Jean Asenath Collins, 75, of Gilman passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Amita Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee. She was born on July 21, 1946 in Kankakee, the daughter of Louis and Ruth (Cook) Huse.

Surviving are one son, Michael Collins of Gilman; one daughter, Cheryl (Randy) Lizzio of Onarga; one brother, Stephen (Lois) Huse of Gilman; one sister, Joan (Fred) Buech of Livonia, MI; and several nieces and nephews.

Jean enjoyed gardening and taking care of her plants. She loved to attend garage sales, enjoyed sewing, and playing scrabble. Jean enjoyed helping at the Onarga Theater as well as loved all of her grand fur babies and her cat, Shady.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm on Monday, February 28, 2022 at Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman. Pastor Austin Madewell will officiate. Burial will follow at Mound Grove Cemetery in Kankakee.

Memorials may be made to the Family’s Wishes.

Donald L. McGuffin Sr., 86, of Clifton passed away Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Arcadia Care in Clifton. He was born February 18, 1936 in Kankakee, the son of Frank and Leta (Livingston) McGuffin and they preceded him in death in addition to one brother, Bill. He married Rita Jean Pedersen on October 3, 1964 in Dolton and she also preceded him in death on September 28, 2018.

He is survived by three children, Susan Barnhart of Papineau, Donald L. (Sheri) McGuffin Jr. of Clifton and Mary (Roy) Brady of Manteno; nine grandchildren, Melissa (Tony), Russel, Lauren (Jamie), Benjamin (Ashley), Rita Jean (Ryan), Sarah, Michael (Ariana), Katie and Jonah; and fifteen great-grandchildren, Wesley, Alexis, Gabby, Alivia, Keyone, Warren, Raelynn, Jordan, Grayson, Liam, Carter, Lincoln, Kayden, Violet and Gwendolyn.

Donald served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was an M.P. on Wake Islands. He was a Pressure Tech. for Northern Illinois Gas Co. and was a bus driver for Midwest Transit. He was an active member of the Ashkum United Methodist Church, was a volunteer and Captain for the Homewood Fire Dept. Assoc., was a former secretary and treasurer for Clifton God’s Food Pantry, and was a member of the Slo Boys Tractor Club. He was active in Redbird Mission through church and Nomad Christian Mission. Donald enjoyed working on tractors, camping, traveling, dartball, and spending time with his family.

A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at the Ashkum United Methodist Church with Pastor Barbara Schlatter officiating. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.

Memorials may be made to Clifton God’s Food Pantry.

Please share a memory of Donald at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Alice M. Thiele, 85, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2022 peacefully in her sleep at home with her daughters. Alice was born on February 5, 1937 in Milford to Harry and Stella Kincade. She married Harold Thiele in Kentland, Indiana on February 2, 1957 and he proceeded her in death on July 26, 2009.

Alice is survived by her daughters, Sandra Thiele and Cathy Thiele of Watseka; step sister, Shirley Martz of Woodland; brothers and sisters in-law, Merl and Diane Thiele and Kenneth and Pat Thiele of Watseka; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Jean Gossett and Carolyn Nale; three brothers, Ernie, Thomas, and Arthur Kincade; step brother, Junior Schroeder.

Alice enjoyed sewing, crafting, garage sales, and was an avid reader. She also enjoyed nature as a whole. Alice had been a factory worker and homemaker.

Alice’s wishes were to be cremated with a Graveside Service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka with Joe Hughes officiating.

Memorials may be made to donor’s choice.

Please share a memory of Alice at www.baierfuneralhome.com.

Loretta Catherine Folkert, 85, of Cissna Park, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Rush Medical Center in Chicago.
Loretta was born on July 30, 1936 in Salem, the daughter of Glen and Hazel (Plowman) McCarty and they preceded her in death. She married Richard Chance and he preceded her in death in 1997. She then married Thomas Weakley and he preceded her in death in October of 2000. She later married Roland Folkert and he preceded her in death on December of 2021. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry and Donnie McCarty; one sister, Imogene Pinnell; and one son, David Chance.
She was survived by six children, Ronald (Ida) Chance of Kinmundy, Brenda (Jim) Harris of Colorado Springs, CO, Gary (Michelle) Chance of Bellvue, NE, Barb (Doug) Pool of Onarga, Belinda (Myron) Rust of Buckley, and Chrissy (Jay) Ashline of Onarga; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; one brother, Darrell McCarty of Kinmundy; one step-son, Norman (Amillia) Folkert of Catlin; and two step-daughters, Lisa (Randy) Brinks of Holland, MI and Tammy (Jeff) Siegers of Holland, MI.
Loretta enjoyed camping, sewing, garage sales, getting her nails done, and wintering in Florida.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2022 at Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga. Private burial will be at a later date at Del Rey Cemetery in Del Rey.
Memorials may be made to American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.
Please share a memory of Loretta at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Loretta Catherine Folkert please visit our Sympathy Store.

