Miscellaneous Kankakee County, Illinois Obituaries

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Romey Gresiak

Romey Gresiak, 85, of Saucier, Miss., formerly of Bourbonnais, died Wednesday (Sept. 30, 1998).
Arrangements are pending at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais.

George Paulissen

TOPEKA, Kan. - George J. ''Jake'' Paulissen, 66, of Topeka, Kan., died Sept. 13, 1998 in Kansas.
He was born Nov. 16, 1931 in Kankakee, the son of Gerhard ''Mike'' and Kathryn Margaret Luehrs Paulissen.
He attended St. Patrick's grade and high school, the University of Illinois, University of Houston and University of Arizona.
He went back to school at the age of 51 and received an associate of arts degree in drug and alcohol counseling from Washburn University in Topeka.
He worked for the Menninger Foundation, NCA of Topeka and Addiction Treatment Center of Topeka as a counselor.
He was a member of Phi Kappa, Skull & Crescent honorary fraternity; the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge; the American Legion; life member of DAV and AA.
He was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Topeka.
He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean Conflict and was a disabled veteran.
He did much volunteer work with children, paraplegics and drug and alcohol control.
Surviving are one son, Sean Michael; one daughter, Heather Erin; one stepson, John David Van Buren; and several cousins in the Kankakee area.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. Saturday until the 10 a.m. memorial Mass to be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church, Kankakee.
Burial of cremains will be at Kankakee Memorial Gradens, Kankakee.
Memorials may be made to the donors' local mental health center for children.

Ruth Keen

MILFORD - Visitation for Ruth E. Keen, 95, of Milford, will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. Saturday until the 10 a.m. services at Milford United Methodist Church, where she was a member. The Rev. Robert Einhouse will officiate.
Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Milford.
Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Resident Home or to Iroquois Memorial Hospice.
Mrs. Keen died Tuesday (Sept. 29, 1998) at the Iroquois Resident Home, Watseka.
She was born Nov. 14, 1902 in Stockland, the daughter of William T. and Hulda Peterson Nolin.
Her husband, Jesse L. Keen, whom she married Dec. 21, 1922 in Stockland, died Jan. 30, 1993.
Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Dale R. and Shirley Keen of Forest, Va. and Richard L. and Betty Keen of Champaign; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Deceased are four brothers, three sisters and a son, William.
She was a member of the United Methodist Women, the Milford Women's Club, the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, a past president of a number of local organizations.
She attended Stockland Grade and high school and was a member of the Stockland Alumni Association.
She enjoyed cooking and working with people.

Martha Weakman

PIPER CITY - Visitation for Martha B. Weakman, 95, of Piper City, will be from 9:30 a.m. Saturday until the 11 a.m. services at United Methodist Church in Piper City. The Rev. Dori Dana Hudson will officiate.
Burial will be in Brenton Cemetery, Piper City.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, Piper City, where she was a member. She was a past Woman of the Year at her church.
Mrs. Weakman died Wednesday (Sept. 30, 1998) at Palmwood Healthcare Center, following a short illness.
She was born Jan. 9, 1093 in Piper City, the daughter of Charles and Mary Hanson Carr.
Her husband, Alex H. Weakman, whom she married Feb. 16, 1924 in Paxton, died May 30, 1982.
Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Henry Luebeck of Plainfield; two grandchildren, Mary Luebeck and Susan Swierzynski; and two great-grandchildren.
Deceased are two brothers, Clay and Jesse.

Verna Rix

OWENSBORO, Ky. - Verna Kilpatrick Rix, 85, formerly of Braidwood, died Sept. 25, 1998, at Hermitage Manor, Owensboro, Ky.
Born in Wilmington, she retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Braidwood.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Craig Kilpatrick, September 1969, and her second husband, Clarence Rix in 1989.
Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Roberta Kilpatrick of Braidwood and Don and Anna Kilpatrick of Webb City, Mo.; and a daughter, Jeanne Kessell of Owensboro; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Vivian Riess of Norridge, Ill.
A memorial service will be held Nov. 8 at First Presbyterian Church in Braidwood.
Memorials are requested to the First Presbyterian Church, 171 S. Lincoln St., Braidwood, Ill. 60408
James H. Davis Funeral Home, Owensboro, was in charge of arrangements.

