"B" Obituaries of Montgomery County, IL
BANGS
Mrs. George Milton Bangs, a well known old resident of Fillmore, died at her home
in that village on Tuesday evening of this week, 24 January 1911, aged 77 years, 11 months, and 21 days.
The deceased whose maiden name was Elizabeth J. Reddish was born in Green County,
IL., 3 Feb. 1833, and professed religion and united with the Baptist Church in 1848. On 10 January 1849, she was
united in marriage with George J. Pope and to this union twelve children were born, six of whom died in infancy,
three died at maturity and three survive their mother, namely, Mrs. Mary Oliver of Brownstown, [Fayette Co.] IL.
William Pope of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Mrs. Maretta Moyer of Fillmore, [Montgomery Co.] IL.
She also leaves 18 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, the fruits of this marriage.
Mr. Pope died 19 March 1878 and on 25 March 1878, the deceases was united in marriage with George Bangs, who survives
her. The funeral services were held from the Fillmore Baptist Church on Thursday of this week, Rev. O.R. Nelson
and Rev. Riggs officiating. The remains were laid to rest at Fillmore cemetery.
[Montgomery County News, 27 Jan. 1911. Contributed by: Marlene Olson.]
BARRINGER
Aaron Barringer died Sunday, 14 Jan 1894, age 84-6-7 at the home of his son, Charles, near Irving. Born in Cabarrus
Co NC. He came to IL in 1830. Married daughter of John Harkey. Father of 8, 3 survive. [The
Montgomery Co News, Pg 2, 19 Jan 1894 - Submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
Hillsboro - Mrs Aaron Barringer, w/o one of the oldest citizens of this place died
Sunday. [d. 14 Aug 1887] [The Litchfield Monitor, Sat, 20 SE 1887, page 1 -
Submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BARRY
Fern Barry - Services for centenarian Elsie Fern Barry, of rural Hillsboro, will be held at 3 pm Monday in Bass
Funeral Home, Hillsboro. The Rev James Howie, pastor of Waveland Presbyterian Church and the Rev Elmer Fenton of
Greenville, will officiate. Burial will be in Waveland Cemetery in rural Hillsboro....
Mrs Barry, 102 years old on September 23, was known to many in the area as "Auntie Fern" or "Granny".
She died Thursday, June 8, 2000, at 6:28 pm in Hillsboro Hospital.
She resided in Hillsboro Twp all of her life. She attended Hillsboro High School for three years, earning enough
credentials to teach. She taught school for one year before her marriage.
She was a member of the Waveland Presbyterian Church for 81 years and taught Sunday School there for many of those
years. He was a member of Hermon Chapter 97 of the Order of Eastern Star and the Home Comfort Club.
She was born in the Woodsboro neighborhood of Montgomery Co, a daughter of S Addison and Lottie Corlew Applegate.
She married Warren Barry on Jun 5, 1919 in Litchfield; he died Jul 11, 1972.
Surviving are a daughter, Lela Garrett of Fort Pierce FL; son, Henry Barry and wife Joyce of Tacoma WA; five grandchildren,
Mark Barry, Beth Gunderson, both of Tacoma; Scott Davidson, Linda Adkins, both of Arlington TX; Larry Garrett of
Fort Pierce; and nine great grandchildren. Others surviving include a daughter in law, Ann Davidson of Arlington,
TX.
Preceding her in death was a son, Harry Barry in 1951 and a grandson. [News
Herald, Litchfield, 9 June 2000 - Submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BARTO
Girl Employed at St Francis Hospital a Flu Victim -- The Funeral Services Will Be Held at The Chapel
A ray of sadness was cast over the Sisters, girl workers and patients at the St Francis hospital this morning when
they learned that the Angel of Death had called and removed Theresa Barto, aged 18 years, 4 months and 10 days,
an employee of that institution for the past two and one half years.
Theresa a great favorite at the hospital because of her sweet and sunny disposition was taken ill three weeks ago
last Friday with influenza and gradually grew worse until the ailment developed into pneumonia. She was a patient
sufferer until death relieved her at 7:50 this morning.
Theresa Barto, the daughter of Frank Barto and Agnes (nee Casupor) Barto was born November 22, 1909, at Divernon.
She attended school in Bois D'Arc township finishing the eighth grade and since her leaving school has been employed
as an assistant at the hospital.
Surviving besides her parents who live on a farm two miles southeast of Atwater, three sisters and four brothers
survive and are Olga, Marcella, Agnes, Louis, Frank, John, and Paul all at home.
