Fred White

Fred White

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Fred E. White, 76, longtime broadcaster in Kansas City and the Midwest, passed away on May 15, 2013, at the Kansas City Hospice House.
He was born May 29, 1936, in the small town of Homer, to Edward E. and Mary Kate (Frazier) White. His death coincidentally came one day after announcement of his pending retirement from the Kansas City Royals, where he served as Director of Broadcast Services and Royals' Alumni, working with radio affiliates and former players, conducting broadcast seminars and hosting youth baseball clinics with alumni throughout the greater broadcast area.
He studied at Eastern Illinois University before starting his broadcast career at WITY radio in Danville. He then moved to KHAS radio in Hastings, Neb. He joined WIBW radio-TV in Topeka as sports director in 1967, where his broadcasts included K-State, KU, Washburn University, and high school sports coverage.
His affiliation with K-State took him to Russell, Kan., as a last-minute speaker for a Wildcat Club meeting, where he met his wife, Barbara (Boxberger), who was visiting family in her hometown. They married in 1974, living first in Topeka and then moving to Kansas City full-time when Fred left WIBW for his play-by-play duties as the Voice of the Kansas City Royals.
Fred hosted various shows for Metrosports TV in Kansas City, including a popular golf show "Tee Time"; and served as host of Hometown Heroes, profiling Kansas City sports legends, which won three Midwest sports EMMY awards.
Fred also did extensive play-by-play for ESPN, including Major League baseball, major college football and basketball, the NBA, NFL and Canadian professional football games. He broadcast seven NCAA Final 4's on radio; 11 college football bowl games on TV; two Canadian Grey Cup games; seven American League Championship series; and two World Series.
He served as lead announcer for Big 8, Big 12, ACC, Metro and Atlantic 10 conference basketball, as well as Kansas State, Memphis State and Illinois statewide television packages. His illustrious career included working for ESPN, CBS, NBC and ABC networks on free-lance assignments as well as various syndications.
Fred was involved with many charitable organizations. He was currently on the Board of Kansas Wildscape Foundation and worked with ALS, the March of Dimes, the Arthritis Foundation, American Cancer Society and the Special Olympics. He was a former board member of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. He hosted the Royals for Rainbows golf tournament in Wichita for 20 years.
Among the honors he received were Kansas Sportscaster of the Year numerous times; the Kansas Broadcasters Hall of Fame; Honorary Graduate of Kansas State University; Kansas State Favorite Adopted Son; and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Fred and Barbara own KRSL radio in Russell, Kan. They are co-owners of KHOM/KBMV in West Plains, Mo. Fred was an avid reader and also enjoyed golf, hunting, and spending time on the Florida beach with Barbara.
Survivors include his devoted wife, Barbara of the home; two sons, Joe and John White of Kansas City; one daughter, Stacy White, Auburn, Kan.; three grandsons; one brother, Jack (JoEllyn) White, Urbana; one sister, Marilyn Lynch, Fairmount; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves a host of friends and colleagues - young and old - whose lives were greatly impacted by Fred's mentoring and generosity.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, at the Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, Kan. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are suggested to any of the following: Kansas Wildscape Foundation (The Fred White Memorial Project), Rainbows United, Footprints-Royals' Charities, the Kansas City Hospice House, or a children's charity of choice and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.

