Mardelle E. Reid, 90, Clifton, IL

Mardelle E. Reid, 90, of Clifton, IL died on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 at Merkle-Knipprath Catholic Home in Clifton.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. Services will also be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church in Clifton. The Rev. Vern Arseneau will officiate. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Clifton.

Mrs. Reid was born April 20, 1919 in Watseka, IL, a daughter of David and Viola Marie Tatro Gagnon. She married Willard D. “Tip” Reid on Oct. 11, 1941 in Clifton. He preceded her in death on March 8, 1984.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Ann and Jerry Gray of Clifton; three grandchildren and their spouses, Ricky and Donna Gray and Kerri and Craig Carlson all of Channahon, IL, and David and Carri Gray of Clifton; one brother, Donald Gagnon of Kankakee; ten great-grandchildren;  two nieces; and one nephew.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Glenn Gagnon.

Mrs. Reid was owner and operator of Mardella’s Beauty Shop in Clifton. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Clifton and St. Peter’s CCW. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting and flower gardening. She was an avid Cubs and Bulls fan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice; Merkle-Knipprath Catholic Home; or to St. Peter Catholic Church for Masses.

Diane M. Richards, 68, Thawville, IL

Diane M. Richards, 68, of Thawville passed away Thursday, November 26, 2009 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka.

Mrs. Richards was born January 23, 1941, in Worth, IL, a daughter of James and Dorothy Buckman Deacon.  She married Thomas A. Richards on April 23, 1960, in Chicago and he survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Karen Richards of Thawville and Sharon (John) Nyland of Frankfort; four brothers,  James (Jane) Deacon of Orland Park, William (Donna) Deacon of Jacksonville, FL, Dennis (Georgine) Deacon of Rockford and Glenn Deacon of Chicago; one sister, Patricia (Ted) Kulka of Hamlet, IN; and two grandchildren, Daniel Richards and Nicholas Nyland.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Charles.

Visitation will be on Monday, November 30, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. until the 5:00 p.m. funeral service at Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga.  Frank Gagnon will officiate.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital.

Jeanne H. Knapp, 86, Hoopeston, IL

Jeanne H. Knapp, 86, of Hoopeston, IL died Nov. 23, 2009 at Hoopeston Community Memorial Nursing Home in Hoopeston, IL.

Visitation will run from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28  at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park, IL and for one hour prior to the 12:30 p.m. service on Sunday, Nov. 29 at the Apostolic Christian Church in Cissna Park. Ministers of the church will officiate. Burial will be at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Cissna Park.

Mrs. Knapp was born August 19, 1923 in Wapella, IL, a daughter of Homer A. and Ferne Swisher Maxwell. She married Charles F. Knapp on Dec. 12, 1943 in Little Rock, AR. He survives.

Other survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Vernon C. and Kathie Knapp of Cottonwood, AZ, Fred A. Knapp of Phoenix, AZ and Donald R. and Pam Knapp of Lacanada-Flintridge, CA; and three grandchildren, Meghan, Chris and Justin of California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Lee Maxwell; and two sisters, Shirley and Donna.

Mrs. Knapp graduated from Rankin High School and attended business college in Rockford, IL. She was an excellent typist and served as secretary for her husband’s auctioneering, real estate contracts, and farm and house appraisals for over 35 yeasrs. She also worked as a secretary for Dr. Lee in Rankin for several years. She was a past member of the Order of Eastern Star.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association.

Margaret A. Janssen, 72, Watseka, IL

Margaret Ann Janssen, beloved wife, mother, sister, friend and servant of Christ entered into the Kingdom of Heavenly Glory on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to await the Day of Resurrection. Margaret was born on October 3, 1937 in Chicago Heights, IL, the daughter of George and Elsie Schmidt Becker. She married Rev. Carl W. Janssen on June 25. 1961 in Grant Park, IL.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie Ann and Lee Nordin of Grand Forks, ND and Carla Marie and Delwin Kai of Pender, NE; one son, Matthew Carl Janssen of St. Louis, MO; two sisters, Mildred Bretzman of Bradley, IL and Myrtle Hebert of Lombard, IL; three grandchildren, Jennifer, Randi and Ben; and two great-grandchildren, Bailey and Braxton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers-in-law; and two nephews.

She  graduated from Grant Park Community High School on May 27, 1955 and later Gallagher’s Business School. She was baptized and confirmed March 18, 1951 and married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in rural Grant Park, IL.

She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee; David Bradley, Bradley, IL and various secretarial positions in churches and schools.

Visitation will run from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka and for one hour prior to the 1:30 p.m. service on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Calvery Lutheran Church in Watseka. The Rev. Donald Love will officiate. Interment will be at Iroquois Memorial Park in Watseka.

Memorials may be made to the Margaret Ann Janssen Memorial Fund or Donor’s Choice.

John S. Trumann, 82, Watseka, IL

John S. Trumann, 82, of Watseka, IL died on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in rural Watseka.

