Mervyn Lee Olson

Mervyn Lee Olson, 88 of Philo, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Newman Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. He was surrounded by his wife and children.

 

Mervyn was born May 31, 1933, in Champaign County, son of Oscar and Hilda (Huls) Olson. Mervyn married Velma J Sjoken on March 13, 1955 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

 

Mervyn farmed his whole life aside from the two years he proudly served in the Army during the Korean War. He enjoyed attending auctions, playing euchre and talking to anyone he would meet. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Philo, IL.

 

Mervyn was preceded in death by his parents, four infant children, and his brothers Wendell Olson and Vernon Olson.

 

Mervyn is survived by his wife of 66 years; four children, Debra Olson (Greg Goluska) of Rockville, IN, Laryn Olson of Urbana, IL, Michael Olson of Sidney, IL and Lacinda Olson-Carrington of Champaign, IL; seven grandchildren, Jason (Kelly) Ackerman of Edwardsville, IL,Kelly (Kenny) Carter of St. Joseph, IL, Victoria Carrington of Urbana, IL, McKayla Olson of Monticello, IL, Chris Kingston of Urbana, IL, Gunnar Olson of St. Joseph, IL, Hunter Olson of Philo, IL; and seven great-grandchildren, Maddux, Payton, Lillian, Avery, Sophia, Renlee and Josie.

 

Visitation will be from 5 pm to 7 pm Monday, November 8, 2021 at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E Grand Ave, St. Joseph, IL. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at St. John Lutheran Church, 201 E Church St, Royal, IL. Burial will be in Kopmann Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hooves of Hope in Potomac or Kopmann Cemetery.

NG 11.7.2021

Mildred "Mickey" Rogers

HOMER — Mildred “Mickey” Rogers, 81, of Homer passed away at 2 a.m. Friday (Nov. 5, 2021) at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana.

There will be a visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Burial will take place privately in G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Mickey was born June 3, 1940, in Glasgow, Ky., the daughter of Linvel and Mary Magdalene Walden Dial. She married Harley Rogers on Oct. 27, 1960. He preceded her in death in 2007.

Survivors include her daughter, Carleen Taylor of Homer; grandchildren, Preston Taylor, Colin (Leslie) Taylor, Chelsey Wisehart and Cole Wisehart; one great-granddaughter, Cora Taylor; and four brothers, Donald (Ellen) Dial of Columbus, Ind., Alan (Martina) Dial of Urbana, Randy (Doni) Wheeler of Charleston and Jerry (Dina) Wheeler of Bowling Green, Ky.

She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Connie Rogers and Carla Wisehart, one sister and one brother.

Mickey was part owner and operator of Homer Auction for over 30 years. She enjoyed fishing and crocheting.

Memorials can be made to the Homer American Legion Auxiliary.

NG 11.6.2021

Stephanie Costa

OGDEN — Stephanie Costa, 33, of Ogden passed away Sept. 30, 2021.

Stephanie was born March 28, 1988, in Kansas City, Mo., to Michael J. Costa and Sharon Oxley.

Stephanie is survived by her sister, Christina Costa; loving son, Axel; loved daughter, Lacey; cousins, Linda and Joey; friends who loved her much; foster mom, Cyndi McCloud; and longtime good friends, Rachael Mengarelli, Myra Monte, Adele Allen and Theresa (Allen) Houmes.. 

Stephanie was preceded in death by her father, Michael J. Costa III; mother, Sharon Oxley; and great-uncle, Joseph Costa.

It's not how long the flower blooms, but how beautifully. Stephanie was beautiful inside and out. She had a witty sense of humor that could light up any room. She attended the University of Illinois for her master’s degree in psychology and later worked in human resources. She also did her internship with United Airlines; through this she traveled the world for a year and met and explored many interesting people and places. While in Cancun, she ziplined and rode ATVs. She was a good listener and, overall, a good person who always tried to do her best. God gave Stephanie her life because she was strong enough to live it.

Farewell Stephie! We will honor your request to be sprinkled in the ocean, and then you can travel the whole world! WE LOVE YOU!

Cremation rites have been accorded and private family services will be held Nov. 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. The family has entrusted Illiana Cremation Society to assist them in celebrating Stephanie’s life. Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at illianacremationsociety.com.

NG 11.5.2021

Helen M. Humphrey

 Helen M. Humphrey 92, of Ogden passed away at 6:20 P.M. Saturday October 30, 2021 at Country Health Nursing Home, Gifford.

