MATTOON, IL - Mrs. Vera B. Groves, 89, of rural Mattoon, IL, died at 9:04 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2000 at her residence.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Zion Hill United Methodist Church, Coles County, IL, with the Rev. Land Robyne of rural Mattoon and the Rev. Ercel Carter of Murray, Ky., officiating.
Burial will be in Zion Hill Cemetery in Paradise Township, Coles County, IL.
Visitation will be after 5 p.m. today (Friday) at the Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home, Neoga, IL, and one hour before the service on Saturday at the church.
She was born Nov. 27, 1910, in Coles County, IL, the daughter of Leonard and Stella Mae (Coy) Phelps.
She married the Rev. Glen E. Groves on Sept. 13, 1930, in Charleston, IL; he died on June 27, 1992.
Survivors include a son, Donald D. Groves and wife Ida Mae of rural Mattoon, IL; five daughters, Mrs. Roger (Nina) Ewing of rural Gays, IL, Mrs. Donald (Patricia) Spencer and Mrs. Delbert (Marilyn) Spencer, both of rural Trilla, IL, Mrs. Harrison (Carol) Blankenship and Miss. Glenna Kay Groves, both of Effingham, IL; two brothers, Paul Phelps of Mattoon, IL, and Howard Wayne Phelps of Jacksonville, IL; one sister, Mrs. Verl (Norma Jean) Bridges of Stewardson, IL; 15 grandchildren; four step grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 5 step great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, one sister, one step grandson and one great-grandson.
Mrs. Groves was a homemaker and pastor's wife. She also helped her husband serve the Woodbury Methodist Church and the Trilla Methodist Church for over 34 years. Mrs. Groves taught Sunday School in both churches for several years.
Memorials may be made to the Zion Hill Cemetery, Paradise Township, Coles County, IL, or donor's choice.The Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home, Neoga, is in charge of the arrangements.
Betty Tharp
GREENUP - Betty Mae Tharp, 76, of Greenup, died at 2:25 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 25, 2000) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. today at the Barkley Funeral Home, Greenup.
Burial will be in the Hazel Dell Cemetery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
She was born Aug. 28, 1924, in Conerville, Ind., the daughter of Burton and Florence Williams Andrews.
She married Dale Tharp in 1943; he survives.
Mrs. Tharp was a homemaker and member of the Hidalgo Independent Christian Church and the Order of Eastern Star.
Martha Waters
CHAMPAIGN - Martha Mae Waters, 72, of Champaign, formerly of Mattoon, died at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 24, 2000) at Provena Covenant.
The funeral will be 1 p.m. today at the Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home, Champaign, with Father Allen Mattingly officiating.
Burial will be in Dodge Grove Cemetery, Mattoon.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the funeral home.
She was born March 19, 1928, in Edgar County, the daughter of Paul and Velma Fox Holmes.
She married Jim Waters in 1955; he died in 1996.
Surviving are two sons, Larry Mattingly of Hampshire and Gary Mattingly of Middle Grove; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Waters was a homemaker. She was a member of the VFW Post 5520 auxiliary.
Memorials may be made to the Provena Covenant Hospice or VFW Post 5520 auxiliary.
Willie High
Willie Lee High, age 53, of Mattoon, passed away at 8:11 a.m. on Monday, October 23, 2000, at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Funeral services celebrating his life will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Schilling Funeral Home with Elder Wilfred Stevenson officiating.
Burial will be in the Dodge Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.
Willie was born at Houston, Texas on November 20, 1946, a son of Kelly and Louise Goodwin High.
He married Addie L. Kimmons on April 6, 1973.
Survivors include his wife, Addie High of Mattoon; three sons, Willie L. High Jr. and wife Carmen L. of Mattoon; Robert C. High and wife Sarah L. of Champaign and Jermaine T. High at home; three grandchildren, Jemeel C. High of Mattoon, Noah A. High and Isabelle A. High, both of Champaign; his father, Kelly High of Marshall, Texas; his mother, Louise Goodwin of Springfield, Missouri; three brothers, Gene High, Mark High and Scott Oliver, all of Springfield, Missouri; two sisters, Rita High and Freda Clemmons, both of Marshall, Texas.
