Laura Lee Schmitt
MARION -- Laura Lee Schmitt, age 95, passed away at 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at her home.
She was born at Natural Bridge, Ala., on Feb. 19, 1906, the daughter of James and Maude (King) Edmonds. Laura was united in marriage to Ernest Earl Schmitt on Nov. 3, 1923, in Marion. Together they enjoyed 54 years of marriage until his death came on Nov. 9, 1977.
Her working career during her lifetime was with the Moose Heart Children's Home of Aurora, for several years as their cook. She currently was the oldest member of the Pittsburg Freewill Baptist Church. Many years ago, Laura spent much of her time at the church quilting with the ladies. She has made many quilts for her family members and others of the area. She also loved to crochet and knit and was able to make anything she could think of. What brought her the most enjoyment was her family. She loved them all and cherished the many times they gathered together. The memories that were created, she cherished until the end. She also was a member of the Moose Lodge Chapter No. 3001 of Aurora, and was a former member of the Eastern Star.
Laura is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Violet Schmitt of Valparaiso, Ind.; a daughter, Barbara R. Owens of Marion; six grandchildren, Brian Schmitt, Candice Howell, David Schmitt, Linda Cap, Sandra Laney and Georgia Jennings; and ten great-grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, Abigail, Maggie, MaKayla, James, April, Rodney Jr., Ryan and Brittany. She also has one great-great-granddaughter, Hannah Elizabeth.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, daughter, Juanita Schmitt, three brothers, Jack, Amzie and James, and four sisters, Blanche, Mamie, Ruth and Gladys.
The funeral service for Laura Lee Schmitt will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home of Marion, with Rev. Lee Wollard officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Creek Cemetery, located northeast of Marion. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, Dec. 17, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
For those who wish, memorial expressions of sympathy may be made to Williamson County Programs on Aging-Home Health Care and mailed c/o Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home P.O. Box 370, Marion, Ill., 62959. Contribution envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.
Robert Joe Edwards
MARION -- Robert Joe (Bob) Edwards, 74, of Marion passed away at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001 at the Herrin Skilled Care Center in Herrin, Illinois.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 16, 2001 at the Meredith-Blue Funeral Home, Marion, with Dr. Joey Brent and the Rev. David Hancock officiating. Visitation will be after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 15, 2001 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Marion. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by Marion VFW Post #1301.
The family requests that memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association, Arthritis Foundation, American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Mr. Edwards was born on Feb. 1, 1927 in Marion, to Loyd and Lelia (Clark) Edwards. He married Imogene Durfee on Nov. 14, 1954, in Carrier Mills. She survives.
Other survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and Denny Belt and Debbie and Keith Richey, all of Marion; two precious grandchildren, granddaughter, Brittany Lynn Richey and grandson, Brandon Tyler Richey; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Marjorie Edwards and Jack and Brenda Edwards, all of Marion; two aunts, Dorothy Bione of Christopher and Delaina Sherwood of Texas and several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Edwards was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marion, Illinois and the Marion Masonic Lodge 89 A.F.A.M. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II and a veteran of the Korean War.
Mr. Edwards retired 27 years ago from his then owned mobile home business north of Marion. He also worked for State Farm Insurance for six years.
William R. Owen
MARION -- William R. Owen, 75, died at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at his home.
Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. today, Dec. 15, 2001, at the Pulley Cemetery located north of Crab Orchard, with the Rev. Don Colson officiating. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Owen was born Sept. 22, 1926, in Marion to William Thomas and Dollie (Fletcher) Owen.
He was a veteran of the United State Navy and served in W.W. II.
He was a retired machinist having worked at the Woodruff & Edwards Machine Shop in Elgin. He was also a member of the Handyman Club of America.
He is survived by seven sons, Daniel Owen, Dewayne Owen, Darrell Owen, David Owen, all of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Dick Downen, Bill Downen, both of San Diego, Calif. and Don Downen of Salem, Ore.; three daughters, Annette Marshall of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Patricia Krich of DeKalb and Rita Row of Rockford; several grandchildren; and two sisters, Ruth Craig of Paulton and Glorine Alkailine of Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Kathy Hasty and Barbara Morris, and two sisters, Amajean Eden and Kathleen Price.
Robert Stoneburner
ZEIGLER -- Robert Lee Stoneburner, 67, of Ypsilanti, Mich., formerly of Zeigler, passed away Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001 at home surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 21, 1934 in Zeigler, the son of Purvis W. "Dutch" and Ruby Jean (James) Stoneburner.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy, honorably serving from 1953-55. He earned a B.A. in English from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, an M.A. in education from Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
Robert was a high school teacher in Clinton, a special education teacher and school psychologist in Champaign, a clinical psychologist and private school administrator at Brehm Preparatory School and a university professor at Southern Illinois University, the University of North Dakota and Western Illinois University.
He was a board member for the Arc and a consultant to Shawnee Development Council Head Start Programs and Western Egyptian Head Start Programs.
Robert devoted his professional life to children, adolescents and adults with disabilities. He was committed to the professional preparation of special education teachers and school psychologists. Robert was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.
He was a devoted husband and loving father who rejoiced in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He will be missed.
Survivors include his wife, Lynne Rocklage Stoneburner; three children, Janet (David Bach) Stoneburner, Blair (Deborah) Stoneburner and Tara Stoneburner; stepsons, Chris (Paula) Webb and Matthew (Amy) Webb; granddaughters, Jacqueline Bach, Casey and Josey Stoneburner and Rylie JoAnne Webb; sister, Geraldine (Stoneburner) Hutchinson; and nieces and nephews, Karen Barela, Tamara Fenters and Billy, Arthur and Bret Jenkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Martha (Stoneburner) Stephens and Hilda (Stoneburner) Jenkins.
