Diane Rae Gordon

 

Diane Rae Gordon, 86 of Urbana, IL. passed away on Sunday Sept. 24, 2023 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg, IL. Diane was born on Dec. 28, 1936 in Waterman, IL. the daughter of Ralph Wendell and Evelyn Mae (Hage) McKirgan.

Diane went to Hinkley High School and Valparaiso University . Diane loved singing with the "Variety Four" at Weddings and Country Clubs. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Urbana. Above all else, Diane loved her children and grandchildren. She cherished spending time with her boys, especially during the holidays. She spoke often about her boys and loved being "Grammy" so proud of her grandchildren.

Diane is survived by two sons: Hank Gordon and Steve Smiley (Kathleen). Two Grandchildren: Hank Gordon Jr. and Kaitlyn Smiley. Also Survived by two step-sisters: Renae Rhoades and Linda Whildin (John) with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Saturday Sept. 30, 2023 from 9:30-10:30am at Renner-Wikoff Chapel. Graveside service will follow at 11:00am at Clements Cemetery on High Cross Road in Urbana, IL. Pastor Bob Franks will officiate.  A luncheon will follow the burial (TBA).

Contributions be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Urbana, IL. In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Renner-Wikoff Chapel.

Source:  https://www.renner-wikoffchapel.com/obituary/Diane-Gordon

Mildred C. Wolf

 

Mildred C. Wolf, 96, Savoy, formerly of Homer, died at her home in Autumn Fields Tuesday September 26, 2023, surrounded by her family.

 Mildred was born January 27, 1927 in Homer, a daughter of Arthur and Velma (Campbell) Hillery. She married Dale Wolf on June 3, 1945, at the Methodist Parsonage in Homer, by B.M. Petty. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale in 2010.

 A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday September 30, 2023 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Pastor Raymie Gordon will officiate. Burial will be in G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

 Surviving are one son, Terry (Jan) Wolf of Oro Valley, AZ, one daughter Judy (Lee Lehmann) Wertz-Lehmann of St. Joseph, 7 grandchildren, Brad (Jolene) Wolf, Jeremy Wolf, Trent (Marianna) Wolf, Kim (Jason) Todd, Mindy (Mike) James, Michael (Melissa) Wertz, Mark (Megan) Wertz; 16 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.

 Most of all Mildred loved her family and spending time with them.

 On September 10, 1976, Mildred was baptized in Homer Lake. She said, "I met Jesus in the water and it changed my life!"

 She was a follower of Jesus Christ her whole life and was welcomed into heaven by her Lord and Savior as well as her family and friends in a joyous celebration that we can only imagine.

 Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Dale, 3 sisters, 3 brothers and a son-in-law, Steve Wertz.

 Memorials may be made to United Congregational Church 201 N. Main St. Homer, IL 61849.

Freese FH 9/27/2023

Gloria J. Heimburger

 GIFFORD — Gloria J. Heimburger, 88, of Gifford went to meet her husband, Willie, on Wednesday morning (Sept. 20, 2023) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

As per her wishes, private services will be held.

She was born Oct. 5, 1934, in Zionsville, N.C., a daughter of James Boyd and Lexi (Lawrence) Wilson. She married Wilbur Heimburger in July 1953. He preceded her in death on Dec. 20, 2015.

She is survived by a son, Steve (Patti) Heimburger of Gifford; three grandchildren, Christopher, Austin and Aaron Miller; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, a sister, and her son, Robert.

Gloria worked hard and was involved in many activities. She and her husband were active members of American Lutheran Church in Rantoul.

Arrangements are being handled by Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul. Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.

NG 9/26/2023

Candice Elaine "Candy" Buhr

 GIFFORD — Candice Elaine “Candy” Buhr, 70, of Gifford passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at home, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be at noon Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 108 E. Church St., Gifford, with Pastor Scott Guhl officiating. A private family burial will be held in Kopmann Cemetery. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service from 10a.m. to noon Tuesday at the church. Baier Family Funeral Services, 2109 County Road 2500 N, Flatville, is handling arrangements.

Candy was born June 22, 1953, in Urbana, the daughter of Charles E. and Gladys Virginia Poyner Kelso. She married Arlen K. Buhr on Dec. 21, 1979, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Gifford. He survives.

Along with her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Leslie (Chad) Hoover of Gifford and Tonya (Jason) Harris of Franklin, Ky.; two sons, Jason (Amy) Buhr of Potomac and Michael (Tina) Buhr of Gifford; 10 grandchildren, Stanley (Jessica), Mackenzee, Aubry, Hannah, Ashley, Ellie, Kelsey, Dalton, Henry and Christian; three great-grandchildren, Stan, Kaysen and Adalynn; a sister, Cheryl (David) Huls of Hope; a brother, Charles Kelso of California; her mother- in-law, Marie Buhr of Gifford; two sisters-inlaw, Janice (Pete) Lanto and Glenda Buhr; and several aunts, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother and stepfather (Jim Bates); her fatherin- law, Wilbert Buhr; and a brother-in-law, Rodney Buhr.

