Raymond Jackson Griffet

 ST. JOSEPH — Raymond Jackson Griffet passed away Thursday, July 25, 2024, at home in St. Joseph.

His family and many friends called him Jack. To most others, he was Ray.

Jack was born May 13, 1934, in Champaign. His parents were Ira Griffet and Helen (Bogue) Griffet. He attended Gregory and Columbia schools and Champaign High School, graduating in 1953. His first jobs were as a shoe salesman at Sholem’s Shoes and at Montgomery Ward in Urbana. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and trained in electronics. He was stationed in Korea for a year in 1956 and later at Foster AFB in Victoria, Texas. After leaving the Air Force, he attended DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago. He then worked as a radio engineer at WILL and later at TV Channel 15 in Champaign. This was followed by employment at Manny and Martin TV Sales and Repair. In 1971, Jack and two partners, Wayne Byers and John Felt, formed their own TV sales and repair business, Television Associates/ Old Town Storage in Champaign. They retired in 2000 and closed the business.

Jack and Carol Knott of Champaign began dating at age 16. They were married on Feb. 16, 1957. They became the parents of Keith Griffet and Alison Griffet.

Surviving are his wife, Carol of St. Joseph; son, Keith of Champaign; daughter, Alison of Hurst, Texas; and stepgranddaughter, Betty Stanciuc of St. Joseph.

Jack was the youngest of the 10 children of Ira and Helen Griffet.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Otis, Herb, Bud, Ed and Russell; and sisters, Bea, Maxine, Lillian and Lois.

Watching old western movies on TV was one of his favorite pastimes, especially any movie with Gene Autry, his childhood hero. He never wanted to miss “Wheel of Fortune” and “Family Feud.” He was an avid Illinois basketball and football fan. He and Alison, Daddy’s girl, shared by telephone a strong interest in Illinois basketball and football, as well as the Dallas Cowboys. He had a wry sense of humor that kept us entertained.

He loved animals. Through the years, he rescued several dogs and cats and made them part of the family. Whenever he saw a wild animal or someone’s pet, he worried whether that animal needed water. An example: He placed a pan of water in our backyard for the snake that lived there. Our family will laugh forever about that.

Our Jack was a kind, sweet and loving father and husband. He gave us a good life. He did his part to help make the world a better place. We miss him so much.

There will be no service. Evergreen Cremation Services assisted the family.

NG 8/27/2024

Richard "Dick" Early

 PENFIELD — Richard “Dick” Early, 96, of Penfield passed away Saturday morning (Aug. 24, 2024) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

He was born Dec. 4, 1927, at the family house in rural Penfield, a son of John and Rose (Silvers) Early. He married Sharon Sconce on Feb. 17, 1962, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Penfield. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Harold (Mary Beth) Early of Champaign; five daughters, Linda Monroy of Penfield, Sandra Early of Paxton, Mary (Scott) Cropper of Alvin, Charlotte Early of Urbana and Valeria (Jason) Smith of Champaign; a sister, Barbara Overholt of Thomasboro; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by five brothers; three sisters; a son-inlaw, Augy Monroy; a son, John Russell Early; and a granddaughter, Jamie Monroy.

Dick was a graduate of Armstrong High School. He then entered the U.S. Army and served five years during the Korean War. He owned and operated the Gulf Service Station and The Oasis, both in Penfield. He then worked at Griders Truck Repair in Urbana as a mechanic. He retired from the University of Illinois in 2002 from the car pool.

He was a member of the Penfield American Legion for over 60 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

Dick dearly loved his family.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Lawrence Church. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 Tuesday evening at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul.

Emma Jeanne Gaff

Emma Jeanne Gaff, 97, of Wolf Lake, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, in Winchester, Indiana.

She was born on Sept. 30, 1926, to Nathaniel Prentice and Mildred (Drake) Wiley. in Wolf Lake.

On March 10, 1947, she married Clarence Spencer Gaff.

After graduating from Wolf Lake High School in 1944, she lived in South Whitley, Indiana, Urbana, Illinois, and St. Joseph, Illinois, before returning to her family's farm outside of Wolf Lake. She spent most of her adult life in the area.

She attended Ligonier Church of Christ and Wolf Lake United Methodist Church.

Her working career after raising six children included farming, the RV industry, real estate and running the Deer Lake Campground.

Emma Jeanne loved farming, fishing and fast cars. She also made some delicious pies and rolls.

Emma Jeanne and Clarence had six children: Anthony (Peggy-deceased) Gaff, of Bement, Illinois, Timothy (Joyce) Gaff, of Kimmell, Indiana, Frances (John) Hawley, of Winchester, Indiana, Cynthia Gaff (deceased), Nicholas (Sandi) Gaff, of Osceola, Indiana, and Mark Gaff (Jack Tindal), of Louisville, Kentucky. Emma Jeanne greatly enjoyed her 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; and four brothers, Junior, Don, Pat and David Wiley.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier IN 46767.

Graveside services will follow at Stringtown Cemetery.

Friends and family will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Yeager Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, www.act.alz.org.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.yeagerfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by KPCNews on Aug. 20, 2024.

George W. Schiff

Mr. George W. Schiff, of Waltham, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington. He was 87. Born in Urbana, Illinois, a son of the late Philip and Ruth (Mann) Schiff, George had been a Waltham resident for the past sixty years. During World War II he served with the United States Army and attained the rank of major. 

After the war he also served for a time with the Army Reserves. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois and spent his career working as an engineer for the Raytheon Company. He retired as the Director of Engineering at Raytheon's headquarters in Lexington several years ago. After he retired, George volunteered for 14 years with the Waltham Public School system, installing computers and networks in the schools. The computer lab at the newly re-opened Kennedy Middle School on Lexington Street was named in George's honor in recognition of his efforts. 

