of 33 years on May 5, 2024, at the age of 71.

Terry's life was marked by a strong work ethic and fun-loving spirit. He served four years in the United States Navy from 1972 to 1976. Following his service, Terry spent over four decades traveling across Illinois and Indiana with his family's carnival gaming business, where he owned and operated the Mouse Game. A family favorite, visited year after year by generations of followers. Terry loved to laugh, joke, and have fun with returning customers who often became lifelong friends and an extended family he created memories with, on and off the traveling circuit.

In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Terry served the local Illinois community for 14 years, working full time with the Illinois Department of Transportation's Highway Maintenance division, until his well-deserved retirement in 2023. 

Terry was a faithful believer who maintained a private, yet strong personal relationship with Christ. He was an avid animal lover, often sharing a snack of cheese or a recliner blanket with one of his two furry companions. In his younger years, he was a dedicated golfer, frequently seen on the golf course during breaks between carnival circuit stops. He found joy in reading the Bible, the works of Tom Clancy and John Grisham, the melodies of country music, a nice glass of Chivas scotch, and the tranquility of bird watching or observing wildlife. Known for his appreciation of simplicity, Terry held honesty as his most valued virtue. 

Terry was a loving and proud husband, father, and grandfather. Survived by his devoted wife Susan Weiss of 35 years, daughter Yancey Stewart, and son-in-law Shane Stewart, of Woodstock, Ga. He enjoyed following the sports adventures and academic pursuits of his grandchildren, including granddaughter Arianna Pappas (17), grandson Rowan Stewart (10), and two bonus granddaughters Sophia Stewart (21) and Ella Stewart (23).  

Terry is survived by his sister Debby McCullough, along with many extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Jean Hudgins, and father, Henry Weiss.

A celebration of life will be held on May 11, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Freese Funeral Home, St. Joe, Illinois, with a service to follow at 2 p.m. Family and friends will gather to share their fondest memories and love of Terry. At his request, please dress casual.

May his memory be eternal, and he rest in peace.

Memorials may be made to the Ogden-Royal Fire Protection District.

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Terry-Weiss

Basil Aumiller

 Basil Aumiller, age 91, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the age of 91.

Basil was born in Iuka, IL and grew up in St. Joseph, IL where he was a lettered high school athlete and a bit of a hell raiser. He proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War. 

Basil met and married his wife, Pat, and moved south to work for the Federal Grain Service and for Pat and Basil to raise their family.  After retiring from the FGS, Pat and Basil packed up their stuff and “headed for the hills” of Arkansas.

Our dad loved his family, coffee, bologna sandwiches, his homestead in Arkansas, and the countless friends he made throughout his 91 years. He leaves behind a sister, daughters, son-in-laws, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother-in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

After being welcomed into the arms of his Savior, we’d like to think that Pat, who predeceased Basil, will be waiting with a pot of “cowboy coffee” and a to-do list.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Chimes Fire Department, 169 Housley Loop, Leslie, AR 72645, a volunteer organization that our dad was incredibly proud of.  A small graveside service will be held at the Southeast Veterans Cemetery in Slidell, Louisiana, on Friday, May17, 2024, at 10:00am.

Thank you to our friends and family who helped us with our parents’ journey. Thank you, also, to the caring staff at Fidelis Northshore in Mandeville, Louisiana.

https://www.honakerforestlawn.com/obituary/basil-aumiller?lud=07B80A773913C4D96E011A9DB1975289

Maxine E. Nelson

 Maxine E. Nelson 96, of St. Joseph passed away at 10:56 A.M. Sunday April 21, 2024 at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton.

 Maxine was born May 26, 1927 in Independence, IA. The daughter of Walter A. and Genevive E. (Taylor) Ulm. She married Louis James Nelson on September 26, 1946 in Jubilee, IA. He preceded her in death on February 16, 2017.

 She is survived by her children; James D. Nelson of Brookshire, TX, Deborah (Frank) Lehoski of Houston, TX, Gregory H. Nelson of Littleton, CO, Rebecca N. (Pete) Kaudravi of Ormond Beach, FL, Susan (Marty) McLain of St. Joseph. 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

 She was preceded by her parents, 1 brother, 1 sister, 1 son-in-law, 1 grandchild and 2 great-grandchild.

 Maxine was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. She was a graduate of Jesup Consolidated Schools, Jesup, IA, she also attended classes at Parkland College.

 She was a housewife and mother for many happy years.

 She worked at the National Headquarters of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity in Champaign, retiring on December 31, 1989.

 Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday April 27, 2024 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 802 E. Douglas St. St. Joseph. Pastor Andrew Jones will officiate. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at the church.

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

 Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church or donor's choice.

Freese FH 4/27/2024