Obit of Steven M. Gerdes

Steven M. Gerdes, 57 of Ironwood, MI. formerly of Chatsworth, IL. died Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 10:47 AM at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign, IL. 

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chatsworth with Jerry Gentes, minister of Pastoral Care officiating. Burial will be in Chatsworth Cemetery, Chatsworth, IL. A visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials in Steve’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Chatsworth is handling the arrangements. 

Steve was born on August 12, 1956 in Fairbury, IL , a son of Leo and Melicent (Blair) Gerdes. Survivors include: one brother: Brian Gerdes of Ludlow, IL. and one sister: Marlene (Ed) Clampitt of Rantoul, IL.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers David and Dale Gerdes and one sister: Diane Gerdes. 

Steve was a graduate of Chatsworth High School and attended Eureka College. He had been employed at ski resorts in Michigan. He was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chatsworth.

Obit of Sherry Diane Kerber

Sherry Diane Kerber, 30, of Chatsworth passed away at 1:37 pm on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 in Granville, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Chatsworth United Methodist Church with Rev. Ivy Silas officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 pm on Friday, March 7, 2014 at the Chatsworth United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church. Burial will follow services at Chatsworth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sherry’s name to the Chatsworth Township Library or S.E.L.C.A.S.

She was born November 22, 1983 in Pontiac, IL the daughter of Mark and Diane (Hubly) Kerber. They survive in Chatsworth.

Also surviving are her brothers: Chris (Laura) Kerber of Forrest, IL and Jeffrey Kerber of Evergreen, CO; her beloved niece and nephews: Colter, Violet and Sawyer Kerber all of Forrest, IL; her maternal grandma: Dorothy Hubly of Chatsworth, IL; her loving and supportive boyfriend: A.J. Ziano of Granville, IL and his family who cared for her and brought joy to her life; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandpa: Robert Hubly and her paternal grandparents: Ruth and Leonard Kerber.

Sherry was educated in the Prairie Central School District. She went on and received her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in Elementary Education. Upon graduating, she followed her dream and moved to Chicago where she taught at many schools. Following that, she was a professional nanny in Chicago and in Denver, CO to Jake and Tate. Presently; she was a substitute teacher in the Central Illinois.

She was very proud to be a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority at Illinois State University. Sherry was an avid Chicago White Sox fan. She was very knowledgeable about sports and enjoyed going to sporting events. Sherry enjoyed camping, fishing, and just being outdoors. Most of all, she loved her family, particularly her niece and nephews. Sherry was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, girlfriend, aunt, niece, cousin and friend who will be greatly missed.

Obit of Francis J. Dohman, Jr.

Francis J. Dohman, Jr., 73, of Chatsworth, IL passed away at 3:15 pm on Saturday, 

March 1, 2014 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

Funeral services for Francis will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth with Father Richard Brunskill officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 and one hour prior to services all at the funeral home in Chatsworth. According to the family’s wishes, cremation rites will follow services on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chatsworth Fire Department.

Junior was born November 12, 1940 in Fairbury, IL a son of Francis John Sr. and Violet (Kemnetz) Dohman. He married Alice Henry on December 3, 1960 in Piper City. She passed away on July 28, 2011.

He is survived by his children: Robert (Jill) Dohman of Gibson City, IL, Valerie (Bob) Daniels of Marine On St. Croix, MN, and Joseph Dohman of Chatsworth; three grandsons: Brandon, Bradley, and Brendan; one great grandson: Carter; his siblings: Julie (Harold) Tilstra of Onarga, Wayne “Dutch” (Connie) Dohman of Chatsworth, Elaine Dohman, and Vicky (Bob) Shell of Clifton, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Junior worked on his family farm growing up in the Chatsworth Area. He went to work for Homeshield and was there for forty-seven years before retiring.

He was a longtime member of the Chatsworth Fire Department and also was an EMT. He did serve on the Town of Chatsworth Zoning Board.

Junior and his family spent nearly fifty years boating, fishing, and camping on Lake Shelbyville. They made many long time friendships there. He enjoyed gardening, gambling and tinkering. There was not a thing on this earth that Junior couldn’t fix.

He was a loving father, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, and friend who will be greatly missed.

See photo here.

Obit of Bernadine McEvoy Gardner Fugate

FAIRBURY – Bernadine McEvoy Gardner Fugate, 96, of Fairbury died at 10:45 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 27, 2014) at Advocate BroMenn, Normal.