Cornelia Gerber
WATSEKA - Cornelia H. Gerber, 94, of Bloomington, formerly of Watseka, died Wednesday (Sept. 30, 1998) at the BroMenn Regional Center, Normal.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at the Segur-Knapp Funeral Home, Watseka.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First United Presbyterian Church in Watseka. The Rev. Patricia Cockrell Wood will officiate.
Burial will be in GAR Cemetery, Watseka.

Velma Hausner

Velma L. Hausner, 79, of Kankakee, died Wednesday (Sept. 30, 1998) at Riverside Medical Center.
Visitation will be from 9 am. Friday until the 11 a.m. services at Hertz-Thoma Chapel, Kankakee. The Rev. Kathy Sweet will officiate.
Burial will be in Kankakee Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church in Kankakee, where she was a member.
She was born Aug. 28, 1919 in Kankakee, the daughter of George and Emma Johnson Kraft.
Her husband, William B. Hausner, whom she married July 29, 1940 in Ohio, died Aug. 26, 1988.
Surviving are two sons and one daughter-in-law, Dennis and Susan Hausner of Oak Forest and James Hausner of Normal; one brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Corinne Kraft of Kankakee; one grandchild.
Deceased are two brothers, Marvin and Harley Kraft.
Mrs. Hausner had been a bookkeeper for 25 years, working for Arthur Motor Works and for The Kankakee Dailly Journal.
She enjoyed playing in area bridge clubs.

Clinton Bisping

Visitation for Clinton Arnold ''Clint'' Bisping, 62, of Bradley, will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the Senesac Bourbonnais Funeral Home, where services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The Rev. Charles Wheeler will officiate.
Burial with military rites by the Kankakee American Legion Post 85, will be in Kankakee Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Bisping died Tuesday (Sept. 29, 1998) from injuries sustained in a truck/train accident.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.
He was born May 19, 1936 in Deselm, the son of Arnold and Nellie Ruark Bisping.
He served with the Marines during the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Bisping was formerly an over- the-road truck driver, currently on disability.
He was the commander of the Kankakee American Legion Post 85 and currently the 18th District Commander for the State American Legion.
Surviving are his wife, the former Marjorie F. ''Marge'' LaVasseur, whom he married Feb. 22, 1970 in LasVegas, Nev.; one daughter and son-in-law, April and Edward Anderson Jr. of Bourbonnais; three sons and daughters-in-law, Bradley and Kathy Bisping of Channahan, TyLane and Sharon Bisping of Henderson, Ky. and Kirk and Susan Bisping of Kankakee; a stepson and daughter- in-law, Robert and Evelyn Bond of Bourbonnais; stepdaughter-in-law, Sylvia Bond of Cordeva, Tenn.; one sister, Paulette Vaughn of Benton; one brother and sister-in-law, Russell and Terry Bisping of Macon, Ga.; 27 grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren.
His parents and a brother Alan Bisping are deceased.
He was a Roman Catholic.
Mr. Bisping was also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge and Amvets.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and helping his friends in farming during the spring and fall.

