U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Bernice M. Hagan, 86, Kentland, IN
Bernice M. Hagan, 86, of Kentland, IN, formerly of Sheldon, IL passed away on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka.
Visitation will run from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11 at Knapp Funeral Home in Sheldon and for 1 hour prior to the 11 a.m. service on Tuesday, Jan. 12, also at the funeral home. Pastor Ken Marsh will officiate. Burial will be at Sheldon Cemetery in Sheldon, IL.
Mrs. Hagan was born Feb. 7, 1923 in Brook, IN, a daughter of Gray and Sadie Breese Cole. She married Albert A. Hagan on April 27, 1941 in Lafayette, IN. He preceded her in death on June 1, 1983.
Survivors of Mrs. Hagan include two daughters, Betty Long of Sheldon and Mary Jo Hagan of Crown Point, IN; one grandson, Ryan Patrick Long and his fiancee, Catherine Cooke, of Indianapolis, IN; two sisters-in-law, Donna Cole of Brook, IN and Ellen Hagan of California; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Robert Cole; and two sisters, Mary Ownbey and Janice Laird (her twin sister).
Mrs. Hagan was a homemaker. She was a member of the Sheldon Church of Christ and Kentland American Legion Auxilary. She loved to play cards.
Memorials may be made to Donor’s Choice.
Charles A. Clawson, 84, Watseka, IL
Charles A. Clawson, 84, of Watseka, IL passed away on Friday, Jan. 8, 2010 at Gilman Healthcare Center in Gilman, IL.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12. The Rev. Joe Dapelo will officiate. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Watseka.
Mr. Clawson was born Nov. 4, 1925 in McEwen, TN, a son of Allen and Esther Spring Clawson. He married Norma Pardy on March 30, 1957 in Watseka and she survives.
Other survivors of Mr. Clawson include one daughter, Deana Clawson of Watseka; one sister, Eloise Gray of Watseka; one sister-in-law, Vivian Pardy, of Watseka; one grandson, Garrett White of Watseka; and serveral nieces and nephews.
Preceding Mr. Clawson in death were his parents; one sister, Rita Raymond; and one son, Danny Clawson.
Mr. Clawson served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Watseka and the Watseka V.F.W. He retired from Iroquois Paving Corp. after 30 years of service. He enjoyed coin collecting and antiques.
Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or Donor’s Choice.
Ruth M. Clausen, 80, Chebanse, IL
Ruth M. Clausen passed away on Jan. 6, 2010 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL.
Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton and for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service on Monday, Jan. 11 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse. The Rev. Kene Whybrew will officiate. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse.
Mrs. Clausen was born Sept. 12, 1929 in Aurora, IL, a daughter of Arthur and Hattie Moeller Holldorf. She married Walter W. Clausen on June 1, 1957 in Aurora, IL. He preceded her in death on Jan. 21, 2002.
Survivors of Mrs. Clausen include two sons and one daughter-in-law, Kenneth Clausen of Chebanse and Jim and Christine Clausen of Geneva, IL and two grandchildren, Caity and Tanner Clausen.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.
Mrs. Clausen had been an elementary teacher. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse, the Ladies Aid Society and Senior Citizens of Kankakee. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, traveling with her senior citizen companions and playing cards.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse.
Edna E. Prather, 94, Clifton, IL
Edna E. Prather, 94, of Clifton, IL passed away on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 at the Gilman Healthcare Center in Gilman, IL.
Visitation will run from 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6 until the 2 p.m. service at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. The Rev. Steve Hartman will officiate. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse.
Mrs. Prather was born May 21, 1915 in Topeka, KS, a daughter of James and Myrtle Lavina Roberts. She married Orville Prather on Aug. 16, 1948 in Marion, IN. He preceded her in death on Oct. 19, 1998.
Survivors of Mrs. Prather include one daughter-in-law, Jeanette Fate of Clifton; four grandchildren, Juanette and Gary Hemp of Ashkum, Judy and Richard Howell and Joanne Meents of Bourbonnais, and Jimmie F. and Mary Fate of Clifton; seven great-grandchildren; thirteen great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; one sister; and one son, Jimmie.
Mrs. Prather was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ashkum and the Chebanse Order of the Eastern Star.
Memorials may be made to Family’s Wishes.
Shirley A. Savoree, 74, Chicago, IL
Shirley A. Savoree, 74, of Chicago, IL, formerly of Watseka, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL.
Visitation will run from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka and from 9 a.m. on Wed. , Jan. 6 until the 10 a.m. service, also at the funeral home. Pastor Claude Mariottini will officiate. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.
Mrs. Savoree was born July 29, 1935 in Petersburg, IL, a daughter of Marshall and Irene Gum McGary. She married Joseph O. Savoree on May 1, 1952 in Watseka. He preceded her in death on July 21. 1997.
Survivors of Mrs. Savoree include four daughters and two sons-in-law, Brenda and Andrew Ramirez, Debra Muniz, and Marsha Savoree, all of Chicago and Janice and Rick Jessie of Sheldon; two sisters, Carol Wessels of Woodland and Sheila Corke of Watseka; one brother, Bennett Willis of Watseka; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert and Bill McGary; and one son, Ronald Savoree.
