James A. Walle

ST. JOSEPH – James A. Walle, 66, of St. Joseph passed away at 7:33 a.m. Tuesday (March 7, 2017) at his home.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 10, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Piper City, with Father Rey Treyes officiating, with visitation from 9 a.m. to time of service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Piper City. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today (Thursday) at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph.

Jim was born on March 9, 1950, at Watseka, the son of Lawrence E. and Anna M. Miller Walle. He married Teri Krueger on Oct. 28, 2000, in St. Joseph. She survives.

Also survived by sons, Patrick (Lori) Walle of St. Joseph and Paul Perkinson of St. Joseph; siblings, Janet (Ted) Gerdes of Peoria, Jaunita (Steve) Anderson of Longpoke, Calif., Jerry (Mary) Walk of Piper City, Joan (John) Hopkins of Taylor Lake Village, Texas, and Jeff Walle of Greenbrier, Tenn.; brother-in-law, Tim (Gloria) Krueger of School Craft, Mich.; and sister-in-law, Tena (Bob) Buffington of Chattanooga, Tenn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Matthew; brother, John Walle; and sister, Joyce Chaplin.

Jim retired from FS Growmark in 2011 after 40 years of service.

He was a graduate of Parkland College in applied science in 1971 and electric service in 1970, and Piper City High School in 1968.

Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and spider solitaire. He was a great storyteller and jokester.

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

Charles Franklin Martinie

URBANA – Charles Franklin Martinie, 93, of Urbana passed away on Thursday morning, Jan. 22, 2015, at Heartland Healthcare in Paxton. Cremation rites were accorded at the time.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2017, at Renner-Wikoff Funeral Home and Crematory, Urbana. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Living Hope Foursquare Church at the corner of Kinch and Washington in Urbana. The Rev. Brent Roberson and the Rev. Chris VonHolten will officiate. Service will be held in conjunction with his wife Nellie's service at that time.

Charles was born on Sept. 20, 1921, in Longview, a son of Frank and Enca (Rice) Martinie. He married Nellie Thomas and they celebrated their 71 years together at the time of his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Forest of Lake Havasu, Ariz., and sister Decemma Hughes of Noblesville, Ind. One brother, Carroll of Fisher, survived him.

He graduated from Longview High School. He attended Purdue University as part of his military service program in electrical engineering before active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in World War II throughout the Pacific theater and in China as a radar operator. He received an honorable discharge in May 1946 at the rank of corporal.

He married Nellie Thomas in Detroit, Mich., in 1943. At the time of his passing, he was survived by his wife, Nellie of Urbana; his sons, Terry (Judy) of Urbana and Kim of Urbana; daughters, Kathy (Robert) Seed of Champaign, Trudy (Larry) Tobias of Champaign and Pamela (Terry) Winters of Mahomet; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Charles "Chuck" retired from the University of Illinois carpenter shop in August 1978.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heartland Healthcare of Paxton for caring for him during his final days.

Interment will be in Fairfield Cemetery, Newman, on Saturday, March 11. Military rites will be accorded.

Dad's Favorite Scripture

"The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. Even a child is known by his deeds, by what he does is pure and right. A man's steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way." (Proverbs 20:7, 11, KJV)

Nellie Marie Thomas Martinie

URBANA – Nellie Marie (Thomas) Martinie, 94, of Urbana passed away on Monday morning, Feb. 20, 2017, at Arbor Rose Memory Care, Monticello.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 10, at Renner-Wikoff Funeral Home and Crematory of Urbana. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Living Hope Foursquare Church, at the corner of Kinch and Washington in Urbana. The Rev. Brent Roberson and the Rev. Chris VonHolten will officiate. Her service will be held in conjunction with her husband's service at that time.

