The Pantagraph

Diane K. Arwood, age 73 of Port St. Joe, Florida, a devoted Marine Biologist and passionate traveler, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Panama City, Florida. She born on August 25, 1951, in Bloomington, Illinois. Her academic journey culminated in a Master's Degree, a testament to her commitment to education and her field of study. Throughout her career as a Marine Biologist, Diane dedicated herself to understanding marine ecosystems, contributing to the preservation of aquatic life and inspiring countless others in her profession. After retiring, she embraced a new chapter in her life, moving to Port St. Joe, Florida, in 2018, where she continued to foster her love for the...

Sandie Hawthorne, 82, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully on March 26th, 2025. She was the beloved wife of Jon Hawthorne and mom to Doug and Brad. Sandie was born in Wood River, IL on July 22, 1942. She graduated from East Alton/Wood River high school and went north to Bloomington to become a theatre major at Illinois Wesleyan. There, she met and fell in love with Jon (a 3-sport athlete) and that led to a 60-year marriage. Sandie started her professional career in Elmhurst, selling Real estate for Red Carpet, while Jon was coaching basketball and baseball at Elmhurst college. The family then moved to Normal, IL where Sandie sold real estate for Armstrong, as well as Kaiser Realty,...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing on January 16, 2025, of David Eugene Johnson, age 64, at Stoneybrook Assisted Living in Manhattan, Kansas. David has been reunited with his beloved mother Wanda Mae Johnson. David Eugene Johnson was born on June 17, 1960, in a small town near Peoria, Illinois. He is survived by his father, Lowell Boyden Johnson (Manhattan, Kansas), his uncle, Ronald Alvin Johnson (Hudson, Illinois), his sister, Linda Butler (spouse Steven in Wamego, Kansas). He has two nieces, Stacy Tidwell (spouse Daniel in Wamego, Kansas) and Rebecca Carbajal (spouse Alfredo in Manhattan, Kansas) plus two great nieces, Taylore, and Bridgette Tidwell (Wamego,...

Anita K. Stalter, 77, of Goshen, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Goshen Hospital. Anita was born near Flanagan, Ill., in 1947, to Rev. Edwin "Jack" Stalter and Marcella (Rocke) Stalter. A pastor's daughter, she grew up in Waldo Mennonite Church and attended Flanagan schools where she made lifelong friends. The family grew to include three more children - Deanna, Philip, and Timothy - and Anita was the consummate older sister and peacekeeper. She was also a top student and champion hula-hooper, and played clarinet in school marching bands. The Stalters moved to Sterling, Ill., for a Science Ridge Mennonite Church pastorate when Anita was 16. After graduating from Sterling High School, Anita...

Larry Jerome Wilson, 84, of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away while surrounded by loved ones at the Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center on July 5, 2024 in Des Moines, IA. A memorial service will be held on August 17, 2024 at Windsor United Methodist Church, 6222 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with a service at 11:00 AM and a luncheon thereafter. Larry has been cremated and his ashes will be laid to rest in his family plot at 11:00 AM, August 31, 2024 at Wiley Cemetery in Colfax, Illinois.

Jack David Millan, 71, of Farmer City, IL and Bluffton, SC passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024 surrounded by family at his home in South Carolina. Jack was born to the late Manuel Millan and Elfrieda Sichterman Millan in Gary Indiana on April 6, 1953. Jack graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1971. He began his lifelong career with McDonald's as a crew person in Gary, Indiana where he met his future bride, Gail Goodyear. Jack is a true example of an American success story who came from humble beginnings and through hard work, perseverance, and dedication was able to live his dream and build a legacy for generations to come. He worked as a McDonald's store manager until he had the...

Joe Wayne Denny of Jackson Hole, WY passed away May 28, 2024 in Elk Grove Village. He was born June 10, 1947 in Hopedale, IL to Berchel and Doris Denny. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Patricia (Breslin); children, Kaitlyn Inez, Joseph Cormick, Matthew (Lillian) Denny, and Meaghan Christine (Edgar) Cortes; grandchildren, Liam and Emmarose Denny, and Laila and Annabelle Cortes; brother, Jerry (Linda) Denny; and many beloved Breslin in-laws, nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be from 10am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11am Friday May 31 at St. Anne Catholic Community, 120 N. Ela Street, Barrington. ...

