'A' Woodford County Obits
Woodford County, Illinois Genealogy Trails

Carola R. Antons
Carola R. Antons 94 of 415 Washington St. Minonk passed away at 9:45 AM Wednesday January 16, 2002 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Streator of natural causes.

Funeral services for Mrs. Antons will be 11:00 AM Friday January 18, 2002 at Folkers – Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk with the Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe officiating. Burial will follow in the Minonk TWP Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour before the services Friday at the memorial home. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Minonk.

Mrs. Antons was born January 23, 1907 the daughter of John M. and Flora Von Nodheim Grampp. She married Gerhard Antons on June 15, 1935 in Minonk. He died June 25, 1978. She is survived by nieces and nephews. Mrs. Antons was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister. Mrs. Antons was an active member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Minonk where she had been a Sunday School Teacher and in the choir.

Roger C. Allen
EL PASO - Roger C. Allen, 65, of 307 W. Caroline, Spring Bay, a native of El Paso, died Monday (June 14, 1999) at his residence.

His funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Mason Funeral Home, Metamora, the Rev. Joanne Cooke officiating. Burial will be in Spring Bay Cemetery, Spring Bay. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Spring Bay Firefighters Association Ambulance Fund.

Mr. Allen was born March 11, 1934, in El Paso, a son of James and Thelma Merriman Allen. He married Dorothy Bledsoe on June 19, 1953, in Mossville. She survives. Also surviving are one son, Gregory Allen, Spring Bay; one daughter, Tammie (Shane) Robison, Spring Bay; one sister, Beyrl (Walter) Gerard, Carson, Calif.; two brothers, Herbert Allen, Kissimmee, Fla., and James Allen, East Peoria; and three grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jeffrey Allen; one sister; and one brother.

Mr. Allen was a heavy equipment operator for Powley Sand and Gravel, Spring Bay. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 649 for 30 years

Mrs. Anna Aicher, 81, who has been quite ill for the past three weeks, passed away at the home of her son-in-law, Mearl Engel, near Washburn, Monday morning.  Mrs. Aicher has made her home in McHenry until recently with her son, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Aicher, since the death a year ago of her daughter, Mrs. Mearl Engel.  She came to attend the commencement exercises of which her granddaughter, Miss Murleen Engel was one of the graduates, and was taken ill a few days later.

Mrs. Aicher was born in Germany and came to America when about 18 years of age.  Her husband, Gerhardt Grass, passed away a number of years ago and she married Mr. Aicher, who is also deceased.

Surviving are her son, Dr. Aicher and his wife, her son-in-law, Mearl Engel, two grandsons, Robert and Paul Engel, two step-daughters, Mrs. Lena Reibschlager or Riebachlager,  and Mrs. Arthur (Josephine)  Engel of Peoria; one stepson, Benjamin Aicher of Oak Park.  Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon and interment was in the Baptist Cemetery.

Edwin O. Abel - contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden
Edwin O. Abel, 90, of Lakeport Square Nursing Home, 800 Lakeport Square, Leesberg, Fla., formerly of Lowpoint, died at 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 1992, at his residence.

Born Feb. 13, 1902, at Cazenovia Township, Woodford County, to Fred and Anna Elsworth Abel, he married Lola Smith in February 1924. She died Sept. 16, 1937. He married Mabel Banker Broers on May 25, 1940. She died July 12, 1980. He married Ruby Hanks on Aug. 1, 1981. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Wilbur "Bill" of Lowpoint; one stepdaughter, Norma Lee Ahrens of Metamora; one stepson, Merlin Broers of Bloomington; one sister, Eva Smith of Clayton; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Wilbur M. Abel - contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden
Wilbur M. Abel, 67, of 311 E. Clark St died at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 1993, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
 
Born May 28, 1926, in Adams County to Edwin and Lola Smith Abel, he married Joan Hahn on Feb. 19, 1947, in Metamora.  She survives.
 
Also surviving are four sons, Rodney and Roland, both of Peoria, Robert of Indianapolis and Thomas of Huntsville, Ala.; one daughter, Mrs Douglas (Marcia) Jenkins of Washburn; 12 grandchildren; his stepmother, Ruby Abel of Leesburg, Fla.; one stepsister, Norma Lee Ahrens of Metamora; and one stepbrother, Merlin Broers of Bloomington.  He was preceded in death by one son, one daughter and one granddaughter.

