Clarine L. Saathoff

 MAHOMET — Clarine L. Saathoff, 91, of Mahomet, formerly of Gibson City, passed away at 6:05 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 7, 2020) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Private family burial will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Anchor. Rosenbaum Funeral Home, Gibson City, is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Clarine was born July 12, 1929, in Ogden Township, a daughter of George and Katherine Behrns Frerichs. She married Harm J. “Bob” Saathoff on Feb. 20, 1949, in Royal. He passed away Jan. 22, 2003.

She is survived by three daughters, Rhonda (Bill) Harlow of Sarasota, Fla., Nancy (Trey) Pautsch of Portland, Ore., and Robin (Don) Brokate of Mahomet; two grandchildren, Kimberly (Jose) Soto of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Travis (Kimberly) Brokate of Colorado Springs, Colo., whom she was extremely proud of; and two precious great-grandchildren, Lexi and Viera Soto.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Online condolences and memories can be shared with the family at rosenbaumfh.com.

Max W. Lewis

 NEWMAN — Max W. Lewis, 75, of Newman died Saturday (Oct. 3, 2020) at home.

Max was born on May 17, 1945, in Tuscola, to Willard and Martha (White) Lewis. He married Norma (Beard) Lewis on Feb. 6, 1966, in Tuscola.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Lewis; two children, Shannon (Chris) Gordon of Newman and Steve (Jennifer) Lewis of St. Joseph; and six grandchildren, Jacob Gordon, Emma Gordon, Caleb Gordon, Hannah Lewis, Jacey Lewis and Hayden Lewis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kent Lewis.

Max grew up in a farming family and graduated from Newman High School in 1963. After graduation, he attended Eastern Illinois University, where he played basketball. He then attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and graduated in 1968. He worked for the USDA as a district conservationist before returning to farm in 1975, and he continued to farm until he could no longer in 2015.

When Max was not out in the fields, he loved to travel with his family and friends. His favorite type of traveling was on a cruise ship. He also loved to spend his winters down in Sarasota, Fla. Max was on the Newman School Board and was the secretary treasurer of the Sargent Township Drainage District.

A funeral service will be at 11a.m. Oct. 8 at Newman Methodist Church with Mr. Ted Shearer officiating. Burial will follow in Newman Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Oct. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Joines Funeral Home, 401 W. Gillogly St., Newman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Newman Methodist Church.

Jean L. Nonman

 SIDNEY— Jean L. Nonman, 83, of Sidney passed away at 9:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at home.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is assisting with arrangements.

Mr. Nonman was born Dec. 13, 1936, in Danville, a son of Walter “Chet” and Alice Schaeffer Nonman. He married Beverly Carleton on June 19, 1954, in Longview; she survives.

Also surviving are two children, Jerri (Chris) Boley of Urbana and James (Lori) Nonman of Sidney; three grandchildren, Nikki (Jeff) Boswell of Washington, Ill., Cari (Ken) Midkiff of St. Joseph and Rodney (Karla) Nonman of Tolono; four great-grandchildren, Clay Frederick, Mia Frederick, Nolan Nonman and Makayla Nonman; and a sister, Brenda Luedke of Broadlands.

He farmed in the Broadlands area and was road commissioner for Raymond Township for 16 years. He was a unique character who touched many lives. He will be remembered for his giving personality and generosity. “Don’t be mean, be like Jean.”

Memorials may be made to a charity of donor’s choice.

Joyce Ann Duckwitz

ST. JOSEPH — Joyce Ann Duckwitz, 84, of St. Joseph passed away at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 30, 2020) at Country Health Care & Rehab, Gifford.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. David Barcus will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Joyce was born Aug.5, 1936, in Barnhart, Mo., the daughter of Eugene and Minnie (Higgs) Smith. She married William Duckwitz on July 1, 1955, in St. Joseph. He survives.

She is also survived by her children, Maleah (Wes) Grussing of Royal and Todd (Darla) Duckwitz of St. Joseph; four grandchildren, Holly Broeker and Scott Haith of Round Lake, Nichole Duckwitz of St.Joseph, Amber Jensen of Mattoon and Justin (Amanda) Duckwitz of Broken Arrow, Okla.; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, June Chambless of St. Joseph.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Shirley Leevey; and one great-granddaughter.

She was a member of St. Joseph Church of Christ. Joyce attended St.Joseph-Ogden schools.

She was a homemaker, wife and mother.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church of Christ. Condolences may be left at freesefh.com.

Freese 10/2/2020

Timothy Wilfong

 Timothy Willfong of Glendale, Calif., passed away on Aug. 5, 2020, at Glendale Adventist Medical in Glendale, Calif.  

He is survived by his parents, Dick and Phyllis Willfong of Penfield; his son, Steven, of Carson, Calif.; and his brothers, Don (Sandy) Willfong, of Gifford and Brian (Jeny) Willfong, of Ogden,

He was a wonderful blessing to all who knew him, and he will be sorely missed.

Rantoul Press 8/6/20

Joseph “Lynn” Stayton

 THOMASBORO — Joseph “Lynn” Stayton, 78, of Thomasboro died at 2:05 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 26, 2020) at Heritage Health, Hoopeston.

There will be a graveside funeral service at 10a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign.

Lynn was born on Jan. 9, 1942, in Champaign, a son of Joseph and Myra (Benner) Stayton. He married Nellie “June” Stappenbeck on Oct. 27, 1963, in Mahomet. She survives and resides at Eagles View in Rantoul.

Survivors include three daughters, Myra (David) Melanson of Baden, Pa., Diane (Marshall) Day of Urbana and Veronica O’Bryan of Champaign; two grandsons, Dalton and Nathan; and one brother, Larry (Karen) Stayton of Homer.

Lynn graduated from Homer High School in 1961 and attended David Rankin Trade School in St. Louis. He was an avid fan of both NASCAR and Fighting Illini sports. Lynn also had a large vegetable garden and enjoyed making dandelion wine.

Condolences may be offered at owensfuneralhomes.com.

NG 9/30/2020

Norbert Franzen

Norbert N. Franzen 76, of Urbana passed away at 2:48 P.M. Saturday September 26 ,2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday September 30, 2020 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph.

Pastor Dennis Meyer will officate. Inurnment will be in Friends Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

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


Norbert was born December 2, 1943 at Urbana, the son of Ehm and Anna (Bluhm) Franzen. He married Bonnie Bohlen on April 12, 1964 at Flatville. She survives. Also survived by his children, Lisa (Mike) Wallace of St. Joseph, Kelli (Randy) Marsh of Fairmont, Aaron (Karen Gresham) Franzen of St. Joseph, Corey Franzen (Anastasia) of Florida, and Shelby Franzen of St. Joseph. Ten grandchildren, Kale Wallace, Nicole Garmon, Carlie Heath, Joel Wallace, Hunter Sanford, Brody Marsh, Dakota Franzen, Savanna Franzen, Cameron Black, and Alexis Franzen. Seven great grandchildren. Siblings, Murray (Janet) Franzen of Sidney, Darren (Pam) Franzen of Urbana, Sue (Tom) Grindley of Homer, Sherrill (Brad) Mohr of Homer, Sharlyn Franzen of Arizona, and Shauna (Royce) Ideus of Gifford.

Preceeded in death by his parents.

Norbert was a founding member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of St. Joseph and taught Sunday School for many years.

He was a co-owner of Franzen Construction. He enjoyed working and spending time with his family. Norbert loved dressing in costumes for Halloween and telling jokes. He was a St. Louis Cardinals fan, enjoyed playing baseball, he played EI baseball. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. 

Memorials can be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph or to the donar's choice.