Thomas "Tom" Emerson passed into Eternity May 24, 2024 at the Cumberland Nursing & Rehab in Somerset, Kentucky. Tom was born on October 14, 1941 in Fisher, Illinois to Spencer and Mae (Aaron) Emerson. He married Audriene Kaufman on July 28, 1959. Tom Graduated from Danvers High School, Danvers, Illinois in 1959. He retired from Caterpillar in East Peoria, Illinois in 1992. After moving to Nancy, Kentucky he was employed by the Galilean Christian Home and School in Liberty, Kentucky. As a skilled woodworker, Tom designed hand crafted items needed for the Home and School; sport display cases, desks, computer stations and worktables for the students. He was a member of Danvers...

James Daniel Sylvester age 73, of Milwaukee, passed away on May 3, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Dan is survived by his three brothers: Kenneth (Patricia) Sylvester, Normal, IL; Michael (Debbie) Sylvester, Diana, TX; Chuck Sylvester, Normal, IL; and a sister, Carol (Joe) Spence, Boone, IA. He is also survived by a very special Aunt, Jackie McBurney, many nieces and nephews, and dear friends Collin Johnson and Carol Ketter. He was preceded in death by his parents Victor and Patricia Sylvester and a sister, Elizabeth (Beth) Sylvester. Dan was the oldest of six children born January 11, 1951, to Vic (Spud) Sylvester and Patricia (Marcella) McBurney. He grew up just blocks from his...

John Carl Garrels, 59, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, passed away surrounded by family at 2:42 p.m. on April 9, 2024, after a battle with cancer. John was born in Normal, IL on December 28, 1964; the son of Randel C. Garrels and Sharris Irene Garrels. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Garrels, Mount Pleasant, SC; father, Randel C. Garrels, El Paso, Illinois; children; Randy (Cassie) Garrels, El Paso; Jonathan (Ashley) Garrels, Charleston, South Carolina; Megan (Chris) Petri, Cape Coral, Florida; Keera Stanford, El Paso, IL; Kayla Barnard, Kokomo, IN; Andy (Jessica) Barnard, Manchester, TN; Chelsea (Gerson) Perez-Rios, Silverdale, WA, Luke Barnard, Tempe, AZ; and 15 grandchildren. He was preceded in...

On March 11, 2024, Carol Sue Hanfland (Bray), 77, of Acworth, GA, passed away peacefully at home lovingly surrounded by her family. Born May 14, 1946, to Thomas and Mardell Bray, Carol grew up in Fairbury, IL and attended Fairbury Cropsey High School. She later went on to work as a claims analyst for County Companies where she met her loving husband, Jim. They were married on August 6, 1966. Carol and Jim raised their two sons in Gridley, IL. Even after moving to Georgia in 1999 to be closer to their sons and families, they remained steadfast in family, friendships, and community ties in Illinois. After moving they quickly built a community of support in Georgia and formed friendships that...

Lee Herbert Loging, 80, formerly of Lake Mills, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, in his home in Bloomington, IL. The funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, WI. Visitation starts at 9:30 am before the service. Interment will be held at the Aztalan Milford Cemetery after the service. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran church and school in Lake Mills, WI or St. Mark Lutheran church in Normal, IL. Lee was born July 4, 1943, to Herbert and Irene Loging of Barre Milles, WI. He was raised on a small dairy farm with his younger brother, Rodney, and sister, Linda. Leaving the farm after high school, Lee...

Ruth Alderfer Wismer Cender passed away February 7, 2024 in Goshen, IN at the age of 95 years. Ruth's life began in Harleysville, PA on March 15, 1928, firstborn of Leroy and Alice Wismer. As a child in Souderton, PA, she became the older sister to Lois (Lowell Bishop), Mary and Paul (Sue). As a child she developed a strong faith and commitment to Christ, which lasted her whole life. Ruth graduated from Goshen College and began teaching in IL where she met her future husband, Milton Cender. They were married August 18, 1957 and made Gibson City, IL their home. Their family grew to four with the births of Karl and Greta. Ruth taught elementary students at Rantoul, Gibson City and...

