Nov. 22, 2001
DONALD E. BAER
DECATUR -- Donald E. Baer, 67, of Decatur, died Monday, November 19, 2001 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.
Services will be 7:00 P.M. Friday in Graceland Star of Hope Chapel, with visitation 1 hour before services. Entombment will be in Star of Hope Mausoleum. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.
Mr. Baer was born August 19, 1934 in Decatur, the son of Russell and Alice (Troutman) Baer. He was a job developer at Macon Resources. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. He graduated from Decatur High School and received his Bachelors Degree in Business from Millikin University. He married Jeanette Fawley in Decatur on June 10, 1956.
Surviving are his wife, Jeanette of Decatur; son, Larry Baer and wife Michelle of Joliet; daughter, Lynette Drake and husband Mike of Charleston; brother, Russell E. Baer and wife Sue of Littleton, Colo.; grandchildren, Autumn and Cameron Baer and Hannah and Michael Drake.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jewell Marie Beasley
MATTOON -- Jewell Marie Beasley, age 66, of Mattoon, died at 3:50 a.m. on Wednesday, November 21, 2001 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Private funeral services for the family will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday at the Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home with Reverend Robert Clark officiating. Private visitation for the family will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Jewell was born September 6, 1935 in Windsor, a daughter of George and Irene Wallace Elliott. She married Charles Beasley on August 21, 1954. He survives.
She is survived by four children as well, Mrs. John (Vickie) Davis of Lovington; Michael Beasley of Palm Bay, Florida; Brad Beasley of Mattoon, and Pennie Funk of Mattoon. She is survived by one brother, Raymond Elliott of Surprise, Arizona; and two sisters, Mrs. Betty Eastin of Sun City, Arizona and Mrs. Patty Croger of Greenville, Kentucky. She leaves 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Beasley attended the Heartland Community Church in Decatur and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
Jewell was a sports enthusiast and was considered an avid golfer. She enjoyed playing bingo and had a great affection for animals.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Stephen Bowen
MESA, Ariz. -- Stephen Ozee Bowen, 60, of Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Mattoon, died Sunday (Nov. 18, 2001) in Mesa Valley Lutheran Hospital.
A graveside service with military rites will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Mariscano-Reed-Stowers Funeral Home, Tampa, Fla.
He was born Feb. 27, 1941, in Mattoon, the son of Harold and Martha Ozee Bowen.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Charlene; two sons, Eric Stephen and Kevin Harold, both of Tampa, Fla.; two stepdaughters, Cathy Beckner of Jacksonville, Fla., and Lois Legg of Beckley, W.Va.; two brothers, his twin Peter Bowen of Winterhaven, Fla., and Marc Bowen of Crystal River, Fla.; one sister, Susan Blackford of Mattoon; and five stepgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Bowen worked in the manufactured home business and was an Army veteran of the Korean conflict.

Bill Creek
HOPEDALE -- Bill Creek, 61, of Hopedale, died at 6:18 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 20, 2001) at his residence.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Liberty Baptist Church, Minier, with the Rev. John Horner officiating. A graveside service with military rites will be 10 a.m. Monday at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the McReynolds-Beck Funeral Home, Minier.
He was born Jan. 23, 1940, in Peoria, the son of Elmer Creek and Ella Mae Belk Creek. He married Norma Jean Creek of Hopedale in 1961; she survives.
Also surviving are two sons, William Creek of Peoria and Brian Creek of Plainfield; three daughters, Julia Filley and Pam Rudd, both of Glasford, and Kimberly Creek of Hopedale; two brothers, Elmer Creek Jr. of Bartonville and Ronald Creek of Mattoon; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death one sister.
The Rev. Creek was an ordained Baptist minister, pastoring in several churches in the area and Nebraska. He worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company for 22 years. He also worked at National Garages in Peoria in 1999 and was a Navy veteran.

MARK ANDREW HADWIGER
CHARLESTON, IL -- Dr. Mark Andrew Hadwiger, Ph.D., age 41 of Woodbridge, Virginia and formerly of Charleston, died in Washington, D.C. on November 17 (2001) from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Dr. Hadwiger graduated from Charleston High School in 1978, graduated Magna Cum Laude with Highest Distinction with dual majors in Chemistry and Physics from the University of Illinois, completed additional credit at the California Institute of Technology and earned his Ph.D. degree from the University of Houston in 1988. He received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowship which he completed at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. At the time of his death, Dr. Hadwiger was employed by Kramer & Associates, an intellectual properties firm. His professional biography can be seen at: www.kramerip.com/Frames/MAHadwiger.htm on the Internet.
Dr. Hadwiger is survived by his father, Ken Hadwiger and stepmother, Pamela Atteberry, both of Charleston; his mother, Diane Choate of Washington, D.C; one brother, Michael Hadwiger and wife Gayla and their children Thomas, Sara and Jessica, all of St. Louis, Missouri.
A Memorial Mass celebrating Dr. Hadwiger's life will be held in Charleston at a later date.

