Michael Alan Christenson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael Alan Christenson, who left this world peacefully at home in Sidney, IL, at the age of 53. Born on July 4, 1971, in Elmhurst, IL, Michael brought joy, love, and kindness into the lives of everyone who knew him.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Christenson, and his daughter, Courtney Christenson, whom he cherished deeply. He is also survived by his mother, Linda Bebar, his father, Ronald Bebar and his brother, Jeffrey Bebar. Michael’s love for family and friends was unwavering, and he always went out of his way to lend a helping hand, providing comfort to all who were fortunate enough to be near him.

A man with a deep love for the country life, Michael found joy in playing his guitar and listening to music at full volume. He was also a devoted fan of Illini hockey, loved spoiling his dog, Bean, and treasured every moment spent with his loved ones. His passions and his laughter filled the lives of those he loved, and his memory will forever be cherished.

Michael’s presence will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, and all who were touched by his warmth, generosity, and steadfast support.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you keep Michael’s spirit alive by offering kindness to others in his memory.

Celebration of Life will be 4:30 PM Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney.  Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:30PM at the funeral home.

Freese FH 10/31/2024

Edgar W. "Bill" Kizer

 

Edgar W. "Bill" Kizer, 100, of Homer passed away October 27, 2024 at his home.

 Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday November 2, 2024 at Homer New Life Church of Faith 505 W. Crittenden St. Homer. Rev. C.W. Greer and Rev. Raymond Gordon will officiate. Burial will be in G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer.

 Edgar was born January 14, 1924 in Vermilion, Co. The son of Chester and Jennie (Rutan) Kizer. He married Rose Burton on June 9, 1946 in Homer. She preceded him in death on January 16, 2010.

 He is survived by his daughters; Peggy Kizer Poole of Homer, Debra Kizer Dyck of Bend, OR. 2 grandchildren David Poole of Homer and Kayla McKenzie (Matt) Reilly of Bend, OR. 3 great-grandchildren; Ty Poole of St. Joseph, Tegan (Parker) Poole of Homer and Indy Rose Reilly of Bend, OR.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Willard and sister Lorena.

 Edgar farmed in the Homer area all of his life. He was a member of the Homer New Life Church of Faith.

 He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, playing cards and supporting the Fighting Illini.

 In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Homer New Life Church of Faith, 505 W. Crittenden St. Homer 61849

Freese FH 10/30/2024

Trudy Lee Johnson

Trudy Lee Johnson entered the world on April 27, 1951, as the youngest daughter of 5 children to Jacob and Virginia Herrenknect. She left this world suddenly on October 23, 2024.

Trudy is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Roy; daughter, Candy (Brad); stepdaughter, Angel; and brother Jim (Linda); along with 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters, and a brother.

Trudy will always be remembered as the one who was there for you when you needed her and as one of the hardest working women around. During her 35+ years at Horizon Hobby, she was the “go to gal” who could solve and fix every problem.

Her family will remember her as the glue that held the family together. She was always there to pull you up and help in anyway, anytime we were in a difficult situation. Trudy enjoyed her time building memories with the family while traveling in the RV to and from Talladega, AL, swimming in Lake Mattoon, and drinking Captain and Diet Coke by the pool.

Trudy was the one to make sure that everyone else was taken care of, before herself. She always made sure to that we knew she loved us; from the best hugs to the hand holding pat. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney.

Freese FH 10/25/2024

Linda Sue Hadley Marsh

 Linda Sue Marsh (Hadley),66, of St. Joseph, woke up in Heaven with Jesus at 5:15am on Tuesday (October 22, 2024). 

 Linda’s journey earth side began on January 25th, 1958 in San Antonio, Texas. She was the first daughter of Donald Hadley and Lucille (Wildermuth) Hadley. The family moved back to central Illinois when Linda was a year old and she graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School (SJO) class of 1976. 

 Bradley D. Marsh swept Linda Sue Hadley off of her feet and they were married on June 27, 1981 in Urbana; he survives. Together, they built their home on a farm in rural St. Joseph where they raised their 2 children, Sheryl & Andrew. 

