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Ruth F. Whittaker, 91, of Toulon, died at 6 pm Thursday, September 5, 2002, at Toulon Health Care Center.
Cremation was accorded. Memorial services were held at 11 am Tuesday, September 10, at Toulon First Congregational Church. The Rev. Wayne McLeod officiated. Visitation was from 6 to 8 pm Monday at DeBolt-Kidd Funeral Home, Toulon. Burial of ashes will be at a later date in Toulon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church or the Stark County Historical Society.
Born July 19, 1911, in Osceola Township, the daughter of Harve and Dora Carlburg Benedict, she married Clifford Whittaker November 2, 1935, in Benton, Illinois. He died October 20, 1979, in Kewanee. She was also preceded in death by five brothers and six sisters.
Surviving are a daughter, Vanessa (Robert) Packard of Carpentersville, Illinois; three sons, Gregory (Wanda) Whittaker of Scranton, Kansas, Gordon (Dian) Whittaker of Toulon and Roger (Marlene) Whittaker of Redding, California; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A graduate of Toulon High School, she was a clerk for the Kroger store in Toulon for many years and also for the Stark County News. She later worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Peoria. She and her husband farmed west of Toulon for many years.
She was a member of Stark County Historical Society, serving on the board of directors, the Stark County Home Extension and Toulon American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of Toulon First Congregational Church where she served on several committees.
J. Eldon Porter, 98, of R R #1, died at 1:05 pm Saturday, September 7, 2002, at McDonough District Hospital, Macomb, Ill.
Born September 6, 1904, in West Jersey Township, Stark County, Illinois, the son of David F. and Ella Hardy Porter, he married Garna Adleman on October 2, 1926, in El Paso, Ill. She preceded him in death on October 22, 2001, in Kewanee, Ill. Also preceding him in death were 3 sisters and 3 brothers.
Surviving is 1 daughter, Marilee Anderson of Macomb, Ill., 2 grandsons, and 2 great-granddaughters.
He farmed in the West Jersey area all of his life. He was a member of the Toulon Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria, and Mohammed Temple Shrine, Peoria. He was also a member of the Toulon Lions Club and West Jersey United Methodist Church.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 am Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at West Jersey United Methodist Church with the Revs. Bill Bunnage and Roger Cowser officiating. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 pm Tuesday, September 10, 2002, at DeBolt-Kidd Funeral Home, Toulon, with a Masonic Service at 8 pm. Burial was in the West Jersey Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to his church.
Carolyn Jane Anderson, 83, of Bradford died at 10:45 am Saturday, August 31, 2002, at her residence.
Born March 24, 1919, in Henry County to Oscar and Bessie Nordstrom Ericson, she married Alan John Anderson on July 13, 1938, in Iowa City, Iowa. He died in October 1990. She was also preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
Surviving are one son, Barry (Sandra) of Bradford; three daughters, Eloyce (Richard) Slown of Lexington, Karen Schuneman of Austin, Texas, and Judith Taylor of Bradford; 12 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
She had been a 4-H leader and Cub Scout den mother.
She was a member of Stark County Home Bureau. She was a member of Leet United Methodist Church in Bradford and the United Methodist Women.
Services were at 2 pm Wednesday at her church. The Rev. Lee Legg officiated. Grant-Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in Bradford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to her church, the American Cancer Society or Kewanee Hospital Hospice.
Kent Richard Felix Jr, 35, died August 12 when a train in the Chicago suburb of Richton Park struck him. He was born on May 9, 1967, in Chicago Heights, Ill. He attended Crete Monee High School. After graduation, he became a successful entrepreneur and a devoted family man.
Felix was the great grandson of Frank and Mabel Kromphardt, who operated a shoe store in Toulon for many years.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Josephine and Lowell Felix. He leaves his wife Alana-Jo, six children and his parents, Kent Felix Sr and Linda Northrup.
Naomi R. Jackson, 92, of rural Toulon died at 7:55 pm Wednesday, August 28, 2002, at Oakwood Health Care Center in Kewanee.
