Harold Edward Walker, 91, passed away at 9:25 P.M., Friday, (December 1, 2000) in the company of his family at his home in Short's Subdivision, at Lake Mattoon near Neoga, Illinois.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday (Dec. 4th) at the Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, with the Rev. Judith Curry officiating.
Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Sunday at the Swegel-O-Dell Funeral Home of Neoga.
Burial will be in the Neoga Memorial Cemetery.
He was born in Cumberland County, Illinois October 12, 1909, the last surviving child of Thomas Wilson and Mollie May (Brooks) Walker.
He spent his early childhood near Mansfield, in Piatt County.
He married the former Beulah Blanch Tolch on December 27, 1934 at the First Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
Mr. Walker leaves his wife Beaulah Blanche Walker of Lake Mattoon. One son; Edward Charles Tolch Walker and his wife Eva of Ipswich, Massachusetts. One daughter; Susan Luann (Walker) Jahn and her husband Darryl of Des Moines, Iowa. Four grandchildren and step grandchildren; Nicole Elise (Jahn) Lauridsen, and her husband Kevin, Allison Kathryn (Jahn) Mutch, and her husband Brant, Kristen Suzanne Jahn and Virginia Annely McNelly. Three great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; Connor Grant Mutch, Devin Jahn Mutch and Laura McNelly. One nephew; Eugene Gray of Monticello, Ill. One niece; Norma Booty and her husband George of Monticello, Ill. Brother-in-law and sister-in-law; C. John Tolch and his wife Barbara of Madison, Wisconsin. Nieces and grandnieces: Jennifer Knight and Natalie Knight of Naples, Florida, Johna Tolch of Felton, California.
Mr. Walker was preceded in death by 7 infant brothers and sisters and by one half brother.
He was educated in the Monticello and Casey school districts and graduated from Toledo High School in the class of 1928. He received his B.A. Degree from Eastern Illinois University of Charleston and his M.A. Degree in Education from the University of Illinois in Urbana.
He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church of Neoga, Charter member of the Toledo Kiwanis Club, a life member of the University of Illinois Alumni Assoc., and the Illinois Education Association, a lifetime teacher of science and mathematics. He taught in the Neoga Grade School, the Toledo High School, Lovington High School, Mansfield High School where he was Principal. He completed his career in the Rockford school system and retired in 1970, after thirty-six years of teaching.
He and his wife made their home in the Neoga area in 1989.
Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of the Grace United Methodist Church, The Toledo Kiwanis Club or an organization of the donor's choice.
Martha Arcilla
ARTHUR - Martha A. Helmuth Arcilla, 56, of Arthur died at 9:45 a.m. Friday, (Dec. 1, 2000) at her home.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Bishop Omer Otto's home in Arthur.
Burial will be in the Yoder Cemetery, Arthur.
Visitation will be anytime Saturday and Sunday at the Otto residence.
McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Arthur, is in charge of the arrangements.
She was born Sept. 14, 1944, in Arthur, the daughter of Albert J. and Ana B. Helmuth.
Survivors include a son, Jesus (Sonny) Arcilla of San Diego, Calif.; a daughter, Treva Aldredge of San Diego, Calif.; brothers Jacob and Orie Helmuth of Arthur, and Levi Helmuth of Gulfport, Miss.; and sisters, Edna Farmwald of Nappanee, Ind; Mattie Yoder of Arthur, Viola Jess of Arthur and Emma Corona of Gulfport, Miss.
Mrs. Arcilla was owner operator of Martha's Bus Line in San Diego, Calif.
She was a member of the Old Order Amish.
Larry Blagg
Larry Gene Blagg, age 59, of Charleston Born in Coles County, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at his residence.
Memorial services celebrating his life will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Saturday, December 2, 2000 at North Side Baptist Church on North 5th Street.
Memorials in honor of Larry may be sent to the "National Multiple Sclerosis Society" at Greater Illinois Branch, 206 N.E. Madison, Peoria, IL 61602
Leslie Drumm
TOLEDO - Leslie C. Drumm, 90, of Janesville, died at 1 a.m. Friday (Dec. 1, 2000) at his residence.
A Masonic service will be 2 p.m. Sunday with the funeral service immediately following at the Barkley Funeral Home, Toledo.
Brother Jim Watts will officiate.
Burial will be in the Janesville Cemetery, Janesville.
Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m. Sunday at the Barkley Funeral Home.
He was born Feb. 3, 1910, in Hickory Corner, rural Toledo, the son of Sheridan and Gusta (Page) Drumm.
He married Irene Jones on Oct. 3, 1936; she died Oct. 31, 2000.
Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Lawyer of Janesville and Alice Gagliardo and husband George of Mattoon; granddaughter, Christy Lawyer of Janesville; special grandchildren, Kim, Doug, Sarah, Stephanie, R.D. Gordon all of Janesville; one sister, Ruth Walker of Toledo; sister-in-law, Jane Kenter of Janesville; one brother, Arnold Drum and wife Irene of Toledo.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Don Drum.