The body was removed to the undertaking parlors of Carroll and Son and prepared for burial and to remain in the
parlors until eight o'clock Wednesday morning when it will be returned to the chapel at St Francis hospital for
funeral services to be conducted by Rev Father A J Stengel of St Aloysius church. The remains will be laid to rest
in Holy Cross Cemetery. [Litchfield Daily Union, Monday, April 2, 1928 Submitted
by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BEAL
Services for Mrs Leone Beal of Hillsboro will be conducted Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock in Bass funeral home by
Dr Roger Compton of Springfield. Burial will be in Shiloh cemetery at Coffeen.
Friends may call after 3 o'clock this afternoon.
Mrs Beal, who would have been 73 next March 6, died Tuesday night at 11:30 o'clock in St John's hospital, Springfield.
[d. 26 FE 1980]
Born in Litchfield, a daughter of the late Lucius Eugene and Roxanna Illinois Corlew Lindly, she lived most of
her life in Hillsboro with exception of a few years at Rockford. She married Floyd L Beal of Litchfield, July 6,
1929. He died September 19, 1971. Mrs Beal was a member of the Methodist church.
Surviving are a daughter, Helen, wife of K D "Dale" Whitlock of Springfield, a sister, Mrs Ermagene Green
of Hillsboro and two brothers, Harry Lindly of Virden and Otto Lindly of Quincy and several nieces and nephews.
Preceeding her in death were a sister, Mrs Mabel Varner of Litchfield and two brothers in infancy. [John Thomas
and James Sylvester Lindly] [The News Herald, Litchfield, IL - Feb 28, 1980
- Submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BEDERMAN
Joseph E Bederman Dies in St Louis
Joseph E Bederman of 5034 Arsenal street, St Louis, brother of John A Bederman of this city former night clerk
at the Elks club, passed away at his home at seven o'clock Wednesday morning following an extended illness. Mr
Bederman was aged 61 years.
Surviving are his widow, Barbara Bederman of St Louis; two sisters, Mrs Caroline Stegemeier and Mrs Elizabeth Lee
of Edwardsville, one brother, John A Bederman of Litchfield.
Funeral services will be held at two o'clock Friday afternoon from the Weick Brothers funeral home 2201 South Grand
Boulevard St Louis with interment in Oak Grove cemetery. [Litchfield Daily
Union, Thursday, May 3, 1928 submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BERRY
The Irving Postmasters Mother Dead
Mrs Helena Berry aged 70, mother of Postmaster W.B. Berry of Irving, died Saturday night in Terre Haute, Indiana
at the home of her daughter, Mrs Ed Burton. The body was brot back to Irving and the funeral services were held
this afternoon at the Lutheran church and burial was made in the Irving cemetery. [Litchfield
Daily Union, Monday, April 2, 1928 Submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BESANCENEY
Barnett Lady Dies This Afternoon
Mrs Emma Besanceney, aged 83, wife of Jules Beasanceney, a well known retired farmer of the vicinity of Barnett,
passed away about 1:30 this afternoon at the family residence.
Last winter Mrs Besanceney suffered an attack of pneumonia and the effects of that disease together with complications
brot on by her advanced years, is given as the cause of her death. Surviving are the husband and three children,
Carson of Gillespie and Misses Lela and Essie at home. Deceased was a member of the New Hope Baptist church. Funeral
arrangements were not completed this afternoon. [Litchfield Daily Union, Monday,
May 28, 1928 - Submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BESS
Services for Lois Mae Hennings Bess, 69, formerly of Raymond, will be held at 1 pm Saturday in Hough Funeral Home
there. Burial will be in the Raymond City cemetery.
Friends may call Saturday in the funeral home from 11 am until the time of service.
Mrs Bess, of Springfield, died at 7:13 pm Monday, February 17, 2003, in St John's Hospital there. She was 69 years
old on June 3. She was employed as administrator at Ivan Hoe Manor in Jacksonville before her retirement. She was
born in Raymond, a daughter of Walter William and Marie Harkey Gutherie. Her first husband, Herman Hennings Jr
preceded her in death as did her second husband, Edward Bess.
Surviving are sons, Walter Ray Hennings and wife Kathy of Springfield; David Charles Hennings of Waggoner; daughter
Pamela Jean Chandler of Springfield; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Two sisters preceded her in death. [Litchfield News Herald, 19 Feb 2003 - Submitted
by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BEWLEY
Mrs Bewley's Funeral Thursday
Mrs Martha Jane Bewley died Monday morning. Funeral Thurs at Baptist Church, Honey Bend, burial Cedar Ridge.
