Sara H. Essig

 HOMER — Sara H. Essig, 64, of Homer passed away at 7:50 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be a visitation from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. Interment of ashes will be held at a later date in Kentucky.

Sara was born April 13, 1957, in Texas City, Texas, the daughter of Seaton Long and Elizabeth Gordon Sumner Hunter. She married Dean Essig on June 25, 1983, in St. Louis.

Survivors include her husband, Dean, of Homer; a daughter, Rosalind (Kyle) Essig Fields of Springfield; two sons, Joe (Audra) Essig of Mobile, Ala., and John Essig of Salt Lake City; a granddaughter, Arlow Essig; and two sisters, Elizabeth (Linda Walters) Hunter of Nicholasville, Ky., and Edith Hunter of New York.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Sara was a seamstress and did alterations for many people in Homer. She was the former president of Homer Library Board for many years. She was on the committee for organizing the Homer Farmers Market.

Sara loved to sew, quilt, garden and bird watch. She had a love for music and orange tabby cats. Sara had the fondest love for her kids and family and her cat, Hitch.

Memorials can be made to the Homer Library.

NG 9/27/2021

Steven Louis Jacobs

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Steven Louis Jacobs, 60, passed away Tuesday (Sept. 21, 2021) at The Medical Center, Bowling Green, Ky.

He was born Oct. 2, 1960, to Bob and Ann Jacobs, who survive. He was a member and was deeply involved in Broadway United Methodist Church and loved his Lord and savior. He was strong and independent and never backed down from any challenge. He loved participating in track and bowling for the Special Olympics and was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Steve retired from the University of Illinois prior to moving to Bowling Green and was employed at Greenview Regional Hospital until he retired in December 2020.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Howard and Ellen Jacobs and Arthur and Evelyn Farmer; step-grandmother, Lorene Farmer; and several aunts, uncles and two cousins.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sisters, Cindy Wernigk (Dan) and Sally Thomas (Doug); aunt, Norma Stevenson; uncle, Loren Farmer; nine nieces and nephews; 11 great-nieces and -nephews; and many cousins.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday with burial to follow in Bowling Green Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Broadway United Methodist Church, the Bowling Green Warren County Humane Society or the American Diabetes Association.

NG 9/23/2021

Judy Ann Hester

 URBANA — Judy Ann Hester, 81, of Urbana passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021.

Judy was born Feb. 19, 1940, in Mt. Vernon, the only child of Glen Neal and Edna Mae Rainey. She married Jerry D. Hester, her high school sweetheart, on Sept. 27, 1959, in Mt. Vernon.

Judy graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1958 and worked for Illinois Power Company until her marriage to Jerry, who was stationed at Lowery Air Force Base in Denver, Colo., at the time. They made their first home in Colorado, later moving to California before finally settling in St. Joseph to raise their family. In 1972, Jerry and Judy purchased Twin City Refrigeration, where Judy worked as a secretary. In 1975, they formed TC & G Refrigeration, where she continued to work until 1980, when she retired to devote her time to her family. In 2000, Jerry formed the family business Polar Refrigeration, Heating & Cooling, and Judy re-entered the work force to help in the office off and on before truly retiring in 2010.

Judy loved to garden and spent countless hours in her yard creating a beautiful landscape. She was also an excellent cook and devoted her life to cooking and baking as a way to show her love to her family and friends. Her family looked forward to their birthday treats. Every year at Christmas, she would spend weeks preparing “goodie trays” for her doctors, dentists, bankers, customers of the family business, friends and family. During a neighbor’s health crisis, she happily prepared weekly meals for the family. It truly was her calling in life.

Upon the passing of her beloved husband, Jerry, as a way to honor the family business he created, she became a collector of polar bears to keep his memory alive. She found pleasure in finding unique polar bear gifts for the family. To her family, polar bears will now represent the memory of Judy as well.

Judy is survived by her three children, Sherry (Robert) Stauffer of Savoy, Steven (Brenda) Hester of Urbana and Scott (Joni) Hester of Homer; five grandchildren, Jesse Hester, Lesli Bose, Jordan Hester, Cheyenne Hollis and Kyle Stauffer; and two great-grandchildren, Maddox Bose and Camden Hollis.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. A private memorial will be held for family at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association or to an organization of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.

NG 9/22/2021

Robin Kaylene Auteberry

 LONGVIEW — Robin Kaylene Auteberry, 61, of Longview passed away on Aug. 30, 2021, from heart failure at Loyola Medical Hospital.

Robin was born on Jan. 4, 1960, to Robert and Shirley Melvin. She had four children, Casey Auteberry, Angela Bachman, Joshua Auteberry and Jesse Auteberry; along with 11 grandchildren, MaKayla, Victoria, CJ, Omar, Nevaeh, Alishia, Payton, Jaycee, Ty, Austyn and Braylon; and one great-granddaughter, Briella Kaylene.

