Michael Burns, 51, of Watseka passed away on Friday, September 27th 2019

Arrangements are pending with Baier Funeral Home in Watseka.

Michael J. Memenga, 32, of Watseka, IL, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2019.
He was born on January 29, 1987 in Chicago, IL, the son of James Lake and Margaret Memenga.
Mike was a Paramedic for Riverside and Fire Fighter for the Aroma Park and Watseka Fire Department. He enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, fishing, and watching the White Sox, Bulls, Bears, and Redskins. Michael was passionate about giving back to his community.
He married Robyn Poplawski in Watseka, IL on December 31, 2009.
Surviving Mr. Memenga is his wife, Robyn Memenga of Watseka, IL; daughter, Emma Memenga; paternal parents, James Lake and Margaret Memenga of Chicago, IL; brothers, Jimmy (Jamie) Memenga of Chicago, IL, and Joey Memenga of New Mexico; sisters, Patricia Memenga of Chicago, IL, and Nina Memenga of Chicago, IL; several nieces and nephews; and many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his Aunt (Mom) Sharon Memenga; and sister, Gina Memenga.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 from 4-7pm, at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka, IL.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 11:00 am, at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka, IL. Another visitation will be held an hour prior. Pastor Elaine Daugherty will officiate.
Memorials in Mr. Memenga’s name can be made to the Watseka Fire Association

Gary Mark Guy, 76, of rural Ashkum passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at his home. He was born September 24, 1943 in Will County, the son of Hubert M. and Theodosia (Anderson) Guy and they preceded him in death.

He married Janet K. Sullivan on April 3, 1966 in Vallejo, CA and she survives. Also surviving are one son, Mark E. Guy of Normal; one daughter, Kathy L. (Brian) Guthrie of Tampa, FL; five grandchildren; a close friend, Brad (Sandi) Howe of Danforth; one brother, Hanley (Patty) Guy of Clifton; and sister-in-law, Carole (Joe) Benton of Felton, DE.

Gary was a UPS driver and farmer for 31 years. He served in the Air Force from 1961-1965 and was a member of the Masonic Lodge 32nd Degree in Watseka, American Legion in Ashkum, Shrine Valley of Danville, Mohamed Temple in Peoria, and Local 710 Teamsters. He was the happiest when farming and raising hogs. Gary enjoyed the outdoors and being with his family.

Cremation rites will be accorded by the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton and a private memorial service will be held with burial of cremains in the Ashkum Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals.

Please share a memory of Gary at knappfuneralhomes.com

Mary L. Brown, 93, of Danforth passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth after a brief stay. She was born on August 1, 1926 in Kankakee, the daughter of Harold and Florence (Sage) Wolf. She married Wayne E. Brown in Kankakee on December 31, 1955 and he preceded her in death on November 18, 1997. In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Richard Wolf; and one step grandson, Eric Smith.

She is survived by her four children: Peter (Barb) Brown of Peoria, David (Coya) Brown of Crystal Lake, Kathy (Jack) Austera of Indianapolis, and Tom (Allison) Brown of San Rafael, CA; ten grandchildren; one step granddaughter; five great grandchildren; one sister, Janice (David) Trecker of Naples, FL; one sister in law, Shirley Wolf of Loveland, CO; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was an accomplished pianist in her youth, receiving many accolades. She continued to play throughout her life. She attended Olivet Nazarene College and North Central College. Mary then worked in the Huff and Wolf Jewelry store. In 1955, she married Wayne Brown and moved to the farm west of Danforth where she would spend the next years raising her four children, with the occasional break to practice on the baby grand piano in the family room. Wayne and Mary moved into her current home in Danforth in 1987 after retiring from farming, where she would reside until her passing. Mary loved to tend to her flowers, knit, cross-stitch, and work jigsaw and crossword puzzles. She loved to spend time with her family and was proud to knit them each an afghan.

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman. A graveside funeral service will follow at 11:15 am at Danforth Reformed Cemetery in Danforth. Rev. Donald J. McDonald III will officiate.

Samuel Townsend, 77, of Danforth passed away on Sunday September 22nd, 2019. 

Samuel is survived by his wife Robin Townsend. 

A visitation is set for Saturday September 28th, 2019 from 5-7pm at Baier Funeral home in Watseka

Sandra "Sandie" Grenhoff passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at her residence in Watseka

Sandra is survived by her husband Ronald Grenhoff of Watseka, her son Ryan Grenhoff of Peoria, and her daughter Staci Warrens of Peoria as well as three Grandchildren. 

