All Obituaries

John Jacob Gilles, 84, of Tuscola, IL passed away on April 20, 2024, at Carle Hospital in Urbana, IL, surrounded by his loving family and friends.  John was born on January 10, 1940, in rural Pesotum, IL, to George W. and Cecelia E. (Reinhart) Gilles. On May 21, 1966, he married his love, Connie E. Johns, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in rural Pesotum. Together, they shared 57 years and 11 months of cherished memories.    He is survived by his wife, Connie Gilles; son,...

John S. Albin, 95, of Newman died on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. John was born on October 28, 1928, in Newman to Leonard B. and Grace H. (Harrington) Albin. He married Marjorie A. Albin on September 10, 1949, and spent 71 wonderful years together until her passing in September 2021. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Grace Albin; and one son, Marty Albin. John is survived by two children, Perry (Cathy) Albin and David Albin;...

Lowella S. Biddle, 97, of Champaign passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024. Lowella was born to Lowell and Lucile Smith on September 16, 1926 in Indianapolis.  With her parents she moved to Evanston for several years then to Newman, IL when she was in the sixth grade.  During WWII she worked two summers as a clerk at Fort Benjamin Harrison.  After graduating from Newman High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Fred Biddle Jr., on February 14, 1946.  He passed...

Marion Dale Pennington, 86, passed away on November 7, 2023 in Southaven, MS. Marion was born on September 25, 1937 in Newman, IL to Marion and Wilma Pennington. He is survived by 2 brothers, 2 sisters, one son, two daughters, 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many stepchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Ernest Wayne and Luther Ray. Marion graduated from Young America High School in Metcalf, IL in 1954. He then served in the US...

Charles W. Simpson, 83, of Hume passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at his home in Hume. Charles was born to Vola and Frances (Hackett) Simpson on October 27, 1940 in Villa Grove.  He married Patricia (Breen) Simpson on June 17, 1961 at Forty Martyrs Catholic Church and spent 32 loving years together until her passing in 1994.  He then married Kay (Hance) Simpson on February 21, 2003 in Urbana, IL. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Kay Simpson.  His...

Barbara L. Fonner, 86, of Villa Grove passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at the Newman Rehab and Health Care Center in Newman, IL. Barb was born on February 11, 1938 in Tuscola to Louis and Lelia (Wengler) Reeder.  She married Kenneth Fonner on October 2, 1955. Barb is survived by three children, Kenny Fonner, Mike (Malea) Fonner, and Teresa (Al) Renken; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny Fonner; parents, Louis and...

E. Sue Parker, 53, of Rantoul (formally of Villa Grove) passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 5:03 p.m. at Carle Hospital in Urbana. Sue was born on September 5, 1970 in Champaign to Dick and Brenda (Vibert) Brown.  She married Charles Parker on August 26, 2002 in Urbana. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Chuck Parker; one son, Thomas Parker; one daughter, Elizabeth Parker; son-in-law, Chance Warner; one grandson, Jaxson Parker; two aunts, Linda (Pete) Lake and Mary...

Valerie Griffith (Porter), 65, of Marshall Illinois (formerly of Hume Illinois) passed away April 14, 2024 after a 6-year battle with cancer. She is survived by her father, John Porter; mother, Shirley Camp; step-father, Dean Camp (Deceased); brother, Randy and Tina Porter; sister, Charla and Tommi Presley; and 2 half-brothers, Jamie and Danny. Children, Mandy Troxel, Jeremy Troxel, and Jessica and Allen Williams; 8 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.  She will be sadly missed...

Violet L. Bean was born May 16, 1925, and from that very day, she conquered life and all of its greatest obstacles.  Violet is predeceased by her mother and father, her brother, her granddaughters Kimi and Stephanie Salins, her husband James G. Bean, and her great-great-granddaughter Indra Bonham. Violet is survived by her sisters; her children, James R. Bean, Jean Salins, and Rose Vissering; her grandchildren, Caitlinn Wilson, Teri Deverell, Austen Deverell, Evelynn Hamann, Ashley...

Richard William Barrow, 84, of Newman, IL passed away on Saturday March 30th at 11:12 p.m. peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. Richard was born August 21st, 1939, in Newman, IL to the late William E and Jeanette Barrow-Songer. He served in the US Army as a Military Police. He was a member of the American Legion Post #2910. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Leona L (Higgins) Barrow of Newman, IL, and his son and daughter-in-law, William J and Tonya Barrow of...