Charlene Kay Graves, 72, of Watseka passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. She was born on October 13, 1949, in Flora, IN, the daughter of Parks and Lela Mae (Kirkpatrick) Young. She married Jackie Lee Graves on January 19, 1971 and he preceded her in passing on November 22, 2013.

Surviving are four children, Steven Dale Young of Watseka, Angela Fox of Hesperia, CA, Gordon Parks Graves of Onarga, and Thomas Neil (Kathy) Graves of Watseka; one sister, Linda (John) Manis of Tullahoma, TN; three brothers, William (Nibia) Young of Indianapolis, IN, Larry (Barbara) Young of Crawfordsville, IN, and Robert (Diana) Young of Burlington, IN; fourteen grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and sister, Imogene Spradling.

Charlene enjoyed crocheting, reading, was a fan of old movies, and loved spending time with her family.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka. Pastor Austin Madewell will officiate. Visitation will be two hours prior to the services from 9:00-11:00 am.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.

Please share a memory of Charlene at baierfuneralhome.com.

Edward August Suska Jr., 87, of Onarga passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka.

Ed was born on July 28, 1934 in Chicago and grew up in the “Back of the Yards Neighborhood”, the son of Edward August Sr. and Alice Elizabeth (McIver) Suska and they preceded him in death along with sister, Margaret (Mark) Decker and Terree Decker; sister, Terree Suska; one son, Mark Patrick Suska; and one granddaughter, Jennifer De La Mora. Ed married Joyce Michaline Robison on June 10, 1956 at St. Richard Catholic Church in Chicago.

Surviving is, Joyce Suska of Onarga, he is survived by one son, Michael (Raeline Eiffert) Suska of Onarga; one daughter, Lynn (Kevin) Kodrick of Joliet; four grandchildren, Weston Spoon of Sarasota, FL, Quinton Suska of Sheridan, WY, Nicholas (Christine) Kodrick of Macro Island, FL and Matthew Kodrick of Plainfield; two great-grandchildren, Natalia Lynn De La Mora and Felipe Edward De La Mora both of Naples, FL; with a later marriage in life to Mariane Steenvoorden of Orland Park; one step-son, Werner (Amanda) Steenvoorden of Orland Park; six step-grandchildren, Zoe, Werner Jr., Gretchen, Lucy, Samantha, and Penelope; cousins, Jimmy (Renata) Suska of Stoughton, WI, Bill (Martha Waszak) Kuhl of Chicago; Tommy (Gail) Waszak of Lockport, and Nancy (Waszak) Dybas of California; nephews, Mark (Cele) Decker of New Jersey, Michael (Eileen) Decker of California, and Jimmy (Patty) Decker of New Jersey; nieces, Sharon (Steve) Winkle of Texas, Kathy (Paul) Kizmann of New Jersey, Eileen (Elayne) Morock of New York, and Margi (Donald) Higgins of Kansas.

He had many jobs throughout his early years.

Ed had such a passion for horses that he took a bus from Chicago to Willow Springs most nights and weekends during high school to work for Ben White’s Stables breaking young horses for livery riding.

He rode sale horses through auction barns, was hired by a veterinarian to hold pigs while being vaccinated, a messenger boy, manually set bowling pins, and a construction laborer.

Ben White hired Ed to tie bulls for transport in the cattle rail cars in the stockyards.

After graduating from St. Rita H.S., worked on gas pipeline between summit and Lemont.

Hired by Ford Motor Company in the Aircraft Engine Division where he was offered a tool and die apprenticeship.

Ed and his buddy Roy Archer built a wooden cover for his pickup and they headed west to Ben White’s Ranch in Tucson.

They had the time of their life, rodeoing from Colorado to New Mexico, picked cotton for three days to earn gas money, headed to the Bar-T-Bar Ranch in Winslow, AZ where he climbed down inside the Meteor Crater, and landed at the Apache Springs Ranch where he would meet his lifelong friends, Dean and Lorraine Mace.

After returning to Chicago, he met Joyce Robison at her mother’s bar in Willow Springs.

He fell in love with this beautiful girl.

While in Illinois dating Joyce, he worked as a fireman on the grand trunk railroad loading fire boxes with coal to run the steam engines.

Driving back to Arizona, he took a job with the Arizona Fish & Game Department with his good friend Dean Mace building mini dams in the mountains trapping water for the wild animals.

Otto Wagner Tool & Die shop in Tucson hired Ed and took him under his wing.

He was an old school German machinist who turned out to be the best tool & die maker he ever met. Ed worked on the side-winder missile prototype. Otto taught him enough to later pass the practical test to get hired by Argonne National Lab.

