Bluebirds in Ottawa, IL.!!

What a lovely site!!

January 28, 2019

From The Times/Ottawa, IL.

A rare sight during winter, two male Eastern Bluebirds enjoy a heated bird bath, despite the frigid cold on Ottawa's west side. Bluebirds normally head farther south to escape the cold.

Obit of Kenneth P. Eastin

Husband of Bonnie Fairley Eastin

ROBERTS — Kenneth P. "Ken" Eastin, 83, of Roberts died at 9:20 a.m. Friday (Jan. 18, 2019) at Heritage Health Nursing Home in Gibson City, with his loving and dedicated wife, Bonnie, by his side. A celebration of life service will be held later this spring. Memorials made be directed to Roberts Fire & Rescue or the family. Rosenbaum Funeral Home in Gibson City is assisting the family with their arrangements. Ken was born on Oct. 3, 1935, in Sidney, a son of Floyd and Eva Smith Eastin. He married Bonnie Fairley on Aug. 24, 1958, in Chatsworth. He was a member of the Congregational Christian Church of Roberts. Surviving is his loving wife of 60 years, Bonnie Eastin of Roberts; children, Tim (Debbie) Eastin of Finger, Tenn., and Angie (Mark) Wieneke of Roberts.; eight grandchildren, Kaylyn, Kristen, Karli, Jeff, Cody, Claire, Clarisa and Collin; and nine greatgrandchildren, Kyla, Brayden, Marco, Kale, Karter, Finley, Sophie, Emma and Presley. His parents; an infant daughter, Susan; and a sister, Judy, preceded him in death. Ken proudly served in the United States Army Reserves for five years and was a member of the Wagner-Davis American Legion Post #641. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #733 and was a District Deputy Grand Master from 1985 to 1987. Ken enjoyed competition shooting, fishing and camping. Ken was employed at Rocket Supply Inc., for many years. He was also the village of Roberts water superintendent until November 2004. Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed. Online condolences and memories of Ken may be shared with the family at rosenbaumfh.com.

Obit of June K. (Saienga) Edwards

June K. Edwards, 92, of Pontiac, IL, formerly of Chatsworth passed away at 4:57 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Good Samaritan Home in Pontiac, IL. Private family services will take place at Chatsworth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Baltz Library of Chatsworth Township, 501 East School Street, Chatsworth, IL 60921. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth is handling arrangements for the family. She was born in Melvin, IA a daughter of Richard and Martha (Wiechert) Saienga. She married Floyd "Lum" Edwards on October 1, 1946 in Chatsworth, IL. He passed away on July 30, 1994. June is survived by many nieces and nephews. Her parents and husband preceded in death. She was a member of the Chatsworth United Methodist Church.

American Legion Steak Supper

AMERICAN LEGION STEAK SUPPER

WED., JAN. 23

AMERICAN LEGION HALL

5 PM TO 7:30 PM

EVERYONE WELCOME CARRYOUTS-815-635-3594

12 OZ. RIB EYE STEAK & THE WORKS-INCLUDING DESSERT

Obit of Susan Grace Fox

Susan Grace Fox, 72 of Chatsworth, died at 9:15 pm, Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at OSF St. James, John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Chatsworth with Fr. David Sabel officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00pm Monday, January 21, 2019 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. A second visitation will be held from 9:00 – 9:45am at the Church on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Chatsworth Public Library, Livingston County Humane Society, or the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Pontiac. Susan was born December 15, 1946 in Evanston, IL, a daughter of John Winthrop and Joyce Olive Conrad Howell. Her dad preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Michelle Brand of Fairbury; her mother, Joyce Lindelof of Saybrook; three grandchildren, Michael (Nelly) Brand of Fairbury, Dustin (Nicole) Brand of Fairbury, and Nicholas (Cassie) Salinas of Chatsworth; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Steve (Linda) Howell of Streamwood; three sisters, Virginia Howell Sharp of Aurora, June (Glen) Wilharm of Whitewater, WI, and Mary Betz of Palatine. She was also preceded in death by her dear grandmother, Grace Howell; two sisters, Judith Lazar and Debbie Patton; Michelle’s father, Michael L. Fox; and her beloved horse, Tico Tornado. Susan worked as an Executive Legal Secretary in Chicago in the Economics Division of the First National Bank of Chicago. Throughout her life, she was known as a very humble and charitable person. One of her passions in life was her love of animals, especially horses, and later in life, her cats. She became one of the youngest females to get her racing colors, and also received her jockey license at the age of 17. She dreamt about a very special horse one night, and soon after, became the owner of the dream horse. “Sue Howell, a teenager at the time, taught [Tico Tornado] how to ride and race, receiving a world champion racing trophy in 1964.” She spent time in Chicago with the ProLife groups, sailing clubs on Lake Michigan, serving those less fortunate in the food pantries and soup kitchens, visiting shut-ins, and anything just to help someone out. She had a love of the arts. Susan was an exceptional pianist and also was a young writer and artist. She was a deeply devoted Catholic. She was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis later on in life and devoted the rest of her life to the Church. Susan also was a member of the Legion of Mary at St. Mary’s Church in Pontiac. She will be deeply missed by her family and dear friends.

Read about Susan's beloved horse here.

