Robert Ellis

Robert Ellis

ROSSVILLE – Robert E. Ellis, 86, of Rossville passed away at 9 p.m. Friday (May 28, 2010) at Heartland Healthcare in Paxton.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, at Middlefork United Methodist Church in Potomac. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wolfe Funeral in Potomac. Burial will be in Potomac Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Rossville American Legion Post 733.

He was born Nov. 8, 1923, in Danville, the son of John and Helen Briggs Ellis. He married Dorothy Reed Estock on Dec. 10, 1960. She survives.

Also surviving are his daughter, Mary Jo Ellis (Thomas) Stratton of Bloomington; two stepdaughters, Karen (Jim) Bryant of Odgen and Cindy Estock of Oakwood; four grandchildren, Michael (Laurie) Learned, Julee (Broc) Atwood, Kimberly Learned and Adam Bryant; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas Robert Learned, Katelyn Marie Learned and Britynn Paige Atwood; four stepgrandchildren; nine stepgreat-grandchildren; a sister, Vivian R. Schultz; and a nephew, John Michael Schultz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Briggs, and infant sister Esther Mary.

After graduating from Danville High School, Bob became a proud Marine on June 16, 1941. He served on board the USS Enterprise in the Asiatic-Pacific area and completed his tour of duty on Oct. 17, 1945.

Bob returned to Danville where he began his railroad career with Conrail, retiring in 1984 after 38 years of service.

He was a member of the Rossville American Legion Post 733 and was a 50-year member of the Valley of Danville Scottish Rite.

Bob was a man of the highest integrity. He shared with us a sharp intellect, a keen wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He loved life on the farm and took great pride in his garden. He enjoyed reading, mowing, taking care of many family pets over the years, playing cards, and he was a gifted storyteller. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. To know him was to love him, he will be deeply missed by all of us.

Memorials may be made to the Rossville American Legion or Middlefork United Methodist Church.

Happy Memorial Day

This Memorial Day weekend, let's not forget the Men and Women who have sacrificed all to give us freedom.  Nothing illustrates this and principles of Freemasonry more clearly than the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial at Gettysburg.

Learn more about this great story here.

Marion Roberts

Marion Roberts

GILMAN – Marion W. Roberts, 96, of Gilman passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.

A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Gilman United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010, at Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman. Masonic rites will be held at 8 p.m. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Burial will be in Gilman Cemetery, with military rites by Gilman American Legion Post 499.

Memorials may be made to Prairieview Lutheran Home, Gilman, the United Methodist Church, or Catholic Charities.

Marion was born Dec. 25, 1913, in Gilman to Lester and Rose Eva Kurtz Roberts.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II. He was a member of the VFW and later a member of Gilman American Legion Post 499, IOOF Lodge, Masonic Lodge and Gilman United Methodist Church. He also served as a justice of the peace during the 1950s and 1960s.

He owned and operated several businesses during his life, including Roberts Produce in Cullom and Gilman and Central Distributing Co. Inc., which later became Yazoo Sales and Mfg. Company. He retired in 1986.

Surviving are his wife, Pat Mitchell Roberts; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth (Kathy) Roberts of Valparaiso, Ind., and Mark (Karyn) Roberts of Berwyn; two daughters and one son-in-law, Deanna (John) Woodard of Tuscola and Valerie Roberts of Champaign; one stepson, Bruce Crist of Fort Pierre, S.D.; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Asher Roberts; one sister, Ardene; one daughter, Janice Rae Green; two granddaughters, Tina and Rachael Smith; and one grandson, Tom Roberts.

Arrangements are by Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.
Condolences may be offered at www.redeniusfuneralhomes.com.

St. Joseph 3rd Degree moved to Ogden

The 3rd Degree for St. Joseph Lodge has been moved to the Ogden Masonic Lodge.  The degree is Wednesday night May 26 and will start at 6:45

Urbana Lodge Hosting a CHIP Program - Help Needed

Urbana Lodge will be sponsoring an IL CHIP event at the Carle "Playing It Safe" event on June 5, 2010.  We'll start setup at 8 am.  The IL CHIP program will run from 10am-2pm. Any brothers, family members and friends that could help would be greatly appreciated.

Last year Urbana Lodge processed almost 200 children at this event, and we're expecting big numbers again this year.  If you can help us out, they would greatly really appreciate it. 

 

Please contact John Parks at  jdparks157@gmail.com

Dr. Charles Smith - Western Star

Charles Smith

ARTHUR – Dr. Charles A. Smith, 87, of Arthur, formerly of Arcola, died at 6:20 a.m. Saturday (May 15, 2010) at Provena Covenant Medical Center in Urbana.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, at the Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 E. Illinois St., Arthur, with Rev. Leroy Allison officiating. Masonic rites will also be conducted at the church.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church; burial will be in the Arcola Cemetery following the memorial service. Shrader Funeral Home, 431 S. Vine St., Arthur, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dr. Smith was born on Feb. 4, 1923, in Princeton, the son of Lester and Belle Chenoweth Smith. He married Jetta Shaffer Beavers on Aug. 18, 1989; she preceded him in death on April 23, 2010. His devotion to her was unparalleled.