Margaret Arahood
Margaret E. Arahood, 97, of 618 E. Fourth St., Minonk, died at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday (July 9, 2003) at her residence. Service: 11 a.m., Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Minonk, the Rev. Craig Swenson officiating. Burial: Minonk Township Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. today at Calvert and Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, and for one hour before the service Saturday at the church. Survivors: three sons, Donald (Bev) Arahood, Franklin, Va.; Dale (Ardis) Arahood, Wheaton; and Paul (Anna Mae) Arahood, Peoria; two daughters, Alice Linn, Rutland; and Mary Gronau, Minonk; 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter; and one brother, Wilhelm Osterman, Minonk.

Rev. W. T. Adams
The Rev. W. T. Adams died at midnight, on the 24th day of May, 1882, at El Paso, Ill. He had just returned from Dakota very much exhausted, and pneumonia setting in, he rapidly sank. In his death the community has lost one of its best citizens, and the Presbyterian church one of its most highly esteemed and useful ministers.

Mr. Adams was born in Brook county, Virginia, July 3d, 1811. His parents, William and Mary Adams, carefully instructed him in religious duties, the result of which was seen with his uniting with the church when he was seventeen years of age, under the pastoral care of Rev. Jno. McArthur. He soon removed to Morgan county, Ohio, and engaged in teaching a subscription school. His thirst for knowledge led him to great application to study and determination upon securing a collegiate education. He began the study of Latin. To a boy of less resolution this would have seemed impossible, for there was not a Latin grammar in all that region, but he walked to the county railroad groundseat, a distance of twenty or twenty-five miles, and bought one. Entering the Academy at Cadiz then taught by Bishop Simpson, of the M. E. church, he soon taught in the public schools at that place. All this time his pursuit of classical studies was very satisfactory. These studies were continued under the Rev. M. McArthur, then pastor of the church at Cadiz, and afterwards professor in Miami University. That clergyman conducted Mr. Adam's studies when the latter taught school in the country. He graduated from Franklin College, under the presidency of Dr. Jos. Smith, New Athens, Ohio, in the fall of 1838, a good classical scholar, and especially proficient in mathematics. The same year he entered the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, graduating in '41. Through all this course of study his independent character would not allow him to rely upon any source for assistance. He not only paid his own way by his self reliant exertions, but was also able to render aid to a brother. In October, '41, he was licensed to preach, by the Presbyter of Steubenville, and in December of that year he was married to Miss Martha Waters, of Galesburg, Ill. He was intrusted and ordained pastor of the church of Carrolton, O., in 1842, was called to the pastorate of a church in Central Ohio. After laboring about a year he was taken with a severe hemorrhage of the lungs and for a year was unable to speak above a whisper, much of this time communication by slate being necessary. This compelled him to relinquish the pastorate for a number of years, and indeed his whole subsequent life was hampered and filled with suffering. In 1849 or '59 he was elected to the Professorship of Mathematics in Haysville Academy, Rev. Dieffendorf, D. D. who still presides. Rev. John Robinson, D. D., of Melvin, and C. Y. Calhoun and Robert Johnson were among Mr. Adams' students. He removed to Illinois in 1853, and in the following year organized the church at Deer Creek, and being installed as its pastor soon after, preached there, and at Washington and adjacent points for nearly twelve years. Being one of the committee to organize the Presbyterian church at El Paso, he was installed as its pastor in 1863, and in the following year, removed his residence to this place.

It would be a delightful task to write the many excellent traits of his character. His life was a helpful one, honest and outspoken, requiring not that honor's a voice should provoke the silent dust or 'flattery soothe the dull cold ear of death'. Intense in his convictions, he had the grace of charity for the opinions of others; a firm adherent of the doctrines of his church, none were more honestly fraternal toward other denominations than he. While a christen minister of undeniable piety, he yet took most earnest interest in all that related to his citizenship.

Thrown out of active ministry for many years by ill health, he succeeded in business, and did not forget to bless by his means, many who were less fortunate. While his life was clear record of strong self-reliance and well directed energy, he took pleasure in encouraging young men who were struggling around him. As a christen he was bright evidence of the influence of religious truth upon the private life. His theological convictions were not mere dogmas to be paraded in disputation, but a positive force to guide and stimulate his own soul. His well discipled mind and thorough knowledge of the Bible made him a clear and interesting expositor of Biblical truth, while to the church he was truly a father, always holding its interest dear, and ever generous in devoting his means to its support.

His relation as husband and father marked him for an example, and his efforts for the good of his family were unceasing, and as a husband he was the embodiment of gallantry and assiduous attention. To his pastor he was the kindest of friends.

