Obit of Gerald D. Haberkorn

Gerald D. “Gerry” Haberkorn, 88, of Chatsworth, passed away at 2:55 pm Monday May 29, 2017 at Piper City Rehab and Living Center in Piper City Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am on Friday June 2, 2017 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Chatsworth, Rev. Richard Brunskill will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Chatsworth. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of services at the church. Memorials in his name may be left to Walter Clemmons American Legion Post 613 or to a Charity of the Donor’s Choice. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Forrest is handling the arrangements. Gerry was born in Chatsworth on September 2, 1928 a son of Henry W. and Dorothy (Schade) Haberkorn. Survivors include one brother: Charles “Chub” (Dolores) Haberkorn of Chatsworth; one sister-in-law: Lucy Haberkorn of Chatsworth, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Haberkorn and his sister, Marlene Harms. Gerry was a member of Walter Clemmons American Legion Post 613, He served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Gerry was an Avid Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers fan.

A.L.A. hosts Girl's State Students

May 21, 2017

The Chatsworth A.L.A. Post hosted the "Illini Girl's State Tea" on Sunday, May 21. This is an orientation program for our district students who will attend "Girl's State" this summer. Six girls attended and enjoyed an ice cream bar in lieu of sandwiches and tea. 

Don Deany Article-2009

Article on Don Deany From the Lafayette Leader (Indiana)

June5, 2009

Don Deany, 74, Watseka, grew up in a neighboring county but spent most of his teaching and administrative career in Iroquois County. He was part of both Middleport Grade School and the Crescent City schools, as well as the Regional Office of School. 

 Grade school 

I'm Donald Deany. I was born in Pontiac in Livingston County in 1935. I grew up in Ford County, east of Cullom. I attended a one-room country school until about the sixth grade. The school burned over the Christmas holidays after it had been cleaned. Then I went to the school where my father's family had attended and my great-aunt had taught school at one time. It was just down the road from my great-grandfather's farm and my great-great grandparents farms. After the school burned and we finished the year, the schools in Livingston County and part of Ford County consolidated and I finished at Cullom Grade School. I went on to Cullom High School and graduated in the class of '53.

High school 

One of the things about going to high school at that time school was on the edge of town. After basketball practice I had friends who would take their shotguns to school in the morning and put them in their lockers. After school and after basketball practice for an hour or so they would go hunt in the land north of town. I often think of that and how we would have the state police and FBI and everyone else at school checking out these people and probably be carting them off in handcuffs today. When I graduated from high school, I knew there wasn't enough land for me to farm so I started school as a business education major. I attended several universities. I had my traveling around. I started in Austin, Texas, at St. Edward's University. Then I finished at Illinois State University where I got my Bachelor's degree while I was teaching school, at that time, you could take an exam. I took the teacher's exam. I passed it. I taught in Chatsworth for a teacher on a leave of absence and I taught in Forrest. Then I went back to Chatsworth for a few years.

Middleport Grade School

In 1963 Joyce Sloter and I were married and we came here. I became the upper grade teacher, principal, and coach at Middleport Grade School in Pittwood. The building still stands a block south of the Pittwood Road. I kind of like to talk about the Pittwood school. When I was there we only had 67 kids. We had some good athletes. When the season ended one year, we put the basketball jerseys on and we had the Trudeaus, Lyndon Swanson, Kerry Bell, Dennis Koonce, Cluver and played an intramural ballgame. If you go back and look at the records in the '70s with Watseka High School, those Pittwood boys were all very good players. They continued on and some played in college.

Crescent-Iroquois High School 

I was there for three years and in 1966 I went to Crescent City as the grade school superintendent. I also taught three classes of math. The next year I became the high school administrator too. In '67 I became the superintendent of the Crescent City school. I had gone to Crescent in 1966 and was there for 17 years. It was one of the fortune things as people retired we were able to find very good teachers. A reason a lot of the students were so successful, in addition to their own ability and talent, was a fine faculty. One of the sad things in my life will be attend the Crescent-Iroquois graduation this weekend and see the last time some of those faculty members will be teaching school. I was able to hire a great group of teachers. We had some great students and great basketball teams. We can all remember the team in 1977 that went to the state tournament. We didn't win but we were one of the smaller schools to make it to the Assembly Hall, which brought a great deal of pride in the community. We think of the fine basketball teams through the years.

