Carla Lynn Westfall, 54, of Paxton, formerly of Urbana and Cissna Park, passed away at 9:35 A.M. Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at Accolade Healthcare in Paxton.  She was born June 26, 1966 in Danville, the daughter of Donald Westfall and Janet (McMurray) Westfall.   

Survivors include her mother, Janet, of Savoy; one brother, Michael Westfall, of Chicago; and several cousins.   

She was preceded in death by her father, Donald, and her grandparents.   

Carla was a member of the Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church in Champaign.  She loved music.  During her school years she played the flute, piano, and organ.  She enjoyed listening to music and attending concerts and other music performances.  She collected Precious Moments figurines and would often join her mom in doing embroidering and other arts and crafts projects. Beginning in her late teens Carla struggled with a succession of health setbacks.  But she was a fighter.  One of her proudest accomplishments, after intensive physical and occupational therapy, was being able to move out of her parents’ home and into her own apartment, where she lived independently for several years.   

Cremation rites will be accorded, and graveside services and burial will take place at a later date.   

Memorials in Carla’s name can be made to the Accolade Healthcare on Pells Activity Department, 1001 E. Pells St. Paxton IL 60957. 

Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com

Paul A. Yohnka, 76, of Clifton, IL passed away on Monday, October 26th at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

A private family service will be held on Saturday, October 31st. 

A public visitation will take place the previous day, Friday, October 30th from 6-8pm at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. 

Knapp Funeral home of Clifton is in charge of services. 

Artie "Peg" Wyss, 91, formerly of Cissna Park, IL, passed away on Tuesday October 6, 2020, at the Alta Vista Senior Living Community in Prescott, AZ.  She was born October 12, 1928, in

 Hoopeston, IL, the daughter of Curtis and Ipha Brown.  She married Jacob "Jack" Wyss in Cissna Park, IL, in 1948 and he preceded her in death in 2000.  Peg also grieved the loss of a daughter, 

Janice Cunningham (Wyss) in 2002.

She is survived by one daughter, Lana (Glenn) Sinn of Prescott, AZ; grandchildren, Andrew Sinn and Adam Sinn; and nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband and daughter Janice, she 

was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Margaret; and brothers, Curtis, Robert, Dale, Darrel, Roy, and Bill.

After graduating from Hoopeston high school, Peg worked various jobs and became a homemaker.  For many years she managed the lunch counter at the Livestock Sales Barn in Cissna Park   bringing joy and delivering porkburgers, sodas, and hostess pies to countless folks with a joke or a smile.  She enjoyed spending time with her niece Lisa and friends at Parkview (5thStreet

 House).  Peg and Jack moved to The Villages, FL, for retirement.  Peg enjoyed 13 years of bowling, dancing, golfing, and making additional friends.  Sherelocated to Prescott, AZ to be closer 

to her daughter, Lana, during her final years.  Peg lived long enough to see her Chicago Cubbies win the WorldSeries.  What she appreciated the most was spending her time with friends and family being social.

Peg’s family would like to thank the caretaker and hospice staff at Alta Vista for the respectful, kind care that they helped the family provide Peg, especially those who were with her during her

 final time.  Specifically, thank you to Michelle, Amanda, and Judy for their loving care of Peg. 

Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.  A private graveside service will be held at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Cissna Park, IL.  A public visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 P.M.

Friday October 30, 2020 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL.  We kindly ask that face coverings be worn, and social distancing is maintained by those who attend the visitation. 

If you wish to honor her memory, please consider performing a quiet act of simple kindness for someone in your life or community.  If desired, donations / memorials may be made in Peg's 

name to the Apostolic Christian Church, 1425 E. 400 N. Road, Cissna Park, IL 60924. 

Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Peg’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences. 

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.  

Joseph F. Bulington, 82, of Sheldon passed away on Wed. 10/21/2020 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. 

A Funeral Service is set for Monday, 10/26/2020 at 2:30pm at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka with a visitation prior to the funeral starting at 12:00pm.

Burial will follow the service at the Sheldon Cemetery.

Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka will be conducting the service. 

William "Bill" Sanders, 79, of Dekalb, formerly of Cissna Park, passed away on Oct. 21st at his home. 

A visitation is set for Tuesday, 10/27/2020 at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park from 4-7p.m. 

