Charles Thomas, 73, of Longview, IL, died at 2:05 PM, Friday (November 2, 2001) at his residence.
Memorial Services will be held Saturday, November 10, at 1:00 PM at the family residence. Burial will be at a later date at the Hugo Cemetery. Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Thomas was born July 17, 1928 in Hugo, IL, the son of George Walter and Deliah Hodgson Thomas. He attended Villa Grove High School and was a graduate of Hindsboro High School. He married Frances Joan Wells on February 12, 1949 in Rantoul, IL. She survives.
Other survivors include: 5 Sons: Charles Edward Thomas of Villa Grove, IL, Jon Eric Thomas of Newman, IL, Patrick Michael Thomas of Westville; IL, James Richard Thomas of Longview, IL, William Brian Thomas of Longview, 4 Daughters: Deborah Quick of Tuscola, IL, Bridget Ishcomer of Champaign, IL, Mickey Crosby of Jonesboro, GA, Jo Ellen King of Villa Grove, IL, 22 Grandchildren, 6 Great-Grandchildren, 4 Brothers: Woodrow "Jake" Fitzsimmons of Colorado Springs, CO. Walter Thomas of Toledo, IL, Harley Thomas of Tuscola, IL, Frank Thomas of Villa Grove, 3 Sisters: Peggy Jacobs of Toppenish, WA, Faye Hettinger of Morton, IL, Agnes Huber of Villa Grove, IL.
He was preceded in death by: Twin infant sons, 1 Brother, 2 Sisters, 2 Granddaughters, I Great-Grandson.
Mr. Thomas retired after 39 years as manager of the grain elevator in Longview, IL. He was a veteran of the 2nd Marine Corps Division, a member of the Villa Grove Amvets and Broadlands American Legion Post and the NRA. He served as a public servant of the community and Raymond Township for several years. Charlie played both softball and hardball in the amateur leagues for Newman, Tuscola, and Villa Grove. He was a baseball fan who also enjoyed hunting, camping, and playing cards.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Charles Thomas Nursing Scholarship Fund, Longview State Bank, PO. Box 137, Longview, IL 61852.
Stephen Thomas
STEPHEN K. THOMAS, 61, of Arcola, IL, passed away at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, November 3, 2001 at Provena Covenant Medical Center in Urbana, IL
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 8, 2001 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, S. Pine St., Arcola, IL. Father Joseph Allen will officiate. Burial will be in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 7, 2001 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. with a Wake service at 4:00 p.m. at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 E. Main St., Arcola, IL.
Steve was born February 14, 1940 in Urbana, IL. He was a son of Kenneth and Mildred (Youngblood) Thomas. He married Judith Rasmussen on June 21, 1958 in Urbana, IL.
Survivors include his wife, Judith Thomas of Arcola, IL; four sons, Mike Thomas and his wife Jennifer of Arcola, IL, Mark Thomas and his wife Shelley of Arcola, IL, Mitch Thomas and his wife Barb of Mattoon, IL, Matthew Thomas of Arcola, IL; one daughter, Lissa Oelkers and her husband Scott of Sedalia, CO; 16 grandchildren, Sarah, Patrick, Heather, Meghann, Matthew, Elizabeth, Katherine, Martin Stacey, Danielle, Mackenzie, Taylor, Brittany, Scott, Stephen and Jenna; father, Kenneth Thomas of Urbana, IL; one brother, Martin L. Thomas of Lawrence, KS.
His mother, Mildred and one son, Marty preceded him in death.
Steve was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Arcola. Steve graduated from Urbana High School in 1958 where he was an all-state running back. Following graduation he went on to play at the University of Illinois and lettered his senior year in 1961 and graduated from the U of I in 1962.
Steve started his teaching career in Physical Education at Urbana Jr. High and coached freshman football, under Warren Smith for 3 years, before coming to Arcola in 1965. Steve coached at Arcola for 29 years from 1965-1994. During his career at Arcola he had 204 wins and just 88 losses and 2 ties. He led the Purple Riders to 21 winning season, 14 playoff seasons and 12 undefeated regular seasons. His team won the state championship in 1978, 1985 and 1988 and finished second in 1977 and 1991. He has a playoff record of 34 wins and 11 losses. In 1990 Steve was one of very few football coaches to be inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Hall of Fame while still an active coach. He was inducted into the Urbana Athletic Hall of Fame and he has been honored as Coach of the Year several times during his career as a football coach. He and his wife Judy were honored in 1994 along with Mr. and Mrs. Byron Bradford as Grand Marshals of the Arcola Broomcorn Festival.
He was an avid outdoorsman and his hobbies included archery, hunting, fishing, antiquing and camping.
