Jack A. Roughton

 RBANA — Jack A. Roughton, 90, left this world and will be with the Lord on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021.

Jack was born Aug. 4, 1931, in Urbana, to Oren and Helen Roughton. After graduating from Urbana High School in 1949, Jack was a butcher at Norms and the UI.

Jack served in the Illinois National Guard and U.S. Army, and was promoted to E-7, SFC. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Urbana.

After 41 years, Jack retired from the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad with an impeccable safety record as a switchman, brakeman and foreman.

An avid fly fisher, Jack was schooled in fly fishing and tying from his father and friends. He fly-fished throughout the industry transition from bamboo to fiberglass and then graphite fly rods, often fixing the rods.

He was an avid gardener of produce and flowers, a keen landscaper, enjoyed walking, and was a passionate piano player. He wrote and performed an excellent Christmas song at First United Methodist Church that got a standing ovation. He enjoyed being with his family.

Jack is survived by two children, Juliene Pendleton (Don) and Steve Roughton; two grandsons, Rusty Pendleton and Jim Pendleton; four great-grandchildren, Elaine, Gabriel, Micah and Jacob; a sister, Nancy Pridemore of Apopka, Fla.; and a brother, Terry Roughton of Long Beach, Calif.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Oren Kenneth Roughton (OK) and Helen Roughton; two sisters, Madge Mullinax and Nancy Riggs; and two brothers, Merle Roughton and Oren Kenneth Jr. Roughton.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at Renner-Wikoff Funeral Home. A service officiated by minister the Rev. Robert Freeman to celebrate the life of Jack Roughton will be at 11a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. A luncheon will follow the burial service at First United Methodist Church in Urbana.

Memorials may be made to the Dementia Society of America or a charity of your choice.

NG 1/2/2022

Bobby D. Jackson

 Bobby D. Jackson, 71, of Ogden passed away at 5:30 A.M. Thursday December 30, 2021 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

 Bobby was born February 8, 1950 in Champaign. The son of Bobby Dean and Juanita June (Zindars) Jackson.

 He is survived by his life partner of 31 years Shirl Woodward of Ogden. Son Ryan Dean Jackson of Ogden. Two step-children Jeremy Woodward and Jennifer Woodward   Brother Dave (Molly) Jackson of St. Joseph. Sister Jan (Robert) Starr of Smithville, MO. Grandchildren; Nicklas Jackson, Owen, Carson, Savannah and Summer.

 He was preceded in death by his parents and son Jason Jackson.

 Bobby was a veteran of the U.S. Army having been stationed in Germany.  He worked for Grussing Ag for many years. He also worked as a farmhand in the area. 

 Bobby enjoyed NASCAR and fishing.

 Per his wishes Bobby was cremated. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

 Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph is handling arrangements. 

Marilyn J. Erb

 SIDNEY — Marilyn J. Erb, 87, of Sidney passed away at 12:32 a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 21, 2021) at Arbor Rose, Charleston. 

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, at Sidney Christian Church, Sidney, with the Rev. Barry West officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, is assisting with arrangements.

Mrs. Erb was born Aug. 12, 1934, in Longview, a daughter Merton and Eva Warnes Parks. She married Howard Erb on Nov. 1, 1953, in Villa Grove, and he survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Geri (Kirk) Kirkland of Philo and Joni (Keith) O’Banion of Armstrong, 11 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Debbie; and a brother, Robert Parks.

Mrs. Erb was employed at CIB Bank in Sidney where she retired as an officer. She was also a homemaker who loved to knit, crochet and bake for family dinners. She loved organizing celebrations with family and others. She was active in the Sidney Christian Church, teaching Sunday school, Bible school and singing in the choir.

Memorials may be made to the church or Gideons International. Condolences may be made at freesefh.com.

Betty J. Stewart

Betty J. Stewart, 90, of Sidney passed away at 5:05PM, Monday, December 20, 2021 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Private services will be held at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney.

Mrs. Stewart was born October 20, 1930 in Hobart, IN, a daughter to James and Gladys Hilborn Crouse.  She married Dennis Stewart on, he preceded in death.