January 16 Update

**NEW PHOTOS**

New view of Thurner home after the 1912 Cyclone

Two new photos in the Hornickel/Swanick Album

**NEW PAGES**

One Hundred Years Ago-1919

IN PROGRESS

Nelson Buck

January 6 Update

**NEW OBITS**

James Edward Dehm

Bobbi J. (Goldsberry) Basham

Eileen M. (Brady) Weller

Reva "Darlene" (Krueger) Winterland

A Fond Good-By from the town of Chatsworth

**OLD OBITS FOUND**

Crestentia "Grace" (Storr) Cavanaugh Bachtold

Roy Hallam- 1960

Henry Martin- 1960

Jerry Schmidt-2006

Karen Joan (Sorey) Schmidt-1999

Scroll down on that page

**NEW PHOTOS**

New view of Thurner home after the 1912 Cyclone

**NEW PAGES**

One Hundred Years Ago-1919

Obit of Reva "Darlene" (Krueger) Winterland

Reva "Darlene" Winterland, 84, of Pontiac, IL passed away at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 4, 2019 at Evenglow Inn in Pontiac, IL. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Chatsworth United Methodist Church with Rev. Lynnette Barnett officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Cremation rites were accorded. Private family Interment will be held at Chenoa Cemetery at a later date. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth will be handling arrangements for the family. Darlene was born July 13, 1934 in Watseka, IL a daughter of Harold and Reva (Stanlake) Krueger. She married Kenneth Wayne Winterland on July 26, 1953. He passed away on January 9, 1987. She is survived by her sister: Shirley (Allan) Kietzman of Chatsworth, IL; three nieces: Vicki Nettleingham of Cullom, IL, Lori Denton of Edwards, IL, and Cheri (Shawn) Malloy of Indianapolis, IN; two great nieces and four great nephews; 6 great-great nieces and nephews; MD one great aunt: Evelyn Taghon. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Darlene was educated in the Chatsworth Schools graduating High School. She worked at the Rantoul Chevrolet Dealership and retired from the Livingston County Court House. She later worked part-time at Fairview Haven Retirement Community in the dietary department. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Darlene liked sewing, baking and clean. She always kept a neat and clean house. Darlene attended the Chatsworth United Methodist Church and was a member of the United Methodist Women and the American Legion Auxiliary of Chatsworth. Darlene was a loving sister, aunt, and friend who will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Evenglow Inn and Transitions Hospice for the exceptional care given to Darlene. Memorials may be directed to Evenglow Inn, 1200 Evenglow Lane, Pontiac, IL 61764 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Obit of Eileen M. (Brady) Weller

A Fond Good-By from the town of Chatsworth

Eileen M. Weller, 99 of Chatsworth, passed away at 3:15am on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the Gibson City Hospital Annex. Eileen donated her body to science. A service and celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Chatsworth Library, Legion or Fire Department or the Gibson City Annex, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Eileen was born March 23, 1919 in rural Strawn, IL, the youngest of 8 children to William P. and Mary (Cavanagh) Brady. She married Richard Karl Weller on November 27, 1942 in Battle Creek, MI where Karl was stationed in the army. Upon his discharge in 1946, they moved to Chatsworth and bought a house where they raised two sons, Terry and Gerry. Karl died August 28, 1995. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her oldest son Terry on July 1, 1987, an infant sister, sisters Rita Hastings, Downs and Mary Tredennick, Forrest, brothers William, Joseph, Quintin and Jim Brady all of Strawn, and a niece Ronita Hastings, Downs. Survivors include her son Gerry, Chatsworth; nephew Ron Hastings, Bloomington, and nieces Sharon Hastings, Bloomington and Carol Tredennick McGuire, Morton. A graduate of Illinois State University, she started her teaching career at the one room Reiger School, Risk. She also taught at the one room Cavanagh School, Chatsworth. The bulk of her years were spent in Chatsworth teaching Kindergarten and the 4 grade until becoming the librarian for the elementary and high school until retirement from Prairie Central in 1987. She continued substitute teaching into her 80’s. Eileen liked order in her classrooms. Misbehaving students were required to stand on their toes with their nose in a circle she drew on the black board. She like to say she could recall a student’s behavior just by looking at their nose. (A little flat spot on the tip indicated a lot of time at the black board!) In retirement, many former students would stop and visit, her door was always open to guests. Eileen was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Chatsworth and the Altar & Rosary Society. She also belonged to several Teacher’s Associations, the Advisory Council for Community Action of Livingston County, the German Ville Club and Walter Clemons Legion Auxiliary where she enjoyed working the parties and functions. Many thanks to those who remembered her during her stay at the Annex with cards, gifts, flowers and visits.  A special thank you to the Richard Steidinger family, and to Dr. Hagan and the wonderful staff at Gibson City Annex for their care. Eileen lived a full life. She will be greatly missed

Note: I will publish information on the celebration of life as soon as it is known.

Obit of Bobbi J. (Goldsberry) Bashman

Daughter of Shirley (Ulitzsch) Goldsberry

Bobbi J. Basham, 42, of Union Hill, passed away Friday (Dec. 28, 2018). She was born Feb. 28, 1976, in Kankakee, the daughter of Dennis Goldsberry and Shirley (Ulitzsch) Goldsberry. Bobbi married Brian Basham on June 12, 2010, at the Donovan Methodist Church. She was a manager for Casey’s General Store in Herscher. She enjoyed reading books, gardening, spending time with her pets and especially spending time with her children. Surviving are her husband, Brian Basham, of Union Hill; sons, Kabel Hamende, Caseon Basham and Kellen Basham; parents, Dennis Goldsberry, of Woodland, and Shirley (Dale) Goldsberry, of Donovan; mother-in-law, Pam Basham, of Herscher; sister, Jennifer (Eric) Stevens, of Hoopeston; stepsister, Kathy (Bruce) Hartman, of Momence; sister-in-law, Brenda (Jason) Prince, of Watseka; and brother-in-law, Brent (Amanda) Basham, of Herscher; along with many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her stepmother, Lizzie Goldsberry; and stepsister, Irene. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, until the 11 a.m. funeralservice at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka. The Rev. Jacob Garrett will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Prairie Dell Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. Please sign her online guestbook at baierfuneralhome.com

Cnatsworth Connection Center Event-January 12