Valley of Danville Day 2 Schedule

Saturday March 31, 2012

8:00am - Coffee and Donuts

8:30am - Class Pictures

9:00am - 16th Degree

11:00am - 18th Degree

12:15pm - Lunch

1:00pm - 27th Degree

2:30pm - 32nd Degree

4:00pm - Reception

Following Reception - Afterglow in Dining Room

Michael Hyde - Fraternal Lodge Monticello

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Michael Hyde

MONTICELLO – Michael W. Hyde, 39, of Monticello passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
Mike was born Dec. 12, 1972, in Urbana, the son of Dale Walter and Mary Belle (Schoonover) Hyde. He married Tonya Rigney on Nov. 7, 2005, in Monticello.
Mike is survived by his wife, Tonya Hyde of Monticello; son, Austin Allen Michael Hyde of Monticello; stepdaughters, Lindsey Gail Franklin and Lauren Paige Franklin, both of Monticello; stepson, Tyler Stephen Corell of Florida; parents, Dale Hyde of Champaign and Mary Hyde of Urbana; grandmother, Jean Hyde of Rantoul; and sisters, Lorrie J. (Sean) Eckstein of Tolono and Paula M. (David) Gaddis of Pesotum.
Mike worked as an electrician for the City of Monticello. He was a member of Monticello Masonic Lodge No. 58 AF&AM, a volunteer on the Monticello Fire Department and a Monticello Kids Club Wrestling Coach. Mike graduated from Parkland College with an Associate in Applied Science Electronic Control System Technology degree on Dec. 20, 2003. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting and golfing. Mike never met a stranger and he loved spending time with his family.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Champaign with Masonic rites and Cody Gentry officiating. No visitation. Mackey-Wright Funeral Home in Monticello is handling arrangements. The family will welcome friends back to a site to be announced at the conclusion of the graveside service for a luncheon.
Memorials may be made to the Austin Hyde Education Fund in care of the First State Bank of Monticello, 201 W. Main St., Monticello, IL 61856.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.

Forrest Mattix - Tuscola

Forrest Mattix

TUSCOLA – Forrest M. "Cork" Mattix, 84, of Tuscola passed away at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at Sarah Bush Health Center, Mattoon.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2012, with visitation being held one hour prior to service, at Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 S. Main St., Tuscola. The Rev. Kenneth Roedder will officiate. Burial will be in the Tuscola Township Cemetery.
Cork Mattix was the youngest of five children born to the late H.J. and Laura (Goodman) Mattix on Nov. 11, 1927. He married the love of his life, Ann Weber, on Feb. 22, 1949, at Forty Martyrs in Tuscola.
Cork is survived by his children: son, Steve of Tuscola; daughter, Laura Peralta, and husband Fred of Mahomet; son, Phil, and his wife Sheila of Milwaukee; daughter, Theresa Quinn, and her husband Steve of Tuscola.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife and a son, Dr. Dana Mattix of Tuscola.
He was the loving grandfather of Michael Mattix of Lexington, Christopher (Lori) Mattix of St. Louis, Andrew (Beth) Peralta of Champaign, Emily Peralta of Urbana, Mackenzie Quinn of Tuscola and Ellie and Annie Mattix of Milwaukee; and loving great-grandfather of Matthew, Rylee and Sebastian Mattix.
Cork was preceded in death by his older sisters, Betty Hale, Lois Gates and Ruth Mattix, as well as an older brother, Robert Mattix.
After studying farm management services at the University of Illinois, he took over responsibility of the family farm and continued farming that ground until his retirement. He also worked as an operator at USI Chemical Co., Tuscola, for 30 years.
He was a member of the Tuscola Masonic Lodge 331, AF&AM, for 58 years as well as a longtime member of Tuscola Moose Lodge 729.
Cork enjoyed a full life flying his plane, riding motorcycles, fishing and working on the farm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Dr. Dana Mattix Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o the Tuscola Community Foundation, P.O. Box 252, Tuscola, IL 61953 and the Tuscola Moose Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 182, Tuscola, IL 61953.
Online condolences to the family may be offered at hilligossshraderfh.com.