Her funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Tom Krieger officiating. Burial will be at Forrest Township Cemetery, Forrest. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury, and one hour before the funeral service at the church.
Mrs. Fugate was born Nov. 13, 1917 in Bloomington, IL, daughter of Bernard and Elva Fern (Shepard) McEvoy. She married Burdell Gardner on Sept. 11, 1938 in Forrest, IL. He died Nov. 1, 1956. She later married Howard Fugate on August 24, 1969 in Forrest, IL. He died Dec. 31, 2003.
Surviving are son B. Tom (Sherry) Gardner, Chatsworth, GA; two daughters, Susan Gardner and Jane (Eldon) Haab of Bloomington; step-son William (Kay) Fugate, Fairbury; and two step-daughters, Mary Ann Fugate, Champaign, and Ellen (Ray) Hankes, Gibson City. Also surviving are grandchildren Roxanne (Mike) Hutchings, Pamela Crabtree, Joletta McGraw, Lucy (Shan) Pollitt, Brian Gardner, Matt (Wendy) Kupferschmid, Mark (Anna) Kupferschmid, Beth (Stacey) Ward, J.B. Haab, Eric (Julie) Fugate, Andrea Jones, John (Deanna) Hankes, and Betsy (J.T.) Hammitt. She leaves 24 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and special friend Juanita Cavazos.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Ada (Willis) Bennett, Ellen (William) Wallace, Ruth (Burnell) Watson, and Raymond (Mary) McEvoy, infant daughter Joan, infant granddaughter and twin infant great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Fugate graduated from Chatsworth High School. She was employed at medical clinics in Forrest and Fairbury. She was a farm wife and homemaker. Bernadine and Howard enjoyed camper traveling throughout North America. Her cookie jar was always full of treats for anyone who stopped by and might join her in a game of Tri-Ominos or assembling a puzzle in progress. To help future generations experience nature, she and Howard donated Fugate Woods northeast of Fairbury to Prairie Lands Foundation.
Memorials may be made to Fugate Woods, Prairie Lands Foundation, 104 E. Locust St., Fairbury, IL 61739 or Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701. An online guest book is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.

Obit of Georgianna F. Bargman

Georgianna F. Bargman, 87, of Chatsworth, Il passed away at 5:55 am on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Heritage Health Nursing Home in Gibson City, Il.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth, with Jerry Gentes, Minister  of Pastoral Care officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will follow services at Chatsworth Cemetery. Following the burial, there will be a luncheon at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Chatsworth. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Chatsworth. 

Georgianna was born on April 2, 1926 in Superior, Oh. a daughter of George Delawder and Lelia Henry. She married O. Leroy "Sonny" Bargman on June 3, 1944 in Superior, Oh. He passed away on March 15, 2013. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. Georgianna was preceded in death by one sister: Evelyn Henry. Georgianna was a waitress at the Air Force Base in Fairborn, Oh. and was a babysitter in Chatsworth for over 30 years. She also was a waitress at the bake shop in Chatsworth. 

She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Chatsworth.

See photo here.

Obit of Mark E. Kessinger

Mark E. Kessinger

6/8/1961

2/18/2014

El Paso--Mark E. Kessinger, 52, of El Paso, IL passed away at 2:54 pm on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at OSF St. Francis in Peoria, IL with his family by his side.  

He was born on June 8, 1961 in Fairbury, IL a son of Chellis "Jim" and Mary Jane McGreal Kessinger. He married Sandra "Sandee" Franke on August 15, 1987 in El Paso, Il. She survives. 

Also surviving are one son, Jordan (fiance Abby Kiefer) Kessinger, one daughter Chelsea Kessinger, both of El Paso, his parents Jim and Mary Jane Kessinger of Bloomington; two brothers, Mike Kessinger of Chatsworth, IL; Dan (Kelly) Kessinger of Toano, VA; three sisters, Kay (Wayne) Shols of Chatsworth, IL; Sharon (Doug) Benway of Strawn, IL; Debbie (Mike) Coffman of Heyworth, IL; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and one niece, Lindey Hornstein.

Mark graduated from Chatsworth High School and Joliet Jr. College with an Associate Degree in Ag Business and was currently the co-owner/operator of Chatsworth Ag Services. 

He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing golf at the El Paso Country Club and Pontiac Elks. He was a member of the El Paso-Gridley Athletic Booster Club where he served on the board of directors from 2005-2012. He also served as a scorekeeper for away games for the boy's basketball team. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in El Paso. Rev. Jonathan Boehne will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 3-8 pm at the Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Illinois Cancer Center of Peoria, Il or the El Paso-Gridley Athletic Booster Club.

Online condolences may be directed to his family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.

Obit of Marilyn A. (Redman) Stow

Wife of the late Albert Stow

MELVIN — Marilyn A. Stow, 76, of Melvin, died at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City, with the Rev. Paula Wallace officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Sibley. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the funeral on Friday.

Mrs. Stow was born Feb. 5, 1937, in Watseka, a daughter to Horace and Lois (Nolin) Redman. She married Albert Stow on Sept. 6, 1956, in Watseka.  He died Aug. 1, 1996.

Surviving are three sons, Earl Stow of Melvin, Allen (Billie) Stow of Loda and William (Kathie) Stow of Melvin; one daughter, Lois Phillips of Melvin; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Bob Redman of Donovan.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and two grandchildren.

Mrs. Stow enjoyed playing games on the computer and crocheting. She loved animals.

Memorials may be made to the Leukemia Society or charity of the donor’s choice.