Linda Routh Shunk

CAMARGO – Linda Shunk, 57, of Camargo passed away on Sunday morning (Jan. 11, 2015) at home.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Villa Grove Methodist Church, 302 2nd St., Villa Grove, with Pastor Sandi Hire officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the New Life Center at the Villa Grove United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Camargo Cemetery. Joines Funeral Home, Illinois 130 South, is handling arrangements.

Linda was born on Dec. 17, 1957, in Urbana, a daughter of Earl "Tuck" and Mary Routh. She married Todd Shunk on Oct. 1, 1977.

She is survived by her husband, Todd Shunk; son, Jeremy Shunk of Camargo; and daughters, Jaime (Drew) Mitchell of Monticello and Jill Shunk of Lexington, Ky.

Also surviving are her grandsons, Kaleb Reid and Easton Mitchell; her siblings, Randy Routh of Thomasboro, Diane (Charlie) Berry of St. Joseph and Bill (Debbie) Routh of St. Joseph.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents.

Linda spent her career working as a dental assistant in central Illinois. Her hobbies included spending time with friends and family.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Shunk Family Trust, which will go to her grandchildren's college education.

Verniece Yeazel Krukewitt

SIDNEY – Verniece Yeazel Krukewitt, 96, of Sidney passed away at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 7, 2015) at Country Health Care, Gifford.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, with Rev. Mike Picklesimer officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Krukewitt was born Nov. 28, 1918, a daughter to Everett Blaine and Bessie Maude Mauck Sylvester. She married Harold Yeazel in 1940 and later married Raymond Krukewitt in 1970; both have preceded her in death.

She is survived by two sons, H. Gene (Susan) Yeazel of Sidney and Robert A. (Diane) Yeazel of St. Joseph; two stepsons, Kent (Linda) Krukewitt of Homer and Lynn (Kathy) Krukewitt of Fort Worth, Texas; a stepdaughter, Carolyn J. (Case) Masic of Wisconsin; four grandsons; two granddaughters; three step-grandsons; two step-granddaughters; nine great-grandchildren; a niece, Vergene Rodman; and nephew, Kemp Berbaum.

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

She graduated from Homer High School in 1936 and taught in a one-room school southwest of Homer. She later taught at Sidell, Fairmount, Georgetown, Danville and Homer grade schools, retiring in 1980.

Verniece will always be remembered for her strong devotion to her family and great smile. She touched many lives during her years as an elementary school teacher. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Memorials may be made to Sidney Fire and Rescue or St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection.

William Burwell

URBANA – William "Bill" Burwell, 86, of Urbana was called home to meet his Lord and savior at 11:49 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 7, 2015) at Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab Center in Savoy.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana. The Urbana and St. Joseph Masonic Lodges will perform Masonic rites at 7 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Minister Bret Hammond officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olive Cemetery in Mayview.

Mr. Burwell was born Aug. 22, 1928, in Ivesdale to parents Ardie and Mayme (Ray) Burwell. He married the love of his life, Helen Perkins, on June 12, 1948, in Arcola; she survives.

Also surviving are children, Richard Burwell (Paula) of St. Joseph, Allen Burwell (Pam) of Granbury, Texas, and Teresa Marsh (fiance, Tom Twigg) of Mahomet.

Mr. Burwell's six grandchildren are Jimmy Burwell (Lisa) of Granbury, Texas, Tyler Marsh (Brittany) of St. Joseph, Laura Marsh (Douglas Martin) of St. Joseph, Christy Nivison of Urbana, Susan Burwell of Texas and Anna Burwell of Mattoon. Also surviving are seven great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death.

Mr. Burwell worked as a fireman for the University of Illinois for 11 years. He then worked for the university at the Physical Plant as a locksmith for 20 years before retiring.

Bill was a member of the Webber Street Church in Urbana, a lifetime member of the Champaign Moose Lodge, and a member of both the Urbana and St. Joseph Masonic Lodges.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carle Hospice Foundation or Alpha-Care Professionals.

Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Michael Wayne Hallett

HOMER – Michael Wayne Hallett, 61, of Homer passed away at 3:45 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 8, 2015) at University Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind.

There will be a funeral service at noon Monday, Jan. 12, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. The Rev. Teri Shane will officiate. The burial will follow in the G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. There will be a visitation from 11 a.m. until service time on Monday at the funeral home.

Mr. Hallett was born Sept. 1, 1953, in Danville, a son of Charles and Nellie Worley Hallett. He married Kathy Wolf on Sept. 13, 1975, in Villa Grove. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Toby (Jill) Hallett of Homer; a daughter, Tera (Eric) Hallett of Chicago; six grandchildren; three brothers, Chuck Hallett of Homer, Bob Hallett of Danville and Frank Hallett of Catlin; and two sisters, Wilma Wolf of Homer and Eileen Bloxom of Ashmore.

Mr. Hallett was preceded in death by two granddaughters. Michael's hobbies included fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid Bears and Cardinals fan.

The family has requested that family and friends attending services dress casual and warm.

The memorial contributions may be made to the University Hospital IU Health or the Homer Fire and Rescue.

Joanna Hodges

OGDEN – Joanna Hodges, 88, of Ogden passed away at 3:06 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 3, 2015) at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign.

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

Joanna was born March 30, 1926, at Ogden, the daughter of Erzie and Vera White Fiscus. She married Raymond Hodges on Feb. 2, 1946. He preceded her in death in July 2000.

She is survived by son, Steve (Sherry) Hodges of Mahomet; three grandchildren, Madeline (Trent) Gill, Katie (Jon) Bowman and Leslie Hodges, and their mother, Randa Hodges; one step-grandchild, Tabytha Lawless; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.

Joanna worked at the Ogden and St. Joseph-Ogden High School as a secretary. She was a big Illini basketball and Chicago Cubs fan. Joanna loved dining out with her family.

Memorials may be made to Empty Tomb, 301 N. Fourth St., Champaign, IL.

Helen Krukewitt

HOMER – Helen E. Krukewitt, 95, of Homer passed away at 6:48 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 6, 2015) at her home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Pastor Raymond Gordon and Pastor Doug Krukewitt will officiate. The burial will be in the G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Krukewitt was born on Aug. 18, 1919, in Roundup, Mont., the daughter of Charles W. and Lena Houtrouw Tibbetts. She married Donald R. Krukewitt on March 14, 1939, in St. Charles, Mo. He passed away on Feb. 13, 2003.

Survivors include three sons, Charles W. Krukewitt of Dixon, Ronald W. Krukewitt of Largo, Fla., and David M. Krukewitt of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Kathy Bown of Champaign; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Irene King of Boise, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.

Helen was a member of the Homer Historical Society for many years. In former years, Helen and her husband Donald would enjoy going square dancing.

Memorials may be made to the Homer Historical Society.

Norma Jean Ward

ST. JOSEPH – Norma Jean Ward passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. She was 84.

Jean was born April 15, 1930, in Redmon, to E. Glenn and Muriel Gifford. In March 1951, Jean married Wayne E. Ward and moved to Champaign County. They lived in St. Joseph for over 50 years.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave, St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Jean is survived by two sisters; her children, Pam Reid of Potomac, Wayne Ward Jr. (Karla) of St Joseph, Donna Lutz (Mike) of Olney and Roger Ward of Olney; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, her husband and one child.

Jean worked at the data service in St. Joseph until she retired. She and Wayne showed American Saddlebred horses for many years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.