Miscellaneous Kankakee County, Illinois Obituaries

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Rita Regnier

Visitation for Rita I. Regnier, 79, of Clifton, formerly of Bourbonnais, will be from 4-8 p.m. today, with a wake service at 5 p.m., at Clancy- Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Maternity BVM Church, Bourbonnais, where she was a member.
Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery, Bourbonnais.
Mrs. Regnier died Wednesday (June 9, 1999) at the home of her daughter.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley.
She was born Nov. 21, 1919 in Bourbonnais, the daughter of Louis and Nelda Gregoire Tourangeau.
Her husband, William Regnier, whom she married in July of 1950, died May 5, 1987.
She was a former employee of the Bourbonnais Post Office and General Foods Coupon Center.
For many years she was a volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, George Regnier of Chicago; one daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Duane Carlson of Clifton; a daughter-in-law, Esther Dandurand of Colorado; and three grandchildren.
Seven sisters, Della Kirsty, Amanda Marcotte, Marie ''Mary'' Kerouac, Sr. Mary Jane Tourangeau, Isabell Legris, Constance ''Connie'' Boudreau, Louicille Tetrault, and three infant brothers are deceased.
She enjoyed crocheting, woodcrafting, raising dogs and goats.

Nick Warner

PEOTONE - Nick Warner, 90, of Peotone for 12 years, formerly of Chicago Ridge, died Wednesday (June 9, 1999) in Urbana.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Fedde Helfrich Chapel, Peotone, where services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday. Rev. Dr. Harold Russell will officiate.
Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery of Chicago. Pallbearers will be Marty, Gerry and Donald Von Wahlde, Gary and Mathew Warner and John Picl.
He was born Nov. 9, 1908 in Rotterdam, Holland, the son of Frederick and Dina Spoor Wartner.
Mr. Warner was a meat salesman.
His wife, the former Eleanor Sarenson, whom he married Aug. 20, 1932 in Chicago, died in 1994.
Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Bob Von Wahlde of Peotone and Loda; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
A Son, Harold Warner, two brothers and one sister, are deceased.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Peotone.

Wilma Sargent

WATSEKA - Wilma Gerber Sargent, 66, of Ocoee, Fla., formerly of Watseka, died Wednesday (June 9, 1999) at Health Central Hospital, Ocoee.
There will be no local services. Arrangements are by Segur-Knapp Funeral Home, Watseka.
She was born Oct. 16, 1932 in Watseka, the daughter of Samuel and Mary Prater Bennett.
She had worked at Uarco in Watseka.
Her first husband, George Rollin Gerber, whom she married in Watseka, died June 18, 1960. In 1961 she remarried and moved to central Florida.
Surviving are two sons, Stuart Gerber of Orlando, Fla. and Randal Gerber of Tampa, Fla.; one brother, Harry Bennett of Watseka; and one sister, Lois Wilken of Carlsbad, N.M.; and two grandchildren.
One sister is deceased.

Georgia Helm

SUN RIVER TERRACE - Georgia Lee Helm, 73, formerly of Sun River Terrace, died Sunday (June 6, 1999) in Phoenix, Ariz.
Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. June 19 at the True Holiness Church of God in Christ, 1416 Willow, Kankakee, with Pastor Elder Alfred Williams officiating.
She was born Jan. 7, 1926 in Chicago, the daughter of Samuel and Fannie Jeffries.
She attended Lincoln Memorial School and Blue Island Community High School.
She belonged to the Universal Church of God in Robbins at an early age. In later years she moved to Riverwood and joined her father's church, Riverwood Church of God in Christ. She was the missionary and choir directress.
Her husband, Eddie Helm is deceased.
Surviving are one son, Harrison Fifer and a daughter, Sharon Fifer Alexander; two sisters and brother- in-law, Mildred Mayo and Marvlene and Robert Childs of Kankakee; a brother and sister-in-law, Samuel and Ruth Jeffries of Memphis, Tenn. and an adopted brother, Michael Jeffries of Phoenix, Ariz.; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; one aunt, Carrie Lee Jarrett; and nieces, nephews, great-niece and other relatives and friends.

LeRoy Miller

PIPER CITY - Visitation for LeRoy L. Miller, 78, of Collinsville since 1964, formerly of Piper City, will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Reilly-Redenius Funeral Home in Piper City, where services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Burial will be in Flesher Cemetery, Crescent City, with military rites.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Mr. Miller died Monday (June 7, 1999) at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
He was born May 26, 1921 in Piper City, the son of Leonard W. and Hilda Walle Miller.
Mr. Miller was an elecrician and mechanic.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the Navy. He was a member of the Gibb Post of the American Legion.
His wife, the former Betty J. Hoshaw, whom he married April 25, 1943 in Pensicola, Fla., died March 14, 1992.
Surviving are two sons, Bill Miller of Atlanta, Ga. and Leslie Miller of Huntsville, Ala.; two daughters, Carol Edwards of Taipei, Taiwan and Laurel Karr of Huntsville; 12 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Two brothers and one sister are deceased.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Piper City.