Jack Willis

MOMENCE - Visitation for Jack D. Willis, 81, of Momence, will be from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. today, with a wake service at 4 p.m., at the Cotter Funeral Home in Momence.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Denis White, at 10 a.m. Monday at the Good Shepherd Manor in Momence, due to church renovation at St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Burial will be in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Foundation and the American Heart Association.
Mr. Willis died Friday (Oct. 2, 1998) at Momence Meadows Nursing Home.
He was born April 5, 1917 in Kane, Pa., the son of William and Susan Shotts Willis, who are deceased.
He attended Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Surviving are his wife, the former Marie McMahon, whom he married April 25, 1942 in Newark, N.J.; one son and daughter-in-law, Robert D. and Margaret Willis of Kaukauna, Wis.; one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Scott Elliott of Momence; grandchildren, Roxanne and Matthew Willis, Tiffany Holohan, Michelle Elliott and Maureen Glade; and a great-grandson, Anthony.
Mr. Willis was former president of the five divisions of Baker and Taylor Company in Somerville, N.J.; Momence; Reno, Nev.; Commerce, Ga.; and Clarksville, Texas. He was also president of Canadian Book Wholesale Company Ltd., Scarborough, Ontario; Baker & Taylor Company GMBH, Frankfort, Germany; Interstate Library Service, Oklahoma City; Baker and Taylor Co. of Texas; Inspection Center for Books and Media in Los Angeles, and Houston, Texas; and vice-president of Parents Magazine in New York City. He was transferred to Momence by Baker and Taylor Co. in 1962.
He was director of personnel for the Peterson & Puritan Plant in Momence for five years. He was a charter vice-president and director of Municipal Trust and Savings Bank in Momence.
He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Momence; director of the Momence Gladiolus Festival for 28 years; served on the Kankakee Community College Scholarship committee; Momence Lions Club; former officer on the Momence Chamber of Commerce; past president of the Momence Booster Club; and served on the State of Illinois Library Board.
(Pd.)

Vivian Gabrys

CLIFTON - Vivian A. Gabrys, 61, of Clifton, formerly of Chicago, died Friday (Oct. 2, 1998) at Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today at the Knapp Funeral Home, where services will be at 10 a.m. Monday.
Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Chebanse.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
She was born Oct. 28, 1936 in Conway, N.D., the daughter of James and Geneva Novak Pecka. Her parents and one sister are deceased.
Mrs. Gabrys was a retired 30-year postal worker in Chicago.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Kankakee.
Surviving are a daughter and son- in-law, Bernadette and Larry Bosley of Chebanse; two grandchildren, Krystle and Daniel at home.

Robert Glassford

Robert N. Glassford, 73, of Bradley, died Saturday (Oct. 3, 1998) at RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais, where services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Raymond Barclay officiating.
Burial will be in Kankakee Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the American Lutheran Church, where he was a member.
He was born Sept 18, 1925 in Christopher, the son of Samuel and Nola Jackson Glassford.
Mr. Glassford was a retired 35- year employee of Kankakee Water Company.
Surviving are his wife, the former Julia Palinski, whom he married Nov. 11, 1968 in Kankakee; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Mark and Diane Glassford of Bourbonnais, John and Paula Lezotte and Larry and Kim Lezotte, all of Kankakee and Robert Lezotte of Momence; two daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and James Bereolos of Kankakee and Peggy and Ronald Stanfield of Aurora, Mo.; two sisters, Helen Howell of Christopher and Virginia Miles of Marble Hill, Mo.; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Virgil and Eileen Glassford of Kankakee and Leola Glassford of Bradley; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
Deceased are his parents and three brothers, Oliver, Joseph and Reuben.
He was a veteran of World War II, a former POW, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Bradley American Legion.
He enjoyed traveling.

George Long

George W. Long, 74, of Kankakee, died Friday (Oct. 2, 1998) at his home.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. Monday until the 2 p.m. services at Asbury United Methodist Church, Kankakee, where he was a member. The Rev. Don Long will officiate.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Fitzpatrick Funeral Directors was in charge of arrangements.
He was born Aug. 24, 1924 in Jonesville, W. Va., the son of Creed S. and Elizabeth Lockhart Long. His parents and a brother, Raymond, are deceased.
Surviving are his wife, the former Mary J. Clawson, whom he married May 2, 1979 in Kankakee; two sons, Wesley Long of Manteno and Gerald Long of Bradley; two daughters, Murial Schultz of Kankakee and Debbie Camarg of Bourbonnais; a stepson, Allen Gehm of Bourbonnais; a stepdaughter, Susan Landock of Kankakee; six sisters, Donna Mae Stutz, Lucille Hillie and Alice Thomas, all of Bradley, Edith Scaberth of Dwight, Virginia Gabriel of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and Mary Puckett of Lexington, Ky.; one brother, Creed Long Jr.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Long retired from Mortell Co. in 1987.
He served in the military during World War II, and was in many battles in Europe.
He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 802; Legion of the Moose and Elks Lodge 627.

