U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Michelle A. Rust, 16, Cissna Park, IL
Michelle A. Rust, 16, of Cissna Park passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Swann Special Care Center in Champaign.
Michelle was born November 5, 1993, in Urbana, a daughter of David and Rhonda Weber Rust. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park.
Surviving are her parents, David and Rhonda Rust of Cissna Park; two sisters, Jessica and Jamie Rust; paternal grandparents, Harold and Wilma Rust of Cissna Park; and maternal grandmother, Marion Weber of Cissna Park.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 22, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park with the Rev. Christopher Decker officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Cissna Park.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park and 1 hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Cissna Park or Cissna Park Fire Department.
Amanda Jo Harris, 27, Mazon, IL
Amanda Jo Harris, 27, of Mazon, IL, formerly of Watseka, IL passed away on Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, as a result of an automobile accident.
Visitation will run from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka and for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service on Friday, Jan. 22, also at the funeral home. Chris Lentz will officiate. Burial will be at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland, IL.
Ms. Harris was born Sept. 1, 1982 in Watseka, IL, a daughter of William Shane and Sandra Lynn Roth Harris.
Survivors of Ms. Harris include her parents of Watseka; one sister, Amy Harris of Marseilles, IL; maternal grandmother, JoAnn White of Watseka; paternal grandparents, William and Claudette Harris of Marion, IL; fiancee, Jeff Cromwell of Mazon, IL; future father- and mother-in-law, Tom and Kandy Cromwell of Mazon, IL; two uncles, Randy “Sid” Roth of Woodland and Keith (Verna) Roth of Milford; five aunts, Debbie (Larry) Pray, Pam (Tom) Ely, Kim Menigoz and Julie White all of Watseka and Donna (Don) Bedeker of Chebanse; and several cousins.
Ms. Harris was a Sales Project Manager at CMC Rebar in Kankakee, IL for five years. She was a 2000 graduate of Watseka Comminty High School and also graduated from Kankakee Community College with a degree in busines. She was an EMT for Martinton and later for Mazon. She enjoyed bowling in Kankakee and Morris.
Memorials may be made to Martinton EMTs; St. Jude Children’s Hospital; or Donor’s Choice.
Mary W. Jacobs, 82, Virginia Beach, VA
Mary W. Jacobs, 82, of Virginia Beach, VA, formerly of Sheldon, IL passed away on Jan. 16, 2010 at her niece’s residence in Charlottesville, VA.
Visitation will run for one hour prior to the 1 p.m. funeral service on Monday, Jan. 25, at Knapp Funeral Home in Sheldon. Burial will be at Sheldon Cemetery in Sheldon, IL.
Mrs. Jacobs was born Nov. 26, 1927 in New York City, NY, a daughter of Joseph and Laura Jane Burleson Wishnieff. She married William C. Jacobs in Elkin, NC. and they were married for 42 years when he preceded her in death on June 1, 1988.
Survivors include five nieces and 3 nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two half-brothers; and two half-sisters.
Mrs. Jacobs grew up in Sheldon. For the last fifty years she lived in Virginia Beach, VA, where she rose from a clerical position to Vice-President of Corporate Trust at Virginia National Bank, which is now part of Bank of America.
Denny Eshleman, 63, Onarga, IL
Dennis Lyle “Denny” Eshleman, 63, of Onarga, IL passed away on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 at his home.
Visitation will run from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at The Life Church in Gilman, IL where funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. Jim Harkins will officiate. Burial will be at the Onarga Cemetery in Onarga, IL.
Mr. Eshleman was born July 12, 1946 in Kankakee, IL, a son of Glenn Lee and Annadel Marie Reitz Eshleman. He married Margaret Theresa “Terry” Fernandez on April 12, 1973 in Sunnyvale, CA and she survives.
Other survivors include one son, Joe Eshleman of Chicago, IL; two daughters, Jessica Eshleman of St. Louis, MO and Christine Eshleman of Onarga, IL; one brother, Roger Eshleman of Champaign, IL; one sister and brother-in-law, Glenda and Quentin Eshleman Raspberry of Kennett, MO; one aunt, Alberta Steiner of Chrisman, IL and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding Mr. Eshleman in death were his parents.
Mr. Eshleman served in the U.S.
Army from 1969-1971 during the Vietnam era. He was owner and operator of Denny’s Sporting Goods in Onarga for 28 years. He enjoyed all school sports, which he attended as much as possible. He enjoyed many years of coaching baseball, basketball and softball. He also enjoyed working at his store and being with his family. Denny was an all-around encourager and mentor to many children.
Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice or Donor’s Choice.
Justin R. Kaiser, 33, Sheldon, IL
Justin R. Kaiser, 33, of Sheldon, IL passed away on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, IL.
Visitation will run from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Masonic Rites and Order of Eastern Star Services will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Glenn Raymond Gymnasium in Watseka. Dr. Hyrum LaTurner, President of the Watseka Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will officiate. A private Burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.
Justin was born July 16, 1976 in Rice Lake, WI, a son of Robert and Sherrie Hover Kaiser. He married Diana Westmoreland on Aug. 3, 2001 in Franklin, TN and she survives.
Other survivors include two brothers, Shaun Kaiser and Devon Kaiser, both of Eau Claire, WI and his parents.
Justin was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Watseka; the Sheldon Masonic Lodge #609; the Watseka Order of Eastern Star #217 and the Iroquois County Toastmaster Club. He was also a former board member of the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce and a recipient of the Staff Achievement Award presented by the Watseka Area Chamber of Commmerce. He was Operations Manager of WGFA Radio in Watseka, where he was also President of the WGFA Radio Breakfast Club and he was owner and operator of Creative Identify Group.
Memorials may be made to Donor’s Choice.
Dorothy L. Kamp, 89, Danforth, IL
Dorothy L. Kamp, 89 of Danforth, IL, formerly of Chebanse, IL passed away on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse. The Rev. Kene Whybrew will officiate. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse.
Mrs. Kamp was born March 12, 1920 in Chebanse, IL, a daughter of Edward and Dorothea Nordmeyer Winkel. She married Donald F. Kamp Sr. on Aug. 16, 1941 in Chebanse, IL. He preceded her in death on April 3, 1996.
Survivors of Mrs. Kamp include two daughters, Dorothy Dumas of Bonfield, IL and Carol Morgan of Palm Harbor, FL; two grandsons, Michael Kamp of Momence, IL and Donald Kamp Jr. and his wife, Korenn of Aroma Park, IL; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Lois and Norman Cooper of St. Anne, IL and Edna Witheft of Herscher, IL; one brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Betty Winkel of Bourbonnais, IL; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, preceding her in death were her parents; four brothers, Ed, Kenneth, Raymond and Robert; one sister, Marjorie; one son, James; and one daughter, Donna Hubner.
Mrs. Kamp was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse. She enjoyed music and playing cards.
Memorials may be made to Family’s Wishes
Jody M. Geisler II, 24, Bourbonnais, IL
Jody Micheal Geisler II, 24 of Bourbonnais, IL passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, IL.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 12 noon. The Rev. Brent Zastrow will officiate. Interment will be at All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais.
Mr. Geisler was born June 11, 1985 in Watseka, IL, a son of Jody and Lisa Wilson Geisler. He married Sharon Cole on March 16, 2008 in Jacksonville, IL and she survives.
Other survivors include four sons, Andrew Solis, Austin Cole and Jayden Geisler all of Bourbonnais and Jody Geisler III of Olive Branch, IL; his mother, Lisa Urban of Hoopeston; six sisters, Tasha Salyer of Hiddenite, NC, Jennifer Wilson of Fruitland, MO, Nicole Jarvis of Rosiclaire, IL, Brittiney Deaton of Hoopeston, IL, Megan Beattie of Elizabethtown, IL and Heidi Geisler of Marion, IL; paternal grandparents, Ryland and Sharon Geisler of Aroma Park, IL; maternal grandfather, Tom Wilson of Watseka; three aunts; three uncles; and sixteen nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his father and one brother, Brandon Taden.
Mr. Geisler was a construction worker. He was a member of Trinity Church in Watseka. He enjoyed fishing, boating and the outdoors.
Memorials may be made to his Family’s Wishes.
Helen M. Thomas, 89, Crescent City, IL
Helen M. Thomas, 89, of Crescent City, IL passed away on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, IL.
Visitation will run for two hours prior to the 11 a.m. service on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. The Rev. Kevin Wendorf will officiate. Interment will be at the Danforth Cemetery in Danforth, IL.
Ms. Thomas was born Feb. 8, 1920 in Danforth, IL, a daughter of William and Hannah Duits Thomas.