He leaves his wife, Vera R. (Olivieri) Schiff; three children, George W. Schiff, Jr. and his wife, Teresa, of Stamford, Connecticut, Janet L. Rogan and her husband, Rick, of Mansfield and David L. Schiff and his wife, Jean, of Bolton; one grandson, Daniel Rogan; his brother, Robert Schiff of St. Joseph, Illinois and many nieces and nephews. He was also a brother of the late Maurice Schiff. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral at 9:30 a.m. Thursday from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/george-schiff-memorial?pid=178409310

Ricky K. Casteel

Ricky K. Casteel, age 78, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 12:52 PM – Friday, August 23, 2024, 
at his home.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM – Friday, August 30, 2024, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Masonic rites will follow.  The burial will be in the Old St Peter Cemetery east Newton, Illinois, with military rites by the members of the Jasper Post #20 American Legion.  In loving memory of Rick, memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Ronald McDonald House.  The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.

 

Ricky was born on February 18, 1946, in Danville, Illinois, the son of George Kenton and Eunice (McClellan) Casteel of Oakwood, Illinois.  He attended school in Oakwood.  Following high school, Ricky entered the service, serving in the United States Air Force from November 12, 1965, until his honorable discharge on November 11, 1969.  While serving in Aero Space Ground Maintenance, he was stationed at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Kirkland AFB in New Mexico, Wheelus AFB in Libya, Egypt and McGuire AFB in Maryland.  

Ricky was united in marriage to Joan Schuch on July 26, 1970, at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Urbana, Illinois.  A marriage which lasted over 54 years!  To this union was born a son Randy Kenton, wife Melissa (Tucker) Casteel, and they presented to them their favorite granddaughter Elizabeth Karen (Miss Ellie).  Grandpa’s favorite grandchild!!!

Ricky was a musician from the age of 13, until his passing.  He played in many country and western bands, and some of the venues included the Rose Bowl in Urbana, The Old Mill Inn in Newton, and Poor Richards in Olney.

Ricky worked in major appliance repair and heating and cooling repair.  He worked at Carle Foundation Hospital Refrigeration in Maintenance, General Electric Major Appliance Repair and Champaign County Maintenance, to name a few.

Ricky was active in the American Legion, as a member of Oakwood Post #610 in Oakwood, Illinois; Urbana Post #71 in Urbana, Illinois; St Joseph Post #634 in St Joseph, Illinois.  He served on the board of the Boy Scout Troop 40 in St Joseph, Illinois.

Ricky was a member of the Masons, joining at Ogden Lodge #754 and then moving to Newton Masonic Lodge #216.  He was a member of the Valley of Danville Scottish Rite where he was honored to receive the Meritorious Service Award and Mason of the Year.  He was also Assistant Coordinator of the Southern District for the Illinois Child Identification Program, now the Illinois Masonic Family Program.

Ricky is loved and will be missed by his family and friends.

https://www.meyerfh.com/obituary/ricky-casteel

Robert Keith Parrish

ST. JOSEPH - Robert Keith Parrish, 70, of St. Joseph went to be with the Lord on Aug. 7, 2024, at home surrounded by his loved ones.

Everyone knew him as Keith. He was the son of Len and Wilma Parrish of DeLand and beloved brother to Pat (Phil) Wehrle of Monticello, Steve (Pam) Parrish of DeLand and late brother, David (Kim) Parrish of Monticello.

Keith was born and raised in DeLand, and after graduating, embarked on a career as a machinist at SLM-Aminco and Hansvedt Industries before dedicating 20 years of service to the University of Illinois. In 2010, Keith was honored with the Chancellors Distinguished Staff Award for Excellence. He retired in 2014 as a research lab supervisor in the mechanical science and engineering department at the university.

Keith shared 28 wonderful years of marriage to Elaine, creating cherished memories through fishing trips, camping adventures, travels and many fun-filled family celebrations. They found each other late in their lives, but appreciated and grew more in love each year that they had together.

He was a devoted stepfather to Richard (Mary Jo) Winn of Florida, Chris Hitz of Sidney, Keri Palmisano of St. Joseph and Amber (Chad) Dalton of St. Joseph. Keith will be deeply missed by his ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A true outdoorsman at heart, Keith enjoyed hunting, fishing and target shooting every chance he got. After retirement, he spent his time in his workshop machining projects, drinking coffee with his friends while telling tall tales and solving world problems.

There will be a celebration of Keith's life on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. at the Sidney United Church, 501 E. Main St., Sidney.

As a member of the Sidney United Church, Keith requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Till we meet again.

Howard Erb

Erb, 90 of Sidney passed away at 8:52AM, Sunday August 18, 2024 at Autumn Fields, Hoopeston.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday August 21, 2024 at Sidney Christian Church, Sidney.  Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney.  Visitation will be from 10 to 11AM Wednesday at the church.  Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is assisting with arrangements.

Mr. Erb was born October 28, 1933 in Sidney, a son to Floyd and Margaret Leerkamp Erb.  He married Marilyn Parks on November 1, 1953 in Villa Grove, she preceded in death on December 21, 2021.

Surviving are two daughters; Jeri (Kirk) Kirkland of St. Petersburg, FL and Joni (Keith) O’Banion of Armstrong, 11 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister; Carol Shumacher and a daughter; Debbie Stacy.

Mr. Erb retired from Sears as a repairman.  He was an elder and member of Sidney Chisitian Church.  He also passed out Bibles for Gideon International.  He was the owner/operator on Howards TV Service as well.  He enjoyed going on motorcycle trip, traveling and gardening.  He was appreciated by everyone that knew him.

Memorials may be made to Sidney Christian Church or Gideon International.

Freese FH 8/24/2024