Ford County, Illinois

Obituaries – A

primary submitter: Gail Hahn Hutchcraft

ACREE

LUSTER L.

M. F.

ROY

WADE C.

ADAMS

FRANCIS L.

WILLIAM O.

ALBERS

WARREN

Melvin: Warren E. Albers, 77, of rural Melvin, died at 12:30 pm. Saturday 1-4-2003 at his home. A chapel service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Skyline Memorial Park, Monee. The Rev. David Bogda officiated. There was no local visitation. Ford-Baier Funeral Home, Paxton, handled arrangements. Mr. Albers was born 3-21-1925 at Monee, the son of George and Clara Ruhbeck Albers. He married Irene Hoger 2-19-1949 at Tinley Park. She survives. Also surviving are four nieces and six nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister. Mr. Albers attended Green Garden Twp county schools, Monee. He and his wife moved to rural Melvin in 1973, where he farmed and also did trucking. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Melvin, a former Wall Twp trustee and a former member of the Moose Lodge. He enjoyed playing golf. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Melvin.

ALD

CHARLES

ALEXANDER

ALLEN

ELWOOD D. "DEAK"

Elwood D. Allen, age 74 of Gibson City died Wednesday 6-7-1995 at Gibson Community Hospital, Gibson City. His funeral was Saturdayat Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City with the Reverend Bob Koonce officiating. Burial was in Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City with full military rites accorded by the Lee Lowery Post No 568. Pallbearers were Dave Edmonds, Kenneth Allen, Gary Allen, Richard Allen, Mitchell Davidson and Randy Davidson. Mr. Allen was born 4-21-1921 in Maroa, the son of Merritt and Elizabeth Goin Allen. He married Mildred Landry on 12-16-1944 in Leesville, Louisiana and she survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Patricia Bishop of Bloomington and Rita Denne of Danvers; a sister, Harriett Marcum of Bloomington; four brothers, Kenneth of LeRoy; Orville of Cullom; Eugene of Gibson City; and Wayne of Bloomington and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister. Mr. Allen lived in Gibson City for 32 years before retiring in 1983. He was an Army engineer veteran of WWII and a member of the Lee Lowery American Legion No 568 Gibson City.

JAMES

SIDNEY L.

The funeral of Sidney L. Allen, age 82 of Melvin, will be conducted Thursday at Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City. The Reverend Roger Ross will officiate with burial in Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City. Pallbearers will include David Allen, Troy Allen, Gary Shan Allen, Raymond T. Diskin, Scott Kelly and Keith Lindsay. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Allen, Curtis Arnette and Walter Stillwell. Mr. Allen died Sunday, 12-8-1991 at Covenant Medical Center, Urbana. He was born 5-5-1909 in Thawville, a son of Charles C. and Mae Coultas Allen. He married Jewel Corn on 5-3-1933 in Three Rivers, Michigan. She died 10-23-1953. He married Patricia Case on 4-23-1955 in Rantoul and she survives. Other survivors include five sons, Donald Allen and Lloyd Allen, both of Melvin; Gary Allen of Paxton; Randy Allen of Russellville, KY; and Bill Carlton of Bellbrook, Ohio; five daughters, Geraldine Kelly of Loda; Dorcas Diskin of Paxton; Laura Arnette of Rantoul; Sandra Latham of Russellville; and Sherril Lindsay of Rantoul; three brothers, Jean Allen Sr., of Thawville; Jesse Allen of Lake Zurich; and Richard Allen of Lake Iroquois, Loda; 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Two brothers and one sister preceded him in death. Mr. Allen lived in Melvin for 36 years. He was co-owner of Allen-Stillwell Trucking in Melvin, retiring in 1978. He was an Army veteran of WWII.

ALYEA

JAMES HARVEY

Civil War, Pvt 76th Ind. Art.

Mr. James Harvey Alyea, one of our fellow townsmen, who by his intense suffering during the past months elicited the warmest sympathies of our people, died at 4 o'clock last Sabbath morn, 8-16-1885. Born in 1832, Franklin County, Ind. and in his childhood became a member of the M.E. Church. When the war for the Union broke out, he volunteered for two years as a Union soldier, and at the expiration of that time, re-enlisted as a veteran and served till the close of the war. From the time he left home for service he never returned until peace. About eight years ago cancerous affection of the face began to trouble him, and despite treatments it grew gradually worse. He died in great peace, leaving a wife and five children. His body finds a peaceful resting place in our beautiful cemetery (Drummer Twp, Gibson City.)

