James Ross Wilsey

James Ross Wilsey, 69, of Homer, passed away at Carle Hospital on 02/18/2022.

Jim was born to Clifford Wilsey and Marjorie Crouse in Champaign. After he graduated from Unity High School in 1971 he went on to work at and eventually retire from the University of Illinois. Even in retirement Jim loved to stay busy, he worked for the town of Sidney and farmed on the side. When he wasn’t working he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandson. Jim loved the outdoors, you could often find him with a pair of binoculars in hand watching the deer roam his land. Jim was a strong, kind, loving, and supportive father. He was widely known as a friendly face around town ready to give you a pat on the back and a big smile. He will always be remembered for his contagious chuckle.

Jim was preceded in death by his father Clifford, mother Marjorie and nephew Shandy Wilsey, and leaves behind his 3 siblings, Connie Wilsey, Michael Wilsey and Jeffrey Wilsey, his son Derek Wilsey (Emily Wilsey), daughter Ashley Wilsey, grandson Maverick Wilsey as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A service in his memory will be held on March 2, 2022 at noon with visitation from 10:00 to noon at Freese Funeral Home in Sidney, flowers can be sent to the funeral home.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

NG 2/20/2022

Penny Dale Wagner

Penny Dale Wagner 68, entered into the arms of her loving Savior on January 15, 2022.  She joins her beloved son Ryan, who passed away on January 23, 1993.  She was born June 9, 1953 the Daughter of Gordon L. And Patricia A. Powell in Danville, Illinois.  2 brothers Wade Powell (Marge) and Matt Powell (Donna) and two sisters Cindy Brown (Glen) and Sandra Heath.   One surviving son, Tony Allen Taylor (Colleen).  She was preceded in death by one son, Ryan Lee McBride and her parents.  She was married to Richard Wagner on May 18, 2008.  

She attended Danville schools and Parkland College studying business administration.  Penny worked as a legal secretary for 25 years achieving the professional legal secretary designation in 1993.  She loved music, baking, chalk painting furniture and playing the guitar.  She Attended Calvary Baptist Church in Urbana, IL for many years and served as a teacher, women's bible study leader and worked in the bus ministry.  She was currently attending First Baptist Church in Church Hill, TN.  She had 7 grandchildren and her fur babies, Rudy and Mandy, were a big part of her life and brought her unspeakable joy.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday February 19, 2022 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery following the services. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.

Freese FH 2/20/2022

David Lowry

 

David Lowry, 85, of Champaign, Illinois, passed away on February 4, 2022.  David was born March 10, 1936 to Eileen and Eugene Lowry in Urbana, Illinois.  He graduated from Urbana High School in 1954, and worked for Sullivan Chevrolet and Illinois Power before being asked to join the U S Army which he proudly served for 3 plus years.  After which Dave returned and became an electrician and proud member of IBEW Local 601 until his retirement in 1997

 Dave is survived by sons Mark (Danielle) of Champaign, Illinois, and Mike (Pam) of Overland Park, Kansas, grandchildren Jack and Meghan, brother Rich (Jane) Lowry and sister Kathy (Hal) Holmes.  He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents Eugene and Eileen, brothers John and Ted, and daughter in law Nonie.

 Dave enjoyed supporting his boys and causes he believed in.  He served in various roles including Scout Master with The Boy Scouts of America and served as Assistant Scoutmaster for the 1981 National Jamboree.  He was an active member in The Knights of Columbus and a member of the Moose Lodge. His true passion was travel, camping and socializing. After his retirement, Dave enjoyed playing golf, a game he had played for many years and always enjoyed the journey. Special thanks to the caregivers of Carriage Crossing where he lived after he moved back to Illinois

 Celebration of Remembrance will be Monday March 14 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd. Urbana. 

Donald Conrad Saupe

 

Donald Conrad Saupe, 96 of Urbana, passed away Sunday February 13, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.  He was born November 25, 1925 in Geneseo, the son of Otto and Ella (Schreiber) Saupe. His father passed away when he was two and he was brought up by his mother and grandfather as well as many other relatives in the Geneseo community.

Don served in the Army from 1945 to 1947 and was enroute for the possible invasion of Japan but was rerouted to serve in the Philippines.  He used the GI bill to attend the University of Illinois graduating in’51 and earning a Masters degree in ’58.  He was offered a teaching position at graduation in Ornamental Horticulture and retired as a professor some 33 years later.  While at school he met and married Virginia Neville and raised three sons: Paul, Martin, and Art. After the boys grew up, Don and Ginny enjoyed many years together attending Elder Hostels, hosting International flower tours and enjoying each other until she succumbed to cancer in’88.  He married Mary (Jackson) Anderson in ’89 and assisted her as she finished raising her three sons: Steve, Gary and Kevin. He spent the rest of his life continuing his legacy of helping others, volunteering at Carle Hospital, Meals on Wheels, Hospice to name a few as well as helping people everywhere in the communities where he has lived, still shoveling sidewalks after the last 12-inch snowfall.  He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Urbana

At the age of 96, he is amazingly fortunate to be survived by nearly his entire family: his beloved wife Mary, for whom he is much thankful for these past 33 years, his sons Paul (Marty), Martin (Beth), Arthur (Wendy).  Mary’s sons Steve (Marina), Gary (Meggi) and Kevin (Monica), 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by Ginny and one granddaughter.

