'M' Woodford County Obits
Illinois Genealogy Trails

Lorene J. May
Lorene J. May, 94, of 728 N. Walnut St., Minonk, died at 5:45 p.m. Friday (Jan. 13, 2006) at her residence. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Minonk, with the Rev. Craig Swenson officiating. Burial will be in Minonk Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to any charity of the donor's choice. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Minonk, is handling arrangements. Lorene was born Aug. 5, 1911, at Gridley Township, a daughter of Otto and Pheobe Peck Punke. She married Harry G. May in 1934 in Minonk. He died in 1957. Survivors include her daughter, Arlene deFreese, Minonk; seven grandchildren, Patsy May, Gary May, Pam DeYoung, Ronald May, Debra deFreese, Denise Garey and David deFreese; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Larry and Eldon; four brothers; and two sisters. Lorene was a member at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Minonk, where she served as church custodian for 40 years and was a volunteer in the sewing and quilting club. She was employed as a cook in the Minonk-Dana-Rutland School District.

Nora McGuire
Nora McGuire, 79, of Minonk died 3:53 p.m. Friday (April 7, 2006) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk. Service: Private family memorial service at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded. Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: Minonk Baptist Church or a charity of the donor's choice. Survivors: three daughters, Judy (Mike) Wray, Minonk; Betty Taylor, Flanagan; and Linda (Bob) Mouser, Minonk; two sons, Charles (Jean) McGuire, Minonk, and Mickey (Regina) McGuire, Carlsbad, Calif.; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.

Alma "Babe" McRell
Alma "Babe" McRell, 76, of Minonk passed away at 11 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 10, 2006) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk.

Her funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk, with the Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe officiating. Burial will follow in Minonk Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, and for one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to OSF Franciscan Hospice of Central Illinois, 301 W. Washington St., Pontiac, IL 61764, Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk, or Alzheimer's Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 606 W. Glen Ave., Peoria, IL 61614.

She was born April 23, 1929, in Minonk, the daughter of Walter and Eva Nauman Danekas. She married Carl D. McRell on Dec. 30, 1949, in Minonk. He passed away March 7, 2003. Surviving is a son, Dennis (Betty) McRell, Kalispell, Mont.; two daughters, Martha "Marty" (Carlos) Bahler, Fairbury, and Carla (Kenneth) Nelson, Wenona; five grandchildren, Michelle (Eric) Bahler Schaffer, Melinda Bahler, Kristina (Adam) Nelson Collins, Courtney (Klay) Nelson Kelsey and Zachary McRell; four great-grandsons; and two sisters, Emily (Ray) Zivney and Clara Fewell, both of Minonk. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Martha Danekas.
She was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk. Her family was very important to her and she will be greatly missed.

Marie McKeon
ROANOKE -- Marie McKeon, 102, of 102 Placid Drive, Roanoke, passed away at 7:48 a.m. Wednesday (May 10, 2006) at St. Mary's Hospital in Streator. She was born on Sept. 30, 1903, in rural Minonk, to Fred and Edina Peters Broers. She married Gilbert E. McKeon on May 13, 1924, in Minonk. He died in 1980. Surviving are two daughters, Jean Flohr of Benson and JoAnn (Jim) Broecker of Alta Loma, Calif.; one son, Dale (Dee) McKeon of Upland, Calif.; 19 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; and one sister, Marjorie Cullen of Washington. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Michael and Robert McKeon; two sisters; three brothers; three grandchildren and one great-grandson. Marie and her husband owned and operated Minonk Produce Co. for many years. Marie was proud to achieve the status of great-great-grandmother. Marie was a talented seamstress and pianist. There will be no services or visitation. Cremation will be accorded. Burial of ashes will be at a later date in California. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Minonk is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Minonk Ambulance Squad or Salvation Army. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.