A burial will take place Wed. 10/28/2020 at the Cissna Park Cemetery starting at 11:00am.

The Knapp Funeral Home in CIssna Park is handeling arrangments. 

Janet Brandt, 90, of Clifton passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Janet was born on February 26, 1930 in Clifton, the daughter of Wilbert and Florence (Reuse) Yonke and they preceded her in death. She married Leslie Brandt on September 2, 1950 in Clifton and he preceded her in death on December 5, 2011.

She is survived by two daughters, Lynn Wulffe of Chebanse and Carol Brandt of Chicago; two sons, James Brandt of Naperville and John Brandt of Naperville; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Janet was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church in Clifton as well as Clifton Women’s Club. She was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and her greatest joy was watching her beloved Cubs win the World Series.

A memorial visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. memorial service on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. Rev. Vern Arseneau will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery in Clifton.

Katherine S. Hitchens, 70, of Piper City passed away on October 18, 2020 at Piper City Rehab. She was born on July 20, 1950 in Fairbury, the daughter of Milan and Betty (Read) Hitchens. She was preceded in death by both of her parents.

Surviving are one brother, Sam Hitchens (Norman Laugavitz) of Beaufort, SC; one sister Debbie (Toby) Beninati of Melbourne, FL; a special niece, Crystal (Ryan) Walski of Melbourne, FL; and three great nieces, Kenley, Mina, and Abigail Tara.

Cremation rites have been accorded by Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman. A memorial service will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross.

Please share a memory of Katherine at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Francisco L. Avalos, 67, of Onarga passed away on Monday, October 19, 2020 at Kindred Hospital in Peoria. He was born on March 12, 1953 in Casacuaran, GTO, Mexico, the son of Richard and Sara (Lopez) Avalos and they preceded him in death.

He married Alicia Lopez in Mexico on February 6, 1979 and she survives. Also surviving are three sons, Oscar (Susan) Avalos of Milford, DE, Francisco Javier (Tabatha) Avalos of Ridge Farm, and Roberto Avalos of Gilman; seven grandchildren; eight sisters; and two brothers.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga. Fr. Vern Arseneau will officiate. Burial will follow at Onarga Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Norman E. Steiner, 88, of Mesa, AZ (formerly of Buckley, IL and Watseka, IL) passed away Thursday, October 15, 2020 in Chandler, AZ.

He was born June 30, 1932 in Artesia Township, IL, the son of Chris and Erna (Schumacher) Steiner. He grew up in a farming family which fostered his work ethic and lifelong interest in all topics related to agriculture.
On July 8, 1953 Norman married Rosalie Henke in Milford. She preceded him in death in 1996. He married Joy Bergman Moad on October 23, 1999 in Gilbert, AZ. She preceded him in death in 2011.

Norman served as a tank mechanic in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, was a heavy equipment operator for Artesia Township for over 10 years before and after serving in the military, and was employed as a pressman at UARCO in Watseka for more than 30 years until his retirement.

Norman never met a stranger. He was very family-oriented and always went out of his way to help others. He was a lifetime member and served as Commander of the American Legion Post #23 in Watseka; was a former member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka, serving as usher; and was a member and served as elder and usher at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. He also volunteered as a leader when his sons were in the Boy Scouts. He loved to cook and grill, and enjoyed raising many kinds of organic vegetables in his garden long before organic gardening became common. He traveled extensively in the U.S. and throughout the world. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren when they visited, taking them on special excursions to see the local sights and especially to the Variety and News Store in Watseka to select a few of their favorite candies from the candy case.

Surviving are his daughter, Cheryl Boyer of Gilbert, AZ; sons Dr. Dale (Tracy) of Chandler, AZ, Chris (Cindy) of Morris, IL; stepdaughter, Susan (Kyle) Lucas of Dallas, TX; stepson, Dr. John (Lisa) Moad of Dayton, OH; brother, Delbert (Carmeen) Steiner of Clifton; sisters, Elaine Reiners of Milford, Ruth Ann (Keith) Hartke of Buckley; sister-in-law Donna Steiner of Buckley; grandchildren Chad and Cory Boyer, Cara (Justin) Kiggins, Christa (Zack) Lindsay, Curt (Pam) Steiner, and Carley Steiner; great grandchildren, Seren and Jensen Kiggins, Clayton, Rhett, and Drake Steiner; and many nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, one brother, Paul, 2 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, and one niece.

