Champaign County, Illinois
OBITUARIES

presented by Illinois Genealogy Trails History Group


A

B

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Norma Bryan


Francis Deters Mathias L. Dunlap

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G

H


Jesse Fulfer (NEW) Ilma (Taylor) fulfer

Virgil R Gain (NEW) Dorothy Nadine Grunder

F. E. Hanners Prochia Hanners

I J

K

L

M


Philip Knowles(NEW)


Hazel Mathews Mabel Matthews Mrs. Myrtie Mathews Thomas B. Matthews

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P Q

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Virgil E. Oliver


Sarah B. Reed

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U V

W X Y Z




A. E. Ward Kate Ward



Jesse A Fulfer 5 Nov-1945
Champaign - Jesse A Fulfer-202 E Bellfontaine street,an employee of the Champaign street department for the last 18 years died at 12:32 P.M today in Burnham city hospital after a lingering illness. He was 53 years old. The body was removed to the owens funeral home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Mr Fulfer, a resident of Champaign for 32 years, had been in the hospital since aug 14. He was born may 16 1892. in Arthur and spent the first 10 years of his life there. He then moved to southern illinois for 9 years before coming to Champaign, where he was married to Ilma Taylor of Xenia in 1915. He worked for the city street department from September,1927 until his recent illness.
Mr Fulfer is survived by his wife Ilma, Two brothers Roy,1306 west clark street and Fred 1604 west Springfield ave: A sister, Mrs Lela Bennett, 907 N State St A Son, Russell, of Champaign: A daugter; Mrs Marie Shaffer, of Urbana. and six grandchildren
He was a member of the first Methodist church of Champaign. [submitted by,Donald AIkman}

Ilma ( Taylor) Fulfer 20 Dec-1990
Urbana - Ilma Blanche Fulfer 94, formerly of-202 E Bellfontaine street Champaign died at 7:30 a.m Thursday ( Dec 20 1990) at Carle foundation Hospital , Urbana
Private family services were today, and the Rev. Morris Christman officiated. Burial was in east lawn Cemetery, Urbana
Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs Fulfer was born march 6, 1896 at Oskaloosa, a daughter of Granville and Mary Katherine nash Taylor. She married Jesse Fulfer on Aug 31 1913 at Oskaloosa. He died Nov 5 1945.
She is survived by one son, Albfred Russell Fulfer of Champaign. Two sisters, Bessie m Jacobs of Valdosta Ga. and Edith B King of Xenia. 10 Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren, and 27 Great Great Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, one sister, and one daughter.
Mrs Fulfer was a member of First methodist Church, Champaign. and the Wheel of six at the church.She also was a member of the Pithian sisters, Royal Neighbors of America, The Rebekah lodge, the Eagles Lodge and the Mosse Lodge. [submitted byDonald AIkman},

Dorothy Nadine (BURKITT) Grunder - 13 Oct. 2003
Urbana - Dorothy Nadine Grunder, 80 yr, of Urbana and formerly of Jefferson County, died at 2:15 p.m. on Monday, 13 Oct. 2003, at Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry. She was born on 27 April 1923, in Bluford,<Jefferson Co, IL>, daughter of Everett and Ora Mae (Shaw) Burkitt. She married Wayne Grunder and he preceded her in death. <They were divorced>.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix. John Skelton will officiate. Burial will follow in New Home (Lowery) Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix.

Mrs. Grunder is survived by three sons, David Grunder and wife Minnie of Bolingbrook, Daniel Grunder and wife Kathy of Colorado, and Anthony Grunder and wife Helene of Johnsburg; daughters, Sandra Olson and husband John of California, Rebecca Jordan and husband Paul of DesPlaines, Shari Peck and husband Jerry of Makena; and Valerie Ailes of California; grandchildren Bryan, Zach, Stacey, Chris, Katy, Matt, Ashton, Katrina, Bill, Nick, Alec, Jake, Nathan and Michael; great-grandchildren Jeremy, Justin, Crystal and Joey; a brother, Lowell Burkitt and wife Betty of Batavia; sisters, Vera Lee Wilcox and husband Guy of Shelbyville, Lela Pierce and husband,Glen of Bluford and Alice French of Mt. Vernon and Ruth Witzel and husband, Lyle, of Mt. Vernon; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, John Burkitt and Dale Burkitt; a grandchild in infancy; and a brother - in-law, Darrell French.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Osborn Funeral Home in Dix with John Skelton officiating. Interment will follow at the New Home (Lowery) Cemetery. For more information you may contact Osborn Funeral Home in Dix at 266-7231. [submitted by Marlene Olson, genealogy800@yahoo.com]