Darrel W. Mutchler
Darrel W. Mutchler, 75, of 436 Thomas St., Minonk, died at 5:35 p.m. Thursday (March 9, 2006) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk. A celebration of Darrel's life will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, Minonk. The Rev. Richard Olson will officiate. A private family interment, with military rites, will be at Minonk Township Cemetery prior to services. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Minonk, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 43 Minonk, IL 61760 for distribution to the following: International House of Philoxenia, Heritage Manor Nursing Home, OSF Hospice or Samaritan's Purse. Darrel was born Feb. 9, 1931, in Peoria, a son of Earl and Chilla Price Mutchler. He married Sue A. Lee on Feb. 7, 1954, in Pekin. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Melody (Frank) Bianchi, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Sandra (Robert) Tucker, Arvada, Colo.; one son, Brad (Barbra) Mutchler, Blissfield, Mich.; one brother, Ken Mutchler, Pekin; seven grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Minonk. He was the owner of Tooling International, Minonk. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Darrel and his wife, Sue, enjoyed camping with the Pontiac Caterpillar Tractor Camping Club. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.

Marie H. May
Marie H. May, 94, of 201 Locust St., Minonk, died at 7:43 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 28, 2002) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk. The Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe will officiate. Burial will be in Minonk Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 236 W. Fifth St., Minonk and for one hour before the funeral Tuesday at the church. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, El Paso is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ or Heritage Manor Nursing Home, both in Minonk.
Marie was born Jan. 7, 1908, in Panola Township, Woodford County, a daughter of John H. and Hedwig Kark Harms. She married Carl A. May on Feb. 18, 1932, in Minonk. He died April 9, 1973. Surviving is one daughter, Eileen Wilmoth, Pontiac; three sisters, Edna Hammond Brookings of Oregon; Ruth Olsen McAllen of Texas; and Elsie Baumann, Minonk; one brother, Glenn Harms, Lexington; five grandchildren, Karen (Larry) Stotts, Minonk; Garry (Tina) Wilmoth, North Wilksboro, N. C.; Paul (Shelly) May, Bloomington; Marilyn (Tim) Gubitz, Minonk; and Lynette (Shawn) Lee, Chandler, Ariz.; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, Howard and Delores May; a son-in-law Lee Wilmoth; an infant granddaughter; three brothers; and an infant brother and sister. She was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk and the St. Paul's Willing Workers.

Christoph Moritz
The funeral of Christoph Wilhelm Moritz, 92, of Minonk, formerly of rural Flanagan, will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural Flanagan. The Rev. Paul Lellelid will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Benson in Clayton Township. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk. He died at 7:15 a.m. Monday (April 9, 2001) at OSF Saint James Hospital, Pontiac. Memorials may be made to St. Petri Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor's choice. Mr. Moritz was born on Feb. 21, 1909, in rural Benson, a son of Herman J. and Elske M. Tesch Moritz. He married Marie A. Janssen on Feb. 17, 1936, in Roanoke. She died April 15, 1970. He then married Kathryn Lance Cooper Jan. 29, 1972. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Joane (Robert) Frobish, Springfield, and Lyla (Frederic) Broers, East Peoria; two stepdaughters, Patricia (Ronald) Spears, Waterloo, Iowa, and Susan Smith, Hazelwood, Mo.; two brothers, Martin Moritz, Roanoke, and William (Jean) Moritz, Streator; one stepsister, Elizabeth (Raymond) Seggerman, Minonk; four grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. His parents, three daughters, three brothers, one sister and one granddaughter also preceded him in death.
He was a member of St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural Flanagan, and its Mission Society. He also served on the church's board of trustees on several occasions. He was a lifelong farmer and retired in 1980.

Bernice Mae McBride
Bernice Mae McBride, 78, a resident of Beulah Land Christian Home, Flanagan, formerly of Minonk and Rutland, died at 1:55 a.m. Tuesday (Aug. 28, 2001) at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at the Antioch Christian Church, Toluca, with the Rev. Robert Idell officiating. Burial will follow in the Rutland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Aimone Froelich Memorial Home, Toluca, and for one hour before the services on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Beulah Land Christian Home, Flanagan. She was born Dec. 2, 1922, at Rutland, a daughter of Harold Victor and Bessie Marshall Farner. She married Harold Wilson McBride on April 16, 1944 in Rutland. He survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Mary (Norman) Steider, Michigan City, Ind.; and a son, James W. (Carol) McBride, Carol Stream. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Melanie K. Trowbridge, Valparaiso, Ind.; Gretchen S. Brooks, Chicago; Jonathan W. McBride, Wichita, Kan.; Daniel J. McBride, Moline; and Samuel D. McBride, Carol Stream; and a great-grandson, Charles W. Trowbridge. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, William Harold McBride. Mrs. McBride was a member of the Antioch Christian Church where she was active in the Loyal Women's Circle. She was a charter volunteer member of the Beulah Land Christian Home. Mrs. McBride attended college in Normal.