Nellie was born on Dec. 30, 1922, in Vincennes, Ind., the youngest of 11, a daughter of James Marion Thomas and Addie Mae Johnson. She married Charles Martinie in Detroit, Mich., in 1943. She celebrated their 71 years together at the time of his passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two infant brothers, Clyde and Floyd, and brothers, Gerald "Dean" of Clinton, Mich., Leonard "Short" (Eleanor) of Jackson, Mich., R. Harold "Dutch" (Eileen) of Fort Wayne, Ind., Charles "Fat" (Ella Mae) of Driftwood, Pa., and Wilbur (Lydia) of Broadlands; and sisters, Thelma Clem (Howard) of Broadlands, Irene (Oliver) Coryell of Broadlands and Verla (Charles) Sollers of Philo.

She married Charles Martinie in Detroit, Mich., in 1943. He preceded her in death on Jan. 22, 2015. At the time of her passing, she was survived by her sons, Terry (Judy) of Urbana, Kim of Urbana; daughters, Kathy (Robert) Seed of The Villages, Fla., Trudy (Larry) Tobias of Champaign and Pamela (Terry) Winters of Mahomet; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She graduated from Longview High School and attended Indiana Central College of Indianapolis, Ind. Nellie taught elementary school in Seymour for two years before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her five children.

Interment will be in Fairfield Cemetery, Newman, on Saturday, March 11.

The family would like to sincerely thank Arbor Rose Memory Care in Monticello and their staff for the excellent care and attention to Nellie's needs while she was there. In addition, we are thankful for excellent, compassionate care given to her in the final days by Harbor Light Hospice of Decatur.

Memorial contributions may be made to Living Hope Foursquare Church, Urbana, and Calvary Baptist Church, Urbana.

Mom's Favorite Scripture

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27, 28, NIV)

Billie Jeanette Hess Gundlach

KENOSHA, Wis. – Billie Jeanette Hess Gundlach, 88, of Kenosha, Wis., passed away at 9:47 p.m. Feb. 26, 2017, at Kenosha Hospital.

She was born on May 10, 1928, in Homer, the only child of Howard M. and Jeanette L. (Strawser) Hess.

Billie attended Homer schools and St. Mary's of the Woods College where she majored in music.

She married Frederick S. Gundlach in Palm Beach, Fla., in 1953. He preceded her in death in 1964.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Severin F. Gundlach; and a grandson, Nicholas Gundlach.

She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Suzanne Knight and Margaret (Don) Black, both of Danville. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Christopher Knight, Severin (Tia) Gundlach Jr., Frederick (Mel) Knight, Kendra Allen, Vaughn Black and Shaw Black; as well as three great-grandchildren, Sadie Allen, Tyler Knight and Keyona Gundlach.

Billie also leaves behind a dear friend, Rod Ivy of Kenosha, Wis.

In her youth, Billie was well-known for her singing ability and won several vocal competitions at the Illinois State Fair.

Before she was married, she worked for Business Week and Glamour magazines in Chicago.

She loved her late husband immensely and the few years they had together were her happiest, spending the winter months at their home in Palm Beach, Fla., where they were the members of the Everglades Club and were owners of Gundlach tool and die in West Palm Beach.

She loved flying to various destinations with her husband as he piloted one of their several planes. The remainder of their time was spent in Belleville, Ill., where they owned Belleville Specialty Tool Inc. and where she remained with her children after his death until she moved to Danville in 1977. Billie also resided part-time in New York, N.Y., where her son attended school in the 1960s.

She was fascinating and opinionated with a magnetic personality which drew people to her, from which she gained many intriguing and devoted friendships. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Billie will be laid to rest at Green Mount Cemetery in Belleville. A memorial service for family and close friends is being planned in the St. Louis, Mo., area.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Billie's honor to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Schlarman Academy (Danville) or the American Cancer Society.

H. Gene Yeazel

SIDNEY – H. Gene Yeazel, 73, of Carmel, Ind., formerly of Sidney, passed away at 10:57 a.m. EST Tuesday (Feb. 28, 2017) at home.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Sidney United Church, Sidney, with the Rev. Mike Picklesimer officiating. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney, with military rites being accorded. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church. Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, is handling arrangements.

