Obit of June (Koerner) Day

June Day, beloved wife of Donald Day, passed away at the age of 90 on Mary 17, 2019, leaving a marriage of 68 years, two children, Christina (Day) Weinstein of Marietta, GA & Douglas Day, of Minneapolis, MN; two grandchildren. Dr. Cynthai Zettler-Greeley and Caren (Zettler) Warren; three great grandchildren and a sister, Kathleen Albrecht of Scottsdale, AZ. June was born Feb. 23, 1929 in Chatsworth, IL., the first of two daughters to Philip and Elva Koerner. June was drawn into the world of music as a small child, tap dancing and singing, performing for various clubs, county fairs and organizations in Central Illinois, until she entered high school, when she began playing the clarinet and piano in the band and orchestra. Upon graduation, she was employed by Miller Music Co. in Bloomington, IL. where she met and fell in love with a traveling dance band musician. After a 6 month courtship, they wee married in July 1950 and made their home in Bloomington-Normal, IL., where their two children were born. Her loves next to her family and friends, and good music, were the Chicago Cubs and the city of Chicago, so it was no coincidence that the honeymoon began in Chicago. with the demise of the "Big Band" era, a career change was in order for husband Don. June began her training as a medical transcriptionist in a local hospital, and Don started his second career in Engineering as a draftsman for Caterpillar Tractor Co. and later York Div. of Borg Warner in Decatur, IL. as Chief Draftsman. A company change dictated a move to Avco Aerospace in Nashville, TN as an engineer, attending the University of Tennessee Extension. Three years in Nashville and more company revisions dictated another change, this time to Minneapolis, MN, evolving to a Manager of Crystal Tips Ice Machine Co. Party of McQuay, Inc. and Don enrolling in the Univ. of MN. Life was good but business was uncertain, so Don accepted a job with the industry leading Manitowac Ice Machine Co., as chief engineer and a move to Manitwoc, WI. In a 3 year stay June learned tennis but the lure of the city urged a move to St. Louis, MO. and a position with Hussman Inc. Div. of IC Industries, managing the Star Cooler Division. A subsequent advancement to General Manager of the Hussman Alton-Applied Air Division in Dallas, Texas required another move and as Don spearheaded the development of a line of ice machines, name Hussman Ice-King. The Days eventauly moved to Georgia where Don accepted a job as Director of Engineering for Hoshizaki America in Peachtree City. Don retired at the age of 65 and June likewise at 63 to their new home in Marietta, GA. The days joined the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in downtown Atlanta, and were active in the Food Ministry for several years. They later joined Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Sandy Springs, GA. The Days enjoyed many years of happy retirement, traveling throughout all 50 states, 5 continents, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with a family cruise of the Tahiti Islands. They attend many musical and theater performances as well as sight-seeing during their varied travel. A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 24, 2019 at 3 PM at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church. Cremation of the remains will be by Floral Hills, Tucker, GA and will be sprinkled in the Gulf of Mexico by the Children

Published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from May 21 to May 22, 2019

Obit of Barbara J. (Runyon) Black

Barbara J. Black, 82, of Chatsworth, passed away at 8:55 pm on Friday, May 17, 2019 at Piper City Rehab and Living Center in Piper City. Cremation rites will be accorded and private family inurnment will take place at a later date in Chatsworth Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to a charity of the donors choice. Calvert & Martin Funeral home in Chatsworth is handling the arrangements. Barbara was born in Pontiac, IL on November 19,1936 a daughter of Erney C. and Grace L. (Nance) Runyon, she married Philip A. Black on February 18, 1978, he preceded her in death on May 2, 1996. Surviving are five brothers: Donald (Shirley) Runyon of Chatsworth, Larry Runyon of Chatsworth, Erney (Diane) Runyon of Heyworth, Randy (Terri) Runyon of Cabot, AR, Richard (Donna) Runyon of Chatsworth; two sisters: June Arnold of Paxton, Mary Hanshew of Chatsworth; two step children: Philip (Vicki) Black Jr of Jacksonville, IL, Cassandra (Dennis) Krippel of Pontiac; five step grandchildren, one step great grandchild. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Husband Philip, one brother Tom Runyon and one sister Sandy Garrett.

