Obit of Norman Kenneth Runyon

Norman Kenneth Runyon, 79, of Chatsworth, IL passed away at 8:45 am on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Piper City Rehab & Living Center in Piper City.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow services at Chatsworth Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Norman was born January 2, 1934 a son of Mason and Alberta (Norman) Runyon. He married Wilma Lang on February 5, 1955. She passed away August of 1990.

He is survived by one son: Norman “Kevin” (Crystal) Runyon of Piper City, IL; one daughter: Jenise (Gary) Galloway of Chatsworth; five grandchildren: Brianna (Seth) McIntyre, Nicholas (Danielle) Runyon, Amalie (Luke) McLaughlin, Mykal Galloway, and Kenber Galloway; five great grandchildren; one sister: Gloria (Roger) Russell of Bloomington; one brother: Roger (Wilma) Runyon of Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and eight brothers.

Norman served his country in the United States Army. He was from the Chatsworth area most of his life having worked for Honegger Mill in Fairbury for thirty-five years and then Homeshield until his retirement. He enjoyed Nascar, golfing, camping, fishing, and riding around town in his golf cart.

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

Obit of Justin Mathew Ehman

Capt. Justin Mathew Ehman, 94, of Arab died Friday, May 17, 2013, at his residence.

Capt. Ehman was born in 1918, in Pontiac, Ill., to Loretta and Alfred C. Ehman. He married the former Margaret Eidson in 1946. She preceded him in death.

He was assigned to Redstone Arsenal during World War II, then later served as executive office of Raybesto Manhattan, an industrial supplier.

He was a devoted member of Saint Williams Catholic Church in Guntersville.

He was a founding member of the El Rancho Liars Club, enjoyed time with his buddies and was a benefactor to Whole Backstage Theater in Guntersville. He was also a supporter of Arab Musical Theatre.

He is survived by a special nephew and niece: Timothy and Peggy Bishop of Arab; great-nephew and niece: Matthew and Sarah Bishop; special friend: Barbara Yantzi of Arab; and several other nieces and nephews: James and Martha Clare Morris, Margaret and Richard Holoday, Colleen Morris, Shawn and John Wellspeak, Kathy and Richard Hastins, Mary Lou Rauh, Patrick Morris, Colleen and Leonard Butler, Stephanie Kiburz and James and Joan Kennah.

He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Alfred C. Ehman Jr., Marguerite Kennah, Stephen J Ehman and Bernadette Morris.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at Gober Funeral Chapel, and conclude with a prayer service at 7:45 p.m.

The graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at Arab Memorial Cemetery with Gober Funeral Chapel directing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Whole Backstage, Saint Williams, Arab Musical Theatre or the Arab Historical Society.

Pallbearers will be Leonard Butler, David Coronado, Howard Hawk, Bob Joslin, Mathew Kiburz, Wendell Mead, Wade Skidmore and Justin O'Connor.

Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Abercrombie, Roye Marshall, Tom Mizell, Byron Nelson and Max Pool.

Little School Museum Opens

 

 

 

THE LITTLE SCHOOL MUSEUM

OPENS JUNE 2, 2013

OPEN JUNE-JULY-AUGUST

SUNDAYS-2 PM TO 4 PM

SPECIAL HERITAGE DAYS HOURS

FRIDAY-JUNE 14-12 PM TO 4 PM

SATURDAY-JUNE 15-11 AM TO 1 PM

SUNDAY-2 PM TO 4 PM

Obit of Beatrice G. (Gingrich) Cole

Beatrice G. Cole, 88 of Gridley formerly of Chatsworth passed away at 12:38 am, Saturday, May 4, 2013 at her residence in Gridley, surrounded by her family.

Cremation rites have been accorded. The family will hold a private inurnment at a later date in Chatsworth Cemetery, Chatsworth. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bea was born October 22, 1924 in Chatsworth; the daughter of Frank and Bertha (Weihermiller) Gingerich. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, two sisters and son in-law, Earl Bork.
Survivors include two daughters; Barbara Cole, Oak Lawn, IL and Beth Bork, Forrest, one son; Michael Cole of Carlock; two grandsons, Chad Bork and Shane Cole, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Bea graduated from Chatsworth High School and later was employed by the State at Fox Developmental Center, Dwight. She was an avid Quilt Maker and enjoyed making various handy crafts.

Obit of Richard "Dick" B. Watson

CHATSWORTH — Richard “Dick” Burnell Watson, 71, Visalia, Calif. passed away peacefully Friday (April 26, 2013) with his family by his side in Danville, Calif.
He was born Dec. 13, 1941, in Chats-worth, the son of Burnell and Ruth Watson.
Dick grew up in a family of five children in the small town of Chatsworth. He earned his civil engineering degree at the University of Illinois in 1965. After graduation, he moved to California where he met his sweetheart, Marilyn Easter. They were married in Santa Maria, Calif., on June 22, 1968, and moved to Visalia where they raised three children. He worked for W.M. Lyles Co. for 37 years, loved his work, and enjoyed the people with whom he worked.
Dick had an infectious zest for life and he never missed a chance to joke. He dearly loved his family, grandchildren and friends, and he had a knack for making everyone around him feel good about themselves. He recently celebrated his 50th year as a private pilot. He had a lifelong passion for trains and was an avid golfer. In his retirement, Dick and Marilyn enjoyed traveling with family and friends and visiting grandchildren.
Dick was an active member of the Visalia community through the years. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia and was active in the Visalia Rotary Club, Visalia YMCA, the Tulare County Library Foundation, the Santa Teresita Youth Community Center in Three Rivers and numerous other organizations. He was also a member of the AOPA pilot association and the American Rail Car Association.
He is survived by his loving wife and partner, Marilyn Watson; their three children and spouses, Kim and Rob Hensley, Kevin and Julie Watson and Debbie and Scott Rumsey. He has seven grandchildren who adore him, Ellie, Maggie and Jake Hensley; Grant and Lauren Watson; and Nate and Katie Rumsey. He is also survived by his siblings, Pat Haskins, Ruth Bazzell, Cletus Watson and Theresa Watson; numerous nieces and nephews; and more than a few golf buddies.
His funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Visalia, Calif., with interment following at Visalia District Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Visalia Community Rotary Foundation, 1220 W. Center Ave., Visalia, CA 93291; Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center, P.O. Box 249, Three Rivers, CA 93271; or Tulare County Library Foundation, 200 W. Oak Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291. Arrangements are entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, Calif.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.