Obit of Estel Gregory

Estel Gregory, 90, of Decatur died April 25 at Fair Haven ChrisƟan Home. Estel “Greg” was born on January 21, 1929 in Piper City, IL the son of Phillip and Myrtle Gregory. He married Ester Sancken, October 23, 1949. He worked for Sears Roebuck and Company for 40 years before retiring in 1988. He worked part time at the Sears store at Hickory Point mall for several years and also was a volunteer at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Surviving are sons Dennis (Kimberly) of Morris, IL, James (Paƫ) of Bloomington and Kevin of Decatur. Six grandchildren Shelly Rencken of PonƟac, IL, Matt Gregory of Alabaster, AL, Troy Gregory of Champaign, Scott Gregory of Bloomington, Rick Doering of Decatur, and Phillip Gregory of Nashville Tennessee. Great grandchildren twins Zoe and Marley Daering, and Charlie Daering. Step children Dayton, Brandon and Carly Bohn, Olivia Renken, Ayla, Stella and Nora Gregory. He was preceded in death by a daughter Debbie Doering, his parents and a sister. Funeral services will be held at First Lutheran Church Tuesday April 30, 2019 at 1 PM, visitaƟon Monday April 29, 2019, 5-7 p.m. at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. The family of Estel Gregory is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the complete online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com

Obit of Mildred (Combs-Cline) McLaughlin

Mildred N. McLoughlin, 98, of Forrest, IL passed away at 9:45 am on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at her home. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Forrest. Burial will follow the visitation at Chatsworth Cemetery with Father Scott Archer officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Livingston County Humane Society. Mildred was born September 6, 1920 in Sibley, IL a daughter of John and Anna Combs. She married G. Eugene Cline in Chatsworth, IL on October of 1938. He passed away in 1969. She then married Paul McLoughlin in Chatsworth, IL on October of 1970. He passed in 1994. She is survived by her daughter: Judith Skurka of Bloomington, IL; her two grandsons: Cory (Christine) Cline of Forrest, IL and Anthony Cline of Sandwich, IL; and four great grandsons: Christopher, Antonio, Sean, and Alex Cline. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; one son: John “Jack” Cline; one brother: Laverne Combs; one sister: Gladys Harris; and one son-in-law: Joseph Skurka Jr. Mildred was a telephone operator for a number of years in Sibley and then Chatsworth. She then went on to be a teller and bookkeeper at the Citizens Bank of Chatsworth for many years retiring from there. She enjoyed traveling, matching things, and her special dogs. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, just being with them and doing anything is what she lived for. Mildred was a loving mom, grandma, great grandma, and friend who will be greatly missed by her family.

Found News Treasures

From Central Illinois Farm Network-April 2019:

CHATSWORTH – The Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District is educating women landowners on conservation efforts through a series of meetings held around the county. The most recent event in Chatsworth, which included a rainfall simulator, focused on soil health and why it is important. “This is actually something that started, for us here in Livingston County, working with American Farmland Trust,” explained resource conservationist Becky Taylor. “It is an initiative they are very much behind.” Three more half-day sessions are planned at various locations around the county with a full-day session planned in conjunction with a summer farm tour in July. Taylor often receives strong participation and good feedback from the events. “We try and get a lot of information out but not overwhelm them.” LCSWCD continues its effort of promoting soil conservation and improving water quality. Illinois currently has the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy where nitrates must be reduced to a certain level by 2025. “We are trying to do everything we can to promote that and improve that for people,” Taylor noted. For more information about conservation efforts within the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District, contact Taylor at 815-844-6127, extension 3.

Note: This is inside the Central Illinois Connection Center.

