U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Michael A. Allen, 44, of Thawville, IL
Michael A. Allen Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. A private memorial service will be held at the family farm. Memorials may be made to the family.
Mr. Allen was born July 3, 1964, in Chicago, the son of Billy R. and Olga Rosenberger Allen.
Surviving are his mother of Chicago; three sons, Michael R. Allen of Ludlow, Steven J. Allen of Indianapolis, Ind., Scott J. Allen of Thawville; one sister, Michelle Knapp of Thawville; and two brothers, Bill Allen and Troy J. Allen, both of Covington, Ky.
Mary A. Peters, 78, of Ashkum, IL
Mary A. Peters died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at Assumption BVM Catholic Church in Ashkum, where she was a member. The Rev. James Holup will officiate.
Burial will be in Ashkum Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Clifton Food Pantry, the National Right to Life Association, or to the donor’s choice.
Mrs. Peters was a registered nurse for 30 years. She ran blood drives for many years for the Iroquois Chapter of the Red Cross. She was born June 22, 1930, in Hayes, the daughter of Edwin Leo and Dorothy Mary Tascher Yonke. She was educated at the Mercy School of Nursing in Urbana. She was a member of the CCW at her church. She was a volunteer for the Clifton Food Pantry and also at the Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home and Prairieview Lutheran Home on music days.
Surviving are her husband, Gerald “Pete” Peters, whom she married Nov. 3, 1951, in Ashkum; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Brent Eden of Wyoming, Mich., Julie and Eddie Robertson of Spring City, Tenn.; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Laura Peters of Chatham; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren and five stepgreat-grandchildren; and her mother, Dorothy M. Yonke of Ashkum.
Deceased are her father and one brother, Robert Yonke.
Paul E. Wright, 73, of Watseka, IL (formerly of the L’Erable Area)
Paul E. Wright died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 at his home, following a lengthy illness. Cremation rites have been accorded by the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice, Iroquois Memorial Hospital, or to the Iroquois County Volunteer Services.
Mr. Wright retired from Belson Steel in 1997 after many years of service. He was born Sept. 19, 1935, in Vincennes, Ind., the son of Prince and Sarah M. Fisher Wright. He was a veteran of the U.S.
Army serving during the Korean conflict. He was a member of the Christian Church and loved fishing and being on the river.
Surviving are his wife, the former Vernetta M. Kerby, of Watseka, whom he married July 25, 1970, in Bradley; one daughter, Debra Wright of Vincennes; one son, Michael E. Wright of Vincennes; two stepdaughters, Debra Mear of Bradley, Cynthia Blaylock of Watseka; four stepsons and two stepdaughters-in-law, Sterling Jr. and Elaine Blaylock of Hartsville, S.C., Earl Blaylock of Watseka, David and Laura Blaylock of Chebanse, Edward Blaylock of Nebraska; 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Deceased are two brothers and three sisters.
Russell H. Ball, 75, of Watseka, IL
Russell H. Ball died at 9:37 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 at the Segur-Knapp Funeral Home, Watseka, where services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. The Rev. Brian Manigold will officiate.
Burial, with graveside military rites by the Watseka American Legion Post 23 and the Iroquois County VFW Post 7450, will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Watseka. Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice, the Watseka Athletic Booster Club, or to the donor’s choice.
Mr. Ball was a licensed pharmacist for more than 50 years. He was born Dec. 5, 1933, in Kankakee, the son of Lynn and Marvel Therien Ball. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of the Watseka Elks, Watseka American Legion Post 23, Shewami Country Club, Watseka Police Commission, past president of the Watseka Athletic Booster Club and served on the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. He was an avid golfer, a University of Illinois fan, and enjoyed baseball, having played for the U.S. Navy team. He coached baseball in Little League, Babe Ruth and Pony League. The love of his life was his children and grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife, the former Pat Peeler, of Watseka, whom he married March 21, 1959, in Kankakee; three sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Audrey Ball of Heyworth, Mike and Carmen Ball of St. Louis, Mo., Dave and Stacey Ball of Watseka; seven grandchildren, Alex and Lauren Ball, Megan, Kelly and Nicholas Ball, Alex Hall and Lukas Ball; and one brother, Bill Ball of McHenry.
Deceased are his parents and one brother, Jim Ball.
Vincent J. Spies, 69, of Ashkum, IL
Vincent J. Spies died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 at Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home in Clifton. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 with a 4:30 p.m. prayer service, at the Knapp Funeral Home, Clifton. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2009 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church, Ashkum, where he was a member. The Revs. Dennis Spies and James Holup will officiate.
Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, L’Erable. Memorials may be made to Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home or to Assumption BVM Catholic Church.
Mr. Spies was the owner/operator of Spies Soybean Service for 35 years, since 1972. He had also farmed. He was born Sept. 10, 1939, in Ashkum, the son of Raymond H. and Harriet A. Mear Spies. He was a graduate of Central High School in Clifton. He was a member of the Illinois and Indiana Soybean Seed Growers Association and a former member of the Ashkum Lions Club. He enjoyed playing cards, designing and creating in his shop, listening to music, dancing and piloting Cessnas years ago.
Surviving are his wife, the former Rose Mary Trost, of Ashkum, whom he married Feb. 3, 1962, in Bradley; four daughters, Karen McNamer of Monticello, Susan Tuttle of Urbana, Nancy Owens of Martinton, Victoria Spies of Shelbyville, Tenn.; one son, the Rev. Dennis Spies of Gibson City; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and one brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Lois Spies of Champaign.
Deceased are his parents and one grandson, Vance Owens.
Edward B. “Buzz” Brenneisen, 93, of Chebanse, IL
Edward B. “Buzz” Brenneisen died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 at the Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home in Clifton, following a short illness. Cremation rites were accorded. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 with a Masonic service performed by the Chebanse Masonic Lodge, immediately preceding the noon memorial service at the United Church of Chebanse, where he was a member. The Rev. Connie Williams-Moodie will officiate. Memorials may be made to the United Church of Chebanse or to Hospice of Kankakee Valley.
Mr. Brenneisen was a longtime maintenance coordinator at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee. He was born March 25, 1915, in Chebanse, the son of Frank Sr. and Louise Balanger Brenneisen. His wife, the former Ivis M. Green, whom he married Aug. 19, 1936, in Kankakee, died Dec. 21, 2001. He was a member and past Master of the Chebanse Masonic Lodge; and a member of the Model-T Club of Kankakee and the SPEBQSA. He was one of the founding members of the Chebanse Fire Department and former assistant chief of the Otto Township Fire Department. He was a former trustee of the Chebanse Village Board.
Surviving are two daughters and one son-in-law, Myrtle Hill of Fairfield, Ohio, Sharon and Frank Barbieri of Chebanse; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, seven stepgreat-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, six stepgreat-great-grandchildren and one stepgreat-great-great-grandchild; and one sister, June Hansen of Chebanse.
Deceased are three brothers, three sisters, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Linda L. Whitaker, 65, of Watseka, IL
Linda L. Whitaker died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009 at her home. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 until the 2:00 p.m. services at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Schwer. The Rev. Matt Steendahl will officiate.
Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Schwer. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Schwer, where she was a member.
She was born Nov. 12, 1943, in Watseka, the daughter of Louis and Irma Schroeder VanHoveln.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Kimberly Whitaker of Anderson, Ind.; one grandson, Joshua Friant; one great-grandson, Tobias James Friant; and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Sharolyn VanHoveln of Milford, and Dan and JoAnna VanHoveln of Danville.
Her parents are deceased.
Elmer L. Giertz, 88, of Chebanse, Illinois
Elmer L. Giertz died Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 at Faith Place in Danforth. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton, and from 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church, Chebanse, until the 10:30 a.m. services. The Rev. Kene Whybrew will officiate.
Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Chebanse. Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice, Prairieview Lutheran Home, or to Zion Lutheran Church, Chebanse, where he was a member.
Mr. Giertz was a farmer. He was born Oct. 4, 1920, in Chebanse, the son of William and Emma Meyer Giertz. His wife, the former Hilda H. McIntosh, whom he married Jan. 1, 1944, in Kankakee, died May 31, 1995. He was a former member of Ducks Unlimited, the Iroquois County Farm Bureau and the Ford-Iroquois Pork Producers. He enjoyed woodworking and collecting John Deere memorabilia.
Surviving are five daughters, Sandra Grob of Danforth, Ruth Ann (Paul) Cartee of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Cheryl Spurrier of Bourbonnais, Beverly Basham of Lakewood, Colo., Roxann (Tom) Basham of Cabery; two sons, William “Bill” (Mark) Giertz of Denver, Colo., Robert “Bob” (Elane) Giertz of Greeley, Colo.; 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert (Vera) Giertz of Bettendorf, Iowa; and one sister, Viola Brault of Danforth.