Linda enjoyed various jobs over the years but her passion was caring for, not only her own children & Grandchildren, but any child! Every little one she had in daycare was loved as one of her own. 

Being a Mother & Grandmother was so special to Linda and she poured her heart into creating special memories with them. Her granddaughter Indira will always remember playing card games & how grandma Linda usually lost at them! Alyssa (My Boo, as she was affectionally called) will never forget Grandma being the loudest “cheerleader” in the stands! Olivia will be reminded of grandma Linda every time she eats banana bread as she enjoyed baking it together with her. Linda’s grandson Maddyx always enjoyed BINGO night, that Grandma did, with all the cousins. And Coltyn could never get enough of grandma Linda’s spaghetti dinners!

Linda’s smiling face was among the crowd at almost every sporting event, music concert, dance recital or theatre event that her children & grandchildren had. Her presence at those events will be missed very much. 

The cornerstone of Linda’s life was her faith in her savior, Jesus Christ. In 2019 when she was diagnosed with rare appendix cancer; her faith that God was in control gave her peace that passed all understanding. Her faith never wavered. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” God was the anchor for her soul that provided security in the waves of life. Linda always enjoyed the waves, the beach, the lake or any body of water! That was her happy place for relaxation. 

Proceeding her in death was her Father, Donald Hadley. Her mother, Lucille Hadley, of St Joseph, survives and is left with many wonderful memories of her daughter! They loved watching the Illini basketball games together with Linda cheering loudly, of course! (She did that for any sport she watched, especially football) Linda grew up going to the lake with her parents and her mother will never forget how Linda slalom skied. Lou and Linda both had a love of flowers and every spring they would go together to buy & plant flowers. These memories and traditions will always be close to Lou’s heart.

Also surviving is her sister, Nancy (Mark) Whitaker, of North Carolina; Linda’s husband of 43 years, Brad Marsh, of St Joseph; children Sheryl Robinson (Karl Last) of St. Joseph; Andrew (Kelsey) Marsh of St. Joseph; 5 grandchildren, Indira, Alyssa, Maddyx, Coltyn, Olivia, all of St. Joseph; as well as SO MANY other wonderful family and friends. 

“When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live” (Stewart Scott) Anyone that met Linda knew she lived for Jesus, her family & helping others. The polish pottery she passed down to us will be cherished as we use it. And we will try to make everything into a song just as she always did! Linda was a small woman but left a big impact on this earth. Her void will be felt everyday as we try to navigate this life without her beside us. 

The family invites you to Linda’s Celebration of Life Service on Saturday October 26th at 4pm; Faith Baptist Church (4601 North Market St, Champaign) with visitation beforehand 1pm-4pm. Private graveside service & burial will be held Sunday October 27th. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to SJO High School Football, Cheerleading, Band or Drama department. (Donors choice) PO Box 890 St. Joseph, IL 61873.

Freese FH 10/25/2024

William Robert Oneal

 William (Bill) Robert Oneal, 63, passed away October 21, 2024 at his home in Sidney, IL.

Bill was born March 18, 1961, a son of Robert and Patricia Meyer Oneal, who preceded him in death.  Bill attended Champaign Schools and served in the United State Navy and then went on to work in electronics and the electrical union.  Electronics and music were his passion.  He also collected guitars that he loved playing.

He leaves a daughter Kristina (John) Long of Oelwein, IA, four grandchildren; Austin, Kayleigh, Mekenzie, and Gavin.  He also leaves two sisters; Sue Helfrich and Carol (Wayne) Holdcroft.  There were nieces and a nephew with a bonus family, Becky Taylor, her children Daniel Taylor, Sally Taylor and a bonus granddaughter, Meghan Taylor.  Bill also had his best friend Scott Barnhart and his wife Belinda, children Natalie, Melanie and Michael.

Arrangements are being handled by Freese Funeral Home, Sidney.

Freese FH 10/24/2024

Doris Mae Danner

 HOMER — Doris Mae Danner, 85, of Homer died Tuesday (Oct. 22, 2024) surrounded by her loving family.