Area Masons Serving at the Danville VA

Recently representatives of Vermilion County, IL, lodges   took time off from their volunteering to assist inpatients at the VA Illiana   Health Care System at Danville IL to present shrouds to the Palliative Care   Ward at the hospital.

Enthused by the publicity that this Masonic Grand Lodge of   Oregon project had generated, and particularly the enthusiasm of First Lady   Corrine Bush, local MSA Representative Andy Phillips spoke with the   administrative representative of the local VA hospital who were easily   convinced by his belief in this project and the value that laying to rest   under the red, white and blue would bring to those who have dedicated so much   to our country and to those who eventually come to claim the  veteran's   body.

The attached photos were taken at the Palliative Care Ward   at the Danville VA and [from left to right] include:

Nursing representative of the ward;

Brother Michael Puhr

PDDG Tom Barrett

Brother Jason Shaffer

DDG Dick Clark

MSA Representative for Illiana Health Care Andy Phillips

Associate Director for Patient Care Services at the   Danville VA Alesia Coe.

Brother Phillips constantly wears his "flag" pin when   traveling throughout and the Masonic region and it has generated so much   interest that he has obtained a number of the pins and is to have a selling   point established at the forthcoming Spring Reunion of the Scottish Rite, to   be held in Danville on March 30 and 31.

Thank you for this opportunity,

Andy Phillips

MSA Representative

Illiana Health Care - Danville 

Kenneth Seymour - Catlin Lodge

Kenneth F. Seymour

AnonymousCommercial-NewsThe Commercial-NewsFri Mar 23, 2012, 02:03 AM CDT

OAKWOOD — Kenneth F. Seymour, 92, of Oakwood, passed this life at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Hawthorne Inn in Danville.

Kenneth was born Dec. 29, 1919, in Oakwood, the son of Ernest and Grace (Meade) Seymour.

Kenneth married Vivian Ruth Stine on July 19, 1947, in Danville. She preceded him in death on July 5, 1987.

He is survived by two sons, Jack F. (Cathy) Seymour of Danville and Kenneth “Kip” Seymour of Indiana; three daughters, Dedrie A. (Bill) Doney, Jean E. (Brad Wombles) Trees and Jan R. (Lynn) Davis; two sisters, Dorothy E. Dalbey and Idabelle Condon of Oakwood; nine grandchildren, Toni Seymour of California, Miasha (Jim) Ores of Joliet, Tobi (Eric) Burnett, Tash (Amy) Trees of Danville, Lance (Jill) Davis of Indianapolis, Rebecca (Ramey) Durbin of Thorntown, Ind., Lyndsay (Jason) Freeman of Oakwood, Billie (Curtis) Hayes of Ogden and Abbi (Justin) Strader of Bloomington; 16 great-grandchildren, Maicie, Maggie and Madex Freeman of Oakwood, Grady and Griffin Trees of Danville, Reece, Rowen and Raegan Durbin of Thorntown, Ind., Bryce and Brennan Burnett of Danville, Jayci and Coy Hayes of Ogden, Cooper Ores of Joliet, Carter and baby Strader of Bloomington and Hattie Davis of Indianapolis; special friends, Frank and Mary Kay Kimmell of Danville; and all of his wonderful “family” at Hawthorne Inn where he lived the last four years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Robert and Bernice Stine; one brother, Hubert K. Seymour; one grandson, Dirk Seymour; and one granddaughter, Michele Doney.

Kenneth attended Oakwood High School and was a lifetime resident and farmer in Oakwood. After retiring, his winters were spent in Clermont, Fla., where he worked as a security guard at FSGC Culprit Worm Factory for several years.

Kenneth and Vivian provided Seymour field for Oakwood youth football until the organization moved to the Oakwood Park.

He was a member of the Oakwood United Methodist Church, Catlin Masonic Lodge, Moose Lodge, Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Gao Grotto, Ansar Shrine, Eastern Illinois Shrine Club and rode the 25-man super cycle. He also was a past member of the Elks Club, the Farmers Union and Farm Bureau.

A celebration of Kenneth’s life will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, March 26, at Oakwood United Methodist Church, with Pastor Kim Dancy officiating. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at Sunset’s Oakwood Chapel, with Masonic services at 4:45 p.m. Burial will take place at Stearns Cemetery in Fithian.

