Iroquois County Obituaries

Elizabeth, daughter of Florent Fronville and Rosalie (Ponton) Fronville, was born Nov. 6, 1882, on a farm east of Clifton and died at her home Apr. 11, 1936, aged 53 years, 5 months and 5 days.

Her childhood was spent on her father's farm and her grammar school education was acquired in the neighboring country school, following which she attended St. Joseph's Academy in Kankakee for two or more years.

On the 27th of December, 1903, she was united in marriage to Emile Mathy, son of a neighboring farmer. The young couple commenced housekeeping on a rented farm, and as a busy housewife and mother she spent her days. Three children came to bless her life.

She had been an invalid or semi-invalid for nearly sixteen years. About two years ago she was taken to Chicago for treatments and received some benefit, but the disease had made too much progress to effect a cure. Last November she had a sudden relapse, following which she was taken to St. Mary's hospital for treatment, and finally an operation in December. She recovered from the operation sufficiently to be brought home, but gradually grew weaker and weaker until death released her from her suffering last Saturday. Through all she was patient and uncomplaining, sustaining a cheerful spirit through periods of intense pain with Christian fortitude.

Surving her are her husband, Emile Mathy; a daughter, Mrs. Florent Bertrand; sons Lloyd and Woodrow, the latter just about to depart for New York City, where he will be employed; three sisters, Mrs. Josephine Prault, Watseka; Mrs. Val Houart and Mrs. Rosalie Cailteaux, Clifton; three brothers, Eugene Fronville, Ashkum, Louis Fronville and Emile Fronville, Clifton; and two grandsons, Merle Bertrand and Wayne Mathy.

Funeral services were conducted from St. John the Baptist's church, L'Erable, the Rev. James J. Kerrins officiating, and burial in the L'Erable cemetery. Tuesday forenoon, Apr. 14. Pallbearers were Wesley Prault, Edgar Dutour, Edmond Fronville, Wilmer Fronville, Otto Schults, and Louis Cailteaux.

(50 Years Ago…, Fri., 12 March 1934)
"Mrs. Elizabeth Mathy, widow of Ferdinand Mathy, died Sunday, March 7th, at 7 o'clock a.m., at the age of 87 years, nine months and one day."

Ferdinand Mathy died at his home southeast of Clifton, April 27, 1898, at 4 a.m. aged 78 years.

The deceased was born in Belgium in 1820 and passed his best days in the country of his birth. He was a veteran of the Belgian army, having seen seven years continuous service. In 1875 the desire to seek the land of freedom where so many of his countrymen had journeyed, became irresistable, and with his family he embarked for America. They located at Manteno, where they remained for five years, then moving to Iroquois country and settled in this section, where they have since remained. For the past four years he had been sick.

He leaves a widow and six children; Mrs. John Genotte, Mrs. G. Joannes, Mrs. Toussaint Laurent and Mrs. Bourell, of Manteno, and Frank and Victor Mathy, of this vicinity. The funeral services were held at L'Erable, Thursday at 10 a.m.

Died: On Monday night, March. 26, Louis Mathy, at the home of his father, after a short illness with a very painful disease. Deceased was 28 years and 7 months old. He was a very strong and healthy young man, weighing 228 pounds. He leaves a father of 70 years, and a mother aged 70; also two brothers, Frank and Victor, and four sisters, Mrs. John Genotte, Mrs. Eugene Burell, Mrs. Wm. Joannes, and Mrs. Toussaint Laurent, to mourn his….

The community of Clifton was saddened and shocked by the death of Mr. Victor Mathy on Tuesday, July 2nd. Although he had been sick for about three and one-half years, the last week of his life he seemed to be in better health, and transacted much business, selling his home and was evidently settling down for a rest as Mrs. Mathy's health was failing.

On Saturday evening, June Twenty-ninth, he was stricken with a heart attack. From this he rallied and was able to be removed from his old home to that of his granddaughter, Mrs. Eugene Ducat, where on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. death claimed him.

At the hour of his death seven of his eight children were at his bedside and had been in constant attendance and had done everything that loving hands could do all during his sickness. His son, John, living at Ashland, could not get there until the next day.

Victor Mathy was born in Jandrain, Belgium, on August 25th, 1859, and at the age of sixteen came to America with his parents, settling in Manteno for sometime. He then came to Clifton where he had since made his home.

On the sixth of November, 1881, he was united in marriage to Delia DaCosse at Clifton, Ill., and if he had lived until the sixth of November they would have been married 48 years.

