U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Walter E. Olson, 95, Milford, IL
Walter E. Olson, 95, of Milford, IL passed away on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 at the Danville V.A. Hospital in Danville, IL.
Visitation will run from 10 a.m. until the 12 p.m. service on Thursday, Aug. 12, at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford, IL. Rev. Ed Stone will officiate. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Indianola, IL. military graveside rites will be conducted by Danville American Legion Post #210.
Mr. Olson was born March 4, 1915 in Danville, IL, a son of Carl August and Anna Atalia Olson. He married Lorraine J. Cheney on July 15, 1946 in Watseka, IL and she preceded him in death on Jan. 19, 1999.
Survivors include one daughter, Louise Andre of Danville, IL; three grandchildren, Monty Andre of Draper, VA, Troy Andre of Ashville, NC and Jay Andre of Bradenton, FL; three nephews, Nathan Cheney of Sidell, IL, John Allen of Austin, TX and Jack Olson of Denver, CO; three nieces, Judy Gasaway of Alton, NM, Beth Harper of Longview, IL and Ann Bogardus of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; and six great-granchildren.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Herbert Olson and John Evar Olson; and one sister, Helen Olson.
Mr. Olson served in the US Air Force during WWII and was a member of the Danville American Legion Post #210 for sixty-five years, the Iroquois County VFW Post #7450 and the Watseka Elks Lodge. He was an avid golf fan and Cubs fan. He served on the Milford Town Board for many years and was owner/operator of The Milford Drug Sundries for over 25 years.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, Our Savior Lutheran Church or Danville American Legion Post #210.
Pearl F. Hamilton, 77, Watseka, IL
Pearl F. Hamilton, 77, of Watseka, IL passed away on Friday, Aug. 6, 2010 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka.
Visitation will run from 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11, until the 1:30 p.m. service at the First Christian Church in Watseka. Rev. Wayne Meyer will officiate. Burial will be at Sheldon Cemetery in Sheldon, IL.
Mrs. Hamilton was born Sept. 28, 1932 in Somerset, KY, a daughter of Ernest and Foxie Ethel Stigall Flynn. She married Cecil Hamilton on Jan. 6, 1953 in Somerset, KY and he preceded her in death on May 20, 1997.
Survivors include one daughter, Ponda Fiedler and husband, Davis, of Phoenix, AZ; one son, Randy Hamilton and wife, Monica, of Pleasanton, CA; one sister, Irene Stutesman of Kentland, IN; and four grandchildren.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and two sisters.
Mrs. Hamilton was a beautician and also a member of the First Christian Church in Watseka.
Arrangements by Segur-Knapp Funeral Home inWatseka.
Marjorie M. Laird, 85, Watseka, IL
Marjorie M. Laird, 85, of Watseka, IL passed away on Friday, Aug. 6, 2010 at her residence.
Private services will be held at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka with Rev. Wayne Meyer officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.
Mrs. Laird was born March 7, 1925 in Milford, IL, a daughter of Frank and Leona Gillins Stanley. She married Lloyd R. Laird on Aug. 27, 1944 in Milford, IL and he preceded her in death on July 3, 2009.
Survivors include one son, Mike Laird of Watseka; two daughters, Lynnann Wethington of Coral Gables, FL and Louann Bockman of Aurora, IL; fourteen grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Jeff Laird.
Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice.
Vernetta “Sis” M. Wright, 75 of Ashkum, IL
Vernetta “Sis” M. Wright, 75, of Ashkum, IL, passed away Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee.
Vernetta was born November 8, 1934 in Anna, IL., the daughter of Miles David and Dorleska (Knight) Kerby. She married Paul Wright July 25, 1970, in Kankakee. He passed January 7, 2008.
Survivors include 4 sons, Sterling (Elaine) Blaylock Jr. of Hartsville, SC; Earl Blaylock of Ashkum; David (Laura) Blaylock of Chebanse; Edward Blaylock of NE; 2 daughters, Debra Mear of Bradley; Cynthia Blaylock of Watseka; one step-son, Michael Wright of IN; one brother, Gary ( Brenda) Noble of Anna; and one sister, Sharon (Phillip) Dillow of Dongola; 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and one sister.
