obits048

Obituary page 48

Obituary of Lavina Vearl Waters Walton
The Rushville Times, Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Eagle Publications, July 26, 2006
Canton Daily Ledger, Friday, July 28, 2006
The Rushville Times, Wednesday, August 2, 2006, correction
Fulton County Democrat, Wednesday, August 2, 2006
picture
Lavina Walton
Lavina V. Walton, 93, of Browning, died Monday, July 24, 2006, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
She was born Jan. 6, 1913, in Browning, the daughter of Warren and Lucy (Fish) Waters.
She married Francis F. Walton Dec. 17, 1930, in Rushville. He died Oct. 20, 1997.
She also was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Waters.
Survivors include a daughter, Dianne (husband Robert) Hutton of Naples; one granddaughter, Mrs. Nita (husband John) Corson of Macomb; two {three} grandsons, Darrell (Vicki) Ruth, Mt. Carmel, Gareld (wife Lori) Ruth of Rushville and Roger (Bob Giganti) Ruth of Springfield; 11 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren; and a nephew {Paul Waters, Aurora}.
She was a homemaker.
She was a member of the Browning Methodist Church. She was active in the Schuyler Brown Historical Society. She was one of the persons responsible for the restoration of the Schuyler Jail into the museum it is today. She was a wealth of knowledge when it come to genealogy and helped many people trace their ancestry roots. She was always enthusiastic in sharing Schuyler County history with school children when they came to the museum and to others in the community.
In 1999, she was awarded the first Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award for her part in creating awareness of local history in Rushville. She was the grand marshall of the Rushville Smiles Day Parade. While active in many endeavors, she found time to be a member of many organizations, including the Business and Professional Women's Club, the Schuyler County Women's Club, Schuyler Historical Society, the DAR, and the Schuyler Home Bureau. She was the Browning Township Assessor for many years and was active in politics..
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 27, 2006, at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria with David Haney officiating. Interment will be at Bader Cemetery near Browning.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria.
Memorials may be made to the Schuyler Jail Museum or the Browning Rescue Squad.

Obituary of Danny E. Zook
Peoria Journal Star, February 21, 1996, Page: D7
Danny Zook
BUSHNELL - Danny E. Zook, 58, of 841 N. Sperry St. died at 12:40 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1996, at his home.
Born Dec. 12, 1937, in Bushnell to Howard and Polly Boyd Zook, he married Jacqueline Stoneking on May 31, 1958, in Bushnell. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Randy (Connie) Hollenback and Mrs. Townsend (Linda) Kline, both of Bushnell; and seven grandchildren.
He owned and operated Zook's Gas Sales and Service since 1970. He was a civil defense director for Bushnell for 22 years. He was a member of Bushnell Fire Department for 28 years and was chief for 2 1/2 years.
He served with the Illinois National Guard from 1955 to 1961. A memorial gathering will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bushnell Fire House No. 410. His body was donated to medical research. Arrangements are by Martin-Hollis Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Bushnell Fire Department.

Obituary of Franklyn Dewayne Young
Peoria Journal Star, January 28, 2003, Page: B04
Franklyn Young
Beardstown - Franklyn D. Young, 65, of Beardstown died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
He was born July 10, 1937, in Astoria to William Wayne and Sarah Elizabeth Greene Young.
Surviving are five sons, Allen (and Jennifer), Eric (and Maryann), Thomas, Timothy and Chris, all of Beardstown; one daughter, Kathleen (and Scott) Smith of Galesburg; six grandchildren; one brother Charles (and Frances) of Rushville; and one sister, Olive (and Roger) Toland of Industry.
He was preceded in death by one sister.
He retired from Bohn Heat and Transfer in Beardstown after 22 years.
He was a member of Rushville Southern Baptist Church.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sager Funeral Home, where friends may call two hours before services. Burial will be in Good Hope Cemetery in Schuyler County.
Note: He married Velma Ethridge December 20, 1958