Due to current health concerns, a memorial service will be held in Illinois at a later date.

Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014; Calvary Lutheran Church, Watseka, IL; Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 3257 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85213; or Epiphany Lutheran Church, 800 W. Ray Rd, Chandler, AZ 85225 .

Joseph “Joe” V. Mathy, 68, of Chebanse passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Manteno. He was born July 27, 1952 in Clifton, the son of LaVerne and Zeah (Hawkins) Mathy and they preceded him in death in addition to one sister, Claudia Schmidt; father-in-law, Howard Meyer; and brother-in-law, Jim Meyer.

He married Jeanne Meyer on June 3, 1972 in Chebanse and she survives. Also surviving are one son, Jason (Michelle) Mathy of Chebanse; one daughter, Jennifer (Adam) McMullen of Streator; three sisters, Elia (Kelly) Hunt of Coatsville, IN, Terri Hindman of Kankakee and Pally Fehrenbacher of Clifton; brother-in-law, Roy Schmidt of Clifton; sister-in-law, Adele Meyer of Hermitage, TN; mother-in-law, Melba Meyer of Chebanse; and six grandchildren, Andie, Kaylee, Brooke, Anna, Charli and Wyatt.

Joe served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Chebanse American Legion Post #408. He was a police officer in Bourbonnais and Chebanse and then later was the Iroquois County Sherriff for 21 years. After retiring from the Sherriff’s Dept., he was the warden at the Dwight and Pontiac prisons and later was the safety coordinator at Iroquois Paving Corp. He was the former president of the Illinois Sherriff’s Association. Joe attended Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse and enjoyed golfing, boating, reading, jogging, walking, and taking road trips with his wife.

Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 pm on Monday, October 19, 2020 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. Private services will be held with Rev. Keene Whybrew officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Manteno.

Please share a memory of Joe at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Timothy Fockin, 54 of Watseka.

Visitation will be Saturday 10/17/2020 from 1-3pm with funeral services at 3pm all at Faith Lutheran Church in Watseka. 

Aaron Christian Reed, 26, of Onarga passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 in Loda. He was born March 2, 1994 in Kankakee, the son of Robert and Amy (Kaeding) Reed.

He is survived by his parents, Robert and Amy Reed of Onarga; one brother, Adam Reed of Onarga; maternal grandparents, Jon and Ruddieann Kaeding of Onarga; paternal grandparents, Russell and Lyla Reed of Paxton; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by an uncle, Stuart Kaeding.

Aaron was a 2012 graduate of Iroquois West High School. He was passionate about his job at IL Crop Improvement Association in Champaign and about cars. He collected knives, loved fishing, and cherished his close friends.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 16, 2020 at the Onarga Cemetery. Rev. Brian King will officiate. Casual attire is requested.

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

Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga.

Please share a memory of Aaron at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Edward "Ed" Jemar, 74, of Clifton, IL passed away on Tuesday, 10/13/2020 at Anita Health St. Marys Hospital in Kankakee.

A private funeral service will be held at St. Peters Catholic Church in Clifton. Private burial to follow the service at the St. Peters Catholic Cemetery in Clifton. 

A visitation is set for Thursday, October 15th, 2020 from 4-8p.m. at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. 

The Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton is handling arrangements. 

Gary S. Barnlund, 74, of Hudson and formerly of Donovan passed away on Monday, October 12, 2020 at Bickford of Bloomington in Bloomington, IL.

Gary was born May 21, 1946 in Watseka, the son of Maurice and Emilie (Winslow) Barnlund and they preceded him in death along with his step-father, Fabien Lareau and one sister, Sharon Conrad.

He married Anna Fulton on September 22, 1973 in Bourbonnais and she survives.

Besides his wife, Anna Barnlund of Hudson, he is survived by two sons, Erik Barnlund of Hudson and Kris (Colleen) Barnlund of Normal; five grandchildren, Kaylor, Ashlyn, Rowen, Shay, and Hana; one brother-in-law, Richard Conrad of Donovan; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Mr. Barnlund was a heavy equipment operator within the Terre Haute Local Union. He was Highway Commissioner for Beaver Twp. for 37 years, a member of the Beaver Fire Dept., where he served as fire chief for a period of time. Gary was quite the collector of Wheel Horse tractors and was a woodworker and wood turner, and was well known in the area for turning and selling pens. His biggest claim to fame was that the hosts of American Pickers “picked” his garage. He loved to ride his Gold Wing motorcycle, was a big fan of John Force and his daughters with NHRA, and was also an avid fan of Maxlider Brothers. His quick wit is something that will always be remembered.