Gertrude Wells

Gertrude N. Wells, 75, of Kankakee, died Wednesday (June 9, 1999) at Provena St. Mary's Hospital emergency room.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday with services on Saturday.
Hertz-Thoma Funeral Chapel, Kankakee, is in charge of arrangements.

Hattie Wilfinger

Hattie L. Wilfinger, 88, of Kankakee, died Wednesday (June 9, 1999) in Kankakee.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. Thursday until the 7 p.m. services at the Bradley Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Homes. The Rev. Larry Schreffler will officiate.
Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Ridgewood Cemetery, Des-Plaines.
She was born Oct. 23, 1910 in Chicago the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Geisen.
Her husband, Joseph Wilfinger, whom she married in Chicago Sept. 27, 1932 died in 1980.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Don and Mary Wilfinger of St. Anne; three daughters and one son-in-law, Rosemarie Wilfinger of Kankakee, Gail Sparkman of Elgin and JoAnn and Edward Aeschlimann of Maryland; one sister, Bessie Voss of Barrington; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
One brother and four sisters are deceased.

Cyril Thorson

MORRIS - Cyril T. ''Cy'' Thorson, 79, of Morris and father of a Coal City resident, died June 4, 1999 at Morris Hospital.
Services were June 8 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morris, where he was a member and usher for many years. Pastor Steven Lombardo officiated.
Memorials may be made to his church, to the Diabetes Foundation, the American Heart Association or to the donor's choice.
Fruland Funeral Home, Morris, was in charge of arrangements.
He was born April 17, 1920 in Manlius Township, the son of John and Amanda Clauson Thorson.
Surviving are his wife, the former Martha Heiden, whom he married June 8, 1946; one son and daughter- in-law, Dennis and Norma Thorson of Morris; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Ellen and Dennis Nicholson of Seneca, Lisa and Larry Evans of Coal City and Lori Marshall of Buffalo Grove; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Russell Thorson of Morris and Ronald Thorson of Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews.
Four brothers, Arnold, Lester, Merrill and Gordon Thorson are deceased.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Thorson was employed for 26 years as a petroleum salesman with the Kendall-Grundy FS.

Deborah Ann Montelpasse

Deborah Ann Montelpasse, 42, of Kankakee, died Wednesday (June 9, 1999) in her home, from breast cancer.
She was born Nov. 13, 1956 in Chicago, the daughter of Michael and Delores Young Zylo. Her mother is deceased and her father resides in Justice.
Also surviving are her husband, Victor, whom she married Aug. 14, 1983; two daughters, Veronica of Bourbonnais and Victoria of Kankakee; one granddaughter; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter and Terri Zylo, Tracy and Angela Zylo and Michael and Marianne Zylo Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday with services on Saturday at Parkside Chapels, 5948 Archer Avenue, Chicago. Burial will be in Casimir Cemetery.

Violet Denoyer

Violet M. Denoyer, 66, of Kankakee, died Wednesday (June 9, 1999) at Riverside Medical Center.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Kankakee, where services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday. Deacon Joe Cotugno will officiate.
Burial will be in Kankakee Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.
She was born March 23, 1933, the daughter of Ralph and Opal Goyette Denoyer, who are deceased.
Miss Denoyer worked at United Developmental Services.
Surviving are one sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Leo Keerbs of Bradley and one nephew, Leo Keerbs Jr.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

John Wolgast

DANFORTH - Graveside services, with military rites by the Danforth American Legion, for Robert ''John'' Wolgast, 89, of Danforth, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Danforth Cemetery. The Rev. Wilbur McCasky will officiate.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Prairieview Lutheran Home or to Luther Place.
Mr. Wolgast died Saturday (June 5, 1999) at Luther Place in Danforth.
He was born March 22, 1910 in Danforth, the son of Frank and Anna Broers Wolgast. he was a 1928 graduate of Gilman High School and 1932 graduate of University of Illinois, receiving a degree in business administration. He was a member of Sig Phi Fraternity of the U of I.
Mr. Wolgast was employed as an agent for the Internal Revenue Service.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army.
His wife, the former Lois Dix, whom he married in 1954, died Feb. 7, 1986.
Surviving are one niece, Patricia Beardsley of Geneva, Ill.; and a nephew, Randall Cultra of Onarga.
Two brothers, one sister are deceased.
His former residences include Sun City, Ariz., Wheaton and Ashkum.
He enjoyed golfing.