Visitation will run from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford and for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford. The Rev. Jason Wagner will officiate. Burial will be at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland. Graveside military rites will be provided by Milford American Legion Post #723.

Mr. Trumann was born December 21, 1926 in Milford, IL, a son of Jurgen C. and Addie Pearl Farrand Trumann. He married Loretta I. Brown in Dec., 1949 in Greenup, KY. She preceded him in death on May 22, 2002.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth R. and Janice Trumann Sr. of Milford; one daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Irene and Ronald Gibson of Watseka; six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; one sister; and one son, Jack.

Mr. Trumann served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a construction laborer.

Memorials may be made to the Palliative Care Unit at Danville V.A. Hospital.

Jalma Ballard, 89, of Onarga, IL

Gladys M. Brickett, 93, Danforth, IL

Gladys M. Brickett, 93, of Danforth passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Mrs Brickett was born July 13, 1916, near St. Anne, a daughter of Fred and Rose Rabideau Madsen.  She married Robert N. Brickett on June 7, 1945, in Kankakee.  He died in 1982.

Surviving are one daughter, Mary (Glen) Cope of Longmeadow, MA; one son, Paul A. (Christina Oborn) Brickett of San Jose, CA; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and two sisters.

Mrs. Brickett was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Gilman and loved playing euchre.

Visitation will be on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until the 1:30 p.m. funeral service at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.   Burial will be in Clifton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.

Geneva E. Martin, 65, Iroquois, IL

Geneva E. Martin, 65, of Iroquois, IL died on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 at Knapp Funeral Home in Sheldon and from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Iroquois United Methodist Church in Iroquois, IL. The Rev. Larry Schultz will officiate. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Morocco, IN.

Ms. Martin was born Feb. 7, 1944 in Rensselaer, IN, a daughter of Gaylord William and Dorothy Elouise Lade Lee.

Survivors include one son, Kurtis Martin and fiancee, Robin Miller of Kankakee; one daughter, Kelly DeWitt (Greg Martin) of Watseka; one granddaughter, Brittney DeWitt and fiancee, Lance Vaughn of Iroquois; and one brother, Sonny Lee of Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and two grandsons, Kolton and Tyler DeWitt.

Ms. Martin was a member of the United Methodist Church in Iroquois and was very involved in the community of Iroquois. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, and traveling. She loved her cats.

Memorials may be made to Family Wishes.

Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Sheldon.

Judith Ann Carter, 63, Watseka, IL

Judith Ann Carter, 63, of Watseka, IL died on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at her home.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Cremation rites will be accorded. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey, IL at a later date.

Ms. Carter was born Dec. 8, 1945 in Chicago, IL, a daughter of Virgil and Ica Russell Owens.

Survivors include two sons and one daughter-in-law, Jon Curry of Watseka and Jeffery and Connie Curry of Collinsville; two daughters, Jacqulyne Varney of Meadowbrook, IL and Jeniece Curry of Bethalto, IL; one brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Janet Owens of New Lenox; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Carol and James Kozemczak of St. Louis, MO and Donna Owens of Joliet; and six grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Rusty.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Robert R. Reeves, 87, Milford, IL

Robert R. Reeves, 87, of Milford, IL died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at Heartland Health Care in Paxton, IL.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford, where services will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. The Rev. Rusty Beals will officiate. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Milford. Military graveside rites will be accorded by Milford American Legion Post #723.

Mr. Reeves was born Feb. 23, 1922 in Donovan, IL, a son of Forest C. and Bertha Mae Larkins Reeves. He married Betty L. Jackson on April 17, 1947 in Milford and she survives.

Other survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda Susan and Thomas Parrish of Fennimore, WI and Jackie Lynn and Jack Lavicka of Milford; four grandchildren and their spouses, Lynn and Jay Meyer of  Dodgeville, WI, Todd and Gina Parrish of Lake Mills, WI, Jami and Fredrick Yorsch of Metairie, LA and Justin Jackson and Jan Lavicka of Milford; and five great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Meyer, Owen and Madelyn Parrish, and Jahni and Jossalin Lavicka.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Eugene, Maynard and James; and one sister, Nora.

During WWII Mr. Reeves was a member of the 5th Army Field Artillery. He was owner of Reeves Brothers Construction Truck & Trailer Sales in Milford. He was a member of the Milford Masonic Lodge #668; Milford American Legion; Watseka Elks; Community Improvement Assoc. of Milford; and a member of the Advisory Board of the Citizen State Bank.

When returning home from the service, he was in business many years. Bob’s greatest passion besides his family was building roads and buying and selling Mack Trucks. Some of his customers gave him the nickname Bobby Mack and he loved every minute of it. He was in the height of his glory the harder he worked. He also loved to go to truck auctions.

Memorials may be made to the Carol Bruniga Scholarship Fund or Donor’s Choice.

Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.

Gordon F. McKean, 94, Watseka, IL

Gordon F. McKean, 94, of Watseka died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, until the 11 a.m. service at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Rev. Paul Copeland will officiate. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka, where military graveside rites will be accorded by Watseka American Legion Post #23 and Iroquois County VFW Post #7450.

