U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Christerson
WARRENSBURG -- Mary Geneva Christerson, 63, of Warrensburg died 2 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 23, 2003) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Services will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home with visitation one hour before services. Memorials: Babyfold, Normal.
Mrs. Christerson was born Oct. 1, 1939, in Decatur, the daughter of Virgil and Cora Elder Baer. Mrs. Christerson was the village administrative clerk for the village of Warrensburg for 31 years. She had also worked for A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. for 12 years.
She was a member of Warrensburg United Methodist Church and Illini Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.
Surviving are her daughter, Cindy Christerson of Warrensburg; son, John Christerson of Decatur; sisters, Joan Smith and her husband Nick of Decatur; Virginia Baer of Pine, Ariz.; brother, Edgar Baer and his wife Maryilynn of Decatur; special friend, Betty Underwood; one nephew; one niece; one great-nephew; one great-niece.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Esparaz and the nurses at Cancer Care Specialists. Mary will be missed very much by her family and her many friends.
Durbin
DECATUR -- Todd W. Durbin, 39, Florida, formerly of Decatur, died Saturday (Feb. 22, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Tanzyus-Logan Funeral Service Inc.
Gallup
DECATUR -- Mary Ellen McGroarty Gallup, 71, Decatur, died Friday (Feb. 21, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home. Visitation was Sunday. Memorials: Salvation
Army or American Cancer Society.
Riedlinger
DECATUR -- Effa Esther Riedlinger, 80, of Decatur died 5:55 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 22, 2003) in Fair Havens Christian Home.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home with the Rev. Glenn Baker officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday and one hour before services. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials: DMH Home Health & Hospice Services or donor's choice.
Esther was born July 18, 1922, in Cumberland County, the daughter of Eli Roscoe Sr. and Opal Howe Sidwell. She was a Decatur primary school teacher, retiring after teaching 35 years. She graduated from Casey High School and Eastern Illinois University and received her master's degree from the University of Illinois. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa sorority and Decatur Rose Society. She married Leo Riedlinger on Dec. 31, 1962, in Decatur.
Surviving are her husband, Leo of Decatur; brother, Eli R. Sidwell Jr. and wife Ann of Charleston; sisters, Ursa and Iris Sidwell, both of Casey; Lois Sidwell of Bethalto; Wilma Sidwell of Decatur; brother-in-law, Robert Riedlinger and wife Cheri of Decatur; sisters-in-law, Beverly Gephart Miller of Decatur; Patricia A. Laley and husband Carl of Bement; Barbara Balance and husband Ron of Oakley; Judith Williams and husband Jack of Raymond; Frances Khayyat and husband Salah of Springfield; one nephew; two nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.
Taylor
DECATUR -- Beth Taylor, 89, Decatur, nurse's aide, died Thursday (Feb. 20, 2003).
Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Church of the Living God CWFF. Visitation: one hour before services in the church. Burial: Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements by: J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home.
Gentry
DECATUR -- James Everett Gentry Sr., 80, Decatur, retired from A.E. Staley Mfg. Co., died Friday (Feb. 21, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday, J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Burial: Point Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek.
Peck
DECATUR -- Myrtle "Mickey" Peck, 83, Decatur, died Friday (Feb. 21, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes. Graveside services: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Kankakee Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday. Memorials: Alzheimer's Association or Multiple Sclerosis Association.
Powell
DECATUR -- Robert E. Powell, 50, Decatur, died Saturday (Feb. 22, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes.
Watts
DECATUR -- Warren H. Watts, 81, of Decatur died 3:40 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 23, 2003) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials: Wesley United Methodist Church.
Warren was born Sept. 16, 1921, in Fayette County, near Ramsey, the son of James and Annie Spires Watts. He grew up in the Ramsey area, served in the 3rd Armored Division during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He retired from Caterpillar Inc. after 27 years of service. Warren was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Local 751 Retirees' Club, VFW Post 99, American Legion Post 117, Caterpillar Retirees' Club, Central Illinois Vintage Car Club, the 3rd Armored Division Association and the Battle of the Bulge Association. He married Maxine Carpenter on April 7, 1950, in Vandalia.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Maxine; daughter, Peggy Watts of Springfield; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Mark Flenner of Decatur; grandsons, Christopher Warren and Andrew Mark Flenner, both of Decatur; sister, Martha Maloy of Ramsey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.
The family wishes to thank his doctors, nurses and the staff of Decatur Memorial Hospital Oncology Unit.
Hart
DECATUR -- Francis H. Hart, 81, Decatur, died Feb. 14, 2003.
Services: 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home with visitation one hour before services. Burial: Camp Butler National Cemetery, Riverton, with military rites. Memorials: Arthritis Foundation.
Butt
EFFINGHAM -- Judith Ann Butt, 56, Effingham, died Sunday (Feb. 23, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Lockart & Sons Funeral Home, Beecher City.
Campbell
TUSCOLA -- Shirley Ann Campbell, 62, Tuscola, employee of the Smokehouse Restaurant, died Friday (Feb. 21, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Friday, Edwards Funeral Home, Tuscola. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Burial: Payne Cemetery, Brocton. Memorials: American Heart Association or the building funds at the First Christian Church of Tuscola or the Walnut Grove Christian Church.
Member: First Christian Church of Tuscola. Survivors: husband, Burnie Campbell; sons, Gary Campbell and Greg Campbell, both of Tuscola; daughter, Penny Wheeler, Arcola; sisters, Juanita Elledge, Paris; Patricia Davis, Villa Grove; four grandchildren. Preceded by: parents, two brothers and one sister.
Campe
ALTAMONT -- Delbert Campe, 65, Ava, Mo., formerly of Altamont, died Saturday (Feb. 22, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Kull Funeral Home, Altamont.
French
MATTOON -- Dale Wayne French, 80, Mattoon, retired from Illinois Central Railroad, died Friday (Feb. 21, 2003).
Services: 11 a.m. Friday, Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, Mattoon. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday with 8 p.m. Masonic rites. Burial: Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon, with military rites. Memorials: First United Methodist Church Food Pantry or Illinois Central Railroad Depot Restoration Project.
Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Member: First United Methodist Church and Mattoon Lodge 260 AF&AM. Survivors: wife, Marcia French; daughter, Beth Kosar, Mattoon; son, Thomas French, Mattoon; brothers, Kenneth French, Decatur; Lee French, Bonita Springs, Fla.; sisters, Coleen Vandever, Citrus Heights, Calif.; Betty Pitre of Opelousas, La.; three grandchildren. Preceded by: two brothers.
Hagen
BETHANY -- Wayne Hagen, 67, Bethany, died Sunday (Feb. 23, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany.
Hutchison
VILLA GROVE -- Mary Wright Hutchison, 83, Villa Grove, died Saturday (Feb. 22, 2003).
Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Joines Funeral Home, Villa Grove. Visitation: one hour before services. Burial: Villa Grove Cemetery. Memorials: donor's choice.
Survivors: husband, Freeman Hutchison, Villa Grove; son, Jerry Wright, Monticello; daughter, Pat Blanchette, Manteno; sister, Jean Gustafson, Monticello; four grandchildren; several great-grandchildren. Preceded by: first husband, Herbert, one brother and one sister.
Jenkins
MATTOON -- Sierra Eileen Jenkins, 62, Mattoon, died Friday (Feb. 21, 2003).
Services: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Schilling Funeral Home, Mattoon. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Monday. Burial: at a later date. Memorials: Scleroderma Foundation or donor's choice.
Overy
FLORA -- Darlene J. Overy, 65, Flora, formerly of Louisville, died Thursday (Feb. 20, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora.