Mitchell Bonds

Mitchell Todd ''Mitch'' Bonds, 37, of Kankakee, died Thursday (Oct. 1, 1998) at his home.
Visitation will be from 1 a.m. Monday until the 1 p.m. services at the Bradley Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Homes. The Rev. Jay DeMent will officiate.
Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery, Bourbonnais.
Memorials may be made to the family.
He was born Sept. 6, 1961 at St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee.
Mr. Bonds was a carpenter.
Surviving are his mother, Janice Stevens of Kankakee and father, Cecil Bonds of Johnson City; two sisters and brother-in-law, Terri Bonds of Bradley and Sherri and Tracy Bonds of South Carolina; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Mark Bonds and Eric and Karen Bonds, all of Bradley; his grandmother, Cora Stevens; seven nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Deceased are grandparents John Henry and Rosie Bonds, Eldon Allen Stevens; an aunt and uncle, Clarence and Willa Harris; a cousin, Robert Allen Harris and a nephew, Jason Brault.
Mr. Bonds was a carpenter. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Rex Garfield

WATSEKA - Rex Taylor Garfield, 83, of Watseka, died Saturday (Oct. 3, 1998) at the Magnolia Wood Health Care Center. 
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday at the Baier Funeral Home, Watseka, with a Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. Pastor David Bondurant will officiate.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church, Watseka, with one hour visitation at the church prior to the service.
Burial will be at the Sheldon Cemetery, Sheldon.
Mr. Garfield was born Oct. 4, 1914, in Milford, the son of Leroy and Jennie Taylor Garfield.
He is survived by his wife Jannette Hamilton Garfield, who he married on April 26, 1941 in Woodland. 
He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law Julie and Mark Bezdon of Fithian. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, and one son, Roger.
Garfield owned and operated S & D Plumbing and worked for Roper in Kankakee and Stam Manufacturing, in Watseka. 
He served as a Watseka fireman for 37 years.
Garfield supported the Homeland Outreach Ministry and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. 
He belonged to the Historical/Genealogy Society of Iroquois County, the Watseka American Legion for 50 years, and was a member and past master of the Watseka Lodge 446 and the A.F. & A.M. Ancient Accepted Scottish and York Rite, Valley of Danville and Mohammed Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of Peoria.
He enjoyed reading, camping, and was a member of the Iroquois County camping club.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Historical Society.
Clarence Alexander
Clarence Alexander, 79, of Piper City, died Saturday (Oct. 3, 1998) in Piper City.
Arrangements are pending Reilly- Redenius Funeral Home in Piper City.

Romey Gresiak

SAUCIER, Miss. - Visitation for Romey E. Gresiak, 75, of Saucier, Miss., formerly of Bourbonnais, will be from 9 a.m. Monday until the 11 a.m. services at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes, Bourbonnais. The Rev. Samuel O. Cleare will officiate.
Burial with military rites by the Aroma Park American Legion F-Troop will be in Kankakee Mem-orial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to his family.
Mr. Gresiak died Wednesday (Sept. 30, 1998) at his home in Saucier, Miss.
He was born Aug. 24, 1923 in Harrisburg, the son of Roman and Mary Daledovich Gresiak. His parents and a brother, Charles are deceased.
His wife, the former Evangeline Hess, whom he married Aug. 28, 1961 in Manteno, died Jan. 31, 1994.
Mr. Gresiak retired from Manteno Mental Health Center, Manteno, and the coal mines of southern Illinois.
A World War II veteran, he was a life member of DAV and member of the American Legion Post 106.
Surviving are one son, Everett of Saucier; two sisters and one brother- in-law, Maryann Vaughn of Kankakee and Helen and Donald Richey of Bourbonnais; a sister-in-law, Betty Weldy of Goshen, Ind.; several nieces and nephews.