Survivors include one stepdaughter, Donna Jurgens and husband Ronald of Arthur; three grandchildren, Steffanie Seegmiller and husband Scott of Arthur, Ami Flammini and husband Vince of Springfield, and Jeff Jurgens and fiancee Stephanie of Normal; and four great-grandchildren, Evan, Emily, Aaron and Ashley Seegmiller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. He married Helen Seas in 1972; she died in 1985. Dr. Smith is also survived by Helen's daughter, Kathy Graff of Freeport, and her children, Amy Jaworski and David Graff and their families.

Dr. Smith graduated from Princeton High School in 1941, then served as a medic in World War II in the European Theater. Upon returning he graduated from podiatry school in Chicago and practiced in Rockford, Champaign (in the Robeson Building), and Arcola for over 50 years.

He was a life member of the Western Star AF&AM Lodge 240 in Champaign; and a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville Consistory.

He loved the Cubs, playing cards and, in his day, golf; but most of all, he loved spending time with family. His sense of humor and warm touch will be greatly missed.

Memorials are suggested to the Arthur United Methodist Church Community Meal; Arthur EMT Association; or donor's choice.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com.

William Mitchell - Villa Grove

William Mitchell

VILLA GROVE – William Herschel "Red" Mitchell, 83, of Villa Grove passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2010, in Urbana.

He was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Salem, a son of Shirley and Ruby (Griffin) Mitchell. Red married Bernice Tate on April 16, 1948, in Villa Grove; she survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Donna (Duane) Meier of Gibson City; one son, Curt (Cindy) Mitchell of Villa Grove; and two grandsons, Zachary Meier of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Casey Mitchell of Champaign.

Red was preceded in death by one brother, two sisters and his parents.
Red enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served during World War II. He saw action in the Pacific. He was proud to serve his country.

After the war, Red went to work in the construction field. He was a member of the Felmley-Dickerson construction team for 44 years. He was a 50-year member of Villa Grove Masonic Lodge 885 and a member of Walter Jones VFW Post 2876 in Villa Grove.

Red enjoyed time with his family, gardening, lawn work, fishing and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Memorials can be made to the Camargo Township Library or Villa Grove United Methodist Church.

Memorial funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2010, at Villa Grove United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Nicholas Showalter officiating. Family will greet friends one hour before the services in the church. Joines Funeral home is handling arrangements.

Jared Johns

Jared Johns

WHITE HEATH – Jared E. Johns, 83, of White Heath, formerly of Washington, passed away Saturday (May 8, 2010) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 17, at Glendale Cemetery, Washington. Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Johns was born Dec. 27, 1926, in Lawrence, Kan., to Dorothy and Perry Johns. He married Bonnie on Feb. 26, 1951. She survives.

Also surviving are a sister, Ruth Nelson of Indianapolis; two sons, Will (Valerie) Johns of Nashville, Tenn., and Bryan (Elizabeth) Johns of White Heath; two daughters, Alice (Ken) Simpson of Grand Island, Neb., and Susan Johns of Boulder, Colo.; and six grandchildren, Emmett Holloway, Ben Holloway, William Simpson, Mark Johns, Megan Johns and Rachael Johns.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Diana Johns; and a son-in-law, Peter Bailey-Britton.
Mr. Johns spent his formative years in Peoria and graduated with the Peoria High School Class of 1944. He attended the University of Illinois, interrupted by a stint as a pharmacist's mate in the U.S. Navy in World War II, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1949. Most of his working life was devoted to Caterpillar, starting in the foundry and culminating as news director for Caterpillar Americas, a marketing arm for Caterpillar in Canada and Latin America. He traveled extensively for Caterpillar throughout North and South America and frequently passed for a native Costa Rican because of his impeccable Spanish flavored by a Costa Rican accent.

Mr. Johns served as a commissioner on the Washington Park District Board, and was active in regional activities of the Boy Scouts of America.

He was for many years a member of Washington Presbyterian Church held many offices, including elder, deacon and clerk of session, and sang in the choir. He later became a member of Monticello Presbyterian Church. He was a 32nd-degree Mason.

Mr. Johns loved history and had the ability to recount obscure facts regarding significant past events and people. He could quote long passages from the Bible, often to the amazement of clergy.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the ministry of the Monticello Presbyterian Church and for the kindness of volunteers from Faith in Action. The family requests no flowers -- good thoughts only.
Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Bill Lettimore - Monticello

William Lettimore

MONTICELLO – William "Bill" Lettimore, 62, of Monticello passed away at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday (May 4, 2010) at his residence.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 14, at the Mackey-Wright Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Mackey-Wright Funeral Home with Masonic Services at 8 p.m. Interment with military graveside rites will be in Monticello Township Cemetery.