Flora Moritz
Flora Moritz, 77, a resident of Heritage Manor, Minonk, formerly of Eureka, Roanoke and Benson, died at 6:17 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 13, 2004) at Eureka Hospital, Eureka. Visitation will be at the Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, at which time a parish rosary will be recited. Her Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Minonk, the Rev. Roger Corpus, OSB, officiating. Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Memorials may be in the form of Masses or donations to the Fieldcrest Libraries. Mrs. Moritz was born in Minonk on Sept. 15, 1926, a daughter of William and Eva Knight Davis. She was married to Leland Schneider of Minonk. She later married John Moritz, who preceded her in death. Survivors include two sons, Don (Judy) Schneider, Bloomington; and Tom Schneider, Atlanta; five grandchildren, Christy (Brian) Kline, Russell (Jacy) Stine, Randy Stine, Danielle (Jeff) Hubrich and John Thomas Schneider; three great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Zachary and Elizabeth Kline; her twin sister; Nora McGuire, Minonk; and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, two daughters, five brothers and two sisters. Mrs. Moritz was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She was a graduate of Minonk High School and was a former member of the Minonk Flower and Garden Club. She loved her family and enjoyed playing Bingo.

Marie Meyer
Eureka - Marie Meyer, 92, of Eureka, passed away at 1:08 p.m. Tuesday (November 14, 2006) at Apostolic Christian Home in Eureka, where she was a resident. Marie was born on Nov. 1, 1914, in Gridley, to Joe and Ida Wenger Rinkenberger. She married Frederick Meyer on Sept. 7, 1935, in Chicago. He died on April 20, 1994. Survivors include one son, Lenard (Charlotte) Meyer, of Skokie; one daughter; Patty (Daniel) Roth of Mesa, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Orville (Elaine) Rinkenberger of Meadows: Raymond (Cleda) Rinkenberger of Machinaw; and David (Gloria) Rinkenberger of Burlington; five sisters, Esther Kaupp of Gridley; Ruth Lowery and Dorothy Harsh, both of Bloomington; Verna (Donald) Lukehart of Ocala, Fla; and Eleanor King of Pewaukee, Wis; and many nieces and nephews. Marie was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Nancy Wuthrich; two brothers, Melvin and Lynn Rinkenberger; one sister, Violet Rinkenberger; and one great-grandson, Korey Meyer. Marie was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Eureka, where her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Church ministers will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Olio Township Cemetery in Eureka. Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com

Louis M. Merdian
Henry Republican, Henry, Illinois - January 28, 1915

Louis M. Merdian, son of Mr. And Mrs. John Merdian of Minonk, died at the St. Mary’s hospital in Streator on Monday morning, Jan. 18 after having submitted to an operation for appendicitis on Jan. 9. he had been suffering for several years but it was understood that he had stomach trouble and it was not known that he had appendicitis until the day before he was taken to the hospital, when a physician was consulted. The remains were taken to Minonk the same evening and taken to the Merdian home east of town. The funeral services were held from St. Patrick’s church at 9:30 Thursday morning and burial was at the Catholic cemetery. The pall bearers, six cousins of the deceased, were as follows: Fred Merdian of Henry; William Wolf and Albert Does of Mcnabb, and Ed louis and Cecil Hindert of Minonk. Those who survive are the parents, Mr. And Mrs. John Merdian, one brother, Frank, and two sisters, Emma and Sarah, all at home. The flower bearers were Frank Hock, John Neu, Frank Stenzel, Joe Stenzel, George Tucker, Rober Tucker, Lee Jury, Stodlard Danekas, Matt Louis, George Cabal, Peter Waldschmidt, Charles Volk and Will Volk. Louis M. Merdian was born on the Merdian farm one and one-half miles southeast of Minonk on April 25, 1890, where he spent all of his days on earth. He was a member of St. Patrick’s church and of the St. Anthony and Holy Name societies. He was also a member of the Minonk band. He was quiet in his ways and universally liked and esteemed. As a good son and a devoted brother, as well as a warm friend, will be mourned.

