U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Burton
DECATUR -- Elsie Mae Burton, 71, Richmond, Va., formerly of Decatur, died Saturday (March 15, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home.
Kitson
DECATUR -- Juanita Elizabeth Kitson, 84, of Decatur, died 5:30 a.m. Friday (March 14, 2003) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Graceland Cemetery
with Father Donald Wolford officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Graceland/ Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Juanita was born March 4, 1919, in Decatur, the daughter of Grover D. and Elizabeth A. Quinn Tabor. Juanita and her husband operated the Ben-Nita Marina Restaurant and Bar in Port Vincent, La., for 15 years. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She married Carter "Ben" Kitson on Dec. 24, 1938, in St. Louis, Mo. He preceded her in death Dec. 12, 1989.
Surviving are her children, Carter B. Kitson Jr. and wife Linda, Florence Ann Price and husband Bud and James A. Kitson and wife Barbara, all of Decatur; brother, Robert E. Tabor and wife Rita of Wheaton; sisters, Minola K. Cole of Niantic; Anna M. Tucker of Decatur; Dolores F. Randeau of Louisiana; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; three sisters.
Linn
DECATUR -- Robert E. "Bob" Linn, 88, of Decatur passed away 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (March 11, 2003) in Lake Forest Hospital.
Services will be 10 a.m. Monday in Westminster Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday in Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or Millikin University, Alumni and Development.
Bob was born June 20, 1914, in Logansport, Ind., the son of Omer and Amelia Peker Linn. Bob was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church as deacon, elder and trustee. He was a graduate of Millikin University, where he was president of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He was a certified public accountant and a retired partner of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, which acquired Gauger & Diehl. He was very active in the community, serving as president of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce; treasurer of the Lions Club of Decatur; charter member and president of Thursday Noon Toastmasters; board member and past president of Kemmerer Orphans Home, Assumption; board member and treasurer of Decatur and Macon County Opportunity for Boys; board member and campaign chairman of United Way; member of more than 10 committees of the Illinois CPA Society and launched its Springfield office; member of American Institute of CPAs; treasurer of Presbytery of Southeast Illinois; treasurer of SCORE; member of County Audit Advisory Board; member of the Decatur Public Building Commission; elected member of Macon County Board, secretary; president of the Decatur Club; member of Southside Country Club. He married Mary Katherine Ammann on Oct. 1, 1938, in Maroa. She preceded him in death Sept. 20, 2001.
Surviving are his children, David B. Linn and wife Mary Lou of Cottage Grove, Minn.; Robert B. Linn and wife Fleury of Winnetka; Martha Jurecko and husband John of Libertyville; grandchildren, Brandon and wife Lisa, Paula, Nora Linn, JR, Chris and Jessica Jurecko; brother, J. Howard Linn and wife Pauline.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and grandson, Jeffrey Jurecko.
Neal
DECATUR -- Marjorie M. Neal, 85, of Decatur passed away 4:08 p.m. Thursday (March 13, 2003) in Lincoln Manor, with her daughter by her side.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Graceland Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lincoln Manor.
Mrs. Neal was born March 2, 1918, in Bement, the daughter of Rolla and Emma Bonham Greene. She was a homemaker and served as a newcomer hostess. She married John O. H. Neal Jr. on Sept. 12, 1939, in Bement. He preceded her in death Nov. 2, 1976.
Surviving are her son, Ronald Neal of Melrose, Fla.; daughters, Marty Meister of Atlanta, Ga.; Elizabeth Almares and husband Philip of Hondo, Texas; Barbara Brammer of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Nancy Neal of Decatur; brother, John Greene of Quincy; sisters, Virginia Kennedy of Speedway, Ind.; Martha Koonez of Lees Summit, Mo.; Helen James of Decatur; Marilyn Riley of Decatur; sister-in-law, Ruth Greene of Decatur; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Larry; brother, Harold Greene.
Oary
DECATUR -- Betty F. Oary, 65, of Decatur went home to be with the Lord 1:45 p.m. Friday (March 14, 2003) in her home, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, with visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Harristown Cemetery. Memorials: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Betty was born Nov. 10, 1937, in Vandalia, the daughter of Kenneth Sr. and Thelma Keppler. She was a faithful and loyal member of Salem Baptist Church. She was employed by General Electric Co. until its closing and retired from Ring Can Corp. in January 2000. She married John C. Oary on Jan. 2, 1954.
Surviving are her husband; daughters, Carla Hunt and husband Allen of Dalton City; Shelley Miller and husband Derrick of Richton Park; grandchildren, Jennifer and Gwendolyn Ziegler of Decatur; Jacob and Lacey Hunt of Dalton City; Brittany and Jordon Torbert of Forsyth; great-grandchildren, Jackson Sinift and Trenton Miller, both of Decatur; sisters, Norma Stinebring and husband Frank and Helen Keppler, all of Decatur; Juanita Mussan and husband Lester of Shelbyville; Joann Hopkins and husband Floyd of Ramsey; brothers, Joe Keppler and wife Joan of Vandalia; Billy Keppler and wife Teresa of Decatur; Tom Keppler and wife Donna, Kenny Keppler and wife Beulah and Charles Keppler, all of Warrensburg; several nieces, nephews and special friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Johnny Wayne; sister, Mary Kirgan; brohers, James, Bobby and Larry Keppler.
