buddy franklin wagoner

Wednesday, August 1, 2007 11:56 PM CDT

central illinois

Carol Jean Blease

DELAVAN - Carol Jean Blease, 61, Delavan, formerly of East Peoria, died at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday (July 31, 2007) at her home.

Service: 10 a.m. Monday at Delavan Baptist Church, with Pastors Larry Moreau and Steve Waggoner officiating.

Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Davis Mortuary, Delavan Chapel.

Burial: Prairie Rest Cemetery in Delavan.

Memorials: Primary Lateral Sclerosis, in care of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Survivors: her husband, David J. Blease; her parents, Ralph and Doris Winship, East Peoria; one daughter, Tracy (Derek) Anderson, Pekin; two stepdaughters, Nicola (Lyndon) Perry, Pekin, and Amy Blease, Worcester, England; one stepson, Stephen Blease, Stoughton, Wis.; seven grandchildren; and one sister, Barbara (Michael) Hutchins, Morton.

Elsie Eshleman

GILMAN - Elsie C. Eshleman,–;92, Gilman, died at 11:08 p.m. Tuesday (July 31, 2007) at the Gilman Nursing Center, Gilman.–;

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion United Church of Christ, Gilman, with the Rev. Connie Williams Moodie officiating.

Visitation: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion United Church of Christ, Gilman.–;

Burial: Ridgeland Township Cemetery, Thawville.–;–;

Memorials: Zion United Church of Christ or a charity of the donor's choice. Redenius Funeral Home, Gilman, is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors: one son, David (Sandy) Eshleman, Onarga; three grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; one brother, Stanley Kreeb; and two sisters-in-law, Helen and Ruth Kreeb, both of Gilman.

Sandra Niles Gordon

STREATOR - Sandra Niles Gordon, 59, of 5 Genseke Court, Streator, died Friday evening (July 27, 2007) at her home.

A celebration of life service for Sandra (Niles) Gordon will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Elias Funeral Home, Streator. The Rev. Mark Upchurch of Central Church of Christ will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Born June 21, 1948, in Streator, she is the daughter of Robert and Joan Missel Niles.

She is survived by daughters, Angela (Dave) Cantrell, Streator, and Jennifer (Erich) Telfer, San Diego, Calif.; her parents, Robert and Joan Niles, Minonk; grandchildren, Robert Nelson, Lauren Telfer, Daniel Telfer, Savannah Telfer and Jessica Cantrell.

She is also survived by a brother, Terry (Jeanette) Niles, Humble, Texas; sisters, Cheryl (Tom) Bresney, Hudson; Cynthia Jennings, Normal; and Janice (Burkhard) Zittinger, Munich, Germany; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Robert Nelson of Colorado.

She was a member of Central Church of Christ, Streator.

Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice.

John F. Hardesty

FARMER CITY - John F. Hardesty, 81, Farmer City, died at 7:15 p.m. Monday (July 30, 2007) at the Farmer City Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Farmer City.

There will be no public service as a donation to the Anatomical Gift Association was arranged. The family of Mr. Hardesty would like to extend a warm welcome–;for a public gathering of family members and friends at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Joe Williams American Legion Post No. 55, Farmer City. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or the Joe Williams American Legion Post 55 in Farmer City or the Fred O'Malley VFW Post 6190 in Farmer City.

Mr. Hardesty was born Jan. 30, 1926, in Bloomington. He was the son of Thomas L. and Mary Loretta Miller Hardesty. He married Mary H. Haynes on Feb. 27, 1960, in Bloomington. She survives in Farmer City.

He is survived by one son, Tom Hardesty, Farmer City; one daughter, Patricia (Anson) Lamb, Farmer City; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren; one brother, Joseph Hardesty, El Paso, Texas; and three sisters, Mercedes Nelson, Tracy, Calif.; Lillian (Allen) Walsh, South Milwaukee, Wis.; and Florence (Richard) Workman, Farmer City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters and one stepson.

Mr. Hardesty was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the European Theater during World War II.

