Eileen Welch

Eileen Welch 99, of St. Joseph passed away on Friday September 25, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

 Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday October 1, 2020 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Intombment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Urbana. Visitation will be Thursday from Noon-1:00 P.M.


 Eileen was born October 12, 1920 at Sadorus, the daughter of John and Anna (O'Neil) Gallagher. She married William F. Bushue, he preceded her in death. She then married James Albert Welch, he survives.



She is also survived by her daughter, Sandra Waller of St. Joseph, and her son, Dustin Ragle of St. Joseph. Grandchildren, Jeanne Lord, Joseph Ragle, and Everett Bushue. Great grandchildren, Blake (Katlyn) Waller, Ty Waller, Joseph (Alex) Ragle Jr, Josh Ragle, and two great-great grandchildren Riley and Anna Snyder.



Eileen was preceeded in death by her parents, son James, daughter Linda, and grandson Troy Waller.



Eileen retired from the University of Illinois and was a former manager at TCBY Yogurt store.

She enjoyed mowing her yard until the age of 94, sewing, cooking for her family, and family get-togethers.

Freese Funeral Home 9/27/20

Winifred B. (Winnie) Baylor Mullins

 Champaign — Winifred B. (Winnie) Mullins, 95, of Champaign passed away at 7:22 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 24, 2020) at home.

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

Winnie was born March 4, 1925, in Stanton Township, the daughter of Roscoe and Maude Marie (Fancher) Baylor.

She is survived by her children, Jody Johnson of Marietta, Ga., and Jeff Mullins of Champaign; three grandchildren, Alex (Erin) Johnson, Andrew Johnson and Matthew (Izzy) Johnson; and two great-grandchildren, Avery and Caden Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Cecil and Donald Baylor; and two sisters, Beulah Petty and Mary Elizabeth Baylor.

Winnie was a member of Stratford Park Bible Chapel, Champaign. She was active in Bible Study Fellowship, Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and the Champaign Junior League.

Winnie was a graduate of Parkland College and the University of Illinois. She was a gifted artist and worked as an R.N. at Mercy Hospital. She also loved to sing and enjoyed watching college basketball.

Larry Wagner

 OGDEN — Larry Wagner, 81, of Ogden passed away at 8:44 p.m. Monday (Sept. 21, 2020) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Graveside services will be at 10a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Stearns Cemetery, Fithian.

Larry was born Oct. 7, 1938, in Danville, the son of Ralph and Evelyn (Johnson) Wagner. He married Sherry Wait on Sept. 22, 1968, in Monticello. She survives. He is also survived by his children, Jonathan (Jennifer) Wagner of Tuscola, Aaron (Cindy Stanton) Wagner of Rantoul, Sara (Richard) Atwood of Collinsville and Amy Wagner of Knoxville, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Xander and Lexi Atwood; and one brother, Charles (Janet) Wagner of Lake Worth, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Larry worked at Horizon Hobby until 2008. He was a model railroad model enthusiast and enjoyed watching trains. Larry was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in England. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans.

Steve Hopkins

 ST. JOSEPH — Steve Hopkins, 73, of St. Joseph passed away at 7:35 p.m. Friday (Sept. 18, 2020) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Private service will be held at a later date.

Steve was born April 8, 1947, in Champaign. He married Donna Weller on Aug. 5, 1983. She survives.

He is also survived by a brother, Mike Hopkins of Minnesota; brotherin- law, Andy Weller; and sister-in-law, Carol Ingram.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Steve was a U.S. Marine veteran from 1966-1970, serving in Vietnam.

He retired from the University of Illinois in Building Services.

Julian Stipp

 On September 11th, 2020 this honorable and humble human left this earth to be with the Lord. Julian was born on July 13th, 1943 to Darrell and Olive Stipp. The birth and death of this man however is not quite as relevant as is the days and nights that he lived to the fullest between these two dates.

In 1959 Julian met the love of his life Kathryn “Kay” Hopkins, scooped her up on his motorcycle and courted her until their marriage in 1962. Julian and Kay had 3 children; Julie Stipp Mitchell of Tolono, Darren Stipp (Jenny) of Sidney, and Susan Stipp Neverman (Brian) of Tolono; 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He is survived by all. 