Mr. High worked in maintenance for Community Unit 2 Schools for many years. Most recently he served with Mr. Parker at the Mattoon High School Sports Center. His health was a challenge for him and prevented him from being as active as he would have liked. Willie dearly loved his family and many area school children found a friend in him.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Mattoon Athletic Booster Club.
James Montz
CHARLESTON - James Herman Montz, 71, of Charleston, died at 10:27 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 24, 2000) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Pate officiating.
Burial was in Kickapoo Cemetery.
Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
He was born Aug. 15, 1929, in Charleston, the son of James Ervin and Jesse Dryden Montz.
He married Alice Faye Snyder in 1970; she survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Mary Ann Montz of Charleston; two brothers, Walter F. Montz of Lake Placid, Fla., and Raymond Montz of Charleston; five sisters, Evelyn Louise of Springfield and Joyce Farris, Thelma Driver, Linda Wilson and Annie Blagg, all of Charleston; one half brother, Willard Whitrock of Tennessee; and two stepsisters, Dorothy Farliss of Tennessee and Bessie Wright of Charleston.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, one half brother and one half sister.
Mr. Montz had worked with horses at the local fairgrounds.
Donald Ackman
RUSHVILLE - Donald R. Ackman, 52, of Rushville, formerly of Charleston, died at 11:45 a.m. Monday (Oct. 23, 2000) at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
A graveside memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Rushville City Cemetery with the Rev. Scott Henley officiating.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville.
He was born Dec. 22, 1947, in Rushville, the son of Robert H. and Marietta Rohn Ackman.
He married Rebecca Jane Ingram in 1969.
Surviving are three sons, Gabriel Drew Ackman of Gibson City, John Sheridan Ackman of Urbana and Matthew Robert Ackman of Thomasboro; one daughter, Julie Elizabeth Jenkins of Champaign; two brothers, Jon Ackman of Rushville and Tom Ackman of Lincoln; and six grandchildren.
Mr. Ackman was employed as a bookkeeper for M and M Vending in Macomb.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Lorene Fraembs
HENDERSON, Ky. - Lorene Fraembs, 93, of Henderson, Ky., died at 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 23, 2000) at Methodist Hospital, Henderson, Ky.
The funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Zion United Church of Christ, Henderson, Ky., with the Rev. Len Brummett and the Rev. Paul Mefford officiating.
A graveside service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Mount Evergreen Cemetery, in Millstadt, with the Rev. Randy Heckman officiating.
Visitation will be 1 p.m. to service time Thursday at the church.
Surviving are one son, Frank Fraembs of Charleston; one sister, Cleida Krite of St. Louis; and four grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Fraembs; one son; and one grandson.
Memorials may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ, Henderson, Ky.
John Ochs
PESOTUM - John B. Ochs, 83, of Pesotum, died at 9:25 p.m. Monday (Oct. 23, 2000) at the Champaign County Nursing Home in Urbana.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Pesotum, with the Rev. Daniel L. Ochs and the Rev. Joseph Miachithanh officiating.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Pesotum.
Visitation will be 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Freese Funeral Home, Tolono, with a 7:30 p.m. rosary service.
He was born Aug. 12, 1917, in Dundas, the son of Anthony and Clara Roth Ochs.
He married Oliva Rennier in 1944; she died in 1974.
Surviving are three sons, Edwin Ochs of Urbana, Leo Ochs of Champaign and Paul Ochs of Pesotum; one daughter, Dorothy Kielhorn of Cooks Mills; one brother, Herman Ochs of Olney; two sisters, Anna Rinehart of Tolono and Catherine Koelker of Dundas; and five grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by seven brothers and two sisters.
Mr. Ochs retired from USI in Tuscola.
He was past commander and member of the Pesotum American Legion Post 580 and a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church Pesotum.
He was a World War II army veteran.
Memorials may be made to the Central Illinois Altzheims or St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Wayne Gibson
Wayne Allen Gibson, 68, of Arcola, IL passed away at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday, October 24, 2000 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2000 at the Arcola First Baptist Church. Rev. Jess Adams will officiate.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the memorial service at the church.
The Edwards Funeral home 221 E. Main St., Arcola, IL is in charge of arrangements.