Rita Head

Rita Head

ST. JOSEPH – Rita Rogers Head, 67, of St. Joseph and Palm Coast, Fla., passed away Wednesday (May 15, 2013) at home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 302 Main St., Penfield, with Fr. Menner officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.
Rita was born Feb. 6, 1946, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of James Rogers and Eleanora Skruch Blaso. She married Kenneth W. Head on May 25, 1964, in Alexandria, Va.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years and their three daughters, Kendra Barnes Kirchgessner of Naperville, Kasha Barnes Matthews of Downs and Karrah Barnes Jensen of Bloomington. Grandchildren Camden and Madeleine Kirchgessner, Morgan, Hayden and Grayson Matthews, Avery and Bennett Jensen; and two brothers, Lawrence Rogers of Dayton, Ohio, and James Rogers of Palm Coast, Fla., also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Rogers.
In 1982, Rita and family were living in Bourbonnais. She began working part time for the Bradley Association of Commerce and Industry. Shortly after, she also was hired to work for the Bourbonnais Chamber of Commerce. Through her unending efforts and imaginative and innovative ideas, Rita was an impetus for many changes that led the two groups to grow in membership from 100 or so to a combined organization, the Bradley-Bourbonnais Chamber of Commerce, with a membership of 500.
It was her efforts in the '80s that changed the Saturday afternoon Bradley Christmas parade into the largest lighted night parade in the multi-county area for 25 years. When she moved from the area in 2002, she was hired by the five-county Home Builders of East Central Illinois Association. She brought her leadership and imagination to that group as well. She retired in October 2012.
Rita enjoyed her grandchildren, golfing, gardening and traveling.
Memorials may be made to Presence Hospice, 1501 Interstate Drive, Suite C, Champaign, IL 61822.

Siegfried Buhr

Siegfried Buhr

FLATVILLE – Siegfried Behrend Buhr, 89, of Flatville passed away at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday (May 14, 2013) at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
He was born Nov. 26, 1923, in Compromise Township, to Ben and Theresa (Theessen) Buhr. He was married to Irene Bluhm on Aug. 2, 1947, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Royal.
He is survived by his wife Irene; his children, Marcie Buhr of Joliet, Steve (Martha) Buhr of rural Gifford, Russell (Marilyn) Buhr of rural St. Joseph and Kenny (DeAnn) Buhr of rural Thomasboro; grandchildren, Michelle (Brad) Camp of Norman, Okla., Jeff (Aimee) Buhr of rural Urbana, Andy (Missy) Buhr of rural Gifford, Tommy (Molly) Buhr of rural Ogden, Kyle Buhr and Leah Buhr; two step-grandchildren, Tana (Greg) Suits of Rantoul and Emily (Brandon) Williams of St. Joseph; seven great-grandchildren, Ella Camp, Adi Camp, Max Buhr, Avary Buhr, Sophie Buhr, Annie Buhr and Brody Buhr; three step-great-grandchildren, Logan Suits, Conner Suits and Mia Williams.
Siegfried graduated from Rantoul High School. He farmed all his life on the family Centennial farm in the Flatville area.
He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council, was a member of the Historical Committee and was involved in several Bible Studies.
He was a member of the Champaign County Farm Bureau and served on the Board of Directors; was a member of the Gifford Lions Club for many years; was a member of the I & I Antique Tractor Club for many years and enjoyed collecting and restoring antique tractors.
He was a seed corn dealer for DeKalb Seed Corn and was employed part time by Hart Oil Company, Smith Auto Repair and Creative Builders.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Minnie Aden.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.
Memorial contributions can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Kenneth Bryson

Kenneth Bryson

URBANA – Kenneth Bryson, 78, of Urbana, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away at 9:17 a.m. Sunday (May 12, 2013) at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 16, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 2403 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign. The Rev. James High will officiate. Burial will be held at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview.
Mr. Bryson was born Nov. 10, 1934, in Shelbyville to parents Arthur and Ruby (Helton) Bryson. He married Judith March Feb. 10, 1962, in Villa Grove; she survives.
Also surviving are son, Jerry Bryson (Gina) of Urbana; daughter, Kris Steele (Dan) of Homer; brother, Richard Bryson (Patty); sister, Sue Ann Bauer; grandchildren, Cindee Roberts (Brandon), Nick Bryson, Bryson Steele, Laney Steele; and great-grandchild, Atticus Roberts. Ken was preceded in death by his parents.
After graduating from Effingham High School, Ken became a plumber and was a member of the Plumber and Steamfitter's Union Local No. 149. He used his skills as a plumber when he entered the U.S. Navy in 1956. While in the Navy, he was a pipe fitter, ship fitter and welder. After his service, Ken continued his work as a plumber and received recognition for working more than 60 years.
Mr. Bryson was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene, serving on the church board and teaching the senior Sunday school class. He especially enjoyed cooking for church functions and taking care of the children in the nursery.
When asked how he was doing, Ken would often reply, "Handsome, charming, and adorable. Anything else - ask my wife!" He was a jokester and enjoyed his social time. He liked drinking coffee with his friends at the McDonald's on Philo Road, watching NASCAR races and fishing. Although somewhat of a tough guy, Ken melted when he visited with his grandchildren.
Mr. Bryson was deeply loved by his family and will be greatly missed.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ken's honor to the First Church of the Nazarene. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Doris Freeman