Francis Deters -
16 Oct 1999
CHAMPAIGN - Francis J. "Bud" Deters, 79, of 204 S. Van Doren St. C, died at 1:44 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 16, 1999) at Carle Foundation Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Cross Church, Champaign. The Rev. Monsigner Albert Hallin will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St. C.
Mr. Deters was born June 29, 1920, at Sigel, a son of Herman and Bernadine Deters. He married Rita Anderson on Jan. 27, 1951. She survives. Also surviving are three sons, Patrick Deters of Mahomet, Bill Deters of Champaign and Brian Deters of Monticello; a daughter, Nancy Meyer of Sadorus; 10 grandchildren; and two brothers, Ally Deters of Effingham and Victor Deters of Teutopolis. He was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters.
Mr. Deters was in the Holy Cross Choir, Sierra Club, Knights of Columbus Twin City Council 899 and Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 149. He served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific. He worked for the University of Illinois from 1949 to 1977.

Virgil E. Oliver - 11 May 1994
CHAMPAIGN, IL - Virgil E. Oliver, 77 yr, of Champaign, formerly of Mattoon, died at 4:55 a.m. Wednesday (11 May 1994) at the Covenant Medical Center in Urbana. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Owens Funeral Home in Champaign with Larry Simms officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Champaign, with graveside military rites conducted by VFW Post 5520. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

He was born 10 June 1916, in Altamont,<Effingham Co, IL > the son of Ezra and Corda Foster Oliver. He married Hilda Saathoff in 1961; she survives. Also surviving are a son, Thomas V. Oliver of Fisher; a step daughter, Stella Sue Baugher of McClure; two brothers, Farrell Oliver and William J. Oliver, both of Mattoon; three sisters, Hazel Creviston of Decatur, Juanita Farris of Mattoon and Virginia Hilligoss of Humbolt; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother.

Mr. Oliver owned Oliver Radio and Repair Service in Mattoon and worked at Glenn Poor's Television and Video in Urbana. He was a WWII U.S. Army Veternan and a member of American Legion Post 24 and Fraternal Order of Eagles, Champaign. [submitted by Marlene Olson, genealogy800@yahoo.com]


Mrs. Myrtie Matthews
Mrs. Myrtie Matthews, 304 Greenview, U, died at 11:00 p.m. March 31, 1970 at her home. She was 83. Funeral arrangements will be completed at the Renner-Wikoff Funeral Home. Mrs. Matthews was born in Beatle, S.D. on May 5, 1884, daughter of John and Anna Edwards Ward. She married Walter J. Matthews at Greenup, Ill in 1903. She is survived by a son, John W. Matthews, 310 Brady Lane, U, sisters Della Hanners, Olney, Faye Kellog, Tuscola, and Neva Snearley, Strasburg; 3 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. "Champaign Urbana News Gazette", April 1, 1970... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


The Funeral of Mr. A. E. Ward
Remains taken to Rantoul this afternoon for burial
The funeral of the late A. E. Ward of the grain firm of Sale & Ward, who died at his home on West Columbia Ave. Tuesday morning occurred at 1:00 this afternoon. An impressive service was conducted by Rev. George E. Scrimger, Pastor of the First Methodist Church and the lodge of Elks of which Mr. Ward was a member, attended the service in a body. The remains accompanied by a large party of relatives and friends were taken to Rantoul on the 2:20 Central train, burial being in the Rantoul Cemetery, Mr. Ward having spent the greater part of his life in that part of the county. "Champaign Urbana News Gazette", May 30, 1900... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


Thomas B. Matthews
Thomas B. Matthews, 83, 207 E. Bellefontaine, died at 2:50 p.m. March 15, 1959 at home. Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Monday at the Owns Funeral Home. Services will also be at 1:30 Tuesday at Mt. Zion near Greenup. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Mr. Matthews was born in Macon County, southwest of Decatur, December 6, 1875, son of William W. and Elizabeth Johnson Matthews. He married May Ward December 24, 1899 at Hazel Dell in Cumberland County. They lived in Cumberland and Jasper Counties before moving to Champaign in 1928. He was employed for several years by the General Paving Company, until his retirement 9 years ago. Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Hazel Bule, Champaign; Mrs. Gayle Arnold, Janesville, Wisc., Mrs. Myrl Bret, Champaign; Mrs. Thelma Hammond, Freeport, Mrs. Maudelene Craig, Lake Worth, Florida, Mrs. Luella Watts, Champaign, Ward, Urbana; Walter H., Champaign; 24 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren; one brother Walter, Route 2, Urbana. "Champaign Urbana News Gazette", March 16, 1959... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


