James “Jim” Albert Rohl

MONTICELLO — James “Jim” Albert Rohl, 85, of Monticello passed away at 1:43 p.m. Saturday (March 7, 2020) at his home.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 13, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands. The Rev. John Sharp will officiate. Burial will take place at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Newman. There will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St. in Homer.

James was born Feb. 28, 1935, in Homer, the son of Herman F. and Inas Lucille Jones Rohl. He married Ramona Kincaid on June 14, 1959, in Newman. She survives.

Survivors also include his daughter, Dawn Danner of Amarillo, Texas; son, Van Rohl of O’Fallon; daughter, Eve (Shannon) Clark of Mount Zion; grandchildren, Martin (Teresa) Danner and Jenny Rohl; great-grandchildren, Nolan, Kinsey and Ava

Danner; and sister, Ruth E. Herren of Everett, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Philip Rohl.

Jim was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Broadlands. He also attended Faith Lutheran Church in Monticello when the weather would not permit him to attend Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was very passionate about his faith and church families.

Jim taught ag education for 7½ years at Newman High School and was a salesman for AO Smith Harvestors in Effingham for 10½ years. He served in the Army from 1957-1958. Jim was a member of Gideons from 1988 to present. He was also passionate about FFA and was a farmer from 1974 to present.

Memorials can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Faith Lutheran Church.

NG 3/10/20

Victoria Shaffer

ST. JOSEPH — Victoria Shaffer, 25, of St. Joseph passed away at 1:40 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 29, 2020) at home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2020, at FourSquare Church, 762 E. 1700 North Road, Monticello. Pastors Rod and Samantha Burris will officiate. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana. Visitation will be at Sangamon Valley Christian Center, 200 W. Washington St., Mahomet, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is handling arrangements.

Victoria was born April 1, 1994, in Urbana, the daughter of Jeff and Shiela (Murry) Shaffer.

She is survived by her father, Jeff (Debbie) Shaffer of St. Joseph; two sisters, Seanna (Brad) Hanson of Hayward, Wis., and Jessica May of Urbana; one brother, Justin (Katie) May of St. Joseph; paternal grandparents, Joseph (Patricia) Shaffer of Arkansas; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and maternal grandparents.

Victoria loved children. She was a full-time nanny and loved the Lord and doing the Lord’s work. She was a member of Foursquare Church, Monticello. Memorials may be made to Sangamon Valley Christian Center, Mahomet, for Camp Hickory Church Camp.

Eileen Marcella Bosch McCulley

Eileen McCulley

CHAMPAIGN — Eileen Marcella Bosch McCulley, 92, of Champaign died Friday (Feb. 28, 2020) at home in the company of family members.

The family will receive friends at the Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St., Champaign, from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2020. The rosary will be recited at 3:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor Stanley Depula at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1303 Lincolnshire Drive, Champaign. Burial will follow the Mass at Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign. Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral luncheon at St. Matthew’s in Feeney Hall after the interment.

Mrs. McCulley, the second child of Edward Joseph and Isabelle Adelaide Best Bosch, was born Oct. 30, 1927, at the family farm in Broadlands. She attended elementary school in Broadlands and graduated from Broadlands High School in 1945.

Following graduation, she worked in the University of Illinois accounting office, where she met her future husband, Delbert E. McCulley, a World War II Army veteran and recent University of Illinois graduate. They married on June 16, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church in Bongard. He died in 2013. They were married for 61 years.

Mrs. McCulley is survived by her daughters, Pamela (Joseph Sr.) Rank of Urbana, Teresa (Mark) Lacerenza of Wilmington, Ohio, Dorothy Slavik of Champaign and Della (James) Runyan of Champaign; 12 grandchildren, William (Christie) Rank of Oak Forest, Anthony (Jayme) Lacerenza of Hartville, Ohio, Joseph Jr. (Stephanie) Rank of Champaign, Christopher (Cara) Lacerenza of Hoover, Ala., Robert (Lisa) Rank of Evergreen Park, Stephanie Rank of Chicago, Jason (Sarah) Lacerenza of Cincinnati, Ohio, Andrea Lacerenza of Wilmington, Ohio, Megan Slavik of Champaign, Kevin Runyan of Springfield, Scott Runyan of Champaign and Amanda Runyan of Champaign; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are her brothers and sisters, Edward (Marianna) Bosch of Longview, Tony (Mary Ellen) Bosch of Longview, Harold Bosch of Tuscola, Dorothy (Don) Happ of Philo, Monica Barham of Champaign, Carl (Marsha) Bosch of Georgetown and Dennis (Regina) Bosch of Newman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister, Rosemary; husband; son-in-law, Emery Slavik; brother-inlaw, Ken Barham; and sister- in-law, Nancy Bosch.

She retired from the University of Illinois in 1990 from the Department of Environmental Studies.

