CHARLESTON - George Daniel Taylor Jr., 89, of
Charleston, died at 11:45 p.m. Friday (May 11, 2001) at
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday at Christ Temple of
Holiness in Chicago. Burial will be in Oakwoods
Cemetery in Chicago. Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. Friday
at the church in Chicago. The Harper-Swickard Funeral
Home is in charge of local arrangements.
He was born May 26, 1911, in Yazoo City, Miss., the son
of George D. and Kate Willis Taylor. He married Eddie
Mae Woolfolk in 1933; she preceded him in death.
Survivors include one son, Herman D. Taylor of
Charleston; three brothers, Willie L. Taylor Sr. of
Chicago, Jeremiah A. Taylor of Yazoo City, Miss., and
John Taylor of Chicago; four sisters, Kate Mae Swann of
Belzoni, Miss., and Ruth Taylor, Thelma Hardy and
Bertha Flowers, all of Chicago; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers and four
sisters.
Mr. Taylor was employed at United State Steel Co. in
Chicago. He was a member of the Christ Temple of
Holiness Church in Chicago.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart
Association.
Mary Williams
PANA - Mary Ellen Williams, 65, of Pana, formerly of
Shelbyville, died Sunday (May 13, 2001) at St. Vincent's
Hospital, Taylorville.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the
McCracken-Dean Funeral Home in Pana with the Rev.
Lawrence Gibson officiating. Burial will be in Twin Pines
Cemetery, Pana. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at the
funeral home.
She was born June 6, 1935, in Herrick, the daughter of
John and Geneva Allen Williams.
Survivors include her mother of Pana; two sons, Lynn
Williams of Shelbyville and Gary Williams of Key West,
Fla.; two daughters, Brenda Elder of Shelbyville and Julie
Willenborg of Neoga; 10 grandchildren; and seven
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father, one son and one
sister.
Mrs. Williams was a factory worker.
PAULINE ABBOTT
Olive Pauline Abbott, age 78, of Allenville, formerly of
Mattoon, passed away at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, May 12,
2001, at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Funeral services celebrating her life will begin at 10:00
a.m. on Wednesday at the Schilling Funeral Home with
the Reverend Marvin Flowers officiating. Burial will be in
Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from
5:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
Pauline was born January 4, 1923, in Mattoon, a daughter
of Everett Temple Myers and Evelina May Tharp Myers
(Fryman). She married Gus Ivan Abbott on June 24, 1939
in Mattoon. He passed away on January 4, 1982. She was
also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Jerry D.
Abbott; one brother, Everett Myers; one sister, Mary
Haynes; one stepbrother, Charles Fryman and one
granddaughter, Cynthia K. Miller.
Survivors include two daughters, Janice M. Miller and
husband Larry of Allenville and Joyce E. Jackson and
husband Kenneth of Mattoon; three sons, James D.
Abbott and wife Shirley, Jeffrey L. Abbott and wife
Becky, all of Mattoon and Joseph Ivan Abbott and wife
Cheryl of Edgewood; one stepbrother, Paul Fryman of
Las Vegas, Nev.; two stepsisters, Maxine Abbott and Joan
Fogleman, both of Mattoon; one niece, Beverly Von
Behrens of Mattoon; nine grandchildren and sixteen
great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Abbott was a homemaker and a member of the
Mattoon Christian Church and the Eagles Club in
Mattoon.
Robert McKinney
Robert William McKinney, age 78, of rural Neoga, passed
away at 11:45 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2001, at Heartland
Christian Village in Neoga.
The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the
Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home in Neoga with the
Reverend Ron Lake officiating. Burial will be in the
Neoga Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8
p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Robert was born September 29, 1922 in Cumberland
County, a son of James. H. and Ethel R. (Tolch)
McKinney. He married Mary Ruth Cooter on May 11,
1947 in Toledo. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, William "Bill" McKinney of
Highland and Whitney McKinney and wife Janet of rural
Neoga; one brother, James J. McKinney of rural Toledo;
one sister-in-law, Kathryn McKinney of Toledo; five
grandchildren, Tonya Hill and husband Chad of Etna,
Josh and Jessica McKinney, both of Neoga, Tiffiany E.
Houberg and husband Tyler of Collinsville, and Bryan
McKinney of Highland; and one great-granddaughter,
Faith E. Houberg of Collinsville. He was preceded in
death by one brother, Warren McKinney.