A special thank-you to Dr. Wade, the hospice and all the staff at Cancer Care Specialists for the love and care they gave to our mother and wife.
Betty was the best, most loving and giving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother there could be. She will be missed very much, until the day we meet again in heaven. Bye, Mom, for now. We love you.
Paul
DECATUR -- Catherine Nancy Irene Ruby Ballinger Paul, 90, Decatur, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003).
Services: 2 p.m. Monday, Graceland Star of Hope Chapel. Visitation: one hour before services. Burial: Graceland Cemetery. Arrangements by: Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Memorials: donor s favorite charity.
Pyles
DECATUR -- Myrtle Ruth Pyles, 71, Decatur, died Saturday (March 15, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home.
Quinn
DECATUR -- Geri Quinn, 57, Decatur, died Thursday (March 13, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Walker Funeral Service and Chapel.
Stinson
MAROA -- Lela Greeson Stinson, 93, of Maroa died 11:10 a.m. Saturday (March 15, 2003) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday in Calvert Funeral Home, Maroa. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Calvert Funeral Home, Maroa, and 11 to noon Wednesday at the cemetery. Graveside rites will be noon Wednesday in Greenup Cemetery. Memorials: Childrens Mission of Sunnyside Church of Christ.
Mrs. Stinson was born Feb. 26, 1910, in Greenup, the daughter of the Rev. William Turner and Elizabeth Paul. She was a retired cook for Maroa Grade School and Mason Restaurant in Maroa. She was a member of Sunnyside Church of Christ and was a quilter and avid gardener. She married Rufus Greeson on Feb. 1, 1928, in Greenup. He preceded her in death Oct. 28, 1979. She later married Robert Stinson in April 1984. He preceded her in death in 1990.
Surviving are her daughters, Dorothy Morsch of Argenta; Elizabeth "Peggy" Turner of Ashville, Ohio; Joyce Craig of Normal; Tanya Heidgerken of Decatur; stepchildren, James and Fern Stinson of Decatur; Jean and Raymond Lowery of Derbey, Kan.; Larry and Judy Stinson of Plano, Texas; Betty and Loy Baird of Garland, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by seven brothers and seven sisters.
White-Winston
DECATUR -- Joyce Marie White-Winston, 64, Decatur, formerly of Muncie, Ind., died Tuesday (March 11, 2003).
Services: 11 a.m. Monday, Church of the Living God PGT Temple 3. Visitation: one hour before services. Burial: Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements by: J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home.
Williams
DECATUR -- Jean Williams, 70, Decatur, died Saturday (March 15, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes.
Yoder
DECATUR -- Genevieve May Yoder, 84, Decatur, died Saturday (March 15, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes.
Beck
NEWMAN -- Kurt D. Beck, 37, Sidell, IDOT employee, died Thursday (March 13, 2003).
Services: 11 a.m. Monday, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Joines Funeral Home, Newman and one hour before services in the church. Burial: Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Broadlands. Memorials: to the family.
Persian Gulf War
Army veteran. Member: Immanuel Lutheran Church and Edgar County Farm Bureau. Survivors: parents, Frank and Lois Beck, Sidell; brother, Kent Beck, Newman; sisters, Cynthia L. Masko, Fisher; Brenda Edwards, Mansfield.
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 t
he 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.
Hanna
EFFINGHAM -- Martha Elizabeth Hanna, 78, Effingham, homemaker, died Friday (March 14, 2003).
Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Johnson Funeral Home, Effingham. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Burial: Funkhouser Cemetery, Effingham. Memorials: American Lung Association or donor s choice.
Heitz
CERRO GORDO -- Charles E. "Gene" Heitz, 81, of Cerro Gordo, died Saturday (March 15, 2003) in St. Mary s Hospital, Decatur.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Brintlinger and Earl Cerro Gordo Home. Memorials: American Legion Post 117 of Cerro Gordo or Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren.
Gene was born Feb. 7, 1922, in Monticello, the son of Frank and Ruth Duncan Heitz. He served in the
Army during World War II. He was a member of the 11th Armored Tank Division during the Battle of the Bulge, where he suffered a head injury on Jan. 14, 1945, that completely disabled him and was discharged Oct. 15, 1945. He was a member of Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren, American Legion Post 117 of Cerro Gordo and Decatur DAV. He married Evelyn Tohill on Oct. 2, 1943, in Abiline, Texas.
Surviving are his mother of Monticello; son, Ron Heitz of Cerro Gordo; grandchildren, Beth Sawyer and husband David, Paula Golden and husband Darren, Stephanie Bettinger and husband Justin and Stacie Warren and husband Jesse, all of Cerro Gordo; great-grandchildren, Samantha Golden, Joshua and Sadie Sawyer and Madison Warren, all of Cerro Gordo.
He was preceded in death by his father; son, Kevin; sisters, Jeanette and Beverly.
Hempen
HILLSBORO -- Sandra Lee Hempen, 63, Edinburg, formerly of Hillsboro, died Saturday (March 15, 2003).
Services: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Meinschein Funeral Home, Litchfield. Visitation: one hour before services. Burial: Elm Lawn Cemetery, Litchfield.