ANDERSON

ANTONE E.

BEVERLY A.

Beverly (Rutledge) Anderson, 38, lifelong resident of the Elliott - Gibson City area, died at 5:10 p.m. Wednesday 2-21-1979 at her home of an apparent heart attack. Robert Boyce, Ford County coroner, conducted an inquiry. Mrs. Anderson's funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Gibson City United Methodist Church, the Rev. Curtis Lindquist and the Rev. James Bortell officiating. Burial will be in Gibson City Cemetery. Visitaiton will be from 6 - 9 tonight at Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City. , with Elliott Amvet Auxiliary rites at 9 p.m. She was born 3-11-1940, near Gibson City, a daughter of Glenn and Irene Barnes Rutledge. She married John E. Anderson 3-11-1957 at Elliott. He survives Also surviving are two daughters, Amy and Jodi, both at home; a son, Steven, at home; her parents, Gibson City; two sisters, Maruine Ogle, Paxton and Ruby Bennett, Gibson City; and three brothers, Harold and Charles Rutledge, both of Gibson City, and Howard Rutledge, Elliott. Two brothers and a sister preceded her in death. Mrs. Anderson was a member of Elliott United Methodist Church, Elliott Amvets Auxiliary and Gibson City OES. Memorials may be made to the Amvets Memorial Fund or to the Shriners' Crippled Children's Hospital.

CHARLES C.

CHARLES 'CHUCK'

Charles A. "Chuck" Anderson, 69, of 530 W. Center St., Paxton, died at 2:03 p.m. Saturday 1-4-2003 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Knapp-Miller Funeral Home, Paxton, the Rev. John Davenport officiating. Burial was in Glen Cemetery, Paxton. Visitation was from 4 - 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Mr. Anderson was born 1-8-1933, in Paxton, a son of Olaf and Esther Boyer Anderson. He married Audrey Gritten in 1952 in Rantoul. He later married Jean Burklund 7-28-1979, in Paxton. Surviving are two sons, Newton (Rita) Anderson of Paxton and Bill (Laura) Anderson of Rantoul; one daughter, Samantha (Dale) Williams of Tuscola; one brother, Clifford Anderson of Lincoln; one sister, Karna Normile of Paxton; one stepson, Steve (Renae) Burklund of Paxton; one stepdaughter, Linda (Rex) Roy of Paxton; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Fox and Mary Ann Bennett; and one grandson, Ryan Anderson. Mr. Anderson had been employed by Anderson Farms for 43 years. He was a member of the Paxton Bowling Association Hall of Fame, was a past member of Lakeview County Club and the Rantoul Moose Lodge. He enjoyed bowling and golf and looking for arrowheads. Memorials may be made to Paxton Church of Christ or an organization of the donor's choice.

ESTHER M. LINDELL

Mrs. Esther M. Anderson, 83, of Greenville, Ohio, a former Paxton resident, died Monday at the rest Haven Nursing Home in Greenville. Funeral services were at noon Thursday at the Ford-Baier Funeral Home in Paxton with Rev. Wayne Steele of Rankin officiating; burial was in Glen Cemetery, in Paxton. Mrs. Anderson was born 5-6-1893 in Clarence, the daughter of August and Christina Lindell. Her early years were spent in Clarence, and she and her husband had lived in Paxton for many years. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Paxton and the First Lutheran Church Women. She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Phyllis J. Ream of Greenville and Mrs. Wanda M. Kennedy, Tuscon, AZ, four grandchildren and one great-granchild.

GORDON

Mr. Anderson attended Blanchard School in rural Paxton. He was a farmer and had worked in maintenance at Alltel Telephone Co., Rantoul for 20 years, retiring in 1989. He also assisted his son, Michael, in raising and showing Shropshire sheep throughout the country. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Paxton. Throughout his life, he enjoyed helping others.

JOHN C.