During the early years of Mr. Mathy's married life he lived on a farm near L'Erable, moving then into L'Erable and for the past seventeen years in Clifton.

He is survived by his wife and eight children, namely, Emile; Mrs. Emile Cnudde; Alfred; John; Edward; Mrs. Frank Gravlin; Mrs. Roy Jensen and Herman. There are also twenty-nine grandchildren.

Besides the immediate family he leaves one sister, Mrs. Toussaint Laurent of Kankakee, and many nieces and nephews.

By Mr. Mathy's request his pallbearers were Jule Doyen, Louis Rabideau, Louis Scheidecker, Byron Wilson, Arthur Dion and John Lemenager.

The requiem high mass was sung by the Rev. Fr. Koppes and the funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Fr. LeVasseur, an old friend of the family. The home town choir was assisted by Mr. Biamont and Ed Noel as requested by the deceased.

During his lifetime Mr. Mathy was a successful farmer and he also found time to do considerable mason work, being a mason by trade, until he retired from active life., twenty-three years ago, and many of the brick buildings in this vicinity are from the work of his hands and trowel.

To Mrs. Mathy and her family The Advocate joins with the many friends of the family in extending to them a most sincere expression of sympathy in your bereavement.

Among the many relatives and friends who came from a distance to attend the funeral services were:

From Chicago: Felix Godfriaux, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Godfriaux, Mrs. Anna Merkle, Mr. and Mrs. Homer DeHart, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Wichert, Jules Wilmart, Mrs. Marvin Hylen and son, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard McGee. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dacosse, Peter Hisler, Mr. and Mrs. Antoine Reper and daughter, Madeline, Miss Louise Tassert, Miss Elvere Servais, August Vandenbempt.

St. Anne: Joe Sprimont, Cyril Trudeau, Alphonse Trudeau, Mr. and Mrs. Toussaint Laurent and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dubois, Mr. and Mrs. Emile Saindon, Ed Dutour, Mrs. Steve Gagnon, Mrs. Adolph Marcotte, Mr. and Mrs. George Sturdy, Mrs. Dav Riordan, Tom Riordan, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Jensen.

Manteno: Mrs. Caroline Dubouis, Mrs. Philip Goussett, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Pointer, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dubouis, Adolph Debouk, Mr. and Mrs. Gifford Coderre, Mrs. Peter O'Malley, Pat H. Keigher.

Many from other nearby towns attended the funeral services in addition to those mentioned above.

Mrs. Victor Mathy and Family wish to take this means of conveying to all who helped them in anyway, whether it was by the sending of floral offerings, for the use of their cars, for help in the home, a most tender expression of gratitude for all that was done for them in their bereavement. Their many acts of kindness will never be forgotten.

Ernest Mercier, aged 85, died Monday night after a protracted illness due to the infirmities of old age. His wife died eleven weeks ago. Surviving are a son, Emile, daughters Louise, of Kankakee, and Marie, Mrs. Dewey Dutour, of Clifton. Also three grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted this forenoon from St. Peter's Church, Clifton, with burial in the L'Erable cemetery.

Charles Emmanuel Morel was born in Belmont, Alsace Lorraine, France, July 6, 1845 and passed quietly away Jan. 20, 1935 at the age of 90 years, 6 months and 14 days. His parents were Henri and Catherine Morel. He was the youngest of four children, all of whom preceded him in death.

At the age of 20, in 1865, he was drafted into the army and served in the Franco-German War in 1870 as corporal. He was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Sudan, where he suffered the hardships of prison life for six months. After the war he returned to his native village, and not caring to take up his trade of cabinet maker again, he bade farewell to his family and emigrated to this country, where he worked on a farm in LaSalle county, after which he came to Clifton.

He was married to Mrs. Marie Therese Robin, nee Fronville, to which union were born three children - John, who died in infancy, Marie, at home, and Jennie, Mrs. Fred Mayo. His wife died in 1920.

He continued farming until four years ago when he retired from active work because of rheumatism, otherwise enjoying fairly good health. He was a well read man, taking an active interest in everything, and possessed an unusually keen mind until the last.

He leaves to mourn his loss his two daughters, one grand-daughter, Mildred Mayo, and one niece in France.

Services were held at the house Thursday morning at 10 o'clock and interment was in the Clifton Cemetery.