DENNY ROGERS
CHARLESTON, IL -- Denny Rogers, age 74 of Charleston, went to rest on Tuesday, November 20 (2001) at his home. Graveside Services celebrating his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 25 (2001) at the Ashmore Cemetery with Reverend Bill Boaz officiating. Following the Sunday Graveside Services, Denny's family will greet friends at the Charleston Elks Lodge, 720 Sixth Street. Visitation will be held Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive in Charleston.
Denny was born October 5,1927 in Coles County, Illinois the son of Ted W. and Inez (Ringo) Rogers. On December 23, 1949 he married Dona Holmes. He later married Sue Comstock on November 24,1990.
Survivors include his wife Sue of Charleston; two sons, Gary Rogers and his wife Lisa of Greenup, Illinois and Keeley Rogers of Charleston; two daughters, Pamela Collins and her husband Randy and Debby Way and her husband Steve, all of Charleston; three step daughters, Toni Niles and her husband Dan of St. Petersburg, Florida, Jacquie Mace and her husband Steve of Bloomington, Illinois and Terri Bailey and her husband Jeff of Charleston; one step son, Edward Kerans of Charleston; seven grandchildren, Talia Rogers and Ted Rogers, both of Greenup, Jennifer Sledge and her husband Jim, Shane Way, Mandy Way and Breanna Way, all of Charleston and Chris Collins and his fiance Jackie Davis of Mattoon, Illinois; two great grandchildren, Peyton Sledge and Drew Sledge, both of Charleston, nine step grandchildren; and one great step grandchild. He was preceded by his parents; one stepson, Mike Kerans; and an infant sister.
Denny was a member of the First Christian Church of Charleston where he served as a past Deacon. He also served as a Trustee as well as Chairman of the Trustees of Charleston Elks B.P.O.E. #623, and also carried a membership with Charleston Moose Lodge #1388. He was a Military Veteran, having served with the United States Navy at the close of World War II. Denny was a man who enjoyed the luxury of having many friends, and those close to him know he was a meticulous "jack of all and master of all trades" whether it be carpentry, sewing, racing micro midgets, riding motorcycles or searching and finding bargains at auctions. He shared his talents through his wonderful ability to teach others. He retired from Vesuvius USA in 1992 as a Maintenance Supervisor after earlier holding sales positions with both the local Sears store and the Prudential Life Insurance Company.
Denny's kindness, gentleness and his love for family and friends will be long remembered by those fortunate enough to have known him.
In lieu of flowers, Denny's family requests that memorial gifts in his honor be made to Charleston's Shop With A Cop program. Memorial gifts may be made at the Visitation or Services, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.

Rosemary Wade
DWIGHT -- Rosemary Wade, 67, of Dwight, IL. formerly of Westfield, passed away at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001 at Loyola Hospital in Chicago.
Rosemary was born in 1934 in Westfield, a daughter of Leonard and Mary Rogers. They preceded her in death.
Survivors include a son, Jim and wife Paula of Joliet; a daughter, Cindy and husband Jack of Albuquerque, New Mexico; six grandchildren; two brothers, Marion Rogers of Westfield and John Rogers of Casey; two sisters, Irene Robison of Westfield and Linda Bushart of Brocton.
Rosemary was a wonderful loving Mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family that loved her.