Ed and Joyce were married June 10th, 1956. They packed up the car and moved to a new brick home in Tucson. Sons Mark and Mike were both born here.

In 1959, they moved back to Illinois to be close to family.

Ed worked various machine shop jobs but that wasn’t enough for a growing family.

He started “Ed’s Port-a-Wash” washing semi-trucks to supplement.

In 1960, Ed’s daughter Lynn was born in Illinois.

This year he was hired by Argonne National Labs as an instrument machinist working on nuclear reactors, high pressure sodium loops, and the forerunner of today’s computer controlled machining centers.

In 1964, Ed and Joyce decided to buy a 20-acre farm in Lockport so they could enjoy their passion for horses.

With three children, Ed took various jobs, such as making machine gun mounts, in addition to working at Argonne.

Ed later took a job on Riley’s Hill in Lockport where he worked on a prototype for the first Xerox Color Copier.

This is when Ed’s life was about to change for the next thirty years!

In 1970, Lou Richards and Henry Lekan needed a machinist to work nights and weekends in Lou’s garage in Mokena to build high speed hamburger forming machines. They hired him and the rest is history for Ed’s career.

In 1971, the first Formax hamburger forming machine was built and Ed was hired full time. In the beginning, he built the machines, installed, and serviced them.

Formax was growing so he was promoted to take over the service group which traveled all over the world.
Holland was accepting of the spare parts necessary to service the machines in Europe so he set up a Formax office in Amsterdam.

He was promoted again to V.P. of Sales & Marketing where he had the unique opportunity to fly on the Concord with Lou Richards. Ed was flying high!

In 1999, Ed retired from Formax, bought a 250-acre farm in Onarga, Illinois where he enjoyed his horses, team roping with his sons, and trips to Canada fishing for over thirty years. He was an advocate for horse and burro rescue.

Not bad for a kid from the back of the yards!

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Crescent City.

Visitation will be at the Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga on Saturday, February 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. Vesper Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Crescent City, Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary (P.O. Box 998, Hot Springs, South Dakota, 57747), American Indian College Fund (www.collegefund.org/renew), or the National Park Service (777 6th Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20001).

Merritt D. Hansen, 89, of Chebanse passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Amita Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee. He was born March 4, 1932 in Chebanse, the son of Oscar F. and June O. (Brenneisen) Hansen and they preceded him in death. He married Sally J. Jardis on March 4, 1962 in San Diego, CA and she preceded him in death on June 18, 2009. He is also preceded in death by one daughter, Meredith; two brothers, Dick and Harry; two sisters, Sandy and Darlene; two sisters-in-law, Gwen and Verna; and two brothers-in-law, John Cox and William Beck.

He is survived by one step-daughter, Laurie (Shane) Sheets of Michigan; his special friend, Maude Thompson of Chebanse; five sisters, Marilyn Yohnka of Chebanse, Carolyn Cox of Chebanse, Bobby (John) Gray of Ashkum, Susan (David) Larsen of Chebanse and Peggy (Bill) Mattox of Clifton; one brother, Jack (Martha) Hansen of Chebanse; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Merritt served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict in the 758th AC&W Radar. He was a former mayor of Chebanse and worked at Hansen’s Window Coverings for 19 years. He was a member of the Chebanse American Legion and enjoyed playing cards.

Visitation will be from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 pm at the Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse with Rev. Marsha Collins officiating. Graveside military rites will be by the Chebanse American Legion.

Memorials may be made to the Otto Twp. Fire Department.

Please share a memory of Merritt at knappfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Merritt D. Hansen please visit our Sympathy Store.

Frank Louis Barbieri, 83, of Chebanse passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at his residence.

Frank was born on May 11, 1938 in Kankakee, the son of Francisco Pietro and Mary Angela (Costi) Barbieri. He married Sharron Rose Brenneisen on May 23, 1959 in Kankakee and she survives.

Besides his wife, Sharron Barbieri of Chebanse, he is survived by three daughters, Linda (Gary) Seedorf of Chebanse, Cheryl Goodrich (Tim Hamilton) of Kankakee, and Paula (Todd) Schoon of Easley, SC; one son, Edward Barbieri of Chebanse; one brother, Jerome “Jerry” Barbieri of St. Anne; nine grandchildren, Lynn (Jimmy) Martin, Stephen (Samantha) Barbieri, Gary Barbieri (Becky Potts), Veronica (Dakotah) Eitel, Sherylynn Lafond (Jermaine Mason), Brandon Schoon (Peyton McCarthy), Nathan Schoon (Sarah Domkowski), Dylan Heil, and Devon Barbieri; three step-grandchildren; eleven step-great grandchildren; two step-great great grandchildren; and five nieces, Diana Wood, Laurie Barbieri, Raelene Hill, Dorinda Allen, Evelina Connor.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Harold Barbieri; two sisters-in-law, Janice Barbieri and Myrtle Hill; one brother in law, Lester Hill; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ivis and Edward Brenneisen.