Mr. Yeazel was born April 15, 1943, in Danville, a son to Harold and Verniece Sylvester Yeazel. He married Susan Collins on July 31, 1971, at Clarksville, Ind.; they were married for 45 years; she survives. Also surviving are three sons, Adam Yeazel of Bloomington, Hans (JP) Yeazel of Bloomington and Lucas (Damari) Yeazel of Carmel; four grandchildren, Ashlyn and Emmy Yeazel and Aiden and Lillian Yeazel; a brother, Bob (Diane) Yeazel of St. Joseph; two stepbrothers, Kent (Linda) Krukewitt of Homer and Lynn (Kathy) Krukewitt of Texas; and a stepsister, Jo (Case) Mazic of Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gene served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years. He was an insurance producer for 31 years for Country Companies in the Homer/Sidney area. After retiring from insurance, he worked in real estate for six years. He was a member of Sidney Lion's Club and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Free Mason.

He loved taking long drives and traveling with his wife and children; he especially enjoyed San Belle Island in Florida. As a young man, he was a great trumpet player; he played taps at many Memorial Day celebrations and local military rites and also played in dance bands. He played football for Jamaica during the team's undefeated season in 1959.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

Rosalie Lindsey Ray

SIDNEY – Rosalie Lindsey Ray, 89, of Sidney passed away at her home on Sunday (Feb. 26, 2017).

Rosalie was born Jan. 23, 1928, in Pulaski, to Hester Armeady (McBride) and Barney Lindsey. She married Lester Dale Ray in Catlin in 1947 and had a son, Ronald Dale Ray, on July 16, 1949. Both Lester and Ronald preceded her in death.

Rosalie and her husband Lester opened Ray's Market in Ogden, which they operated for 22 years before retiring in 1980 to Springhill, Fla., where they enjoyed the sunny weather and visits from their grandchildren.

Rosalie loved spending time with and taking care of the people in her family. Among her many talents were her excellent cooking skills and green thumb. No one was ever disappointed after leaving her kitchen; she also spent much of her time taking care of her beautiful plants and flowers.

Rosalie was kind-hearted, quick-witted and had a wonderful sense of humor. She could always be counted on for an ear to listen and a smile to lift your spirits. While our hearts are heavy with her absence, we are comforted in knowing she is happy to be reunited with her husband and son.

Rosalie is survived by her two sisters, Martha Jerrell of Anna, Ill., and Jewel Hicks of Jonesboro. She and her sisters kept in close touch and visited each other frequently. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Travis (Leah) Ray of Sidney, Troy (Andrea) Ray of Royal and Tim Ray of St. Joseph; six cherished great-grandchildren, Addison Rose, Korben Dale, Elcie Elizabeth, Graham Michael, Easton Charles and Lake Marie Ray; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery, 301 E. Voorhees St., Danville.

Memorials may be made in Rosalie's name to the American Cancer Society. Please join Rosalie's family in sharing photos, videos and memories of her on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Lisa S. Rubenacker

ST. JOSEPH – Lisa S. Rubenacker, 58, of St. Joseph passed away at 3:08 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 21, 2017) at home.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, with the Rev. Robert Lampitt officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with rosary at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bongard.

Mrs. Rubenacker was born Sept. 18, 1958, in Santa Barbara, Calif., a daughter to Robert and Bonita Spires Pfeifer. She married Dan Rubenacker on July 29, 2000, at St. Joseph. He survives.

Also surviving are her children, Matt (Emily) Layer of Albany, Ga., Brenna Pfeifer of Monticello and Andie Pfeifer of St. Joseph; brother, Karl Pfeifer of Urbana; grandchildren, Cole and Cody Layer; and stepparents, Bob Silva and Barbara Pfeifer.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Pfeifer, and mother, Bonita Silva.

She was employed at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to St. Thomas Catholic School, Philo.