Hazel Mathews
Hazel Mathews of 201 E. Clark St. C, widow of Hershel Mathews, died at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 20, 1976 at Mercy Hospital. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Owens Chapel. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Mathews was born at Greenup, a daughter of Thomas and May Ward Matthews. Mr. Mathews died in 1941. Survivors include 2 sons, Donald of Urbana, and Edsel of Champaign; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two brothers, Ward "Buck" Matthews, of Urbana, and Walter Matthews of Champaign; three sisters, Mrs. Luella Disney of Decatur, Mrs. Maudeline Craig of St. Augustine, Florida, and Mrs. Myrl Brett, of Urbana. She was preceded in death by two sisters. She had worked as a seamstress for many years. "Champaign News Gazette", August 20, 1976... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


Mabel Matthews
Urbana-Mabel Isabell Matthews, 87, of Trenton, Ga., formerly of Urbana, died Thursday October 15, 1998 at Lafayette Healthcare Center, Lafayette, Ga. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd, U. The Rev. Morris Christman will officiate. Burial will be in Bailey Cemetery, Tolono. Mrs. Matthews was born Jan. 11, 1911, at Tolono, a daughter of Norman and Fannie Edwards Wilson. She married John William Matthews on June 28, 1930, at Urbana. He died September 3, 1986. Survivors include a son, Robert Matthews of Trenton, Ga; daughter Betty Swinford of Norman, Okla.; a brother, Russell Wilson of Tolono; four sisters, Nezzie Hanners of Tolono, Bernice Nidle of Mahomet, Ilene Smith of Clearwater, Fla., and Lillian Greer of Bowling Green, Ky; 17 grandchildren; and twelve great grandchildren. "Champaign News Gazette" October 16, 1998... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


Prochia Hanners
Tolono - Private graveside services for Prochia ViNezzie Hanners, 98, of Tolono will be at a later date. There will be no visitation. Freese Funeral Home, 407 N. Bourne St., Tolono, is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Hanners died at 2:30 p.m. March 1, 2004 at Provena Covenant Medical Center, Urbana. She was born October 6, 1905, in Grayson County, Ky, a daughter of Norman and Fannie Edwards Wilson. She married Frederick Earl Hanners on July 9, 1927 in Tuscola. He died March 17, 1967. Survivors include 2 daughters, Wanda Lou Holtz of Peoria, Ariz., and Della Joyce Little of Urbana; three sisters, Berniece Niedel of Mahomet, and Ilene Smith and Lillian Greer, both of Louisville, Ky; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters. She was a member of Tolono United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. "Champaign News Gazette" March 3, 2004... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


F. E. Hanners
Mahomet - Frederick Earl Hanners, 60, rural Champaign, died at Mercy Hospital, Urbana, at 9:50 p.m. March 17, 1967. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Blair Funeral Home, Mahomet, with Rev. Robert Faulkner officiating. Prospect Ave. chapel, champaign. Burial will be at the Block Cemetery, Greenup. He was born June 10, 1907, in Greenup, son of Amos and Della Mae [Ward] Hanners. He was married June 9, 1937, to Porchia ViNezzie Wilson. He was a laborer foreman for Champaign Asphalt Company. "Champaign News Gazette", March 18, 1961... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


Kate Ward Dies at Hospital
Judge Freeman today was officially notified of the death of at the Kankakee Hospital for the Insane of Mrs. Kate Ward, a patient committed from this county. "Urbana Daily Courier" January 15, 1919... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


