Obituaries 2012
Nola Claire Gustin, 80, of Sidell went home to be with her Lord at 7:44 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at the Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Nola was born April 1, 1931 in Sidell to Harold and Bertha Ratcliff Swinford. She married Veit Ivan Gustin on Nov. 9, 1950 in Danville. He survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Larry (Suzanne) Gustin of Fairmount and Bill (Leisa) Gustin of Holt, Mich.; two brothers, Joe (Peggy) Swinford of Pekin and Phil (Aileen) Swinford of Sidell; one sister, Claudine (John) Boen of Oakwood; a sister-in-law, Robbye Lyn Swinford of Tomball, Texas; four grandchildren, Jason (Dara) Gustin, Jamie (Mike) Gensler, Timothy Gustin and Zachary Gustin; and two great-grandchildren, Jairus Gustin and Josslyn Gensler.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Richard Swinford, and one grandson Christopher Gustin.
Nola graduated from Sidell High School in 1950. She was a member of the Sidell Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading, knitting, traveling, and collecting tea pots. She loved spending time with her family and researching her family’s genealogy.
Funeral services were Wednesday at Robison Chapel, Catlin, with Ed Logan officiating. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery, Sidell. Memorials can be made to the Sidell Baptist Church. Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.
Emma Loretta Lahne, 73, of Allerton passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at the Newman Rehabilitation Center in Newman,.
Mrs. Lahne was born on Dec. 3, 1938 in Allerton, a daughter of Dolly R. and Mary Brooks Forren. She married Ronald (Rabbit) Lahne on June 3, 1956 in Sidell. He preceded her in death on March 9, 2003. A sister Josephine Brown also precedes her in death.
Survivors include a son Mike (Joyce) Lahne of St. Louis, as well as their son and Emma’s grandson Travis Lahne; a son Gary (Diane) Lahne of Allerton, as well as their children and Emma’s granddaughters Ashley and Taylar Lahne; a daughter Debbie (Randy) Lanter of Champaign, as well as Debbie’s daughters and Emma’s granddaughters, Nicole (Jesse) Johnson, and their son and Emma’s great grandson Grady Lahne Johnson, and Heidi (and her fiancé Tim Lewis) Loos.
A brother Dolly Lee (Mary Jo) Forren of Tuscan, Ariz. also survives.
Mrs. Lahne lived in the Allerton area her entire life. She was a member and very active in the Allerton United Methodist Church and the Allerton United Methodist Women’s group. She was also a member of the Broadlands Red Hat Society and cleaned houses in the Allerton area for many years. She was very devoted to her family.
Funeral services were Monday at Joines-Appleby Funeral Home in Newman. Rev. Clyde Snyder officiated. Burial was in Fairfield Cemetery north of Newman.
Memorials may be made to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice, the Newman Rehabilitation Center, or to the donor’s choice.
Carl Davis, 85, of Fairmount, well known area farmer, passed away at 1:18 a.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at Carle Hospital in Urbana, after a sudden illness.
He was born May 10, 1926 in Muncie, to Albert and Mary Wise Davis. Carl married Rosemary Salrin on September 18, 1949 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairmount, with Rev. Lee Smith officiating. Rosie survives as well as two sons, Mike (Marsha) Davis of Danville and Bob (Sally) Davis of Fairmount; one daughter, Connie Fritz Mullen of Fairmount; one brother, Don (Edie) Davis of Covington, Ind.; one sister, Bernice (Bill) Grubb of Covington, Ind.; five grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe and Lloyd, and four sisters, Rose, Laverne, Delores, and Nellie.
Carl was raised on the farm and spent his entire life farming, he did custom bailing and shelling. Rosie was his partner and worked alongside him throughout their married life both on and off the farm. Carl especially loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed coffee with his Oakwood Truck stop buddies, especially Chuck Tiffin. He was an avid Cardinals fan and enjoyed RV traveling and had friends in both the US and Canada.
Carl was a member of the Catlin Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, GAO Grotto, Ansar Shrine, Eastern Illinois Shrine Club and rode the 25 man supercycle. He was also a past member of the Elks Club and had served on the Fairmount Grade School Board.
Funeral services were Monday at Robison Chapel in Catlin. Rev. Mike Roberts officiated. Burial was in the Davis Cemetery west of Fairmount. Memorials to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital or the Fairmount Rescue. Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.
Glenn L. Swigart, 94, of Georgetown, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, at 8:15 p.m. at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System, Danville.
A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at Georgetown United Methodist Church, 400 N. Main St., Georgetown, with pastors Jennie Chin, Matt Filicsky and Mark Wyer officiating. As were his wishes, Glenn was cremated and will be laid to rest in Davis Cemetery in Fairmount.