Born March 8, 1910, in Deer Creek to Gus and Fannie Herrmann Gustofer, she married Willard Jackson on August 23, 1930, in Peoria. He died November 15, 1996, in Kewanee. One daughter, Gladys Webster, and three brothers preceded her in death. Surviving are one son, Gary (Betty) of Manchester, Iowa; one sister, Esther Sitton of Morton; six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services were held at 10 am Tuesday at DeBolt-Kidd Funeral Home in Toulon. Dennis and Melanie Glew officiated. Burial was in Princeville Cemetery in Princeville.
Memorials may be made to the West Jersey United Methodist Church in West Jersey or to any charity.
Amy J. Knowles, 69, of 712 N. Galena Avenue, Wyoming., died at 2:35 am Thursday, August 29, 2002, at Toulon Health Care Center in Toulon.
Born November 2, 1932, in Monica to Ray E. and Mary Elizabeth Camp DeBord, she married George Richard “Tater” Knowles on September 27, 1952, in Princeville. He died August 21, 1982, in Peoria.
Surviving are two daughters, Rosemary Knowles of Wyoming. and Diana (Jeff) Nance of Kewanee; two sons, George of Wyoming. and Ray (Donna) of Woodworth, Louisiana; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; two brothers, Jim (Joan) DeBord and Henry (Maxine) DeBord, both of Princeville; one sister, Louise (Lyle) Ingle of Princeville.
She was a cook at Wyoming. Grade School and Wyoming. High School for many years. She also worked as a baker for the Wyoming. Super Valu for many years. Prior to her marriage, she worked for Monica Elevator.
She was a past member of the Wyoming. Fire Sirens and a member of Monica United Methodist Church.
Services were held Saturday at Wyoming. Funeral Home. The Reverend Gary Feldman officiated. Burial was in Wyoming. Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wyoming. Fire Department or any charity.
Catherine M. Blaisdell, 74, Bradford, died at 11:30 am, Thursday, August 29, 2002, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.
Born June 19, 1928, in Bradford, the daughter of William H. and Edna Ryan Code. She married Thomas J. Purtscher on January 21, 1950. She later married John R. Blaisdell on July 7, 1984. He survives.
Also surviving are five sons; Michael Purtscher of Hawaiian Gardens, California; Patrick (Sandra) Purtscher of York, Maine; John Purtscher of Morton; Joseph (Tracey Grawey) Purtscher, of Peoria; and Edward (Betty) Purtscher of Nashville, Tennessee; one daughter, Marian Purtscher of Bradford; three stepsons, Larry (Pat) Blaisdell of Orland Park, Jerry (Gina) Blaisdell of St. Charles, and Chauncey (Judy) Blaisdell of Scottsdale, Arizona; one stepdaughter, Julann (Tom) Ferguson of Glenn Ellyn; six grandchildren; 7 step grandchildren; two brothers, William R. Code of Mission, Texas, and J. Phillip (Elizabeth) Code of Bradford.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, one brother, one sister, an infant daughter, Carol, and one grandchild.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Bradford, and of the Altar & Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Bradford American Legion Auxiliary #445, and a past member of the Bradford Rescue Squad. She was a homemaker.
Services were held Tuesday, September 3, 2002, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bradford with Father Robert Rayson & Father John Thieryoung officiating. Grant-Johnson Funeral Home, Bradford was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to her church or the Bradford Rescue Squad.
Raymond P. Blount, 46, of 1405 W. Chestnut St., Chillicothe, died at 3:14 pm Saturday, August 24, 2002, at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
Born February 11, 1956, in Peoria to Howard Raymond and Alleyne Lucille Dorethy. He married Carla Klokkenga on May 9, 1992, in Chillicothe. She survives.
Also surviving are his father of Florida; two sons, Ryan Snider of Wyoming. and Forrest Blount of Chillicothe; two daughters, Alisha Snider of Jacksonville and Lindsey Blount of Wyoming.; one brother, Kenneth of East Peoria; and two sisters, Connie (and Larry) McNish of Stoughton, Wisconsin, and Carole (and Bob) Marquardt of Greensboro, North Carolina.
He was in the Air Force from 1975 to 1979, working as a radio relay equipment specialist.
He received an associate’s degree from Illinois Central College in East Peoria. He graduated from Illinois State University in Normal with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1985.
He was a computer technician for five years at the corporate office of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, last working on May 6, 2002.
Cremation was accorded. Services were held at Davison-Fulton Anderson Chapel.
Carolyn Peterson, 62, Williamsfield, died at 4:40 pm Wednesday, August 28, 2002, at home.