He was a member of the Royal Order of the Moose, Bloomington; Joe Williams American Legion 55, Farmer City; and Fred O'Malley VFW Post 6190, Farmer City.

He enjoyed stamp collecting, crochet and embroidery. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother and will be missed by all.

Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Robert W. Reese

FLANAGAN - Robert W. "Bob" Reese, 64, Flanagan, died at 11:35 p.m. Sunday (July 29, 2007) St. Mary's Hospital, Duluth, Minn.

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Flanagan Christian Church, Flanagan, with the Rev. Dick Jumper officiating.

Burial: Center Cemetery, Flanagan.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Flanagan. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials: to the church or a charity of the donor's choice.

Survivors: one son, Scott (Lisa) Reese, Chicago; one daughter, Michelle (Todd) Tammen, Flanagan; mother, Velma Reese, Florida; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Marlene Saletko and Rosemary Sheffield, both of Florida.

Vernon Unsicker

TREMONT - Vernon B. Unsicker, 92, of Tremont, passed away at 2:55 a.m. Tuesday (July 31, 2007) at Pekin Hospital.

He was born Dec. 3, 1914, in rural Hopedale, son of William and Ida Bolliger Unsicker. He married Luella Cushman on Sept. 18, 1948, in Peoria. She preceded him in death Dec. 31, 2003.

Survivors include one daughter, Lynn Unsicker, Hayward, Calif.; four sisters, Edith Albright, Peoria; Eunice (George) McMullen, Lorraine Frederick and Marilyn (Keith) Toepfer, all of Tremont; and one brother, Sylvan (Helen) Unsicker, East Peoria.

Mr. Unsicker was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Pflederer, and six brothers, Alvin, Henry, Clarence, Elmer, Bill and Ben.

Vernon graduated from Tremont High School and worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 28, 1941. He served in the Asian/Pacific Theater during World War II and returned June 3, 1945, as a decorated veteran.

He was manager of the Tremont Cooperative Grain Co. from June 1955 until he retired in 1980. For the next five years he continued to work at the grain elevator during harvest season. He also served as a rural carrier for the Peoria Journal Star for several years during the early 1950s.

He was a charter member of Tremont American Legion Post 1236 and Morton VFW Post 5921. He was also a 50-year member of Tremont Masonic Lodge 462.

In retirement, Vernon was a transport volunteer for OSF Saint Francis Department of Volunteer Services. Between March 1985 and July 2002, he volunteered 7,147 hours. He enjoyed gardening, working outdoors and picking berries for friends and neighbors.

He was an avid sports fan - especially Cardinals baseball - and liked playing cards with his family and VFW and Legion friends. He maintained communication with his Army friends from Battery A 866 after World War II and attended all but two of their yearly reunions during the past 40 years.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Davis Mortuary, Tremont Chapel. The Rev. Chet Travis will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at the mortuary with a Masonic service at 8 p.m. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria, with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Tremont Historical Museum, P.O. Box 738, Tremont, IL 61568. To express condolences online, please visit davismortuaryinc.com .

Henry Wycoff

PIPER CITY - Henry F.M. Wycoff,–; 83, Piper City, died at 12:50 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 1, 2007) at Heartland Health Care Center, Paxton.

Service: 1:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilman,–;with the Rev. Ronald Rasmus officiating.

Visitation: 4 to–;8 p.m. Saturday at Redenius Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service Sunday at the church.

Burial: Chatsworth Cemetery, Chatsworth.–;–;

Memorials: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gilman.

Survivors: his wife, Florence Wycoff; five children, Delores (Neil) Hall, Bedford, Iowa; Carolyn (Walt) Christensen, Braidwood; Henry R. (Holly) Wycoff, St. Joseph; Roger (Sandy) Wycoff, Piper City; and Marcia (John) Hildenbrand, Thawville; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one step-great-granddaughter; and one brother, Leland (Barbara) Wycoff, Forrest.

Emery Yuhas Jr.

HOPEDALE - Emery Yuhas Jr., 85, of 211 SW Railroad St., Hopedale, died at 3:54 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 1, 2007) at Hopedale Hospital.

