U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Wood
FLORA -- Gordon Wood, 65, Flora, died Thursday (May 1, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora.
Lela Downing of Mount Pulaski dies at 102
MOUNT PULASKI -- Lela J. Downing, 102, of Mount Pulaski died 11:15 a.m. Thursday (May 1, 2003) in Memorial Medical Center, Springfield.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday in Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Mount Pulaski, with John Robertson officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services. Burial will be in Mount Pulaski Cemetery. Memorials: Mount Pulaski American Legion Post 447.
Mrs. Downing was born Oct. 27, 1900, in Cornland, the daughter of James T. and Sarah Jane McCue Irving. She was a homemaker, affiliated with Mount Pulaski Christian Church and a member of American Legion Auxiliary. She married Floyd E. Downing on March 1, 1920. He preceded her in death in September 1950.
Surviving are her son, Richard Downing of Springfield; grandson, Tom (Robin) Downing of Dawson; granddaughter, Susan Downing of Springfield; one great-grandchild.
She was preceded by in death by her husband, one brother and four sisters.
Brown
DECATUR -- Dennis Brown, 44, Decatur, died Thursday (May 1, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Walker Funeral Service and Chapel.
Brown
WARRENSBURG -- Stella C. Brown, 88, of Warrensburg died 3:05 p.m. Tuesday (April 29, 2003) in St. Mary's Hospital.
Graveside services will be noon Saturday in Illini Cemetery, Warrensburg. Visitation will be two hours before services in Illini Congregational United Church of Christ, Warrensburg. Dawson & Wikoff Colonial Chapel North is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: St. Mary's Hospital Adult Day Care Center, in care of Debbie Bryson or Illini Congregational United Church of Christ.
Mrs. Brown was born Oct. 23, 1914, in Maroa, the daughter of Samuel Arthur and Madge Ella Crane Camp. She was a farmer with her husband Everett, formerly worked at Decatur Trunk Factory and then later for Kemper Insurance Co., retiring in 1976. She was a member of Illini Congregational United Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of Women's Fellowship. Mrs. Brown was active with Rural Youth Group. She was a seamstress, gardener and fantastic cook. She married Everett R. Brown on Feb. 22, 1940. He preceded her in death March 19, 1996.
Surviving are her son, Stephen Brown and wife Kathy of Decatur; daughter, Beverly B. Groves of Warrensburg; brothers, Robert Camp and wife Vandy of Normal; Larry Camp and wife Jan of Decatur; sisters, Nina Donahower of Arlington, Texas; Maribel Curry of Bloomington; Ruth Slabaugh and husband Joe of Normal; Guyneith Fox of Stone Mountain, Ga.; brother-in-law, Robert Leach of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Michael Everett Brown of Irving, Texas; Philip Stephen Brown and wife Kimberly of Carol Stream; Christine Marie Brown of Chicago; Pamela Sue Groves of Champaign; Kimberly Ann Groves of Springfield; great-granddaughter, Madeline Renee Brown of Carol Stream.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Sammy and Leland Camp; sister, Joan Leach; and son-in-law, Oren B. Groves.
A special thank-you to St. Mary's Adult Day Care Center staff, Jerry and St. Mary's sixth floor nursing staff and her caregivers, Carol, Dorothy and Wilma.
Crutchfield
DECATUR -- Bonnie E. Crutchfield, 70, Decatur, homemaker, died Thursday (May 1, 2003).
Services: 3 p.m. Saturday, J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home. Special services: 1 p.m. Monday, Chase Funeral Home, Huntingdon, Tenn. Visitation: two hours before services, J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home, and two hours before services, Chase Funeral Home. Burial: Carroll County Memorial Gardens. Memorials: Apostolic Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church.
Leeds
DECATUR -- Charles Z. Leeds, 84, Decatur, died Monday (May 2, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home.