Obit of Martin E. Stein

CHATSWORTH — Martin E. Stein, 78, of Chatsworth passed away Sunday (May 5, 2019) in Fort Myers, Fla. He was born Sept. 20, 1940, in Blue Island, to George and Ellen (Koerber) Stein. He married Patricia Colatriano in Chicago on June 23, 1971. He was a Vietnam veteran serving with the U.S. SeaBees stationed in Cam Rahn Bay, V.N. from 1966 to 1968. He worked as a millwright for International Harvester in Chicago for 26 years. He retired in 1997 from Baltimore Air Coil, Paxton, where he was employed as a welder. He loved training hunting dogs, shooting sports and hunting with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Pat; son, James Stein (Robin) of Fairbury; daughter, Shawn Stein Maxson of Bloomington; brother, William Stein of Emington; and five grandchildren, Cameron Maxson, Austin Maxson, Haley Jo Haberkorn, Keegan Stein and Alyssa Stein. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings. Cremation arrangements by Hodges-Kiser Funeral Home, Fort Myers, Fla. Services will be held in Chatsworth at a later date. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hope Hospice House, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Obit of Michael Joseph Brauman

Michael Joseph Brauman, aged 52, of Forrest died Monday, April 29th, 2019. Cremation rites have been accorded. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at 10:00 am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Chatsworth, with Rev. David Sabel officiating. A celebration of life luncheon will be held following the service. Visitation will be held on Friday May 3rd, 4:00 pm-7:00 pm at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, with a Rosary Service at 3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his children. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth is handling the arrangements. He was born December 7th, 1966, in Fairbury, the son of Gary and Peg (Froelich) Brauman. . He married Misty Perkins on August 12, 1995. Mike is survived by his daughter, Jaylyn Brauman (Michael Meredith) of Chatsworth and his son, Jaxon Brauman (Alex Bettenhausen) of Champaign, his mother, Peg Brauman of Forrest; two brothers, Eric (Karri) Brauman of Linn Creek, MO, and Matt (Laura) Brauman of Fairbury; seven nephews, Seth, Jared, Zachary, Matthew, Alex, Kyle, and Ryan; aunts and uncles, Lynne and Ray Grigsby of Downers Grove and Gene and Carol Froelich of Piper City; many loving cousins, family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Gary Brauman, grandparents Ernie and Susie Brauman and Edward and Dolores Froelich, uncle Richard Froelich, and one cousin, Brian Grigsby. Mike graduated from FSW high school in 1985 and attended Parkland College in Champaign. He was an over-the-road truck driver for Dibble Trucking. He was also a volunteer firefighter and first responder for the Chatsworth Fire Protection District from 1996-2002. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and NASCAR. His favorite pastime was spending time with his children at the cabin on the Vermilion River. Many weekends were spent around the campfire, fishing, and just hanging out.

Bluebird Festival May 4

From WJEZ Pontiac Radio

Chatsworth Getting Ready for Bluebird Festival Posted on April 29, 2019

 By Todd Wineburner 

In Chatsworth, they’re getting ready for this Saturday’s (5/4/19) Bluebird Festival, and Mayor Richard Runyon says there’s going to be plenty to see and do. Saturday’s event runs from 11 until 3, and Runyon says it’s a celebration of the connection between the community and a some of the area’s more colorful wildlife. “Chatsworth High School was the Bluebirds,” Runyon explains, “and about three years ago we started the bluebird project….we have about 185 nest boxes right in the Chatsworth area for the bluebirds and they’re very successful.” Runyon says that Chatsworth was officially declared the bluebird capital of Illinois in 2017, and that the bluebird project extends to Saunemin, Cullom, Strawn, and Forrest. All of those communities have come together to create about 300 habitats for bluebirds. Runyon adds that the birds apparently approve, as many of the boxes are already occupied with bluebirds. The festival on Saturday, May 4th, will take place in Chatsworth’s downtown area and will include music, presentations, and games and events for kids. Schedules and other details are available on the Facebook page of the Chatsworth Citizen’s Advisory Board.