Mr. McKinney was a retired farmer and member and
trustee of the Grace United Methodist Church in Neoga.
He was a former member and past president of the Neoga
School Board, a Neoga Township Trustee. and a 4-H
leader for several years. Robert was a former member of
the Cumberland County Health Board, a A.S.F. Parent, an
Election Judge, Lion's of Illinois Foundation Fellow, and
Cumberland County Extension Building Committee.
Memorials may be made to the Cumberland County 4-H
Foundation, Neoga F.F.A. Chapter or Heartland Christian
Village in Neoga.
Margaret Reed
MATTOON - Margaret Leona Sidsel Larsen Reed, 85, of
Mattoon, formerly of Sheffield, died at 10:10 p.m.
Saturday (May 12, 2001) at Mattoon Health Care Center.
A graveside funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the
Sheffield Cemetery. There will be no visitation.
Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home is in charge of the
arrangements.
She was born Feb. 14, 1916, in Sheffield, the daughter of
Lauritas J. and Sofie Larsen. She married Edward H. Reed
in 1934. He died in 1995.
Surviving are four daughters, Barbara Druin of Mattoon,
Dorothy DeLane of Hemet, Calif., Mary Sue Costello of
Rosemead, Calif., and Cora Baker of Utica, N.Y.; two
sons, Lewis E. Reed of Remus, Mich. and Ronald Keutzer
of Aurora; one sister, Helen Croak of Weslaco, Texas; and
11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one
great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by one daughter.
Mrs. Reed was a homemaker and former member of the
Danish Church in Sheffield and First Congregational
Christian Church in Pekin.
Doc Bradford
G. EVERETT "DOC" BRADFORD, 86, of Arthur, IL,
passed away at 3:15 PM, Thursday, May 10, 2001 at the
Arthur Home, Arthur, IL
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, May
14, 2001 at the Vine Street Christian Church, 249 South
Vine Street, Arthur, IL, with the Rev. Michael Johnson
officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM, Sunday,
May 13, 2001 at the Shrader Funeral Home, 431 South
Vine Street Arthur, IL. Burial will be in the Arthur
Cemetery.
Mr. Bradford was born October 21, 1914 in Newman, IL,
the son of George E. and Hazel Arbuckle Bradford, who
moved to Arthur in October 1915. He married Mildred
Gibson on June 16, 1934 in Rockville, IN. She survives.
Other survivors include: 1 Son: George E. Bradford and
wife Nancy of Champaign, IL, 3 Daughters: Joanna Sigler
of Arthur, IL, Linda Perrine and husband Rodney of
Sullivan, IL, Patti Dukeman and husband Terry of
Decatur, IL, 10 Grandchildren: Bill Bradford and wife
Bonnie, Mike Bradford and wife Sherry, Jeff Bradford,
Christina Bradford, Tony Sigler, Angie Hollingsworth and
husband Scott, Suzy Poynter and husband Tony, Jennifer
Winter and husband Jay, Anna Dukeman, Kevin
Dukeman; 4 Great-Grandchildren: Amy Bradford, Katie
Bradford, Samantha Bradford, Macy Hollingsworth, 3
Step-Great-Grandchildren: Calab Poynter, Christine
Poynter, Brittanie Hollingsworth, 1
Step-Great-Great-Grandchild: Taliyn Poynter, 1 Brother:
Myron A. Bradford, 1 Sister: Joan Ferchow and husband:
Stuart of Arthur, IL, Several Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by: His parents, Sister-In-Law:
Georgene Bradford
Dr. Bradford earned his Doctor of Optometry Degree
from Northern Illinois College of optometry on December
23, 1938. He practiced in Optometry in Arthur for 41
years. He was a 50 year member of the Arthur Masonic
Lodge #825, Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, IL, Ansar
Shrine Temple of Springfield, Royal Arch Masons #128
of Sullivan, IL, Gil W. Barnard Commandery #74 of
Sullivan, IL, Royal and Select Masters of the State of
Illinois #91, Sullivan, IL, IOOF #72 of Arthur, Order of
Eastern Star Chapter #427, Arthur, IL, Director of
Moultrie-Douglas County Fair Board since 1957 and
President since 1982, retiring in December 1992. Trustee
of the Bourbon-Lowe Township Cemetery Association
since 1948 and secretary since 1967, retiring after serving
50 years. Life member of the Illinois Optometric
Association and American Optometric Association.