Van Praag
DECATUR -- Bernice Irene Van Praag, 98, of Decatur died 4:10 a.m. Thursday (May 1, 2003) in McKinley Court Nursing Home.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, with visitation one hour before services. Entombment will be in Star of Hope Mausoleum. Memorials: Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Bernice was born July 4, 1904, in Lintner, the daughter of Henry and Rhoda Younger Metzger. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and St. Mary's Auxiliary, active in the Engineer's Wives Club, and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She was a graduate of Millikin University and a Durfee Magnet School teacher for the Decatur School District. She married Alex Van Praag Jr. on Dec. 27, 1926, in Decatur. He preceded her in death in February 1979.
Surviving are her sons, Roger Van Praag and wife Jean of Decatur; James Van Praag and wife Margaret of Ballwin, Mo.; grandchildren, Gregory Van Praag of Sullivan; Jeffrey Van Praag and wife Diane of Marion, Iowa; Rodney Van Praag and wife Luann of Neoga; Jill Davis and husband Larry of Houston, Texas; Nancy Buckman and husband Glennon of Paris, Mo.; great-granddaughters, Candice, Erin and Hilary Van Praag; great-grandsons, Alex, Rusty, William and Paul Van Praag; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; great friend, Mary Lynn Van Praag.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; twin great-grandchildren, Michelle Nicole and Andrew Michael Davis; brother, Ralph Metzger; sisters, Ruby Cripe and Grace Kreider.
Bernice felt blessed with her long years of love and friendship from her family and friends. She wanted to thank everyone for the difference they made in her life and the love she had for them will never end.
Warren
DECATUR -- The Rev. Frederick T. "Mystery Moses" Warren, 83, of Decatur departed this life 5:38 a.m. Thursday (May 1, 2003).
Celebration of life will be 7 p.m. Sunday in House of Faith Church of God in Christ and 11 a.m. Monday. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and one hour before services Monday. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. Walker Funeral Service & Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Pastor Warren was born May 8, 1919, in Columbia, Mo., to the union of Lawrence Sr. and Sarah Katherine Smith Warren. He was pastor and founder of House of Faith Church of God in Christ. Pastor Warren was Southern Illinois Church of God in Christ jurisdiction prayer chaplain. He was chairman of the greater Bethlehem District and former president of State YPWW. He was also a mentor to young pastors and ministers. Pastor Warren received a Special Achievement Award on Nov. 7, 1991, from the National Board of the Churches of God in Christ. This award was for his distinguished and dedicated service as a pastor, builder and civic leader of the city of Decatur. In May 1995, he was also honored, along with his late wife, and featured in the Herald & Review by the Missouri House of Representatives. This certificate lauds them with commendations and applause for their unique ministry and for being a source of hope. He received numerous awards from the Southern Illinois jurisdiction for his outstanding leadership as a mentor to ministers, pastors and state prayer chaplains. His most recent award consisted of being honored in April 2001 by Southern Illinois Jurisdiction Youth Department. In 2002, he received a Distinguished Leadership award from Southern Illinois greater Bethlehem District for his many years of service as district chairman. He married Vera Crane on Sept. 3, 1944. To this union, six children were born. She preceded him in death Aug. 8, 1996. He married Mildred A. Warren on Feb. 4, 1998.
He leaves not to mourn, but to cherish fond memories, his wife; sons, Alonzo Warren, Marcellus "Marty" (Joyce) Warren; Darrell "Frankie" (Darlene) Warren and Fabian Warren, all of Decatur; daughters, Bonita (Billy) Hayes of Rockford; Tonyua (Todd) McClelland of Decatur; stepdaughter, Van (Carnell) Dailey of Manchester, Mo.; special daughter-in-law, Josie Warren of Decatur; brothers, Charles Warren, Cecil Warren, Harold (Helen) Warren, Ray (Cletie) Warren and Woodson (Barbara) Warren, all of Columbia, Mo.; sisters, Frances (George) Stuart of Kansas City, Mo.; Marva Jo (Bishop Calvin) Peppers of Decatur; 21 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, House of Faith love family, southern Illinois jurisdiction, greater Bethlehem District and saints everywhere.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, two brothers, three sisters and one granddaughter.