The private graveside service of John C. Anderson, age 82 of Gibson City, owner and operator of a garage in Gibson City for many years, was conducted Saturday in the Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City. Mililtary rites were accorded by Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568 Gibson City. The Rev. Thomas Condron officiated. There was no public visitation. Pallbearers were John Bruehl, Remmer Cramer, Ed Reining. Vernon Hill, Bill Wood, and David Anderson. Mr. Anderson died Thursday 9-27-1990 at the Gibson Community Hospital in Gibson City. He was born 6-8-1908 in Gibson City, a son of Otto G. and Amanda Olson Anderson. He married Alva Atterberry on 11-26-1942 in Kansas City, MO and she survives. Other survivors include one son, John C. of Wildwood; one daughter, Helen Maurine Anderson of Evanston; three grandchildren; and one brother, Otto G. of Port Orchard, Washington. One brother and two sisters preceded him in death. Mr. Anderson owned and operated Anderson's Garage in Gibson City for 33 years. He was an Air Force veteran of WWII.

MARY H.

Mrs. Mary Anderson, 60, died Monday 5-24-1954 at the Gibson Community Hospital, where she had been a patient 15 days. She was taken to the Lamb Funeral Home, where services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday with Rev. S.A. Guthrie officiating. Burial was in Gibson Cemetery. Mrs. Anderson was born 1-17-1894 in Beaumont, Ky. She had lived in Gibson City nearly all her lifetime. She was married to Andrew A. Anderson, who died 8-8-1933. Surviving are three sons, Harry, Gibson City; Clarence and John, both of Kankakee; four daughters, Mrs. Mildred Langhoff, Ohio; Mrs. Dorothy Beckstead, Nev.; Miss Janet Anderson, Chicago; Mrs. Mary Bedel, Gibson City, nine grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters. Two daughters preceded her in death.

MAURICE RUSSELL

Maurice Russell Anderson, 82, of Paxton, formerly of Rantoul, died at 2 a.m. Monday 4-7-2003 at Heartland Health Care Center, Paxton. There will be no services. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Urbana. Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana, is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Anderson was born 11-7-1920 in Rantoul, a son of Ray and Lula Baker Anderson. He married Marie Rose Rippey 5-26-1950, in Urbana. She died 11-3-2000. Surviving are a son, Morry Ray Anderson of Saginaw, Texas; and two grandchildren. Mr. Anderson was a bookkeeper at Scott Harlow Shell/License Service in Urbana. Paxton Record Wednesday 4-9-2003

STEWART F.

Stewart F. Anderson, 82, Gibson City, an electrical contractor, died yesterday 4-14-1989 at Gibson Community Hospital. His funeral will be Sunday at Lamb Funeral Home, the Rev. Laurence Sunkel officiating. Burial will be in Drummer Twp Cemetery. Mr. Anderson was born 5-28-1906 in Chicago, a son of John and Nannie Anderson Anderson. He married Margaret J. Jenkins on 12-29-1939 in Gibson City and she survives. Other survivors include two sisters, Marion Knapp and Verona Thomas, both of Gibson City. Mr. Anderson moved to Gibson City in 1919, where his father bought the Gibson Iron Works. He attended school in Gibson City and later worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Co. in Peoria. He then became an electrical contractor, retiring in 1976. He was an Army veteran of WWII and was a charter member of Champaign County Camera Club. He was a member of Photographic Society of America, National Rifle Association and First Presbyterian Church in Gibson City.

WILLIAM R.

The funeral for William R. "Bill" Anderson, 86, of Gibson City will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City. The Rev. Randall Robinson will officiate. Burial will be in Drummer Twp Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. He died at 7:35 a.m. Monday 7-22-2002 at the Gibson Area Hospital Annex in Gibson City. Memorials may be made to Gibson City United Methodist Church. He was born 2-16-1916 at Gibson City a son of Carl William and Helen Barber Anderson. Survivors include five cousins, Janice Crawford, Bremerton, Wash.; Sandie Cambell, Bremerton, Wash.; Helen Anderson, Skokie; Charlie Anderson, Bremerton Wash.; and John Anderson, Wildwood. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Andrson was born in Gibson City, graduating from Drummer Twp High School in 1933. In 1937, Mr. Anderson received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from DePaul University. While in Chicago, Mr. Anderson studied drama at the Chicago Art Institute's Goodman Theatre, performing throughout the Midwest as a member of the Goodman Theatre Players Traveling Troupe. During WWII, Mr. Anderson served in the US Army in France and Germany with the 914th Field Artillery Battery. After the war, Mr. Anderson returned to Gibson City where he farmed until his retirement in 1975. He was a member of the Gibson City Rotary, Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568 and a life-long member of the Gibson City United Methodist Church.