Member of the Vine Street Christian Church, Arthur, IL.
He graduated from Arthur High School in 1932 and
served as class secretary for many years.
Memorials suggested to: Vine Street Christian Church,
239 South Vine Street, Arthur, Illinois 61911
Charles Breen
JOLIET - Charles M. "Chuck" Breen, 82, of Joliet,
formerly of Charleston, died Friday (May 11, 2001) at
Provena St. Joseph Medical Center, Joliet.
The funeral will be 1 p.m. Monday at the
Harper-Swickard Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Boaz
officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial
Gardens. Visitation will be noon to 1 p.m. Monday at
funeral home and 4 to 7 p.m. today at the
Grant-Tapella-Freitag Westwood Memorial Chapel, Joliet.
He was born Jan. 17, 1919, in Charleston, the son of Rev.
and Mrs. Charles C. Breen. He married Mary Lathrop; she
survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Marilyn Cook of Palo
Alto, Calif., and Axie Breen of Needham, Mass.; four
grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son and two brothers.
Mr. Breen retired from Standard Truck Parts of Joliet
after many years with the company.
Sandra Griffith
MATTOON - Sandra Sue Griffith, 59, of Mattoon, died at
11:55 p.m. Thursday (May 10, 2001) at Sarah Bush
Lincoln Health Center.
A graveside service will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Danville
National Cemetery with the Rev. Steven Gray officiating.
Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the
Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home.
She was born July 7, 1941, in Charleston, the daughter of
Harold and Virgie Brant. She married Robert Griffith; he
preceded her in death.
Surviving are three sons, Richard Strong of Callahan,
Fla., Steven Strong of Charleston and Frank Strong of
Mattoon; two daughters, Donna Clark and Sheila Osborn,
both of Mattoon; several brothers and sisters; 10
grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two
great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by one daughter.
Mrs. Griffith was a retired nurses aid. She was a member
of the Baptist Church in Tipton, Mo.
John W. "Jack" Grooms
SULLIVAN - John W. "Jack" Grooms, 81, of Sullivan,
died at 6:50 a.m. Friday (May 11, 2001) at his residence in
rural Sullivan.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday,
May 14, 2001 at the Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust
Street, Arcola, with Rev. Lawrence Beebe officiating.
Burial will be in the Humboldt Cemetery. Visitation will
be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Mr. Grooms was born May 10, 1920, in Humboldt, a son
of Russell and Florence Shrader Grooms. He married
Mary Starwalt in Humboldt on June 7, 1941. She survives.
Besides his wife, Mary, survivors include one daughter,
Mary Ann Sphar of Buckeye, Arizona; one son, John R.
Grooms and his wife Debbie of Sullivan; 5 grandchildren,
Leigh Anne and Angie Sphar both of Phoenix, Arizona,
Kristen Campbell of Leroy, Nick and Tyson Grooms of
Sullivan. He was preceded in death by one sister.
Mr. Grooms retired from Blaw-Knox in 1973 where he
had worked as a welder for 17 years. He currently farmed
with his son. He attended the Faith Baptist Church in
Mattoon and was a member of the Moultrie County Farm
Bureau.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart
Association or the donor's choice.
Michael McCormack
SILVER LAKE, Ind. - Michael "Mac" Dean McCormack,
48, of Silver Lake, Ind., formerly of Casey, died at 12:15
a.m. Thursday (May 10, 2001) at St. Anthony's,
Effingham.
The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Markwell and
Son Funeral Home in Casey. Burial will be in Long Point
Cemetery in Casey. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at
the funeral home.
He was born Dec. 7, 1952, in Mattoon, the son of Carl
Hugh and Rosemary Robey McCormack.
Surviving are three daughters, Michelle Alexander of
Charleston, Billee Jo McCormack of Martinsville and
Tammy McCormack of Casey; two brothers, Jim
McCormack of Casper, Wyo., and Bryan McCormack of
Shumway; one sister, Mary Jean Davis of Effingham; and
special friend, Brenda Brelej of California.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Mr. McCormack was a truck driver for MST Trucking
Company of Casey. He attended Community Bible
Church in Warsaw, Ind.
Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospitals for
Children, St. Louis.