Wanda M. Starr, 96, of Lady Lake, Florida passed away on July 26, 2023. She was born to Milvern C. and Golda F. (Davis) Peak. Wanda was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. She retired from Bromenn Hospital in 1989. Wanda loved dancing, crafts, artwork, music and was an avid collector of angels. She was exceptional when it came to fashion and decorating. Wanda loved her children and grandchildren with a passion, Jesus and reading her Bible. Surviving are her children: Charles D Speicker (Debra), Vernon L Speicker (Theresa), 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands: William Speicker, Raymond Shoemaker, Richard Gendron and Spencer...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Keith D. Miller age 80, Greenfield, Indiana, previous a lifelong resident of Chatsworth, Illinois. Keith was born in Fairbury, IL to the parents of Carl and Elsie Miller. He now reunites with his parents and his brothers, Stanley Hill, David Hill, Gerald Miller, and John Miller and niece Diane Hill who preceded him in death. Keith loved the farm life and was his happiest when he was spending time there. He was owner of KDM Showpigs and loved meeting old friends while traveling and showing pigs.His greatest joy was attending his Grandkids any and all events throughout their school & college years and spending time with family...

Charles Delaine Rapp, 86, of Middletown, MD passed away at Frederick Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family on June 27, 2023. He was born on July 15, 1936 in Fairbury, Illinois to the late Andrew M. and Carolyn (Harms) Rapp. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, an infant brother, a brother-in-law, a niece, and his granddaughter, Peyton D. Rapp. Charles graduated from Fairbury-Cropsy High School and Illinois State University, and then went on to serve his country in the United States Army. He worked at Fort Detrick for 51 years with his final career in USAMRIID Virology, he was the night manager for Terrace Bowling Lanes for 34 years, and...

Jean Ann Rupp, 75, passed away May 25, 2023, at her home in Elkhart, IN. She was born September 2, 1947, in Bloomington, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, John J. & Wanda M. (Wooten) Frantz, her husband, Jonathan Rupp, and a brother, Jack L. Frantz. Surviving are 2 children, James Rupp, Susan Barnhart, a nephew, Dean Frantz (Patricia Wilcox), a niece, Dawn Thompson, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Jean was a 1965 graduate of Bloomington High School in Bloomington, IL and married her husband, Jonathan on December 31, 1971. She was employed at State Farm Insurance Companies, formally volunteered at Grace Arbor in Lawrenceville, GA, Ryan's...

Ivan E. Donner, 88, of East Moline, Illinois, died Sunday, April 16, 2023, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa. Services are 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29, at First Christian Church, Gibson City, Illinois, with visitation one hour prior to services. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities, with burial at Drummer Cemetery, Gibson City, at a later date. Memorials may be made to the church or the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Ivan E. Donner was born September 22, 1934, in Ford County, Illinois, in the farm home of his parents, Edward Lee and Marie (Beck) Donner. He graduated from Gibson...

David G. Wilkins, age 79, of Naples, FL and Normal, IL passed away on March 13, 2023 at his residence. He was born in September of 1944 to the late Glen and Liz Wilkins of Chenoa, IL. He met and married the love of his life in 1974, Helen Mears spending 48 years together. Following David's wishes a cremation has taken place. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home Family owned and Operated Since 1978.

Steve A. Eberhart, 91, of Cary, NC passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 1, 2023 . He was born on November 11, 1931 in Keya Paha, S.D. to Merle and Josephine Eberhart. He grew up on a farm west of Bassett, NE. and graduated valedictorian from Rock County High School. He received a B.S. in General Agriculture, 1952, University of Nebraska (with High Distinction); M.S. in Plant Breeding, 1958, University of Nebraska, and a PhD in Genetics/Statistics, 1961, North Carolina State University. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Nebraska, 1988. He married Laurel Hammond on July 19, 1953. He served 4 years as a pilot in the US Air Force. He worked for 15 years with...

Age 86, passed away peacefully at Angel's Grace Hospice on January 17, 2023. Shirley was born in Bloomington, Illinois to Jolly and Agnes Simpson in 1936. Shirley was proceeded in death by her husband, Gerald Roberts. Shirley is survived by her two sons, Jerry (Waukesha, Wisconsin) and Ken (Plover, Wisconsin). In addition, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Shirley loved crafting with her grandchildren and gardening on her back patio. A committal service will take place at the Village of Hartland Cemetery (Hill Street) at 11:00 am on January 23, 2023. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Angel's Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.