Frank was of the Catholic faith. He served on the Chebanse Village Board, was a member of the Otto Twp. Fire Department, and helped operate Barberry Acres Mobile Home Park.

Frank worked at Mortell Company in Kankakee, Illinois, for over 30 years. His retirement consisted of many enjoyable hours with his wife and family. Frank loved to be outside and enjoyed tending the garden, flower beds and keeping the birds and flowers watered. Frank enjoyed family get-togethers with his children and grandchildren, playing yard games, spending one-on-one time with everyone, and enjoyed taking walks around Perry Farm. He enjoyed many hours of playing the accordion, having taken lessons as a young man and continuing to play even as Alzheimer’s set in.

Frank and his wife purchased their house 59 years ago in Chebanse and remodeled the house from studs and joists to the beautiful home it is today. Frank was a self-taught handyman. He loved to fix and repair things, and this led to many hours of home repairs, remodeling, and improvements in the house. He was forever finding something that needed to be fixed or repaired, even if the rest of us could find no reason for the repair. He just loved to be busy.

Frank was a very giving man of his time and attention, and the family valued his assistance and input in all home remodeling situations. As each grandchild and great-grandchild grew to adulthood, Frank loved to spend quality time with them all. He enjoyed the different personalities of all the kids and truly enjoyed the times they had together.

Frank was a very strong man in life, figuratively and literally. His children have fond memories of trying to pry his hands open and the genuine laughter as he defeated us time and again. He was a true caretaker of his family, working two jobs for a while and then coming home to repair whatever home appliance needed attention, and he was very conscientious of the environment, spending many hours keeping a compost pile, recycling and reusing as much as possible.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the 7:30 p.m. memorial service on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton with Chad McGinnis officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse.

Memorials may be made to Vitas Hospice.

Travis Kyle Cambridge, 40, of Ashkum passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at his residence. He was born on April 2, 1981 in Pontiac, a son of Robert D. and Marian K. (ZumMallen) Cambridge and was preceded in death by his mother. He married Shannon L. Sutton on December 21, 2010 in New Port, Tennessee.

Surviving are his wife, Shannon Cambridge of Ashkum; two daughters, Addison and Morgan Cambridge of Ashkum; three brothers, Mitchell (Tara) Cambridge of Ashkum, Mason (Alison) Cambridge of Lakewood, Colorado, Nicholas Wieringa of Appleton, Wisconsin; and his father, Bob (Jan Dowell) Cambridge of Paxton.

Travis recently retired from the United States Air Force where he had served in the 823 and 819 Red Horse Squadrons. He was a 1999 graduate of Clifton Central High School.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton with Pastor Don Gillespie officiating. Graveside military rites will be at the Onarga Cemetery by the Scott Air Force Base and the Onarga American Legion Post 551. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.

Memorials may be made to the college fund for his girls.

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

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Travis Kyle Cambridge please visit our Sympathy Store.

Porfirio Garcia Sr., 71, of Onarga passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at his residence.

Porfirio was born on September 15, 1950 in Pharr, TX, the son of Ysidro and Petrolina (Zuniga) Garcia and they preceded him in death along with two brothers, Silvestre Garcia and Ramon Villanueva.
He married Maria Lopez on March 19, 1977 in Gilman and she survives.

Besides his wife, Maria Garcia of Onarga, he is survived by three children, Porfirio Garcia Jr. of Hoopeston, Laura (Otilio) Aguilera of Buckley and Nora (Ben) Harroun of Onarga; three grandchildren, Marissa, Gabriela, and Julian; and two brothers, Jose Luis (Amelia) Garcia of Onarga and Pedro Garcia of Gilman.
Porfirio was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilman. He enjoyed music, cooking out, NASCAR, and most of all, his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga.

A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilman. Fr. Marek Herbut will officiate.

Memorials may be made to the family’s wishes.

Robert “Bobby” Dean Hansen, 59, of Gilman passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Bobby was born on November 27, 1962 in Watseka, the son of Robert E. and Nancy E. (O’Bert) Hansen and they preceded him in death.

He is survived by one sister, Carol (Charles) Wheeler of Gilman; one brother, Dan (Marlene) Hansen of Bourbonnais; three nephews and two nieces, John Hansen, Elizabeth Shrove, Erin (Brodie) Farrar, Noah Shrove, and Christopher Shrove; three step-nieces and step-nephews, Samantha (Mike) Zarring, Charlie Wheeler, and Anthony (Leslie) Wheeler; three great-nieces and great-nephews, Johnathan, Jessica, and Zachary; and two step-great nephews, Marshall and Beau Wheeler.

Bobby was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Graveside services will be at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Gilman.