An outside visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Beaverville on Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. until the 12:00 p.m. funeral service.

Memorials may be made to the Beaver Fire District.

The family requests those attending wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines.

Arrangements by Baier Funeral Home in Watseka.

Thelma Ann Webster, 87, of Houston, TX passed away on Monday, 10/05/2020 at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. 

A Funeral service is set for Monday, 10/12/2020 at 1:00pm at the First United Methodist Church in Watseka, IL. Burial to follow at the Prairie Dell Cemetery in Iroquois. 

A visitation is set for 1 hour prior to the 1:00pm service on Monday. 

Knapp Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

Barbara L. Newell, 90, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Barbara was born on October 26, 1929 in Indianapolis, IN, the daughter of Elza and Lavina Mae (Killin) Longmire. She married Harold “Budd” Newell on June 26, 1949 in Otterbein, IN and was married for sixty-eight years until he preceded her in death on January 23, 2018. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one son-in-law, Tom Trumble; and one sister, Gloria McGrath.

She is survived by two daughters, Debra Edmondson of Greensboro, NC and Cindy Trumble of Watseka; one sister, Helen Brown of Fairfield, OH; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; three brother in laws; two sister in laws; and several nieces and nephews.

Barbara was a member of First United Methodist Church in Watseka as well as the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed bingo, reading, dominos, and was an artist.

A memorial visitation will take place from 2:00-4:00 pm on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. A private interment will take place at a later date at Iroquois Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church in Watseka.

Reba J. Vangundy, 87 of Martinton passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at her home.

She was born on February 22, 1933 in Shelbyville, IN, the daughter of Roy and Elsie (Collins) Hembree.

She married Ralph R. Vangundy in Earl Park, IN on October 23, 1949 and he survives. She is also survived by three daughters, Brenda Newman (Jim Anderson) of Martinton, Kathy (Greg) Garrison of Lafayette, IN, and Beth (Rick) Vangundy of Dyer, IN; one son, Marty (Jeanne) Vangundy of Boyd, TX; two sisters, Mary Seavers of Milan, TN and Alice (Ira) Williamson of Watseka; eleven grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and three sisters.

Mrs. Vangundy was a member of the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Papineau. She was a local artist and loved to paint. Reba was a wonderful mother and grandmother.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2020 from 1:30 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. funeral service at the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Papineau. Rev. Craig Forwalter will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Papineau.

The family requests those attending the services to please wear a mask.

Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Reba J. Vangundy please visit our Sympathy Store.

Dennis Dave Wendel, 73, of Martinton passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at North Logan Health Care Center in Danville. He was born May 9, 1947 in Litchfield, the son of Thomas and Virginia (Williams) Wendel and they preceded him in death in addition to two brothers, Paul and Tim Wendel; one sister, Cheryl Cordes; and one niece, Laura.

He married Agatha Mickle on February 16, 2001 in Watseka and she survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Tamara (Dustin) Honn of Herscher, Dawn Tull of Effingham and Elizabeth (Will) Martin of Murfreesboro, TN; three brothers, Robert (Dottie) Wendel of Mahomet, Larry (Karen) Wendel of Mercede, California, and Scott (Linda) Ellis of Naples, Florida; one sister, Marcia (Gary) Arseneau of Martinton; three grandchildren; and Aggie’s children, Kimberly McCullough of Ann Arbor, MI, Douglas McCullough of Chicago, Michelle (Cary) Sawyer of Bloomington, and Carla Jo (Corey) Kilgore and their three children of Watseka.

Mr. Wendel served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and was a member of the Watseka American Legion Post #23. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears.

Cremation rites will be accorded by the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka and burial will be at the Danville National Cemetery. Private military graveside rites will be provided by the Danville American Legion.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation or donor’s choice.

Please share a memory of Dennis at knappfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dennis Dave Wendel please visit our Sympathy Store.