She is survived by the father of her children, David Auteberry; her daughter, Casey Auteberry; son, Joshua Auteberry; sister, Sandy; brothers, Mike, Gary and Jeff; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Shirley Melvin; brother, Mark Melvin; partner in life, Charlie Simpkins; son, Jesse Auteberry; and granddaughter, Austyn Victoria Auteberry.

Robin always saw the best in people, even when she couldn’t see the best in herself. She loved deeply and as best she could, and that’s really all anyone could ask for. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the VFW in Villa Grove. This will be followed by a graveside service. All family and friends are welcome.

NG 9/21/2021

JoAnn Katherine Lannon

 SIDNEY — JoAnn Katherine Lannon, 86, of rural Sidney passed away early Saturday morning (Sept. 18, 2021).

She was born on Nov. 19, 1934, a daughter of Otto and Marie (Laley) Kleiss. JoAnn married Maurice Lannon at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Nov. 21, 1953. They lived, farmed and raised their family in rural Sidney.

She will be missed by her children, Trish Patrick of Tolono, Sharon (Kevin) Mackinson of Pontiac, Bill Lannon of Sidney, Julie Lannon of Monticello, Terri (Tim) Stigers of Sidney, John (Shari) Lannon of Sidney and Jeanne (Phil) Daly of Sidney.

Also deeply saddened by her death are her 26 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her siblings, Jack Kleiss of North Carolina, Stanley Kleiss of Michigan and sister Dorothy Kilgore of Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Morry Lannon; and their children, Mary Margaret and Bobby. Her sister, Rita Mahaffey, also preceded her in death.

JoAnn enjoyed spending time with her family, cross-stitching, flowers, camping, reading and socializing with friends at Francis’. Later in life, JoAnn and Morry enjoyed traveling with trips to Italy, Alaska, Hawaii and spending many weeks at Gulf Shores, Ala. She was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Altar and Rosary Society.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Bongard, on Saturday, Sept. 25. Rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. with visitation to follow. Burial immediately following services at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bongard.

Memorials may be given to St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

NG 9/22/2021

Kerrin Kay Overholt

 Kerrin Kay Overholt, 78, of St. Joseph died Tuesday, Sept 14, 2021 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.  She passed peacefully surrounded by family.

 

She was born April 12, 1943 in Peoria, IL to Helen (Kay) & Fred Goings.  She was a devoted Certified Nursing Assistant at Burnham Hospital and later Champaign County Nursing Home where she retired.  Kerrin is preceded in death by her husband Larry Overholt.  She is survived by two sons, Doug Pettyjohn (Alice) and Mark Pettyjohn.  One grandson, Kyle Pettyjohn.  Her beloved dog, Skipper Ray.

 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, 25th at 10-11AM with Memorial Service immediately following at Freese Funeral Home located at 302 E. Grand Ave in St. Joseph, IL.  There will be no graveside service. 
 

Memorial Donations can be made in her honor to St. Joseph Fire Department.  

Freese FH 9/19/2021

Connie Marie Kirby Jordan

 Connie Marie Kirby Jordan, 72 of rural Urbana, formerly of St. Joseph, sang her way into heaven on Thursday, September 16, 2021.  She passed away at home.

Connie was born July 24, 1949 in Paxton, to Lawrence and Eva Kirby, who preceded her in death.  Connie had two brothers, Eugene of Champaign and Larry (Jennifer)of Rantoul.

Connie was married on July 28, 1972 to Gary Jordan and they had three sons, Jacob (Jeanetta) of Tompkinsville, KY, Joshua (Lamonica) of Dublin, TX and Matthew of Urbana.  There are also three grandchildren, Nikolas, Lucas, and Lily.

Connie was the first full time secretary for the Champaign Fire Department, taking short hand and typing over 85 words per minute.  Later she typed papers for her husband while he attended the University of Illinois.  She also typed briefs and contracts for her husband as he was a union official for the A.P.W.U. in Champaign.

Connie loved the Lord, children and elderly people.  She was pro-life.  She had a Christian Daycare in rural St. Joseph for 12 years.  Connie helped and ran a Christian Teen Center at the St. Joseph Church of Christ for over 10 years.  Connie in her later years became a CNA and worked for Diversified Healthcare, specializing in elderly people.  She loved caring for people.

Connie performed and sang at many nursing homes, churches, and sporting events.  She also enjoyed the Bible, gardening, knitting and embroidery.  She will be missed, and is loved by many.

Graveside services will be held September 25, 2021 at 1:30PM at the Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo, Il, friends and family are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to help defer the cost of funeral services.  Contributions can be made out to Freese Funeral Home c/o Connie Jordan, 202 W. Main, Sidney, Il 61877.

Freese FH 9/19/2021