Gale E. Painter

 VILLA GROVE - Gale E. Painter, 82, of Villa Grove passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday (Feb. 19, 2025) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

He was born on May 24, 1942, in Homer, to David and Agnes (Reynolds) Painter. He married Celeste "Dolly" McCabe on March 4, 1967.

He is survived by his son, Max (Jami) Painter; two grandsons, Andrew (Hannah Anderson) Painter and Alec (Bri Reifsteck) Painter; seven siblings, Hellen Painter, Judy (Jim) Wells, Harold Painter, Dale (Sandy) Painter, Lyle Painter, Jerry Painter and Terry Painter; and three brothers-in-law, Bill McCabe, John McCabe and Marty Reynolds.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolly Painter; parents, David and Agnes Painter; two siblings, Clarence Painter and Anna Markle; and one sister-in-law, Beverly Painter.

Gale attended and graduated from ABL High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for several years. After serving his country, he worked for the University of Illinois for 30 years and always enjoyed watching Illinois football and basketball.

Gale loved to be outdoors camping with his siblings and fishing with his grandsons, and enjoyed his time bowling with them as well. He truly enjoyed spending time with his family and was very close with all of his siblings.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 27, at Joines Funeral Home, Villa Grove, with a funeral service immediately following. Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/gale-painter-obituary?id=57651068

Sharon Ann Hoveln

Sharon Ann Hoveln, 81, of Rantoul passed away at 8:42 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the Villas of Holly Brook, Rantoul.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville with Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Kopmann Cemetery, Royal. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2025 in Diers Hall, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

Sharon was born July 25, 1943 in Streator, Illinois the daughter of Vernon and Helen Wilson Husted. She married Edgar E. Hoveln April 1, 1962 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. He preceded her in death June 18, 2023.

She is survived by children, Brenda (Doug) Barr of Ogden, Jeff (Shari) Hoveln of Urbana, Nancy (Steve) Valenti of Scottsdale, AZ, Julie (Dan) Pappas of Springfield; nine grandchildren, Jesse (Kaylee) Barr, Trent (Bailey) Hoveln, Ross (Rachel) Barr, Leah (Mason) Lakatos, Brant (Kate) Hoveln, Cade Valenti, Braedyn Pappas, Shay Valenti, Josie Pappas; 6 great grandchildren; a brother, Rob Husted; and two sisters, Janey Huls and Susie (Allan) Schlueter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edgar and a sister, Judy Blackford.

Sharon graduated from Armstrong High School in 1961 and the Avenue School of Beauty Culture in Champaign and was a beautician for a couple of years. In 1977 she and her husband founded Hoveln Heating & Cooling, Inc. where she was the office manager.

Sharon was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville where she was a former member of the Altar Guild, the Church Choir, helped with Vacation Bible School and was a past Church Council Secretary. Sharon was also an associate member of LaCasa de Crista Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, Arizona. She was a member of the Prairie A’s Model A Club and past president of the Prairieview PTO.

Sharon enjoyed sewing, scrapbooking and playing Euchre with her card club.
She always looked forward to wintering in Surprise, Arizona.

Memorials may be made to Kopmann Cemetery. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com. 

James Gilliland

 James Gilliland 76 of Ogden passed away at 6:50PM, Saturday, February 8, 2025 at home.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 14, 2025 at Sidney Christian Church, with Rev. Doug Krukewitt officiating.  Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney.  Visitation will be from 9-11AM Friday at the church.  Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is assisting with arrangements.

Mr. Gilliland was born January 18, 1949 in Danville, a son to Cloyd and Rosalie Lipscomb Gilliland.  He married Kathleen Lange on April 24, 1971 in Danville, she survives.  Also surviving are two children; Tony (Karen) Gilliland of Monticello and Tiffany (Mike) Barnfield of St. Peters, MO, five grandchildren; Brandon, Aubrey, and Colin Gilliland and Cadence and Connor Talbott, and two siblings; Gary (Judy) Gilliland of St. Joseph and Kathy (Steve) Seevers of St. Joseph, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim served in the Army National Guard from 1969 to 1978.  He was employed at Ameren Illinois.

He also served as Mayor of Ogden during the tornado of 1996.   He was a member of Sidney Chirstian Church.

Memorials may made to LovePackages.org.

