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Obituaries Archives for 2020-01

Elmer J. Saathoff, 68, of Kankakee

Elmer J. Saathoff, 68 of Kankakee, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020, surrounded by family in his home. He was born October 31, 1951 in Watseka, the son of Elmer O. and Esther (Lauterbach) Saathoff.

 

Elmer is survived by his son Brent Saathoff of Ashkum; his sister Shirley Roach of Ashkum; his brother Glenn (Alice) Saathoff of Ashkum; his daughter-in-law Jamie Saathoff of Crescent City; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, relatives, and friends.


Elmer is preceded in death by his parents, his son Nick Saathoff, and his sister June Saathoff.

Elmer was a retired heavy equipment operator with the Local 150 Operators Union. He also worked at the Kankakee County Speedway, helping prepare the race track. Elmer enjoyed fishing, barbeque grilling, and gathering with his friends. He was an avid Dale Earnhardt Sr. fan.

 

Elmer’s memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.

 

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

Gayle Miller, 64, of Sheldon Formerly of Danforth

Gayle Miller, 64, of Sheldon Formerly of Danforth, passed away Thursday January 23rd at Carle Hospital Urbana.

                                          

                                       Visitation will be from 4pm until 7pm Saturday January 25th at Knapp Redenius Funeral Home Gilman.

 

                                       There are no services, and burial will be at a later date

Engel Kaufmann, 84, of Watseka

Engel Anne Kaufmann, 84, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka. Engel was born on December 29, 1935 in Clifton the daughter of Wilbur and Caroline (Schuring) Paris and they preceded her in death. Engel married Harry L. Kaufmann on February 4, 1956 in Milford and he also preceded her in death on April 24, 2017.

 

Engel is survived by two daughters, Rhonda (Steven) Hamrick of Cissna Park and Sondra (Steven) Knapp of Watseka; one sister, Linda (Bob) Crawford of Milford; one brother, Doug (Julie) Paris of Knoxville; five grandchildren, Jami (David) Berry, Jason (Kimberly) Hamrick, Adam (Deena) Knapp, Andrew (Jamie) Knapp, and Alex (Natalie) Knapp; and nine great grandchildren, Caera Berry, Devin Berry, Lauryn Hamrick, Adyn Hamrick, Katelyn Hamrick, Hudson Knapp, Luke Knapp, Sophia Knapp, and Oliver Knapp.

 

Engel was a member of Watseka First United Methodist Church and the VFW Auxiliary. She was employed at JC Penny’s in Watseka for 23 years where she always enjoyed visiting with her customers. Engel’s greatest passion was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka and from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am funeral service on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at the Watseka First United Methodist Church. Pastor Kara Berg will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

 

Memorials may be made to Watseka First United Methodist Church or Iroquois Memorial Hospice.

Please share a memory of Engel at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Pearl L. Roberge, 94, of Watseka

Pearl L. Roberge, 94, of Watseka passed away January 14, 2020 at Watseka Rehab & Health Care Center. Pearl was born April 28, 1925 in Milford, the daughter of George and Eva (Burgett) Matson. Pearl married Richard Roberge on June 28, 1948 in Hoosick Falls, NY and he survives.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Gary (Sue) Roberge of Onarga and Mark Roberge of Alva, FL; one sister, Betty Murphy of Hoopeston; two grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and one sister.

Mrs. Roberge was a member of the St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka and she enjoyed to dance.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the 2:00 p.m. funeral service on Friday, January 17, 2020 at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Fr. Michael Powell will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

Memorials may be made to St. Edmund Catholic Church.

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

 

Alverda R. Voigt, 91, of Watseka

Alverda R. Voigt, 91, of Watseka passed away on Friday January 10, 2020 at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.

Alverda was born September 23, 1928 in Cissna Park, the daughter of Clarence Henry and Adelgunde Bruens Windhorn. She married Thomas Voigt on October 10, 1948 in Danforth and he preceded her in death on March 30, 2017.

She is survived by one daughter, Jacquelyn Voigt and friend, Sharon Spencer of Lenexa, KS; one son, Scott (Jeanne) Voigt of Glenview; three grandchildren, Jordan (Jessica) Voigt of Bettendorf, IA, Katie (George) Flores of Northbrook, and Emily Voigt of Chicago; two great grandchildren, Caroline Voigt and Madelyn Voigt; and one sister, Gloria Brown of Watseka.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Arvella Wolf; and three brothers, Ardell Windhorn, Eldor Windhorn, and Harlan Windhorn.