Special thanks to Dr. Paul Stanley, Dr. Ben Esparaz, Dr. Depaz, the Cancer Care Institute nurses, the third and the fifth floor nursing staff of Decatur Memorial Hospital and emergency room staff of Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Moore
EFFINGHAM -- Mary "Marie" Moore, 101, of Effingham, formerly of Paris and Decatur, died 11 p.m. Wednesday (April 30, 2003) in Effingham Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Edgar Cemetery, Paris, with the Rev. Phil Tribby officiating.
Mrs. Moore was born Aug. 25, 1901, in Wheatland, Ind., the daughter of Darius Jacob and Barbara Jane Zigler Smith. She was a homemaker, former manager of Mueller's Cafeteria in Decatur from 1949 to 1965, and a member of and former Sunday school teacher at Central United Methodist Church. She married L.P. Moore on June 15, 1932, in Clinton, Ind. He preceded her in death Feb. 6, 1957.
Surviving are her granddaughter, Marsha (Robert) McWilliams of Effingham; great-grandson, Michael A. McWilliams of St. Louis, Mo.; great-granddaughter, DeAnna M. (Steve) Langhorst of Effingham; great-great-granddaughter, Alexandria M. Mahon of Effingham; great-great-grandson, Parker A. Danuser of Effingham.
She was preceded in death by her husband, one son, three sisters and one brother.
Beal
MOWEAQUA -- George H. Beal, 92, Moweaqua, died Friday (May 2, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua.
Berg
LOVINGTON -- Galin Eugene and Sebastain Kirk Berg, infant twin sons of Shanna Leach and Benjamin Berg of Lovington, passed away early Thursday morning (May 1, 2003) in St. John's Hospital, Springfield.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wenona, with Father Stanley Deptula officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Wenona. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Galin and Sebastain were born May 1, 2003, in Springfield.
Surviving are their mom and dad; grandparents, Michelle Berg and Theresa Davis, both of Lovington; Bruce Berg of Des Moines, Iowa; great-grandparents, Anita Breyne of Rutland; Ron and Joyce Berg of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Joe and Joan Davis of Lovington; aunt, Angelina Berg of Lovington; uncle, Tyler Davis of Lovington.
Berkbigler
ALTAMONT -- Kenneth Berkbigler, 80, Altamont, died Friday (May 2, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont.
Campbell
CLINTON -- Roy A. Campbell, 91, Clinton, retired farmer, died Thursday (May 1, 2003).
Services: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. Visitation: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton. Memorials: DeWitt County Museum or donor's choice.
Cantrell
OLNEY -- Mary J. Cantrell, 66, Olney, died Thursday (May 1, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Summers-Kistler Funeral Home, Olney. Visitation: one hour before services. Burial: Maple Dale Cemetery, Olney.
Coates
LAWRENCEVILLE -- Iona Mae Coates, 64, Lawrenceville, died Wednesday (April 30, 2003).
Services: 1 p.m. Monday, Pulliam Funeral Home, Robinson. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and before services. Burial: Robinson New Cemetery.
Dawson
TAYLORVILLE -- Ruth E. Dawson, 92, Taylorville, retired teacher, died Thursday (May 1, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Monday, McClure Funeral Home, Taylorville. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville. Memorials: Kincaid Elementary School or First United Methodist Church.
Member: Retired Teacher Association and Taylorville First United Methodist Church. Survivors: daughters, Carol Dawson and Judith Dawson, both of Springfield; brother, Walt Braeuninger, Pawnee; sisters, Ada Kerber, Springfield; Mildred Bishop, Pana. Preceded by: husband, Glenn A.; parents; and two brothers.
Hood
MATTOON -- Laura Alma Hood, 96, Mattoon, died Friday (May 2, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Schilling Funeral Home, Mattoon.