Memorials may be made to the Matthew Thomas Education Fund c/o The Thomas Family 123 N. Walnut, Arcola, IL or Edwards Funeral Home, 221 E. Main St., Arcola, IL 61910.
Violet Davis
CASEY - Violet K. Davis, 80, of Casey, died at 12:10 p.m. at Heartland Manor Nursing Center.
The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, Casey, with the Rev. Tom Marsh officiating. Burial will be in Washington Street Cemetery, Casey. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the church. Markwell and Son Funeral Home, Casey, is in charge of the arrangements.
She was born Dec. 28, 1920, in Slocomb, Ala., the daughter of George and Georgia Underwood Skipper. She married Elwood Davis in 1944; he survives.
Other survivors include three sons, Gordon Davis and Brooke Davis, both of Casey, and Blake Davis of Rockford; one daughter, Janet Parmenter of Lindenhurst; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Davis was a school teacher in Casey for 27 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Casey and Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and was past state president of the Business and Professional Women's Club.
Vivian Demoss
GREENUP - Vivian R. Demoss, 81, of Greenup, died at 10:12 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah's Harmony Center, Mattoon.
A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Bishop Funeral Home, Greenup, with the Rev. Brooke Davis officiating.
She was born Oct. 1, 1920, in Johnson City, the daughter of Roy Rivers and Fultie M. Nunn Thurmond. She married Dale Coslet in 1946; he died in 1973. She married Gordon Demoss in 1975; he died in 1979.
Survivors include three sisters, Pauline Crabb and Marchetta Lambert, both of Harrisburg, and Madine Ledbetter of Greenup; one step-grandchild; one step-great-grandchild; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Demoss was a real estate agent, tax preparer for AARP and assistant manager at the Press Well Shop for 19 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Greenup, the Greenup Historical Society and a lifetime member of the Toledo Life Center.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Greenup.
Mary Leonard
MATTOON - Mary Elizabeth Leonard, 91, a devoted and beloved mother and homemaker, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Harmony Center of the Odd Fellows-Rebekah Home in Mattoon, Ill.
Services for Mrs. Leonard will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at the Pape Mortuary, 10 E. Williams St., Danville, Ill., with grandsons Brent and Chris Richardson of Phoenix presiding. Visitation will precede the services from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery in Danville.
Mrs. Leonard was born on Aug. 13, 1910, to Harry and Ella Pruitt Carnes in French Lick, Ind., the youngest of four daughters.
She married Claude R. (Cotton) Leonard of French Lick in Crown Point, Ind., on Sept. 3, 1929. He died July 27, 1991.
Other survivors include four sons, Ray and David Leonard of Danville, Ill., Floyd Leonard of Phoenix and Lloyd Leonard of Mattoon; two daughters, Claudia Richardson and her husband Gail of Phoenix, and Sara Jane Reed and her husband John David of Charleston, Ill.; 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Ethel Lennon of Monument, Colo., Ruth Denny of French Lick and Esther Carter of Long Beach, Calif.
An avid bowler in her younger days and a devotee of opera and other classical music, Mrs. Leonard was a homemaker who was dedicated to raising and caring for her family and greatly enjoyed opportunities to employ her considerable cooking skills. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Escanaba, Mich.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, East Central Illinois Chapter, Champaign.
BERNARD M. McALISTER
Bernard M. "Bernie" McAlister, age 66, of rural Lerna, went to be with Jesus at 10:10 a.m. on Thursday, November 1, 2001, at his residence.
Funeral services celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. E. E. Elliott officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Thomas Lincoln Cemetery, south of Charleston. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the Schilling Funeral Home,
Bernie was born February 5, 1935, in Petrolia, Texas, a son of Reverend Bernard H. and Vada Ham McAlister. He married Janet Weaver Hines.
Survivors include his wife, Janet McAlister of rural Lerna; two stepdaughters, Julie Haugh and husband Mark, Jill Callahan and husband Jason, all of Charleston; father Reverend Bernard H. McAlister of Mattoon; one sister, Montez "Tezie" and husband Dr. Bill "Doc" Hurd of Charleston; two brothers, Gaylon McAlister and wife Roberta of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, Gary McAlister and wife Anita of Spanish Fort, Texas; three grandchildren, Emilie Ann Weaver, Faith Haugh and Jacob Callahan.