Frances Nilsson

MERCER, Wis. - Frances ''Chris'' Nilsson, 92, area native, died May 29, 1999, at her home in Mercer, Wis.
She was born in Salina Township on Feb. 2, 1907, the daughter of Alexander and Anna Rathman Lee. She attended Bonfield and Kankakee schools.
On June 20, 1936 she married John Nilsson in Crown Point, Ind. and he died Sept. 6, 1985.
Mrs. Nilsson was a waitress at Walgreen's in Chicago and also Beaver Dam, Wis. In the mid-1940s she and her husband moved to Mercer from Chicago. She was employed at the Wampum Shop in Mercer.
Surviving are two sisters, Florence Arndt of Chesterton, Ind. and Gladys Braun of Kankakee; and many nieces and nephews.
A brother, LeRoy and sisters, Irene Blevins and Laura Higgenbotham are deceased.
Visitation and services were June 2 at Mercer United Methodist Church, where she was a member.
Memorials may be made in her name to her church.
Engstrom Funeral Home of Hurley was in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Knickrehm

Kenneth H. Knickrehm, 72, of Peotone, died Thursday (June 10, 1999) at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood.
Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Saturday at Fedde-Helfrich Chapel, Peotone.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Immanuel United Church of Christ, where he was a member, past senior elder and treasurer. Rev. David McDonald will officiate.
Burial will be in Peotone Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to his church or to the American Cancer Society.
He was born Aug. 3, 1926 in Joliet, the son of Alvin and Mildred Runge Knickrehm, who are deceased.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Air Force. He was a member of Peotone American Legion.
Mr. Knickrehm was owner-operator of Knickrehm Trucking and Excavating.
He was a past member of the Peotone Planning Commission and the Peotone Park Board.
Surviving are his wife, the former Gladys M. Krapf of Peotone, whom he married June 17, 1951 in Peotone; one son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Cathi Knickrehm of Chicago; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanine and Wayne Koelling of Kankakee and Sheila and Steve Vining of Batavia; six grandchildren, Greg, Chad, Jeff and Ashley Koelling and Kirsten and Rachel Vining; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Dale and Betty Knickrehm of Peotone and Leland Knickrehm of Monee.
Mr. Knickrehm enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events. He also enjoyed auto racing and fishing.

Gertrude Wells

Visitation for Gertrude N. ''Dolly'' Wells, 75, of Kankakee, will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Hertz-Thoma Funeral Chapel, where services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Rev. Craig Sweet will officiate.
Burial will be in Kankakee Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.
Mrs. Wells died Wednesday (June 9, 1999) at Provena St. Mary's Hospital.
She was born Nov. 25, 1923 in Kankakee, the daughter of Frank and Gertrude Dill Hardesty, who are deceased.
Surviving are her husband, John Wells, whom she married Feb. 18, 1943 in Louten, Okla.; one son, Lyle J. Wells of Kankakee; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Barbara and David Kusman of Sheldon, Beverly and Roy Austin of Bourbonnais and Karen Wells of Bradley; six sisters and two brothers-in-law, Margaret and Wilber Kempiners of Aurora, Etta Styck of Bonfield, Bertha Benn of Momence, Mary Wells and Betty and Fred Lippold, all of Kankakee and Gladys Dankovich of Bradley; one brother, John ''Cobb'' Hardesty of Kankakee; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Two brothers, George and Homer are deceased.
She was of the Methodist faith.
Mrs. Wells was affiliated with the Royal Neighbors and enjoyed bowling, playing cards and shopping.

Warren Gruender

BLOOMINGTON - Warren Dean Gruender, 67, of Bloomington, died Thursday (June 10, 1999) in Bloomington.
Surviving are his surrogate family: Dr. David and Mary Gadbois Krueger of Watseka and their children, Stephanie, Joshua, Veronica, Jeremiah, Theresa, Joseph, Margaret Gadbois, Jessica and Brady Brooks, Kelly, Kaylynn, Lorna and Layne Kruger and one grandchild Siri Brooks.
Visitation will be from 3 p.m. Sunday until the 4 p.m. services at the Herscher Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Homes. Rev. Denis White will officiate.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Memorials may be made to the Bloomington Hospice.

Darleen Schultz

Darleen Marie Schultz, 76, of Kankakee, died Friday (June 11, 1999) in Kankakee.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday and from 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until the 10:30 a.m. services, all at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Fu-neral Homes. The Rev. John Curtis will officiate.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Memorials may be made to the family.
She was born Jan. 9, 1923 in Reddick, the daughter of Archie and Zelda Bratton Patchette.
Her husband, Walter Schultz, whom she married Oct. 24, 1942 at First Baptist Church in Kankakee, died in 1998.
Mrs. Schultz had been employed by Bear Brand Hosiery, Blankenberg Photographers and the Americana Nursing Home.
She taught Sunday school for many years and was deaconess at First Baptist Church in Kankakee, where she was a member. She was a Girl Scout leader.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Leslie and Mary Schultz of Kankakee; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Lou and Robert Christensen of Tucson, Ariz. and Paula Kay and James Welker of Kankakee; one sister and brother-in- law, Gloria and David MacKenzie of Kentucky; two brothers and sisters- in-law, Allen and Ellie Patchette of Missouri and Raymond and Shirley Patchette of Arizona; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Three brothers, seven sisters, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren are deceased.