In one of the classes we had there was a student who did ophthalmology, another was a dentist and a third had a doctorate degree in one of the other sciences. It was probably unusual there were three in one class. It tells you a lot about the ability that those students had. There were other students who did very well in musical careers, farming, whatever. There was a lot of talent, hard working people who wanted to succeed. We have to salute people like that today. I can remember one of the days when I was at the high school I parked my car away from the front of the building at the grade school. When I got home that night some jokester had taken confetti and put it in my car. Until the day I traded it, whenever I turned on the heat you were likely to get some confetti coming from the heater. I was glad to get rid of that because it seemed I was always getting confetti. I don't know how they managed to get down in the heater but they did.

 Retirement

In 1983 I went into the Regional Office of Schools in the basement of the courthouse in Watseka. Mr. Clifford Bury retired in April of 1986 when I was appointed the regional superintendent of school. I served there until 1995. There was reorganization from 57 regional superintendents to 35. I retired and when I retired I thought, "Oh, this is going to be nice." I couldn't work in Illinois because of retirement laws, so I went over and substituted in Indiana for a few days. It just happened there was a parochial school in Kentland where I was subbing that needed a principal. I told the pastor that if he had trouble finding a principal that I would be glad to help out. In June we came back from vacation and there was a phone call saying, "We have everybody but the principal. Will you come?" I went over and talked with him. I thought this would be interesting and I could work three days a week. I did this for two years and I retired again. In the middle of the summer the phone rang and the pastor at the church in Fowler said the nuns have left, "Would you be our principal? We have a lady who wants to be principal but we have to have somebody with an Indiana principal license. I went to Fowler for two years. I retired again. That same summer I got another phone call and I drove to Rensselaer for two years. I also had a lady who filled in when I wasn't there. With my 36 years in public school and my 11 years in parochial schools I accumulated a lot of teaching. One of the sad things was that early on we had the vocational center, which is now the Administrative Center of Iroquois County. I was here when that began and as the secretary and on the regional board of school trustees I had to sign the lease transferring it over to county ownership. Now, you can see we have students going to the KCC center. It was a sad day because at that time, that type of education was needed for student in our area. 

Heritage

I have the Irish background. Back in history, one of my great-grandmothers was buried in Loda at the Pine Ridge Cemetery. A lot of the Deany are buried in Gilman Cemetery at St. Mary's. My grandfather was the one in that family who did not work on the railroad. The Deany family became the engineers and the train conductors. One of my great-uncles was the chief attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad office in Chicago. My mother's family came from Germany. This summer we're having a Dohman family reunion. The Dohman came from Dortmun and my mother's relatives are still there. A couple of my mother's relatives are still there. I have not been back to Germany or Ireland. We had planned on doing that when 9/11 came and we couldn't convince ourselves to take off after that happened. My mother's parents went to Germany when she was a little girl. She had an older sister and an older brother and a younger brother that went with the. Grandma got so homesick she wanted to go back after the war. The inflation came so grandpa knew he had to get out of there. He had a 10 acre farm. He sold that and, evidently, he had a lot of money and he still had to wire a relative here to loan him some money for the rest of the passage. He came back and worked on a farm until he could afford to rent a farm. He rented a farm just south of Cullom, not too far from where my father's family had lived. He bought some land around Charlotte, which is in between Chatsworth and Cullom. My mother still has part of the land grandpa had bought just before World War II.

Baby Bluebirds have arrived at the Steidingers

Chatsworth Alumni Events

****

Chatsworth Alumni Cocktail Party

 

American Legion Hall

Friday.June 9, 2017

5:00 pm to ??????

_____________

CHS Alumni Meeting

American Legion Hall

 

Meeting starts early to accommodate

 Sesquicentennial Events.

Sat.June 10

3:00pm-Bar & Appetizers

3:30-Meeting Begins/4:15-Meeting Ends

****

Fireworks Show
June 10
10:30pm
North edge of Ch

atsworth

Sesquicentennial Car Show

New Sesquicentennial Events

SESQUICENTENNIAL QUILT AUCTION

Is being sold by silent auction.

Check facebook for details.

QUILT SHOW

Sat.June.10

11 am

Will be on display at the St. Paul's Luther Church

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY LOCAL NATIVE 

 TED TAKASAKI

Hall of Fame Legendary Angler

 He will be at the Fishing Tourney.

And Under the Big Tent at 11am.

Sat.June.10

Take a trolly ride and learn our history.