Nov. 21, 2001
ROSETTA HAYS ALLISON
CHARLESTON, IL -- Rosetta Hays Allison, age 96 of rural Charleston, passed away on Monday, November 19 (2001) at Hilltop Convalescent Center. Services celebrating her life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 24 (2001) with Reverend Susan Reichenberg officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service, from noon until 1:00 p.m. Services and Visitation will be held at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston. Interment will follow the services at Indian Cemetery (Pleasant Prairie).
Rosetta was born April 1,1905 in Perry County, Indiana the daughter of Earnest Alvin and Melinda (Andry) Hays. On February 26, 1926 she married Leland Thomas Allison in Charleston, Illinois at the First Presbyterian Church Parsonage. S. Parker Allison performed the marriage ceremony.
Survivors include one daughter, Norma Allison Kohlmann of Cape Coral, Florida; one son, Max L. Allison of rural Charleston; two grandsons, Victor Louis Kohlmann of Cape Coral and Thomas John Kohlmann and his wife Nancy Hall of Longmont, Colorado; one great grandson, Jason Christopher Kohlmann of Oswego, Illinois; two nieces, Alice Hays Seeley and her husband Raymond of Charleston, Patricia Jeffries Hagman and her husband Dr. Nore Hagman of Rockford, Illinois; and three nephews, James A. Dryden and his wife Leoma of Toledo, Illinois, Harold E. Allison and his wife Patricia of Paris, Illinois and John A. Jeffries of Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded by her parents; her husband; two sons, Robert Dale Allison and John William Allison; a son-in-law, Edward Louis Kohlmann; one sister, Bessie Hays Connelly; and two brothers, George Delbert Hays and Daniel Clyde Hays.
After the death of her parents, Rosetta moved in 1913, at the age of eight, to Charleston to live with her Aunt and Uncle, Mendalis "Dale" and Leatrice Mosby Hays. Church became an important aspect of her life at an early age, and soon after moving to the area, she joined the Bails Baptist Church. Upon her marriage to Leland, she joined the Shiloh Presbyterian Church where she served as Deacon & Clerk of the Session. Following the closing of her Shiloh church, she joined the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston.
She was a Graduate of Eastern Illinois Teacher College High School, and received a Teachers Certificate from Eastern Illinois Teachers College. Prior to her marriage, she taught grade school at Farmington, also known as Campbell, Illinois, located seven miles south of Charleston and near her rural home. She served on the Farmington School Board, was a member of the Shiloh Ladies Aid, a long-time member of the Coles County Home Bureau Pleasant Grove Unit and a leader of the Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club. Her hobbies included gardening, reading and assisting young women in their 4-H projects. Her family's wardrobe benefited from her sewing skills and their palettes quickly grew accustomed to her wonderful home cooking. She will be remembered as one who gave much to her community, her church and to her family whom she dearly loved.
Rosetta's family requests that memorial gifts in her honor be made to the Indian Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made at the Visitation or Services, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.

Cheryl House
MATTOON -- Cheryl "Sis" House, 45, of Mattoon, formerly of Christopher and Benton, died Monday (Nov. 19, 2001) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Andrews Catholic Church, Christopher, with Monsignor Lambardo officiating. Burial will be in St. Andrews Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday at the Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher.
She was born Sept. 6, 1956, in DuQuoin, the daughter of Albert Matyi and Marguerite Bedar. She married Ralph Lewis House in 1974; he survives.
Other survivors include her mother; two sons, Thomas and Joe House, both of Benton; three brothers, Mike Matyi of Benton, Steve Matyi of Mulkeytown and David Matyi of Buckner; three sisters, Mary Beth Davis of Johnston City, Janie Rowland of Mulkeytown and Francie Fourez of Christopher; and her grandmother, Carmen Bedar of Christopher.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Mrs. House had worked as a cashier at Kmart in Mattoon.
Memorials may be made to Susan B. Coleman Breast Cancer or American Cancer Society.

GLADYS MALONE
Gladys Faye Malone, age 89, of Neoga, formerly of Mattoon, passed away at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 2001, at the Heartland Christian Village in Neoga.
Funeral services celebrating her life will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the Schilling Funeral Home with the Reverend Jim Dona officiating. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. Visitation will be held from noon until time of service Friday at the funeral home.
Gladys was born February 20, 1912, in Bonnie, a daughter of Roy and Mary Harding Oathout. She married Alva Malone on July 10, 1931. He passed away on July 5, 1969. She was also preceded in death by one son, Don and one daughter Joyce; four brothers and one sister.
Survivors include one sister, Mary Tully of Satellite Beach, Florida; three grandchildren, Kelly Mayer of Windsor, Kim Hinton of Jacksonville, Florida and Mark Malone of Florida; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Malone retired from Brown Shoe in 1975 where she was a stitcher. Gladys was a member of the Broadway Christian Church and the Royal Neighbors of America. Family was very important to Gladys. She was a very loving wonderful grandmother and will be missed greatly.
Memorials may be made to the Broadway Christian Church or to Heartland Christian Village.