Chatsworth Easter Egg Hunt

Obit of Ronald Lucek

RONALD LUCEK

Ronald was born August 7, 1952 in Fairbury, IL to Dorothy (Jordan) and Rudolph Lucek. He was raised in Chatsworth, IL and attended grade school through the 9th grade. After 9th grade Ron went to work as a brick layer and also did some farming. Ron entered into the U.S. Navy in 1971 and was station throughout various places, but often shared stories with his family of his experiences on the ships and being at Midway Island. He served until his honorable discharge in March of 1975. After his discharge from the Navy Ron moved to Baudette and started working as a fishing guide at various resorts on Lake of the Woods. It was at this time in his life that he met the love of his life Dorothy Baade. In 1976 Ron and Dorothy welcomed their first child Amanda Jean. Ron and Dorothy were united in marriage on February 17, 1978. They welcomed their second child Justin Wayne in 1979, and third child Narra-Lyn Lee in 1982. Ron continued to guide on Lake of the Woods until 1989 when he decided it was time for a change. He then turned to various types of construction including sheetrock, and cabinetry work with life-long friend Bart. Ron had a passion for barbequing so strong that there was a grill fired up at someones house every Sunday all summer long and if he wasn't the cook was sure to keep an eye whoever decided to cook, he also enjoyed deer hunting season, and despite the complaining we all know he enjoyed fishing with his Iowa boys. He had one of the greatest collections of M & M's, but most of all, his greatest hobby was spoiling the ones who called him PAPA. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dorothy Lucek of Baudette, MN; his special dog Buddy; Children, Amanda (Ronnie) Spaur and Justin (Samantha) Lucek both of Baudette; Grandchildren, Eric Anthony Spaur, Derek, BayLeigh, Danika, Elyn, & Karys Lucek, Cassidy Lucek and Amber Adams whom were Narra-Lyn's daughters that Ron and Dorothy raised since 2003; Sister Connie (Greg) Olson; Brothers Rory Lucek and Randy (Cindy) Lucek all of Baudette; Mother-in-Law LaVonne Baade; Sister-in-Law Deb (Tim) Bey and Brother-in-Laws Jason Baade, Lance Russell, Maverick (Christie) Russell. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and a huge community of friends! He was preceded in death by both his parents; his Daughter Narra-Lyn Lee in 2003; his father-in-law Ken Baade, Mother-in-Law Betty Neilson; brother Rudy Lucek CHS 1964 in 2010, and Nephew Brandon "Fritzy" Dahlgren in 2015. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 1-4 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Baudette. In Lieu of flowers donations can be directed to Dorothy Lucek to help cover medical expenses. Interment will be held at Elm Park Cemetery at a later date.

April 8 Update

****APRIL UPDATE*****

Town Wide Garage Sales

April 12, 13

Click on link for details

Garage Sales

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Annual Fish Frye

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry--5 to 7--Adults $12, 6-12 $6, Under 6 eat free.

Every Friday during Lent

Carry-outs Available

St. Peter & Paul's Parish Hall

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**NEW OBITS**

Phyllis (Pearson) Corban

Virginia Kay (Johnson) Miller

Robert L. Johnson

Cathy L. (Kay) Burns

Ann J. Petro

Donna M. (Fenton) Brand

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**OLD OBITS FOUND**

 

Floyd "Pete" Kurtenbach-2003

Nathan Sargeant-2003

Scroll down on page for obits

**NEW PHOTOS**

4 NEW PHOTOS IN THE HORNICKEL/SWANICK FAMILY ALBUM

Diller Tile Pencil

Obit for David Brobst-Indiana Newspaper

Commemorative Stone for First Baptist Church

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Obit of Donna M. (Fenton) Brand

Wife of Tom Brand

Donna M. Brand, 76 of Pontiac, IL died Saturday April 6, 2019 at 12:45PM at OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac, IL. Her funeral will be held on Friday April 12, 2019 at 11:00AM at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Pontiac with Deacon Jim Wallace officiating. Burial will be in South Side Cemetery, Pontiac. A visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00AM until the hour of services at the funeral home. Memorials in Donna’s name may be made to OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois or a charity of the donor’s choice. Donna was born on December 6, 1942 in Pontiac, IL a daughter of Donald D. and Ella M. (Sheehan) Fenton. She married Tom Brand on July 4, 1985 in Chatsworth, IL. He survives in Pontiac, IL. Also surviving are four children: Wayne (Stacy) Rich, Don (Lisa) Rich, Jim Rich and Steve (Yang) Rich; step-children: Michael (Eva) Brand, David (Brenda) Brand; eight grandchildren; five step grandchildren; ten step great grandchildren; one sister: Marlene Myer of Pontiac, IL; one brother in law: Roland (Flossie) Rich of Delevan, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter: Debbie (Chuck) Cherry and one stepson: Joey Brand. Donna was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Pontiac, IL. She worked at Old Chapel Inn restaurant in Chatsworth IL and later at Sartoris Drug Store in downtown Pontiac, IL.

