Elizabeth Hafermann

 On Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 2025, Elizabeth Hafermann was called to her heavenly home to be with Jesus and her parents Reverend John and Ruth Hafermann, who served as missionaries for the American Lutheran Church.

 Elizabeth was born, October 24, 1962 in Papua, New Guinea. Elizabeth spent the first 12 years of her life living where she was born and Baptized. Along with her parents she moved to the United States in 1974 where they resided in Royal. Elizabeth attended grade school in Royal, and after that she attended St. Joseph-Ogden High School until she graduated in 1980. She was known as a sweet and well-liked young lady.
 Her father, John, died in 1988. Elizabeth continued to live with her mother, Ruth, until Thanksgiving 2017 when both Ruth and Elizabeth had serious health issues that required hospitalization for both. Her mother died on January 29, 2022. Elizabeth was a resident at Arcadia, in Danville from December 2017 until the summer of 2023, when she transferred to Arcadia in Bloomington and lived there until December of 2025. She suffered serious health issues her entire adult life.
 The funeral is at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday December 30, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.. Burial will be in Kopmann Cemetery.
 Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Royal.

Freese FH 12/25/2025

Margaret A. Brummet

Margaret A. Brummet, born October 6, 1931, in Champaign, Illinois, was the daughter of Jesse

F. McGinnis and Mary Jane McGinnis. She lived a life marked by quiet faith, deep devotion to

family, and a gentle, loving spirit.

Margaret married Robert O. Taylor on July 22, 1951. They shared 54 years together until his

passing in 2005. On June 9, 2007, she married Lyle S. Brummet, who survives her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard A. McGinnis; her son, Michael

A. Taylor; and a grandson.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Lyle S. Brummet; her daughters, Cheryl (Jeff) Heck and

Carol Taylor; her stepdaughters, Janie (Kent) Conder and Nancy (Roger) Childers; her

grandchildren, Keisha Taylor, Christian Heck, Dylan Heck, Justin (Carolyne) Conder, Janeen

(Brian) Shumard, Emily (Chase) Fairchild, Amanda Childers and four great-grandchildren.

A devout Christian, Margaret was a faithful member of the St. Joseph Church of Christ. She was

a quiet and somewhat shy woman, known for her soft-spoken manner, kindness, and gentle

nature. Family was always at the center of her life, and she showed her love in countless simple,

thoughtful ways.

For decades, Margaret was especially known for her homemade fruit pies, lovingly remembered

for their flaky crusts. She also had a lifelong love of sewing and found joy in creating with her

hands and reading. Later in life she loved to visit with family, take long walks, and enjoy nature

with Lyle.

Margaret retired from the University of Illinois, where she worked in the Housing Department of

Interior Design. Her work ethic, humility, and grace left a lasting impression on those who knew

her.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who were blessed to share in her life.

Services will be held at Freese Funeral home in St. Joseph, Illinois, on Thursday, January 8,

2026, with visitation from 10:00 to 11:30, memorial service immediately following at 11:30

followed by graveside prayers at Stearns Cemetery, Fithian, Illinois.

Freese FH 12/26/2025

Cary Lee Leerkamp

 Cary Lee Leerkamp, 81, passed away peacefully at home in rural Sidney surrounded by family on December 19th, 2025.  

He was born on June 23rd, 1944, on his father’s birthday.  His parents were Clifford and Dorothy (Myers) Leerkamp. They preceded him in death.  He graduated from ABL High School in 1962 and worked for many years as a farmer.

He married Pamela Ward, on August 31st, 1968, and she was the love of his life.  Cary was a loving father to children Melissa (Paul) Henrikson and Justin (Heidi) Leerkamp. He was a proud grandpa to Eleanor and Johanna Leerkamp and Tyler Henrikson.  His family survives.  

He is also survived by his sister, Glenda (Mike) Mooney and sister-in-law Sally (Morgan) Kousser and brother-in-law Steve (MaryAnn) Ward, as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Farming was more than a job for Cary, it was his passion and a legacy passed down to him from his father and grandfather. He loved talking shop with other farmers.  In his younger years, he enjoyed tractor pulling, and he had a lifelong interest in tractors and farm equipment.  He also was a big fan of Illini basketball and never missed a game.

Cary was actively involved in his community.  He was a member of Longview United Methodist Church and later the United Community Church of Broadlands.  He was a member of the Longview Volunteer Fire Department and Longview Lions Club, as well as serving as a trustee for Raymond Township for many years. Cary also served in the Illinois National Guard.

