U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Stuart
DECATUR -- Howard I. Stuart, 74, Decatur, retired A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. painter, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003).
Graveside services: 1 p.m. Saturday, Cerro Gordo Cemetery, with military rites. Arrangements by: Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, Cerro Gordo. Memorials: donor's choice.
Oary
DECATUR -- Betty F. Oary, 65, Decatur, died Friday (March 14, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes.
Pitts
DECATUR -- Leatha Ellen "Sis" Kennedy Pitts, 82, of East St. Louis, formerly of Decatur, departed this life Tuesday (March 11, 2003) in Christian Northeast Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Church of Christ, North Jasper Street. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Walker Funeral Service and Chapel. Memorial services will be 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, 2913 Caseyville Ave., East St. Louis. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Leatha was born Oct. 19, 1920, in Goodrich, Tenn. She was the first daughter of Albert and Davie Carter Kennedy. She moved from Goodrich to Danville. When she was 5, her family moved to Decatur. She joined Church of Christ at an early age. She worked for La Petite, Mac's and Gibsons. She moved to East St. Louis in 1970, where she was a teacher at the Adult Education Center. She later became an instructor at State Community College in East St. Louis. She received a degree from Harris Stowe Teacher College in St. Louis. She retired from State Community College in 1995. While at State Community College, she was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges 1976-1977, received the RSVP Service award, the Certificate of Recognition and the Certificate of Appreciation. She also was an Alpha Kappa Alpha. She was a member of the NAACP, Illinois-Wisconsin States Association Daughter Auxiliary IBPOEW Temple 793, VFW Post 730 and YMCA. She married John Daniel Pitts in 1940, and of that union, 11 children were born.
She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory, her loving husband; sons, Vance R. Pitts of Los Angeles, Calif.; Victor L. Pitts of Pasadena, Calif.; Vincent E. Pitts of East St. Louis; daughters, Beverly J. (Charles) Stepney of Altadena, Calif.; Cheryl A. Sherman of Los Angeles; Sandra D. (Edward) Fleming of East St. Louis; Veronica J. (Johnnie) Taylor of Southfield, Mich.; Ramona Wilson of St. Louis; brothers, William Kennedy, Ollie (Mable) Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, all of Decatur; sisters, Ethel Wilson of Decatur; Nitzie Whitfield and Davie Singleton, both of Pasadena; sister-in-law, Leona (Leroy) Taylor of Decatur; 15 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, John Jr., Albert and Palmer Pitts; brothers, David and Theopolis Kennedy; and sister, Betty Lou Williamson.
Leatha loved to help people and felt everyone had a place in this world to shine.
Paul
DECATUR -- Catherine Nancy Irene Ruby Ballinger Paul, 90, of Decatur died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) in her home.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday in Graceland Star of Hope Chapel, with visitation one hour before services. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: donor's favorite charity.
Mrs. Paul was born May 5, 1912, in Decatur, the daughter of Ray and Emma Agnes Rothwell Ballinger. She managed a postal substation for several years. She later worked as an advanced clerk for Caterpillar Tractor Co., retiring in 1973. After retiring, she owned Nancy's Antiques. She was a member of numerous bridge clubs, including the Continental Club, and also was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. She was a past Girl Scout leader and enjoyed traveling. She married Julian Rudolph "Rudy" Paul on June 5, 1948, in Decatur. He preceded her in death.
Surviving are eight nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother and two sisters.
Bracken
EFFINGHAM -- Mildred Bracken, 78, Effingham, homemaker, died Friday (March 14, 2003).
Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, Johnson Funeral Home, Effingham. Visitation: two hours before services. Burial: at a later date, Arborcrest Memorial Park, Effingham. Memorials: donor's choice.
Brock
MATTOON -- Lyndon Russell "Red" Brock, 78, Mattoon, U.S. Postal Service employee, died Friday (March 14, 2003).
Services: 11 a.m. Monday, Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, Mattoon. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Burial: Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon, with military rites. Memorials: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Dorans.
Browning
HUMBOLDT -- Elsie Louise Browning, 84, Humboldt, retired Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home nurse's aide, died Friday (March 14, 2003).
Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Schilling Funeral Home, Mattoon. Visitation: 9 a.m. to services. Burial: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Cooks Mills. Memorials: Lincolnland Hospice, Charleston.
Crook
BEMENT -- Gladys M. Crook, 91, of Bement died 11:20 a.m. Friday (March 14, 2003) in John and Mary E. Kirby Hospital, Monticello.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in First Presbyterian Church, Bement, with the Rev. Marsha Frederick officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Roux-Hinds Funeral Home, Bement. Burial will be in Bement Township Cemetery. Memorials: First Presbyterian Church, Bement.
Mrs. Crook was born July 13, 1911, in Tuscola, the daughter of George and Lillie Oberline Jackson. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She married Lynn M. Crook on Dec. 23, 1929, in Milmine. They were married for 73 years. Mr. Crook preceded her in death Jan. 26, 2003.