[Litchfield Daily Union, Wednesday, April 13, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
BICKNELL
Former Superintendent of L&M Is Dead, He Was Well and Favorably Known in This City
C E Bicknell aged 54 years for many years superintendent of the Litchfield Madison Railroad and who just recently
retired, died at 4:30 last evening at his home in Edwardsville. He had been sick for sometime. He is survived by
his widow and the following brothers and sisters, Samuel of Edwardsville; E R of Granite City; N C of St Louis;
J L of Auburn; L E of Virden; Mrs F A Rachow of Kelso Washington; Mrs W C Imel (?) of Jacksonville; and Mrs Roy
Goff of this city. Arthur Blades of this city is a nephew. The funeral arrangements have not been made. [Litchfield Daily Union, Thursday, May 10, 1928 submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BIERBAUM
Bierbaum Dies At Hospital (torn)
Mrs. Grace Elizabeth Bierbaum, 20, died at 12:05 o'clock Monday afternoon at St Francis' Hospital, of an illness
resulting from an operation for appendicitis which she underwent May 16. She had been a patent at the hospital
since May 13, and had been seriously ill since the operation. [d. May 1933]
Decedent was a daughter of Mr and Mrs Henry Reener, 1400 South Illinois Avenue, where she resided to the time of
her illness and was the sixth of eight children. She had lived in Litchfield all her life, and was a graduate of
this local junior high school. At the time of her marriage to Thomas Bierbaum, she was employed at the Brown Shoe
company plant. Her husband is employed at the creamery.
Surviving are her parents, a half brother Oscar Johnson, Raymond; two brothers, Arthur Reener, Kenosha, Wis and
Roy Reener, 1326 North Monroe street, and four sisters, Mrs Nora Larschreider, Springfield; Mrs. Jane Wilson, Short
street; Miss Daisy Reener, Alton; and Miss Velma Reener, at home. A brother Hugo died about 25 years ago at the
age of five years.
Funeral arrangements today were incomplete. [Unknown Newspaper, written Date
1933 submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BIERBAUM
Services for the Rev Thomas J Bierbaum, formerly from Litchfield, will be held at 10 am Thursday in Meinschein
Funeral Home with the Rev Eddie Diveley, pastor of Southside Church, officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday in the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be directed to hospice
care at St John's Hospital North.
Rev Bierbaum, of Springfield, died at 5 pm Monday, July 14, 1997, in St John's Hospital North. He was 88 years
old on November 30.
He resided in Litchfield from 1928 to 1942 when he moved to Springfield where he worked for Fiat Allis until he
retired in 1973. He was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church at Petersburg, Masonic Lodge 4 in Springfield for
52 years, & formerly a member of Union Local 1027.
He was born in Beebee Ark a son of William A and Augusta Kahler Bierbaum. He married Velma G Reener on November
14, 1933, in Hillsboro. She survives.
Surviving also are sons, Thomas H Bierbaum and wife Wanda of Vandalia, William D Bierbaum and wife Margaret of
Springfield, and three grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were a daughter, Martha V Bierbaum; brothers, Dewey G, Charlie W, John, and Henry Bierbaum;
sisters, Lillie Hiescock, May Riggins, and Emma Bierbaum, a grand son, William Scott Bierbaum, and a great grandson,
Adam Hay. [News Herald, Litchfield, 15 July 1997 - submitted by: Lynn Boyd
Reener]
BIERBAUM
Velma Gertrude Bierbaum, 86 of Springfield
died Friday, Mar 22, 2002, at Heritage Nursing Home.
She was born Oct 14, 1915, in Honey Bend, the daughter of Henry and
Martha Velma Funderburk Reener. She married Thomas Jefferson Bierbaum in 1933 in Litchfield; he preceded her in
death in 1997. Also preceding her in death
was a daughter, Martha Grace Bierbaum.
Mrs. Bierbaum worked in the men's dept at J C Penney, retiring after more than 20 years.
Survivors: two sons, Thomas Bierbaum of Vandalia and William (wife, Margaret) Bierbaum of Springfield; and three
grandchildren.
