U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Moessner
DECATUR -- Frederick G. "Fred" Moessner, 90, of Decatur died 11:20 p.m. Sunday (May 6, 2001) in Manor Care Nursing Home.
Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday in Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes. Memorials: Grace United Methodist Church.
Mr. Moessner was born June 17, 1910, in Decatur, the son of Fred and Barbara Bitzer Moessner. He graduated from Decatur High School, Class of 1928. He kept in touch with classmates by meeting with them for lunch once a month for many years. He served in the
Army Air Corps from 1942-1946, stationed at Westover
Army Air Base, Mass. He was part of an experiment where huge wooden gliders were towed behind two engine airplanes. The
Army planned to use gliders to send in crews of soldiers and equipment to build runways for planes to land. It turned out to be impractical.
Later he served in India as draftsman of charts for the Commanding General. After that hitch, he served on several islands in the Pacific Ocean. The atomic bomb was delivered on a warship to his island, narrowly avoiding Japanese intervention. The bomb was sent almost immediately by
Army Air Corps bombers and dropped or large groups of soldiers would be sent to invade Japan. There was housing being built on the island for 14,000 troops.
Fred was employed for several years in sales for Morehouse & Wells Wholesale, which was located at 805 N. Morgan. The company served Central Illinois and their retail outlet at 250 E. William St. He was a member of the Optimist Club with 63 years of perfect attendance, life member of Elks Club, Grace United Methodist Church for 52 years, Prairie Capitol Corvair Association for 15 years. For several years, he showed his Corvairs in Hickory Point Mall, Normal, and Secretary of State Auto Show. His Corvair Rampside was his favorite vehicle. He married Dorothy Richardson Oct. 13, 1940, in St. Louis, Mo. She preceded him in death Oct. 5, 1989.
Surviving are great-nieces, Vickie Taylor of Bourbon; Becky Harned and husband Raymond of Tuscola; nephew, Bob Hendrickson and wife Madeline of Chesterville.
He was preceded in death by his wife, two sisters and one brother.
Greer
DECATUR -- Priscilla Dean Greer, 79, Decatur, former employee of New Art Beauty Salon, died Friday (May 4, 2001).
Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, St. John's Lutheran Church. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, one hour before services in the church. Burial: Graceland Cemetery. Memorials: to the family.
Otto
DECATUR -- Agnes Otto, 88, Decatur, formerly of Streator, employed Owens Illinois Glass Co., died Saturday (May 5, 2001).
Services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Elias Funeral Home, Streator. Visitation: two hours before services. Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Streator. Memorials: donor's choice.
Taylor
DECATUR -- Prince Eddie Taylor, 94, Decatur, died Wednesday (May 2, 2001).
Services: noon Friday, First Church of God in Christ. Visitation: one hour before services. Burial: Taylor Cemetery, Brownsville, Tenn. Arrangements by: Walker Funeral Service and Chapel.
Vail
DECATUR -- Richard L. Vail, 70, Moweaqua, formerly of Decatur, retired from A.E. Staley Mfg. Co., died Saturday (May 5, 2001).
Graveside services: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Westside Cemetery, Moweaqua, with military rites. Visitation: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dawson & Wikoff Colonial Chapel North. Memorials: St. John's Hospital Home Health Services.
Akers
CLINTON -- Jonathon Len Akers, 28, Clinton, died Saturday (May 5, 2001).
Services: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. Visitation: two hours before services. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton. Memorials: Jonathon Akers Memorial Fund.
Booty
MONTICELLO -- George Ray Booty, 77, Monticello, retired from General Cable Co., died Monday (May 7, 2001). Member: Monticello United Methodist Church and Monticello Masonic Lodge 58 AF & AM. Survivors: wife, Norma; son, Steven Stoerger, Seymour; daughters, Cherlyon Nesom, Denham Springs, La.; Patricia Howard, Monticello; sisters, Edith Rushing, Kentwood, La.; Louise Sylvest, Franklinton, La.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Preceded by: parents and one sister.