Sat.June.10

11 am to 7 pm

Look for the roll-out of the Chatsworth Plaindealers over Heritage Days.

Our library will be open Saturday morning and this is where it will happen

 between 9am and 12pm!!

May 17 Update

New Bios

Freemont L. Calkins-Principle 1883-1887

Scroll to the bottom of the page

New Photos

Frank Sears

FOUND NEWS TREASURES

Beryl Irwin-103 years young!

Bio of Hugh E. Corbett

Scroll to bottom of page

New Links

Read about the Baker's Creek Crash and Sgt. Lovell Dale Curtis

A new book written in 2016

Memorial Day Services-2017

Memorial Day Services

Chatsworth Memorial Day Services 

Monday, May 28 

8:30am - Germanville Cemetery 

9:00am - St. Patrick's Cemetery 

9:45am - Chatsworth-Charlotte Cemetery 

Breakfast will follow at the Legion Hall

In case of rain services will be held at the Chatsworth American Legion Post#613

 Locust Street at 10:00 am

Obit of Billy Don Wheeler

WHEELER, Billy Don a resident of Zephyrhills since 1986, passed away May 11, 2017 at his residence. Don was born in Springfield, TN March 7, 1945, the son of Clem and Mamie (Rager) Wheeler. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Larry D. Wheeler; and his sister, Mary Wheeler Burton. Don is survived by Patricia A. Pruitt Wheeler, his wife of 30 years; his children, Troy (Cathy) Wheeler of Zephyrhills, Tisha WheelerHarty of Pontiac, IL, Tanya (Darrell) Wheeler-Bell of Chatsworth, IL, Tad Wheeler of Thonotosassa, FL, and Donnie Wheeler and Becky Wheeler, both of Springfield, TN; his sister-in-law, Rita Nasser, of Lutz, FL; and his beloved dogs, Princess and Dutches. Don enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Trey Houser and Thomas Wheeler, both of Florida, Taylor Harty, Illinois, Megan Wheeler and Laila Wheeler, both of Florida, Thalen Harty of Illinois, Megan Wheeler, DJ Wheeler and Anthony Green, all of Tennessee. Don was very proud of his two great-granddaughters, Melody and Taryn Houser of Florida. Don was owner of Zephyr Stripe 'n Seal, Inc., a parking lot maintenance company: in business since 1992, incorporated in 1995. He loved to work: for him working was his vacation. He loved people, all of his customers who, to him, were his friends. Don loved all animals, most particularly dogs, and they loved him too. Don enjoyed the outdoors and taking care of his lawn and gardens. He was a collector of antique tractors and enjoyed all farming machinery. Memorial Services will be held at Hodges Family Funeral Home in Zephyrhills, FL, May 15 at 2:30 pm, with a Visitation beginning at 2 pm. Cremation rites will be accorded and he will be laid to rest in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Elkton, KY in a private service with his family. Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He made the world a special place for others. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to any animal care or rescue facility of the donor's choice.

Obit of Norma Jean (Kleopfer) Seigfreid -April

Norma Jean Seigfreid

 November 16, 1921 – April 16 th 2017 Carthage, IL 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 20, 2017: – at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until time of services at 11:00: – at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage 

Norma Jean Seigfreid, 95, of Carthage, passed away at 5:45 A.M. Sunday, April 16, 2017, at Maple Grove Care Center in Carthage. Norma was born November 16, 1921, the daughter of Ralph and Mabel (Underwood) Kleopfer in Chatsworth, Illinois. She attended Carthage High School graduating in 1939. On January 2, 1943, she was united in marriage to Staff Sergeant Dale N. Bratz. He preceded her in death on April 20, 1946, a casualty of WWII. On March 3, 1950, she was united in marriage to Loren E. Seigfreid in Burnside, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 1998. Norma was employed for many years at Royalty’s Clothing Store in Carthage. She was a member of the Carthage Senior Citizen’s Center and First Christian Church (DOC) in Carthage. Norma is survived by three children, Judith Bratz (Mike) Baker of Edwardsville, Illinois, Kathy (Joe) Kamps of Warsaw and Bruce (Kathy Graham) Seigfreid of Carthage; seven grandchildren, David (Margo) Baker, Jennifer (Adam) Milburn, Susan Baker, John (Jessica) Kamps, Ellie (Brad) Froman, Lauran (Brad) Cox and Brice (Rebecca) Seigfreid; seven great grandsons; three great granddaughters; two step-great grandsons; three sisters-in-law, Esther Kleopfer of Carthage, Loralee Freeman of Pekin and Dorothy Pindell of Niota; and also many loving nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Dale Bratz and Loren Seigfreid; a brother, Lloyd “Bud” Kleopfer; and a sister, Faye M. Treuthart.