Ann McCune
News was received here on Tuesday of the death of Miss Ann McCune from sun stroke. She had been keeping house for her uncle, John Kelly, living two miles west of Varna, and on Monday about noon left to go to a neighbor's about half a mile away, accompanied by a little girl. When about twenty rods from her destination she was prostrated by the heat and could go no farther. The little girl ran for assistance, but when it arrived she was dead. Miss McCune was well known around here, and has several relatives, among them being Mrs. M. McNamara, Mrs. M McCune, Bernard Kelly, etc. She was about 33 yers old and very corpulent, weighing about 200 lbs. Her sudeden death has cast a gloom over a wide circle of firends. She was buried at Lacon on Tuesday.

Helen Major
Eureka - Helen B. Major, 101, formerly of Eureka, died at 10:05 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11 2007, at West Minister Village in West Lafayette, Ind. She was born Sept 7, 1905, near Shadeland, Ind., the daughter of John and Kathryn Baugh Bone. She married Edward Major on June 15, 1943. He died in 1979. Survivors include several cousins. She was preceded in death by one sister. Major received a bachelor's degree from Purdue University, W. Lafayette, and a master's degree from Northwestern University, Evanston. She taught schools in both Indiana and Illinois for 26 years, starting in Eureka in 1940. Major finished her career in Washburn. She and her husband lived in Eureka until 1971 when they moved to Green Valley, Ariz., and later returned to W. Lafayette. No local service will be held. Interment will be held in Olio Township, Eureka.

The following obits contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

David Moritz, Benson, Summoned Yesterday

David G. Moritz, prominent 63 year old resident of Benson, passed away at 6:40 o'clock yesterday morning at St Mary's hospital in Streator, after a short illness. Mr Moritz, the son of John D. and Gebke Moritz, was born in Greene township January 23, 1874. He was educated in the rural schools of that community. He was united in marriage January 27, 1897, to Miss Heimke Woltzen and the couple have lived in the Benson community for the past twenty-six years. He was a loyal member of St Paul's Lutheran church in Benson. Through his life he has won many friends through his generosity and reverence to all whom he knew. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Heimke Moritz; four brothers, George and Chris of Roanoke, Henry and Hermon of Benson; two half-brothers, George Heinrichs and Dick Gerdes of Benson; besides other relatives and a host of friends. Two brothers and one sister preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the late residence and at 2:00 o'clock from St Paul's Lutheran church at Benson. Rev O. A. Braunschweig, pastor will officiate and burial will be in the Benson cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews of the deceased.

James W. Munnis, resident of Champaign for the past three years, died at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon in his home, 1201 West Clark street, following an illness of 11 months.  Death was due to a complication of diseases.

According to tentative plans funeral services will be held early Sunday morning from the home, and will be followed by interment in the afternoon at Minonk.

Mr Munnis was born January 17, 1861, in Ireland, but had emigrated as a lad of about nine years. The greater part of his life was spent in and around Pontiac, where one of his sons now resides.  Three years ago the family moved to Champaign where Mr Munnis entered the employ of the University.  For the past year he had been a watchman at the Commercial bank.

Besides his wife, Mrs Mary Louise Munnis, he is survived by three daughters:  Miss Esher (sic) Munnis, Champaign, Mrs Kathleen Deremiah, Urbana, and Mrs Marie Stiedeinger, Forrest.  The sons are James Jr., of Champaign and Vern of Pontiac.  Mr Munnis was a member of the Presbyterian church and the Masonic order at Minonk.

Munnis to be Buried Tomorrow Afternoon

A short funeral service for J.W. Munnis, Urbana resident who died Thursday, will be held at 8 o'clock from his home, 1201 West Clark street.  The Rev B.J. Brinkema, pastor of the First Presbyterian church will be in charge.

Following the service here the body will be taken to Minonk where another service will be held at 2:30 o'clock and burial will then be made in the cemetery there.  Services in Minonk will be in charge of the Masonic fraternity. (Daily Illini Saturday, 15 August 1925)

John McKay

He is survived by "Soapy's Girl", Mary Fusselman, Oviedo; daughter, Jill Clinton; three grandchildren, two great-grandsons, all of Hinckley, IL; plus many nieces and nephews.