Mrs. Voigt was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, as well as a member of Ladies Guild. She was a beautician and a Mary Kay consultant for many years. Alverda initiated requests for donations to beautify Oak Hill Cemetery and she raised over $10,000. In 2013 Alverda received the Watseka Area Lifetime Achievement Award. She enjoyed spending time with her family, golfing, and sewing.

Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 on Friday, January 17, 2020 at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Funeral services will be after the visitation at 11:00 at Knapp Funeral Home. Rev. Alex McNally will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka. There will be a light lunch at Calvary Lutheran Church following the burial. 

Charles C. "Corky" Corke, 98, of Watseka

Charles C. “Corky” Corke, 98, of Watseka, IL, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

He was born July 4, 1921 in Watseka, IL, the son of Jesse Corke and Mary (Gerber) Corke.

Charles married Denise Fransaer on May 28, 1955 in Watseka, IL.

Mr. Corke worked at Western Radio Condenser (TRW) for 29 years as well as UARCO. He was a member of the Ford Model A Club. He also enjoyed antique cars, fishing, and gardening. Charles had a special way with animals, often feeding wilds birds, squirrels and racoons at the back door.

Surviving Mr. Corke is his wife, Denise Corke of Watseka; daughter, JoAnn Mosby of Valparaiso, IN; grandchild, Adrienne (David) Bansemer of Valparaiso, IN; great-grandchild, Luke Bansemer of Valparaiso, IN; and niece, Rita Brutlag of Watseka.

He is also preceded in death by his parents; son, Michel Corke; brother, Stanley Corke; sister, Wanita Wilson; sister-in-law, Ruth Corke; brother-in-law; Clarence Wilson; and nephews, Ronald Corke, Richard Corke, and Dale Wilson

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 12-2pm, at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka, IL. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 pm, at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka, IL. Minister Kara Berg will officiate.

Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka, IL.

Memorials in Mr. Corke’s name can be made to the Iroquois County Genealogy Society and the Iroquois County Historical Society.

Vicki Leonna Weiner, 56, of Watseka

Vicki Leonna Weiner, 56, of Watseka passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on January 9, 1963 in Jackson, TN, the daughter of Artie and Shirley (Fesmire) Olsen. Vicki married Cary P. Weiner on May 24, 1986 in Chicago.

 

She is survived by her husband Cary Weiner of Watseka; two daughters Terika (Lane) Weiner of Watseka and Ashley (Shawn) Lewis of Moline; one son Joseph (Kalli) Weiner of Milford; one sister Marci (James) Trafford of Round Lake; one brother Keith (Eva) Gutierrez of Lake in the Hills; four grandchildren Madyson Weiner, Addilyn Weiner, Layla Weiner and Joey Weiner; and her beloved animals Bijou and Gunther Bob.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter Leonna Marie Lewis.

Vicki managed VCA Animal Hospital for 15 years and was also a Volunteer at Iroquois Memorial Hospital. She had a strong love for animals, working alongside them for 30 years. She enjoyed playing games on her phone, but most of all, she loved being with her family. Her infectious laughter will be dearly missed.

 

A Celebration of Vicki’s Life will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 4pm, with visitation starting at 2pm, at Trinity Church in Watseka. Pastor Bart Koester will officiate.

 

Memorials may be made to Iroquois County Animal Rescue or Iroquois Memorial Hospice.

 

Arrangements made by Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Barbara A. Pheifer, 59, of Gilman

Barbara A. Pheifer, 59, of Gilman passed away on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. She was born on April 27, 1960 in Chicago, the daughter of Thomas and Sharon (Kohlmetz) Strohschein. She married Dennis W. Pheifer in Crescent City on February 14, 1981.

Surviving is her husband, Dennis Pheifer of Gilman; two sons, Erik (Elaine) Pheifer of Duluth, MN and Evan (Amilyn) Pheifer of Gilman; three grandchildren, Willow Grace, Brinley Nicole, and Jasper Benjamin; three sisters, Carol Strohschein (Mark Savoie) of Gilman, Donna (Jon) Holt of Gibson City, and Laurie (Dave) Matthews of Gilman; one brother, Thomas (Val) Strohschein of Gilman; and one God Daughter, Paige Ritzma.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one niece, Kara Lynn.

Barbara enjoyed cooking, fishing, and spending time with her grandchildren. She worked at the Loft in Ashkum for twenty years and five years at Hometown Foods in Gilman.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman. Burial will follow at Danforth Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.

Memorials may be made to her grandchildren. 

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