William “Bill” Negangard

TOLONO — William “Bill” Negangard, 85, of Tolono, formerly of Sidney, passed away at 9:50 a.m. Friday (April 3, 2020) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Private graveside services will be held. Pastor Matt Montgomery will be officiating. Burial will be in Lewis Cemetery, Tuscola. Freese Funeral Home, Tolono, is assisting with arrangements.

Mr. Negangard was born Dec. 18, 1934, in Sidney, a son to Ralph and Wilma Duncan Negangard.

Surviving are four children, Dave (Diane Noland) Negangard of St. Joseph, Jody (Doug) Reifsteck of Tolono, Sue (George) Lawrence of Sidney and Dan (Janet) Negangard of Catlin; 10 grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; a brother, Charles (Donna) Negangard of Sidney; a sister, Mary Kay (Cloyd) Staples of Anniston, Ala.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill farmed in the Sidney area for several years and then was a selfemployed painting contractor. He was a lead painter at Burnham City Hospital from 1980-1988. He then returned to being a self-employed painter and farmer.

He enjoyed traveling, tractor shows, blue grass music and his farm. Each fall, he participated and won many hand corn-shucking contests over two states. He was a lifetime member of the National Corn Huskers Association.

NG 4/5/20

Esther Marie Eiskamp Clauson

On March 30, 2020 a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and wonderful friend to many loved ones throughout the country was welcomed into heaven. Esther Marie Clauson (Eiskamp), passed away peacefully after a brief illness with pancreatic cancer in Concord, NH at the age of 83.

Born in 1936 to Fritz and Marie Eiskamp in Champaign, IL, Esther always knew she was a city girl. She met her husband, Jim, while in nurses training in Champaign and after their Chicago wedding in 1962 they headed straight to California. Jim and Esther enjoyed a wonderful life in California for 48 years, living in Redondo Beach, Torrance and Carlsbad.

Esther was an accomplished and respected nurse, and her career included fulfilling jobs in the emergency room, OBGYN, industrial nursing for two large companies and ultimately as an Early Back to Work Specialist for a large insurance company. Esther had a great sense of pride in being a nurse and renewed her nursing license throughout her lifetime. In addition to her illustrious career, she volunteered and was very actively involved with many deserving organizations over the years from the Jaycettes in the 1960's to the Concord Contemporary Women's Club in the present. Esther was also an enthusiastic participant in Jazzercize for 45 years.
Esther and Jim were a couple who loved life and loved each other. They greatly enjoyed traveling the world with their family and as a couple. Jim and Esther celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in California in grand style surrounded by many of their friends. When Esther retired from her long career in nursing, Jim and Esther moved to Concord, NH so that they could spend time with their younger daughter and family. After their move to New Hampshire, relatives and friends would trek from across the country to visit them in their beautiful new state.
Esther will be remembered as a dear friend, always willing to lend a shoulder or word of advice, as well as being a fun and funny lady, always eager to bring cheer and a smile to any occasion.
Esther is predeceased by her husband Jim Clauson. She is survived by her daughters Stephanie Hubsch (Andy) of Pacific Palisades, CA, Kathy Wyle (Steve) of Deering N.H., four grandchildren, Bradley, Riley, Justin and Dallas, along with many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of Esther's life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local hospital for personal protective equipment for nurses' safety.

http://csnh.tributes.com/obituary/read/Esther-M.-Clauson-108364656 4/4/2020

Esther was a 1954 graduate of St. Joseph High School.

Lois I Manning Sadler

FITHIAN — Lois I. Sadler, 87, of Fithian, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday (April 2, 2020) at home.

She was born March 6, 1933, in Urbana, a daughter of Wilbur and Helen Kirby Manning. Her mother passed away when Lois was 6 months old, and then she was adopted by Wilbur and Mary McGuire Manning. She was married to Charles A. Sadler on April 22, 1950. He survives.

At the age of 20, she received her license practical nurse license. She began her nursing career at the Champaign County Hospital and worked there for 20 years.

In 1970, she started working at the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center until retiring in 1987. Lois and her Chuckie lived in St. Joseph for 59 years before moving to Fithian.

Besides her husband, she is survived by her children, Steven (Donna) Sadler, Linda (James) Riggs and Deana Sadler; grandchildren, Susan Riggs, Spencer Sadler, Kristen (Jeremy) Wise and Samuel (Tiffany) Sadler; great-granddaughters, Judith Lillian Maki Sadler and Eva Rose Sadler; as well as several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and two sisters-in-law, Maxine Manning and Janet Manning, and a brother-in-law, Ed Seth.

Lois loved being around her family and friends. She traveled  through 46 states during a lifetime of travel with her husband, including two times to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.

At the age of 86, she completed a bucket list item by going zip lining in Indiana along with family members. Lois loved her Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Cardinals and Illini.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her adoptive mother, one sister and two brothers, her in-laws, two sisters-in-laws and two brothers-in-law.