Obit of Lorraine (Schade) Robertson-2016

Lorraine “Lori” Robertson, age 91, of Quincy, died Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. in her home Lorraine was born October 18, 1924 in Fairbury, Illinois, the daughter of Albert Edwin and Levella Hummel Schade. She married Donald James Robertson on July 7, 1947 in Bloomington, Illinois. He survives. Lorraine was raised in the country, near Chatsworth, Illinois, on the family farm. She graduated from Chatsworth High School and attended business college in Champaign. Lorraine worked as a church secretary for various churches in Bloomington and Quincy. She was an accomplished musician and played the piano and organ at many Quincy area churches throughout the years. Lorraine also used her talent by playing the accompaniment for Barbara Holliday, Paul Werner, and others, as they provided hours of entertainment for the residents of local nursing homes. Lorraine was a member of Ellington Presbyterian Church and Unity Church of Quincy. In the 1950’s, she and Don attended Rev. Lee Anthony’s Study Group, which was the seed of Unity Church of Quincy. Survivors in addition to her husband, Don, include three children, Douglas James (Linda) Robertson of Cincinnati, IA, Larry D. (Cathy) Robertson of Raleigh, NC, and Vicki Lynn (Bill) Daggett of Quincy; a grandson, Jacob Lee (Amanda) Daggett of Quincy; a great-grandson, Hunter Lee Daggett of Quincy; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Jean (Daryl) Davis of Loveland, CO and Marjorie Robertson of Quincy; two brothers-in-law, W. Lee Robertson of Elgin, IL, and Kenneth Eugene (Barbara) Robertson of Quincy; and nieces and nephews. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law, H. Keith Robertson. Memorial Service: 11:30 am on July 21, 2016 in Ellington Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Ron Cox officiating. Following the service, a luncheon will be held for those attending hosted by the Ellington Ladies. Please linger to further share in the love of Lorraine and her family. Burial: Lorraine was cremated according to her wishes. A private interment will be held at a later date in Ellington Home Cemetery. Visitation: 10:00 to 11:30 am on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at Ellington Presbyterian Church.

Obit of Galen W. Haren

Galen W. Haren, 73, of Cullom, IL passed away at 9:28 pm on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 in Gilman, IL. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 19, 2017 at Forrest United Methodist Church with Rev. Roosevelt Smith officiating. A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, May 19, 2017 at the church. Private family inurnment will be held at Sullivan Center Cemetery in rural Cullom, IL, at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cullom Junior Fair or the Forrest United Methodist Church. Galen was born September 19, 1943 in Streator, IL a son of Rollo and Alice (Kramer) Haren. He married Joan Augsburger on August 4, 1963 at Charlotte River Church. She survives. Also surviving are his children: Lynne Feldkamp of Cullom, IL, Leslie (Ken) Haren- Friesz of Fountain, CO, and Agga (Jolene) Haren of Albuquerque, NM; six grandchildren: Kyle (Taylor Clark) and Katelyn Feldkamp, Joshua (Jamylia) Haren, Breanna Daniel, Dalen Friesz, Jeremy Haren; one great grandson: Khai Haren; two sisters: Donna (Gerald) Buckler of Pontiac, IL and Marjorie Hahn of Cullom, IL, three step grandchildren; and three step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother: Philip Haren, and one brother-in-law: Bob Hahn. Galen was educated at Charlotte River School thru eighth grade then going to Cullom High School. He farmed his whole life. He enjoyed farming, showing pigs, and the Cullom Junior Fair. He was a member of the Forrest United Methodist Church, Cullom Junior Fair Association, and Tri-Point FFA Alumni Association.

Obit of Mary Ann (Mauritzen) Dehm

 

Chatsworth- Mary Ann Dehm, 81, of Chatsworth, IL passed away at 9:33 am on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at her home in Chatsworth. A memorial mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Chatsworth, IL with Father Joseph Mauritzen and Father Richard Brunskill officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass. According to her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Private family inurnment will take place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Chatsworth, Illinois. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth, IL are handling services for the family. Memorial contributions may be made to “H.O.P.E.” Church or the Livingston County Humane Society.

