Helen June Sanford

 Helen June Sanford Brown, 98, passed away on May 20, 2022 at Farmer City Nursing Home.

Helen was born June 3, 1923 in Robinson, Illinois. A daughter of Elmer and May (Cramer) Sanford.  She married Oggie Brown on February 1, 1944.  They may a home in Sidney, Illinois for many years.  He preceded her in death in 1982.  Together Helen and Oggie had three son, Michael and Ronald who have both passed and Douglas, who survives.  She was also preceded in death by five sisters and a brother.  Helen is also survived by, four grandchildren, nine, great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Many thanks to all who assisted Helen is her last years.  The wonderful people at Farmer City Rehab and also the wonderful care from Bloomington Hospice.

Private family graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney.

Memorials may be made to Bloomington Hospice or donor’s choice.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

Freese FH 5/26/2022

John C. Parker

 John C. Parker of Sidney, IL, 57 years old, passed away peacefully at Carle Hospital on Sunday, May 22nd, 2022. He was born on April 24th, 1964, in Urbana, IL, attended Unity schools in Tolono, and lived in and around Sidney his entire life.

John shot a mean game of pool and was quite an accomplished karaoke singer! He absolutely loved being out and about in Urbana-Champaign and surrounding towns; going to see live music, drinking coffee at Café Kopi, attending downtown festivals, and spending time with his friends. John truly enjoyed the simple things in life.

John was also an avidly obsessed Bingo player. You could find him weekly at Monticello Bowl and Lounge, Mean Mugz in Ogden, Shae’s Pub & Grub in Arcola. Over the years, John became a loyal member of the Atomic Bingo family, not just playing but also helping with raffles for people in need, social gatherings, and a bunch of other things this little family does together. Don’t you DARE make fun of Bar Bingo when this group is around! On a serious note though, he found some of his most treasured friendships in this family and he will be missed.

Anyone who knew John was touched by his generous spirit. When John arrived at any social gathering, you could feel Love walk in the room. He was also a friend of Bill W. and beloved by his community; and he wants us to know that he has “been given a quiet place in bright sunshine,” and he’s happy to have escaped disaster with us, having commenced shoulder to shoulder our common journey. Neither we nor John will ever know how many hundreds of people he helped along the way on his path, sharing his experience, strength, and hope.

He is survived by his daughters, Jackie Parker of Ottawa, Kansas, Rachel Phillips (Dave) of Champaign, and Ashley Parker (Gordo) of Champaign; his sisters, Sheryl (Jim) Ingerson of Villa Grove and Doris (Travis) Henderson of Evansville, Indiana, and several grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard "Red" Parker and Karla Gebbink Parker.

There will be a service open to all at Freese Funeral Home at noon on Saturday May 28, 2022.  If you wish to leave condolences for the family or share about John, please visit: freesefh.com

A celebration of John’s life, which we are calling “The After Party” because John would love that, will follow at Henson Place/Fellowship Circle at 8 Henson Place, Champaign, IL, 61820.

In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to either Fellowship Circle, PO Box 71, Champaign, IL 61820 (please put “John Parker” in the memo) or to

WEFT Radio at P.O. Box 1223, Champaign, IL 61824 (donation forms can be downloaded here: http://new.weft.org/downloads/donation_form_spring_2022.pdf).

Freese FH 5/26/2022

Norine M. Rademacher

 
Norine M. Rademacher, 81, of Royal passed away at 8:20 P.M. Wednesday May 25, 2022 at Country Health, Gifford.

 Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday June 1, 2022 at St. Paul Lutheran Church 108 E. Church St. Gifford. Pastor Scott Guhl will officiate. Burial will be in Stanton Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph.

 Norine was born November 13, 1940 in Champaign, the daughter of Eilert and Johanna (Ihnen) Buhs. She married Vernon Rademacher on February 8, 1959 at Flatville. He preceded her in death on April 21, 2014.

 She is survived by her daughters; Sharon (Dennis) Osterbur of Gifford, Lori (Ron) Bensyl of Royal, Daughter-in-law Beth Rademacher of St. Joseph. Eight grandchildren; Tammy (Troy) Vallee of St. Joseph, Dallas (Kacie) Osterbur of Penfield, Kristen (Nate) Massey, of St. Joseph, Kyle (Leah) Rademacher of St. Joseph, Kurt (Maria) Rademacher of St. Joseph, Kelsie (Seth) Blackford of Potomac, Ryan (Ariana) Bensyl of Mt. Prospect, Kalee (Mark) Williams of Philo. Great-grandchildren; Jordyn, Macy and Payton Vallee, Emma and Kinsley Osterbur, Korbin, Kadyn and Kolsen Massey, Noah, Ellee, Aubree and Josiah Rademacher, Kaelynn and Kenzie Rademacher, Bryce and Noel Blackford, Gabriella Bensyl. One sister Lela Huls of Gifford.

 She was preceded in death by her son Leon Rademacher, great-grandchildren Kolin and Kora Massey, sister Marlys Buhs.

 Norine was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gifford.

 She enjoyed spending time with her family, going to their ballgames and activities.

 Norine left a legacy of the importance of faith and family.

 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Samaritan's Purse P.O. Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607

Freese FH 5/26/2022

Ronnie Lee Wilson

 

URBANA — Ronnie Lee Wilson, 63 of Champaign passed away at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana.

He was born May 4, 1959, in Champaign, the son of Robert Lee and Laverne (Elam) Wilson. 