This upright citizen and honored minister has passed to his reward. How the frailties of human plans were seen when he thought to return from his western tour and visit the general assembly of his church at Springfield, Ill., but instead he has taken his place in the general assembly and church of the first born, with God the judge of all, and the spirits of just men made perfect. Full of years and with a record filly crowning a pilgrim's life, he has entered upon his incorruptible inheritance.

Lyle Armstrong
Lyle E. Armstrong, 84, of 881 C.R. 2500 East, El Paso, died at 6:08 a.m. Friday (Jan. 12, 2007) at Eureka Community Hospital in Eureka. He was born April 14, 1922, in Panola Township, to Clarke and B. Irene Nethercott Armstrong. He married Dorothy A. Peters on Feb. 24, 1946, in Peoria. She survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Vickie (Gordon) Hampton, Lubbock, Texas, and Rebecca (Ron) Porth, Secor; four grandchildren, Rob (Denise) Hampton, Green Bay, Wis.; Erik (Rachel) Blackmore, El Paso; Keri (Greg) Dirst, El Paso; and Jamie (Sean) Carr, Springfield, Mo.; three great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and one brother, Robert Armstrong, Jacksonville, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mildred Cripe and Blanche Carr.

An Air Force veteran, Lyle served his country as a B-26 pilot and instructor during World War II. He was a member of the El Paso American Legion Post 59. Lyle farmed in the El Paso area all of his life. He was a member of the Woodford County Farm Bureau and the El Paso Farmer's Club. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in El Paso.

His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso. The Rev. David Estep will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso. Memorials may be made to the El Paso Rescue Squad, El Paso United Methodist Church or the American Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com

Myron Allen
BAYVIEW GARDENS - Myron D. Allen, 51, of 113 Garden Lane died at 8:45 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2003, at his home. He was born June 29, 1951, in Peoria to Lloyd L. Sr. and Mildred V. Adkins Allen. Surviving are his parents of Bayview Gardens; one son, Lloyd ''Sonny'' Jr. (and Sherry) of Bayview Gardens; and three sisters, Sarah Elston of Spring Bay, Vonnie (and Anthony) Miller of Normal and Charlene Allen of Bayview Gardens.

He had been disabled for many years. He was a member of Children's International and St. Jude Midwest Affiliate. He was a member of Abundant Life Church in Manito.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mason Funeral Home in Metamora, where visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour before services. The Rev. Loy Sutterfield will officiate. Burial will be in Spring Bay Cemetery in Spring Bay. Memorials may be made to the Church of God Twin Cities, 1402 Searle Drive, Normal, IL 61761.

Douglas Arvin
Douglas B. Arvin, 91, died at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at Morton Terrace, Morton. He was born Jan. 20, 1915, in Pittsburg, Kan., the son of William and Frances Mae McLemore Arvin. He married Pauline Kroenlein on Feb. 18, 1939, in Keokuk, Iowa. She died Dec. 8, 2003, in Eureka.

Survivors include two sons, Larry (Vonda) Arvin, Eureka, and Jack (Linda) Arvin, Spring Bay; three daughters, Patricia Phelps, Lacon, Rebecca (Tim) Waldeck, Minneapolis, Minn., and Marilyn Schoenbeck, Washington; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister and four brothers. Arvin served in the Navy during World War II and participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal and Okinawa. He worked as a structural inronworker and was a member of Ironworkers Local No. 112 in Peoria for over 70 years.

Cremation rites were accorded. Services were Saturday at Deiters Funeral Home, Washington. The Rev. Doug Hicks officiated. Visitation was held before the service at the funeral home. Burial of cremains will be in Olio Township Cemetery, Eureka, at a later date. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children.

Lloyd Allen Sr.
BAYVIEW GARDENS - Lloyd L. Allen Sr., 82, of 113 Garden Lane, Bayview Gardens, passed away at 6:25 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at the VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville, Ill.

He was born June 22, 1925, in Benson, Ill., the son of Leslie W. and Anna K. Harber Allen. He married Mildred V. Adkins on Dec. 29, 1945, in Peoria. Surviving are his wife of Bayview Gardens; one son, Lloyd Allen Jr. of Bayview Gardens; and three daughters, Sarah Elston of Eureka, Vonnie (Toney) Miller of Normal, Ill., and Charlene Allen of Bayview Gardens. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Melvin (Loretta) Allen of Spring Bay, Ill. He was preceded in death by one son, Myron Allen, on March 10, 2003, and one brother, Gerald D. Allen, in 1964.