Mrs. Savoree was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Chicago. She enjoyed needle-pointing, music and dancing.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.
Ruth E. Sheldon, 83, Clifton, IL
Ruth E. Sheldon, 83, of Clifton, IL passed away on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010 at the Gilman Nursing Center in Gilman, IL.
Cremation rites were accorded with Burial at the Clifton Cemetery in Clifton, IL.
Mrs. Sheldon was born January 7, 1926 in Hidalgo, IL, a daughter of Elza and Emma Lytle Goldsby. She married Charles E. Sheldon on July 16, 1950 in Gilman. He preceded her in death on Dec. 22, 2002.
Survivors of Mrs. Sheldon include one sister, Bethel Murray of Danforth, IL; and three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Earl Goldsby of San Diego, CA, Gene and Ruth Goldsby and Charles and Mary Ann Goldsby all of Gilman.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Mrs. Sheldon had been a seamstress in a furniture factory.
Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton was in charge of arrangements.
Louise Drayer Manz, 93, Cissna Park, IL
Louise Drayer Manz, age 93, of Cissna Park, passed away at 11:40 pm, Jan. 2, 2010 at her daughter’s home in Princeville, IL. She was born on April 18, 1916 near Cissna Park, IL., a daughter of William and Lizzie Neukomm Farney. Louise married Samuel Drayer Sr. in Watseka on April 15, 1936 and he preceded her in death on Sept. 27, 1972. She later married Emanuel Manz in Cissna Park in July 1975 and he preceded her in death on May 6, 1997.
Survivors include three sons & daughters-in-law, Bill and Judie Drayer of Cissna Park, Samuel and Anne Drayer Jr. of Rankin, and Wayne and Gloria Drayer of Fairbury; four daughters & sons-in-law, Helen and Elmer Burgett of Goodwine, Edna Martin of Princeville, Velma and Wayne Ekhoff of Crescent City, and Mabel and Phil Evans of White, GA; son-in-law, Randall Verkler of Cissna Park; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Clara Bodager and Lucille and Frank Baker all of Jeromesville, OH, Martha Farney of East Lynn and Marjorie and Frederick Knapp of Congerville; two step-sons, Ron and Merrie Beth Manz of Union, MO and Paul and Sandra Manz of Paulding, OH; three step-daughters, Vergina Manz and Viola Manz both of Paulding, OH, Helen and Pete Hurd of Haviland, OH. Also surviving are forty-five grandchildren, seventy great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Louise was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; seven sisters; one daughter, Diane Verkler; one great-grandson, Trey Luecke and one step-great-grandson.
She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Cissna Park and she enjoyed quilting, baking and playing Yahtzee.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wed., Jan. 6, at the Apostolic Christian Church in Cissna Park with the ministers of the church officiating. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Burial will be in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Cissna Park. Memorials may be made to the Apostolic Christian Church or Methodist Hospice.
Edith I. Bailey, 93, Onarga, IL
Edith I. Bailey, 93, of Onarga, IL passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, IL.
Visitation will run from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31 at Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga, where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 1. Rev. Neil Larimore will officiate. Burial will be at Onarga Cemetery.
Mrs. Bailey was born March 23, 1917 in LeRoy, IL, a daughter of Orba and Amanda E. Barton Scott. She married Charles F. Bailey on May 3, 1931 in Earl Park, IN and he preceded her in death on Sept. 10, 1975.
Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Charles O. and Alice Bailey and Dale J. and Dianne Bailey all of Onarga, Harvey D. and Sandi Bailey of Peoria, AZ and Richard K. and Marlene Bailey of Sadorus, IL; two daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, Eileen K. and Arthur Hovick of Arlington and Wendy and Richard Harms of Roberts; twenty-four grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; two sisters; two sons, Paul L. Bailey and Francis E. Bailey; and one daughter, Irene Faye.
Mrs. Bailey was a member of Onarga Christian Church and the VFW Auxiliary in Onarga. She enjoyed flower gardens.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Lois L. Sawyer, 89, Cissna Park, IL
Lois L. Sawyer, 89, of Cissna Park, IL passed away on Friday, March 26, 2010 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, IL.
Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Cissna Park United Methodist Church in Cissna Park. Rev. Janet Longtin will officiate. Burial will be at Onarga Cemetery.
Mrs. Sawyer was born Feb. 2, 1921 in Danforth, IL, a daughter of James and Harriett Hoel Lee. She married William Dannehl on Aug. 29, 1942 in Bowling Green, MO and he preceded her in death on July 5, 1956. She later married Fred Sawyer on March 6, 1959 in Onarga and he preceded her in death on Oct. 13, 1997.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Cary and Val Dannehl of Cissna Park; one daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and William Hancock of Wayne, NJ; and two grandchildren, Cole Dannehl and Mackenzie Dannehl.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, James Lee; and one sister, Opal Frye.