A beloved mother, sister, aunt, friend and nana, she will be missed dearly.

Born May 22, 1939, Doris was one of six children belonging to Alva and Mable Jones. She graduated from Jamaica High School in 1957 and went on to raise a family in the community of Homer.

For 32 years, Doris was a highly sought-after in-home health care provider. She took great pride in caring for others. In her free time, she could be found at a grandchild’s sporting event, playing cards with her lifelong best friend Sue, or at home enjoying a Danielle Steel novel. There was no one more generous with her time, humor and hugs.

She is survived by her children, Christy (Allen) Davis and Robbie (Debbi) Danner; grandkids, Lindsey Davis, Alex Danner and Noah (Catie) Danner; great-grandchild, Lily Davis; and sister Barb Parr.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Chuck and Dick Jones; and sisters Maxine Collom and Donna Clay.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Homer Community Building, 500 E. Second St., Homer, IL 61849. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Homer Community Library can be made.

NG 10/25/2024

Corey Steven Thompsen

Corey Steven Thompsen, 28, of rural St. Joseph died in the line of duty Friday afternoon, October 18th, at Carle Hospital. Corey was an Illinois State Trooper assigned to Troop 7 in Pesotum.

Corey was born August 28, 1996, in Urbana, Illinois, to Steve and Susan Thompsen of St. Joseph. He grew up in St. Joseph, graduating from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 2014. He graduated from Danville Area Community College in the Criminal Justice Program, and then attended Western Illinois University. Corey graduated from Indiana State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2018. Corey was an avid runner and was a four year letter winner in cross country and track in high school and ran cross country for both Western Illinois University and Danville Area Community College. Corey married his best friend, Chelsea Blaase, on June 2, 2024, in the mountains of Tennessee. Their wedding was as beautiful as they are!

Following his graduation from college, Corey then graduated from the Southwestern Police Academy-session 137 and began his law enforcement career. He worked with the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (VMEG) , then was assigned to the State Police District 10 in Pesotum. In 2022, Corey joined the Illinois State Police Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau. In 2023 Corey was assigned to the Central Special Operations Group (SOG) Fatal 4 Team, serving the Illinois State Police in Troop 7.

Corey loved being a State Trooper and was especially proud of being a part of the motor unit. They were his second family and a tight-knit group of friends. He participated in several escort details across the state, that included the President, Vice President, memorial services, and charity bike rides. Outside of his work, Corey loved vehicles. He was so particular about every one he ever owned and took meticulous care of them. He and Chelsea recently bought his family home and were looking forward to building their life together there.

But most of all, Corey was a family man. Chelsea, his parents, brothers, grandparents, and extended family were everything to him. He loved family gatherings and was a big part of all of them. Teasing and joking around were his favorite activities with his family, but he was always there when anyone needed him. Corey is survived by his wife, Chelsea, his parents, brothers Ryan of Naperville, Illinois, and Mitchell of Champaign, Chelsea’s parents, Doug and Nanci Blaase of Ogden, and brother-in-law Drew Blaase of Danville. He also leaves his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Barbara Peters, St. Joseph, and paternal grandparents, John and Donna Thompsen, also of St. Joseph, and his extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Corey loved his German shepherds, Garmin and Grimm; he spoiled them rotten!

Corey was a member of the FOP Troopers’ Lodge 41, Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Society, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Corey was a respected member of the Illinois State Police and a friend to so many. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. Nothing can take away Corey’s memory which is held dear in all our hearts.

Visitation will be Saturday, October 26, from 1 to 5 pm, at St. Joseph-Ogden High School with a First Responder walk through at 5 pm. The funeral service will be held Sunday, October 27 at Faith United Methodist Church,1719 S. Prospect in Champaign. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a memorial fund set up in Corey’s name at any University of Illinois Credit Union branch. This will provide a scholarship to St. Joseph-Ogden High School students entering the field of Criminal Justice.

The family would like to express our sincere thanks to all the first responders, the Carle Trauma Team, the community, COPS, 100 Club, and the Illinois State Police for all their efforts and support.

Freese FH 10/22/2024