Obit of Regina (Swanick) Hornickel

CHATSWORTH – Regina "Biddy" Hornickel, 89, of Chatsworth passed away at 8:25 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 25, 2015) at Fairview Haven Retirement Community in Fairbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Chatsworth, with Father Richard Brunskill officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth and one hour prior to Mass on Saturday at the church. Rosary service will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday prior to visitation. Burial will follow services at Germanville Township Cemetery in rural Chatsworth. Memorial contributions may be made to H.O.P.E. Church or S.E.L.C.A.S. Regina was born on Feb. 1, 1926, at home in Roberts, a daughter of James and Regina (Kemmer) Swanick. She married Harold Hornickel on April 19, 1947, and they were married for nearly 66 years. He passed away on April 3, 2013. She is survived by her sons, Jim (Bev) of Normal, Dennis (Gayle) and David (Ann Hanson, special friend), all of Chatsworth; one daughter, Rosemarie (Steve) Umland of Champaign; nine granddaughters, Emily (Jay) Fleischmann, Trisha (Neal) Murphy, Abby (Michael) Bradley, Stephanie Doss (fiance Nick Zmia), Mandi Hornickel, Lindsey Hornickel (Scott Hay), Jessica Hornickel, Bethany Chilsted (Jason Martin, special friend), and Brittany Myers (Adam French, special friend); five great-grandchildren, Shafer and Harper Fleischmann, Adam Doss, Bianca Hay and Eliana Murphy; and one sister, Rosanna Dupree of Tucson, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Francis Swanick; and two sisters, Dolores Swanick and Grace Bachtold. Regina was educated in the Roberts schools, graduating from Roberts High School. Prior to getting married, she worked at State Farm for four years. Regina met Harold taking lunch out to the threshermen in the fields. They were married and she stayed home with the kids and sold Avon for a number of years. She was a member of Germanville Club, Kitchen Band, Altar and Rosary Society, Charlotte Home Extension and many bridge clubs. Regina enjoyed traveling, playing cards, bingo, baking, gardening, reading and crocheting. Most of all, she loved her family and spending time with them. She leaves behind her special buddy, Blackie the cat. Regina was a loving mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt and friend who will be greatly missed. This obituary may be viewed and condolences left for the family at calvertmemorial.com.

Obit of Jeanne (Knittles) Kieken

Jeanne K. Dieken, 90, of Danforth, IL., formerly of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin, died 8:45 A.M. on Friday, October 16, 2015 at Luther Place in Danforth, IL.. Her Memorial Service wil be held at a later date. Jeanne was born in Chatsworth, IL., on January 8, 1925 to William G. & Reva Frances (Wells) Knittles. Her childhood was spent in Chatsworth. She graduated from Chatsworth High School in 1943 and attended - Illinois State University, Normal, IL., Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL., and Northern University in Dekalb, IL. Jeanne married Earl Dieken on September 27, 1947 in Danforth, IL. He survives. Also surviving are two sons - Jeff and Bill and a daughter - Kris. Four grandchildren - Kelly, Eric, Lauren and Sadie. Five great-grandchildren - Cameron, Gavin, Ruby, Addison and Paige. Sister - Norma Boyce of Lexington, IL. Sister-in-law - Phyllis Dieken of Danforth. Several nieces and nephews Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents and a brother - Bill Knittles She was a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Jeanne was a school teacher and librarian. She enjoyed reading and loved to golf with her husband.. Arrangements by the Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman and Bolger Funeral Home in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Please sign the guest book atwww.redeniusfuneralhomes.com