He is survived by three sisters, Christine Griggs of Milwauke and Patricia Wilson-Flowers and Darlene Wilson-Johnson, both of Champaign; a daughter, Taryn Wilson of Savoy; two grandchildren, Aiden Taylor and Myles Short; four nieces; four nephews; his right-hand man, Tony Hutchinson; his dear friend, Stephany Winston-Howard; a special group of longtime friends that were like brothers, Calvin Miller, Danny Douglas and Albert Murray; and a host of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Laverne Wilson; a sister, Irish Jean Wilson; a brother, Donny Wilson; and his paternal grandparents and maternal grandparents.

Ronnie attended Unit 4 schools and was a graduate of Champaign Central High School Class of 1978. He was employed by the University of Illinois in the Central Stores Department. He served in the Illinois Army National Guard stationed at the National Guard Armory in Urbana.

Ronnie had a great passion for sports, especially the Illini and Chicago Cubs. Ronnie was a part of “The Fast Four” for Edison Junior High Class of 1975 440-yard relay team. He was a longtime member of Rad Rock Softball Club.

Ronnie also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family and friends. And we can’t forget his newfound love for Western shows!

While we will miss him dearly. God had a different plan for him and chose to call him home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, with burial in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Elder James Harden will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at the funeral home.

NG 5/22/2022

Hellen June Sanford Brown

Helen June Sanford Brown, 98, passed away on May 20, 2022 at Farmer City Nursing Home.

Helen was born June 3, 1923 in Robinson, Illinois. A daughter of Elmer and May (Cramer) Sanford.  She married Oggie Brown on February 1, 1944.  They may a home in Sidney, Illinois for many years.  He preceded her in death in 1982.  Together Helen and Oggie had three son, Michael and Ronald who have both passed and Douglas, who survives.  She was also preceded in death by five sisters and a brother.  Helen is also survived by, four grandchildren, nine, great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Many thanks to all who assisted Helen is her last years.  The wonderful people at Farmer City Rehab and also the wonderful care from Bloomington Hospice.

Private family graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney.

Memorials may be made to Bloomington Hospice or donor’s choice.

Condolences may be made at freesefh.com

Freese FH 5/22/2022

Margaret (Maggie) Kehaulani Webb Orr

 

MAHOMET — Margaret (Maggie) Kehaulani Webb Orr, 73, passed away peacefully at home in Mahomet last Saturday evening (May 14, 2022).

Maggie was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, over a decade before it became our 50th state. As a child in Hawaii, Maggie grew up enjoying everything Hawaii had to offer, especially swimming and surfing in the Pacific Ocean with her friends and family. After graduating from Waipahu High School in 1965, Maggie met a young Navy man from St. Joseph named Ronald Orr. Ron was stationed in Hawaii between Vietnam tours, and the two fell in love. They were married on June 17, 1967, in Hawaii.

According to Maggie’s two sons, she “must’ve loved Dad a lot,” because he convinced her to leave her home in Hawaii and move to central Illinois. She arrived in St. Joseph on a very cold November day in 1968 (with no winter coat!) and settled in over the years, making Illinois her permanent home.

Maggie raised two sons while the family moved from St. Joseph to Bethalto, from Bethalto to Argenta, from Argenta to West Frankfort, from West Frankfort to Mackinaw, and from Mackinaw back to St. Joseph. When she returned to St. Joseph, Maggie earned her associate degree with a focus on travel and tourism from Parkland College. She worked as a travel agent from 1995 to 2022.

Maggie is survived by her sons, Sean (Barbara) and Bryan; and three grandchildren, Zachary Orr, Matthew Orr and Kai Nelson-Orr.

Maggie was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Orr; father, George Webb Sr.; mother, Margaret Kanaka’ole Webb; sister, Diane Webb Akau; and brother, George Webb Jr.

A private family graveside service will be held at Homer G.A.R. Cemetery on Friday, May 20.

Because Maggie’s mother passed away during childbirth, the Salvation Army assisted in raising Maggie in Honolulu. Her sons have asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Salvation Army in Hawaii at hawaii.salvationarmy.org or at any Salvation Army outlet you choose.

NG 5/18/2022

Jose Alejandro Canas Valdez

Josè Alejandro (Poppy’s or Papi Jando) Cañas Valdez , 81, of San Salvador, El Salvador passed away on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, at his residence. 

 Josè was born November 15, 1940, in San Salvador (Cuscatancingo), El Salvador to Rafael A. & Angela Cañas Valdez. The second of five Siblings. Josè married Rosa Navas on July 29, 1962 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

 He is survived by Rosa Navas, as well as, three sons: Alex Cañas of Urbana, Josè Cañas Jr. of Urbana Illinois; Rafael Cañas of Saint Joseph, IL; one daughter: Edith Peacock of Saint Joseph, IL.

Also surviving are his grandchildren Princess Cañas, Liila Bagby, Jennifer Bagby, Wesley Bagby, Nolan Peacock, Andrea Cañas, Kayla Cañas, Amir and Diamond Cañas and three great-grandchildren Ruby Joy Bagby, Clover Cañas and Paz Cañas. 

 He enjoyed working on cars, riding his bike, dancing, and playing pool.

Visitation will be from 11:30 A.M.- 1:30 P.M. Tuesday May 10, 2022 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 P.M. at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview.

 Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

 Online condolences may be made at Freesefh.com

Freese FH 5/14/2022