Memorials may be made to Knights of Columbus.

Charles "Chuck" Decker was born August 15, 1930, in Watseka, IL, to Glenn and Olive (Pitzer) Decker.
Chuck was married to Lois Van Hoveln for 30 years, and had 3 sons: Denny Decker of Muskego WI; Tim Decker and grandson, Matthew, of Evansville, IN; and Randy Decker of Allen, TX, who passed away from cancer in 2007.

Chuck later married Shari Jannusch. They were married for 20 years and had 1 daughter, Sarah.
Lastly, Chuck married JoAnn Birr of Buckingham, IL. They had been married 13 years, until his passing.

Chuck attended the White School by Bryce, IL, for 1st through 3rd grade; public school in Tangier, IN, for 4th through 8th grade; and then graduated from Stockland High School in Stockland, IL. After graduating, Chuck served in the Navy during the Korean War.

He later returned home and joined his dad, Glenn, and brother, Don, in buying livestock. Decker's Hog Market grew from 1 to 8 markets, where they purchased hogs direct from farmers and shipped to packers on the East coast. One year, the market at Charleston bought 500 hogs a day. At Decker’s weekly sale barn auction, Chuck built the sale of feeder pigs into one of the largest in Illinois, selling 1000 – 2000 pigs a week. Chuck was with the Hog Market from 1950 until he retired in 2014 at the age of 84.

Chuck also showed horses in speed events until he was 72 years old.
Some highlights of that were: When age 54, he won 3rd place in Pole Bending at the World’s Largest Quarter Horse Show in Springfield, OH, competing against 98 horses from the US and Canada. The same year, against another large Pole Bending class at the World Champion Quarter Horse Show in Oklahoma City, he placed 11th. Chuck's fastest time in Pole Bending though was 20 seconds, which placed him 1st at the Crown Point, IN, fair.

Chuck was on the advisory board for Parkland College the year it opened in store buildings in Champaign. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Wellington State Bank and 1 year as President of the Independent Livestock Association.

Funeral services will be at 12:30 pm on Monday, February 21, 2022, at Milford Christian Church in Milford. Rev. Brent Zastrow will officiate. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Milford.

Visitation will be prior to the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the church.

The Knapp Funeral Home in Milford is handling the arrangements for the family

Cecelia R. Sayers, 94, of Lacon and formerly of Watseka and Milford, passed away on Monday, February 14, 2022 at Lacon Rehab and Nursing in Lacon, IL. She was born on February 13, 1927 in Chicago, the daughter of John P. and Rose (Curran) Lillig. She married Carl Russell Brazel in Kentucky on September 25, 1946 and he preceded her in death on November 27, 1995.

Surviving are four children, Carl E. (Linda L.) Brazel of Milford, Rose M. (Doug) Spangler of Varna, IL, Carlene A. Hull of Wyoming, IL, and Curt B. (Denise) Brazel of Morocco, IN; and several grandchildren as well as great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, and one sister.

She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford as well as the Watseka Grandmother’s Club.

Private interment in GAR Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.

Please share a memory of Cecelia at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Obituary for Rick R. Reutter

Rick R. Reutter, 67, of Cissna Park passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022, in Cayuga, Indiana. He was born in Watseka on January 6, 1955, a son of Ralph and Imogene (Roll) Reutter and they preceded him in death. Rick married Sally Parcell in Cissna Park on June 3, 1978.

Rick is survived by his wife, Sally Reutter of Cissna Park; one daughter, Emily (Zack) Clow of Carmel, Indiana; one son, Nick (Jenny) Reutter of Gifford; four grandchildren, Brooks and Grady Reutter and J.J. and Abby Clow; two brothers, Terry (Sara) Reutter of Pittsboro, Indiana and Jay (Beth) Reutter of Champaign; and one sister, Wendi (Ken) Trask of Chicago.

Rick worked for Farm Credit in Bourbonnais for several years. Rick loved camping, golfing, hunting and fishing.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park. Everyone is invited to a Celebration of Life following the visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Cissna Park American Legion.

Memorials may be given to The Limb Lab Foundation, www.limblab.com/benefactors, (400 South Broadway, Ste 106, Rochester, MN 55904).

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

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rick R. Reutter please visit our Sympathy Store.

William “Bill” Reed, 82, of Onarga passed away on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. He was born on September 3, 1939, in Watseka, the son of Dwight Lincoln and Lois (Trotter) Reed. Bill married Joyce Hartman in Watseka on April 16, 1969 and she proceeded him in death on November 7, 2003.