Obituary for Mary L. Knowles Yoder
Eagle Publications, December 20, 2001
Mary L. Yoder
Mary L. Yoder, 70, of Galesburg, died at 7:08 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, in Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
She was born May 22, 1931, in Schuyler County, the daughter of John and Pearl McMeins Knowles.
She married Earl Yoder in 1950 in Monmouth.
Surviving are two sons, Gary (Jean) Yoder, Monmouth, and Bobby Yoder, San Diego, Calif.; one daughter, Teresa (Rex) Hatfield, Athens, Ga.; one brother, Jerry (Nell) Knowles, Galesburg; one sister, Kathryn (Jerry) Price, Berwick; one stepsister, Betty Leahy, North Henderson; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She graduated from Roseville High School and lived most of her life in Galesburg.
She was a clerk for Arlan's Department Store and Osco Drugstore in Galesburg for several years before retiring in 1985.
She was of Christian faith.
She was a member of OAKs Senior Citizen's Center, Galesburg.
Funeral services were held at 10 am. Monday in Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel with the Rev. Mike Van Acker officiating.
Burial was in Wataga Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the family or FISH.

Obituary for Carl Albert Yaap
Eagle Publications, December 12, 2002
Carl Albert Yaap
Carl Albert Yaap, 82, Industry, died at 10:42 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002, at McDonough District Hospital, Macomb.
He was born March 12, 1920, in Industry, the son of Albert and Alice (Robertson) Yaap. He married Edna Lamb May 28, 1944, in Quincy. She survives.
He is also survived by three daughters, Mary Alice Cleve, Los Angeles, Calif., Barbara (Carmen) Rose, Macomb, and Kathy (Steve) Bowers, Rochester; one son, Bob (Sandy Jacobs) Yaap, Keokuk, Iowa; six grandchildren, Scott, Casey and Teddy Cleve, California, Tricia Yaap and Laurie Sanders, Keokuk, Iowa, and Kristene Lowderman, Macomb; two stepgrandchildren, Heidi Catrino, Maryland, and Seth Bowers, Rochester; four great-grandchildren, Ben and Evan Sanders, Urbandale, Iowa, and Blake and Morgan Lowderman, Macomb; and four stepgreat-grandchildren, Nick, Vinnie, Tony and Olivia Catrino, Maryland.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl and Marshall Yaap, and two sisters, Margaret (Yaap) Toland and Dorothy (Yaap) Heaton.
Mr. Yaap lived on the family farm near Industry all his life except for four years of service with the 123rd Field Artillery in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a lifelong farmer. In 1988, he returned to Bendigo, New South Wales, Australia, and reunited with the family with whom he had stayed during the war.
He was a member of the Industry Methodist Church, the American Legion and the Farm Bureau. He was an Army veteran.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, at Industry United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jerry Sawyer officiating. Burial was in Industry Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Macomb American Legion and Macomb VFW.
Memorials may be made to either the Industry United Methodist Church or the American Diabetes Association.

Obituary of Charles E. Wright

Worthington Funeral Home
Charles E. Wright
Charles E. Wright, 74 of Browning, IL, passed away at 1:05 p.m. Monday, February 13, 2006 at St. John's North in Springfield, IL.
He was born on Thursday, December 17, 1931 in Mason Co., IL. He was the son of the late Theodore Reed and Thorsey Ellen Smith Wright. He married Betty Davis. He later married Delores Randall.
Surviving is a son, Danny Wright of Decatur, IL; three daughters, Marlene Jennings of Divernon, IL, Ellen Vennebush of Louisiana, Vicky Bertok of Springfield, IL; eleven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; a step son, Carl Randall of Beardstown; two step grandchildren; two brothers, Rodney R. Wright and Theodore R. Wright, Jr., both of Rushville; three sisters, Fay E. Perry and Donna M. Smykal both of Beardstown, and Thursa May Edwards of Rushville.
He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Francis Wright and Jack Wright.
He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a Union millwright and carpenter until retiring. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Worthington Funeral Home with Rev. Sue Adam officiating. Interment will be in the Browning Cemetery with Military services being conducted by Schuyler American Legion Post #4. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to St. John's Hospital Hospice Program, 800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield, IL 62769 or the Frederick Christian Church. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to worthing@worthingtonfh.com