Cary was always willing to help out anyone in need. He enjoyed hard work and had a knack for figuring out how to fix things.  He built shops and helped build houses, he fixed up cars and tractors, and he came to the rescue many times for his family and friends by fixing things that had gone wrong.  He was reserved, but loved people, and always greeted his friends with a big smile, even until his final days.  

A visitation will be held at Joines Funeral Home in Villa Grove on Friday, December 26th from 4:00-7:00pm.  The funeral service will take place at the United Community Church of Broadlands on Saturday, December 27th at 11am with lunch following in the fellowship hall.  

Donations may be made to United Community Church of Broadlands, the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org), or the Longview Volunteer Fire Department.

Cary’s kind and generous spirit and big smile will be greatly missed.

https://www.joinesfuneralhome.com/obituary/Cary-Leerkamp

Edwin Louis Rademaker

 OAKWOOD — Edwin Louis Rademaker, 91, of Oakwood passed away Saturday (Dec. 13, 2025), surrounded by his loving family, at the Palliative Care Facility at Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System in Danville.

He was born Sept. 9, 1934, in Sellers, to the late William and Anna (Albers) Rademaker. On Nov. 28, 1957, he married JoAnn Loschen; she survives. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage.

Along with JoAnn, he is survived by ason, Jeffrey (Carolyn) Rademaker of Marshville, N.C.; daughter, Sheila (Paul) Walter of Indianapolis; two grandchildren, Nicholas Rademaker and Kirstyn (Christopher) Glidewell; and one great-grandson, Ronin Glidewell, all of Marshville.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Melvin, Eldon and Ray Rademaker.

He graduated from Rantoul Township High School in 1952 and worked for the Railway Express Agency for two years. Edwin joined the Army, along with his friend John Sherman, in January 1954 and was discharged in January 1956. While in the Army, he served in Germany and was able to see his grandfather and other family members in Ostfriesland in Northwestern Germany.

He retired from the United Parcel Service in 1994 after 37 years. He was very proud of his work and would always offer safe driving tips to anyone who would listen.

Ed enjoyed polishing his classic cars and trucks and showing them at car shows. All of his friends knew him as “Eddie.” Another of his favorite activities was riding his beloved John Deere lawn mower and keeping a beautiful lawn. Ed and JoAnn enjoyed playing euchre over the years with family and friends.

Ed and JoAnn attend St. John’s Lutheran Church in Royal, where they served as ushers and altar guild for many years.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at St. John Lutheran Church, 203 E. Church St., Royal, with the Rev. Emil Blobaum officiating. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church in Royal or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at baierfuneralservices. com.

NG 12/17/2025

Mark Aldrich Warwick

 HOMER — Mark Aldrich Warwick, 75, of Homer passed away at 5:10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Mark’s peaceful passing was attended by family members, including his grandchildren, children, spouse, niece, brother and friends of the family.

Mark was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on Nov. 1, 1950, to the late Charles and Betty Warwick of Urbana.

Mark is survived by three siblings, Joyce Warwick of Fairfield, Iowa, Dr. Susan Warwick Fisher of Delaware, Ohio, and Charlie Warwick of Champaign.

Mark lived most of his life in the Champaign-Urbana area. A 1968 graduate of Urbana High School, he attended Parkland Community College and subsequently began a long career of 40-plus years as a mental-health professional, first at the Adolph Meyer Zone Center in Decatur, followed by employment at Adler Zone Center in Champaign. His final place of employment was at the Developmental Services Center in Champaign, where he taught job skills to developmentally challenged adults.

Mark was a poised and compassionate mentor to his charges, sensitive to their learning styles and abilities. He had an infamous sense of humor and was not above wearing a clown nose to work and other social gatherings to help keep the atmosphere light and upbeat, if not a bit irreverent.

In junior high school, Mark played football as a fullback on offense and a lineman on defense. But his love of football ultimately gave way to his true lifelong passion for playing guitar. Mark helped form a local rock ‘n’ roll group called “The Varmits” in 1964 and ‘65. That group morphed into the “Finchley Boys” in the following year. Mark was the group’s first lead guitarist, and they developed a large following not only in Champaign-Urbana but ultimately throughout downstate Illinois and the Chicago area.

Mark married the late Victoria R. Fash of Carmel, Calif., in 1969. They have a daughter, Quaker Warwick of Homer. Quaker’s children are Abby Clark of Delaware, Ohio, who with her partner, Will Adamchak, have three daughters, Brianna (15), Madelyn (11) and Aria (10); a second daughter, Carol Clark, also lives in Delaware, Ohio. Quaker’s third daughter is Ruby Phelps of Thorntown, Ind. She and her husband, Michael Phelps, have a daughter, Addison (4).

