Mary Frances Pitts

 Mary Frances Pitts (Frankie), loving wife, mother, sister, nanny and friend, passed away at the age of 70 on November 14, 2020.

 

Mary was born October 2, 1950 in Flippin, KY to Johnny Sidney and Melvina Key. She married Gary Pitts on July 25, 1975; he survives. 

 

Also surviving are two daughters, Tanya (Patrick) Flynn of Philo; Jamie Pitts of Homer and a son Gary (Holly) Pitts of Mattoon; grandchildren Tate Flynn, Kamdyn, Kashton and London White and Rylie and Brady Pitts.

 

She is also survived by four sisters, Edna Eads of Catlin, Sue (Dean) Wolfe of Fairmount, Louise Pitts of Homer, Becky Scott (Bruce) of Cave City, KY; and two brothers Bobby (Debbie) Key of Ridge Farm and Junior (Brenda) Key of Beloit, WI. Survivors include many nieces and nephews.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters Helen Thomas, Bessie Robertson, and Annie Phillips; and five brothers, William Key, Larry Key, Roger Key, Randy Key and James Key.

 

Mary worked for many years at the University of Illinois and retired from Dining and Food Services as a Food Service Supervisor. Family was her everything. In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, reading and shopping.

 

Visitation will be held at Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main St, Sidney on Monday, November 16 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.   Masks must be worn to enter the funeral home. Private funeral services will be held.  Graveside services will be held at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at GAR Cemetery, Homer.

Fredna Ray Glover

 MILFORD — Fredna Ray Glover, 80, of Milford passed away Friday (Nov. 13, 2020) at home in Milford.

She was born on June 7, 1940, in Dallas, the daughter of Fred Franklin and Faustene (Johnson) Ray. She married Wesley Glover in Ogden on July 1, 1965, and he preceded her in death on March 2, 2020.

Surviving are one daughter, Molly Glover of Milford; her mother, Faustene Nicoson of Hoopeston; two brothers, Dennis (Sheila) Ray of Newman and Jack (Pam) Ray of Rossville; one sister, Sandra (Bill) Wilson of St. Joseph; and her grandpuppy, Gretchen.

Fredna was a member of the Milford United Methodist Church. She was a 1962 graduate of the University of Illinois and worked on her master’s at the University of Iowa. She loved reading and going on walks. A private graveside service will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery, Milford, at a later date. Arrangements are by Knapp Funeral Home, Milford.

Memorials may be made to Milford Ambulance Service or Crossroads Youth Center of Milford. Please share a memory of Fredna at knappfuneralhomes.com.

NG 11/18/2020

Eric Hill

Eric A. Hill 57, of Ogden passed away at 11:31 A.M. Monday November 16, 2020 at his home.

Services will be held at a later date. Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph is handling arrangements. Eric was born December 3, 1962 at Urbana. The son of Gene O. and Shirley Mae (Hill) Hill. He married Tabetha Kern on May 27, 1995 in St. Joseph. She survives. Also survived by his sons; Timothy Hill of Ogden, Cody Hill of Fithian and Zachary Hill of Ogden. Five grandchildren; Natalya, Brynlee, Dakota, Kahner, Norah. One brother Ted Hill of St. Joseph. He was preceded in death by his parents. Eric was a member of the Ogden Church of the Nazarene.

Freese FH 11/18/2020

Bernie Whitt

 ST. JOSEPH — Bernie Whitt, 77, of St. Joseph passed away at 8:15 a.m. Monday (Nov. 9, 2020) at home.

Funeral services will be private. Prayers may be offered for the family at this time. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Bernie was born Oct. 21, 1943, in Dewey, the son of Frank and Claire Opal (Fultz) Whitt. He married Gayle Johnson on Oct. 26, 1994.

He is survived by his children, Mindy (Josh) Hale of St. Joseph and Amy Whitt of Bradenton, Fla.; two grandsons, Colton and Connor Hale; and two sisters, Jeri Specht of Mahomet and Phyllis Plotner of Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Scottie Whitt.

Bernie was a veteran of the U.S. Army Military Police, serving two tours in Vietnam. He also belonged to VFW Post 5520.

He worked at Manny & Martin TV for 21 years until his health forced his retirement.

Bernie loved to watch his grandsons play baseball and spending time with family. He also enjoyed bowling, softball, watching Illini basketball and racing his 1966 Chey Chevelle.

Memorials may be made to Carle Hospice or VFW Post 634, St. Joseph. Online condolences may be made at freesefh.com.