Private services will be at a later date at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials contributions may be made to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital, St. Joseph Food Bank or donor's choice.
NG 4/4/2020

Nancy Jean Coddington

ST. JOSEPH — Nancy Jean Coddington, 68, of St. Joseph died at home Thursday (March 5, 2020).

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at Danville National Cemetery, Danville.  Pastor J. Wesley Wilkey will officiate.

Nancy was born in Tuscola to Lloyd Arlie and Mary Esther Cruzan, where they lived before moving north to Urbana and eventually St. Joseph. She married Dennis Coddington on Dec. 11, 1971. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by her son, Samuel (Heather) Coddington of Broomfield, Colo., and brothers, Bill (Lori) Cruzan of Urbana and James (Linda) Cruzan of Hot Springs, N.C.

Nancy retired from the Krannert Center for Performing Arts at the University of Illinois, where she was a professional seamstress and helped build elaborate costumes for many different shows. While at Krannert, she was also a member of AFSCME Council 31 and led efforts to unionize herself and her co-workers. Earlier in her life, she held her cosmetology license, running her own salon where she made many lifelong friends. She loved her family, friends and dog, Heidi. She will be missed by us all.

Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy, is handling arrangements (morganmemorialhome.com).

Blair Ann Coyne

ST. JOSEPH — Blair Ann Coyne, 24, of St. Joseph passed away on Sunday (March 29, 2020) at home.

Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, is assisting the family with arrangements. To protect the health and safety of friends and family, there will be a celebration of life to honor Blair at a later date.

Blair was born March 12, 1996, a daughter of Bill and Kimberly Coyne. She graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School and attended Parkland College.

While attending college, she worked for health care and food service companies. Most recently, she enjoyed working with her work family at Core Life Eatery in Champaign and was in the process of completing training to become an assistant manager.

Blair was preceded in death by her mother, Kimberly Coyne, and her grandmother, Sharon.

She is survived by her father, Bill; brother, Justin Awalt of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; three nephews, Cain, Jax and Jones; her grandfather, David Cook of Urbana; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Blair loved traveling and especially cherished her trips to Florida, California and the East Coast to visit family and friends. She also enjoyed staying connected with friends and family on Facebook and social media, and often shared stories about her favorite sports teams and photos of her family and friends.

Blair will be missed by all, but especially by her father Bill Coyne, who will never forget the memories they shared together. She will forever be his angel, and her spirit will live on in her family and friends.

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

NG 4/3/20

Kimberly Ann Cook Coyne

ST. JOSEPH — Kimberly Ann Coyne, 54, of St. Joseph passed away Sunday (March 29, 2020) at home.

Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, is assisting the family with arrangements. Out of an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of friends and family, memorial services will be held at a later date once it is safe to do so.

Kim was born Dec. 29, 1965, a daughter of David and Sharon (Lewis) Cook. She graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1984 and owned and operated a cleaning service for many years.

Kim adored her family and friends and loved traveling to Florida and California. She and her daughter, Blair, shared a strong connection and spent a lot of time with each other. When Kim’s mother, Sharon, was diagnosed with cancer, they both took care of Sharon together during her seven-year battle with the disease.

Kim was preceded in death by her mother, Sharon, and daughter, Blair.

She is survived by her son, Justin Awalt of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; three grandsons, Cain, Jax and Jones; and her father, David Cook of Urbana. Bill Coyne, Blair’s father, and Kim were divorced in 2017, but they remained close and he will continue to love them both in their passing.

Kim will be deeply missed; her life will be remembered with great fondness and affection by her friends and family.

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

NG 4/3/20

Donna L. Jones

HOMER — Donna L. Jones, 85, of Homer passed away at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at University Rehab Center, Urbana.

She was born Donna L. Woodard on Aug. 16, 1934, to John and Ruby Manhart Woodard in Newton. Donna married Nolan K. Jones on March 22, 1952 in Robinson.

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

Survivors included her son, Michael K. Jones (Jamie Carras) of Homer; daughters, Vicky Jones Smaardyk of Urbana and Cheryl Jones Gones (John W. III) of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Matthew J. Smaardyk (Misty), Kristin Smaardyk Beaird (Michael), Patrick J. Gones, Mark N. Gones (Denise) and Lucas W. Gones (Kylie); and great-grandchildren, Madisyn F. Gones, Lilienne K. Beaird, Alexander N.M. Beaird, Isaac W. Gones and Jacob M. Smaardyk.

Donna was a member of Homer New Life Church of Faith. She and her husband Nolan were married 67 years and residents of Homer for 56 years.

Donna was an active personality in the community and enjoyed attending local events and craft and music festivals. Family was a strong priority to her as she loved sharing and hosting traditions, i.e., holidays, camping, traveling and sporting events.

She was a die-hard Cubs fan. Bluegrass music was especially dear to her heart as she adored watching her son, Michael, singing and playing banjo with comrade musicians.

The family will post later this year as they plan a joint celebration of life for Donna and Nolan Jones (beloved Mema and Papa).

CU News-Gazette 4/1/20