From www.pantagraph.com

SPRINGFIELD -- Several area libraries are among 65 chosen to receive almost $4,000 worth of equipment, hardware and software to help businesses and entrepreneurs create jobs.
The grants were announced by Secretary of State Jesse White, who also is the state librarian. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin obtained the $300,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Participants were selected on the basis of the local unemployment rate, poverty level, proximity to a Small Business Development Center, SCORE or other business organization, and statewide geographic distribution.
They include:
The sixty-five libraries receiving technology packages are Bloomington Public Library, Chatsworth Township Library, Paxton Carnegie Library, Reddick Public Library District, Towanda District Library.

From www.pantagraph.com

CHATSWORTH — Tom Beck, 83, formerly of Chatsworth, passed away on May 26, 2011, in his residence in Ocala, Fla.

Master Sgt. Thomas A. Beck was buried June 1 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla., with full military honors and a 21-gun slaute.

Tom was born Thomas Andrew Beck on Oct. 12, 1927, in Chatsworth, the oldest of three sons born to Stircow and Ersie Piercy Beck. He also had five sisters. He attended elementary schools in Chatsworth and graduated from Chatsworth Township High School in the class of 1946.

Tom was first employed by his father, Stircow Beck, a contractor and builder in the Chatsworth, Strawn and Piper City areas. He then became a general contractor under his own name in the Chatsworth and Piper City areas from 1956 to 1975. He specialized in new home construction, new kitchens and farm buildings. More than 20 structures in the area bear his signature.

He became a career military officer in the U.S. Army. He first served in the Korean conflict from 1951 to 1952 and received the Purple Heart for a wound sustained in battle. He served as an adviser with the U.S. Army in the war in Vietnam from 1962 to 1968. He achieved the rank of master sergeant, the highest rank for a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. From 1975 to 1987, he was employed by the United States government. He finally retired in 1987. He lived in the Geneva and Rochelle areas until he moved to Ocala, Fla., in 2004.

Tom is survived by Carol Clark Beck, his wife of 55 years; two sons, Allan Anthony and Mark Andrew, both of Ocala, Fla.; a granddaughter, Candice Anderson; and two brothers, William G. Beck, Colfax, and John Robert Beck, Midland, Ga.; and 20 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers-in-law; and his five sisters, Virginia Beck, Blanche Lane, Janette Curtis, Corinne Cavanaugh and Gwen Evans.

The Little School Museum

Pics from the re-opening day June 17, 2011

Heritage Days 2011

Album is not complete-will be adding more

From the Pontiac Daily Leader

Pontiac, Ill. —
Donald E. Foster, 93, of Pontiac, died at 8:45 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2011, at Evenglow Lodge Tjardes Health Center, Pontiac.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, the Rev. Gretchen Stinebaugh officiating.
Burial will be in Patty Cemetery, rural Pontiac.
Friends may call one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the funeral home.
He was born April 25, 1918, in Yates Township, rural Chenoa, the son of Harold and Wilma (Donnell) Foster. He married Catherine Lorraine Schade Jan. 23, 1939, at Kentland. She passed April 3, 1998.
Surviving are one sister, Jeanette (Richard) McCabe, Pontiac, and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Foster was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Landon Foster.
Don was a graduate of Chenoa High School Class of 1936. He then attended Milwaukee School of Engineering for one year.
Don had farmed in the Pontiac, Chatsworth and Gibson City areas. He was the owner/operator of the Chatsworth Locker Plant from 1958-68. He was then a meat inspector for the Department of Agriculture from 1968-80 until retirement.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pontiac.
Don had belonged to the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butchers Union.
Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Evenglow Lodge Tjardes Health Center or to a charity of donor’s choice.

From www.daily-journal.com

 

The Jensen family gathered recently and posed for a
sixth-generation photo. Pictured clockwise, from lower left, are
great-great-grandfather Ralph Jensen, of Kankakee; great-grandmother Janet
Mabis, of St. Anne; grandmother Michele Weigt, of Chatsworth; mother Ashley
Creek, of Campus, holding the newest member of the family, Clayton Stewart; and
great-great-great-grandmother Irma Jensen, of Kankakee.

From www.tennessean.com

Jerome Clair ORTMAN

  |   Visit Guest Book

ORTMAN, Mr. Jerome ClairAge 73 of Franklin,
TN. May 19, 2011. Preceded in death by parents, Cyril Louis & Laura Ortman;
brothers, Paul & Cyri, Jr. Ortman; sister, Elizabeth Ortman. Survived by
sister, Rosemary Ortman Strawn of Franklin, TN; aunt, Gladys Mackinson of
Glendale, AZ; niece, Tia (Christopher) Scott; great nieces, Lara & Kira
Scott all of Brentwood, TN; other loving family members. Funeral Mass will be
conducted 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at St. Philip Catholic Church with
Father Bala, Celebrant. Interment will be in Cullom, IL. Memorials may be made
to St. Philip Catholic Church or to the charity of your choice. WILLIAMSON
MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 794-2289 williamsonmemorial.com

Published in The Tennessean from
May 22 to May 23, 2011

 

Obit of Gregory Paul Friedman

from : www.duffypillsmemorialhome.com

Gregory is the son of Doris Snow Friedman

Gregory Paul
Friedman, 49, Pontiac, formerly of Fairbury, died at 7:37 pm Wednesday,
June 1, 2011 at his residence. His death has been attributed to an existing
heart condition.

Memorial services will be held at 5:00pm Wednesday, June
8, 2011 at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury with the Rev. Steve Anderson
officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Wednesday also at the
church. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is assisting his family with
arrangements.
Private inurnment will take place in Chatsworth Cemetery
at a later date. The family suggests memorials be given to the charity of their
choice.
Mr. Friedman was born September 13, 1961 in Fairbury, IL
the son of Charles E. and Doris A. Snow Friedman.
Surviving is his father, Charles (Helen) Friedman,
Normal, IL, his mother, Doris A. Friedman, Pontiac, one sister, June E. (James)
Yoder, Forrest, IL, one brother, Brian E. (Sherry) Friedman, Pontiac, IL, three
step brothers, Robert (Lesa) Dillon, Bloomington, IL, Mark (Krista) Dillon, New
Berlin, IL, Jeff (Lezlee) Dillon, Lake Bloomington, IL, one step sister, Julie
(Craig) Brock, Weldon, IL, one niece, Lindsay R. Friedman, and one nephew, Alex
E. Friedman.
Greg was a 1980 graduate of Fairbury–Cropsey High
School. He worked as a supervisor at Exact Packaging, Pontiac. He was a youth
champion at the Fairbury-Cropsey Sportsman Club and was a Chicago sports fan.