U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Larry Dean 'King Fish' 'Whitey' Welker
BORN: October 27, 1931
DIED: May 1, 2014
LOCATION: Decatur, Illinois
Larry Dean 'King Fish' 'Whitey' Welker, 82, of Decatur, IL passed away at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday (May 1, 2014) in his residence.
A memorial service to celebrate Larry's life will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday (May 5, 2014) at Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:45-6:45 p.m. on Monday with Masonic Rites beginning at 6:45 p.m. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, IL. Memorial contributions may be directed to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Larry was born on October 27, 1931 in Decatur, IL, the son of Albert Grieder Welker, Sr. and Ruth Eloise Augustine Welker. Larry was an electrician for the City of Decatur for 23 years. He served proudly during the Korean War with the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Oriskany. He was a member of Great Light Lodge No. 1064 A.F. & A.M. where he earned his 32nd Degree, Ansar Shrine, lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 99 and AARP. Larry married
Norma Jean Armstrong on July 26, 1952. She preceded him in death on March 11, 2002.
Larry is survived by his daughter: Rita A. Welker; grandchildren: Shannon Welker, Sherria Ayer, Paula Welker, Melissa Welker, Michael Welker, Nichole Berry, Rachel Mosier, Natalie Mosier, Jacquelyn Mosier and Michael Carlson; 12 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son: Dennis Welker, daughter: Pamela Welker, brother: Albert Welker Jr., granddaughter: Cynthia Welker.
I. Kathryn Day
BORN: April 4, 1922
DIED: May 14, 2014
LOCATION: Moweaqua, Illinois
I. Kathryn Day, 92, of Moweaqua, IL passed away at 5:21 a.m. on Wednesday (May 14, 2014) at St. Mary's Hospital.
A service to celebrate Kathryn's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday (May 19, 2014) at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Macon. Visitation will be two hours prior to services from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Monday. Burial will be in Traughber cemetery, Moweaqua. Memorial contributions can be made to: Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, 100 Campus View Drive, Lincoln, Illinois 62656 or Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund, PO Box 235, Morton, Illinois 61550.
Kathryn was born on April 4, 1922 in Jakes Prairie, MO, the daughter of A.C. and Effie (McIntosh) Wright. She graduated from Moweaqua High School in 1940, Illinois State Normal University in 1942 with a degree in education upper grades and Millikin University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Kathryn was the past president of Phi Chapter Lambda State, Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary teacher's sorority, past worthy matron of O.E.S. Shamrock Chapter 576 Moweaqua, IL, life member of O.E.S. Tecusa Chapter, Assumption, IL.
She began teaching at Long Grove School in 1942 near Moweaqua, taught in Alamogordo, NM in 1944 until WWII ended 1946. She returned to Moweaqua and taught 6th grade and 9th grade English and girls P.E. In 1953 she began teaching 5th grade at Moweaqua Grade School and taught there for 24 years.
Kathryn was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Shelby County since 1977. She was past president of Charter Oak Community Club, charter member of the New Era Woman's Club of Moweaqua, member of the Peter Meyer Chapter, DAR Assumption, IL since 1987, charter member of the Women's Golf League at the Moweaqua Golf Course, member of First Christian Church of Moweaqua since 1933 where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was the past president of the Star Club at Golf Lakes Estates in Bradenton, FL, member of Women's Club of Golf Lakes Estates where she wintered since 1988 and was a member of Wally Byam Airstreamers Travel Club for 20 years.
Kathryn married
Raymond E. 'Mike' Day on February 19, 1944. He preceded her in death on May 19, 1996.
Kathryn is survived by her daughter: Rhonda C. (Jerry) Heller of The Villages, FL; son: Raymond E. (Gina) Day, II of Naples, FL; brothers: George L. (Maxine) Wright of Melbourne, FL, Harold B. (Jackie) Wright of Springfield, IL, Gerald W. 'Jerry' (Barbara) Wright of Lake Okeechobee, FL; grandchildren: Jeremy Heller of Polo, IL, Jennifer K. (Matt) Woodhouse of Fairfax, IA, Michael E. Day of London, England, Christopher R. Day of Chicago, IL, Jessica M. Day of Nashville, TN; great grandchildren: Jordan and Jace Woodhouse of Fairfax, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 4 brothers and 3 sisters.