Mark’s second wife is Jan Caffrey of Urbana. She and Mark have two children, Aryn Makenna of Urbana and Sean Warwick of Sunnyvale, Calif. Aryn and husband Mike Giberson have a son, Taegan Giberson (18) of Urbana. Aryn also has a daughter, Kelsey Hamilton (25) of Urbana. Sean Warwick is married to Hao Zhang.

Mark had a quiet, spiritual side. He learned transcendental meditation in 1971 and continued to practice it for the rest of his life. He inspired both his children and grandchildren to take up the practice.

The family plans on holding a private memorial service for Mark in the near future. If friends and colleagues wish to gather to celebrate Mark’s life, his daughter Quaker will host a gathering at Mark’s home in Homer. She can be contacted at quakerwarwick@gmail.com.

Mark’s family kindly requests, in lieu of flowers, that well-wishers send donations to the Urbana High School Music and Drama Department.

NG 12/5/2025

Roberta Robbins Bleichner

 Mrs. Roberta Robbins Bleichner passed away on Nov 27th 2025. "Berta", was born on July 26th 1942 in Sidney to Robert and Hazel Wilsey Heath Robbins who preceded her in death. She was a 1960 Graduate of Unity High School, and on Dec. 26th 1961 She married the late Paul Bleichner of Tolono. She was the mother of three, Marcella (Jim) Moon of Janera, Ohio, Chris Bleichner of Wapakoneta, Ohio, and William Bleichner of Tolono.                                                                            

  In 1966, the family moved to Lima Ohio and she remained in Ohio until 2012, returning to Illinois upon retirement at the age of 70. She was a lifelong seamstress, tailoring and altering clothing and uniforms. She also made many Wedding Gowns and Prom dresses. Roberta had many jobs over the years, sometimes two or three at a time. She was a church secretary at Calvary United Church of Christ in Lima for several years and also worked at The Piece Goods fabric store and Master Maintenance for many years. She then moved to Findlay and worked at Red Lobster for 12 years. Upon returning to Tolono, she spent her time volunteering at the Tolono food pantry, The Giving Place, the Downtown Garden Club, The Tolono Historical Society and cooked and served meals for funeral services in Tolono.  She was also a member of the Stitch & Sew quilting club in Tolono.

                   She was a woman of strong faith and was a member of the Tolono Methodist Church, where she had a strong bond with her Church family and friends.

                    Roberta is also survived by seven Grandchildren, Mathew (Mandy) Miller and Scot (Kylee) Miller of Spencerville Ohio, Michele (Conner) Fewell of Westerville Ohio Tiffany (Josh) Black of Urbana, Bradley (Allisha) Bergman, and Brent (Heather) Bergman of Botkins Ohio and Leslie (Matt) Sawmiller of Findlay Ohio, as well as 20 Great Grandchildren, whom she greatly cherished, and many nieces and nephews.

                     She was also preceded in death by four sisters, Maxine (Harold) Ruhe, Dorothy (John) Burr, Marjorie (Art) Peters, and Mildred (Bill) Davis, as well as two brothers, Lyle Robbins and Ben (Doris) Heath.

                     A Memorial service will be held at Freese funeral home in Tolono on Saturday Dec. 13th at 1pm, with a 2 hour visitation prior to the service.

Freese FH 12/4/2025

Dixie Frieden

 Dixie Frieden 91, of Champaign formerly of St. Joseph passed away at 6:35 P.M. Tuesday December 2, 2025 at her home.

 Dixie was born December 11, 1933 in Altamont. The daughter of Leo and Lillian (Smith) Logue. She married Henry Frieden on April 12, 1953 in St. Joseph. He preceded her on February 18, 2007.

 She is survived by her children; Pete Frieden of Champaign, Kathy (Dennis) Bott of Ogden, Lori (Gary) Duitsman of Ogden, Paul Frieden of Champaign. 9 grandchildren; Ashley Tennill, Kelsey Gilbert, Jesse Frieden, Lacy Frieden, Rebecca Bott, Michael Bott, Amie Byers, Rad Duitsman, Shelby Frizzo. 7 great-grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, and 1 great-granddaughter.

 Dixie was a member of the Vermilion Heights Christian Church, Danville.

 She enjoyed puzzles, going out, cooking and her cats.

 Mermorials may be made to Vermilion Heights Christian Church 725 Oakwood Ave. Danville, IL 61832.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday December 7, 2025 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Pastor Rod Godley will officiate. Burial will be in Stearns Cemetery, Fithian. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Freese FH 12/4/2025