He was born Oct. 25, 1917, in Camargo, the son of Czerny and Margaret (Stunkard) Swigart, both deceased.
He was married to Betty Van Valkenburg on Oct. 25, 1947, in Danville, until her passing on April 4, 1981.
He leaves behind his son, Alan Swigart of Danville; his daughters Dianna (David) McNeese of Westville, Glenda Fuller of Danville and Lisa (Mark) Wyer of Georgetown; his 11 grandchildren; his 16 great-grandchildren with one on the way; his one great-great-granddaughter; and his sister, Margaret Oakley of Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his son, David Swigart; his close friend, Edith Rose; his four brothers; and three sisters.
Glenn was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II. He worked as a farmhand for several years in the Fairmount area. He was a member of the American Legion Dornblaser Post 203. He enjoyed working on cars, fishing and hunting. He loved spending time with his family and friends.
Sunset’s Houghton-Leasure Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.Memorial donations may be given in his name to the VA in Danville.
Please join Glenn’s family in sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.
Wanda L. Byrd, 85, passed away Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 at 5:40 a.m. at Champaign-Urbana Regional Rehab Center in Savoy.
There will be a funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St. in Champaign, with the visitation being one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Mike Roberts will officiate. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana.
Wanda was born on Sept. 18, 1926, at Fairmount, a daughter of Glenn and Margaret (Sandlin) Moreman. She married Paul E. Byrd on July 19, 1947, in Champaign. He died on Jan. 17, 1990.
Survivors include one stepdaughter, Barbara (Earl) Ohrnstein of Champaign; five stepgrandchildren, Paula Lain of Champaign, Dan Ohrnstein of Glen Ellyn, Lee Ohnstein of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, David Revell of White Heath and Mark Ohrnstein of Springfield; 11 stepgreat-grandchildren; one stepgreat-great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Moreman; a sister, Glenna Jean Bradley; a stepdaughter, Connie Revell; and her stepgranddaughter, Beth Lain Biggie.
Wanda graduated from Fairmount High School and Illinois Commercial College. She worked at both Duckett Paper and Murphy-Hughes Inc. Wanda spent the majority of her life employed by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, retiring after 30 years of service. She was also a member of Old Center Point Church.
Memorials may be sent to the Crohns Foundation or the family.
Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com.
Pastor Loren E. Batley, 85, of Tilton, longtime area minister, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at 12:35 a.m. at VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville.
He was born Feb. 20, 1926, in Winchester, to Earl C. and Grace M. Iler Batley. Loren married Herchulee “Herkie” Elliott on Dec. 24, 1945, in Jacksonville.
Herkie survives as well as three sons, Tim (Joy) Batley of Boardman, Ohio, Kip (Ruth) Batley of Bedford, Ind., and Sky (Jacki) Batley of Williams, Ind.; one daughter, Shawn (John) Reese of Tilton; one sister, Iota Hammond of Oakwood; 11 grandchildren, Greg McCall, Chad Batley, Skylar Batley Jr., Taylar Batley, Chelle (Brian) Bodart, Josh (Tanya) Batley, Stephanie (Gary) Tidwell, Seth (GB) Batley, Riley (Anna) Reese, Timmie (Amber) Batley and Rozyln (Jeff) Stevenson; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers.
Pastor Batley served in the Navy. He retired from General Motors in 1991 after 28 years. He served the Sidell Baptist Church from 1969-1975 and Liberty Community Church for 11 years. Pastor Batley was also “Seniors” Minister at Calvary Baptist Church in Danville for 10 years. His ministry spanned 59 years. He enjoyed golfing and shuttling cars for his good friend Larry Bryant.
Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday) at Calvary Baptist Church in Danville with Pastor Scott McCurdy officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery near Sidell. Memorials in his memory to “Children’s Ministry” at Calvary Baptist Church.
Robison Chapel of Catlin is handling arrangements.
Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.
Herschel L. Hillery, 84, of Danville, formerly of Allerton, passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at 11:15 p.m. at the Danville Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Graveside rites will be Saturday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Indianola. Pastor Gordon Edgington will officiate. Catlin American Legion will provide military honors. Robison Chapel of Catlin is handling service details.
He was born Sept. 13, 1927 in Homer to Elmer and Bertha Street Hillery. Herschel married Barbara Faye Griffith on June 19, 1949 in Sidell. She passed away Oct. 11, 1991.
Survivors include two sons, Larry (Christy) Hillery of Danville and Mark Hillery of Danville; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Hazel Neibarger and one brother, Donald Clyde Hillery.