A visitation will be held at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka from 4pm-7pm on Friday, September 27th

A funeral service will be held on Saturday September 28th and 11am at Calvary Lutheran church in Watseka with another visitation one hour prior to the 11am service. 

Knapp funeral home will be conducting the services

Leanora A. Marketto of Watseka passed away on September 9th at Sheldon Health Care Center.

Leanora is survived by her sister Jewell LaCombe of Danville and her two children; Michael Marketto of Colorado Springs, CO and Melanie Gordon of Watseka as well as two Grandchildren and three Great-Grandchildren

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00am on Wednesday, September 25 at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka. Services will follow at Sheldon Cemetary. 

Knapp Funeral home of Watseka is officiating.

David E. Geiken, 67, of Cissna Park passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2019 in Urbana.

David was born June 12, 1952 in Watseka, the son of Marvin and Juanita (Mohler) Geiken. He married Karen Anderson on June 10, 1978 in Ashkum and she survives.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Geiken of Cissna Park; one daughter, Cara (Scott) Lucht of Cissna Park; one son, Chad (Renee) Geiken of Cissna Park; three grandchildren, Addison and Aubrey Lucht and Taylor Geiken; his mother, Juanita Geiken of Rantoul; two sisters, Donna (Stan) Kopmann of Gifford and Debbie (Bill) Long of Lynn Haven, FL; two brothers, Deane (Cordelia) Geiken of Paxton and Darryl (Tammy) Geiken of Crowley, TX; his father-in-law, Durl Anderson of Ashkum; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; one sister, Darla; and his mother-in-law, Velma Anderson of Ashkum.

Mr. Geiken was a member of the Cissna Park Fire Department, Sons of American Legion, and trustee at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park. David was a Cissna Park FFA Alumni as well as served on the Cissna Park Village Board.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park. Rev. Tim Hahn will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park as well as one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday at the church.

Memorials may be made to Cissna Park Fire Department or Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park.

Nina J. Gillenwater, 95, of Watseka passed away on Thursday, September 12th at Gilman Health Care Center.

Nina is survived by her 3 children; Rodger Gillenwater of Normal, William Gillenwater of Watseka, and Deana Gregoire of Saranac, Michigan as well as 8 Grandchildren, many Great Grandchildren, and many Great-Great-Grandchildren. 

A graveside service is to be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 21st at Memorial Park in Watseka. Knapp Funeral Home is conducting the service

More information is pending.

Arthur “Red” N. Nelson Sr., 91, of Hoopeston, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2019, Iroquois Memorial Hospital, in Watseka.
Red was born on April 15, 1928, in Chicago, the son of George D. and Rose Mary (Wiengart) Nelson.  He married Marjorie Malott in September of 1948 and later married Florence Elizabeth Schinkey on December 31, 1955, in Danville.  She preceded him in death on December 23, 1992.  
He is survived by one daughter- Rosanne (Terry Chandler) Coffman of Hoopeston; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three sons- Don, George and Nick Nelson; one daughter- Theresa “Sissy” Nelson; one brother and four sisters.
Red served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948 and later served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955.  He worked for several years as an equipment operator at Chanute Air Force Base, in Rantoul, until his retirement in 1971.  He later worked as a custodian and bus driver for Hoopeston Schools, until he retired in 1991.  Red was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #384, VFW Post #4826 and Am Vets, in Rantoul.  He enjoyed walking, doing yardwork, helping others and spending time with his friends.  Red was a great storyteller and he never forgot a face.  He also enjoyed watching train and tractor shows and his cats and dog-Tiger.  
A Celebration of Arthur “Red” N. Nelson Sr’s Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 20, 2019, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with Pastor Phillip Callahan officiating.  Burial will follow the service in Rankin Union Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by the Hoopeston American Legion Post #384.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, at Blurton Funeral Home.  Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the Hoopeston American Legion.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Red’s life.  Memories or condolences may be sent to the family on his everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Mary Lou Pentecost, 90, of Milford passed away Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. She was born November 29, 1928 in Milford, the daughter of George and Dorothy (Probasco) Books and they preceded her in death. Mary married Philip “Flip” E. Pentecost in Kankakee on April 17, 1946 and he preceded her in death on August 9, 2005. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law, Vickie (Joe) Bachman of Pontiac; one brother, George Books of Indiana; one sister, Betty (Books) McGee of Indiana; and three grandchildren, Tammie Sue Perry, David Wayne Garrelts, and William Eugene Pentecost.