ANDES

GEORGE EDWIN

Sibley - George Edwin "Ed" Andes, 80, of Winston Ore., formerly of Sibley and Maroa died Friday 1-14-2000 in Roseburg, Ore. His graveside service will be Tuesday at Roseburg National Cemetery, Roseburg, Ore., with the Rev. Jim Caulley officiating and milirary rites by the Veterans of Foreign Wars District 12 honor guard. Mr. Andes was born 1-19-1919 in Maroa, a son of Harry & Gwendolyn Hedges Andes. He married Hannah Margaret Rudd in 1942 in San Francisco, Calif. He later married Mary Velma "Val" Wilkinson on 11-19-1971, in Oregon and she survives. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Bill.

ARENDS

TRENT DANIEL

Trent Daniel Arends, 15, of Melvin, died at 9:35 a.m. Sunday 3-16-2003 at his home of natural causes. Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Buckley. The Rev. Mark Haller officiated. Burial was in Melvin Cemetery. Visitation was Tuesday at Christ Lutheran High School, Buckley and one hour before the services Wednesday at the Church. Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City, was in charge of arrangements. Mr. Arends was born 10-30-1987, at Manhattan, Kan., a son of Ronald Daniel and Allison Kay (Ziegler) Arends. Surviving are his parents of Melvin; one brother, Tyler Robert Arends, at home; paternal grandfather, Daniel G. Arends of Gibson City; maternal grandfather, the Rev. Robert Ziegler of Atchison, Kan.; maternal great-grandmother, Elsie Johnson of Blue Earth, Minn.; aunt and uncle, Randal and Bonnie Arends of Melvin, seven cousins, including Stephen Arends of Melvin; two uncles, Rick Williams and Andrew Ziegler of Cleveland; aunt and uncle Anne and Preston Compton of Martinville, Va. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, maternal grandmother, one aunt, Angela Williams; and one cousin, Greg Arends of Melvin. Mr. Arends graduated from St. John's Lutheran School in Buckley as valedictorian in 2002. He was a freshman at Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley. He was a member of student council, the math bowl team, the St. John's Lutheran Church and the youth group of the Church. He was the score keeper for basketball games, an avid reader and played the piano and baritone. Paxton Record 3-19-2003.

ARENS

EVELYN M.

Evelyn M. Arens, 80, of Gibson City, died Saturday 2-25-1995 at Heartland Healthcare in Paxton. Her funeral will be Tuesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Gibson City, the Rev. William Smith officiating. Burial will be in Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City. Ms. Arens was born 8-9-1914 in Wausaukee, Wis., a daughter of Theodore J. and Christina H. Hemmen Arens. Survivors include two brothers, Harlan Arens, Gibson City, and Theodore Arens, Winterhaven, Fla.; and one sister, Marion McCullough, Gibson City. One brother preceded her in death. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and its Altar and Rosary Society and Council of Catholic Women. She graduated from Gibson City High School in 1932.Ms. Arens received her nursing and anesthetist degrees from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Bloomington. She was a Navy nurse with the rank of lieutenant during WWII. She worked at Elmhurst Community Hospital for 40 years until retiring in 1977.

ARMSTRONG

S. A.

ARNETTE

DAVID W.

ARNOLD

ERNEST LINN

Ernest Linn Arnold, 85, of Roberts, died Wednesday 10-31-1984 at Gibson Community Hospital, Gibson City. His funeral was Friday at Knapp Funeral Home, the Rev. Larry Hallman officiating; burial was in Lyman Cemetery. Mr. Arnold was born 5-27-1899 at Roberts, a son of Johnson and Beckie Swig Arnold. He married Mildred Robbins 9-11-1929 at Watseka; she died 11-5-1978. Surviving are a son, Glen of Roberts; a daughter, Frances Stephens of Normal; a brother, Henry of Owosso, Mich.; a sister, Samantha Rueck of Onarga; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. Five brothers preceded him in death.