WATSEKA - Clara A. Minard, 90, of Watseka, died Thursday (Dec. 17, 1998) at Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the Baier Funeral Home, Watseka, where services will be at 11 a.m. Monday. Her brother-in-law, the Rev. Ray Minard will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Watseka. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. She was born Aug. 14, 1908 in Crescent City, the daughter of John and Laura Albright Hogle. Her husband, Cecil Minard, whom she married June 3, 1933 in Crescent City, died April 26, 1979. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene. Surviving are four sons and four daughters-in-law, Jerry Minard of Texas, Maurice and Mary Minard, Rhoda Minard and Curtis and Betty Minard, all of Watseka, and Roger and Diane Minard of Tower Hill, Ill.; one brother, Lawrence Hogle of Watseka; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Deceased are one son, Cecil; one sister, Juanita Theesfeld and one grandson, Tracy. She enjoyed reading and watching TV.

Clara A. Minard, 90, of Watseka, died Thursday ( Dec. 17, 1998) at Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the Baier Funeral Home, Watseka, where services will be at 11 a.m. Monday. Her
brother-in-law, the Rev. Ray Minard will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Watseka. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. She was born Aug. 14, 1908 in Cresent City, the daughter of John and Laura Albright Hogle. Her husband, Cecil Minard, whom she married June 3, 1933 in Cresent City, died April 26, 1979.
She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene. Surviving are four sons and four daughters-in-law, Jerry Minard of Texas, Maurice and Mary Minard, Rhoda Minard and Curtis and Betty Minard all of Watseka, and Rodger and Diane Minard of Tower Hill, Ill: one brother, Lawrence Hogle of Watseka; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Deceased are one son, Cecil; one sister, Juanita Theesfeld and one grandson, Tracy. She enjoyed reading and watching TV. Watseka- Services for Clara A. Minard, 90, of Watseka, were at 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at Baier Funeral Home, Watseka. The Rev. Ray Minard officiated. Mrs. Minard died Dec. 17, 1998 at Riverside Medical Center. Burial was in Iroquois Memorial Gardens, Watseka. Pallbearers were James, Tim, Rodger Jr., Steven, Thomas and Tony Minard.

Watseka Republican 27 June, 1957 Frank Mote, 74, Retired Farmer Dies;Rites Friday,

Frank Mote, 74, retired farmer who lives about 5 miles north of Watseka, died at 4:35 a.m. Wednesday at Iroquois Hospital. He had been in failing health for the past two years. Born here April 6, 1883, he was the son of Thomas A. and Mary Burdick Mote. He attended the rural schools and West Side school in Watseka. His marriage was to Mae Lyman in Watseka, September 21, 1907 and she survives with one son, Joe, of Watseka. A daughter, Helen, and a brother, Harry, preceded him in death. Also surviving are two brothers, Fred of Aroma Park and Lee of Watseka; and five sisters, Mrs. Ada Cook of Kankakee, Mrs. Laura Boudreau of LaPorte, Ind., Mrs. Connie Scott and Mrs. Olive Hughes, both of Chicago, and Mrs. Dorothy Latham of Saginaw, Mich. He was a member of the Friends Church and Watseka Lodge No. 446, A. F. & A. M. Funeral services will be held at Eastburn Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Friday with Rev. William Abrams, pastor of the Friends Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home until the hour of services.

Watseka Republican Mrs. Elsie Mote, 75 Died Here Monday; Rites Held Thursday

Mrs. Elsie Mote, 75, rural Watseka, died Monday evening in Davis Nursing Home following an illness of two years. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schultz, she was born in Martinton on May 1, 1885, and attended Pittwood and Lyman
schools. She was married Sept. 23, 1907, to Frank A. Mote, who died in 1957. Mrs. Mote was a member of the Christian Church in Pittwood. Surviving are a son, Joesph, at home, and several nieces and nephews. A daughter, Helen, also preceded her in death. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Eastburn Funeral Home, the Rev. Raymond Baer officiating. Burial was in Oak HIll Cemetery.

(graciously submitted by Lynda J. Albright at albright@capstonebank.net)

Mrs. J. H. Gillan Mourns Death Of Her Mother

Mrs. Sarah J. Martin, mother of Mrs. J.H. Gillan of Watseka, died in that sity Sunday afternoon. She is also survived by three sons, Frank P. Porter and Elmer Martin, all Watseka bankers.

The former residence of the family was near Martinton. In 18?8 the family came to Watseka. During the widow's declining years she remained in the home of Mrs. Gillan and was cared for there. She was in her 81st year at the time of her death. Funeral services were held Tuesday. The Milford Herald News Vol. XL. No. 22 January 27, 1916 - transcribed by Carrol Mick)

Obituaries M