Obituary of Raymond L. Wright
Peoria Journal Star, February 4, 2000, Page: B04
Raymond Wright
Little America - Raymond L. Wright, 80, of 14976 N. Illinois Route 78 died at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria.
Born Nov. 17, 1919, in Canton to Harry and Pearl Hall Wright, he was raised by his grandparents, John and Melinda Riley Hall.
He married Frances Parmer {Palmer?} on Sept. 23, 1944, in Vallejo, Calif. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Gary (and Carol) of Augusta; two daughters, Betty (and Robert) Ashwood of Smithfield and Kathy (and Jim) Booth of Troy, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren.
One brother preceded him in death.
A World War II Navy veteran, he was a Pearl Harbor survivor and served aboard the USS San Francisco.
He was a life member of the American Legion, Lewistown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5001 and the USS San Francisco Association.
He farmed in Banner Township and worked for Caterpillar Inc., retiring in 1978.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Murphy-Sedgwick Memorial Home in Canton. Gene Danner and the Rev. David Van Heyningen will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the memorial home. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery in rural Canton.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army in Canton.

Obituary of Celestine Woods Wright
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, March 5, 1993, Page: 11
Celestine Wright
Celestine Wright, 100, of Jacksonville died at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday at Barton W. Stone Christian Home.
She was born Aug. 24, 1892, near Franklin, the daughter of James Philip and Dora Peak Woods. She was preceded in death by her husband, Judge Walter W. Wright, in 1963; a daughter, Helen Lukeman; a brother, Ralph Woods; and two sisters, Eunice Gragg and Armeada Zell.
Mrs. Wright was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville and National Daughters of the American Revolution.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Harry (Marion) Story of Jacksonville; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Wendell Woods of Arthur; and a sister, Ruth Woods of Springfield.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cody and Son Memorial Home, Jacksonville. Burial will be in Franklin Cemetery.

Obituary of Florence M. Davis Shupe Woodworth
Peoria Journal Star, October 19, 1992, Page: C6
Florence Woodworth
Macomb - Florence M. Woodworth, 98, of 320 E. Pierce died at 8:56 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 1992, at McDonough District Hospital.
Born July 14, 1894, in Woodstock Township, Schuyler County, to William and Estella Ridings Shupe, she married Charles S. Woodworth on Oct. 31, 1912, in Macomb. He died Sept. 5, 1967.
One daughter, Frances Spangler; two sisters; one half sister; and one half brother also preceded her in death.
Surviving are one son, Charles V. of Springfield; three sisters, Mary Chandler of Augusta, Lois Strader of Prairie City and Irene McCall of Venice, Fla.; and two grandchildren.
She was a member of First Baptist Church in Macomb.
She worked at the Globe-American Company in Macomb.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sargent-Worthington Funeral Home. The Rev. Gerald Sebaugh will offficiate. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to her church.

State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, October 19, 1992
Florence Woodworth
Florence M. Woodworth, 98, of Macomb died at 8:56 p.m. Saturday at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb.
She was born July 14, 1894, in Woodstock Township in Schuyler County, the daughter of William and Estella Ridings Shupe. She married Charles S. Woodworth in 1912 in Macomb. He died in 1967. Also preceding her in death were a daughter, Frances Spangler; two sisters; a half sister; and a half brother.
Mrs. Woodworth was formerly employed by Globe-American Manufacturing Co. in Macomb. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Macomb.
Surviving are a son, Charles of Springfield; two grandchildren; and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Chandler of Augusta, Mrs. Lois Strader of Prairie City, and Mrs. Irene McCall of Venice, Fla.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sargent-Worthington Funeral Home, Macomb, with the Rev. Gerald Seabaugh officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Macomb.
Note: She is the daughter of William Jefferson Davis and Estella Ridings, who's 2nd marriage was to William Shupe.