SEWARD M.

Seward M. Arnold, 103, of Roberts, died Saturday 11-3-1984 in the Gibson Community Hospital Annex. His funeral was Tuesday at Knapp Funeral Home, Roberts. Juanita Wilder officiated with burial in Lyman Cemetery. Mr. Arnold was born 5-17-1881 at Roberts, a son of Amos and Laura Johnson Arnold. He married Cora Yackee 4-13-1904 at Roberts; she died in 1961. Surviving is a daughter, Louise Arnold of Roberts. He was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters. Mr. Arnold was a retired farmer. He served two terms as Lyman Twp Road Commissioner. He worked with the U of I in soybean and fruit tree development.

ARROWSMITH

JAMES H.

ASHBY

CHARLES

SGT. - Civil War Co. D. 94th Il. Regt.

Charles Ashby, b. 6-3-1883, Steubenville, Oh., where he grew to manhood died Monday 1-23-1911. GAR had charge of funeral at his home, local lodge IOOF in charge of services at Drummer Twp. Cemetery. Rev. J.H. Miller, pastor of Presbyterian Church, officiating. Married 1854 to Margaret Hanson, two years later left the east and came west, settled in McLean County Il. living there until 1869, and moved to Ford County, Il. Mrs. Ashby survives along with two children; Mrs. W.T. Diehl, Chicago,Il. and John Ashby, Gibson City. Four children passed away before Charles, three having died as infants and a daughter about five years ago. Served in Co. D. 94th Regt. Il. in Civil War. His father served in the War of 1812 and grandfather in Rev. War. Present at funeral: Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Diehl of Chicago, Mrs. Mary Wilson, Paxton, Il. Mrs. Ashby will live in Chicago with her daughter.

ELMER K.

Elmer K. Ashby died at the Soldiers Home in Dayton, Ohio last Friday. The remains were brought to this city arriving Tuesday evening. Funeral services were held in Lamb's Undertaking Chapel yesterday afternoon in charge of Rev. Francis E. Smith, pastor of the Methodist Church. Interment was made in the Gibson City Cemetery. Elmer K. Ashby was born 6-20-1847 in Cincinnati, Ohio and died in Dayton, Ohio 5-2-1924, aged 76 years, 10 months, and 6 days. He was married in 1872 to Miss Phoebe Bay of Cincinnati. He was a soldier in the Civil War. He came to Gibson City with his family in the early days of the village and was active in the life of the town. He was a member of the old Gibson Band. He left here in 1891 and lived in Melvin until 1896. After a year or two in the South, Mr. Ashby moved to Harvey, Il. in 1898. His wife died in Harvey in 1902. He went South again but had lived in Harvey the past three years. His health had been failing for sometime, and a few weeks ago, he was taken to the Soldiers Home at Dayton, Oh. where he died. He is survived by the following children: Elmer G. Ashby of Detroit, Mich; John D. Ashby of Springfield, Ohio; Wesley I. Ashby of Harvey, Il. Mrs. F.G. Burtt of Detroit; Charles O. Ashby of Seattle; Hugh B. Ashby of Indian Head, Md., and Foster H. Ashby of Harvey. He also leaves two brothers, Robert B. Ashby of Hot Springs, Ark. and Wesley Ashby of Gibson City. The following relatives were present at the funeral services yesterday: John D. Ashby and daughters, Dorothy and Grace, and Wesley I. Ashby and two sons, Hazelwood and Edmond.

ASHER

ELMER C.

The graveside funeral service for Elmer C. Asher, 83, of Gibson City will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City, the Rev. Wayne Shelksohn officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568 of Gibson City. Visitation will be from 10 - 11 a.m. Monday at Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City. He died at 6:35 p.m. Thursday 4-12-2001 at the Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Memorials may be made to the Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Mr. Asher was born 2-4-1918 at Gibson City, a son of Archie and Louise Pfieffer Asher. He married Madelon A. Roberts on 6-6-1942 at Washington DC. She died 4-21-2000. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon (Gordon) Chase, St. Paul, MN, and a son, Gary (Shirley) Asher, Byron. Also surviving is a grand-daughter, Kim Asher, Byron. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Asher graduated form Drummer Twp High School in Gibson City in 1935, and attended Gallagher School of Business in Kankakee. He worked for Buda Co. in Harvery until he joined the US Army Air Corps in 1941. He graduated from OCS Miami Beach, and served in WWII until his discharge in 1945. He started farming near Gibson City. In 1951 he was recalled to active duty in the USAF during the Korean War and served in Japan and the Philippine Islands. He was discharged in 1953 and he, his wife and his two children returned to farming near Gibson City until his retirement in 1996.

