Obituaries Pike County IL
HARRIS L. RAFTERY
, 98, of Pittsfield died Sunday, March 6, 2011 at Illini Hospital. He was born Feb. 24, 1913 on the family farm near Eldara the son of the late Joseph T. and Mary Ellen Harris Raftery. He married Mary Frances McGinley.
Mr. Raftery was a life long farmer in the area. He served his country in the US Army in the Pacific Theatre in World War 2 as a medic and mechanic. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Pittsfield and the American Legion. He loved all things mechanical, was an avid woodworker completed making his last grandfather clock when he was 96. His great love was playing the “fiddle” and enjoyed performing for family and friends.
Surviving is his wife Mary Frances at home, and several cousins and nieces. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 am Thursday, March 10, 2011 at St. Mary’s Church in Pittsfield. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.
Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9 until the time of the service. The Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Pittsfield is in charge of the services.
LULA (BOYD) RAFTERY
died at 11:45 Thursday night at Illini Hospital where had been a patient since the previous Tuesday when she had suffered a heart attack. She was thought to be improving, and her death came as a shock to relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. M. J. Crowley at St. Mary's church at 9 o'clock Monday morning, with burial in Calvary cemetery. The Rosary was said at the Plattner Chapel Sunday evening.
Mrs. Raftery was formerly Lula Boyd, and she was born in Pike county September 20, 1881, the daughter of James and Anna McNepsey Boyd. She married Edward Raftery and they have always lived in Pittsfield. She assisted Mr. Raftery in his jewelry repair shop and had a wide acquaintance among shoppers in this city. Mrs. Raftery was always pleasant to meet, and friends will miss seeing her going back and forth to work with her husband who survives. Mrs. Raftery is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Sarah McGuire of Pittsfield, who is almost 96 years old, and several nieces and nephews. Brothers and sisters who preceded her in death were Anna, Clara, Emma, Rose, Louis and Edward Boyd.
PATRICIA LADONNA RAGAN
, 76, of Barry, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, in Blessing Hospital. Patricia was born May 7, 1935 in Kinderhook Township, the daughter of Loren and Evelyn Kuhlman Edwards. She married Leland Ragan June 17, 1956 in Hull. He survives.
Patricia graduated from West Pike High School and attended Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University). She taught school in New Canton and worked for 20 years at the State Bank of Hull. Most recently she worked 16 years as a bookkeeper for Martin-Kroencke Sullivan, Inc. in Liberty. Patricia greatly enjoyed spending time outdoors, trout fishing and camping at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Mo. She also enjoyed quilting, bowling, traveling, and spending time with her family. She enjoyed riding through the pastures checking the cattle with Leland.
Survivors in addition to her husband include two daughters, Tammy (Bob) Eichelberger of Clinton and Gayla (Rodney) Roberts of Quincy; four grandchildren, Holly (Craig) Bauman of Nokomis, Lee Eichelberger of Clinton, Brooke Roberts of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Wade Roberts of Quincy; a great-grandson, Greyson Bauman; and a sister, Marcia Fantz of Quincy
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jim Edwards. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Rev. Jerry Harris officiating. Burial will be at Quincy Memorial Park, Quincy. Visitation was at 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tuesday Sept. 6, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to Blessing Cancer Center. Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
J.D. RAINWATER
, of New Canton, one of the oldest practioners (sic) in Pike county, died at his home in New Canton Sunday evening at 9:30 of pneumonia. He was confined to his bed just a week. He was born in Somerset, Ky., Dec 11, 1858. When he was 9 years of age he came to Pike county with his parents, and has lived here since. He studied medicine at Washington University and graduated in the class of '89, and practiced medicine in Pike county many years. He is survived by a wife and three children--Mrs. Pearl Baker, of New Canton; Mrs. Fern Noack, of Clarinda, Ia., and Russell Rainwater, of New Canton. There is one brother, E. J. Rainwater, of Pittsfield, and two half sisters, Mrs. David Woodruff, of Mildred, Kan., and Miss Blanch Lindsey of Kansas City, Mo. The deceased was a Mason and belonged to the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias. He was one of Pike county's highly respected citizens and was well thought of by all who knew him. The funeral will be held this (Wednesday) afternoon...in the Christian church.
STELLA (MORROW) RALSTON
, was born in Spring Creek township, March 10th 1889 and passed to the Great Beyond February 28th, 1920 at the age of 31 years, 11 months and 28 days. She was united in marriage to Lester Ralston, February 16, 1904 and to this union four children were born, Theodore, Ruth, Everett and Delbert. Theodore having preceded her in death a year ago at the age of 14 years. She united with the Baptist Church at Nebo in 1904, and was baptized by Rev. J. O. Raines. During her illness which lasted several months she suffered intensely and the efforts of the surgeons brought no benefit....The funeral was conducted at the Pleasant Hill cemetery at noon Sunday by Rev. Fenton Bartine--The Messenger.
MARIE AGNES REDFEARN
,89, of Pittsfield and formerly of Champaign and Kewanee, died Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at the Pittsfield Manor in Pittsfield.