Leslie retired from the Charleston School District in 1975 after 42 years of teaching.
He was a 50 year member and Past Master of Masonic Lodge #788 Lerna and Toledo Lodge #834, Order of Eastern Star Lerna and Toledo, the Danville Consistory, Coles County Retired Teachers Association and the Coles County Council on Aging.
He was a member of the Janesville Christian Church and recently was affiliated with the Toledo Christian Church.
Memorials may be made to the Dynamic Home Care Visiting Nurses of Charleston or the Toledo Christian Church.
Edna Hires
CASEY - Edna Leota Hires, 74, of Casey died at 8:15 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 30, 2000) at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, Ind.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Markwell Funeral Home with the Rev. Gene Southard and the Rev. Marvin Oakley officiating.
Burial will be in Restitution Cemetery south of Casey.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
She was born Nov. 13, 1926, in Westfield, the daughter of Raymond Andrew Southard and Goldie Leona Harris.
She married Walter Boyd Hires in 1947; he died in 1972.
Survivors include sons Clovis Ray Hires of Yale and George Daniel Hires of Casey; a brother, the Rev. Eugene Southard of Casey; a sister, Shirley Prince of Casey; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and special friend Marie Stinson of Casey.
She was also preceded in death by one daughter, one brother and three sisters.
Mrs. Hires retired from the Casey IGA and the TRW Plant in Casey.
She was a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church and the Order of Eastern Star-Areta Chapter 79.
emorials may be made to the Macedonia Baptist Church of Casey.
Margaret Jones
MARTINSVILLE - Margaret Jones, 75, of Martinsville died at 3:30 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 30, 2000) at her residence.
Arrangements are pending at Greenwell Funeral Home, Martinsville.
She was born Jan. 30, 1925, in Jasonville, Ind., the daughter of Roy and Bertha Harding Funkhouser.
She married Robert E. Jones in 1946. He died in 1999.
Survivors include three sons, Bob Jones and Joe Jones of Charleston and Marty Jones of Bartlett; one daughter, Mary J. Sappington of Martinsville; one granddaughter and six great-grandchildren.
Hazel (Rhoades) Murphy
Hazel (Rhoades) Murphy, age 80, of Charleston, passed away at 7:20 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 30, 2000) at Mattoon Health Care Center.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Mon. Dec. 4, 2000 at Caudill-King Funeral Home, Charleston.
Visitation will be one hour before the services.
Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon.
Hazel was born June 7, 1920, near Hugo, IL. A daughter of Ross and Julia Beesecker Rhoades.
She married O. Glenn Murphy in 1937. He preceded her in death on March 20, 1977.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Lois and Stuart Davis of Hollywood, Fla., Jan and Lin Carver of Columbus, Ohio, Glenna and Mike McKinley of Mattoon.
Grandchildren - Jeffrey Davis (Heather) of Manchester, Mich., Lori Davis Kions (Bob) of Mattoon, Matthew Davis (Tracy Cregan) of Hollywood, Fla., Neil Carver (Susan Yeager) of Ann Arbor, Mich., Dana Carver Bilbe (Sean) of Geraldton, Australia, Brett McKinley (Rachel) of E. Peoria, Shelly McKinley Renfro (Barry) of Windsor, Michael McKinley (Monique) of Mattoon.
Great-Grandchildren - Stacy Edwards, Christopher, Rebekah, and Sara Davis, Romy J. McKinley, Cory and Blake Renfro.Sisters - Virginia Cannoy of Richland Center, Wis., Helen Bishop and Betty Rann, both of Tuscola.
Brothers - Harold Rhoades (Clara) of Tuscola, Harlan Rhoades (Mary) of Sanford, Fla.
Hazel was retired from Brown Shoe Co. after 30 years.
She was a member of the Westfield Baptist Church and the Round Up Club.
Donations may be made to Hazels Childhood Church, Hugo Community Church in Hugo, IL, or Alzheimer's Association.
Marilyn Baker
VERMILION - Marilyn Jean Baker, 61, of Vermilion, died at 12:44 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 29, 2000) at Paris Community Hospital.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home in Paris with the Rev. Steve Williams officiating.
Burial will be in the Vermilion Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
She was born July 15, 1939, in Paris, the daughter of Estel D. Higgins and Florence Humerickhouse Higgins.
She married Leon Baker in 1957; he died in 1991.
Surviving are three sons, Terry and Tim Baker, both of Vermilion, and Troy Baker of Paris; one daughter, Tammy Johns of Paris; one sister, Joyce Coon of Humboldt; one brother, Darrell Higgins of Paris; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren.Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, Sutton Senior Center or Vermilion United Methodist Church.