Memorials can be made in Kenneth’s name to Oakwood United Methodist Church, JDRF or to the American Heart Association.

Please join Kenneth’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos of him on his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

The Midnight Freemason: Freemasons On The Internet: Whence Came You--Episo...

The Midnight Freemason: Freemasons On The Internet: Whence Came You--Episo...: Sir Knight Robert Johnson has been busy--episode Number 34 of the podcast Whence Came You? is up and ready to be enjoyed.  I listened to ...

Harlie Wiegel - Mahomet

Harlie Wiegel

MAHOMET – Harlie Wiegel, 72, passed away early Tuesday morning (March 20, 2012) at Carle Foundation Hospital.
He was born Nov. 24, 1939, to Dewey and Nellie Wiegel.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents and six brothers, Lowell, Jimmy, Darrel, Garrel, Tim and Lloyd.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Wiegel of Mahomet; four sons, Steve Koss of Monticello, Scott Wiegel of Monticello, Greg Wiegel of Mahomet and Todd Wiegel of Monticello; two sisters, Lois Griffin of Mahomet and Judy Coker of Champaign; a stepson, David Lindsey; 11 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Harlie had been a longtime resident of Mahomet and was active in the community. He was an active member of Eastern Star and the Masons. His hobbies included riding motorcycles and playing the organ. He also sold melons during the summer season.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at Blair-Owens Funeral Home, 102 E. Dunbar, Mahomet.
Funeral services will be from 10 a.m. until noon Monday, March 26, at First Baptist Church of Mahomet at 402 S. Elm, Mahomet.
Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com.

Long Time Champaign Mayor Remembered

The following article appeared in the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette on Monday March 19 on Virgil Wikoff who was active in many local Masonic organizations: http://www.news-gazette.com/news/people/2012-03-19/life-remembered-ex-champaign-mayor-loved-politics-travel.html

Life Remembered: Ex-Champaign mayor loved politics, travel

Mon, 03/19/2012 - 8:00am |by Patrick Wade

 

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CHAMPAIGN — Longtime Champaign residents will remember Virgil Wikoff as a war veteran, two-term mayor and state representative. His wife of 64 years will remember him as a travel partner, Illini sports fan and her high school sweetheart.
Mr. Wikoff died on Friday at a rehabilitation center in Savoy after battling an illness for years. He was 85.
He loved to travel with his wife, Helen. But after the trips, Mr. Wikoff always ended up back in Champaign County, where he had been a political leader for years. He first won a seat on the Champaign City Council in 1963, followed by two terms as mayor from 1967 through 1975.
He presided over the city during a time of intense political unrest. Former Champaign Mayor Dan McCollum will never forget the night of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, when Mr. Wikoff spoke to the congregation at Bethel AME Church in Champaign.
Not long after, the city passed a groundbreaking fair-housing ordinance, which protects renters against discrimination based on factors like race, religion and gender.
And, considering its proximity to a college campus, Champaign was not always peaceful during the Vietnam War. McCollum said he participated in movements opposed to the war, but Mr. Wikoff was always trying to maintain law and order.
Despite their political differences, McCollum did not take Mr. Wikoff's job for granted.
"I think we had probably somewhat different political philosophies," McCollum said. "But it's kind of an interesting phenomenon that when you hold the same office as another person, you develop a certain level of camaraderie."
Mr. Wikoff's political leadership in Champaign was followed by three terms in the Illinois state House of Representatives — that was plenty, his wife said.
"He always said that being in the Legislature was one of the most interesting jobs he ever had, but he wouldn't do it nowadays for any amount of money," Helen Wikoff said.
Political interaction was different in the late '70s, she said.
"At that time, they could argue on the floor all they wanted," she said. "But when they were done, they could go out and get dinner."
Mr. Wikoff stayed active in the local community after the House districts were redrawn and he lost his seat. He ran a construction business and, for decades, helped maintain his father's farm outside Maroa.
"He didn't want to stay on the farm, but he couldn't get away from it either," his wife said.
Maroa is where he and Helen met when they were in high school, and they never parted. She said they took frequent trips together and loved golf.
"We traveled when we could," she said. "We had done some foreign travel, but our favorite was to just get in the motor home and take off."
Mr. Wikoff graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in architectural engineering after serving with the Navy during World War II and the Korean War.
Decades later, he and his wife rarely missed a big sporting event. Until this year, they had basketball season tickets since the Assembly Hall opened, and they've held on to their football season tickets since the 1950s.
Mr. Wikoff was an amateur photographer. His wife said she had probably 10,000 slides and "scads of trip scrapbooks."

