Cleo Mae Watson
HENNING — Cleo Mae Watson, 84, of Henning, died at 1:45 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 31, 2004), at the Hoopeston Community Memorial Nursing Home in Hoopeston.
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Wolfe Funeral Home in Potomac;
Officiating: Pastor Randy Taylor;
Burial: Potomac Cemetery;
Memorials: Donor's choice.
Mrs. Watson was born June 5, 1919, in Danville, the daughter of Matthew and Blanche Trimble.
She married Harold "Shorty" Watson, Dec. 23, 1939, in Indiana.
He died Dec. 5, 1984.
She is survived by a daughter, Nancy (Jim) Zahn of Gilbertsville, Ky.; three sons, Kenneth (Sue) Watson and Butch (Debbie) Watson, both of Henning, and Donnie (Sandie) Watson in Missouri; 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; one brother, Norman Trimble of Danville, and two sisters, Helen Boyer and Patty Martin, both of Danville.
She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
She was a graduate of Douglas School in Danville.
She enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family.
Walter W. Green
Walter W. Green, 83, died at his home in Danville, Ill., on Saturday (Oct. 30, 2004).
His wife, Frada, and brother Jerome (Marie) of Bethesda, Md., survive him.
He is also survived by his first wife, Joan, of Williamstown, Mass., and their sons, Gary, of Berkeley, Calif., and Graham (Lee) of Chesterfield, Mo.
Other survivors are stepsons, Stephen (Elizabeth) Deutsch of Edmond, Okla., Lawrence (Davenie) Deutsch, of Lynn Haven, Fla., and three step-grandchildren.
Born April 17, 1921, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., he was the son of Samuel and Esther Deiber Green.
In 1924, the family moved to New York City, to operate a family grocery in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, N.Y.
After graduation from the City College of New York in 1941, with a BS in physics and chemistry, he entered General Electric's Test Engineering Program.
There, he tested the operation of propulsion, defense and attack equipment, primarily for the Navy at Schenectady, N.Y., Philadelphia, Pa., Pittsfield, Mass., and the 15th St. Naval Station in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
From 1945 to 1965, he designed and developed test equipment and voltage regulators for electric utility transmission and distribution systems at the GE plant in Pittsfield, Mass.
While there, he completed the GE three-year Advance Engineering Program and taught several engineering courses.
The remainder of his career was spent as Manager of Advance Engineering at the GE Ballast Department in Danville, Ill.
A registered professional engineer in Massachusetts, and Illinois, he retired from GE in 1983.
He participated in a variety of civic and professional organizations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Tanglewood Music Festival, Danville Engineers Club, Boy Scouts, Danville Public Library, Red Vest Volunteers at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center and Congregation Israel.
An avid believer in lifetime learning, he took humanities courses at Danville Area Community College and at Elderhostels during his retirement years.
From early adulthood, he loved nature and fishing, and visited many national parks throughout his life.
There will be private graveside services, with no visitation.
At a later date, there will be a memorial celebration of Walter's life, held in Danville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be sent to the Danville Library Foundation, 319 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61832.
Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Lucille Henson
RIDGE FARM — Dorothy Lucille Henson, 89, of Ridge Farm, formerly of Paris, died at 2:49 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 31, 2004) at her home.
She was born Aug. 25, 1915, in Paris, the daughter of James Andrew and Minnie E. (Clark) Henley.
She was a homemaker.
She married Paul C. Henson April 7, 1934, in Paris.
He died Jan. 19, 1998.
She is survived by seven daughters, Norma L. Pruiett, Mary L. Arrasmith, LaDonna Sue Potter and Judy E. Branson, all of Paris, Shirley I. Emerick, Janet E. Downs and Delores K. Mackesy, all of Ridge Farm; two sons, Russell E. Henson of Danville, and James R. Henson of Oakland, Md.; 29 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one son, two daughters, four sisters and four brothers.
She was a member of the First Church of Nazarene in Paris.