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/James-Gilliland

Harold Paul Wilken

 
Harold Paul Wilken 84, of Gifford passed away at 9:28 A.M. Saturday February 15, 2025 at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana. Passed from this earth to join his family that proceeded him.

He was born in Stanton Township on October 12, 1940. To Meine Jacob Wilken and Grace Ella (Ackerman) Wilken. He attended grade school at Armstrong and Ellis, then graduated from high school at Rankin Township High School in 1959. In November of 1960, he married Linda Shroeder. Together they had two wonderful little girls, Sandra Lynn, and Patricia Ann. As a family they enjoyed many camping trips and attending the girls activities. That marriage was dissolved in 1979. In 1980, Harold met the love of his life and on July 18, 1981 he married Nancy Simmons. She was a wonderful step mother to the girls and a guardian angel to Harold as he went through several heart surgeries, and then in January of 2006 was blessed with a new heart. Harold was employed for many years at Campbell Dental Laboratory, where he got his start as a dental technician. In 1985, he joined Jerry Ragle at Ragle Dental Laboratory and retired from there in 1999, but did return for part time help when needed. He was always treated so well by his employers, who also helped him so much through his illnesses. 

 Harold is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Sandra Mohr of Urbana, and Patricia (Keith) Ball of Lebanon, IN. Four grandchildren; Chris (Carly) Tatman, Matt (Autumn) Tatman, Hayley (Rachel) Tatman, Hannah (Steffen) Ferguson. Five great-grandchildren; Madilynn Tatman, Colton Tatman, Jaxton Tatman, Emory Tatman and Jameson Tatman. Sister Emma Johnson of Gifford.

 Harold was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 10, 1955 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Gifford by Pastor William Ferne. He later became a member of Immanual Lutheran Church, Flatville.

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

 Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Friday February 21, 2025 at Immanual Lutheran Church, Flatville. Pastor Scott Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Kopmann Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Immanual Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be made to the Gift of Life Transplant House 705 2nd St. Rochester, MN 55902

https://www.freesefh.com/obituary/Harold-Wilken

John Wayne Chesnut

 SIDNEY - John Wayne Chesnut, 85, of Sidney passed away Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born on Aug. 31, 1939, in Sidney, to William Wayne and Violet Marie (Taylor) Chesnut. He married Judith Ann Gones on Sept. 2, 1960. She passed away on June 14, 2024.

John was a Unity High School graduate and a lifelong Rockets fan, as his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild all attended Unity schools and were involved in sports. He had a passion for horses, sports and farm life. John was a Boy Scout, participated in FFA and also showed Quarter Horses all over the Midwest, garnering several grand champions and owning an AQHA champion.

He worked for over 30 years for the Illinois Department of Transportation and was a road commissioner for Sidney Township. 

He is survived by his three daughters, Ramona (Pete) Harrison, Rebecca Chesnut and Ragina (Brian) Lindley; grandchildren, Taylor Black and Gracie Cox; great-grandson, Elijah Black; brothers Dean (Sandra) Chesnut, Chuck (Denise) Chesnut and Lee Chesnut; brother-in-law Doug (Linda) Gones; and sister-in-law Janet (Gones) Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; parents Jack and Bernice Gones; parents Wayne and Violet Chesnut; brother Dick Chesnut; sister, Norma Dunkman; sister-in-law Lisa Chesnut; and brother-in-law John Gones.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/john-chesnut-obituary?id=57488563

Private graveside services will be held at a later date.

Joseph Vernard Maddox Jr.

 Joseph Vernard Maddox, Jr., age 86, of Palatine, died at home on Saturday Feb. 1. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janice Corum Maddox, his sons Jack Peirce (Lorene), Dylan Maddox (Diana), and grandchildren, Evan, Ella, and Alex Peirce, Brynn and Finn Maddox. He is also survived by his brother William Clyde Maddox (Judy), seven nieces and nephews and their children. 