Virgil Wikoff - Western Star

Virgil Wikoff

CHAMPAIGN – Virgil Cornwell Wikoff of Champaign passed away on March 16, 2012, at the C-U Regional Rehabilitation Center, Savoy. Virgil was born Feb. 6, 1927, in Decatur, the son of Virgil L. and Grace Cornwell Wikoff. He married Helen Moore on Aug.
23, 1947, in Maroa. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter.
Survivors include his wife, Helen, of Savoy; two daughters, Terri (Robert) Bolduc of Woodbridge, Va., and Patti (Greg) Bolton of Champaign; and five grandchildren, Jon (Jennie) Bolduc of Frisco, Texas, Holly (Cavan) Dunn of Dallas, Texas, Josh Bolduc of Houston, Texas, and Kendra (Jon) Bristow and Kristi (Todd) Carlson of Champaign. Survivors also include four great-grandchildren, Sophia Dunn and Casey Bolduc of Texas and Lyndley and Atley Carlson of Champaign.
Mr. Wikoff grew up on a farm southwest of Maroa that has been in the Wikoff family since the 1860s. After graduation from Maroa Township High School in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater. He then attended the
University of Illinois and received his B.S. in architectural engineering in 1951, following which he was recalled to active duty in the U.S.N.R and served for 18 months during the
Korean Conflict.
When he returned to Champaign, he and a friend founded Lyman-Wikoff Inc., a general construction firm. He was a charter member of the CU Chapter of the National Association of Home Builders. He was also a member of the Central Illinois Builders Association of the Contractors of America, with whom he held several offices.
He became active in the CU Jaycees and served in many local and state offices. He was awarded a lifetime membership as a Senator in JCI in 1963.
Elected to the Champaign City Council in 1963, he served four years. He was then elected mayor of Champaign, serving eight years. During that time he was active in many associations, including the Illinois Municipal League, serving both on its board and as president.
In 1977, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and served three terms. He was later appointed as a member of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and for many years was a public member of the Illinois Medical Disciplinary Commission. He was also a member of the American Arbitration Association.
Mr. Wikoff was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Bloomington Consistory, Ansar Shrine and for a time was a member and chairman of the board of managers of the Masonic Home in Sullivan. He was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Champaign. He served on several boards, including the Salvation Army and DSC and was a member of the VFW, Kiwanis and the Champaign County Farm Bureau. He was
an honorary member of the UI Varsity I Association, a past president of both Quarterback and Rebounders, and was also a long time supporter of UI sports and the UI Foundation.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 23, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy. The Rev. Chuck Carlson will officiate. Burial will be in Maroa Cemetery, Maroa.
Masonic rites will be conducted at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the funeral home followed by visitation from 5 to 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children (2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 22607-1460 or www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org) or the
Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

MSA Call for Assistance for Veterans

Brethren,
I am in desperate need of the lodges in our Workers  Club, and those in the region that do not attend Workers Club for the   following project. Could you please include details on the agenda for this   coming Monday?
Pursuant to the following letter that the VA Chaplain   sent to the Director of Volunteer Services at the VA, Teresa Ard, the   following includes all details needed [I have paraphrased the Chaplain's   letter to suit]:

Every Sunday morning our Chaplains provide a minimum of   five worship services here at the Illiana Healthcare VA facility.  Three   of those services are on wards where the patients can’t leave or where   transportation is not available to them.

Two of our services are held in our Social Activities   Room.  This is a decent sized multi-use room.  We have a Catholic   Mass at 9:00 AM and an Ecumenical Service at 10:00 AM.  These services   are geared for our Veterans that reside here on campus.  There’s   approximately 125 Veterans that either live in our long term care facilities   or are patients in the hospital that have opportunity to come to   worship.  Generally, between the two services in our Social Activities   Room we’ll have as many as 70 persons in attendance.  Of those 70, we’ve   had as many as 25 in wheel chairs.   Average attendance runs in the   50s between the two services with high teens to low 20s in wheelchairs.