Bill was born on Dec. 26, 1947, in Charlotte, Mich., the son of Earl Edward and Ruth Evelyn (Daniels) Lettimore. He married Harriet Edith Pizell on April 19, 1970, in Monticello.

Surviving are his wife, Harriet Edith Lettimore of Monticello; daughter, Connie Lettimore of Champaign; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Jerry Sanborn of Lansing, Mich., Ed Lettimore of Charlotte, Mich., Chuck Sanborn and Harold Sanborn, both of Detroit, Mich.; sisters, Betty Ann Schmitzer of Detroit, Mich., and Ruth Ann Joles of Lansing, Mich.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill was an employee for the city of Monticello and also worked at Meijer's in Champaign.

Bill served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Bill was a member of the Monticello Masonic Lodge 58 AF & AM and the NRA. He volunteered with the Monticello Fire Department and the Kirby Hospital EMTs. His hobbies included bowling and refurbishing old cars.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the Kirby Hospital EMTs.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.

32nd Degree Learning Center's New Director

The Valley of Danville 32nd Degree Learning Center has a new Director:

DANVILLE — The Valley of Danville 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children’s new director was not new to the center.

New director Mandy Tiernan, a kindergarten teacher at Garfield Elementary School, had been a tutor at the center for two years. She was the second certified tutor at the center, and took over as director on April 12. The first, and former, director Allison Enslein of Terre Haute, Ind., relocated to the East Coast after her husband got a new job.

32nd Degree Learning Center Graduates First Class

One of the hidden jewels of Freemasonry in the area is the Valley of Danville 32nd Degree Learning Center in the Danville Masonic Center.  The Center is about to graduate it's first class this week:

DANVILLE — The Center has helped me in reading, writing, math, social studies and science. It’s helped me to understand the meaning of the words and lessons.

This is what 11-year-old Hunter Marsh of Westville will recite at Sunday afternoon’s first graduation of students at the Valley of Danville 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children.

He’s one of seven dyslexic students who will graduate after undergoing two years of tutoring at the center that opened in 2008. The center is located inside the Masonic Temple, 109 W. North St.

Upcoming Events

Friday May 7

• GAO Grotto Spring Ceremonial at GAO Grotto Danville

Saturday May 8 -

• St. Joseph Lodge Pancake Breakfast at St. Joe Methodist Church from 6-10am
• Ogden Lodge BBQ - Ogden Masonic Lodge 4:30 - 7pm

Tuesday May 11

• 2nd Degree's at Urbana Lodge at 7pm.

George Blackburn - Western Star

George Blackburn

CHAMPAIGN – George J. Blackburn Jr., 77, of Champaign died at 7:15 p.m. Saturday (May 1, 2010) at home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at Owens Funeral Home, Champaign. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Military rites will be accorded at the cemetery by Champaign VFW Post 5520.

Mr. Blackburn was born on Sept. 9, 1932, to George J. and Mary Kellenberger Blackburn in Peoria. He married Carol Lee Hansen in Moline on Aug. 31, 1957.

He is survived by his wife Lee; daughters Mary Blackburn, Betsy Hunt and Brenda (Mark) Wolf; three granddaughters, Kallie-Jo Wolf, Tory Lynn Wolf, Megan Elizabeth Hunt; brother Ace (Charlene) Blackburn; and his mother, Mary M. Blackburn.

Mr. Blackburn graduated from Dunlap High school and attended Western and Knox College before graduating from Eureka in 1958 with a degree in business administration.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in the 44th Infantry Division from 1951-1953.
Mr. Blackburn had a career in the sales field. He worked for various food companies and for Armour/Dial for 20 years before retiring in 1993.

After retiring, he devoted the next 17 years volunteering in various ways for the community. He started Neighborhood Watch on West Maple Street and was captain for 16 years. He was past commander of American Legion Post 24 and was instrumental in getting the flags in the obituaries for veterans. He attended the Citizen Police Academy, served on the advisory board of public works, as part of the crew for the Champaign Park District that planted flowers and trees. He served on the VFW Post 5520 Color Guard and was a 32d Degree Mason of the Western Star Lodge 2310, Danville Consistory.

After being active in his children's lives, he attended the many functions of his granddaughters. Mr. Blackburn also made weekly visits to his 95-year-old mother in Metamora. He was a caring son, father and a doting grandfather.

Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post 24 or the American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be offered online at www.owensfuneralhomes.com.

Get well fed on Saturday May 8

There are 2 great opportunities to have some fantastic food this coming weekend on Saturday May 8.

St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 Breakfast 6-10am at the St. Joseph Methodist Church

Ogden Lodge No. 754 BBQ dinner 4:30-7pm at the Ogden Masonic Lodge