Bill is survived by three sons, James (Peggy) Gaddis Jr. of Texas, Mike (Abby) Reed of Ridgeville, Steve (Stacy) Reed of Danforth; one daughter, Melody (Matt) Clark of Onarga; his grandchildren, Jacob Clark of Oak Park, Dalton Reed of Ridgeville, Savannah Reed of Danforth, Ethan Girard of Colorado, Felecia Chance of Kansas; two sisters, Sara Jane (Terry) Lorenzen of Arizona and Ruth (Ray) Shelton of Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Brandon Steward.

Bill was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed in Korea. Bill proudly drove a truck his entire working career for various companies but worked the last 20 years and retired from Iroquois Paving Corporation. He was a member of the teamster union for many years. He loved gardening and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jim Harkins officiating. The visitation will be two hours prior beginning at 9:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow in the Onarga Cemetery with military rites by the Onarga American Legion 551.

Bill was a casual guy, dress as you wish, but blue jeans were his style.

Memorials may be given to IMH Hospice, IMH Foundation or Gilman Healthcare Auxiliary.

Arrangements by the Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga.

Gary Neal Kaper, 64, of Watseka, Illinois, died on January 16, 2022, following a short illness. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas on January 22, 1957 to Harry & Grace Kaper, who preceded him in death in 2021.
Gary was a 1975 graduate of Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park, IL and completed his education at Joliet Junior College with a degree in agriculture science.

At age 12, Gary purchased his first Milking Shorthorn cow. Over the next 50 years, as owner of Kaper Cattle Company, he continued to develop his herd and implement breeding strategies that were recognized both nationally and internationally. Gary was a Registered Shorthorn breeder since 1973 and proud member of the American Shorthorn Association. With his vast knowledge of the breed and its history, Gary was a successfully published Shorthorn author on various platforms.

Gary was steadfast in his participation and commitment to family business, both Kaper's Hardware & Building Materials of Watseka, IL and Bedford Woodworking Company of Burbank, IL. Not only was he a history buff, he loved music. As an accomplished bassist, he expressed his love of Jesus Christ by writing many songs, celebrating his Christian faith. He felt blessed and honored to be a member of the band Hallel. Gary was on the Elder board at Cornerstone Church, as well as a musician in their worship and praise band.

Gary married the love of his life, Deborah (Phelps) on September 25, 2012 in historic St. Charles, Missouri. Together, they shared a strong commitment to their Christian faith, as well as a deep passion for the care of God's creatures, great and small. Survived by his siblings, Susan (Steve) Johnson, Burt (Nancy) Kaper, Jeff (Sarah) Kaper, Stephanie (James) Gray, step daughter Ashley (Sean) McQuinn and granddaughters Shannon & Danielle. As Uncle Gary to Cornell, Madelyn, Katelyn, Grant, Allison, Reed, Alex, Ethan, Anna, Ellen, Emma, Olivia & Oliver, he will always be remembered for his special nicknames for them, his unique sense of humor and unconditional love.

There are no words to express our grief and deep loss. But we are confident we will all be together again someday in the presence of our Lord.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cornerstone Church in Woodland, IL or donor’s choice.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 200 Half Street, Woodland, Illinois, 60974.

Arrangements by the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Walmar A. “Wally” Cluver, 93 of Watseka passed away on February 12, 2022 at his home. He was born on March 19, 1928 in Unionville, MI a son of John and Elizabeth (Apman) Cluver. Wally married Martha Littlepage in Vienna, IL on January 28, 1946 and she survives. Also surviving are seven children- Marilyn (Mike) Swanson of Sheldon, Edna (Ron) Osborne of Watseka, Doris (Charles) Milar of Watseka, Kenneth Cluver of Remington, IN, Paula Horner of Watseka, Pam (John) DeMarse of Sheldon, and Janet “Suzy” (Terry) Hutchison of Auburn, IL; 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 12 great great grandchildren; several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; one brother- Alvin Cluver of Watseka; and half-sister- JoAnna VanHoveln of Danville. He was preceded in death by his parents, step mother- Mabel Cluver, one brother- Gerhart Cluver, half-brother- Lynn Cluver, son in law- Kenneth Horner, and two grandchildren- Jessica Breymeyer and Dave Meyer.

Wally was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka and Shewami Country Club for many years. He worked at Uarco for over 32 years retiring in 1990. Wally was an avid golfer and Cubs fan and enjoyed playing cards, dartball, and softball where he served as manager of Calvary’s softball team.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday February 15, 2022 at 11:00 am at Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka with Pastor Aaron Uphoff officiating. Visitation will be from 9-11 am on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice, Calvary Pre-School, or donor’s choice.

Arrangements are by Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Leo F. Morris Sr, 83, of Milford passed away on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. He was born on May 31, 1938 in Herscher, the son of John and Mabel (Sommer) Morris. He married Arvella Stone in Herscher on June 3, 1961.