Lloyd proudly served his country by joining the U.S. Army and serving in World War II.  He then was a truck driver for Advanced Transportation for 31 years before retiring in 1985. He was a member of the Teamsters Local 627 in Peoria and a member of the Spring Bay American Legion Post 1115, where he also served as a past commander. He was also a member of the Chillicothe Trail Riders and Abundant Life Church in Manito.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at Mason Funeral Home, Metamora Chapel, with the Rev. Toney Miller officiating. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Spring Bay Cemetery in Spring Bay, where military rites will be accorded by his legion post.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Lloyd's name to the Church of God Twin Cities, 817 E. Grove St., Bloomington, IL 61701. To send online condolences please visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

Raymond Aldrich
El Paso - Raymond J. Aldrich, 84, died at 1:40 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at the Veterans Administration Illiana Health Care System, Danville. He was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Syracuse, Mo., the son of George and Neoma Sibbles Aldrich. He married Evelyn Phillips on Oct. 6, 1981, in Plant City, Fla. She survives.

Other survivors include four sons, George (Terri) Aldrich, Robert Aldrich and John Aldrich, all of Caldwell, Idaho, and Ray (Carol) Aldrich, Lexington; two sisters, Marjorie (Auburn) Talbert, El Paso, and Ruby (William) Goslin, Minonk; one brother, Richard Aldrich of the state of Missouri; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Aldrich served in the Army during World War II. He was a farmer and a self-employed painter. Aldrich was a member of the John H. Kraus Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 454 in Bloomington.

Services were yesterday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, El Paso. The Rev. Tim Smith officiated. Visitation was Tuesday at the memorial home. Burial was in El Paso Township Cemetery, El Paso, where military rites were conducted by VFW Post 454. Memorials may be made to any charity.

The following obits were contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

Louis D. Ahlers
Louis D. Ahlers, 62, died at his home in Minonk Monday, following a lingering illness. He had been an invalid for the last 16 years and had been unable to do any work since he was 25 years old. When he was 11 years old he fell and injured his spine. He apparently recovered and worked on a farm until he was 25 years old and had to quit. Mr Ahlers was born July 13, 1862, two and one-half miles northeast of Minonk on the Ahlers homestead. He was confirmaed in St Paul's church in 1885. His parents came to Minonk with the family in 1903. His mother died in 1912 and his father in 1914. Since then he and his sister, Anna, had lived at the family residence together. Surviving besides his sister, Anna are another sister, Mrs Mary Oncken and two brothers, R. H. Ahlers of Minonk, and D. C. Ahlers of San Jose, Calif. The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the residence with the Rev. Paul Buchmueller, pastor of St . Paul's church, officiating.

Diedrich Carl Ahlers
Diedrich Carl Ahlers, 68, died May 12 at San Jose, Calif. The body arrived in Minonk Thursday and was taken to the Wilcox chapel where funeral services will be held at p.m. Friday. Burial will be in the Minonk Cemetery. The Re. Paul Buchmueller of the St. Paul Evangelical church will officiate. D. C. Ahlers was born June 6, 1873, on a farm near Minonk, son of Henry and Bertha Friedrich Ahlers. He attended and graduated from the Minonk schools and from Dixon college. He was in business in Denver, Colo., California and Montana, and finally settled in San Jose, where he became owner of the San Jose Typewriter company. He was a member of the Masonic and Elks lodges. Survivors are one brother, Robert, and two sisters, Mrs Onken and Miss Anna, Minonk. His parents, two sisters and a brother preceded him in death.

Anna C. Ahlers

Final Rites Held for Minonk Resident

Minonk - Miss Anna C. Ahlers, 79, died at her home at 328 Walnut St. at 11:15 p.m. Thursday following a sudden illness. Her funeral was at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Tallyn-Folkers Memorial Home, with the Rev. Edwin F. Riske officiating. Burial was in Minonk Cemetery. She was born near Minonk July 7, 1879, a daughter of Henry and Rosa Friedrichs Ahlers. Surviving is a brother, Robert, Minonk. Two brothers and three sisters preceded her in death. She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church.