Vernon Frye
WATSEKA - Vernon W. Frye, 86, of Watseka, formerly of Iroquois, died Friday (June 11, 1999) at Watseka Health Care Center.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. today until the 2 p.m. services at Baier Funeral Home, Watseka. The Rev. Joseph Hughes will officiate.
Burial will be in Prairie Dell Cemetery, Iroquois.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.
He was born Aug. 2, 1912 in Chebanse, the daughter of Howard and Mamie McNamara Frye.
Mr. Frye worked in the saw mill for more than sixty years and was a farmer.
His wife and four sisters are deceased.
Surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, Vernon and Maila Frye of Watseka, and William and Karen Frye and Roland and Kyong- Cha Frye, all of Tennessee; one daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Orrin Rowe of Iroquois; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Margarette Garner

HOPKINS PARK - Margarette ''Aunt Helen'' Garner, 51, of Momence, died June 8, 1999 in Chicago.
Surviving are one son, Cedric Garner and a daughter Zadar Garner, both of Momence.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today, with a wake service from 10 a.m. June 14 until the noon services at Unique Funeral Home, 3425 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Burial will follow in Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park.

Gwendolyn Shirk

BARTLETT - Gwendolyn J. Shirk, 66, of Bartlett, daughter of Momence resident, died Thursday (June 10, 1999). She was a former Hobart resident for 32 years before moving to Bartlett.
Mrs. Shirk was a retired Registered Nurse. She earned her degree from Grant Hospital in Chicago, graduating in the class of 1954.
Surviving are her mother, Laura Carpenter of Momence; one son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Lisa Shirk Jr. of Bartlett; three daughters and sons-in-law, Gail and Bob Kuchta and Sandy and Phil Manning, all of Hobart and Laurie and David Lewis of Portage; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Roberta and Ken Meyer of Antioch and Mary and Chester Warren of Kimerling City, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Marlene Foale of Texas and Betty and Wayne Hoffman of Vernon Hills; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Joseph Shirk Sr.; two sons, Tony and Nick; and her father, Robert Carpenter are deceased.
Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. today, with services at 10 a.m. Monday, at the Rees Funeral Home in Hobart. The Rev. Dominic V. Bertino will officiate.
Burial will be in Calumet Park Cemetery.
Memorials to HIEDC is preferred.

Vaudrene Dickman

WOODWORTH - Vaudrene VanNote Siskin Dickman, 60, of Woodworth, died Friday (June 11, 1999) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka, and from 10 a.m. Monday until the 11 a.m. services at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Woodworth, where she was a member. The Rev. Mark Nordman will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Woodworth.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Building Fund or to the donor's choice.
She was born March 25, 1939 in Bloomington, the daughter of Wilbur and Mildred Torp VanNote. Her parents and stepfather of 42 years, Milton Siskin, are deceased.
Mrs. Dickman was a graduate of Herscher High School and worked at the Milford Library.
Surviving are her husband, Wilbur VanNote, whom she married Sept. 28, 1958 in Park Forest; two sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew and Maureen Dickman of Muscatine, Iowa, and Mark and Mary Dickman of Bloomington; one daughter and son- in-law, Beth and Tom Bartolomucci of Chatham; two sisters, Christine Hess of Aloha, Ore., and JoAnna Siskin of Clearwater, Fla.; one brother, David Siskin of Largo, Fla.; and three grandchildren.

Lucille Lehnert

Visitation for Lucille C. Lehnert, 87, of Kankakee, will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, at Hertz-Thoma Funeral Chapel, Kankakee.
Graveside services will be at 1:15 p.m. Monday at Mound Grove Cemetery, Kankakee.
Mrs. Lehnert died Friday (June 11, 1999) at the Kankakee Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Aug. 15, 1911 in Jamaica, Ill., the daughter of James and Effie Henry Jones.
Her husband, John, whom she married Dec. 31, 1935 in Kankakee, died in 1993.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Joann Lehnert of Macon, Ga.; one daughter and son- in-law, Delma and James Pearce of Oakland, Ill.; one sister, Gladys Zahme of Chicago; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; and two nieces.
Mrs. Lehnert was a former member of St. John Evangelical Church in Kankakee.
She enjoyed cooking.


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