Effingham Daily News

a retired teacher and resident of Tampa, Florida, died on Sept. 19, 2021 at the Rucki Hospice Care Center in Zephyrhills, Florida. Funeral services will be held at a later date with burial at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rebecca was born February 26, 1941 in McLeansboro, Illinois, the daughter of Max and Gladys (Bell) Woodruff. She married William "Bill" Rollefson in 1988. Rebecca was a school teacher for 30 years. She earned a bachelor's degree at Eastern Illinois University in 1975 and later earned a master's degree with honors at Hamline University in 1995. In addition, she also achieved National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Specialist in 1998....

- Gerald Wayne Branyan, 71, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2021. He was born September 27, 1949 to William Kyle Branyan and Zena Clark Branyan. He was a retired truck driver. A service for Mr. Branyan will be on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 beginning at Noon. A visitation will be from 11am till start of the service at Noon. Both the service and visitation will be held at United Funeral Service, with Chaplain Monica Mosby officiating. He is survived by his wife, Janice Elaine McCarty Branyan, one daughter, Cathy Stepter (Ron) of Hernando, MS, one son Kevin Branyan (Stacey) of Hernando, MS, and five grandchildren, Taylor Branyan, Alyssa Branyan, Thomas Branyan, Keith Stepter, and Kylan...

James Leroy "Jim" Reardon, 78, Indianapolis, passed away at his home December 31, 2020. Jim was born May 25, 1942, in Effingham, Illinois, to the late Leonard and Betty (Ervin) Reardon. He married Judith Probst in October of 1960, and from this marriage, two daughters were born: Kelly and Robin. Jim graduated from Effingham High School, where he excelled in football. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1966-1967 in the 1st Cavalry Division and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Bronze Star with Valor, Silver Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam...

Dr. Larry Ray Lane, 80, of Naples, FL and Champaign, IL passed away on December 3, 2020 at Moorings Park Memory Care in Naples. Born August 1, 1940, in Mattoon, IL, Larry was the son of Raymond Henry and Pauline Virginia (Wingler) Lane. He married Glenda Lee Marshall on August 29, 1959 in Effingham, IL. After graduating from Effingham High School, Larry attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago. As a beloved obstetrician / gynecologist at Christie Clinic in Champaign, IL for more than 30 years, Dr. Lane delivered thousands of babies. He will be remembered for his 24/7 dedication to caring for his patients and their...

Lakeland - Daniel Philip (Phil) Brown passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2020, while a resident of Carpenters Estates in Lakeland, Florida. Phil was born on May 4, 1931, in Effingham, Illinois to Glen L. and Adeline Brown. Phil married Sue Ferris on December 27, 1953. Sue survives as do two sons, Dave (Lorna Lake), and Steve (Sandra Grunloh). There are four grandchildren, Jaclyn Dunne (Bryan), Eric Brown (Jennifer), Luke Brown, and Jennifer Wear (Jason) plus six great grandchildren, Harper Elizabeth Dunne, Raymond Douglas Wear, Miller Francis Dunne, Celeste Alexandra Wear, Montana Rose Brown, and Sierra June Brown. Phil and Sue lived in and loved Effingham, Illinois where they were...

Veronica C. (Long) Deitz (68) passed away unexpectedly at her home in Bowling Green, Kentucky on September 4, 2020. Bonnie was born on February 23, 1952 in Olney, IL the daughter of Dale J. and Frances V.F. (Fillinger) Long. She is survived by her daughter, Amy M. (Dan) Day, Beecher City; son, Matthew W. Deitz, Newton; grandchildren Allison Day, Elizabeth Day, Paige Day, Dawson Deitz, Lexie Deitz and sister Rebecca (G. Michael) Fishel. She was preceded in death by her parents. Bonnie retired from Fruit of the Loom in Bowling Green. She was an avid reader and her life's joy was her children and grandchildren. Private family services will be held. J.C. Kirby & Son Broadway Chapel is...

LaGretta (Shields) Lovingood, age 84, of Alcoa, TN passed peacefully at Williamsburg Villas in Knoxville, TN on August 22nd. On December 1st, 1956 in Chalmette, LA she married D.L. (Dee) Lovingood, Jr. They settled in Effingham, IL, where they raised their two children Mark and DeEtta. LaGretta was primarily a homemaker who loved to sew and crochet. She was also an avid bowler and was a member of several bowling teams over the years. She was preceded in death by her husband Dee. and her parents Rod and Gaynell Shields. LaGretta is survived by son Mark Lovingood and his wife Joli of Alcoa, TN; daughter DeEtta Prose and her husband Greg of Norfolk, VA, and their two children Alexa and...

Douglas Lee Stillwell, age 60, of Tomah, Wisconsin died Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Villa Pines Living Center in Friendship, Wisconsin. According to Douglas's wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Private family services and interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to the American Cancer Society or the donor's charity of choice can be made. Douglas was born August 26, 1959 in La Chapelle - St. Mesmin, France to Donald Gene Stillwell and Laura Minnie Ebker. Douglas grew up in Union, MO and Effingham, IL before enlisting in the military. Douglas was part of the 82nd Airborne and participated in the Invasion of Grenada. After his military service, Doug...

Formerly of Palmer, Alaska- Michael V. Bezdon, 67, died suddenly on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at his residence in Dunnellon, FL. He was born in Chicago, IL on December 26, 1952 and was the son to the late Richard and Agnes (Niebrugge) Bezdon. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. In 2008 Michael and his wife made their home in Dunnellon from Palmer, Alaska. He was retired with the Federal Aviation Administration. While he lived in Alaska he was a member of the Moose Lodge in Juneau, Alaska and head of the Union in Anchorage. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, grilling and woodworking. Michael was very much loved by his family and will be dearly missed by...

Dr. Ronald Worstell passed away November 21, 2019. Born in Fostoria, Ohio in 1939, he graduated from Effingham High School, Illinois in 1957. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music at the University of Illinois. He began life as an opera singer after two seasons with Santa Fe Opera Company. At Sanford University in Birmingham, Alabama he taught Voice and directed Opera. He sang with the Birmingham Opera Company, concertized and soloed at a church. In 1965, Ronald married Donna Cox. They were married for 54 years. In New York City he was soloist at a Church and a Synagogue. During this time he sang and recorded with Robert Shaw. In Los Angeles he received his...