Joe was born on April 14, 1938, in Montgomery, Alabama. He was the son of Joseph V. Maddox, Sr. and Mary Watson Maddox. Joe graduated from Stark University Academy and Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery. While Joe was in high school the family moved to a farm south of Montgomery near Pike Road, AL.  He attended Auburn University and earned a B.S. and M.S. in Entomology. In 1961 he enrolled in the PhD. program at the University of Illinois but after a month in Urbana his Army National Guard unit was mobilized and he spent two years at Fort Polk, LA.  He completed his PhD in Entomology and Microbiology at the UI in 1966. Joe was then employed by the Illinois Natural History Survey as a research scientist in insect pathology.  In 1971 Joe married Janice and Jackie Peirce. Joe and Janice lived in Ogden, Illinois for 50 years. Joe served on the Ogden Grade School Board and coached Little League baseball. He continually remodeled their old house and built a two story barn. He retired in 1997 as INHS Principal Scientist and Professor of Agricultural Entomology, U.of I. After their retirements Joe and Janice enjoyed traveling and built a home near the Jack’s Fork River in the Missouri Ozarks. Joe loved the outdoors and spent many happy times with his sons and buddies, birding, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. They made many canoe trips to the Quetico National Park in Ontario, Canada. He especially enjoyed taking children on nature walks to discover insects and reptiles. In his retirement Joe developed the hobby of woodworking and built beautiful Shaker style cherry furniture. In 2022 Joe and Janice moved to Palatine, Illinois. Joe was known for his warmth, good humor and hilarious stories about his misadventures. He will be greatly missed and remembered with love. To honor Joe’s wishes no services will be held.

https://www.elegycremation.com/obituary/joseph-maddox

Janet M. Huls

Janet M. Huls, 84, of St. Joseph, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital, in Urbana.

She was born on December 17, 1940, in Urbana, the daughter of Charles and Margaret (Dorsey) Frye. She married Elmer Walter Huls on August 2, 1956, in Champaign County. He preceded her in death on January 14, 2020.

She is survived by one daughter- Karen (Ed) Ward of Gifford, IL; three sons- Larry Huls of St. Francisville, LA, Randy Huls of Prairieville, LA and Rodney Huls of St. Joseph, IL; two grandchildren- Adam Ward and Tyler Huls; one brother- Bob (Norma) Frye of Sudbury, MA; one sister- Caroyn Fitch of Ogden, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two grandsons- Gregory and Caleb Huls, and three brothers- Don, Ron and Ralph Frye.

Janet was a member of the Penfield-Gifford American Legion and Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Flatville. She enjoyed wintering in Florida for many years with her husband Elmer and fishing. She also enjoyed a cold beer and watching the Chicago Cubs and Fighting Illini play. Janet also enjoyed following her children and grandchildren in all their activities.

A Celebration of Janet's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2498 County Road 2100 E, Thomasboro, IL 61878, with Pastor Scott Smith officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, at the church. 

According to her wishes cremation rites have been arranged. She will be buried at a later date in Stanton Cemetery alongside Elmer and Caleb Huls. Memorials may be made in Janet's name to the donor's choice. The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Janet's life. 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/janet-huls-obituary?id=57452974

Paul Severins

GIFFORD - Paul Severins, 85, a lifetime resident of Gifford, passed away Friday morning (Jan. 31, 2025) at The Waters, Covington, Ind.

He was born March 9, 1939, on the family farm in rural Rantoul, a son of John and Anna (Franzen) Severins. He married Carol J. Meece in 1971. He later married Connie Babb in 1999 in Urbana. She survives.

Also surviving are two children, Stacy (Carissa) Severins of Gifford and Debbie Severins of Rockville, Ind.; and three stepdaughters, Jeanette (Kenny) During of Rantoul, Angela (Jeremy) Crawford of Treasure Island, Fla., and Sheri (Kevin) Sellers of Gifford. Also surviving are a brother, Gene (Beulah) Severins of Thomasboro; two sisters, Kathy (Melvin) Wilkin of Armstrong and Darlene (Dennis) Starkey of Paxton; four grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and four stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; a sister; a stepson, Shane Babb; and a grandson, Cody Messer.

He was a 1957 graduate of Rantoul Township High School. He entered the U.S. Army and served two years. He farmed on the family lands all his life and retired from Alltel Phone Company after 37 years of service.

Paul served on the Gifford Fire Department and the Gifford Village Board. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council. He also served on the Gifford German Fall Festival Board and was a member of the American Legion Post 996 in Royal. On Jan. 1, 1970, he joined the Gifford Lions Club and spent 55 years with them.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gifford.  The Rev. Gary Maxwell will officiate. Burial will follow in Huls Cemetery, Gifford. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at St. Paul's.

Memorials may be made to Faustman research for diabetes Type 1.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/paul-severins-obituary?id=57443458