Herschel served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946. He worked for 26 years as a diesel mechanic at John Deere Implement in Allerton and also 20 years at Rucker’s Auto Body.
He was a member of the Sidell Baptist Church and an avid Cubs and Fighting Illini fan, as well as enjoying Nascar. His greatest love was his family, followed closely by his cats.
Memorials may be made to the VA Comfort and Care Ward #4 in care of Robison Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.robisonchapel.com.
Opal A. Burton, 92, of Roseau, Minn., formerly of Homer, died on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 at Warroad Senior Living Center, Warroad, Minn.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon, with the Rev. Mike Jones, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Dixon, officiating. Entombment will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Dixon.
Opal was born on Nov. 6, 1919, in Fairmount, the daughter of Edward and Opal Sally (Baird) Brandon. She married Doyle Burton on March 11, 1938. He preceded her in death on Sept. 15, 1992.
Survivors include three daughters, Shirley (Larry) Taylor of Dixon, Marlene (William) Schaumburg of Angle Inlet, Minn., and Carol (Charles) Krukewitt of Roseau, Minn.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Fran Carpenter and Kathryn Parks.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.
She was a clerk for the Agriculture Department at the University of Illinois, Champaign, prior to her retirement.
A memorial has been established to the Homer Fire Department in Homer.
Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschillingfuneralhome.com.
Cathy Jo Green, 59, of Tilton passed away Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 at 6:40 p.m. at the Danville Care Center.
Cathy was born Oct. 28, 1952 in Danville to Lawrence E. and Patricia A. Smith Williams.
Surviving are her mother, Patricia Williams of Tilton; one son, Darrell Green of Tilton; one daughter, Becky (Kevin) Cunningham of Sidell; eight grandchildren, Peyton Green of Tilton, Jaida Green of Danville, Halle Green of Danville, Austin Cunningham of Sidell, Chelsea Sjoken of Sidell, Odessa Green of Sidell, Amber Cunningham of Sidell, and Devin Goodner of Bismarck; and two sisters, Connie Williams of Tilton and Debbie (Donnie) Anderson of Tilton. She was preceded in death by her father.
Cathy enjoyed playing bingo, going to rummage sales, and spending time with her grandkids.
Funeral services were held December 31 at Robison Chapel, Catlin with Reverend Charlie Graul officiating. Burial was in Songer Cemetery, Tilton. Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.
Glen D. “Pappy” Brooks, 93, of the Georgetown/Catlin area, passed away in the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Oct. 30, 1918, in Catlin, the son of Harvey and Mary (Felgenhauer) Brooks, both deceased.
He was united in marriage to Nellie Mae Lambert on Dec. 9, 1937, in Covington, Ind. After 73 years of marriage, she preceded in him in death on March 22, 2011.
Glen was a lifelong farmer of the Georgetown/Catlin area. In his early years, he had worked for Raymond Houghton at the funeral home and with the ambulance service. He also was a dairy farmer and drove a milk truck for Producers Dairy. He also worked as janitor and bus driver for the Georgetown School District.
Glen served as a volunteer firefighter with the Georgetown Fire Protection District for 50 years and was a familiar sight with the department during the Georgetown Fair. He also served on the Civil Defense for Georgetown and Westville.
Glen enjoyed going fishing and playing euchre. He never knew a stranger and was always willing to help anyone who needed it. He cherished his family most of all and knew great joy when he had a great-grandson born on his birthday.
He will be dearly missed by his daughters, Charlotte (Kirby) Jones of Georgetown, Joan (Dave) Sherrill of Danville, Glenda (Gary) Van Sickle of Kingman, Ind., and Mary Mae (Vern) Rohrscheib of Fairmount; his special daughter-in-law, whom Glen loved as his own daughter, JoAnn Brooks of Georgetown; his grandchildren, Jeff Brooks, Amy Lutz, Tracie Katavich, Donna Wells, Debbie Ward, Jeanie Sherrill, Chris Ward, Jimmy Dicken, Terry Dicken, Lynn Rohrscheib and Stacey Rickard; his 18 great-grandchildren; his two great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way; his sister, Evelyn ‘Bobbie’ Bonomo; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Marvin; his brother, Wilbur; and his sisters, Edna Jones and Eleanor Jordan.
The family wanted to give a special “thank-you” to his “Angel-caregivers,” Dorie Benting, Donna Cooper and Martha Fortner.
A celebration of Glen’s life was Feb. 11, at Sunset’s Houghton-Leasure Chapel, Georgetown, with Pastor James Blue officiating. He was laid to rest in Pleasant Mound Cemetery, west of Georgetown.
Memorial donations may be given in Glen’s name to the Georgetown Fire Protection District.
Please join Glen’s family in sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfunerahome.com.