As an owner and trainer, Jack's life was thoroughbred horses. His Shampoo For Horses is used nationwide.

He was a member of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Winter Park, FL, Winter Park Elks #1830 and VFW Post #10733, Orange Lake, FL. Private funeral services in Ocala, FL. As a memorial, donations to a favorite charity in Jack's name.

Andrew McBride
El Paso - Andrew McBride, 90, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Gauger, northeast of El Paso, early Friday morning. Andrew McBride was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Jan. 6, 1852. He came to America May 15, 1879. He married Alice Kelly in Minonk, Feb. 5, 1891. They lived at Dana and Flanagan and came to El Paso in 1909. Since the death of his wife he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. John Gauger. Beside the daughter, he is survived by three grandchildren and one brother, John McBride of Rutland. He was a member of the Federated church.

Hannah Violet Hunsinger Mason - contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden
Born Dec. 15, 1898, in rural Eureka to John H. and Hannah Ludeman Hunsinger, she married William L. Mason on April 18, 1923 in rural Eureka. He died April 30, 1981. Three brothers and two sisters also preceded her in death. Surviving are two sons, George (and Marilyn) Mason of Pekin and Marvin (and Dora) of Osco; one daughter, Evelyn (and Robert) McClintick of rural Chillicothe; eight grandchildren; 14 great- grandchildren; and one sister, Edith Linkletter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
She was a member of the Eureka Christian Church, where services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Bruce Naylor will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Otto-Argo Funeral Home. Burial will be in Olio Cemetery.

Roma B. Moreland
Bloomington Pantagraph - March 10, 1998 EL PASO - Roma B. Moreland, 103, of 198 N. Michigan, El Paso, died at 4 a.m. Monday (March 9, 1998) at Eureka Community Hospital. Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Froelich Memorial Home, El Paso, the Rev. Duane Ambrose officiating. Burial will be in Secor Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the memorial home. Memorials may be made to the El Paso Rescue Squad. Mrs. Moreland was born May 29, 1894 at Peoria, a daughter of Warren and Mary Frances Bateman Search. She married James A. Moreland on Dec. 6, 1911, at Eureka. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Loretta Tipler, El Paso; two sons, Francis Moreland, El Paso, and Warren Moreland of Janesville, Wis.; 19 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 22 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three sons, Melvin, James A., Jr., and Franklin, three brothers, one sister, one infant daughter and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Moreland belonged to the El Paso Senior Citizens Club and served as grand marshal of the El Paso Corn Festival Parade in 1996. She worked at Elms of El Paso as a cook for 13 years. She was a member of Carlock Christian Church. She attended Nazarene Church of El Paso.

Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) - March 10, 1998
Deceased Name: ROMA MORELAND OF EL PASO DIES AT 103
EL PASO -- Roma B. Moreland, 103, of 198 N. Michigan died at 4 a.m. Monday, March 9, 1998, at Eureka Community Hospital in Eureka. Born May 29, 1894, in Peoria to Warren and Mary Frances Bateman Search, she married James A. Moreland on Dec. 6, 1911, in Eureka. He preceded her in death, as did three sons, Melvin, James Jr. and Franklin; one infant daughter; three brothers; one sister; and two great-grandchildren. Surviving are one daughter, Loretta Tipler of El Paso; two sons, Francis of El Paso and Warren of Janesville, Wis.; 19 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 22 great-great-grandchildren. She was a cook for the Elms of El Paso for 13 years. She was a member of Carlock Christian Church and attended Nazarene Church of El Paso. She also was a member of El Paso Senior Citizens Club. She served as Grand Marshall of the El Paso Corn Festival Parade in 1996. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Froelich Memorial Home in El Paso. The Rev. Duane Ambrose will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the memorial home. Burial will be in Secor Cemetery in Secor. Memorials may be made to El Paso Rescue Squad.

Ella Lucille Miller
Formerly of Lake Villa - A service to celebrate the life of Ella Lucille Miller, 102, of Metamora, Ill., will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Calvary United Church of Christ, Crestline, Ohio. Interment in Greenlawn Cemetery will follow. Ella, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, left this life to be with her Lord on Thursday, July 19, 2007.

