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Donald Ray Thomas Sr.
Donald Ray Thomas Sr., 64, of Wilmington, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2002, at Joliet.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at Sloan Funeral Home in Galatia. Burial will be in Ebenezer cemetery in Galatia. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, at the funeral home.
He was born June 21, 1937, in Franklin County to the late Everett and Ruth (Heflin) Thomas.
He was a member of Phelan Acres Bible Church and retired in 1990 from Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Joliet after 35 years.
He is survived by his loving wife Bessie (Harris) of 44 years; five children, Cathy (Greg) Hansen, Linda Thomas, Don Thomas Jr., all of Wilmington; Karen (Brian) Severson of Dwight; Patty (John) McIntyre of Iowa; grandchildren Tim and Gregory Hansen, Jenny, John Jr. and Laura McIntyre; Luke, Seth Joel, and Sarah Severson; one sister Loretta (Carl) Fry of West Frankfort.
Charles Walter Hale
Charles Walter Hale, 80, of Harrisburg, died 1:29 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002, at his residence.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, at Sloan Funeral Home in Galatia with the Rev. James Wright officiating. Burial will be in Raleigh Masonic cemetery. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002, at the funeral home.
He was born June 11, 1921, in Saline County to the late John and Elsie (Stricklin) Hale.
He was a sergeant in the army during World War II, and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Raleigh since 1933 and was a retired salesman for Caterpillar.
He is survived by two daughters, Judy Phillips of Harrisburg, Vickie DeGiacinto of Edwardsville; a sister, Violet Parks of Eldorado; seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Woodrow and J.H. Hale, and three sisters, Lorene Bailey, Dorris Hale, and Darlene Hale.
Belva Tate Mitchell
Belva Tate Mitchell, 98, of the Cornerville area north of Galatia, passed away at 8:10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002, at Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado.
She was the daughter of Charles and Frances (Hollada) Tate.
She married
the late Christopher (Chris) Mitchell on April 27, 1926, at the home of the Rev. C.C. Mitchell of Thompsonville. She was a homemaker and Methodist by faith.
She is survived by four daughters, Frances (Argel) Edwards of East Alton, Charline (Tommy) Williams of Galatia, Lovie (Rusty) Stunson of Harrisburg, and Donna (Leonard) Smith of Omaha; three sons, Charles (Louise) Mitchell of Galatia, William Earl of Pompano, Fla., and Guy Woolard of Harrisburg; eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; two nieces, and one nephew of East Alton.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Guy and Walter Tate of East Alton.
Services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, at Sloan Funeral Home in Galatia. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at the funeral home.
A cousin, Dr. James Baldwin, will officiate. Interment will be in Tates Chapel cemetery north of Galatia.
Gladys L. Bowen
Gladys Lillian Bowen, 89, resident of Meadows Place, Texas, formerly of Harrisburg, died 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002, at her residence.
She was born in Harrisburg on July 8, 1912, to the late Otis and Hettie Hankins Little. She married
Claude Clifford Bowen on June 14, 1930. Along with him she owned and managed the Southend Motor Bike Shop in front of their home on South Granger Street in Harrisburg. Gladys prided herself in her ability to keep the local children rolling by re-spoking their bicycle wheels at the shop where she worked side by side with her husband. They also owned and operated Triangle Truck Stop on Route 45 in Harrisburg. Gladys managed the cafe there and Claude handled the sales of gasoline and related products, as well as the living quarters for the truckers. At that time their daughter, Jo Ann, was a student at Harrisburg Junior High and High Schools and went on to attend Blackburn College in Carlinville.
In 1954, the Bowens moved to Michigan where they traveled often and lived a very active life. Daughter Jo Ann transferred to Wayne State University in Detroit and completed her education. Gladys and Claude retired around 1982, and moved to Hot Springs, Ark. where they had vacationed many years prior. There they continued traveling and enjoying their favorite activies--boating, fishing, genealogy, being members of numerous square dance clubs and travel clubs, engaging in community activities, dining out, gardening, and having fun with their many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen were also members of the 55-plus club of Memorial-Herman Hospital.
Following the death of her husband Claude on Dec. 24, 1997, Mrs. Bowen moved to Meadows Place, Texas to live near Jo Ann and granddaughter Julia. Gladys purchased a home and enjoyed "directing" her daughter Jo Ann in refining its interior decor and landscaping. Mrs. Bowen rebounded back from health setbacks she suffered following her husband's death and resumed her interests, living a full and healthy life from 1998 until early spring 2001. Her health continued to decline to the point where it was necessary to enroll the aid of the local Hospice program. As a result of the excellent care and comfort Hospice provided, she was able to remain at home with family and friends the entire time.