Robert H. Ahlers

Minonk Man Dies at Home Sunday

Robert H. Ahlers, 90, died at his home in Minonk at 5:30 a.m. Sunday. He recently was released from the hospital. The funeral was at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Wilcox-Folkers Memorial Home. The Rev. Edwin F. Riske officiated. Burial was in Minonk Cemetery. He was born northeast of Minonk Jan. 20, 1870, son of Henry and Bertha Friederichs Ahlers. He married Ella Hartman Feb. 19, 1903, in Greene Township. She died in 1958. Four brothers and four sisters also preceded him in death. Survivors include nieces and nephews. He was a retired farmer. He was a member of St Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church.

Ella Ahlers
Mrs Ella Ahlers, 79, of Minonk died at 1:15 p.m. Sunday at St Mary's Hospital in Streator. She had been a patient there for two weeks.
Born near Secor in 1879, she was a daughter of Henry C. and Gretji Mennen Hartman. She was married to Robert H. Ahlers Feb. 19, 1903, in Greene Township. Mrs Ahlers had lived in Minonk since 1911 and was a member of St Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church of Peoria, the Ladies' Aid Society, Rebecca Lodge, Triple Link and the American Legion Auxiliary. Surviving are her husband, a sister, Mrs Emma Wessel of Minonk, and a brother, Emil Hartman of Secor. Two sisters and a brother preceded her in death. Funeral services were held Wednesday, with burial in Minonk Cemetery.

Lola E. Walton Anliker - contributed by Sara Hemp
ROANOKE - Lola E. Anliker, 87, of 1102 W. Randolph died at 6:40 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, at Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church.
Born April 11, 1913, in Browning {Schuyler County, IL} to Clifford and Iva Richey Walton, she married Matthew E. Anliker on Nov. 13, 1938, in Roanoke. He survives. Also surviving are three sons, Sam of Charlotte, N.C., Don of Hyde Park, N.Y., and Tom of Fayetteville, Ga.; two sisters, Ramona Lancaster of Industry and Mrs. Wade (Alta) Brown of Vermont, Ill.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. One infant son, two grandchildren, one sister and two brothers preceded her in death.
She was an office manager at Duroc Swine Registry in Peoria for 20 years before retiring.
She was a member of Paris Avenue Church of Christ in Peoria.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Remmert Funeral Home in Roanoke, where visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. DavidBeck will officiate. Burial will be in Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Roanoke.

Matthew "Bunny" E. Anliker - contributed by Sara Hemp
ROANOKE - Matthew "Bunny" Anliker, 90, of 1102 W. Randolph died at 11:44 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Born Dec. 9, 1914, in Roanoke to Samuel and Elizabeth Aeschleman Anliker, he married Lola E. Walton on Nov. 13, 1938, in Roanoke. She died Nov. 3, 2000. He also was preceded in death by one infant son, one infant grandson, one granddaughter, four sisters and two brothers. Surviving are three sons, Sam (and Joyce) of Charlotte, N.C., Don (and Julie) Anliker of Fayetteville, Pa., and Tom (and Marjo) of Fayetteville, Ga.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Millie Leman of Roanoke.
He was a machinist at Caterpillar Inc. for 45 years before retiring. He was a member of Paris Avenue Church of Christ in Peoria.
Services will be at noon Wednesday at Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home in Roanoke, where visitation will be one hour before. Harold Ottwell will officiate. Burial will be in Roanoke Apostolic Christian Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Apostolic Christian Home in Roanoke.

Jeffrey Scott Allen
SPRING BAY -- Jeffrey Scott Allen, 39, of 311 W. Caroline died at 2:50 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 1998, at his residence.

Born Nov. 21, 1958, in Peoria to Roger and Dorothy Bledsoe Allen, he married Sandra K. "Shayne" Bishop on Oct. 3, 1987, in Ojai, Calif. She survives. Also surviving are his parents of Spring Bay; one stepson, Shaun Bishop of Spring Bay; one sister, Tammie Allen of East Peoria; one brother, Gregory of Spring Bay; and two nephews. He last worked as a groundskeeper at Bradley University.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Mason Funeral Home in Metamora. The Rev. Dr. Joanne Cooke will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Spring Bay Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Methodist Hospice.


Danny Alvis
PEORIA - Danny J. "Dandy Dan" Alvis, 50, passed away at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at his home.  He was born on June 8, 1955, in Mattoon to James R. and Mary Alvis.

He was the oldest brother to Terry (Ali) Alvis, Patty Davee, Donna Alvis and Brenda Alvis, all of Mattoon. He is also the father of Adam (Jenny) Alvis of Arcola and Emma Alvis at home; and grandfather to Blake and Connor.