Candy loved growing up in Santa Ynez, Calif. She returned to Gifford in 1977. She was a bookkeeper and retired from the Champaign County Housing Authority.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Gifford. Candy enjoyed camping and quilting. She referred to her Underground Railroad quilt as her “masterpiece.” But nothing meant more to her than spending time with her family.

Special thanks to Transitions Hospice for the love and support provided to our loved one and our family.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Kopmann Cemetery. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at baierfuneralservices. com.

NG 9/24/2023

Stephen R. Smith

Stephen R. Smith, 68 of Broadlands, passed away at 12:59PM, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Monday September 25, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands, with Pastor Jason Braaten officiating.  Burial will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Broadlands.  Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Monday at the church.

Mr. Smith was born June 11, 1955 in Tuscola, a son to Roland L and Phylis Anne Roller Smith.  He married Abbie Miller on November 30, 1996 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands, she survives.  Also surviving are a son; Samuel Smith of Broadlands, sic siblings; Margo (Ed) Jevicky of Greenbriar, AR, victor (Donna) Smith of Sidell, Carl (Angela) Smith of Allerton, Sara (David) Leuellen of Diamond, MO, Justin (Belinda) Smith of Loogootee, IN, and Jason (Sandy) Smith of Hume, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Stephen was fortunate to build his own machine shop and work from home.   His passion was teaching Sunday School over 25 years at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  He loved children and loved his church and teaching about the faith.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

Freese FH 9/21/2023

Larry Dean Ideus

RANKIN - Larry Dean Ideus, 83, formerly of Rankin, passed away at 8:44 p.m. Monday (Sept. 11, 2023) at his niece's home.

Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Sept. 16, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells St., Paxton, with Pastor Scott Guhl officiating. Burial will follow in Huls Cemetery, Gifford, with military honors accorded by Cissna Park American Legion Post 527. Visitation will be two hours before the service from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the funeral home.

Larry was born Aug. 4, 1940, in Champaign, the son of George U. and Anna Albers Ideus.

He is survived by one sister, Janis Loschen of Royal; two brothers, Donald "Gene" Ideus of Richland, Mich., and Allen (Deb) Ideus of Thomasboro; nine nieces and nephews, Connie Schwartz, Suzy Yana, Jim Osterbur, Cindy Gerard, Peggy Talbot, Amanda Ramm, Kari Ideus, Jessika Day and Michael Ideus; 12 great-nieces and -nephews; numerous great-great and great-great-great-nieces and -nephew; and many Ideus and Albers cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Lucille and Frank Osterbur, brother-in-law Elvin Loschen, niece Sheryl Boyer and great-nephew Jason Yana.

Larry graduated from Rankin Township High School in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965 as military police, spending 13 months in Korea. Larry was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Rankin, where he served on the church council. He was also a member of the Cissna Park AMVETS, the Vermilion County Farm Bureau and was a commissioner for the Johnson Drainage District.

Larry farmed the family farm alongside his own. He enjoyed attending farm shows and had a passion for agriculture and family. Larry was a great neighbor who had love and appreciation for the rural Rankin area and was often a sounding board to those around him for advice.

Memorials may be made to the Rankin Lions Club or the Rankin Fire Department. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at baierfuneralservices.com.

Published by The News-Gazette on Sep. 13, 2023.

Margaret Ruth White Stigler

 
KINGMAN, Ind. - Margaret Ruth (White) Stigler, age 101, of Kingman, Ind., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Williamsport Nursing and Rehabilitation, Williamsport, Ind.

She was born March 8, 1922, in St. Joseph to the late William and Mary (Hillard) White.

Margaret graduated from Homer High School in 1942. On May 22, 1964, she married the love of her life, Francis E. Stigler, who preceded her in death on Sept. 10, 2002.

She was loving mother, homemaker and seamstress. She was a member of the Kingman United Methodist Church and enjoyed sewing and spending time with her boys. 

She is survived by three sons, Stephen Kuzian of Westville, Kevin (Norma) Kuzian of Victoryville, Calif., and Michael (Cathy) Kuzian of Torrance, Calif; two daughters-in-law, Carla Kuzian and Sherrie Kuzian; eight grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Francis; two sons, Doyle Lynn Kuzian and Rodney Nicholas "Nick" Kuzian; a brother, Dean White; two sisters, Elizabeth Fassett and Dorothy Nagy; and a granddaughter, Mari Elizabeth Kuzian. 

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at Sanders Funeral Care, 203 S. First Street in Kingman, Ind., with funeral services to follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Kingman Fraternal Cemetery.

Share memories and condolences online at SandersFuneralCare.com.

Published by The News-Gazette on Sep. 19, 2023.