Surviving are his wife, Arvella Morris of Milford; five sons, Leo Morris Jr of Milford, Brian (Jennifer) Morris of Stonefort, IL, Craig (Dawn) Morris of Hoopeston, Alan (Amy) Morris of Lafayette, IN, and Marlon Morris of Milford; two sisters, Hazel (Robert) Chinski of Bourbonnais and Edith Winge of Clifton; one brother, Kenneth (Arlene) Morris of Colorado; son in law, Barry DeMik; eleven grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; five sisters; and one daughter, Michelle DeMik.

Mr. Morris served in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea from 1961-1963. He was a member of St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka. Leo enjoyed baking and decorating cakes. He worked for twenty-eight years at Thornton Stone Quarry.

Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 pm on Friday, February 11, 2022 at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka (219 S. 4th St. – Watseka, IL. 60970).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Donor’s Choice.

Larry Dean Schroeder, 78, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born on August 18, 1943 in Watseka, the son of Eddie and Evelyn (Taden) Schroeder. He married Jeanne Lattimer in Watertown, SD on November 29, 1995.

Surviving is his wife, Jeanne Schroeder of Watseka; four sons, Vince of Cold Spring, MN, Vance of Sauk Rapids, MN, Larry of Sauk Rapids, MN, and Adam of Clearwater, MN; one daughter, Natalie of Watseka, IL; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ron; and son, Victor.

Larry was a 1961 graduate of Gilman High School. He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and NASCAR.

Per his wishes, there will be no services.

Cremation rites have been accorded by Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Memorials may be made to the Donor’s Choice.

Please share a memory of Larry at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Lorraine J. Meents, 88, of Ashkum passed away on Friday, February 4, 2022, at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. She was born on March 5, 1933, at the family home in Crescent Township Section 27 in Iroquois County, the daughter of John and Sophie Marie Aline (Boyer) Wessels. She married Vernon J. Meents on April 10, 1954, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Crescent City.

Lorraine is survived by two sons, Jon (Diane) Meents of Ashkum and Rob Meents of Ashkum; two daughters, Jody (Larry) Munsterman of Onarga and Lori (Chuck) Cunningham of Ashkum; eight grandchildren, Jon (Jen) Meents Jr., Christopher (Michelle) Cunningham, Bryan (Kelly) Meents, Kelly (Steven) Cometa, Ryan (Kelsey) Munsterman, Ross (Lindsey) Munsterman, Lauren (Zach) Gerdes and Kyla Cunningham; her great-grandchildren, Cameron, Brayden, Olivia, Easton and Addie Meents; Carson and Carter Cunningham; Alayna, Hayley and Cayden Meents; Cooper Cometa; Matthew and Noah Munsterman; Rowen and Baby Boy Munsterman due in April; and Braeton Gerdes; one niece and several nephews.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband on July 8, 2016; her parents, and her brother, Lowell Wessels; and her sister, Marian Wall.

She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Ashkum where she served as a member of the Altar Guild. Lorraine worked for the United States Postal Service in Ashkum from 1967 to 1993. On May 1, 2018, Lorraine was honored by the National Rural Letter Carriers Association to certify that she had completed 50 years or more as a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. She passed away on National Thank a Mail Carrier Day.

She attended Prairie Green School District 133, a mile and a half east of the family farm for grades 1-7. By the 1940s, a school consolidation movement began and Prairie Green school ceased to exist. Her father, John Wessels, was on the Prairie Green Board of Education. She attended Woodland Grade School for 8th grade. Lorraine attended Crescent-Iroquois High School with the Class of 1951, the last class to graduate from the “old high school”. The current Crescent-Iroquois High School building, located on the east side of Crescent City, was a work in progress while she was in high school. She worked at the Farm Bureau office in Watseka following high school.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am. on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ashkum with Rev. Don Gillespie officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior beginning at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Danforth Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church in Ashkum, Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements by the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.

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

Catheryn C. Feller, 90, of Watseka passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022 at her home. She was born on May 28, 1931 in Watseka, the daughter of Walter and Anna (Hankey) Shafer. She married Roy E. Feller in Watseka on December 11, 1955.

Surviving are her husband, Roy Feller of Watseka; three sons, Gary (Carol) Feller of Pinellas Park, FL, Dennis (Dawn) Feller of North Liberty, IN and Wayne (Julie) Feller of Watseka; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Warren Shafer; and one sister, Evelyn Smith.

Mrs. Feller was a member of the First Christian Church in Watseka since 1941 and was very involved with her church. Catheryn was a Quality Control Inspector at Uarco for 20 years. She enjoyed traveling to Florida for over twenty-five years and making friends all over the country. She loved to cook, enjoyed dogs, and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at the First Christian Church of Watseka. Rev. Wayne Meyer will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka as well as one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.

Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice.

Harold Hettich, 101, of Danforth and formerly of the Goodwine area passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.