Doris Freeman

ST. JOSEPH – Doris Irene Freeman, 81, of St. Joseph passed away at 6:34 p.m. Thursday (May 9, 2013) at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 13, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands, with Pastor John Sharp officiating. Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer.
Mrs. Freeman was born Jan. 29, 1932, in Broadlands, a daughter of Clarence and Bertha Rahn Wienke. She married Dennis Freeman on Oct. 29, 1950, in Broadlands. He survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Erin (Mike) Brya of St. Joseph; one son, Brian Freeman of St. Joseph; four grandchildren, Joselyn Howell, Dustin Howell, Jordan Freeman and Case Freeman; and two sisters, Helen Luth of Newman and Deanna Dohme of Naples, Fla.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Beulah Potter, Loretta Schultz and Alice Mohr; and two brothers, Wayne Wienke and John Wienke.
Mrs. Freeman was a lifetime member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands. She retired from the Champaign County Courthouse.
Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Richard Bartlow

Richard Bartlow

ST. JOSEPH – Richard "Dick" Bartlow, 82, of St. Joseph passed away at 9:10 a.m. Friday (May 10, 2013) at Heartland Health Care, Champaign.
Funeral services will be at noon Monday, May 13, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with David Barcus officiating. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at the funeral home.
Dick was born Jan. 31, 1931, at Champaign, the son of Stacy and Ruby Smith Bartlow. He married Darlene Peck on Feb. 18, 1951. She survives.
Also surviving are his daughters, Diana (Lee) Laurent of Kankakee, Kay (Gary) Pritchard of St. Joseph, Kimberly (Pete) Maass of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Stacy Osterbur, Matthew Pritchard, Dan Laurent and Alison Maass; and sister, Nita Rosenberger of Urbana.
He was preceded by his parents, one brother and two sisters.
Dick enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events.
He was self-employed for over 50 years, doing backhoe and construction work. Dick enjoyed doing woodworking and tinkering with his tractors.
Memorials may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society or the St. Joseph Fire Department.

Maxine Lorraine Dunn

Maxine Lorraine Dunn URBANA – Maxine Lorraine Dunn of Danville, formerly of Urbana, passed away on Sunday (May 5, 2013). Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Patterson Cemetery in St. Joseph.

Maxine was born Aug. 7, 1927, to Glenn and Ruth Yeazel. She graduated from Ogden High School.
She married James L. Dunn Jr. on June 26, 1946. All have preceded her in death.

Surviving are three sons, James (Roberta) Dunn of St. Louis, Mo., Charles (Evelyn) Dunn of Champaign and Mark (Valerie) Dunn of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one daughter, Susan (Greg) Brown of Danville; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Christy of Decatur, Glenda Johnson of Rantoul and Shirley Straight of Yorba Linda, Calif.; and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Yeazel of Gifford.

Preceding her in death were one brother, Glenn (Bub) Yeazel, and one sister, Doris Hayn.

She was always involved in the PTA as her children were growing up and a den mother. For many years she served as an election judge for Urbana Township.

She was the best at everything she did, especially being the best homemaker and mom. She will be so missed and always loved. Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church of Urbana; or Crisis Nursery; or Camp New Hope. Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy, is handling arrangements.