She was born March 23, 1940, in Kewanee, the daughter of Frances Eldon and Eleanor Marie Walker Meaker. She married Dick Leonard Peterson on September 11, 1960, in Toulon.
Surviving are her husband; her father and stepmother, Eldon (and Lucy) Meaker, Toulon; a brother, Larry Frances (and Mary) Meaker, Toulon; a sister, Diana Kay (and Jack) Brekmer, Eureka; two stepsisters, Carol (and Russell) Bjorling, Galva, and Janet (and Paul) Shannon, El Paso, Texas; three nieces; a nephew; three great-nieces; a great nephew; and a special friend whom she cared for, Ted Bycroft, Bond Durant, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her mother.
She attended Toulon grade school, graduated from Toulon High School and had two years nurses training at Galesburg Cottage Hospital. She farmed with her husband near Dahinda until they moved to Williamsfield in 1990. She also worked at the Knox County Farm Bureau, OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Good Samaritan Nursing Home, the Williamsfield Retirement Center and OSF Private Home Care, retiring earlier this month.
She was a member of Williamsfield United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, serving as past president. She also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Wyoming. Chapter, and was a Worthy Matron for six years; was county president of the Knox County Scenic Drive for six years and local chairman for 17 years; a member of the General Federation of Women’s Club; and was a chairman of the American Red Cross Blood Drive for five years.
She was active with many senior citizens organizations, including Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging Board, organizer and director of the Williamsfield Drop-in Center for 25 years and the Williamsfield GFWC Home Culture Club, serving as president for two years.
Funeral services were held Saturday at Williamsfield United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Randy Douglass officiating. Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice, her church or the Williamsfield Senior Citizen’s Center.
Marie Todd, 93, of Belvidere, Illinois, formerly of LaFayette, died at 10:25 pm, Friday, August 16, 2002, at her residence.
Born July 24, 1909, in Edwards, Illinois, the daughter of Howard and Amber Dawson LaFollette, she married Archie Todd on August 20, 1930, in Victoria. He died November 8, 1969, in Rockford, Illinois.
Surviving are 6 daughters, Beverly (and Steve) Grant of Wyanet, IL, Betty (and Roy) Cutshaw of Belvidere, IL, Maxine Rednour of Belvidere, IL, Marilyn Friedman of Temecula, CA, Elva Smith of Littleton, CO, and Martha (and Fred) Dozal of Rockford, IL; 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren. Her parents, one son Duane Todd, two sisters, four brothers, and three grandchildren preceded her in death.
She worked as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service. She was a member of the LaFayette American Legion and the Toulon Historical Society. She was the author of a book called “From Frakers Grove to LaFayette”. She also was very active in the Toulon community.
She was a member of the LaFayette Methodist Church, LaFayette, where services were held at 11am Wednesday, August 21, 2002. Visitation was from 6 – 8 pm Tuesday, August 20, 2002, at DeBolt-Kidd Funeral Home, Toulon, and one hour prior to funeral services at the church on Wednesday. Burial was in LaFayette Cemetery, LaFayette.
Memorial contributions may be to her church or Ira C. Reed Library in LaFayette.
Dean R. Jackson 72, of Rural Route 1 were held at 11 am Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at DeBolt-Kidd Funeral Home in Toulon. The Rev. Al Harmon officiated. Burial was in Osceola Grove Cemetery in rural Elmira.
He was pronounced dead at 9:30 am, Friday, August 16, 2002, at his residence.
Born June 26, 1930, in Elmira Township, Stark County to John W. and Sadie Reamer Jackson, he married Marilyn Klindt on November 14, 1954 in Rock Island. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Dwaine (and Rose) of Bradford and Dale (and Cindy) of Toulon and five grandchildren.
He was an Army Medical Corps veteran.
He was a lifetime farmer in the Elmira area and a member of Toulon American Legion.
Memorials may be made to the Stark County Good Samaritan Fund.