Wayne was born August 26, 1932, in Arcola, IL. A son of Pearl and Mae (Adams) Gibson.
He married Mary Benson Housley on October 3, 1956, in Chicago, IL.
He is survived by: wife: Mary Gibson, of Arcola, IL; 3 Sons: Richard Housley and his wife Sheryl of Arcola, IL, Bruce Gibson of Arcola, IL, Randy Gibson and his wife Barbara of Tuscola, IL; 1 daughter: Brenda Nall and her husband Sam of Arcola, IL; 7 Grandchildren: Stacie Housley of Denver, Colorado, Michael Housley of Arcola, IL, Melinda Gibson of Marshall, IL, Michelle Gibson of Marshall, IL, Bryson Gibson of Tuscola, IL, Crystal Davis of Arcola, IL, Mike Davis of Arcola, IL. 2 Special girls that referred to Wayne as Grandpa, Taylor Mills and Heather Thornton.1 Brother: Ronnie Gibson and wife Alice of Arcola IL; 2 Sister-in-laws: Shirley Gibson of Arcola, IL and Barb Wilson of Arcola, IL; Several Nieces and Nephews. Special Friends: Max and Nona Lytle of Arcola, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents five brothers; Billy Dean, Larry Carl, Dale, Floyd, and Jerry and a sister; Imogene Peak.
Wayne was a 1950 graduate of Arcola High School. He was a stand out athlete participating in football, basketball and track.
He played football at Eastern Illinois University on a athletic scholarship.
Wayne was a Navy veteran of the Korean War, receiving many medals and campaign ribbons.
After the service he entered retail sales and later became a area manager for the Combined Insurance Company. Wayne was a truck driver for Yellow Freight for several years. In 1985 he and his wife Mary worked in management for the Motel Six Corporation, training managers throughout the Midwest. Wayne retired in 1993.
Wayne was a member of the Arcola First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mattoon, IL.
Wayne enjoyed all sporting events but was especially fond of the Illini and the St. Louis Cardinals, not to mention all Arcola Purple Rider athletic events. In the late 1960s and early 1970s he was a IHSA referee for football, basketball.
Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and will be sadly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family.
Judyth L. "Judy" Johnson
MATTOON - Judyth L. "Judy" Johnson, age 60, of Mattoon, passed away 4:50 a.m. Monday, October 23, 2000 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 26, 2000 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. John P. Besore III and Rev. Jan Kennedy officiating. A luncheon will follow services.
Interment will be in Zion Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home.
Judyth L. Johnson was born December 15, 1939 in Mattoon, Illinois, a daughter of Jesse and Mary Hart Phelps.
She married Robert "Bob" Johnson August 17, 1958 at Mattoon, he preceded in death June 19, 1988.
She was survived by her mother, Mary Phelps of Mattoon, her sister, Nancie Taylor and husband Larry of Springfield, Illinois.
Also surviving are her three children, Scott Johnson and wife Adrienne of Chicago, Jennifer Landon and husband Michael and their children Cory and Jason of Carlinville, Illinois, and Julie Hall and husband Eric and their children Victoria, Jonathon and Andrew of Montrose, Illinois.
Her father also preceded her in death.
Judyth was a lifelong resident of the Mattoon area.
She was an active member and Elder at the First Presbyterian Church and belonged to the Esther Circle of the Church.
She was also a member of Delta Theta Tau sorority. She worked at the Mattoon Area YMCA where her smiling face always greeted members.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 10 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, 61938 or Delta Theta Tau, 14 Western Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois 61938.
Florence Lacher
SULLIVAN - Florence A. Lacher, 74, of Sullivan, formerly of Elgin, died at 6:12 a.m. Monday (Oct. 23, 2000) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.
The funeral will be 9 a.m. Friday at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, with Father John Sohm officiating.
Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Elgin.
She was born July 27, 1926, in Chicago, the daughter of Roman and Agnes Westphal Kledzik.
She married Harvey Lacher in 1942; he died in 1980.
Surviving are two sons, James Lacher of Sullivan and Ronald Lacher of Elgin, and one daughter, Sally Lacher of Elgin.
She was also preceded in death by one sister and one daughter.
Mrs. Lacher was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Elgin.