This is where we need assistance.  At present we   only have a handful of volunteers to escort patients from their rooms to the   worship services.  We are in need of several more volunteers.    Depending on how many volunteers we get, we may only need them once a month or   so.

So, what’s involved?
1.         Interested persons need to contact [Andy Phillips, MSA   Representative 217-918-2473 or firrips@gmail.com]   and state they are interested in volunteering as escorts for Chaplain   Services.
2.         Depending on the number of times they wish to volunteer, they   may be required to go through background investigation to include   fingerprinting… the VA covers all these expenses.
3.         They will be required to go through a Voluntary Services   training session… the folks @ 554-4525 can provide more information about the   training.
4.         If they complete numbers 3 & 4 above they’ll be given an ID   badge.
5.         Chaplain Service will connect with them to work out a   schedule.
6.         On the Sunday they serve, they’ll need to be here by about 8:30   to assist with Catholic patients.  The Protestant service ends at about   11:00 AM with patients going back to their rooms and escorts finishing about   11:30.

I realize this means that every now and   again, church members won’t be able to attend their own services.    However, I believe any volunteers we get will be more than rewarded for their   willingness to serve those who’ve so faithfully served our nation.     There is no pay or compensation other than their heavenly rewards.    Voluntary Service does hold an annual event to honor the volunteers as   well.
After discussions with Teresa, the following is   proposed:
8:30   am – 11:30 am.  If Masons could take one of the the first Sunday or   2nd or 3rd or 4th.  That might work…   This would mean we could rotate responsibility to  those lodges   expressing an interest in participating.
Thanks in   anticipation,
Andy

Aaron Binford

Aaron Binford

RANTOUL – Aaron Bruce Binford, 78, of Rantoul passed away at 5 p.m. Wednesday (March 14, 2012) at Country Health Care and Rehab, Gifford.
He was born April 7, 1933, in Alliance, Ohio, a son of Charles Bruce and Esther Jane Binford. He married Mary Joanne Haines on May 25, 1952, in Warsaw, Ohio. She survives.
Also surviving are his children, Daniel B. (Beth) Binford of Thornton and Mary "Kathy" Sellers of Rantoul; a sister, Susan (Gary) Haines of Warsaw, Ohio; four grandchildren, Graham N. (Kelly) Sellers, Aaron T. (Shannon) Binford, Dennis M. Binford and Emily Ann Binford; a great-grandchild, Olivia Grace Sellers; and three great-grandchildren expected this summer.
He was preceded in death by parents.
Aaron graduated from Warsaw High School, Warsaw, Ohio, and received an associate degree from Parkland College, Champaign.
He served in the U.S. Navy for five years and then served in the U.S. Air Force for 15 years. He worked civil service at Chanute Air Force Base and retired in 1993. He was also employed at Rogers Chevrolet, Rantoul, and Harlan/Lash Machining Inc., Champaign.
Aaron was a member of the Rantoul First Methodist Church, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois for 42 years and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Danville. He enjoyed his family and golf.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 East Grove, Rantoul. The Rev. Linda Trowbridge will officiate. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at Lux Memorial Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Country Health Care and Rehab.