His professional career was filled with achievements in his 40 years of farming with his brother Forrest and Stipp Seed Sales business. He enjoyed motorcycles, travel, camping, good music and family time. Each day he lived his life full of kindness and integrity. His charismatic charm left a positive effect with all in his path no matter what type of day he was having. 

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Sidney Christian Church with a memorial service to follow at 11:30AM with Rev. Phil Lake and Rev. Mike Picklesimer officiating.  There will also be a masonic service at 11:15AM, Saturday, September 26, 202 at the church.  Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney.  

Following a formal funeral service the family will be hosting an informal celebration of life from 6pm-9pm (9/26) which will include live music and bonfire. This outdoor event will be hosted at the Neverman Floor Artisans building located at 102 Woodworth Drive in Tolono, IL. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and beverage of choice. Memorial contributions can be made to Sidney Fire Department.

Condolences may be given at freesefh.com

Mary Pittsley

 Mary Pittsley, age 78 passed away on August 18th, 2020 at the U.F. Health Hospital in Leesburg Florida.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Ed and Mildred Hahn, her sister Nancy Clem, daughter Toni Corum and son Don Pittsley Jr.

She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years Don Pittsley, her two son’s Larry Pittsley and his wife Elizabeth Pittsley of College Grove, Tennessee, William Corum of ST. Joseph, Illinois and Suzanne Pittsley wife of Don Pittsley Jr (deceased). Mary was blessed with many grandchildren including Sam Pittsley (Son of Larry Pittsley), Emily Corum (Daughter of Will Corum), Nichole Turner, Shanna Williams, Josh Fourman, Karissa Yu and Kristin Fourman (Children of Don Pittsley Jr.). Mary was also blessed with 10 great grandchildren.

Mary moved to Wildwood with her husband Don Pittsley in 2006. She was a retired bookkeeper of 30 years for the University of Illinois in Champaign Illinois, before that Mary worked for Capitol Records also in Champaign Il. Mary was a beloved member of her local community, she enjoyed reading, sewing, water aerobics and especially attending estate sales with her friends.

Wayne L. Sage

 Wayne L. Sage 81, of Ogden passed away at 1:25 P.M. Friday September 18, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be held from Noon to 2:30 P.M. Monday September 21, 2020 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Masks are required during the visitation. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Monday at Kopmann Cemetery with Pastor Jay Johnson officiating. Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave, St. Joseph is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

Wayne was born May 26, 1939 in Compromise Township, the son of Fred and Reka (Albers) Sage. He married Roxie Schweineke on October 15, 1961 in Broadlands. She survives.
He is survived by his children: Sandra Lynne (Bill) Whalen of Crane, MO, SueAnn Denise (Jim) Billimack of Metamora, and Kevin Wayne (Lisa) Sage of Ogden; nine grandchildren: Emily (Cody) Scott, Rachel (Caleb) Gibbens, Mitchell (Haley) Billimack, Grant Billimack, Sydney Billimack, Janssen Sage, Jo Hannah Sage, Michael Sage, and Olivia Sage; two brothers: Darold (Millie) Sage of Venice, FL, and Myron Sage of Gifford; one sister: Donna (Carl) Beard of Tavares, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Wayne was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal where he was baptized and confirmed.

His greatest love was his family and spending time with them. He also enjoyed Hereford cattle and attending Hereford cattle shows and events.

He was a member of the American Hereford Association and the Illinois Hereford Association. He was named the Illinois Hereford Man of the Year by the Illinois Hereford Association, received the Illinois Golden Breeder Award, and was honored as the American Junior Hereford Association Advisor of the Year.

Wayne was a lifelong farmer and was named the Champaign County Young Farmer of the Year in 1970. He also worked as a St. Joseph rural mail carrier for many years.

Memorials may be made to the National Hereford Youth Foundation or Kopmann Cemetery Association.

Condolences may be given at www.Freesefh.com

Freese Funeral Home 9/19/20