Marie was born Sept. 3, 1921 in Detroit, Mich., a daughter to William Arthur and Agnes Nielsen Estabrook. She married Victor Redfearn April 15, 1945 and he preceded her in death in 1976.
Marie was a longtime resident of Champaign and Kewanee where she and her husband owned and operated the Young Bazaar in Kewanee. She retired from the Kewanee Hospital in 1991 as manager of the housekeeping unit. She was active in community organizations in Champaign including Burnham City Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Kewanee and a member of the Pilot Club in Kewanee. She was an avid gardener, artist and enjoyed traveling.
She is survived by daughters, Pamela and husband Bill Turnbull of Toulan and Patricia and husband, Rev. John McIntosh, previous minister of the United Methodist Church in Pittsfield, currently residing in Normal. Grandchildren surviving are: Adam (Cara) Turnbull of Peoria and Emily (Kevin) Powell of Kirksville, Mo. and one great-granddaughter, Maggie Grace Turnbull. Marie was preceded in death by her husband, a sister, Betty Coons and a niece.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Normal, at a later date.
MARY (MARIAN) RENNER
, aged 38 years, died at the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Owsley, a few miles south of this place Wednesday evening. The deceased was a resident of St. Louis until a few weeks ago when he, with his wife, came to her mother's. He rapidly failed, his disease being quick consumption. Funeral services were held at the residence Friday morning, after which the remains were laid in Ball's Bluff Cemetery. The grief stricken young wife has the sympathy of all in this great loss.
JESS REVIS
, 63, of Barry died Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, in his home. He was born Dec. 11, 1947, in Fines Creek, N. C., to Jesse, Sr. and Relday (Rogers) Revis. They preceded him in death.
He married Patricia Sutterfield Sept. 1, 1976, in Clintwood, Va. She survives in Barry. He is also survived by one son, Jess Revis III and one grandson, Ayden Revis, both of Barry. Also surviving are one sister and three brothers. He was preceded in death by three sisters and five brothers.
Jess was employed in the coal mines of Kentucky later working for Freesens, Inc. for 20 years as a heavy equipment mechanic.
He served in the U.S. Army and was wounded in the Vietnam War for which he received a Purple Heart. Jess and Pat opened their home to other local children who still refer to them as Mom & Dad Revis.
MARY ANN (ATOR) ROGERS
, born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1833, came with her parents to Pike county, Ill., in 1845. In 1850, she was united in marriage to Mr. James P. Rogers, to which union there were born six children, two sons and two daughters - Charles and James now living in Washington and Mrs. Amanda Iler and Mrs. Minnie Hoskins, the former living with her at the old home, one mile north of New Hartford and the latter living in El Dara township. Deceased departed this life Nov. 23, 1901, aged 68 years, leaving behind to follow her noble life her four children. Charles, Amanda and Minnie were present at her funeral, as also two brothers and sisters, besides a host of friends, who learned to love her while in the body, because of her upright Christian life that she led from the age of fifteen years. In 1880 her companion was called to his reward and later one brother and one sister. Thus one by one her family is being reunited beyond this realm of tears and sadness, and may her loved ones left behind so live as to join in the entire family reunion beyond the skies when they, too, are called, is the prayer of the writer. The funeral services were conducted at the Christian Church at New Hartford November 25, and the remains laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Prairie Mound Cemetery. --W. H. Posten
CHARLOTTE (GRAY) ROWAND
, was born Jan. 20th, 1849. Was converted and united with the Barry Baptist church at about the age of 18 years. Was united in marriage with B.H. Rowand June 11, 1866. Her last sickness was of short duration and her suffering intense, resulting in death suddenly. She passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, July 29, 1891. The funeral services were held at the family residence Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. F. P. Douglas, of Kinderhook, after which the remains were interred in the Barry cemetery.
HAZEL E. RUSSELL
, 89, of Pittsfield, died, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, at Illini Community Hospital Emergency Room. Hazel was born Feb. 12, 1922, a daughter to Charles A. and Hazel Dunnaway Phillips. She married James Russell Sept. 9, 1942, in Bowling Green, Mo. and he preceded her in death Dec. 13, 2001.
In earlier years Hazel and Jim owned and operated the Montgomery Ward Store in Pittsfield. She was active in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Alter Society and assisted with funeral dinners and other church functions. She was a member of the Griggsville Area Genealogical and Historical Society, a former Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader. She enjoyed reading, genealogy, collecting beanie babies and snowmen. She especially loved her family and family gatherings.
Hazel is survived by a son, Keith (Julia Blixrud) Russell of Lawrence, Kan. and a daughter, Julie (Terry) Spangler of Wheaton; three grandchildren, Wendi (John) Buysse, Kandi Moore and Michelle Watson; five great-grandchildren, Alayna and Paul Buysse, Jacob, Sara and Jude Barrera, along with several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Harvey Dean Phillips and four sisters, Katherine E. Butler, Wilmetta Lewis, Lois E. Dunham and Alberta Shaw.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with Father Mark Schulte officiating. A prayer service was held at 4 p.m. Friday evening, Dec. 9, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with visitation following from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery in Pittsfield. A lunch for family and friends will be held at the St. Mary’s Hall after interment.
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