Deceased are one daughter, Betty Lou; and one sister, Hazel Krumwiede.
Rosemary E. Eastburn, 90, of Watseka, IL
Rosemary E. Eastburn died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009 at the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 until the 11:00 a.m. services at the Segur-Knapp Funeral Home, Watseka. The Rev. Paul Copeland will officiate.
Burial will be in Sheldon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or to the Watseka First United Methodist Church, where she was a member.
Mrs. Eastburn worked at the Sheldon Post Office for 21 years. She was born March 10, 1918, in Central City, Neb., the daughter of Emory and Mary Miller Maddin. Her husband, Harry B. Eastburn, whom she married April 19, 1941, in Chicago, died May 7, 2002. She was an active member of the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and a volunteer for 18 years at Iroquois Memorial Hospital. She was also a member of the Volkswagen Club of America. She enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, doing
needlework
and playing bridge.
Surviving are two daughters, Nancy Jo Tucker of Bourbonnais, Patti Lynn McMurray of Chicago; one sister, Lu Sullivan of Arlington Heights; one sister-in-law, Virgie Pelequin of Madison, Wis.; and two nieces and one nephew.
Myron “Mike” O’Connor, 79, of Chebanse, IL
Myron P. “Mike” O’Connor died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital, Kankakee. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2009 at the Knapp Funeral Home, Clifton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009 at Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Chebanse, where he was a member. The Rev. Vern Arseneau will officiate.
Burial will be in Sts. Mary and Joseph Cemetery, Chebanse. Memorials may be made to Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church for Masses, or to the donor’s choice.
Mr. O’Connor worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation in the highway garage in Watseka for 35 years. He was born Oct. 21, 1929, in Chebanse, the son of Melvin J. and Gertrude P. McLaughlin O’Connor. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict and was a member of the Chebanse American Legion Post 48 for 55 years. He was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was a former volunteer fireman in Chebanse. He enjoyed bowling and sports. He was a Cubs fan.
Surviving are two sisters, Patricia Hertz of Chebanse, Kathleen Marcotte of Ashkum; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Deceased are three brothers, Melvin, Gerald and Rayfield O’Connor.
Milton E. Williams, 83, of Watseka, IL
Milton E. Williams died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 at the Watseka Rehab and Health Care Center. Private graveside services will be held in Body Cemetery, Woodland.
Mr. Williams was a retired farmer. He was born Jan. 22, 1925, in Watseka, the son of Donald and Thelma Zumwalt Williams. His wife, the former Georgeen M. Wilkening, whom he married Oct. 21, 1950, in Woodworth, died Jan. 26, 2000. He was a veteran of the U.S.
Army and Merchant Marines. He was a volunteer for the Woodland Fire Department for 35 years.
Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Robert Schlereth of Lake Zurich; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jim and Catherine Williams of Watseka, Sam and Cindy Williams of Paducah, Ky., John Williams of Seattle, Wash.; and nine grandchildren.
One sister is deceased.
Eugene K. Bruns, 81, of Champaign, IL (formerly of Watseka, IL)
Eugene K. Bruns died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 at the Sheldon Health Care Center. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 at the Segur-Knapp Funeral Home, Watseka. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 at the Calvary Lutheran Church, Watseka. The Revs. Donald Love and James Wright will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Addision. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran School, Iroquois Memorial Hospice or to Carle Hospice.
Mr. Bruns was the former owner and operator of Bruns Insurance and Real Estate. He was also former supervisor of assessments for Iroquois County. He was born May 3, 1927, in Bloomingdale, the son of John and Martha Meyer Bruns. His wife, the former Bernice Sturm, whom he married June 12, 1948, in Ash Grove, died Dec. 13, 1998. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Champaign and a former member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka.
Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Philip and Julie Bruns of Stevensville, Mich., James and Connie Bruns of Watseka; two daughters and three sons-in-law, Carol and Doug Clark of Sheldon, Linda and Chris Wise of Champaign, Charlie Struble of Lake Zurich; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Deceased are one daughter, Susan Struble; three brothers and four sisters.
LeRoy “Rudy” York, 80, of Watseka Formerly of Milford
LeRoy “Rudy” York died Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 at the Gilman Healthcare Center. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Milford, where services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. The Rev. Neil Larimore will officiate.
Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Milford. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Mr. York owned and operated Rudy’s Pro Shop in Kankakee. He was born Sept. 7, 1928, in Stockland, the son of John and Kate Emerson York. He was a veteran of the Merchant Marines at Great Lakes. He was a former member of the Moose Lodge. He had been a Golden Glove boxer. He was also known by the name “8-Ball” and was an avid golfer, bowler and pool player.