ASHLEY

CURTIS F.

The funeral of Curtis F. Ashley, 75, of rural Sibley, will be Tuesday at Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City. The Rev. Patrick W. Cox will officiate; burial will be in Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City, with graveside military rites accorded by Martin Suntken American Legion Post 244. Mr. Ashley died Saturday 8-22-1992 at his home near Sibley. He was born 2-27-1917 near Sibley, a son of Amos W. and Laura S. Stein Ashley. He married Doris Leonard 8-19-1946 in Gibson City and she survives. Other survivors include two sons, Gary M., Eatonton, Ga., and Randy C., Sibley; a daughter, Julie A. Saunders, St. Joseph; nine grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. His parents, a brother and a sister preceded him in death. Mr. Ashley lived in the Sibley area all his life, retiring from farming in 1981. He graduated from Sibley High School in 1934 and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana. He served in the USAF in WWII as a navigator on a B-24 bomber and was a member of the Martin Suntken American Legion Post 244, Sibley. He also served on the Melvin-Sibley school board and was a 4-H leader for 10 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Gibson City.

HARRY V.

AUGSPURGER

CLIFFORD

DEAN E.

Dean E. Augspurger, 75, of Paxton, died at 8:10 p.m. Wednesday 10-29-2003 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Funeral services were Saturday at the Church of Christ, Paxton, with the Rev. John Davenport officiating. Burial was in Glen Cemetery, Paxton, with military rites accorded by American Legion Post No 150, Paxton. He was born 6-27-1928, at Bloomington, a son of Edmund and Elva Stuckey Augspurger. He married Nancy Preston 4-20-1974 at Paxton and she survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Kimberly and Cheryl both of Normal, Staci of Paxton and Michelle of Wolcott, Ind.; two sisters, Ann (Joseph) Ayers of Marshall, Mo. and Lois (Preston) Shamer of NJ; one brother, Ronald (Ramona) Augspurger of Normal; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Ruth. Mr. Augspurger attended elementary school in Petersburg and secondary schools in Bloomington. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 - 1948. He was employed at the Nierstheimer Drug Store and Merle Pharmacy in Bloomington. He ended his career at D & R Drug Store in Paxton, and when that store closed he retired from Hudson's Drug Store in 2000. He was a member of the Church of Christ, Paxton, where he was a board member, a trustee and a choir member for many years.

DWIGHT

AUTERMAN

EDNA W.

THEODORE J.

Theodore J. Auterman, 81, a Gibson City civic leader and charter member and former chairman of the Ford County Housing Authority, died Monday, 2-12-1979 at Americana Health Care Center, Urbana. His funeral was Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, the Rev. Denis White officiating. Burial was in Drummer Twp Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert Bell, Gene Gardner, Willard Garvis, Gerry Tompkins, Robert Boyce and Bernie Doman. Mr. Auterman was born 1-29-1898 at Waterford, Wis., a son of William and Julia Reesman Auterman. He married Edna Boldt 11-24-1925 at Milwaukee, Wis.; she survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Olive Briggs, Columbia MO., and Arlene Reynolds, Saudi Arabia, a son, William "Bud" Auterman, Champaign; three sisters, Mary Ketterhagen, Celia King, and Hildegard Powers; two brothers, Louis and George; seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death. Mr. Auterman moved to Gibson City 40 years ago and owned and operated T.J. Auterman Hardware Co. until he sold the business in 1956. He farmed the next 16 years. Mr. Auterman was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a past president of the Gibson City Lions Club, Gibson City Chamber of Commerce, Gibson City Fair Association, and the Gibson City Community Sale.

AYRESMAN

EARL R.