Mr. McKean was born May 6, 1915 in Mattoon, IL, a son of Jess and Winifred Gordon McKean. He married Stasia Pilat on May 17, 1945 in Cairo, Egypt. She preceded him in death on October 19, 2000.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Joyce McKean of Round Rock, TX; one grandson, Eric Williams of Fairfield, OH; and one half-sister, Betty Willard of Farmington, MI.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; two half-brothers; and one daughter, Mary Williams.

Mr. McKean was in the US Army during WWII. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Watseka; the Watseka Elks Lodge; and the Watseka American Legion. He farmed for 23 years and retired from McCullough Implement in 1979.

Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice or Donor’s Choice.

Helen B. Crow, 89, Milford, IL

Helen B. Crow, 89, of Milford, IL died on Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, IL.

Visitation will run from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, until the 12 p.m. service at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford. The Rev. Neil Larimore will officiate. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Milford.

Mrs. Crow was born Dec. 3, 1919 in Goodwine, IL, a daughter of Cordie and Alice Alexander Hawthorne. She married Arthur Crow Jr. on March 15, 1940 in Milford. He preceded her in death on Feb. 13, 1987.

Survivors include three sons and one daughter-in-law, Charles and Sharon Crow, Richard Crow and Lester A. Crow, all of Milford; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Laura Belle and Bob Gross of Buckley, IL and Rosanna Davis of Beavercreek, OH; three grandchildren, Ricky Crow of Hopkinsville, KY, Carmine Dwyer of St. Joseph, IL and Jeanette Conrad of Danville, IN; and five great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Alva and Arky Hawthorne; one sister, Iola Jurgerson and one son, David Crow.

Mrs. Crow grew up in Goodwine, IL and attended the Goodwine one-room school. She graduated from East Lynn High School. She was a Cub Scout den mother for many years. She was a member of Eastern Star, as well as a Gold Star member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Noted for her delicious cooking, she always remembered everyone’s favorite dishes. Being an accomplished knitter, she was the proprietor of the Country Knitting Nest in her home for many years. She enjoyed square-dancing, traveling, camping, knitting and crocheting. She often blessed family and friends with her hand-crafted heirlooms. She will continue to warm the hearts of all those she loved with pleasant memories of time spent with her.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or Our Savior Lutheran Radio Ministry.

Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.

Thomas Otto Reichert III

Thomas Otto Reichert III, 33 of Bourbonnais, IL died Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, IL.

Visitation will be from 12 – 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford. A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland, IL. Pastor Chad McGinnis will officiate.

Mr. Reichert was born July 30, 1976 in Kankakee, IL, a son of Dale Thomas Reichert and Betty May Trumann Reichert Richardson.

Survivors include his mother of Kankakee; his father of Effingham; his fiancee, Alanna Rae Poynter of Bourbonnais; one son, Andrew Thomas Reichert and one daughter, Gracie Nicole Reichert, both of Bourbonnais; two sisters, Ruthanne Reichert of Altamont, IL and Sarah Merrill of Aroma Park, IL; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mr. Reichert enjoyed fishing.

Memorials may be made to Famliy’s Wishes.

Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.

Virgil Larrance Jr., 74, Paxton & Richton Park, IL

Virgil Larrance Jr., 74, of Richton Park, IL and Paxton, IL died Friday, October 30, 2009 at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, IL.

Visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 from 11 a.m. until the 2 p.m. Memorial Service at Knapp-Miller Funeral Home in Paxton. The Rev. John Davenport will officiate. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Indianola, IL at a later date.

Mr. Larrance was born Oct. 15, 1935 in Logan, IL, a son of Virgil and Stella Nickels Larrance Sr. He married Wilma Jean Creek on Oct. 1, 1954 in Terre Haute, IN. She preceded him in death on June 23, 2007.

Survivors include one daughter, Jackie Mobley (Rick Rottet) of Paxton; two sisters, Roszilla Beasley of Paxton and Wilma York of Lake City, TN; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Carolyn Larrance of Paris, IL, and Larry and Linda Larrance of Waterloo, IL; five sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Stricker of Paris, IL, Jenny and Ray Freeman of Arkansas, Sissy and Forrest Ward of Texas, and Vera Sanders and Sandy Creek both of Illinois; five grandchildren and spouses, Dan Fry, Don and Feliscia Fry, Wendy and Bob Fry, Cory Mobley and Terri Mobley; and three great-grandchildren, Noah Fry and Daniel and Tristan Smith.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Terry Larrance; one brother, Charles Stricker; and two brothers-in-law, David Creek and Velber Beasley.

Mr. Larrance was a self-employed machinist at T&L Machine for over 40 years. He was an avid Nascar fan. He built engines for stock cars and also raced stock cars himself for many years. He enjoyed building and racing the stock cars with his son, Terry. He had a special relationship with Calumet Brass for over 40 years.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Knapp-Miller Funeral Home in Paxton.