Services: 11 am Tuesday, Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, Phil Davis officiating. Burial: Elmwood Cemetery
in Litchfield. [State Journal-Register, Springfield, 24 Mar 2002 - submitted
by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BLACKBURN
Jabez Blackburn born 7 Nov 1823 Yorkshire England came to the US in 1831 with
his parents. He married Mary Hook 11 Nov 1851. He died 4 Jan 1895 at his residence in Hillsboro. Four sons and
2 daughters survive. One son died at age 21. Montgomery Co News, 11 Jan 1895,
Pg 3 Col 3
Mrs. Jabez
Blackburn - Mary Ann Smith was born 1 May 1830 near Belleville, St Clair Co
IL. She married Ezekial H Hook in 1846 and he died one year later. On 11 Nov 1851, she married Jabez Blackburn.
Mrs. Blackburn died 15 Apr 1910 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C C Lewey near Hillsboro. She is survived by
daughters, Mrs. C C Lewey, Hillsoboro; Mrs. Ernest R Black, Okene, OK; Deborah Barr, Kansas City MO; and Nettie
Smith, Murphysboro, IL; and sons, J F Blackburn, Decatur, IL and Jas R Blackburn, Hillsboro, IL. [Hillsboro Journal, 22 Apr 1910, Pg 1 Col 6]
BLACKWELDER
A Former Litchfieldian Is Dead
William R Blackwelder, aged about 60, son of the late D Monroe and Mrs Blackwelder, died at his home in Joliet
Saturday evening following an illness of pneumonia. Born and grew up in Litchfield. Survived by widow, mother,
and brother Frank. "Connected with the State Dept of Public Welfare and his duties were placing orphan children
in homes and investigation of conditions in such homes." Funeral at Presbyterian church in Joliet and burial
in Joliet. [Litchfield Daily Union, Monday, April 25, 1927 - submitted by:
Lynn Boyd Reener]
W. R. Blackwelder, Welfare Worker, Succumbs to Illness
Former Member of High School Faculty Dies In Silver Cross Hospital
(from Joliet-Herald News)
W R Blackwelder of 605 Florence avenue, state public welfare worker, died in Silver Cross hospital, late Saturday
night, following an illness of five months.
Mr Blackwelder underwent several operations during the time of his illness and was in the hospital practically
five months.
He was born in Litchfield, January 18, 1863, and came to Joliet in 1908, wher he was a member of the Joliet township
high school faculty for three years, resigning to accept a position as supervisor of the placing out work of the
Soldier's Orphans home at Normal.
Previous to that time he has taught school down state for 22 years
Following his graduation from Litchfield high school, he completed his education in the University of Northern
Indian, Valparaiso. He was married August 14, 1901 to Miss Minerva Markley of Pennsylvania.
Mr Blackwelder devoted most of his live to church and public welfare work. He was elder in the Central Presbyterian
church at the time of his death, and has been prominent in city, county and state Sunday school classes in the
state penitentiary.
He was a member of Matteson Lodge No 175, A F & A M.
In paying tributes to Mr Blackwelder, Chauncey F Spicer, assistant superintendent of the high school said, "There
was no higher type of man in Joliet, than Mr Blackwelder. All thru his life his acts have been unselfishly devoted
to the welfare of others. He had always been engaged in "uplift" and social work, and had been a great
contributor to the bettering of conditions in the community and state."
Surviving Mr Blackwelder are his widow; his mother, Mrs D M Blackwelder, and a brother, Frank, of Litchfield.
The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from Central Presbyterian church, with the
Rev E E Hastings officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst cemetery.
Mr and Mrs Frank Blackwelder and the former's mother returned Wednesday evening from Joliet after attending the
funeral.
[Litchfield Daily Union, 28 April 1927 - submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BOTKIN
Mr William Botkin who lately lived some 4 miles north of the city died of Typhoid
Fever last Fri. [d. 25 FE 1876] [Litchfield Monitor, 1 Mar 1876 Page 5 Col
1 - submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BROWN
Deaths - In Memoriam
In memory of our beloved son and brother, Freddie Brown, who departed this life four years ago Aug 15, 1908…..Bereaved
Parents, Brother, Sister, and Brother-In-Law [d. 15 AU 1904] [paper
and date unknown submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
BURDELL
Fall of Tree On Leg Costs Man His Life -
Joseph Burdell Dies at Hospital Sunday as result of Unusual Accident -
Leg Amputated Saturday Night In Effort to Save Life: Was 72 Years of Age
Shock to which Joseph Burdell of this city was subjected when his left leg was amputated Saturday night in an effort
to save his life, proved too much for him…he died Sunday morning at 9 o'clock at St Francis Hospital. His left
leg had been badly crushed Thursday in an accident near Butler…
The accident…was an unusual one. He and Frank Satterlee, a neighbor, had cut a tree on the Clark Missimore farm.