Obit of Ann J. Petro

Ann J. Petro, 86, of Fairbury, IL passed away at 8:30 pm on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community in Fairbury, IL. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 8, 2019 at Chatsworth Cemetery with Father Scott Archer officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Livingston County Humane Society. Her husband, Robert Petro, preceded her in death on January 21, 2013. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth is handling arrangements for the family.

Obit of Cathy L. (Kay) Burns

Chatsworth – Cathy L. Burns, 55, of Chatsworth, passed away at 3:35 pm, April 3, 2019 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington with her family by her side. A funeral service will be held at 5:00 pm, Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. Pastor Tom Krieger will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 3-5:00 pm, Saturday, April 6, 2019, also at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association. Cathy was born June 20, 1963, in Oil City, PA, the daughter of Henry and Dolores Stewart Kay, Sr. She married Ronald Burns on February 7, 1981. He survives. Also surviving are her children, Ronald (Lindsay) Burns, Jr of Cullom, Katie (Kevin) Mulvaney of Chatsworth, and Sandra Williams of Chatsworth; grandchildren, Caitlin, Alexis, and Lily Burns, Serenity Swathwood, Jayden Brown, Kristen and Brooklin Mulvaney, Chloe, Luke, and Daniel Williams; sister, Viola Brown of Pontiac; and brother, Henry (Sherri) Kay, Jr of Forrest. She was preceded in death by two brothers, one brother-in-law, and one great-niece. Cathy was most loved by her entire family. She will be dearly missed.

Obit of Robert L. Johnson

Husband of Anita Gillett Thorndyde Johnson

Robert ( Bob) L, Johnson, 87, of Naperville, Illinois formerly of Rogers, Arkansas and Springfield, Illinois entered eternal life on March 25, 2019 with his 

wife , Anita at his side. He was born November 22, 1931 to Oscar and Ione Mellish Johnson in Thayer, Illinois. Bob married Shirley Grogan in September 1955 and they later divorced in 1983. Together they had a daughter, Kathleen. He was a devoted father to Kathleen (Rick) Wanless of Springfield, Illinois. He was a loving grandfather to Ashley Wanless (Todd Weill) , Ericka (Jose') Salas, and Kelsie Wanless ( deceased) ; and a loving great- grandfather to Audriana Salas and Torrey Weill. A sister, Lois Surlak, lives in New Auburn, Wisconsin. He married Anita Gillett Thorndyke on May 19, 1984. He was a loving step-father to Peggy Thorndyke Jupe (Andy Novey) of Boca Raton, Florida; Jean Thorndyke (Steve) Hannah of Joliet, Illinois, and Mark Thorndyke (Sue) of Barrington, Illinois. He loved his step-grandchildren; Matthew, Taylor, Jack, and Morgan Thorndyke; Carly (Brett) Moyer; Caleb and Kyle Hannah; and adored his great - grandson Liam Moyer. Bob served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the Battleship USS Iowa. Upon his return he was employed with Illinois Bell Telephone and retired from AT&T after a long and successful career. He was a lifetime member of Sertoma International and the American Legion. He volunteered as the director of Habitat for Humanity as well as the Beaver Lake Fire Department in Rogers, Arkansas. He was instrumental in bringing Via de Cristo to the Arkansas/Oklahoma Synod. Bob had been a member of Peace Lutheran and Living Word Lutheran Church in Rogers. Arkansas. He was a current member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Ione Johnson, his brother Arthur Johnson, and his granddaughter Kelsie Wanless. Interment will be held at the Abraham Lincoln Military Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois on May 13, 2019 at 11:30 A.M. Memorials can be made in Bob's name to the Mission Fund at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1310 Shepherd Drive, Naperville, Illinois, 60565; The Mission Fund at Living Word Lutheran Church 301 N. 33rd Street, Rogers, Arkansas 72756, or to any Habitat for Humanity.