Surviving are his wife, the former Glenna Jean McCance, of Watseka, whom he married July 13, 2001, in Florida; one son, Stephen York of Manteno; four stepsons and one stepdaughter-in-law, Dale and Kathy Emmerson of Lisle, Don “Red” Emmerson of L’Erable, Steven Rowell of Watseka, Bill Shallenberger of Uncasville, Conn.; four stepdaughters and two stepsons-in-law, Donna and James Dearth of Watseka, Phyllis Swartz of Piper City, Teresa and Roy Kohl of Hoopeston, Judy Thomas and Bill Hoover of Watseka; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one sister, Elizabeth Turnbull of New Orleans, La.; and many nieces and nephews.
Deceased are three brothers and two sisters.
Frank R. Appelbaum, 73, of Watseka
Frank R. Appelbaum died Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 at his home. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 at the Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. Pastor Ben Stone will officiate.
Burial, with military rites by the Watseka American Legion Post 23 and Iroquois County VFW Post 7450, will be in Middleport Township Cemetery, Watseka. Memorials may be made to Living Hope Church, where he was a member; or to the Danville VA.
Mr. Appelbaum was a traffic manager for Tholen Golden Harvest. He was born Sept. 16, 1935, in Oakland, Calif., the son of Alex and Shirley Friedman Appelbaum. He was an active member of Good Samaritan Ministries. He served in the U.S.
Army. He was a sports fan and enjoyed fishing, camping and cooking.
Surviving are his wife, the former Carolyn Stone, whom he married Aug. 8, 1980 in Watseka; four daughters and one son-in-law, Debra Massey of Hoopeston, Stephanie and Tony Patton, and Jennifer Appelbaum, all of Rantoul, Wendy Appelbaum of San Francisco, Calif.; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Mack Allen and Sinda Oaks of Watseka, Paul and Tammy Appelbaum of LaFayette, Ind., Steve and Mary Kay Appelbaum of Naperville, Joey Appelbaum of San Francisco, Calif.; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Thelma Stone of Watseka.
Rollin Boughton Jr., 78, of Watseka, IL
Rollin Boughton Jr. died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 and from 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 until the 11:00 a.m. services at the Segur-Knapp Funeral Home, Watseka. The Rev. Tom McCann will officiate.
Burial, with graveside military rites by the Watseka American Legion Post 23 and the Iroquois County VFW Post 7450, will be in Iroquois Memorial Park, Watseka. Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice, the Watseka Library or to the donor’s choice.
Mr. Boughton was a carpenter for many years. He had also worked at UARCO in Watseka and operated the Marathon gas station in Watseka from 1960 to 1962. He was born May 22, 1930, in Watseka, the son of Rollin Sr. and Emma Gerber Boughton. He served in the U. S.
Army during the Korean conflict and was a member of the Watseka American Legion Post 23, where he was commander in 1964. He was also a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Watseka, where he was an elder. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, reading, woodworking and playing the piano.
Surviving are his wife, the former Vonna Knerr, whom he married July 3, 1964, in Watseka; one daughter, Evelyn Ferry of Elgin; one son and daughter-in-law, Rollin L. and Patricia Boughton of Watseka; one stepdaughter, Angela Rutledge of Watseka; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two stepgrandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two sisters, Ruth Pree and Elsie Dirks; and two brothers-in-law, Donald Pree and Dick Dirks.
Esther M. Stow, 97, of Paxton, IL (formerly of Thawville, IL)
Esther M. Stow died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009 at the Gibson Area Hospital in Gibson City. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 until the 6:00 p.m. services at the Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga. The Rev. Stanley Rapp will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded.
Burial will be in Ridgeland Township Cemetery, Thawville, at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Gilman Nursing Home or to the donor’s choice.
She was born Jan. 7, 1912, in Cannelton, Ind., the daughter of Isaac and Mary A. Daumn Seibert. Her husband, Earl James Stow, whom she married Sept. 18, 1932, in Cannelton, died Sept. 19, 1991. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Chatsworth. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, gardening and watching the Cubs and Braves.
Surviving are one son, Arthur Owen Stow of Ludlow; one daughter, Anna Mae Brown of Paxton; 16 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 36 great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mayme Jones of Rome, Ind.
Deceased are two sons, Orville and Albert; one grandson, three great-grandchildren, seven brothers and two sisters.