Vernetta enjoyed the outdoors, fishing & gardening.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.
Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Family’s Wishes.
Betty Jean Spitler, 71, Bamberg, SC
Betty Jean Spitler, 71, of Bamberg, SC, formerly of Donovan, IL, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC.
Visitation will run from 12 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 9, until the 2 p.m. service at Knapp Funeral Home in Sheldon, IL. Rev. Paul Copeland will officiate. Burial will be at Prairie Dell Cemetery in Iroquois, IL.
Mrs. Spitler was born Jan. 28, 1939 in Watseka, IL, a daughter of Ray and Dorothy Winslow Morgan. She married Billy Lee Spitler on Aug. 2, 1958 in Kankakee, IL and he survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Jeffery Spitler and wife, Dalia, of Hammond, IN and Michael Spitler and wife, Linda, of Donovan; one daughter, Dawn Fairchild of Bamberg, SC; one brother, Robert Morgan and wife, Kathy, of Paris, IL; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and one son, Kerry.
Mrs. Spitler was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Bamberg, SC and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.
Minnie “Lee” Davis, 82, Milford, IL
Minnie “Lee” Davis, 82, of Milford, IL passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 at Watseka Rehab & Health Care Center.
Visitation will run from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford, IL where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7. Rev. Neil Larimore and Rev. Gary Milton will officiate. Burial will be at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland, IL.
Mrs. Davis was born March 6, 1928 in Edmonton, KY, a daughter of Joe and Zonia Jessie Williams. She married James Lewis Davis on Jan. 1, 1947 in Milford, IL and he preceded her in death in May, 1988.
Survivors include two sons, Jim Davis and wife, Barb and John Davis and wife, Betty, all of Milford; one daughter, Pamela Ann Moser of Milford; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Frank; one sister, Dorothy; and one granddaughter, Michele Davis.
Mrs. Davis was retired from Howard Industries in Milford. She was a member of the Milford Christian Church.
Memorials may be made to Donor’s Choice.
Ronald Fry, 71, Iroquois, IL
Ronald “Boots” Fry, 71, of Iroquois, IL passed away on Monday, August 2, 2010 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 6, 2010 at Knapp Funeral Home in Sheldon, IL. The Revs. Larry and Bobbi Shultz will officiate. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery in Iroquois, IL. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at the funeral home.
Mr. Fry was born on July 17, 1939 in Iroquois, IL, a son of Roy West and Zelda E. Ferry Fry. He married Kathryn Brammer on July 9, 1960 in Iroquois, IL and she survives.
Survivors also include two sons, Gordon Fry of Iroquois, IL and Jeff (Kay) Fry of Houston, TX, one grandson, Ray Fry of Houston, TX, two sisters, Jane (Richard) King of Sheldon and Carol Disosway of Monticello, IN, two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Rudisill of Watseka, IL and Carol (Jon) Strahl of Iroquois, IL, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Ellen Lade.
Mr. Fry was a member of the United Methodist Church in Iroquois, IL. He had attended Iroquois and Donovan schools. He had been employed at Williamson’s Millright and Iroquois Farmers Elevator. He was a Concord Twp. Trustee and retired from being the Concord Twp. Road Commissioner. He also was a Concord Twp. fireman for over 40 years. Boots enjoyed gardening, fishing,
hunting,
hunting & collecting arrowheads and his two pet cats.
Memorials may be made to Liberty Cemetery in Iroquois, IL.
Lewis Daniel “Dan” Jones, 79, Rankin, IL
Lewis Daniel “Dan” Jones, 79, of Rankin, IL passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at his home.
Mr. Jones was born on September 11, 1930 in Janesville, MN, a son of William and Rebecca Simon Jones.
Mr. Jones served in the
Army.