.Services will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Philo Rd., Urbana on Friday February 25th at 4:00 with gathering of family and friends beginning at 2:30.  Pastor Paul Chapman will officiate.

Burial will be in the G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Mathew Lutheran Church , Urbana, IL

Renner Wikoff Web 2/19/2022

Martha Gilliland Bing

Martha was born on August 24, 1930 to the late Myrtle and Leo Gilliland and grew up in Hillsboro, Illinois.  She met the love of her life, Dennis R. Bing, at Chanute Airforce Base in Rantoul. They were married on December 21, 1951. She is survived by her three children, Dennis Bing Jr., Sandy Bailey, and Tammy Brown, and sons-in-law Rob Bailey and Ralph Brown Jr.

She was very proud of her 12 grandchildren:  Annie Osekowsky, Dennis R. Bing III (children of Dennis Jr.), Rob Bailey II, Jennifer Clegg, Derek Bailey and Cassidy Bailey (children of Sandy Bailey), and Michelle Balestrieri, Heather Turner, Ralph Brown III, Justin Brown, Sebastian Brown, and Zechariah Brown (children of Tammy Brown). She was blessed with 12 great-grandchildren: Lilly Bing, Benjamin Bing, Emma Bing, Austin Osekowsky, Emily Osekowsky, Henrik Clegg, Adara Bailey, Belle Balestrieri, Declan Balestrieri, Penny Balestrieri, Mateo Turner, and Harper Turner.

Martha was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Urbana until she moved to Floyd, Virginia after Dennis’ passing.  She was a very talented seamstress and loved knitting and quilting. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and was involved in a couples and women’s bridge club for many years.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, Urbana.

Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com

Renner Wikoff web 2/19/2022

Deborah J. Dayton

 
Deborah J, Dayton, 67, of Indianapolis, passed away at 2:05PM, Saturday, February 12, 2022 at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Sunday, February 20, 2022 at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney with Rev. Mike Picklesimer officiating.  Burial will be at Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph.  Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home.

Ms. Dayton was born September 4, 1954 in Urbana, a daughter to Donald E and Katherine Wagner Dayton.

Surviving are two sisters; Danea Lindsey of Champaign and Devin (David) Gentry of Tolono, a brother; Don Dayton of Tolono, five nieces and nephews; Jason Wood of Champaign, Walter (Danielle) Johnston of Rifle, CO, Katrina (Kevin) Beach of Mooresville, IN, Kellen Prough and Kyle Prough of Indianapolis, and her beloved cat; Frankie.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She graduated from Unity High School in 1972 and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 1976.  She found a love for cooking and culinary arts, and was a chef and many high-end restaurants, including but not limited to; Odyssey and Maggiano’s Little Italy in Chicago and Capital Grill and the Hyatt in Indianapolis.  She was a member of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. 

She loved baseball, could talk about players and stats for hours on end - but her favorite team was the St. Louis Cardinals.

Memorials may be made to American Lung Cancer Association, Champaign County Humane Society or Hamilton County Humane Society, Noblesville, IN.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com.

Freese FH 2/15/2022

Patty Hannagan Frerichs

 Patty Frerichs 62, of Ogden passed away at 1;05 P.M. Monday February 7, 2022 at her home.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday February 12, 2022 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church 302 E. Main St. Penfield. Fr. Michael  Menner officiating. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery, Penfield. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph.

 

Patty was born October 6, 1959 at Urbana.  The daughter of Gordy and Jan (Fager) Hannagan. She married Randy Frerichs on July 10, 1982 at Penfield. He survives.

She is also survived by her children; Kate (Travis) Youmans of Gifford, Jordan Frerichs of Penfield. Grandchildren; Hannagan, Bentley, Lennon and Sutton Youmans. Siblings; Mary Hannagan of Gifford, Sister-in-law Hillary Hannagan of Penfield, Eddie (Lisa) Hannagan of Penfield, Jody (Jay) Quiram of Sidney, Jimmy (Angie) Hannagan of Gifford. Mother-in-law Florence Frerichs. In-laws Cindy (Charlie) Koonce, Kerry (Annette) Frerichs and Peggy (Jim) Vermilion. Several nieces and nephews.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Buddy Hannagan. Father-in-law Mervin Frerichs.

 

Patty was The Voice of Gordyville,the horse show announcer for 33 years. She ran the Gordyville Flea Market and Antique show since they have been held.

She was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Snaffle Bit Association Hall of Fame, Breeder of the National Reined Cowhorse Futurity Winner and World's Greatest Horseman winner, Oh Cay and Short. She was also an All American Quarter Horse Congress NCHA Amateur class champion. Patty enjoyed raising and riding cutting horses and always shared her love of horses with everyone.

Patty was a graduate of Armstrong High School, Cosmetology School and the Missouri School of Auctioneering. She was a Beautician in the area for 40 years.

Most of all Patty loved spending time with her family and friends. She was loved by everyone and was always the light and the life of the party. The world sure won't be as fun without her.

 

Memorials may be made to St. Lawrence Catholic Church P.O. Box 49 Penfield, IL 61862, Gateway Family Services Equine Therapy for Children with Trauma  7757 US RTE 136 Potomac, IL 61865 or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 1500 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 200 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

Condolences may be made at Freesefh.com

Freese FH 2/9/2022