Obit of Vicky (Holbrook) Weller

Vicky K. Weller, 38 of Chatsworth died Friday, October 16, 2015 at 1:40PM in Piper City, IL. Cremation rites will be accorded after a visitation on Wednesday from 5:00-8:00PM at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Chatsworth, IL. . Inurnment will be on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 12:00 PM Noon at Brenton Township Cemetery, Piper City, IL. with Rev. Brian King officiating. A celebration of life will be held after the burial. Memorials in Vicky’s name may be made to her children. Vicky was born on January 12, 1977 at Bridgeview,IL., a daughter of Carl and Kathleen (Dodson) Holbrook. She married John F. Weller Jr. on January 10, 2006 at Paxton, IL. He survives in Chatsworth. Also surviving are four children: Alexander Oronia of Assumption, IL.; Haley Haminton of Chatsworth, IL.; Lucas Weller and Hunter Weller of Chatsworth, IL.; one brother: Tim Holbrook of Manteno, IL. and one sister: Pam Abney of Channahon, IL. Vicky was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. Vicky was educated in Argo High School and received her Medical Coding certificate from Ultimate Medical Academy. She was a homemaker.

Obit of Daniel Patrick Cavanagh

Daniel Patrick Cavanagh, 65, of Chatsworth, IL passed away at 6:10 am on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at his residence in Chatsworth, IL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Chatsworth with Monsignor Michael C. Bliss officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 1:00 pm on Saturday prior to the service at the church. Holy Rosary will be recited at 9:30 am before the visitation. Burial will follow mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Chatsworth, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to HOPE Church, MSA Coalition research, or Advocate Hospice in Normal, IL. Dan was born March 17, 1950 in Fairbury, IL a son of Emmett and Lillian (Galle) Cavanagh. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother in law, Ellen and Robert Lawless. He leaves behind Katie Cavanagh and their three children: Matt Cavanagh of Chatsworth, IL, Kacie (Nathan) Hunter of Woodlawn, IL, and Adam (Jordi) Cavanagh of Chatsworth, IL; and one brother: Michael Cavanagh of Chicago, IL Dan was educated at Sts. Peter Paul School in Chatsworth. He went to Chatsworth High School graduating in 1968. Dan received a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Southern Illinois University in 1972. He began working at Comlara Park (Evergreen Lake) attributing to reforestation, campground, and nature development of the park. He spent the remainder of his career in Ag Chemicalsales until his retirement in 2012. He was a lifetime member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Dan was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of the American Legion. Dan loved opening day of pheasant season and hunting of all kinds. He was a lifelong Chicago White Sox and Indy 500 fan. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children and seeing them grow up. He was a loving husband, dad, and friend who will be greatly missed. Dan was also proud that he never had to see the Cubs win a World Series.

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Obit of Donald J. Kemmer

SIBLEY – Donald J. Kemmer, 91, of Sibley died at 11:10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, at Heritage Health in Gibson City. His funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gibson City, with Father Thomas Theneth officiating. Burial will be in Drummer Township Cemetery in Gibson City. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City, with a rosary service at 4:30 p.m., also at the funeral home. Mr. Kemmer was born Nov. 26, 1923, in Germanville Township, a son of William and Pearl E. (Knight) Kemmer. He married Ruby C. Kerber on Nov. 20, 1948, in Gibson City. She died Nov. 29, 2011. Surviving are his children: William (Diana) Kemmer of Sibley, and Cheryl (Philip) Brown and Marlene Cluver both of St. Joseph; seven grandchildren: Regina Lewis, Carley Kemmer, Alex Kemmer, Ryan (Cara) Roberts, Amy (Jake) Dorsey, Dawn Cluver and Torrie (Rick) Strada; eight great-grandchildren, Dustin, Dan and Abby Lewis, Hanna and Patrick Roberts, Noah and Zoey Straka and Henry Dorsey; and a sister, Rita Whipple of Utica. He was preceded in death by his son Marvin, three sisters, four brothers, and his son-in-law Monte Cluver. Donald worked for Central Soya in Gibson for 18 years. He later worked for Firestone for 22 years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gibson City. He was an avid sports fan, enjoying Illini football and basketball, the Chicago Bears and NASCAR. He was an Army veteran. Memorial tributes may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or Gibson Area Hospital.