Funeral services: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home in Paris;
Officiating: Brother Don Pruiett;
Burial: Edgar Cemetery in Paris;
Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the funeral home;
Memorials: Carle Home Care/Hospice c/o Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home.
Dorothy M. Gossett
HOOPESTON — Dorothy M. Gossett, 95, of Hoopeston, died at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 12, 2004) at Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital.
She was born July 16, 1909, in Milford, the daughter of John M. and Sarah Balser Holt.
She was married to Hubert W. "Hube" Gossett on Oct. 16, 1926, in Milford.
He preceded her in death on Feb. 27, 1967.
Survivors include: a daughter, Zelma "Mickey" (Robert W.) Walters of Danville; 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; a sister, Anra Smith in Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sons, four brothers and three sisters.
Mrs. Gossett was a former Wellington area resident and moved to Hoopeston, many years ago.
She was last employed by Gulbransen Organ in Hoopeston.
She was a member of the Wellington United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed dancing and music.
Funeral services: 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 at Hamilton-Orr Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St., Hoopeston;
Officiating: Rev. Keith Michaels;
Visitation: one hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home;
Burial: Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston;
Memorials to Hoopeston Community Memorial Nursing Home, 701 E. Orange St., Hoopeston, IL 60942.
James F. ‘Jim' Hunt
VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — James F. "Jim" Hunt, 75, of Veedersburg, died at 5:36 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 16, 2004) at Provena USMC, Danville, Ill.
He was born in Indiana, April 21, 1929, to Edrie Dewitt and Sarah Catherine Hook Hunt, Sr.
He was married Aug. 18, 1988, in Tennessee, to Joan Davis.
She survives in Veedersburg.
He is also survived by a daughter, Marsha Kay Crouch of Indianapolis; a son, Wayne Coppenbarger of Kingman; three brothers, Hardy Herbert Hunt of Indianapolis, Holman Ronald Hunt of Huntington, Ind., and Richard Lee Hunt of Veedersburg; three sisters, Betty Catherine Black of Indianapolis, Mary Margaret Duncan of Windwood, Pa., and Leta Leigh Wallace of Jonesboro, Ga.; a grandson, Adam Crouch of Chicago, and a granddaughter, Kendall Coppenbarger of Kingman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers.
Mr. Hunt owned and operated Hunt Tree Trimming Service.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 at Dickerson Funeral Home in Veedersburg;
Officiating: Rev. Gary Johnson;
Burial: Mt. Hope Cemetery at Covington;
Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at the funeral home.
Rosie Lee Hardimon
Rosie Lee Hardimon, 71, of Danville, passed this life at 12:20 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 10, 2004) at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis.
She was born Sept. 16, 1933, in Covington, Tenn., a daughter of Alfonzo and Mattie Hern Jones.
She married Clarence Hardimon, Sr., April, 20, 1951, in Earl, Ark.
He preceded her in death.
Survivors include: two daughters, Patricia Boyd and Myra Hardimon, both of Danville; six sons, Clarence (Faye) Hardimon, Jr., Don (Carlotta) Hardimon and Harrison Hardimon, all of Danville, Ricky (Gayle) Hardimon of Atlanta, Ga., Christopher (Sonia) Hardimon of Cumberland, Md., and Eric Hardimon of Indianapolis; five stepdaughters, Lois Knox and Billie (Michael) Roberts, both of Danville, Schifonia McBeth and LaShawnia McBeth, both of Denver, Colo., and Kenisha McBeth of Oklahoma City, Okla.; four sisters, Adelly Ivy of Oklahoma City, Okla., Dorothy Walker and JoAnn McCauley, both of Sikeston, Mo., and Idell Osborn of Chicago; a brother, C.L. Jones of St. Louis, Mo.; a special aunt, Louise Lewis of Danville; a special cousin, Willie "Sister" Davis of Danville; 38 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Peggy Hardimon, a brother, Willie Jones, and a grandson, Clarence Cunningham.