NG 11/12/2020

Ruth Plymire

 CHAMPAIGN — Ruth Plymire, 81, of Champaign passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at home after a long battle with ALS on Friday (Nov. 6, 2020).

She was born April 9, 1939, on Easter Sunday, in Urbana. She was the daughter of Richard and Minnie (Humphrey) Stephens. She married William Plymire on Aug. 31, 1957. He survives.

She is also survived by three daughters, Deanna (Doug) Uphoff of Champaign, Patty (Steve) Houseworth of Carlock and Teresa (Dean) Moore of Overland Park, Kan.; seven grandchildren, Maggie, Jon, Michelle, Sean, Michael, Katherine and Sarah; 13 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Shirley Wood of Grandview, Mo. She graduated from University High, Urbana. She retired after working 35 years at the University of Illinois Department of Life Sciences. She was very active in her church and Cursillo. Family was everything to her. She traveled extensively and took each of her grandchildren

on a special trip. She loved golfing and even had a hole-in-one. Ruth was an avid Illini and St. Louis Cardinals fan.

The family is thankful for her many caregivers over the years, ALS support team and Transitions Hospice and Palliative Care, who helped support her and the family.

There will be a private family funeral Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 10a.m., followed by entombment in Mount Hope Mausoleum. Livestream is available at St. Patrick Urbana Youtube, youtube. com/channel/UCkgk-IfMXdwlTGgudOxyzjaQ. A celebration of life will be planned at a further date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to alsachicago. org/donate or St. Patrick Catholic Church, Urbana, at osvonlinegiving. com/241 Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy, is handling arrangements (morganmemorialhome. com).

NG 11/12/20

Linda Magill

 BROADLANDS — Linda Magill, 74, of Broadlands passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday (Nov. 10, 2020).

She was born on May 25, 1946, to Shelton and Millie Allen of Newman, the oldest of three children. She graduated from Newman High School in 1964 and Eastern Illinois University with a teaching degree in 1968.

She married Steve Magill on June 4, 1967. Linda was a loving mother to their daughter, Chanin (Dave) Peyton of Merrimack, N.H. She was an incredibly proud and fun-loving grandmother to her grandsons, Andrew and Scott.

Linda was a dedicated teacher for most of her adult life. She loved all “her kids” from her years of teaching in Martinsville from 1968-1976 and in the ABL/Heritage districts from 1976-2002. Teaching was more than a job, it was her vocation and passion. Her influence was felt by countless students and co-workers.

She was a lifelong learner and always on the go. In her free time and during her retirement, she enjoyed sewing, reading, her card clubs, digging in her herb garden, home canning and traveling — particularly to see her family members. She was a member of Presbyterian International Church and was the pianist at Shaw Memorial Presbyterian in Newman and a substitute pianist at Newman United Methodist Church for many years.

Linda is survived by her husband, daughter and brother, Jerry (Linda) Allen of Auxvasse, Mo., as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and a vast community of close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, John.

A visitation will be held at Joines Funeral Home, Newman, on Thursday, Nov.12, from 4 to 7p.m. The funeral service will take place at United Methodist Church, Newman, on Friday, Nov. 13, at 10:30 a.m. For everyone’s safety, the family asks that attendees observe COVID-19 safety protocols.

Donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org), Newman United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 201 in Newman or to an organization of the donor’s choice. Her kind and generous nature and her sparkling smile will be sorely missed.

NG 11/12/20

Daisy J. Knott

 URBANA — Daisy J. Knott, 90, of Champaign passed away at 9:02 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 3, 2020) at home surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana. Due to COVID-19, we ask that all guests entering the building please wear a mask. Thank you.

Daisy was born on Oct. 22, 1930, in Tolono, to parents Thurman and Lora (Anders) Fackler. She married Raymond Knott on Oct. 23, 1952, and is a lifelong member of Grace Bible Church in Urbana. Daisy found lots of joy in her many hobbies. She loved to read her Bible and play cards with her family. Daisy loved to watch the birds and the flowers grow every season. She was great at cross-stitch and loved to crochet blankets for her grandkids. Daisy was a great baker and would share her treats with her family and neighbors. She will be dearly missed by her family and church family.

Daisy was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Raymond.

Survivors include her daughters, Charlotte (Ben) Franklin of St. Joe, Linda Hale of Champaign, Sherrill Douglas of Carrollton, Texas, and Carol (Melvin) Osmandson of Knotts Island, N.C.; siblings, Betty Samson of Tolono and Robert Fackler of Nebraska; 10 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Grace Bible Church in Urbana. Online condolences may be offered at renner- wikoffchapel.com.