Mrs. Pentecost is survived by seven children, Phyllis (L.B.) McLaughlin of Milford, Thelma (Fred Wright) Garrelts of Milford, Dennis (Dolores) Pentecost of Milford, Richard (Becky) Pentecost of Woodland, Cindy (John) Cloutier of Danville, Troy Pentecost of Milford, and Shelley (Brian) Meier of Milford; 18 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; and one brother, Russell Books of Peru, IN.

Mary was a member of Milford Christian Church and the Jolly Grandmothers Club. She loved attending East Enders annual event. She also loved sewing, crocheting, cooking, playing cards, cross stitching, and putting together puzzles.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral service will be held Friday, September 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Milford Christian Church in Milford. Rev. Brent Zastrow will officiate. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Milford.

Memorials may be made to Milford Christian Church or Milford Ambulance.

Please share a memory of Mary at www.knappfuneralhomes.com

Roscoe H. Mason, 90, of Gilman passed away on Monday, September 9, 2019 at Gilman Health Care Center. He was born April 26, 1929 in Watseka, the son of Alva and Clara (Wheat) Mason and they preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Deborah Schafroth; five brothers, Edward, Oscar, James, Herman and Russell; and one sister, Lenora Prater.

He married Phyllis Bull on March 18, 1978 in Gilman and she survives. Also surviving are one son, John (Denise) Mason of Gilman; three daughters, Cindy (Gary) Reitz of Gilman, Julie (Bob) Kraft of Gilman and Kelly (Billy) Short of Crescent City; son-in-law, Duane “Auggie” Schafroth of Ashkum; sisters-in-law, Rose Mason of Holt, MI and Mary Mason of Kankakee; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his special buddy, "Cubbie".

Mr. Mason was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilman and was a Dartball League member. Roscoe worked for Jones Dairy for 9 years before becoming an Illinois State Trooper for 27 years retiring in 1984. He was then a Bailiff for 22 years for Iroquois County. Roscoe served on the City Council in Gilman for two terms, was a former member and president of Gilman Rotary, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 60 years.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service on Friday, September 13, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilman. Rev. Pete Hinrich will officiate. Burial will follow at the Gilman Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements are by the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.

Please share a memory of Roscoe at knappfuneralhomes.com

Rolland W. Maddin, 96, of Watseka passed away September 7, 2019 at deGreef Hospice House in St. Louis, MO. Rolland was born October 30, 1922 in Watseka, the son of James W. and Marcia Glee (Conn) Maddin and they preceded him in death. He married Barbara M. Boughton in Watseka on September 19, 1942 and she preceded him in death on February 9, 2017. Rolland was also preceded in death by his two sisters.

He is survived by one son, Michael (Barbara) Maddin of Springfield; one grandson, James (Laura) Maddin of St. Louis, MO; one granddaughter, Amy (Molly Dilley) Maddin of St. Louis, MO; and two great granddaughters, Evelyn and Emma Maddin.

Mr. Maddin was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Watseka, Watseka Masonic Lodge, and the Watseka American Legion. Mr. Maddin served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Rolland enjoyed woodworking.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 12, 2019 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka and one hour prior to the funeral service. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 13, 2019, also at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Pastor Ben Stone will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka. 

Merrill M. Redman, 90, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka.

Merrill was born February 6, 1929 in Stockland, the youngest son of Guy and Hazel (Martin) Redman. He was married to Patricia Shropshire of Watseka from 1949-1989. He was then married to Mary Debus and she survives.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Redman of Watseka; son, Jack (Ruth) Redman of Denton, TX; daughter, Jill (Gary) Pratt of Chisago City, MN; step-son, Jim (Melissa) Debus of North Carolina; grandchildren, Jeremy (Jenice) Pratt, Cory (Jennifer) Redman, Tyler (Magon) Redman, James (Erin) Redman, and McKenna, Tanner, and Brenneka Debus; great-grandchildren, Abigail Pratt, Alex Pratt, Graham Redman, and Jackson Redman.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Hobert, Jack, and Eugene Redman; and infant son, James Kenneth Redman.

Merrill attended the First United Methodist Church in Watseka and was a member of the Watseka Kiwanis Club and Watseka Masonic Lodge. He was a Sales Manager at Uarco for thirty years as well as owned and operated Pine Forest Lodge in Mercer, WI for twelve years.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. memorial service on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Pastor Kara Berg will officiate. Burial will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery in Watseka.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Please share a memory of Merrill at knappfuneralhomes.com.