Grace Winter
BORN: January 28, 1915
DIED: May 5, 2014
LOCATION: Moweaqua, Illinois
Grace Winter, 99, of Moweaqua passed away Monday, May 05, 2014 at the Moweaqua Nursing and Retirement Center.
Graveside services to celebrate Grace's life will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Oddfellows cemetery in Moweaqua. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society. Dawson & Wikoff North Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Reva C. Godfrey
BORN: August 9, 1932
DIED: May 8, 2014
LOCATION: Decatur, Illinois
Reva C. Godfrey 81, of Decatur, passed away at 9:45 a.m., in her residence on Thursday, May 8, 2014.
A service to celebrate Reva's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 12, 2014, in Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home with Rev. Roger Findley officiating. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park cemetery, Harristown. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation beginning at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Operation Enduring Support. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.
Reva was born August 9, 1932, in Decatur, IL the daughter of Joseph R. and Hildred V. (Allen) Gass. She married
William 'Bill' Godfrey Jr. in 1949. He preceded her in death on June 18, 2011. She was a homemaker.
Surviving are her children: Katherine 'Kitty' Smith and her husband Harland of Decatur, Victoria 'Vicky' Langlay of Decatur, Roy Godfrey and his wife Lora of Decatur, and William 'Bill' Godfrey and his wife Jennifer of Decatur; sister: Phyllis Berg of Moweaqua, IL; ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, one son, one sister, one grandson and one granddaughter.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Kairouz and DMH Hospice for the exceptional care Reva received.
Samuel N. Dempster
BORN: March 19, 1940
DIED: May 4, 2014
LOCATION: Decatur, Illinois
Samuel N. Dempster, 74, of Decatur passed away on Sunday (May 4, 2014) at Moweaqua Nursing and Retirement Center.
A service to celebrate Samuels's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday (May 9, 2014) at Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Burial will be Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, IL. Memorials can be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Samuel was born on March 19, 1940 in Decatur, IL the son of Wilbur Norbert and Mary Elizabeth (Blauser) Dempster. He was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church. He married
Elizabeth 'Bettye' Lee (Sparks) Schroat on October 20, 1979. Samuel served in the U.S. Navy during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He worked for NCR Corporation (formerly National Cash Register) for 32 years and eight months as a field engineer and then worked for Decatur Electronics for 12 years. He was previously married
to Barbara Root for 16 years before he married
Bettye.
Surviving is his wife, Bettye of Decatur, IL; sons: David W. Dempster and his wife Kristin of Raleigh, MO and Charles N. Dempster; granddaughter: Angela Michelle Wiggins; brother: Robert L. Dempster and wife Lynn of Plano, TX; step-daughter: Barbara M. Edlen and husband James of Clyde, N.C.; step-son: Scott Andrew Schroat of Winston Salem, N.C.; step-granddaughter: Chelsea Jackson and husband Chad of King, N.C.; two step-grandsons: Zachary Edlen of North Carolina and Cory Schroat of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents and step-son, Peter Kevin Schroat.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and staff at Moweaqua Nursing and Retirement Center.
Adda 'Belle' Juhl
BORN: June 18, 1931
DIED: May 5, 2014
LOCATION: Decatur, Illinois
Adda 'Belle' Juhl, 82, of Decatur passed away at 12:15 a.m., Monday, May 5, 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital.
Services to celebrate Adda's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion. Burial will be in Point Pleasant cemetery, Long Creek. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation beginning 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to Long Creek United Methodist Church. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.
Adda was born on June 18, 1931 in Owaneco, IL the daughter of John Milton and Grace (St. Clair) Robertson. She was a member of Long Creek United Methodist Church. Adda worked in merchandising for Farm & Fleet as well as Dollar General.
Surviving are her companion: Merrill McKee; daughters: Melody Tackett and husband Don of Virgie, KY; Tonya Mears and husband Kent of Mt. Zion, IL; Malora Traster and her friend Jim Lowry of Mt. Zion, IL; foster mother to 54 foster children; brother: John Denning of Shelbyville, IL; step-sister: Ester Fouts; aunts: Freda Wendell, Margie Wasson and Nancy Chamberlain; dear friend: Norma Allison; special girl: Jessica, seven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.
She was something to everyone, and everything to some.