Kay Allen McIlwain
PARIS -- Mr. Kay Allen McIlwain, 70, of Paris, passed away at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2001 at Lynncrest Manor of Paris.
Visitation will be Saturday afternoon (November 24, 2001) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Caudill-King Funeral Home, 1117 Jackson, Charleston, Illinois. Cremation will follow, inurnment will be private.
Kay was born May 18, 1931, at Charleston, son of Hugh E. and Gladys L. Fitzpatrick McIlwain. He married Patty J. Lang, September 9, 1950 at the First Christian Church of Charleston; she survives. Also surviving are a daughter: Cindy Kay McIlwain Randall and husband Loren; and one son: Robert L. McIlwain and wife Jenny; all of Paris. One sister: Nancy McIlwain Clark and husband George of Neoga. Grandchildren, Lisa Moore and husband Allen and Courtney Randall, all of Paris; Micheal Randall and wife Stacey of DeKalb, IL. Great-grandchildren: Jordan Haylee McIlwain, Kenneth Robert McIlwain, and Lauryn Renee Moore, all of Paris, also survive. He was preceded in death by one son, Tony.
Kay was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Korean War with a Railroad batallion. He retired from the Nickel Plate Railroad and was owner of M&M Water Well Drilling.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lincolnland in honor of Kay Allen McIlwain.

Rita A. Peckhart
Rita A. Peckhart, 76, of Batavia Holmstad Retirement Community passed away Monday, November 19, 2001, at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva. She was born February 21, 1925 in Lockport to Lawrence and Mae (Mostyn) Anderson.
Rita was married to Max Peckhart, October 23, 1948 in Lockport, IL. She was employed as a Kindergarten teacher with St. Mary grade school in Mattoon, IL. After retirement Rita and her husband Max moved to the Holmstad in Batavia. Rita was proud to be involved at the Holmstad especially with the Library and the Holmstad newspaper.
She is survived by her husband Max: four sons: Larry Peckhart of Downers Grove, Gary Peckhart of Downers Grove, Terry (Kathy) Peckhart of Glen Ellyn, Barry (Rita) Peckhart of Downers Grove; eight grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday, November 26, 2001 at the Holmstad Ahlstrand Chapel, 700 West Fabyan Parkway, Batavia, IL 60510. Rev. Larry Dieckman will officiate.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be directed to the Good Samaritan Fund C/O the Holmstad, 700 West Fabyan Parkway, Batavia, IL 60510.
For additional information contact Yurs-Peterson-Moss Funeral Home 630-879-7900

Beverly J. Paddock Prather
CHARLESTON -- Beverly J. Paddock Prather, 76, of Charleston, passed away at 10:45 a.m. Monday, November 19, 2001 at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2001 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home with the Rev. Dawn Linder officiating. Interment will be in Kickapoo Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 Wednesday at the funeral home.
Beverly was born November 15, 1925 at Danville, Illinois, daughter of Edd and Emma Miller Tapt. She married Harold Paddock in 1944; he died in 1968. She later married Stephen Prather, he died in 1995. Survivors include four sons: Jerry Paddock and wife Tina of Danville, IL, Terry Paddock of Charleston, Ron Paddock and wife Ellen of Corona, CA, and Kevin Paddock and wife Yvette of Charleston. Two daughters; Javetta Kemper and husband Bill of Greenup, and Peggy Wishard and husband Doug of Mattoon. One sister: Betty Donovan of Danville, IL, as well as nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive. She was preceded in death by one son: Jason Paddock, one brother: Jim Tapt, and one sister: Doris Carl.
Beverly retired in 1995, having worked at Snyder's Donut Shop, Wal-Mart, and K-Mart. She was a devout Christian, and believed that through God, all things are possible.
Memorials may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, East Central Illinois Chapter, 307 W. University Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820 or left at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home, 720 Monroe, Charleston, IL 61920

---

Woodford County, Illinois, Illinois Prairie District library, obituaries, 1887-2000
Lombard, Illinois Newspaper Obituaries, 1929-1953
Elmhurst Press (Elmhurst, Illinois) Obituaries, 1988-1998

RW Obituary Records Search Engine
RW Birth Records Search Engine
RW Death Records Search Engine
RW Marriages Search Engine
RW Cemetery Search Engine
RW School Alumni Search Engine
RW Book Index Search Engine
Obituaries in Historical Newspapers 1815-2001