 Funeral services will be11:00 A.M. Wednesday November 3, 2021 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Pastor James Lehmann will officiate. Burial will be in G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.

 Helen was born September 20, 1929 at Collison. The daughter of Carl and Frieda (Loeschen) Hayn. She married Edward D. Humphrey on March 25, 1950 at Royal. He preceded her in death on July 10, 2002.

 She is survived by her children; Richard (Judy) Humphrey of Rantoul, Rose (Marlin) Franzen of St. Joseph. Four grandchildren Greg (Amy)  Humphrey, Luke (Jennifer) Humphrey, Sarah (Bill) Jenkins, Neil (Kim) Franzen. Eight grandchildren. Two sisters Lois Samson of Coppers Cove, TX and JoAnn Lynch of Newman. 


 She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Clarene "Corny" Johnson and brother Donald Hayn.

 Helen retired from Sears in 1992. She was a die hard Cubs fans. She loved to garden and loved to share her canned goods especially her strawberry jam with family and friends.

 The family would like to think Country Health Care & Rehab, Gifford and Transitions Hospice for the excellent care they gave Helen.

 Memorials may be made to the Ogden-Royal Rescue Squad.

Freese FH 10/31/2021

Bobbie Jene Morgan

 

Bobbie Jene Morgan, 35, of Potomac, passed away at 7:38 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021, at Carle Foundation Hospital, in Urbana.

Bobbie was born on December 1, 1985, the daughter of Robert Gene Morgan and Pamela Diana (Ward) Reid.  She was previously married to Mike Wagner.

She is survived by two sons- Xavier Williams of Rantoul and Bentley Tester of Potomac; 6 brothers- Travis (Mandy) Reid of Calvert City, Kentucky, John Jackson of Danville, Dale Morgan of Danville, William Morgan of Danville, Robert Lee Morgan of Oakwood, and Tyler Morgan of Oakwood; three sisters- Jessica Lutz of Potomac, Sierra Morgan of Potomac and Macey Morgan of Oakwood; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents- Wayne and Jean Ward and Robert and Cleadis Haun.

Bobbie graduated from St. Joseph High School, in 2004.  She enjoyed doing cross-stitch, making jewelry, doing art projects, being feisty and spending time with her children. 

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2021, at Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac, with Pastor Randy Holden officiating.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.  According to her wishes cremation rites have been accorded.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring her life.  Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Alvena N. Mott

 Alvena N. Mott, 99, of Homer passed away at 7:04 AM, Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at University Rehab, Urbana.

Per her wishes there will be no services.  Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is assisting her family.

Mrs. Mott was born July 8, 1922 in DeWitt County, Il, a daughter to Jesse and Georgia Schnout Cooper.  She married Merle Mott on February 29, 1960, he preceded in death on July 25, 2020.

Surviving is her daughter; Ginger Gwen (Mike) Wahl of Minnesota, grandchildren; Jeffery (Val), Jodi (Paul) and Gabe (Tammy), and many many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sons; Dale, Gilbert, Randy and Clifford and a daughter Norma, and a grandson; Kenny.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

Freese FH website 10/15/2021

William Bradley Morris

 William Bradley Morris (Brad) 62, of Champaign, IL, passed away at his home of natural causes on Tuesday, Oct 12th.  Brad loved fishing and was a natural repairman and often said “fixing things was like therapy”.  He was most proud of his work with a management company where he worked as building superintendent for large rental complexes in both San Antonio and Waco, TX.  

Shortly after moving into Eden Supportive Living, his family and community shared their pride in his work when he was awarded the 2016 STAR Award from the City of Champaign, IL for his contributions to sidewalk repairs and awareness for the disabled.  Brad was the catalyst for many family poker games, hosting and teaching his brothers and their friends often.  Although he struggled with physical and mental health most of his adult life, those who knew him well found him to be a gentle, kind, and faithful friend.    

 

Surviving family include his sister Penny (Lorenzo) Gutierrez of Belmont, MI, and brother Stephen (Jaime) Morris, of St. Joseph, IL.  Brad was preceded in death by his parents, Bill & Glenda Morris, and brother Tim Morris.  The family is being assisted by Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph, IL.  A memorial service will be held at a future date with interment to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney, IL. 

Freese FH 10/15/2021