Danny married Julie Christ on July 23, 1993. She survives. Also surviving are his father, James (Diana) Alvis of Deer Creek; his mother, Mary Alvis of Mattoon; and several nieces and nephews.

He was an avid Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals fan. He loved the outdoors, hunting for mushrooms, fishing and camping.

Private family funeral services will be held at Mason Funeral Home, Metamora Chapel. Burial will follow in Black Partridge Cemetery in Metamora.

Herbert Allen
EL PASO - Herbert Wayne Allen, 83, of Kissimmee, Fla., formerly of El Paso, died Friday, March 11, 2005, at Osceola Regional Medical Center in Kissimmee.

Born Jan. 21, 1922, in Vandalia to James E. and Thelma Merriman Allen, he married Patricia Harker. She died May 14, 1972. He later married Luan Smith. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Steven (and Linda) of Kissimmee and Terry (and Maggie) of Crystal River, Fla.; one sister, Beryl (and Walt) Gerard of Anaheim, Calif.; one brother, James (and Audrey) of East Peoria; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers. A World War II Army veteran, he was a member of an American Legion and Disabled Veterans Association. He had been a consultant in the aircraft industry. He was a member of United Methodist Church in Kissimmee.

A memorial service was held March 13. Burial will be in Spring Bay Cemetery in Spring Bay at a later date. Grissom Funeral Home in Kissimmee is in charge of arrangements.

Jennifer L. Antonino - contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden
Jennifer L. Antonino, 44, most recently of Minonk, formerly of Naperville, died Tuesday at St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

Born in Pontiac, Mrs. Antonino was a graduate of Minonk Dana Rutland High School, attended the University of Iowa for two years, and graduated from Lakeland College in Mattoon with a degree in dental hygiene. She worked as a dental hygienist in the Chicago area for more than 10 years, and most recently was employed by Meyer-Jochums in Minonk as a receptionist.

Mrs.Antonino was a lover of music who sang and played several instruments.

Survivors include three daughters, Vanessa, Olivia, and Mallory; and two brothers, Judson and Joel Janssen. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church in Minonk .

H.C. ADAMS
METAMORA -- H.C. "Homer" Adams, 73, formerly of 1695 Illinois Route 26, rural Metamora, died at 8:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 1998, at Bel-Wood Nursing Home in Peoria County, where he was a resident.

Born May 30, 1924, in Lewisburg, Tenn., to Albert and Gertrude McKinney Adams, he married Gertrude Soeder in Germany. She survives.  Also surviving are three sons, Homer of Dallas, Albert of Seattle and Marcus of Metamora; four sisters, Louise Brown of Peoria and Mildred Townsend, Mary Farler and Dean Owens, all of Tennessee; and five grandchildren. Two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death. He was a World War II and Korean War Army veteran.

He was a plant superintendent for Rohn Manufacturing Co. in Peoria for 35 years, retiring in 1989. He also worked for Schrock Realty Co. in Morton. He was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in East Peoria, Rotary Club of Metamora and Peoria Real Estate Board.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Wilton Mortuary in Peoria. The Rev. Arthur Baisch will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 tonight at the mortuary. Burial will be in Spring Bay Cemetery in Spring Bay.  Memorials may be made to his church.

Deloria Agee
EAST PEORIA - Deloria June Agee, 66, of East Peoria, Ill., died at 12:02 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.

Born Dec. 5, 1941, in Essex, Mo., to Delbert and Anna Mace Curry, she married Derrell N. Agee on Jan. 15, 1960, in Dexter, Mo.

Surviving Deloria are those who considered her the perfect wife and mother, her husband, Derrell; son, Keith (Deborah) Agee of Washington, Ill.; and three grandchildren, Michael, Jason and Amanda. She is also survived by two sisters, Sue (Ray) Kelley of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Regina (Bill) Rice of Elizabethtown, Ark.; and three brothers, Jay (Regina) Curry of Vanduser, Mo., Delbert (Alma) Curry Jr. of Sikeston, Mo., and Michael Curry of Olathe, Kan. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Thoman. Deloria worked at Illinois Bell Telephone for 30 years and retired as a supervisor over maintenance repair in 1991.

She served as the Director of the International Membership Division for Gold Wing Road Riders Association for two years and held several other offices during her 10 years of membership. She also had served as the president of the Business Women's Association in Peoria.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at Deiters Funeral Home in Washington. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Metamora.

Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Memorial Chapter of Peoria. To send condolences online, please visit www.deitersfuneralhome.com. Deloria's video tribute will be posted on the Web site on Wednesday after the services.

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