Harold was born on October 15, 1920 in South Holland, the son of Peter and Rose (Bultmann) Hettich and they preceded him in death along with an infant brother.

He is survived by cousins and friends, Wes and Judy and Mike and Donna.

Harold graduated from Thornton High School in 1938. He ran a farmstand and was the bookkeeper for his fathers three onion set warehouses. Harold later purchased a farm south of Goodwine in 1983 and moved there with his father.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. funeral service on Wednesday February 9, 2022 at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park. Rev. Steven Jensen will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date at Homewood Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Homewood.

Memorials may be made to Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth or Uplifted Care in Bourbonnais.

Roberta Ruth Scolley, 77 of Iroquois, IL passed away on February 1, 2022 at Watseka Rehab and Healthcare. She was born on April 23, 1944 in Watseka a daughter of Robert and Ruth (Loblaw) Askew.

Survivors include three children- Arlene Brys, John Scolley of Iroquois and Julie (Lawrence) Meyr of Lowell, IN; four grandchildren- Sara Meyr, Linzie Meyr, Sgt. Nicholas Meyr, and Jacob Hillary; three great grandchildren- Ava Santana, Jocelyn Meyr, and Jaxon Meyr Hernandez; two aunts- Shirley Arseneau and Catherine Martin; and one brother in law- Donald Glenn. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister- Phyllis Glenn and her step father Wilbur Conner.

Roberta enjoyed camping in Door County Wisconsin and loved dogs, gardening, genealogy, and bird watching.

Private services will be held at a later date with burial in Iroquois Memorial Park in Watseka.

Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice or 5th St CILA in Cissna Park and can be sent to the care of Baier Funeral Home (102 W. Oak St, Watseka, IL 60970) and will then be forwarded on to the family.

Arrangements by Baier Funeral Home in Watseka.

Mary E. Wilken, 69, of Milford passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana. She was born on December 12, 1952 in Danville. She married Roger D. Wilken in Watseka on August 11, 1971 and he preceded her in death on April 28, 2020.

Surviving are two daughters, Amy (Frank) Schuler of Normal and Brandy (Anthony) Back of Loda; six grandchildren, Joshua Schuler, Benea Schuler, Joey Schuler, Sydnee Schuler, Bryson Crow, and Bryer Back; half-brother, Charlie Huddleston of Hoopeston; sister in law, Dr. Peggy Ann Wilken of Murphysboro; brother in law, Joe (Sheila) Wilken of Milford; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger; mother and stepfather, Don and Ethel Probasco; a special aunt and uncle, Jim and Ethel Stacy; and in laws, Clyde and Bernice Wilken.

Mary was of the Christian Faith. She enjoyed playing cards, sewing, quilting, crafting, and vacationing in Mexico. She loved her dogs, especially CC and Bodine.

Cremation rites are being handled by Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.

A graveside memorial service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland. Ed Highfill will officiate.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Please share a memory of Mary at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Gertrude Emma Wade, 90, of Milford passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka. She was born on January 24, 1932 in Milford, the daughter of Fredrick and Agatha (Erchinger) Hubner. She married Harold Dean Wade at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford on June 2, 1951 and he preceded her in passing on April 16, 1992.

Surviving are four children, Linda (David) Jorgenson of Milford, Randal Wade of Westville, Lisa (Wally) Lotz of Champaign, and Robert Wade (fiancé Leah Goodrum) of Milford; four grandchildren, Briana Jorgenson Forman (Jason) of Los Angeles, CA, Devin Jorgenson of Chicago, Morgan Lotz Richter (Cole) of Chicago, and Evan Lotz of California; two great grandchildren, Ines Meryl Forman and Ivy Elise Richter; two brothers, Donald (La Verne) Hubner of Milford and Fred (Myrna) Hubner of Greenfield, IN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; sister and brother in law, Ruth and Buford Curry; grandson, Tyler Wade Jorgenson; three half- sisters, Frieda Hubner, Vera Hubner and Viola Hill; and special friend, Bruce Lundberg.

Mrs. Wade was a lifelong member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford, where she served in many capacities. Gertrude worked for the Village of Milford for many years. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren. Gertrude was known for knitting the infant cradle hats for Iroquois Memorial Hospital.

A special thank you would like to be given to the staff at Iroquois Resident Home for the wonderful care they provided Gertrude over the years.

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:30 am on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford with the funeral service following at 11:30 am. Rev. Doug Minton will officiate. Burial will follow at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland. Audio stream of the service is available at www.oursaviormilford.com. Click on the media tab for access.

Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church or Iroquois Resident Home.

Please share a memory of Gertrude at knappfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gertrude Emma Wade please visit our Sympathy Store.

Mary Carter, 79 of Sheldon. 

Visitation Friday 2/4/22 from 3-5pm at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Cremation rites will be accorded, Burial at a later date in Sheldon.