She was among the founding families of St. Matthew Catholic Church and was active in the St. Matthew School PTA and a dedicated volunteer in the parish office, at funeral luncheons and at the annual parish garage sale. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose kitchen was the focal point for frequent family gatherings. For 57 years, she never missed the annual Bosch Family Hot Dog Roast held at one of the family farms on the last Sunday of October, at which, among other important milestones, her extended family celebrated her birthday.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Matthew Church or the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be offered online at owensfuneralhomes.com.

Ambrocio "Frank" Rodriguez

SIDNEY — Ambrocio "Frank" Rodriguez, 81, of Sidney died Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Homer Community Building, 500 E. Second St., Homer. Visitation and open house will be from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Homer Community Building. Rortvedt Funeral Services, 3 S. Hodge St., Tilton, is in charge of arrangements.

Jeffery L. Finis

Jeffery L. Finis, 54, of Cape Coral, Florida formerly of St. Joseph passed away Friday, February 21, 2020 at his home in Cape Coral with his loving and devoted family at his side. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday February 29, 2020 at the St. Joseph Middle School, 606 Peters Drive, St. Joseph, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Joseph Middle School Girls Basketball. Making sure to reference “Girls Basketball”.

Jeff was born November 2, 1965 in Gibson City, a son of Doug and Carolyn Bradbury Finis. He spent his life growing up in Bellflower, IL. He married Teresa Dillman, his high school sweetheart on April 28, 1984 in St. Joseph. She survives in Cape Coral. Also surviving is a daughter Brianna (Wayne) Fortner of Cape Coral, granddaughter Madi who affectionately called him Papaw, his parents Doug and Carolyn Finis of Bellflower, brother Tim (Diana) Finis of Paxton and sister Cindy (Mitch) Risinger of Leroy. Also surviving are his wife’s family whom he considered a part of him and all his nieces and nephews – he was close to all! Family meant everything to him.

He was preceded in death by a daughter Lynnae.

Jeff graduated from Bellfower Township High School in 1983. He started his working career right out of high school at Pittsburgh International Steel in Fairbury, IL. Later he moved to Caradco in Rantoul until he was given the opportunity to own and operate Finis Distributing where he worked and grew his bread distributorship for over 23 years and left when he was no longer able to work.
Outside of his family, Jeff enjoyed fishing with his dad, boating and basketball! He coached girls middle school basketball for 14 years at St. Joseph Middle School then moved to St. Joseph-Ogden High School where he was varsity coach for the girls for 4 years until his illness required him to leave.
Jeff believed in community and was an active part of the St. Joseph Community. He donated to fundraisers, was a member of the St. Joseph Church of Christ for many years and was a youth leader during that time. He coached girls’ softball for 7+ years, and Y-ball for his daughters! He was also very active in the Gifford Lions Club where he volunteered as much as he could and enjoyed spending time with a great group of men – not to mention the great dinners he got!
Jeff left an impact on everyone he met! He was about friendship, family and loyalty. One of the most honest men around. He never gave up and fought to the end! He will be greatly missed, always remembered, and forever loved.

Linda Thurman

SIDNEY — Linda Thurman, age 77, of Sidney passed away at 9:54 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 16, 2020) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is assisting with private arrangements.

Linda was born June 3, 1942, the daughter of Mary C. (Morrison) and Eugene Danner. She was preceded in death by her parents. She married her high school sweetheart, Eugene Thurman, on June 18, 1961, in Homer. He preceded her in death in 2009.

Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl and husband Tommy Long, and son, Kevin and wife Gena Thurman, all of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Austin and wife Lydia Thurman of Sidney, Danielle and Rebecca Long of St. Joseph; great-grandson, Tripp Thurman of Sidney; sister, Sara Bryan of Rio Rancho, N.M.; and several nieces and nephews.

Linda was a farm wife in the Sidney area for nearly 60 years. She was also employed by Kroger Food Store and Jewel Foods.

She enjoyed her grandchildren and looked forward to meeting her great-grandchild but sadly passed away one day before his birth. She also enjoyed gardening, her hosta collection and watching deer and wildlife in her backyard.

Memorials may be made to the Sidney Fire Department.

NG 2/19/2020

Gene O. Hill

ST. JOSEPH — Gene O. Hill, 84, of St. Joseph passed away at 7:19 a.m. Monday (Feb. 17, 2020) at University Rehab, Urbana.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. The Rev. Donald Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Danville National Cemetery, Danville. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at the funeral home.

Gene was born Nov. 12, 1935, at St. Joseph, the son of John W. and Eva (Shafer) Hill. He married Shirley Mae Hill on June 27, 1954. She preceded him in death.

He is survived by his children, Thomas E. Hill of St. Joseph and Eric A. (Tabitha) Hill of Ogden; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brother, George Hill of St. Joseph.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Debra J. Hill; one brother; and two sisters.

Gene worked at Illinois Power for 45 years in the Gas Service Department, retiring in 1995. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the 23rd Missile Detachment as a warhead specialist. Gene enjoyed traveling to the Western states, gardening and refinishing antique furniture. He was a member of the St. Joseph Masonic Lodge 970.

NG 2/19/2020