M. Dean Watson, 76, of Kewanee, died at 2 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2002, at his home.
Funeral services were held at 1:30 pm on Monday, August 19, 2002, at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. Rev. Robert Yount officiated. Burial was in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Kewanee where the Kewanee Veterans Council accorded military rites. Memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Mr. Watson was born August 24, 1925, in Toulon, Ill., the son of Charles and Nellie (Frail) Watson. He married Mae M. Geer on November 2, 1947, in Kewanee. She survives as well as a son, James (Carol) Watson of Kewanee; a daughter, Mrs. (Marty) Pam Verway of Kewanee; four grandchildren, Angela, Shannon, Jeremy and Richelle; two step-grandchildren, Derik and Jayde; and two great grandchildren, Alexis and Alyssa. His parents; a granddaughter, Stephanie Jo; a step-granddaughter, April; three brothers and a sister preceded him in death.
Mr. Watson was a US Army veteran serving in WWII in France. He served 28 months and was discharged as a sergeant. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and was a POW in Germany for 4 ½ months. He joined the Kewanee Police Dept. in 1953 and from 1963 until 1975 he served as police chief. After his retirement, he worked at Ratliff Bros & Co in Kewanee until 1977. He served as Kewanee Township Road Commissioner from 1977 until 1985. He was of the Lutheran faith. He was a member of the American Legion Post 31 in Kewanee and was also a member of the Illinois Police Association. He was a former member of Hidden Lake Country Club in Sheffield, Ill. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards, reading and doing yard work.
Ernest W. Boldman, 84, of 214 N. Washington, died 9:40 a.m. Monday, August 12, 2002, at his residence. He was born September 11, 1917, in Atkinson, Illinois, the son of Francis and Mary Wachs Boldman. He married Janet Downend on February 21, 1941, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She survives along with a son, James D. (and Paula) Boldman of Galva, Ill., and a daughter, Barbara A. (and David) Daum of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and 4 grandchildren. His parents, one son, Steven E. Boldman, and one brother preceded him in death.
He was a World War II Army Veteran serving in the European Theater with Company C, 524th Military Police Battalion. He worked for the Stark County Farm Bureau for 38 years. He was a 56-year member of the Toulon American Legion Post #416 of which he was a commander in 1972. He also was Past Chief De Gare of Stark County 40 & 8. He was past post commander and member of the Toulon VFW, and past member of the Toulon Fire Department and Toulon Lions Club. He was a member of First Congregational Church of Toulon.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 14, 2002, at DeBolt-Kidd Funeral Home, Toulon. Rev. Wayne McLeod officiated. Visitation was held one hour prior to funeral services at the funeral home. Burial was in the Toulon Cemetery, Toulon.
Memorial contributions may be made to his church or Toulon VFW.
Evelyn L. Gehrig of Wyoming., Ill., died of natural causes at the age of 84 on Thursday Aug 6, 2002, at 4:10 pm at the Heartland Health Care Center in Henry, Ill.
Evelyn was born in Castleton, Ill. on September 6, 1917, the daughter of Cofer Bernard and Inez Knowles. She married Richard C. Gehrig on Oct 4, 1941, in Kahoka, Missouri. He survives along with two sons Ron (Sharon) Gehrig of Sparland, Ill., and Ricky (Deborah) Gehrig of Huntley, Ill., and daughter Marilyn (Art) Engelbrecht of Chillicothe, Ill. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and her sister Garna (Leroy) Rhodes of Morton, Ill. Her parents preceded her in death.
Evelyn graduated from ISU, Normal, with a teaching degree. She started teaching school at Ricky’s school in Saratoga, TWP, Marshall County. After rearing her children, she taught from 1968-1981 at Valley School District, rural Wyoming.. She was a teacher for 20 years total.
Evelyn was buried in the Bradford Cemetery in Bradford, Ill. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bradford Rescue Squad.
Michael W. Sloan, 48, of 926 Main St., Peoria, formerly of Wyoming., died at 12:25 pm Friday, August 9, 2002, at his residence. He was born May 31, 1954, in Monmouth to Leo Victor and Barbara Clark Sloan.
Surviving are his mother of Wyoming.; one daughter, Shonna Sloan of Kewanee; one son, Josh of Kewanee; his grandmother, Helen Clark of Monmouth; and one brother, Steve (and Jill) of Wyoming..
His father preceded him in death.
He was an Army veteran, serving from 1972 to 1977. He worked as a welder and in maintenance for various local companies. He was a member of AM-VETS. He was a member of Northwest United Methodist Church in Peoria, where he taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
Memorials may be made to any charity.