Memorial services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Monticello United Methodist Church. Visitation: one hour before services. Burial: Monticello Township Cemetery, with military rites. Arrangements by: Mackey-Wright Funeral Home, Monticello. Memorials: Monticello United Methodist Church or Kirby Hospital Garden Project.
Burrus
PANA -- Bertha M. Burrus, 94, Pana, died Saturday (May 5, 2001). Arrangements incomplete: Wallace-Carroll Funeral Home, Herrick.
Conring
LINCOLN -- Catherine Conring, 88, Chenoa, formerly of Lincoln, retired from Lincoln Developmental Center, died Monday (May 7, 2001).
Services: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Burial: Zion Cemetery, Lincoln. Memorials: Meadows Mennonite Retirement Home, Chenoa.
Covington
CLINTON -- Curtis W. Covington, 86, of Clinton died 3:06 a.m. Sunday (May 6, 2001) in Maple Ridge Care Center, Lincoln.
Funeral Mass will be 2 p.m. Thursday in St. John's Catholic Church, Clinton, with the Rev. Fr. Ben Rodriguez officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with 7:30 p.m. rosary service. Burial will be in Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton. Memorials: donor's choice.
Mr. Covington was born Feb. 24, 1915, in Clinton, the son of Arthur and Mary Raglin Covington. He was a retired 30-year employee from both Clinton School District and First National Bank in Clinton. He was a member of NRA and an avid Chicago baseball fan. He was affiliated with St. John's Catholic Church. He married Susie B. Barnett in 1945 in Chicago. She passed away Jan. 2, 1998.
Surviving are his son, A.J. Covington of Clinton; grandson, Wellen Covington of Clinton; sisters, Alberta Readye of Decatur; Dorothy Gorens of Clinton; nephew, James McGavock Jr. (Grace) of Urbana; nieces, Adeline Farr (James) of Gary, Ind.; Sandra Livingston (Duane) of Peoria; Meba Jackson (Preston) of Peoria; Mary Campbell of Chicago; Ann Shirley (Lee) Saulsberry of Chicago.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.
Kiefer
FILLMORE -- Robert W. Kiefer, 84, Fillmore, farmer, died Sunday (May 6, 2001).
Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, St. Barbara's Catholic Church, Witt. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Homes, Witt. Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Nokomis.
Bowen
ROBINSON -- Leonard D. Bowen, 72, Robinson, died Monday (May 7, 2001). Arrangements incomplete: Pulliam Funeral Homes, Robinson.
Canter
LITCHFIELD -- Lucille "Clara" Canter, 75, Litchfield, nurse's aide, died Sunday (May 6, 2001).
Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Meinschein Funeral Home, Litchfield. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Burial: Crabtree Cemetery, Litchfield. Memorials: Carlinville Hospice or Montgomery County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Cook
KINCAID -- Joyce Lee Cook, 63, Kincaid, homemaker, died Saturday (May 5, 2001).
Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Tucker Funeral Home, Central City, Ky. Visitation: 6:30 p.m. Monday. Burial: Fairmount Cemetery, Central City.
Dance
MOWEAQUA -- Donald E. Dance, 78, of Moweaqua, died 5:15 p.m. Saturday (May 5, 2001) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, with Mark Weber officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday with 8 p.m. Masonic rites. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery, Moweaqua, with military honors by Moweaqua American Legion Post 370. Memorials: Kemmerer Village, Assumption.
Mr. Dance was born Feb. 10, 1923, in Paris, the son of Glen and Della Gross Dance. He retired from A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. in 1981. He was a member of Moweaqua First Christian Church, Stephen Decatur 979 AF & AM, Springfield Consistory, Ansar Shrine, Springfield, Decatur Council 16, Macon Chapter 21 RAM, Beaumanoir Commandry 9 and American Legion Post 370 in Moweaqua. He was a World War II Navy veteran. He married Elaine Cook Dec. 22, 1961, in Crown Point, Ind. She preceded him in death Feb. 24, 1998.
Surviving are his sons, David, Ronald and Russell, all of Moweaqua; daughter, Donnette Beckett of Moweaqua; seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sons, Robert and Richard, and daughter, Donna Sue.