At 89 1/2, she was still talking with great fondness about her family and past friends back in Harrisburg--many years ago deciding to return to them when the time came. Mrs. Bowen was also a lifetime Baptist. One of her last comments came without warning one day and without explanation. She exclaimed to Jo Ann, "Tell them I had a good time, " and so she did. Family members include a daughter, Jo Ann Russu; a granddaughter, Julia Russu, both of Meadows Place, Texas; a sister, Inez Parker of Harrisburg; a niece, Hedy Lynn Sattler of Omaha, Neb.; a nephew, Ed Parker of Seattle, Wash.; and two sons of her previously deceased sister, Eleanor Little Blades; nephews Ronald Blades of Harrisburg and Howard Malcom Blades of Fond du Lac, Wis. Several great-nieces and great-nephews of the Little, Hankins, and Travelstead families also survive.
Visitation is 11 a.m. to service time Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at Reed Funeral Chapel Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Reed Funeral Chapel with Dr. Roger Lyons officiating.
Interment will be in Sunset Lawn cemetery in Harrisburg.
Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to go to Cats & Friends, Inc. 12058 Sturdivant, Meadows Place, Texas 77477.
Ora Helen Ritsch
Ora Helen Ritsch, 97, of 200 Marsh St., Apt 4-A, Harrisburg, died 1:15 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, at her residence.
Services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, at Gaskins Funeral Home in Harrisburg with the Rev. Kenny Mayhall officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Gardens cemetery in Harrisburg. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at the funeral home.
She was born May 21, 1904, in the Mountain Township in Saline County to Daniel and Hattie (Mitchell) Sherrod. On June 4, 1926, she married
William Ritsch, who preceded her in death on June 13, 1958.
She was a homemaker and a member of Pankeyville Baptist Church. Mrs. Ritsch also attended the Family Life Center in Harrisburg with her family.
She lived with her family and is survived by Nina and Charles Thompson and their children, Anthony and Anntoinette Funaro; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Dan Sherrod, and a sister, Dollie Cavender.
Eunice Ann Seely
Eunice Ann Seely, 66, of 172 W. McClernand Ave., Shawneetown, died of cancer 9:35 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville, Ind.
Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shawneetown with Father Mark Stec officiating. Burial will be in Immaculate Conception cemetery in Shawneetown. Visitation 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at Vickery Funeral Chapel in Shawneetown with a prayer service at 6 p.m.
She was born Dec. 11, 1935, in Texico to the late Earl and Lillian (Gripp) Myers. She married
Daniel Edgar Seely on Sept. 22, 1962, and he preceded her in death on April 11, 1997.
She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shawneetown, where she had served as a lector and on the Parish Council. She was an active volunteer of the Shawneetown Boosters Club, American Cancer Society, and the Shawneetown HEA unit. She was a graduate of MacMurray College and a former home bureau adviser and retired from the Gallatin Democrat newspaper.
She is survived by five nieces and nephews, including Donald (Sharon) Seely of Ridgway; E.T. (Barbara) Seely, Jr. of Eldorado; two sisters-in-law, Betty Seely of Ridgway and Vina Seely of Monticello, Ind.; and a brother-in-law, Norbert Seely of West Branch, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Catholic Church of Shawneetown and the American Cancer Society.
Carl L. Brooks
Carl L. Brooks, 77, of McLeansboro, died 5:55 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, at Good Samaritan Regional Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon.
Services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro with the Rev. Robert Sefried officiating. Burial will be in Digby Hill cemetery near Dale with military rites by American Legion Post No. 106. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, at the funeral home.
He was the widower of Patsy M. Allen.
He is survived by a son, two daughters, a brother, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a special friend.
Martha Elizabeth 'Betty' McGaffey
Martha Elizabeth "Betty" McGaffey, 91, of Belle Rive, died 6:55 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2002, at Good Samaritan Regional Health Care in Mt. Vernon.
Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2002, at Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren with the Rev. Richard McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Flint cemetery in Belle Rive. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2002, at the funeral home.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews.
Madlen Mitsdarffer Bond
Madlen Mitsdarffer Bond, 86, of McLeansboro, died 10:10 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2002, at Heritage Nursing Home in Normal.
Services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2002, at St. Clement's Catholic Church in McLeansboro with Father Joseph Lawler officiating. Burial will be in St. Clement's Church cemetery in McLeansboro. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2002, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Scripture Service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday with Father David Schmidt officiating.
Beulah Francis Yates
Beulah Francis Yates, 93, Caseyville Nursing Home, Caseyville, died 2 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2001 at the nursing home.
Funeral service is 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2001 at Walunt Grove Church, Harrisburg. The Rev. Dewayne Taylor will officiate. Burial is in Walnut Grove cemetery. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2001 at Gaskins Funeral Home.