Cremation has taken place. A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Southern Illinois.
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to: Individualized Home Care (3003 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor, MI 48104) or Hospice of Washtenaw County (806 Airport, Ann Arbor, MI 48108). The family especially wishes to thank Dr. Sunu Yeh, Mariba Hollis, the staff of Hospice of Washtenaw County and the staff of Individualized Home Care for their caring support.
Donald R. Porter
METROPOLIS -- Donald R. Porter, age 89, of Metropolis, died at 2:50 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, at the Southgate Health Care Center in Metropolis.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 16 at the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mike Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in the Metropolis Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home.
The pallbearers will be Jim Stegman, Ralph Lylery, Mutt McDearmon, Bill Cartwright, Joe Cunningham and Leroy Teckenbrock.
Mr. Porter was a lifelong Metropolis resident, a member of the First Christian Church and a retired Construction Superintendent.
He is survived by a son, Cliff Porter and wife Shirley of Metropolis; two grandsons, Brian Porter and wife Frances of Marion and Doug Porter and wife Mary of Metropolis; a great-granddaughter, Lauren Porter of Marion; a great-grandson, Adam McManus of Metropolis; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred (Stegman) Porter, parents, Roy and Emma (Kidd) Porter, two sisters, Lucy Owens and Velma Frazee and a brother, Thomas Porter.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 420 Catherine St., Metropolis, Ill., 62960.
Margaret Louise Gruny
CARBONDALE -- Margaret Louise Gruny, 95, of Jacksonville, died at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at the Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville.
She was born June 20, 1906, in Jacksonville, the daughter of Louis and Lena Hitchens Piepenbring. She was united in marriage to Charles Ray Gruny in March, 1931. He preceded her in death in 1940.
Margaret was one of the founders of both the Illinois Educational Secretaries Associating and the local Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. She was very active in many local affairs.
She is survived by a son C. Richard Gruny and wife Diane of Carbondale; a daughter, Nancy Pearson and husband John of Fountain Valley, Calif.; five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two nieces; and two nephews.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Charles Ray Gruny II, two sisters, Mary Davis-Black and Corrine White and a niece.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at the Cody and Son Memorial Home in Jacksonville. Burial will be in Diamond Cove Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Friday. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, B.W. Stone Christian Home or Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Ruth Magdeline Witbracht
PERCY -- Ruth Magdeline Witbracht, 85, died at 2:50 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, in Fairacres Nursing Home in Du Quoin.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville, with the Rev. Bruce Baker officiating. Burial will be in Percy Village Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Mrs. Witbracht was a homemaker.
She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, the Joy Club of the church and United Methodist Women.
She was born Dec. 30, 1915, in Hallidayboro to Nesby and Lavinia (Crosson) Willmore.
She married Donald R. Witbracht on March 23, 1946, in Steeleville. He died Dec. 10, 1989.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Edward and Marsha Witbracht of Percy and Max and Brenda Witbracht of Du Quoin; four grandchildren and spouses, Michael and Cindy Witbracht of Pinckneyville, and Rachel and Jeremy Schwartzkopf, Matt and Carry Witbracht and Amber Witbracht, all of Percy; five great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Chase Witbracht, both of Pinckneyville, and Macie, Seth and Christian Witbracht, all of Percy; and one sister, Irene Weber of Monroe, La.
John Martin
MURPHYSBORO -- John Martin, 58, of Murphysboro formerly of Grand Chain, died at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at his home.
Mr. Martin was employed by the Murphysboro City Police. He was a member of the Shootist Gun Club in Murpysboro and the National Rifle Association. He was of the Methodist faith.
Mr. Martin is survived by his mother, Billie Jean Compton Martin of Murphysboro and several other cousins and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ken Martin and grandparents, Gallie and Gladys White Martin.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak, with the Rev. Joey Dunning officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery at Belknap. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Wilma Elsdon
WEST FRANKFORT -- Wilma Elsdon, 74, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at Herrin Hospital.
Miss Elsdon was born Sept. 13, 1927, in West Frankfort, the daughter of Ray and Opha (Watson) Elsdon. She was a school teacher, teaching in West Frankfort and Johnston City, specializing in kindergarten. She was also a graduate of the Cincinnati Bible College.
Wilma was a long-time member of the First Christian Church of West Frankfort. She served her church family in many ways, including teaching the Loyal Women's Class, chairwoman of the Senior Saints and as a choir member. She was also a member of the Four-Mile Home Extension and the DAR.
Wilma served as a missionary for some time, including behind the Iron Curtain. She loved Bible History and Bible Archeology, making a trip to the Holy Land and surrounding countries to pursue this interest further.
She is survived by many cousins, including Dick and Mary Lanthrum of Yachats, Ore. She will be missed by her many friends whom she enjoyed so much.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Stone Funeral Home, with the Rev. Gene Fox officiating. Burial will be in Denning Cemetery. Friends of the Wilma Elsdon family may call the funeral home after 1 p.m. on Sunday. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Organ Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.
Neva E. Koen
SPARTA -- Neva E. Koen, 70, died at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, in St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Steeleville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Greg Sutter officiating. Burial will be in Ava Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be after 5:30 p.m. Sunday and from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday at Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church.
Mrs. Koen was retired from the bindery at Spartan Printing.
She was a member of the Steeleville Baptist Church.
She was born July 23, 1931, in Murphysboro to Floyd and Pearl M. (Woodyard) Wynn.
She married Lester P. "Johnie" Koen on Nov. 22, 1946, in Murphysboro. He died Sept. 25, 2001.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Delbert and Carolyn Koen of Baldwin; two daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Eugene Leber of Sesser and Janet and Carol Richell of Aurora, Colo.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one half sister, Patsy Smith of Cutler.
Her parents, four brothers and two sisters also preceded her in death.