As the tree started to fall, the men ran out of its path. Burdell slipped and fell and the heavy tree come down
upon his leg…Burdell was placed into a wagon and driven several miles to the hard road…Here the wagon was met by
an ambulance…Saturday it was decided to amputate the leg in the hope of saving the man's life… An inquest was conducted
at the Carroll and Son undertaking parlor Sunday…A verdict that death resulted from shock following the amputation
of his left leg as a result of a tree accidentally falling upon him, was returned by the jury.
The deceased was a native of Ireland, being born, Oct 12, 1858. He was 72 years of age. He was an orphan and was
brought to Illinois from New York when only 8 years of age and was adopted by William Kingston of Walshville. He
was twice married and is survived by his wife of 605 N. Harrison St and one son, William of Worden. He was a member
of the Walshville Baptist church. [Litchfield News Herald, Monday, 20 May 1929,
Pg 1, Col 3 - submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
[Litchfield News Herald, Tuesday, 21 May 1929, Pg 1, Col 3 - Rites Held Today
]
Funeral services for Joseph Burdell who died Sunday morning at St Francis Hospital were conducted this morning
at the Carroll and Son chapel at 10 o'clock. Interment was made in the Elmwood Cemetery.
BURDELL
William Burdell, Formerly of Panama Dies at Litchfield
William Burdell, 79 of Litchfield died Sunday night at 6:10 o'clock at St Francis Hospital where he had been a
patient for 6 days and following an illness of 4 years. He was a retired laborer and coal miner and timber worker
in the Panama community.
He was born near Walshville on June 13, 1879, the son of Joseph and Alice Burk Burdell. He married the former Miss
Emma Long on February 15, 1913, in St Louis and she survives with 8 children - William of Mt Olive, Mrs. Lola Denny
of Chicago, Mrs. Eileen Ferrari, Mrs. Nora Hicks, Mrs. Kathleen Vath, Mrs. Betty Jean Law, Sylvester and Harry,
all of Litchfield. Also surviving are 33 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by
his parents, a sister, Clara, and a brother, Joseph. [Hillsboro Journal, Monday,
4 May 1959, Pg 1, Col 8 - submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener] Obituaries ran in the Montgomery News, Thursday, 7 May 1959, Pg 2, Col 4 and
the Litchfield News Herald, Monday, 4 May 1959, Pg 3 Cols 6 & 7
Casket bearers were 5 sons-in-law, James Ferrari, Rauly Law, James Hicks, Robert Denny, and Philip Vath and a grandson,
Ernest. [Litchfield News Herald, Thursday, 7 May 1959, Pg 5, Col 7 - submitted
by Lynn Boyd Reener]
BURKHART
Memorial service for Mildred M Burkhart, of Litchfield, will be held at 1 p.m.
Sunday in Meinschein Funeral Home with the Rev. Father Ted Schelich, chaplain at St Francis Hospital, officiating.
The remains were cremated. No visitation is scheduled.
Mrs. Burkhart died at 1:05 pm Monday, January 22, 2001, in St Francis Hospital. She was 86 years old on July 20.
She worked at the Roller Derby Skate Company and was a sales clerk at Newberry's Department Store, both in Litchfield.
She was a graduate of Brown's Business College in Racine, WI. She was born in Litchfield, a daughter of Gilbert
and Evelyn Voyles Parnell. She married Clarence L "Fuzzy" Burkhart on July 8, 1938, in St Louis; he died
February 23, 1987. Surviving are a daughter, Ethel Williams and husband Terry of Litchfield; sister, Helen Potts
of Las Vegas, NV; three grandchildren, Janine Carter and husband David of Litchfield, JoAnna Williams of St Louis,
Evan Williams of Litchfield; and three great grandchildren, Kaja and Remi Carter and Braydon Williams, all of Litchfield.
Preceding her in death were a son, Clarence Burkhart Jr in 1973; brother, Maynard Parnell; and sister, Marguerite
Rowden. [News Herald, Litchfield, IL - submitted by Lynn Boyd
Reener]
BUTTS
Richard Butts Is Dead
Thomas Butts of this city received a telegram this morning which announced the death of his cousin Richard Butts
formerly of this city, son of the late Mr and Mrs Fred Butts of Litchfield. Mr Butts, aged about 50, died at Alton.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 Saturday afternoon in Alton. He was a cousin of Edward, George, Thomas,
Andrew, and William Butts and a nephew of Mrs Wm Fearn of East Ryder Street. [Litchfield
Daily Union, Friday, July 8, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
Thank You
To those assisting during the death of our father. Mrs Tessie Golding & family, W A Butts & Family, and
Rosco F Butts & family [Litchfield
Daily Union, Wednesday, April 13, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]