Louise Rogers

Visitation for Louise H. Rogers, 86, of Kankakee, will be from 1-4 p.m. today at Rehr Kaiser Funeral Home, Kankakee.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, with one hour visitation prior, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where she was a member. The Rev. Karl Koeppen will officiate.
Burial will be in Mound Grove Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran School.
Mrs. Rogers died Thursday (Oct. 1, 1998) at Faith Place, Prairieview Lutheran Home, Danforth.
She was born March 15, 1912 in Chicago, the daughter of Louis and Freida Vick Goethke.
Her husband, Norman J. Rogers, whom she married July 27, 1935 in Chicago, died Nov. 1, 1985. They lived in Chicago for 23 years before coming to Kankakee. Her late husband was the principal at St. Paul's Lutheran School for many years.
Mrs. Rogers was active in her church, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, St. Paul's Ladies Aid and Bible Study.
She had been a retail sales clerk in Chicago and at Alden's Department Store in Kankakee.
Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Rev. Erwin Brese of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Joy Elowsky of Absecon, N.J. and Nathaniel Brese of Lansdale, Pa.; two great-grandchildren, Christian and Luke Elowsky.
Deceased are one infant son, James Luther Rogers and one sister, Viola Johnson.

Randall Thomas

HOOPESTON - Randall E. Thomas, 84, a 59-year resident of Hoopeston, died Thursday (Oct. 1, 1998) at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center, Logan Campus, Danville.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Hamilton-Orr Funeral Home, Hoopeston, where services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. E. Brooks Barrick will officiate.
Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.
He was born Feb. 1, 1914 in Albany, Ky., the son of Albert and Ada Wells Thomas.
Surviving are his wife, the former Leveta L. Choate, whom he married Oct. 17, 1937 in Kentucky; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry E. and Sallie Thomas of Westminister, Calif. and Calvin R. and Marilyn Thomas of Woodland; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Corban and Christine Thomas and Conley and Elizabeth Thomas, all of Virginia, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
Nine sisters and two brothers are deceased.
He retired from FMC Corp. in Hoopeston, where he was employed as a machinist. He had also farmed in his earlier years.
He enjoyed gardening, square dancing and square dance calling; and was a sports fan.

Mildred Dennis

Mildred ''Mickey'' Dennis, 66, of Kankakee, died Friday (Oct. 2, 1998) at Provena St. Mary's Hospital.
Cremation rites have been accorded by the Hertz- Thoma Crematory. There will be no visitation or services.
She was born July 10, 1932 in Middletown, Ohio, the daughter of Orville and May Elton Sorell, who are deceased.
Surviving are her husband, Elmo Dennis, whom she married in Ohio, now of Kankakee; one son and daughter-in-law, John and Bonnie Dennis of Indianapolis; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marla and Rod Christensen of Fort Worth, Texas, and Cathy and David Minor of Seattle, Wash.; three sisters; two brothers; two grandchildren; one great- grandchildren.

Robert Hayes

Visitation for Robert Hayes Sr., 56, of Kankakee, will be from 10 a.m. Saturday until the 11 a.m. services at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Chicago. The Rev. Byron Whitehead will officiate.
Burial will be in Glenwood South Cemetery.
Jones Funeral Home, Kankakee, was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hayes died Sept. 28, 1998 at his home.
He was born Aug. 27, 1942, the son of Eugene and Mattie Hopper Hayes, who are deceased.
Mr. Hayes retired from Republic Steel in Indiana.
Surviving are his wife, Molly of Chicago; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert Jr. and Rosa, Bernell and Angie, Lorenzo and Peggie, David, John and Cece, Leonard and Twana and Sylvester; daughters and sons-in- law, Mattie and Richard, Catherin and Diana; sisters and a brother-in- law, Minnie Riley and Mattie Hayes and Steve, all of Chicago; brothers and a sister-in-law, Eugene and Gloria of Alabama and James Heyes of Chicago; 21 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Deceased are two brothers, Sylvester and Johnny and a sister, Betty.

Bernice Boehne

WILMINGTON - Bernice A. Boehne, 80, of Wilmington, formerly of Plainfield, died Saturday (Oct. 3, 1998) at Morris Hospital.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Monday until the 2 p.m. services at the Freitag Funeral Home in Wilmington. The Rev. Janet Hunt will officiate.
Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington.
She was born April 11, 1918 in New Minden, the daughter of William and Mary Horstman Woker. Her parents, one sister and four brothers are deceased.
Surviving are two daughters and one son-in-law, Patricia Dockery of Braidwood and Becky and Robert Cessna of Mount Carmel; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.


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