 Mary Ann was born February 10, 1936 in Fairbury, Illinois a daughter of James A. and Teresa (Hayes) Mauritzen. She married Robert Dehm on December 26, 1957 in Chatsworth, IL. He survives. Also surviving her children: Cindi (Steve) Maples of Red Granite, WI, James “Jamie” Dehm of Jacksonville, FL, and Randy (Delaine) Dehm of Metamora, IL; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother: Father Joe Mauritzen of Conneticut; and one sister-in-law: Pat Mauritzen of California. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother: Jim Mauritzen. Mary Ann was educated in Chatsworth schools graduating from high school in 1954. She then went on to St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Kankakee graduating in 1957. She worked at Fairbury Hospital as a staff RN until 1971. Mary Ann became certified in rehabilitation and restorative nursing in 1973. She went on to be the director of nurses at Greenbrier Lodge in Piper City from 1971-1975. She then went on as director of nurses for Humiston Haven in Pontiac, retiring in 1993. Mary Ann was an avid bowler for more than forty years. She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Chatsworth and the American Legion Auxiliary in Piper City. Most of all, Mary Ann loved spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be greatly missed. This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at calvertmemorial.com.

Obit of Sharon (Lake) Schade

Wife of Kenneth Shade

Sharon Lee Schade, 78, of Gilman, IL., died 4:03 P.M., Monday, May 8, 2017 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, IL., following a lengthy illness. Her funeral service will be at 2:30 P.M., Friday, May 12, 2017 at the Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman with Pastor Malcom Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Gilman Cemetery, Gilman. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:30 P.M. Friday, May 12, 2017 at the Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman. Memorials may be made to Sharon's family or to the Donor's Choice. Sharon was born in Watseka, IL., on February 24, 1939 to Kenneth and Ruth Lake. Her childhood was spent in Watseka and she attended Watseka schools. Sharon married Kenneth R. Schade on September 22, 1965. He died on June 3, 2015. Surviving children - Kevin (Dana) Schade of Gilman, Kenneth S. Schade of Woodland, IL and Kathy Schade of Gilman. Three grandchildren - Jeremy, Kale and Ryenn Schade. One sister - Marcia Lake of Gilman. Several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Sharon was a member of the United Methodist Church of Gilman. She was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge. Sharon enjoyed crocheting, fishing, playing cards, bird watching, gardening and watching her children and grandchildren in their sports activities. Arrangements by the Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman, IL. Please sign the guest book at www.redeniusfuneralhomes.com

Obit of Valerie Lynn (Edwards) Orsowy

 

Valerie “Val” Lynn Edwards Orsowy, 58, of Chatsworth, IL passed away on 1:54 pm at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 12, 2017 at Chatsworth United Methodist Church with Rev. Roosevelt Smith officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at the church also. A die-hard Cub’s fan, Val previously requested casual sports attire be worn to her visitation and funeral. Burial will follow services at Chatsworth Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Chatsworth Fire and Rescue. Val was born January 1, 1959 in Fairbury, IL a daughter of James and Shirley (Lang) Edwards. She is survived by her children: Mitch (Julie) Dohman and Malerie (Kurtis) Orsowy both of Pontiac, Illinois; siblings: Terri (Rick) Perkins and Randy Edwards both of Chatsworth, IL; her grandchildren: Skylar, Cody, Riley, Brendan, Daylen, Braylen, and one on-the-way; her life partner: Scott Thomsen of Chatsworth, IL along with her dog: Anny and cat: Frosty. She was greeted into Heaven by her parents who preceded her. Val was educated in the Chatsworth schools. She loved Chatsworth and worked for Quanex-Homeshield for over 30 years doing various fabricating jobs. Her coworkers were her “extended family” and loved them all. She enjoyed being outside in the sun, boating, camping, spending time with family and friends, and watching the Cub’s win the World Series. Val loved her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Beryl Irwin-103 years young!

May 9, 2017

Article from Target Shopper: part of Ford County Record

Photo is from facebook

May 8, 2017

103 Years Young

Ruth Beryl Irwin celebrate her 103rd birthday on May 1, 2017, at Piper City Rehab & Living Center. Irwin was born and raised on a far west of Cropsey and moved to Chatsworth in 1941. She was a teacher at the Miller Country School, then married Milford Irwin in 1937. They were married 73 years before he died. Irwin has belonged to many clubs, such as the Germanville Club for more than 20 years, the Kitchen Band for nearly 20 years, the Children's Choir and the Methodist Church Women. In her earlier years, Irwin was very involved with her church and community. She currently resides in Piper City. 