Surviving are three children; Dennis (Amy) Stewart Jr. of Carrolton, TX, Rick (Doyla) Stewart of Savoy, and Denise (Phil) Miles of, FL, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and four siblings; Dick (Wanda) Crouse of Villa Grove, Barbara (Bill) Morse of Sidney, Sue Crouse French of Charleston, and Ronnie (Liz) Crouse of Auburn, Kentucky.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and four siblings:  Bill Crouse, Alene Virks, Bob Crouse, and Marjie Wilsey.

Betty helped her husband with his home building business, building houses in Champaign County.

Memorials may be made to Sidney Fire Department or Sidney Christian Church.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

Freese FH website 12/22/2021

Teresa D. Akers

LONGVIEW — Teresa D. Akers, 63, of Longview passed away Thursday (Dec. 16, 2021) at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana.

Teresa was born on March 28, 1958, to James and Georgia (Kilman) Day in Urbana. She married Terry Akers Sr. on April 6, 1974.

She is survived by her children, Terry (Leah) Akers, Jeremy (Amber) Akers, Jacob (Caryn) Akers and Savannah (Robert) Helminiak; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three brothers; one sister; and her boyfriend, Charles High.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two sisters.

Teresa enjoyed cooking and baking and playing with all her grandchildren. She also loved to sit outside and soak up all the sun.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at Joines Funeral Home, Villa Grove. A graveside service will be held immediately following the visitation at Centennial Cemetery with Pastor Mike Zylstra officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.

NG 12/21/21

Charles "Chuck" Cecil Walker

 BROADLANDS — Charles “Chuck” Cecil Walker, 79, of Broadlands passed away Sunday (Dec. 19, 2021) at home surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Chuck was born on May 19, 1942, in Tuscola, to Forrest and Francis (Tharp) Walker. He married Bobby Davis on Aug. 4, 1961.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bobby Walker; three sons, Brad (Renee), Brian (Darla) and Brett (Kate); grandchildren, Dustin (Brittany) Buchholz, Devin, Megan (Alex) Craciun, Dylan (Anish), Erin, Brandon, Zoyie and Jackson; great-grandchildren, Parker and Kenzy Harris and Hydra and Maverick Craciun; siblings, Gary (Jean) of Broadlands and Betsy Knapp of Marine City, Mich.; and nephews and nieces, Erik (Chris), Ellen, Forrest (Amberly), Chad (Jamie) and Sean (Kara).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Francis Walker; brother-in-law, Jim Knapp; and a niece, Elizabeth Knapp.

Chuck was a trucker for 40 years, and once retired, he went back to work to help a friend farm. He had a strong work ethic and was always happy to lend a helping hand. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed competing in local tractor pulls and also helped to start the Night Hawk Bowling League at the Old Orchard Lanes in Savoy. Chuck was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

A funeral service will be at noon Wednesday, Dec. 22, at Joines Funeral Home, Newman, with Pastor Dave Trover officiating. Burial will follow in Fairfield Cemetery, Newman. A visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service from 10 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chuck’s name to the Cunningham Children’s Hospital (cunninghamhome.org/ways-give/give-now).

NG 12/21/21

Marilyn Jane Kinney

Marilyn Jane Kinney 90 of Sidney passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at 3:25PM, Sunday, December 19, 2021 at home.

Private graveside services will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney with Rev. Jeff Stahl officiating.

Mrs. Kinney was born December 31, 1930 in Elgin, Il, a daughter to Joseph and Viola Lingle Mosley.  She married Lester Kinney on April 30, 1965 in Paxton, IL, he survives.  Also surviving is a son; David Kinney of Tolono and a daughter; Jennifer (Ghassan) Ksaibati of Riverview, Fl, five grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter; Kathy and a brother; Ralph.

She was employed at Burnham City Hospital, Champaign and Sears Department Store, Champaign.

Memorials may be made to Sidney Fire Department or Carle Hospice.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

Freese FH 12/21/21