He was born Feb. 8, 1922, in Nadost, Slovakia, son of Emery and Mary Adamko Yuhas Sr. He married Marjorie Ann Smelz on Sept. 9, 1944, in Peoria. She preceded him in death on Feb. 26, 1980.

Surviving are three sons, James Anthony (Rachel) Yuhas, Loveland, Ohio; Thomas Emery (Teresa) Yuhas, DDS, Palos Park; and Timothy Paul (Deb) Yuhas, Richmond, Va.; one daughter, Betty Ann Morell, San Diego, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; one sister, Elizabeth "Betty" (Charles) Bourscheidt, Hopedale. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Donald Joseph Yuhas; and a sister, Helen Blake.

Emery began his 42-year career at Caterpillar Inc. in 1939. After completing the four-year machinist apprentice program, he held numerous positions including tool design. His final position was as a manager in the Capital Forecasting Group.

He was a World War II Navy veteran.

Emery was a long-standing member of St. Bernard and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Peoria, and most recently a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hopedale. He was also a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Emery enjoyed gardening, yard work and playing cards with his grandchildren and his friends in "the club." Most of all, he cherished and loved his family who love and cherish him as well.

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hopedale. Father Gerald Virden will officiate. A brief prayer service will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Davis Mortuary, Hopedale Chapel followed by a visitation until 7:30 p.m. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in West Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Hopedale Medical Foundation, 107 Tremont St., Hopedale, IL 61747.

To express condolences online visit www.davismortuaryinc.com .

bloomington-normal

Moselyn Frey

BLOOMINGTON - Moselyn S. Frey, 88, passed away Saturday (July 28, 2007) in Bloomington.

She was born Oct 8, 1918, in Minneola, Kan., a daughter of Sidney and Mary Harshberger.

She grew up in Meade, Kan., and received a bachelor of science degree from KU in sociology. She married her high school sweetheart Cecil and raised four daughters. They lived in Syracuse, Kan., and moved to Tulsa, Okla., in 1954, where she was busy raising the girls and active in Christ United Methodist Church and the Tulsa County Bar Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil, and daughter, Janice Lewis.

She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Carol (Glenn) Schneider, Mary (Nathan) Axton and Cecilia (Gene) Doyle: eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Christ United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Okla. Entombment will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum in Tulsa, Okla. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Stanleys Funeral Service, Tulsa, OK 74135.

Bettye G. Hatfield

BLOOMINGTON - Bettye Grace Hatfield, 88, Bloomington, died at 2:40 p.m. Monday (July 30, 2007) at Asta Care Center, Bloomington.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with Monsignor Douglas Hennessy officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Home Sweet Home Mission.

Bettye was born Oct. 17, 1918, in Bloomington, a daughter of Ed and Grace Jeter Sweeney. She married Harold W. Johnson. She later married Ed Yeakel. They both preceded her in death.

Surviving are three children, Louis (Joyce) Johnson, Peoria; Floranne (Maury) Whalen, Hudson; and James (Keran) Johnson, Lexington; seven grandchildren, Andrea Johnson, Greg (Kristen) Johnson, Nancy (Jason) Damkoehler, Karen (Dan) Willard, Andrew (Kelly) Whalen, Kate Johnson and Jake Johnson; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters.

Bettye graduated from Trinity High School and Brown's Business College. She was employed by the Soldiers and Sailors Home, the ASC office and Illinois State University. She was a member of Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington, and its Altar and Rosary Society. Bettye was a member of the Delphi Women's Club and the Missions Sewing Group.

Buddy Franklin Wagoner

BLOOMINGTON - Buddy Franklin Wagoner, 52, Dyersburg, Tenn., died Monday (July 30, 2007) at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Jackson, Tenn.

Service: 1 p.m. today at the Chapel of Boyd Funeral Directors, Salem, Ky., with Brother Virgil Dial officiating.

Burial: Deer Creek Cemetery, Deer Creek, Ky.

Area survivors: son, Bradley Wagoner, Towanda; and sisters, Debbie Ryburn and Cherrie Baker, both of Bloomington; Donna Baird, Ellsworth; and Pam Novel, Normal.