Survivors of Ms. Thomas include two sisters and one brother-in-law, Betty Conrad of Watseka and Irma and Glenn Scheiwe of Crescent City; one brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Sandy Thomas of Cissna Park; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ms. Thomas in death were her parents, seven brothers and three sisters.
She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Idaville.
Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or Immanuel Lutheran Church in Idaville.
Sinda S. Martin, 61, Kankakee, IL
Sinda S. Martin, 61, of Kankakee, IL passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.
Mrs. Martin was born Jan. 26, 1948 in Chicago, IL, a daughter of Charles and JoAnn Johnson Sever. She married Norman B. Green on Dec. 13, 1971 in Kankakee and he preceded her in death on Dec. 25. 1984. She then married Ernest L. Martin in 1989 and he preceded her in death on March 1, 2000.
Surviving Mrs. Martin is one daughter, Kathleen L. Green and her fiancee, Jason Hull of Kankakee.
Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Linda Sever.
Mrs. Martin worked as a school cook and was a member of the Kankakee VFW. She loved to read.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Arrangements by Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka, IL.
Wilford William Hancock, 82, Toluca, IL
Wilford William Hancock, 82, of Toluca, IL, formerly of Milford, IL, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 at Asta Care Nursing Home in Toluca, IL.
Mr. Hancock was born April 30, 1927 in Iroquois County, a son of Wilford and Pearl Euans Hancock. He married Jeanette Gier on Jan. 4, 1969 in Chicago, IL and she preceded him in death.
Survivors of Mr. Hancock include two step-sons, David Gier of Illinois and Kim Gier of Wisconsin; one step-daughter, Julie Smith of Arkansas; and one brother, Jack Hancock of Milford.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Roy Redburn; and an infant sister, Amanda Hancock.
Mr. Hancock had worked as an interier decorator. He enjoyed
hunting, fishing and working.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Milford, IL.
Donna B. Liebenow, 90, Watseka
Donna B. Liebenow, 90, resident of Iroquois Memorial Residence Home, formerly of Sheldon, died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010.
She was born Dec. 23, 1919 in Watseka, the daughter of William and Minnie (Wielert) Kane. She attended schools in Sheldon and Watseka, graduating from Watseka High School. She attended beauty school in Kankakee. She married Harold Liebenow on June 28, 1941 in Kahoka, MO. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters.
After raising her own children, Mrs. Liebenow ran a daycare in her home in the 1970’s and the 1980’s. Her love of children was matched by her love of gardening. Both bloomed under her care.
She was a member of the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Sheldon United Church.
Preceding her in death were her husband Harold and sons Dave and Steve. She is survived by her daughters, D’Ann (Bill) Hamm of St. Charles and Carol (Darrell) Schaubert of Watseka; a daughter-in-law, Kay Liebenow of Towanda; six grandchildren, one step-grandchild and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will run for two hours prior to the the 11 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Knapp Funeral Home in Sheldon. Gary Milton will officiate. Interment will be in Sheldon Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospital and Resident Home Auxiliary.
Lucille Stenson, 89, Savoy, IL
Lucille (Ryberg) Stenson, age 89, formerly of Savoy and Paxton, IL passed away on Jan. 9, 2010 at 8:15 a.m. at Illini Heritage Nursing Home in Champaign, IL. She was born to John P. and Laura (Sandquist) Ryberg on March 12, 1920 in Paxton, IL. She married Olav Stenson on June 23, 1946 in Paxton, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, Gordon, and her husband. She leaves behind a brother, John L. Ryberg of Paxton, IL; also three nieces, Carol (Bob) Nofftz of Savoy, IL, Cheryl (Ken) Mennenga of Paxton, IL and Barbara (Paul) Taylor of Ridgeville, SC; two great-nephews, Les (Amy) Mennenga of Forest, VA and Brad (Beth) Mennenga of Champaign, IL; and a great-great-niece, Taylor Mennenga of Forest, VA.
Lucille graduated from Paxton High School. She was a retired secretary for the Ford County Circuit Clerk.
Lucille belonged to the First Lutheran Church of Paxton for most of her life and served on serveral different church committees. She was a member of the Alters Guild at the Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed boating, swimming, fishing, golfing 
, camping, bowling and taking trips. Contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church of Paxton.
A memorial service will be held at the First Lutheran Church, College Street, in Paxton on Jan. 16, 2010 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Barbara Busboom officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Private Burial will be at a later date in Glen Cemetery in Paxton.
Arrangements by Knapp-Miller Funeral Home in Paxton.