John F. Hays - Ogden Lodge

John Hays

VILLA GROVE – John F. "Frank" Hays, 100, of Villa Grove, formerly of Ogden and rural Fithian, passed away at 8:35 p.m. Friday (March 9, 2012) at his home.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer. The Rev. Nicholas Showalter will officiate. Burial will be in the Stearns cemetery in Fithian. There will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a Masonic Rites Service at 7 p.m.
Mr. Hays was born on June 26, 1911, in rural Ogden. He was the eleventh child of Willard and Margaret Wright Hays.
He married Mildred J. Baker on Feb. 15, 1936, at Danville. She passed away on Feb. 1, 2003. He was also preceded in death by five sisters, Myrtle Hackler, Jessica Gooch, Jennie Hart and Maude and Mabel (twin infant sisters); and five brothers, David, Vincent, Thomas, Glen and Fred Hays.
Mr. Hays is survived by one daughter, Margaret (Lance) Herrmann of Villa Grove; two granddaughters, Denise (Jason) Zander of Tolono and Bekki (Joel) Canine of Lafayette, Ind. There are six great-grandchildren, Daniel Zander, Haley Zander, Jillian Zander, Sophie Canine, Logan Grimm and Gabrielle Canine.
He was also very close with his many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, joining in 1943, and he joined the Valley of Danville Consistory in 1946. He was also a member of the Ansar Shriners of Springfield and the Eastern Illinois Shrine Club.
Mr. Hays joined the Vermilion County Farm Bureau in 1934. He served on the Muncie Consolidated Grade School Board for 12 years and during his presidency of the board the new Muncie Consolidated Grade School Building was completed. He later served on the Oakwood Township High School Board for nine years.
During World War II, Mr. Hays had a "farm release," permitting him to work at the General Motors Central Foundry in Danville and later he fired on the Peoria and Eastern Railroad. He retired from grain and livestock farming in the Muncie-Fithian area in 1976 after moving to Ogden in November 1975.
While living on the farm he and Mildred experienced two tornadoes and while living in Ogden their home was struck by the tornadoes of 1976 and 1996. When asked by local media,"Do you think someone is looking out for you?" Frank replied,"I think somebody's trying to get us."
He served on the Ogden Village board for four years. After the town of Ogden purchased the former high school grounds, he assisted in making the grounds into a park. He was also on the streets and alleys committee and the water committee. He was a member of the Ogden Lions club for several years. While living in Ogden he enjoyed drinking coffee with his many friends and being part of the Tuesday morning pocket knife-swapping group. After moving to Villa Grove in 2001 Mr. Hays maintained an interest in family, current events, politics and sports. He enjoyed gardening and playing cards, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs and for the University of Illinois football and basketball teams. This year he especially enjoyed the UI volleyball team's successful season. He was an avid fan of WDWS Penny for your thoughts and various political programs. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ogden Rose Public Library in memory of Frank and Mildred Hays.

William Spicer - Olive Branch

William Spicer

DANVILLE – William A. "Bud" Spicer, 71, of Danville passed away at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday (March 6, 2012) at his home surrounded by his loving family members.
William was born in Georgetown on Nov. 5, 1940, the son of Earl and Esther (Hardwick) Spicer. He married Karen Krauel in August 1962. She preceded him in death in December 2003. He later married Noelle McGee on Oct. 7, 2006, in Catlin. She survives.
He is survived by three sons, Todd (Linda) Spicer of Danville, William B. (Merrit) Spicer of Danville and Kevin (Beth) Spicer of Peoria, Ariz.; four sisters, Roberta Galey of Kingman, Ind., Sara Sandefer of Seal Beach, Calif., Earlene Morgan of Watauga, Texas, and Linda Poore of Dawson, Ga.; three brothers, Robert Richards of Franklin, Texas, Joe Richards of Utah and Ronald Spicer of Bismarck; six grandchildren, Braydon, Brooklyn, Kendall and Abby Spicer of Danville, and Katie and Kara Spicer of Peoria, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jim Richards and Charles Spicer.
William attended Danville schools, then in 1959 joined the U.S. Navy, where he served our country until 1963, first as an aviation firefighter at NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va., then as a plane captain attached to squadron VA-64 aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, CVN-65. He was awarded ribbons for his service in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a member of the GAO GROTTO and served as Monarch.
Mr. Spicer served on the Danville Fire Department from October 1964 to November 1999, when he retired as captain. He also worked as an electrician for about 40 years and ran his own residential and commercial electrical business.
Mr. Spicer was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge Olive Branch Chapter No. 38 and a member of the Catlin Church of Christ. He enjoyed boating, fishing, traveling, operating amateur radio and flying RC aircraft.
A celebration of William's life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 9, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home, in Danville with Darren Johnson officiating. A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at the funeral home with Masonic Services starting at 4 p.m. Burial will take place in Sunset Memorial Park in Danville.
Memorials may be made in William's name to the Carle Cancer Center. Please join William's family in sharing photos, videos and memories of his life on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Assistantance to Harrisburg, IL Brethren