Obituary of Stuart I. Wooddell
Canton Daily Ledger, Monday, Nov. 22, 1926
Stuart I. Wooddell, 71, Died of Heart Trouble
Stuart I. Wooddell, 71 years of age died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Phillip Burgert, this morning at 1:20 o'clock following an illness of two weeks of heart trouble.
He has been in Canton only a few months with his daughter, having lived previous to that time with other children.
Stuart I. Wooddell was born in Staunton, VA, on Dec. 28, 1855, a son of William Wooddell.
He was married to Emma Swearingen and to this union ten children were born eight of whom survive. They are Elgin Bruce Wooddell of Putman township, Marvin and Paul of St. Louis, Mo., and Mrs. Phillip Burgert, Mrs. Cecil Shryock, Byron, Hugh and Frances of Canton. One daughter, Mrs. Letha Mills died in 1925 and another daughter, Lois died in childhood,
John Wooddell of Pekin and Clark Wooddell of Milwaukee are brothers and Mrs. Sam Jones of Adair, Mrs. R. G. Harris of Cuba and Mrs. W. D. Clark of Putman township are sisters.
Funeral arrangements have not been made. The casket will be opened at the home at 303 North Seventh avenue, until the funeral hour.
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Submitted by Judi Gilker

Obituary of Dorothy L. Carroll Hollenback Powell Witherall
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, September 25, 2002, Page: 42
Dorothy L. Witherall
Springfield - Dorothy L. Witherall, 86, of Springfield died Monday, Sept. 23, 2002, at St. John's Hospital.
She was born Sept. 23, 1916, in Ray, the daughter of Walter Raymond and Nellie Romero Carroll.
She was preceded in death by five children, Frank Hollenback, Donald Powell, Carol Shockley, Theodore Powell and Mary Ellen Norman.
Mrs. Witherall was a homemaker.
Survivors: two sons, Lewis E. (wife, Carol) Carroll of Branson, Mo., and Francis Eugene "Bud" Hollenback of Bradford, Ark.; one daughter, Janette McKenrick of Oklahoma; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Remains were cremated, and services will be held at a later date.
Kirlin-Egan and Butler is in charge of arrangements.

Obituary of Isaac L. Winner
Rushville Times, July 13, 2005
Isaac Winner
Isaac L. Winner, 87, of Peoria, died Friday, July 1, 2005, at Methodist Medical Center.
He was born Oct. 7, 1917, in Rushville to Nathan and Pearl Moore Winner. He married Mary Callahan on Dec. 1 1956, in Peoria. She died August 14, 1997, in Peoria.
He also was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.
Survivors include one daughter, Sharon (husband Dan) Cornia of California; one sister, Anna Volf of East Peoria; three grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
He was a World War II Army veteran.
He had worked on a dairy farm in Macomb. He last worked as a technician at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, retiring in 1981.
Services were Wednesday, July 6, at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel. The Rev. Bob Hobdy officiated. Burial was in Parkview Cemetery.

Obituary of Vern Wilson
Peoria Journal Star, February 19, 1999, Page: B5
Vern Wilson
Astoria - Vern Wilson, 81, of Astoria died at 6:54 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, at Graham Hospital in Canton.
Born Feb. 18, 1917, in Canton to Henry J. and Nancy Estella Lingenfelter Wilson, he married Ada L. Leezer on Nov. 22, 1939, in Palmyra, Mo. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Glenn (Donna) Gearing of Macomb and Mrs. Dale (Beverly) Richardson of Bartonville; two sisters, Dortha Carson of Farmington and Mrs. Albert (Bertha) McKinley of Lewistown; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
One brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
During World War II, he helped build Camp Ellis. He then was a grinder for four years at International Harvester in Canton and later at Ken-Ray Foundry in Vermont.
In 1954, he founded Wilson's Lumber Mill in rural Astoria. He and his wife owned Bunny Hop Rabbitry, which provided rabbits to the Fulton County Fair for eight years.
He was superintendent of Astoria Landfill for four years.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Wood-Roby Funeral Chapel, Rushville. The Rev. Greg Parker will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the chapel. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Astoria.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Astoria Fire and Rescue.

