Saturday, May 28, 2016

Obit of Donna (Lawless) Fisher


Donna Lawless Fisher, 92, of Granger, IN, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2016 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN. Donna was born at the family farm in Chatsworth, Illinois on December 7, 1923. Her grandparents and great-grandparents emigrated to the U.S. during the Great Famine in Ireland. Donna's parents, John and Agnes had six children: Eileen, Bill, Jack,Donna, Frank and Bob. Now, only Frank survives. On her 18th birthday, Donna arrived at school to find that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Living through the Great Depression and World War II as a child and young woman, influenced her feelings, opinions and fears for the rest of her life. She often told us that her family never went hungry during the depression because they lived on a farm. However, she never got over her fear of a bank failure. After high school, Donna attended the University of Illinois at Normal. She obtained an Associate Degree. As a young woman, during the war and after, Donna worked at St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana as a secretary. Her aunt was a religious sister with the Congregation of the Holy Cross. Donna had a very special love for Sr. Clement, C.S.C. who, in later life, enjoyed receiving Donna's clandestine gifts of wine. While in South Bend she met Mauro Fisher, a dashing ItalianAmerican and the two were married in Chatsworth, Illinois on November 22, 1952. It was a marriage between the Italian city boy from Newark, New Jersey and the Irish country girl from the Midwest farmland. The two were married for fifty-six years. Three children were born: Margot, Mark, and Mauro, Jr. The couple lived in Akron, Ohio for almost five decades. Donna moved to South Bend at the age of 90 to be near her daughter, Margot Reagan, most of her ten grandchildren and her two greatgrandchildren. She was the School Secretary at Essex Elementary School in Akron, OH most of her career. She had many great stories about the school personnel and the students. A devoted Catholic, Donna loved President Kennedy, but sometime later, she became an enthusiastic Republican and round-the-clock FOX News viewer. What followed were lively discussions with her left-leaning progeny. After retirement, Mauro and Donna obtained their passports. They went to Ireland, Spain and Italy. Just a few months ago, Donna went to California for the second time to visit her brother Frank and niece Louisa. She went to Colorado three years ago to see her brother Bill (now deceased) and her nieces Cathie, Margaret and Nancy and nephew Billy. As evident, Donna was not stopped by age. In her 90s, she was tailgating at Notre Dame. On one such occasion, she re-united with her nephews Kevin and Tom who she hadn't seen since they were young boys. Donna highly valued education. Growing up, her children were constantly reminded of the value of education. She was very proud of every college undergraduate and graduate degree earned by her children and grandchildren. Before her death, she was aware of yet another grandchild (Annie) receiving a Master's Degree on May 10. She never lost the enthusiasm for educational success. Donna is survived by three children, Margot (Dan) Reagan of South Bend; Mark Fisher of Columbus, Ohio; Mauro (Regina) Fisher of Chicago, Illinois; her brother, Francis Lawless of Lakewood, California; ten grandchildren, Brigid (Benjamin) Reagan Balcom, Coley, Katie, Annie, and Jimmy Reagan, Christina, Arianna, Mauro, Tony and Serafina Fisher; two great-grandchildren, Henry and Rosaleen Balcom. Also surviving are nieces, Cathie, Margaret, Nancy, Louisa, Peggy and Betsy and nephews, Billy, John, Tom and Kevin. Loved ones who preceded her in death were, her husband Mauro; her parents, John and Agnes Lawless; her sister, Eileen Davies; her brothers, Jack, Bob and Bill Lawless; her granddaughter, Lauren; niece, Pam; and nephews, Pat and Jim. Donna loved to laugh, often laughing so hard she would cry. Her delightful laugh was infectious. Her family will miss that the most. At the age of 92 1/2, Donna was driving, volunteering for Catholic causes, shopping for her greatgrandchildren and enjoying her life. Spending time with her family was her great joy. She loved her family, faith and Irish Heritage. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2016 in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana, with Rev. Paul Doyle, C.S.C. officiating. A visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Friday in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to: Sisters of the Holy Cross, 100 Lourdes Hall, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, or online atwww.cscsisters.org. Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com
See photo here.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Obit of Linda Kay (Curtis) Johnson

Linda Kay Johnson, 65 of Burbank, IL., formerly of Roberts, Thawville and Rantoul, IL., died 6:55 P.M. Thursday May 5, 2016 at the Aperion Care Nursing Home in Burbank, IL. Mrs. Johnson's Memorial Graveside Service will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Ridgeland Township Cemetery in Thawville, IL. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association. Linda was born on July 21, 1950 in Paxton, IL., to Alvin Leon and Bessie C. (Reecer) Curtis. Her childhood was spent in Roberts, Thawville, and Piper City, IL. She graduated from Chatsworth High School. Linda was first married to Randy Mulligan and then her second marriage to Skip Johnson. Both are deceased. She is survived by her daughter - Kimberly Mulligan of Ohio. Her mother - Bessie Rockwell of Gibson City, IL. A sister - Sharon Miller of Piper City and a brother - Jerry Curtis of Dwight, IL. Several nieces and nephews. Linda is preceded in death by her father, two husbands and a brother - Bill Curtis. She was a Carle Pharmacy Assistant in Urbana, IL. Arrangements by the Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman, IL. Please sign the guest book at www.redeniusfuneralhomes.com

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

May Update




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Beryl Irwin turns 102 on May 1 !!!


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Obit of Thelma (Ward) Spall

Thelma Juanita Spall, 98, Fairbury, died at 12:00 pm Monday, May 2, 2016 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury. Private services will be held Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with Pastor Steve Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. The family suggest memorials be given to the Fairbury Fire Department. Mrs. Spall was born September 17, 1917 in Roberts, IL the daughter of Ollie and Ethel Thompson Ward. She married Joseph V. Spall on November 12, 1938 in Jeffersonville, IN. He died on May 4, 1987. Survivors include three daughters, Carol Billington, Cisne; Veronica (Vernon) Shapland, Melvin; Joyce (Wayne) Hafley, Fairbury; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by three brothers, one sister and one great granddaughter. Mrs. Spall was a 1936 graduate of Chatsworth High School and Summers Beauty Culture School, Bloomington. She was a member of the Nazarene Church, Fairbury.