From Raymond Cummings DDGM:
Brethren: You have probably read about or heard about Harrisburg, Illinois and the devastation that the tornado has done to the community. Tolono Lodge has taken upon itself to ask each Lodge in the area to contribute to Harrisburg Lodge #325 a donation of $100 from our Lodge funds. These funds were not solicited by Harrisburg Lodge. Some of our individual members added to the amount also. Some members of Harrisburg Lodge either lost their home or had considerable damage done to the their home. One member was summoned by the Grand Warden to appear before the Supreme Architect and had over 150 Masons at his Masonic service. As a brother Mason and a DDGM, I am asking each Lodge to send a donation to the Harrisburg Lodge. At their last stated meeting, they voted to see that any donation sent would be exclusively used for the aid of any brother that needs. Rest assured, the donations will be used to aid and assist those brothers in need.

I also talked to the Secretary, Donald Leibenguth, and he told me that their new Lodge was not damaged as the tornado went south of the building.

"To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Masons, who profess to be linked by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection."

All I ask is that you keep me informed of you Lodge's or your personal aid to the brothers of Harrisburg Lodge. Please pass the hat and make the checks out to Harrisburg Lodge #325.
Donald Leibenguth, PO Box 251, Harrisburg, IL 62946.

Salyersville, KY Masonic Lodge Destroyed

Salyersville, KY Masonic Lodge No. 769 was destroyed in the recent rash of Tornadoes.   We certainly wish these Brethren all the best as they put things back together.  If anyone has additional information, please leave it in the comments section

Lloyd Falck - Gibson Lodge

Lloyd Falck

MELVIN – Lloyd Alfred Falck, 76, of Melvin died at 9:55 a.m. Sunday (March 4, 2012) at Gibson Area Hospital Annex in Gibson City.
His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at St. Peter's Free Lutheran Church in Melvin. The Rev. John Brennan will officiate. Military rites will be held following the service. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. before the service at the church. Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Falck was born on May 11, 1935, in Fairbury, a son of Lloyd Edward and Dorothea T. Suntken Falck. He married Carol Ann Yowell on Jan. 27, 1956, and had four children. He married Diane (Fairley) McRae on Aug. 28, 1993. She survives in Melvin.
Also surviving are a son, Clark (Becky) Falck of Gibson City; three daughters, Kathy (Harold) Smith of Gifford, Linda (Chris) Dewey of Gibson City and Julie (Steve) Cordova of Delta, Colo.; two stepdaughters, Tamie McRae Porch of Melvin and Jennifer (Steve) Garr of Flat Rock, Mich.; three sisters, Eileen (Ken) Keller of Eddieville, Carol Sue Knake of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Marge (Paul) Vetter of Sibley; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a great-grandson.
Mr. Falck graduated from Melvin-Sibley High School. He attended the University of Illinois in the veterinary program until called to service in the Army, where he served as a medic.
Mr. Falck served as an Illinois State Police trooper for 21 years and sheriff of Ford County for eight years. He also operated Falck Painting and Tree Trimming Service with his son.
He was a member of St. Peter's Free Lutheran Church in Melvin, the Martin Suntken VFW Post 244 and the Masonic Lodge 733 AF&AM.
Lloyd loved to hunt, fish, shoot and spend time with his family and friends.
Memorials may be made to his church or the Gibson Area Hospital Annex.

William Huber - Villa Grove

William Huber

Villa Grove, Il. – William D. Huber, 76, of Villa Grove died at 1:24 p.m. 
Thursday (March 1, 2012) at his home in Villa Grove.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, at the
 Villa Grove United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Nicholas Showalter
officiating. There will be no visitation; the family will receive guests in
 the New Life Center at the church following the service. There will be a 
private family burial in the Murdock Cemetery later.
Mr. Huber was born Aug. 4, 1935, in Murdock, a son of 
Charles F. and Daisy (Phipps) Huber. He is survived by
 one son, Charles W. Huber of Decatur; three daughters, Laura Boswell 
of Scottsburg, Ind., Lisa Tibbetts of Villa Grove and Peggy Mixell 
of Villa Grove; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; and
 one sister, Janie McGee of Dyer, Ind.
Mr. Huber was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and 
one daughter.
Mr. Huber was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of 
Villa Grove Masonic Lodge No. 885 and he along with his brother 
ran a bulldozing service that their father had started. Memorials 
may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.

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