Below from facebook is Beryl and daughter Bette Jane.

Obit of Jo Ann (Jupin) Runyon

Wife of Larry "Nick" Runyon

FORREST — Jo Ann Runyon, 74, of Forrest, passed away at 12:05 p.m. Saturday (May 6, 2017) at her home. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Forrest. Pastor Corrine Blissard will officiate. Burial will be in Forrest Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be left to the family. Jo Ann was born Nov. 25, 1942, in Fairbury, the daughter of Virgil and Emily Sinnett Jupin. She married Larry “Nick” Runyon on Feb. 7, 1959, in Forrest. He survives. Also surviving are her children, Judy Arnette, Gina (Ricardo) Gomez and Jeff Runyon, all of Forrest, and Twyla Runyon-Pae, California; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sister, Ruth Hanshew, Forrest. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, one sister and two grandchildren. Jo Ann attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Forrest. She loved every minute with her family and anyone who walked through her open door. Jo Ann loved playing cards.

Jo Ann touched many people in her life and those people along with her family will miss her deeply. The family would like to thank Compassion Hospice and their nurses; Dr. Brewer, Natalie and the rest of his staff; and Evan at OSF Therapy.

A register book is available at www.duffypilsmemorial.com

Sesquicentennial Banners-Get Yours!

Share your family history too.

Have a banner printed like the one above.

 The banners are intended to remember and honor the many local entrepreneurs who operated historic or current businesses or organizatons in Chatsworth.

 Banners will be displayed in the 300 block of Walnut, (Old 24) during the 150th events, 

(alternaƟvely they can be delivered directly to buyers with other display arrangements). 

In order to have time to get the banners printed and delivered, requests need to reach me by May 22 nd.

Contact: Charles Dennewitz

email: cdnewitz@outlook.com 

call or text: 614-353-3649 (preferably after 2pm CT (he is in Ohio)

Here is the info he posted on Facebook

  

Great Idea!!!

Obit of Greg T. Shafer

CHATSWORTH — Greg. T. Shafer, 62, of Chatsworth, died 9:12 p.m. Friday (May 5, 2017) at his home. His funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Chatsworth, with the Rev. Roosevelt Smith officiating. Burial will be in Germanville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials in Greg’s name may be made to Chatsworth Fire Department. Greg was born on Dec. 26, 1954, in Fairbury, a son of Ronald and Ruth Thompson. He married Lori Hornickel on Dec. 11, 1976. Survivors include Lori Shafer, Chatsworth; two sons, Zachary (Jessica) Shafer and Gabriel Shafer, both of Fairbury; one daughter, Alyxandra Shafer, Chatsworth; five grandchildren, Holden Shafer, Alayna Shafer, Aylen Shafer, Maddox Shafer and Axton Shafer; two brothers, Tod Shafer, Channahon, and Scott Shafer, Chatsworth; two sisters, Karen Kamin, Schaumburg, and Jill Hughes, Ann Arbor, Mich.  Greg was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Conrad Charles Shafer; and one brother, Kurt Shafer. Greg was educated in Chatsworth schools and was a butcher at Dave’s Supermarket in Fairbury and had retired. Greg was a die-hard Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fan. In 2016, he almost got to see the Indians win a World Series, but the Cubs had other ideas. Greg was a train enthusiast and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Chatsworth proclaimed "Bluebird Capital of Illinois"

Governor proclaims May 4 as Bluebird Project Day

Chatsworth proclaimed- "BLUEBIRD CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS"

Posted by Paul Ritter on Facebook

Mayor Richard Runyon at far left, attends ceremony at Springfield.

Click on photo to view larger photo

Obit of Jerome G. Jerkovic

CHATSWORTH — Jerome G. Jerkovic, 73, of Chatsworth, dearest husband of Carol for 55 years, passed to Heaven Monday (May 1, 2017) at Gilman Healthcare Center. He was the proud father of Jerome (Donna) and Cheryl (Michael) Bucz; loving grampa to Jennifer (Larry) Honaker, Donald and Stephanie; great-grampa to Angel, Xavier, Scarlett and Alexander; brother to Carolann. Private services will be at a later date. Memorials can be made to wife, Carol, or immediate family