Bernie was a U. S. Navy veteran serving on the U.S.S. Bennington. He received his Bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and he completed his Master's and Doctorate degrees at Penn State University. Bernie taught Industrial Arts in the Prison System schools in California. He taught at Penn State University and worked in the Research Department. He served as associate professor at Henderson State University in Arkadeiphia, Arkansas and Indiana State University. Bernie was a teacher at Mattoon High School for eleven years. After retiring, he returned to teach at Charleston High School for an additional six years. After several "retirements" he established Edgewood Industries, a lumber processing system to produce kiln-dried, furniture-grade lumber from his own timber. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mattoon where he was a past Sunday School Superintendent, choir member and co-teacher of young adults class. He was a Promise Keeper. He also enjoyed the hobbies of honey bee production, saddle-making and blacksmithing. Bernie touched the lives of many friends and former students.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Bernard M. McAlister Memorial Fund c/o Schilling Funeral Home.
Lyle Nash
GREENUP - Lyle Nash, 68, of Greenup, died at 4:50 a.m. Friday (Nov. 2, 2001) at St. Anthony's Hospital, Effingham.
The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Markwell Funeral Home, Casey, with the Rev. Rick Emrich officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Hazel Dell Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
He was born Feb. 12, 1933, in Crawford County, the son of Stanley and Gladys May McCrory Nash. He married Donna Orand in 1955; she survives.
Other survivors include one son, Terry Nash of Greenup; one daughter, Dianna Berry of New Berlin, Wis.; two sisters, Reah Davis of Casey and Janice Carr of Park Forest; and four grandchildren.
Mr. Nash was a retired farmer. He was an Army veteran of the Korean conflict; was a member of the Hazel Dell American Legion Post 1230, Cumberland County Farm Bureau, Cumberland County Fair Board, Effingham Clay Farm Service Board and the Hazel Dell Church of God; and was a Cumberland County 4-H Leader.
Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post 1230 or American Cancer Society.
Leith Nelson
CHARLESTON - Leith F. Nelson, 84, of Charleston, died Wednesday (Oct. 31, 2001) at Prairie View Health Care Center.
He was born Dec. 23, 1916, in Princeton, the son of Roy and Anna Goethe Nelson. He married Mary Murphy in 1942; she preceded him in death.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas of Charleston and John of Tempe, Ariz.; one daughter, Mary of Allenton, Wis.; two sisters, Joyce Nelson of Princeton and Phyllis Abbott of Pontiac; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers.
Mr. Nelson had worked for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Princeton. He was a member of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Charleston.
Memorials may be made to Covenant Children's' Home in Princeton or the Master Gardener's Memorial Garden at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Patsy Paulson
WINDSOR - Patsy Ann Paulson, 71, of Windsor went to be with her Lord at 5:35 a.m. Friday (November 2, 2001) in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
She was born June 18, 1930, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Carl and Daisy Fleming Broyles. She was a member of the Christian Church in Effingham and attended the Broadway Christian Church in Mattoon. She married Virgil Paulson September 23, 1948 in Shelby Co. and he survives.
Also surviving is son, David Michael Paulson and wife, Dawn of Gays; daughter, Brenda Kay Risley of Arthur; sister, Linda Johnson of Shelbyville; five grandchildren, Douglas Paulson and Daniel Paulson both of Mattoon, Mark Risley and wife, Sherry of Bethany, Mike Risley of Mattoon and Mindy Risley of Arthur and five great-grandchildren, Taylor Kay of Arthur, Cassie, Molly, Paige and Ben all of Bethany.
Funeral services celebrating her life will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday in the Lovins-Lockart Funeral Home in Windsor with Rev. Marvin Flowers officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday. Burial is Ash Grove Cemetery near Windsor. Memorials: Windsor Piece Meal or the Sarah Bush Lincoln Lifeline. Patsy will be greatly missed by her loved ones and friends.
Lula Shipman
BETHANY - Lula May Shipman, 88, of Bethany, died at 3:32 a.m. Friday (November 2, 2001) in the Sullivan Health Care Center.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan, with the Rev. Rodney Harris officiating. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church or the donor's choice.
Lula May was born March 23, 1913, in Bethany, the daughter of Nelson and Pearl Bentz Pesch. She was a member of the Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over seventy years, was a Bethany School District bus driver for thirty-three years and was a 4-H Leader for Marrowbone Merry Makers. She married W. T. "Jack" Shipman on May 16, 1932 in Bethany and he preceded her in death on December 6, 1981.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Walter (Joyce) Jenkins of Bethany; grandchildren, Ron Jenkins and his wife Jane, Duane Jenkins and his wife Tami, and Stan Jenkins all of Sullivan, Diane Doyle and her husband Jim of Oakville, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Sean Jenkins of Tuscola, Dustin Jenkins, Danielle Jenkins, Corey Jenkins, Alex Jenkins and Jenna Jenkins all of Sullivan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and one grandson.