He is survived by a special friend, Elizabeth Madden of Rankin, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Shaun E. Walley, 4, of Woodland, IL
Shaun E. Walley, 4, of Woodland, IL passed away July 31, 2010 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. She was born December 5, 2005 in Saint Petersburg, Florida the daughter of Erin Walley. Survivors include her mother, Erin Walley of Woodland, IL; her brother, Brennan Walley of Woodland, maternal grandparents, Carolyn & Lawrence Walley of Kentucky; maternal great-grandmother, Amelia Walley of Florida; and two aunts, Morgan Wanda of Schaumburg, IL and Shannon Pearson of Maryland. Visitation will be held 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka with services beginning at 3:00 p.m. The Rev. Kevin Comfort will be officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services. Memorial contributions may be made to the family wishes.
Violet B. Lemenager, 86, Clifton, IL
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L’Erable for 86 year old Mrs. Violet “Mack” Lemenager of rural Clifton. The Rev. James Holup will officate. Friends may call on Monday evening at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton from 4:00-8:00 p.m. There will be a parish prayer service at 5:00 p.m. Monday evening. Cremation rites will be accorded following the Funeral Mass. Memorials are for masses.
Mrs. Lemenager died Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home at Clifton following a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Lemenager was born in Chicago on May 29, 1924. She was married to Gerald E. Lemenager at L’Erable on January 12, 1952 and he survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Debra Hustedt of Baltimore, MD; two sons, Todd (Lisa) Lemenager and Mark (Connie) Lemenager all of Ashkum; five grandchildren, Troy (Tiffany) Lemenager, Cody (Lauren) Lemenager, Lacie (Gary) Liska, Libby Lemenager and Lynice Lemenager; three great-grandchildren, Danica Lemenager, Nora Lemenager and Beth Hustedt; and one sister, Dorothy “Dotty” (James) Kaehms of Park Ridge.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson, Ryan Hustedt.
Mrs. Lemenager was retired from Bell Telephone in Kankakee. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and its CCW at L’Erable. She belonged to the KAST Club in Florida. She enjoyed golfing 
and was a member of the Shagbark Golf Club in Onarga.
Sarah M. Knauth, 96, Watseka, IL
Sarah M. Knauth, 96, of Watseka passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka.
Sarah was born on September 11, 1914, in Diamond Lake, a daughter of Philip and Emma Voelker Morse. She married Otto Knauth in Chicago in 1934 and he preceded her in death in 1974.
Surviving are three sons, Karl (Joyce) Knauth of Milford, Kurt (Betty) Knauth of Manteno and Ken (Becky) Knauth of Watertown, WI; three daughters, Louise Knauth of Hillsdale, MI, Ruth (Walter) Marcis of Greensboro, GA and Marie (Bill) Bittner of Lake Geneva, WI; one sister, Frances Alton of Harvard; 23 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, two sisters and one daughter, Helen Beloof.
Mrs. Knauth was a school teacher for over 40 years and enjoyed reading, sewing and
needlepoint
.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka.
Arrangements by Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.
Marlene Jane Owens, 79, Milford, IL
Marlene Jane Owens, 79, of Milford passed away Monday, December 27, 2010 at her home.
Marlene was born June 17, 1931, in Hoopeston, a daughter of Harry and Irma Malott Swope. She married James Owens on June 3, 1961 in Rossville and he preceded her in death on August 29, 1998.
Surviving are two daughters, Vernona Lynne (Dan) Priddy of Smiths Grove, KY and Michelle Anne (William) Clingenpeel of Hoopeston; two sons, William Eugene Killion of Virginia Beach, VA and James Harry (Joyce) Owens Jr. of Stockland; one brother, Larry Dean Swope of Massachusetts; twelve grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one daughter.
Mrs. Owens was a member of the Milford Christian Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a Milford Police Matron. She was a day care provider for many years. She was an avid Cubs fan and enjoyed Fighting Illini basketball.
Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the 12:00 p.m. funeral service on Friday, December 31, 2010 at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford. Pastor Sid Payne will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.
Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