Rosie was a member of the Mason Temple COGIC, where she served on the Mother's Board and was a former usher and pastor's aide.
She enjoyed cooking and spending time with family.
Funeral services: noon Saturday, Oct. 16 at Greater Mt. Zion Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1535 E. Fairchild St.;
The family will be present from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the church;
Visitation will be from 1-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home;
The family is not scheduled to be present;
Officiating: Elder Lee A. Reed Sr.;
Burial: Atherton Cemetery.
John Michael ‘Mike' Maddox
HOME GARDENS — John Michael "Mike" Maddox, 59, of Home Gardens, formerly of Westville, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 12, 2004) at the Department of Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System in Danville.
He was born on Aug. 6, 1945, in Danville, the son of John E. and Helen (Lewin) Maddox.
He was united in marriage to Carlene Dugger on July 27, 1980, in Orlando, Fla.
She survives.
Other surviving family members that will deeply miss Mike are his mother, Helen; two daughters, Shelly and Melissa Maddox, both of Danville; one brother, Floyd "Buddy" Maddox of Westville; and two sisters, Nancy (Ed) Miller of Oakwood and Carol (Jerry) Whiles of Westville.
Also missing Mike are his two granddaughters, Jessica and Sarah Fortner, both of Danville, as well as several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
After Mike served his country during Vietnam, between the years of 1963-1966, he settled in Florida, where he drove a truck for many years.
He became an avid fisherman and a die-hard Cubs fan.
He enjoyed his fishing trips and singing and dancing, but most of all, Mike's family was truly the most important part of his life.
His memberships included the American Legion Post No. 51 in Westville.
A celebration of Mike's life will be at 1 p.m. Friday Oct. 15, at Sunset's Houghton-Leasure Funeral Home, 200 E. West St., Georgetown;
Officiating: Pastor Curtis Darling.
Burial will be conducted at Danville National Cemetery with military honors performed by Martin F. Vutrick American Legion Post No. 51.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the American Heart Association.
Elda May Henry
BROCTON — Elda May Henry, 85, of Ponchatoula, La., formerly of Brocton, Ill., died Sept. 5, 2004, at North Oaks Hospital in Hammond, La.
She was born Feb. 28, 1919, in Valparaiso, Ind., the daughter of Earl and Bessie Huddleston.
She married Everett Lucas and later married Robert Henry.
She is survived by one son, Don Lucas of Paris; three daughters, Betty (Clyde) Ripple, Sr. of Danville, Donna (Woody) Graham of Covington, La., and Marie Lucas of Danville; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one brother, one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Payne Cemetery in Brocton.
Joines Funeral Home of Newman, is in charge of arrangements.
Sara Jones
Sara Jones, 82, of Marion, Ill., passed away at 11:30 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 18, 2004) at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
Graveside services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 at Atherton Cemetery in Danville, Ill.;
There will be no visitation.
Arrangements by Blue Funeral Home in Marion.
Memorials may be made to the New Hope Church building fund; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL 62959.
Mrs. Jones was born on Feb. 20, 1922, in Decatur, Ill., to Charles W. and Pearl (Holland) Fleming.
She married Donald E. Kerst.
He preceded her in death on Aug. 4, 1950.
She later married Ralph E. Jones and he preceded her in death on Dec. 26, 1959.
Survivors: son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Sherry Kerst of Horatio, Ark.; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Richard Robinson of Danville; daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Ron Dameron of Marion; grandchildren, Don and Teresa Kerst, Kathy and Paul Stewart, Bill and Sheila Kerst, John and Becky Robinson, Kim Bridgman, Monica and Pat McGinley, Sam and Sue Stilley, Debra Dameron, Annie and Aaron Ahrens and Jim Bob Kerst; 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, and eight brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Jones was formerly a factory employee, sold Avon for 25 years, and worked with the Williamson County Program on Aging for seven years.
She loved to read and spend time with her family.