Larry Cooper
MARTINSVILLE - Larry Cooper, 59, of Martinsville, died at 12:32 a.m. Thursday (Nov. 30, 2000) at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Greenwell Funeral Home with the Rev. Billie Ray Ulrey officiating.
Burial will be in Marshall Cemetery with military rites by the Martinsville American Legion Post 515.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
He was born May 23, 1941, in Terre Haute, Ind., the son of Fred Cooper and Marie Eubank Cooper.
He married Terry Dashiell in 1967; she survives.
Also surviving are one son, Eric Cooper of Martinsville; two daughters, Mrs. Dwane (Jennifer) Shumaker and Deborah Cooper both of Marshall; one brother, Wayne Cooper of Marshall; one sister, Dorothy Monroney of Springfield; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers.Mr. Cooper was employed by the Clark County Ready Mix Company.
He was an Army veteran and member of the Eastern Illinois Rat Racers Association.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Miland McClain
EFFINGHAM - Miland G. "Mac" McClain, 82, of Effingham, died at 10:16 a.m. Thursday (Nov. 30, 2000) at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital, Effingham.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Effingham.
Burial will be in Arborcrest Memorial Park West of Effingham.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Johnson Funeral Home, Effingham, and one hour before the service on Saturday at the church.
He was born March 11, 1918, in Momence, IL, the son of Coleman and Luella (Dyer) McClain.
He married Margaret S. Schermer on Dec. 25, 1942 in St. Louis, MO.; she preceded him in death Jan. 6, 1995.
Survivors include one son, Gary McClain of Dyersburg, TN; two daughters, Mrs. Ivan (Penny) Coleman of Newton and Mrs. Robert (Linda) Rawls of Benson, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Angie Morris of Westfield, IL, Mrs. Brian (Krista) Ochs of Newton, IL, Michael Coleman of Newton, IL, J. B. and John Rawls of Benson, Ariz. and Emilee and Eric McClain of TN; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents, wife, four brothers and one sister.
Mr. McClain retired as owner and operator of "Mac's T.V. and Antenna Service" in Effingham.
He was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church and L.L.L.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association.
Rose L. (Moore) McMeekan
Rose Lee (Moore) McMeekan, 86, died January 17, 2000 in San Diego, CA following a brief illness.
Born July 3, 1914, Rose, daughter of Thomas F. Moore and Ethel N. (Ashworth) Moore, was a long time former resident of Mattoon.
Rose graduated from Eastern Illinois University and married her sweetheart Dr. Thomas E. McMeekan following his graduation from Washington University Dental School.
Dr. and Mrs. McMeekan lived in Mattoon.
Following Tom's service in WW II, and Rose's teaching at Hawthorne School in Mattoon, they settled at 421 Wabash Avenue to resume married life together and start a family. Their children Sylvia, Tom and John all attended Mattoon schools until the family moved to California in 1960.
In Mattoon, Rose was a member of the Mattoon Golf and Country Club, Mattoon Hospital Auxiliary, and continued to keep her membership with The Elect Lady Chapter of Eastern Star, being a 50 year member at her death.
In La Jolla, Ca., Rose was a member of the Soroptimist Club, San Diego Children's Hospital Auxiliary, and La Jolla United Methodist Church.
Following Dr. McMeekan's death in 1964 and his burial in Mattoon, Rose returned to LaJolla, CA with her family and began the task of raising her children alone.
In addition to single parenting, assisting coach Little League, and being Den Leader for Cub Scouts, she updated her education by attaining a degree in Early Childhood Education, She began teaching as Lead Teacher and became Assistant Director of Loma Alta Pre-Schoot in San Diego, CA retiring in 1978.
After retirement she enjoyed visiting her growing family, volunteering as pianist at local convalescent homes, painting, and singing with the local Senior Chorus.
Rose also volunteered with the American Red Cross, Navy-Marine Corps Relief and the Navy Family Service Center at Naval Air Station, Miramar, San Diego, CA enhancing the quality of life for many military families. Never forgetting her four year long separation from her husband in WW II, Rose helped with several support groups for Military families whose active duty husbands and fathers were away.
She served as a surrogate mother and grandmother for the family members who were so far from their own families.
Survivors include her daughter Sylvia Wrench, San Diego, CA sons. Thomas L. McMeekan, La Jolla, CA, and John H. McMeekan, Hillsboro, OR; grandchildren David, James, and Robin Jacobs, Thomas, Christopher, and Ian McMeekan, and Dean, Heather and Melanie Wrench.
Services were held at La Jolla United Methodist Church, La Jolla, CA
Burial with a family service was at Dodge Grove Cemetery, Mattoon, IL.
Patience, faith, love, laughter, music, the joy of family and love of chocolate are only part of the legacy left us by Rose.
We celebrate her life together with all those who have shared in knowing and loving her.