Coroner's Jury Investigates Demise Of Mrs. Sarah B. Reed
Following an inquest conducted this morning, a coroner's jury composed of David E. Bruffett, William P. Smith, Louis Croiger, William Jones, F. W. Pullman, and George M. Johnson, returned a verdict that Mrs. Sarah Belle Reed, whose lifeless body was found in the gas filled bathroom asphyxiation or as the jury put it, " Came to her death by gas turned on with suicidal intent." All the evidence showed that Mrs. Reed was irresponsible, because of a nervous affliction. Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 o'clock this afternoon from the home, 403 West Green Street, by Rev. J. J. Wilson, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Interment was made in Woodlawn Cemetery. "Urbana Daily Courier" January 15, 1919... Contributed by Barb Moksnes


Matthias Lane Dunlap, died on his farm, Champaign County, Ill., about February 14, 1875, aged 60½. [He was listed in the 1843
Chicago City Directory] Contributed by K. Torp


Norma Bryan
Norma L___Eunice Robbins Bryan 91, of 509 N. Adelaide St., Normal, died at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, (May 15 2007) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Normal. Her funeral will be at 11: a.m. Saturday at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home,
Bloomington, with the Larry Gaylord officiating. Burial will be in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Memorial Home.
She was born July 1, 1915 at LeRoy. a daughter of Vernon and Edith Warren Robbins. She married, Roy J. Bryan on June 12, 1937. He died Sept 25, 2000. Surviving are two sons, Robert J. Bryan,Buffalo Grove, and Harry T. (Shirley) Bryan,Glen Ellyn. One daughter, Edith (Fred) Plummer, Normal, eight grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Phil Bryan; five brothers and one sister and one great granddaughter.
Eunice received her master's degree in education in1958 from Illinois State Normal University. She taught at LeRoy High School and Normal Community high School. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church Normal.
Unknown Newspaper, 17 May 2007 - Contributed by Verla Morris - verlamorris at juno.com


Vergil Ruth Everman Gain
Peoria Journal Star, November 16, 1998 - submitted by Sara Hemp

RUSHVILLE - Vergil R. Gain, 92, of 502 Bessie St. died at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital.
Born March 20, 1906, in Urbana to James and Ann Kirby Everman, she married Leslie W. Gain on June 24, 1928, in Astoria. He died Aug. 29, 1987. One sister and two brothers also preceded her in death.
Surviving are three sons, Allen of Springfield, Joel of Petersburg and Jeffrey of Hardin; one sister, Hazel Wilson of Vancouver, Wash.; eight grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
She, her husband and his brother, Ernie Gain, built and operated Gain Brothers Greenhouse in Rushville.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Rushville; PEO Sisterhood, Chapter AL; Daughters of the American Revolution, Be-Kik-A-Nin-Ee Chapter; Schuyler County Historical Society; and Culbertson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Worthington Funeral Home. The Rev. Scott Henley will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Astoria Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Culbertson Memorial Hospital.

State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, November 16, 1998
Vergil R. Gain
RUSHVILLE - Vergil R. Gain, 92, of Rushville died Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital, Rushville.
She was born March 20, 1906, in Urbana, the daughter of James and Ann Kirby Everman. She married Leslie W. Gain in 1928 in Astoria; he died in 1987.
Mrs. Gain, a resident of Rushville since 1928, built and operated Cain Brothers Greenhouse in Rushville with her brother. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Rushville, Chapter AL, PEO Sisterhood, Be-Kik-A-Nin EE Chapter of the DAR, Schuyler County Historical Society, and Culbertson Hospital Auxiliary.
Survivors: three sons, Allen E. Gain of Springfield, Joel L. Gain of Petersburg and Jeffrey W. Cain of Hardin; eight grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a sister, Hazel Wilson of Vancouver, Wash.
Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Worthington Funeral Home, Rushville, the Rev. Scott Henley officiating. Burial: Astoria Cemetery.


Philip S. Knowles
Peoria Journal Star, October 7, 1992, Page: D9 - submitted by Sara Hemp

VERMONT - Philip S. Knowles, 58, of Rural Route 1, Box 21, died at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1992, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
Born July 23, 1934, in Champaign to Clint and Darlene McCreey Knowles, he married Beverly June Johnston on April 7, 1955, in Rushville. She survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Kim) Thomas of Browning; one son, Terry S. of Industry; one half sister, Martha Ramage of Arlington, Va.; and one grandchild.
He was a riverboat pilot for 13 years and worked at King Seeley Thermos in Macomb.
Private family graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Vermont Cemetery. Collis Trone will officiate. There will be no visitation. Cremation has been accorded.
Kost Memorial Home in Vermont is in charge of arrangements.

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