Kenneth F. Curry
BORN: August 23, 1940
DIED: May 9, 2014
LOCATION: Decatur, Illinois
Kenneth F. Curry 73, of Decatur, passed away at 9:21 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2014, in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
A service to celebrate Kenneth's eternal life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 17, 2014, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, #1 Bachrach Court, Decatur, IL with Pastor Wray Offermann officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Macon County Honor Guard and the US Army Honors team following the funeral service at the church. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Friday evening, May 16, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois Charitable Fund or the Mt. Zion Foundation for Quality Education. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.
Kenneth was born August 23, 1940, in Decatur, IL the son of Floyd I. and Viola L. (Davis) Curry. He graduated from Mt. Zion High School in 1958 and attended Millikin University prior to serving in the US Army from 1961-1964. He was an outstanding baseball pitcher in high school, college, and the Army. This led to his devotion to the St. Louis Cardinals throughout his life. Kenneth retired after 30 years as an inspector for Caterpillar Tractor Company. He married
Mari Rollo on July 14, 1973. He enjoyed watching Mt. Zion baseball with his buddy Earl. He looked forward to his morning walks with friends Jim, Paul, and Denny. They would then proceed to the D.Q. to meet with their breakfast group to 'Solve all the pressing issues' of the day.
Surviving is his wife: Mari of Decatur; sisters: Nancy Neathery and her husband Carl of Mt. Zion and Connie Moss and her husband Norman of Colorado Springs, CO; brother: Dennis Curry and his wife Sharon of Mattoon; sister-in-law: Paula Carmody and her husband Tom of Palatine, IL; nieces and nephews: Angela Barber and her husband Mike of Golden, CO, David Curry and his wife Laura of Highland Ranch, CO, Darin Moss and his fiancé Bridget Clarkson of Montrose, CO, Katie Carmody of Palatine, IL, Kristin Helle and her husband Greg of Graham, WA, Kimberly Carmody of Chicago, and T.J. Carmody of Nashville, TN.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Michael R. Johnson
BORN: February 15, 1949
DIED: May 22, 2013
LOCATION: Mount Zion, Illinois
Michael R. Johnson 64, of Mt. Zion passed away at 3:58 p.m., Wednesday May 22, 2013, in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
A memorial mass service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2013 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Decatur, IL. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until service time. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion is assisting the family with services. Memorials may be made to the Decatur Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation, 2820 E. Parkway Dr., Decatur, IL 62526. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.
Michael was born February 15, 1949 in Decatur, the son of James and Bernadine (Seaberg) Johnson. Michael was a graduate of Millikin University. He served his country in the U.S. Navy. He married
Janie Karch in 1970. Michael worked as a chemist in Quality Control for Taylor Pharmaceutical Company. He enjoyed music and played the guitar in many area local bands during the late 60's and 70's including lead guitar for Flatland. Mike's passion for music was passed on to son Eric and daughter Megan who learned from him to appreciate and find joy, enthusiasm, and peace in many types of music. Mike was a true animal lover and enjoyed astronomy and computer technology.
Surviving is his son: Eric M. Johnson of Glen Ellyn, IL; daughter: Megan Johnson of Seattle, WA; mother: Bernadine Johnson of Decatur; grandsons: Ryan Johnson and Miles Ross; brothers: Chris Johnson of Decatur, Greg Johnson of Kentucky, and Tom Johnson of Decatur. He was preceded in death by his father James Johnson and brother Jeff Johnson.
Bonnie R. Yeager
BORN: December 11, 1944
DIED: May 25, 2013
LOCATION: Miami Beach, Florida
Bonnie R. Yeager 90, of Big Pine Key, FL formerly of Mt. Zion, IL passed away at 11:45 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2013 in Mt. Sinai Hospital, Miami, FL.
A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 2013, at Macon County Memorial Park cemetery, Harristown with Rev. Joel Stevenor officiating. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral home, Mt. Zion is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.
Bonnie was born December 11, 1922 in Lawrenceburg, KY the daughter of William Wallace and Emma Ray (Camic) Kays. She was a retired CNA having done in home care for many patients.
Surviving are her daughters: Patricia Ann Hendren of Tyler, TX and Beverly Jean Ruzich and her husband Richard of Big Pine Key, FL; brother: James Kays and his wife Nina of Mt. Zion; Sisters: Alva Miller of Clinton, Mae Baker of Las Vegas, NV and Elizabeth Slater and her husband lee of Windsor, IL; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son: James Yeager, brother: William Bronson Kays, and her sister: Rita.