Mrs. Sawyer was a member of Onarga United Methodist Church and the VFW Auxiliary.
Memorials may be made to Cissna Park United Methodist Church or Gilman Nursing Home.
Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga.
Evelyn Hemp-Swanson, Waupaca, WI
Memorial services for Evelyn Hemp-Swanson of Waupaca, WI, formerly of the Clifton area, will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2010 with public services at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wild Rose, WI. Services locally will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Clfton, IL. The Rev. William Callister will officiate. A time of fellowship will follow immediately following the sevices in the Church parish hall. Interment of Ashes will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Danforth Cemetery. Mrs. Swanson died following a prolonged heart condition while hospitalized in Wisconsin.
Her parents Arthur J. and Carrie A. Lehnie Rantz are deceased, as are sisters, Amelia and Lucille; brothers, Raymond, Daniel, Earl and James; one son, Allan; and her first husband, Durl William Hemp, whom she had married on Jan. 2, 1951. Surviving are her second husband, Ronald Swanson of Wisconsin; sons Rick and Debra Hemp of Clifton, IL and Robin and Kimberly Hemp of Waupaca, WI; six grandchildren, Jason (Cara) Hemp, Chad (Amy) Hemp, Anthony (Katie) Hemp, Alison (Nathan) Meadows, Holly Hemp and Ryan Hemp; eight great-grandchildren, Lorne Hemp, Lena Hemp, Wesley Hemp, Tori Hemp, Sidney Hemp, Isabelle Hemp, Clayton Hemp and Saxon Meadows; daughter-in-law, Judy Hemp; sisters, Martha and Dorothy; and one brother, Walter.
Mrs. Hemp-Swanson worked in several job fields including seamstress at Bear Brand Hosiery in the 1950’s, Dietary Supervisor at Central Hospital in Clifton in the 1960’s, and as a candy maker at Bowlbys in the 1970’s. She also owned her own craft store in Blaine, WI and was also employed at Hoerschners Craft Manufacturing in the 1980’s and at Clarks Hardware Store in the 1990’s.
She enjoyed painting, flower gardening and sewing, not only during her working career but also in retirement.
Local arrangements are by Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.
Dale A. Hull, 63, Thawville, IL
Dale A. Hull, 63, of Thawville, IL passed away Saturday, March 27 at Gibson Areal Hospital following a short illness. Cremation rites have been accorded. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 30 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton from 4 until the 7 p.m. memorial service. Pastor Joe Hughes will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials for the family’s wishes.
Mr. Hull was born Jan. 13, 1947 at Portland, OR, the son of Melvin and Orpha Nelson Hull. He married the former Janit Aldous at Kankakee, IL on Sept. 26, 1991 and she survives in Thawville. Also surviving are children Tony (Kristina) Hull of Fleming Island, FL, Robin Hull of Woodland, IL, Jeanette Hull and Shelly Hull both of Sheldon, IL, Brandy (Kira) Hull of St. Anne, IL and Deanna Hull of Momence, IL. Step-children Alicia Weber of St. Anne, IL, Robert Hull of Chicago, IL, Barry Hull of CT, Gayleen (Randy) Spry of Bradley, IL, Jamie (Trena) Rasmussen of Danforth, IL, Gregg (Sarah) Rasmussen of Clifton, IL, Josh (Jennifer) Rasmussen of Momence, IL, Raymond (Julie) Hop of Momence, IL and William (Devon) Hop of Kentland, IN. There are 34 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, one foster daughter, Debbie (John) Zalite and 2 brothers, Lonnie Hull and Leland Hull both of Momence, IL, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are special friends, Scott and Kayla Allen, Claude and Donna Wildmen and Tim Evans. Deceased are his parents, brothers Les and Larry Hull, sister, Lois Hoover and one son, Michael Hull.
Mr. Hull had been a laborer and farm hand. He was of the Nazarene faith and an active member of the Lakota Sioux tribe. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and
hunting and belonged to the North American Hunting Club. He also liked NASCAR racing.
Elsie M. Howard, 95, Woodland, IL
Elsie M. Howard, 95, of Woodland, IL passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka.
Visitation will run from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, March 26 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 27. Joe Hughes will officiate. Burial will be at Body Cemetery in Woodland.
Mrs. Howard was born June 26, 1914 in West Plains, MO, a daughter of William Asa and Grace Ellen Stephenson Redburn. She married Fred B. Howard on Sept. 20, 1936 in Watseka and he preceded her in death on July 30, 1994.
Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law, Gloria and Henry Trumann of Milford and Glenda Huff of Kankakee; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Ervin and JoAnn Howard of Watseka and Gary Howard of Prior Lake, MN; one sister, Margaret Morgan of Watseka; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; three sisters; one son, Glen; one granddaughter, Lisa; and two sons-in-law, Robert Mann and Richard Huff.
Mrs. Howard was a member of the VFW Auxiliary #7450 in Watseka. She was a member of Friends Church in Watseka and also attended Woodland United Methodist Church. She enjoyed gardening and traveling. She loved her grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Woodland United Methodist Church or Catholic Charities.