Ella was born in Spencerville, Ohio, on September 26, 1904, to the late William and Mary Mabel Sprague. She married A.D. "Pal" Miller on February 16, 1933, and was a dedicated homemaker who devoted her life to her farmer husband, her daughter, Sara, and family. She lived in the Crestline area for 43 years before moving to Illinois with her daughter and son-in-law. Ella was involved in many activities during her lifetime including the Order of the Eastern Star, Dolly Madison Club, Sandusky Township Community Club, the Craft Club and the Ladies Aid Society at Calvary United Church of Christ in Crestline. She was a friend to all who knew her and always shared her love with those around her.

She is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Garner Sickles of Metamora; her beloved grandchildren, Kari (Mike) Hoban of Round Lake Beach, Ill. and Matthew (Kristy) Sickles of Round Lake Heights, Ill.; her adored great-granddaughter, Anna Grace Wagner of Round Lake Beach; and many dear nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband A.D. "Pal"; her sisters, Flora Huffman and Mary Rhodus; and her brother, William Sprague.

"Rather than mourn the absence of the flame, let us celebrate how brightly it glowed." Memorials may be made to Calvary United Church of Christ, 511 Heiser Ct, Crestline, OH 44827 or Heritage Manor Nursing Home, 201 Locust St, Minonk, IL 61760. Arrangements were made by Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, 309-432- 2522.

Caroline Moser
EUREKA -- Caroline Moser, 100, of 610 W. Cruger, Eureka, died at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 18, 2005) at Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka. She was born Dec. 13, 1904, in Livingston County, to John and Julia Brubach Kaupp. She married Aaron B. Moser on Feb. 21, 1937, in Gridley. He preceded her in death on July 10, 1989. Surviving is one son, Howard (Imelda Acebedo) Moser of Lincolnshire. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and seven sisters. Caroline was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, baking and entertaining family and friends. She was a member of Eureka Apostolic Christian Church, where her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, with church ministers officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Eureka, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Roanoke Apostolic Christian Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Apostolic Christian Home, Eureka.

Esther W. Marshall
Esther W. Marshall, 91, of Minonk died at 8:05 a.m. Sunday (July 27, 2008) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, with the Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe officiating. Burial will follow in Minonk Township Cemetery. Acting as pallbears will be grandsons, Donnie Marshall, John Marshall, Tim Manley, John Manley, Ron Marshall, Todd Marshall, Jim Marshall, Gary Marshall and Jeff Marshall. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the memorial home.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Minonk.

Esther was born Oct. 15, 1916, in Minonk, the daughter of Charles and Anna Onken Barth. She married Clifford Marshall on June 18, 1932, in Eureka. He died on March 9, 1984.

Surviving is a daughter, Erma (Don) Manley of Minonk; two sons, Glenn (Donna) Marshall and Ronald “Corkey” Marshall, both of Minonk; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sons, James, Roger, and Charles; a daughter-in-law, Ellen Marshall; two brothers, Charles and Elmer Barth; and three sisters, Edna Fewell, Hilda McCormick and Dorothy Barth.

Esther was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Minonk. She had worked at Kurrle’s Department Store in Minonk and was an avid quilter.

Elbridge McKittrick - contributed by Jane Foster
Elbridge McKittrick, 17, son of Mrs. and Mrs. John McKittrick, of near Washburn, for many years residents of the county, west of Lowpoint on the Banta farm, was drowned Monday evening in the swimming pool at Wilbern while he and a number of other boys were swimming.
The body was recovered soon after the tragedy and the following day an inquest was conducted by the coroner of Marshall county.

The young man, popular in a large circle of friends, was a junior in Lowpoint high school last year.  He is survived by his parents and three sisters, two older and one younger than he.

Funeral services were held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock at the McKittrick home northwest of Washburn, conducted by Rev. Howe, pastor of the Washburn Christian church, and burial was in the Washburn Baptist cemetery.

The death of the young man was the second drowning in the Wilbern pool within two years.  Howard Buck having lost his life there in the summer of 1933.   The family, widely  known in the west side of Woodford county, has the sincere sympathy of all in their sad bereavement.