Surviving are her daughter, Donna (Walt) Jones of Decatur; granddaughters, Jani Hamilton and Patti Belcher; stepgranddaughter, Renne (Jay) Hartman; great-grandchildren, Eric (Natalie) Hamilton; Tara (Danny) Eades; Brittany Belcher; great-great-grandchildren, Haley and Jessica Eades.
Mrs. Crook was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and three brothers.
Pate
TUSCOLA -- Marguerite L. Pate, 97, Tuscola, died Friday (March 14, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Tuscola.
Coartney
CHARLESTON -- Paul A. Coartney, 84, Charleston, died Friday (March 14, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Adams Funeral Chapel, Charleston. Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Burial: Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston, with military rites. Memorials: donor's choice.
Coffman
CERRO GORDO -- Shiela D. Coffman, 91, a longtime teacher and member of Cerro Gordo's library board, died March 6, 2003, in Lincoln Manor Nursing Home in Decatur.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Cerro Gordo United Methodist Church. Visitation was Friday. Burial will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery. Arrangements are by Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, Cerro Gordo. Memorials: Hope Welty Public Library of Cerro Gordo.
Ms. Coffman was born March 23, 1911, in Moweaqua, where she lived until her family moved to Cerro Gordo in 1916. She attended Cerro Gordo schools and graduated from Cerro Gordo High School in 1929.
Ms. Coffman was involved in many activities as a high school student, including the female lead in the musical comedy "Pickles" during her senior year. She also served as editor of the school newspaper. After briefly attending Millikin University to study business, Ms. Coffman received a two-year teaching certificate from Illinois State University and taught two years of kindergarten at Cerro Gordo Elementary School. She later earned her bachelor of education degree from ISU. She also attended the University of Colorado at Boulder for several summers, earning education credits beyond her baccalaureate degree. Ms. Coffman was an elementary school teacher at Wheaton and Peoria before returning to Cerro Gordo in 1955, where she taught sixth and fourth grades until her retirement in 1972. Her teaching career spanned 39 years and included more than 1,000 elementary students.
Ms. Coffman was active as a board member of the Hope Welty Public Library District of Cerro Gordo for 34 years. She was a frequent member of library board committees, including the design and building team for the Hope Welty Public Library in Cerro Gordo. She also served several years as Rolling Prairie Library System representative for the Hope Welty Library Board. Ms. Coffman also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma sorority, Piatt County Retired Teachers Association and Cerro Gordo United Methodist Church, where she was a member for more than 70 years.
Surviving are her nephew, Robert A. North of Minneapolis, Minn., and his wife Carol Gray; aunt, Opal Tate of Decatur; cousins, Lee H. Coffman of Moweaqua and his wife Joann; Lillian Halicki of Decatur; Jesse Ann Anderson of Aurora, Neb.; Stanley Jo Tomlinson of Champaign; Richard Tomlinson of Mattoon; Suzanne Montgomery of Decatur; Vance Tate of Callao, Mo.; Barbara Alexander of Bakersfield, Calif.; special friend and caretaker, Rosalee Duckworth of Cerro Gordo.
She was preceded in death by her father, Van A. Coffman; mother, Bessie Tate Coffman; and sister, Emily Ann North.
Decker
CASEY -- Irene Decker, 84, Casey, former Casey Shoe Factory employee, died Thursday (March 13, 2003).
Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, First Baptist Church, Casey. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the church. Burial: Casey-Cumberland Cemetery, Casey. Arrangements by: Greenwell Funeral Home, Martinsville. Memorials: Carmi Baptist Children's Home or Casey First Baptist Church Building Fund.
Sloan
EFFINGHAM -- James P. Sloan, 51, Jonesboro, formerly of Effingham, died Friday (March 14, 2003).
Graveside services: 1 p.m. Monday, Oakridge Cemetery, Effingham. No visitation. Arrangements by: Johnson Funeral Home, Effingham.
Jenkins
CLINTON -- Elbert L. Jenkins, 88, Clinton, retired general yardmaster for Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, died Thursday (March 13, 2003).
Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Wapella. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with 4 p.m. prayers. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton. Memorials: St. John's Catholic Church or Elbert Jenkins Memorial Fund.
Martinie
LINCOLN -- Charles F. Martinie, 87, Lincoln, retired farmer, died Friday (March 14, 2003).
Services: 1:30 p.m. Monday, Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Burial: Zion Cemetery, Lincoln. Memorials: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital or Beason United Methodist Church.
Ebel
LINCOLN -- Walther L. Ebel, 79, Lincoln, retired real estate broker, died Thursday (March 13, 2003).
Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Zion Lutheran Church, Lincoln. Visitation: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln. Burial: New Union Cemetery, Lincoln, with military rites. Memorials: Zion Lutheran Building Fund or Master Gardeners.
White
CLINTON -- Harry A. White, 69, Buffalo Grove, employee of Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers Inc., Gurnee, died Thursday (March 13, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Our Savior Evangelical Free Church, Wheeling. Visitation following services. Arrangements by: Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. Memorials: American Heart Association.