Obituary for Lloyd "Jim" S. Wilson
Eagle Publications, March 14, 2003
Lloyd S. "Jim" Wilson
Lloyd S. "Jim" Wilson, 83, Rushville, formally of Industry, died at 12:15 a.m. Sunday, March 2, 2003 at McDonough District Hospital, Macomb.
He was born April 3, 1919, in Emmet Township, McDonough County, the son of Ralph E. and Eva Sticklen Wilson. He married Betty June Zettle March 1, 1941, in Kahoka, Mo. She survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Joyce L. Davis, Burlington, Iowa, Linda Zaske, Casa Granda, Ariz., Mary Humphries, Shreveport, La.; 8 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Betty Smith, Banaque, Tenn., Virginia Lester, Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Mary Anna Thompson, Macomb.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; one sister; and one grandson, Scott Edward Davis.
He lived all of his married life in the Industry area before moving to Rushville. He was a charter member of the Industry Kiwanis, a 50 year member of Masonic Lodge and was currently a member of the Rushville Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the McDonough County farm Bureau, and served on the board for many years, was a member of Quincy Consistory, Mohammed Temple Shrine in Peoria and the Industry United Methodist Church. He was a farmer all of his life.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home, Macomb, with Marshall Litchfield officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Macomb. Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at the funeral home until time of services. There will be no family visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Crippled Children Hospital or the Doddsville Methodist Church.

Obituary of Gladys Marie Ward Wilmot
Peoria Journal Star, January 28, 1998, Page: D7
Gladys Wilmot
Rushville - Gladys M. Wilmot, 100, of Rushville died at 12:55 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 1998, at Snyder's Vaughn-Haven nursing home.
Born Jan. 18, 1898, in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, to Ezra A. and Ada Gragg Ward, she married Chester Wilmot on June 17, 1939, in New London, Mo. He died Oct. 19, 1961.
She also was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.
Surviving are one niece, Maxine Kelly of Rushville, and one nephew, Stanley Ward of LaPrairie.
She was a member of the Schuyler Senior Center and the Surgical Dressing Committee of Culbertson Memorial Hospital.
She was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and attended Ebenezer United Methodist Church near Rushville.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Rushville City Cemetery. The Rev. Robert Belew will officiate. Friends may call after 1 p.m. today at Worthington Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Schuyler Senior Center.

Obituary of Peggy L. McCance Williamson
Eagle Publications, January 14, 1999
Peggy L. Williamson
Peggy L. Williamson, 69, Bushnell, passed away at 11:25 a.m. Friday, January 8, 1999, in the emergency room at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb.
Born November 7, 1929, in Swan Creek to Claude M. and Grace J. Scott McCance, she married H. Robert Williamson on September 24, 1949, in Bushnell. He survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Rodney of Avon and Robert of Bremerton, WA; one daughter, Rhonda Edmonson of London Mills; three brothers, Glenn McCance, Eugene McCance and Gaylord McCance, all of Bushnell; three sisters, Josephine Sorrells, Nola Avery and Theda Trout, all of Bushnell; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Three brothers and three sisters preceded her in death.
She was a member of TOPS.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Martin-Hollis Funeral Home with the Rev. L.G. Glenn officiating. Burial was in Bushnell Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Bushnell-Prairie City School Foundation.

Obituary of Richard E. Williams
Peoria Journal Star, July 29, 1999, Page: B4
Richard Williams
Bader - Richard E. Williams, 44, of 31789 State Highway Y, Excello, Mo., husband of a former Bader resident, died at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, 1999, at Boone County Hospital in Columbia, Mo.
Born May 20, 1955, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Richard Sr. and Frances Williams, he married Terri Ann Bader on July 23, 1977, in Bloomfield, Iowa. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Joshua of Macon, Mo.; one daughter, Megan Williams at home; his mother, Frances Burow of Des Moines; two sisters, Chris Williams of the state of Minnesota and Mary Williams of Des Moines; and two brothers, Steve and Bill, both of Des Moines.
He was preceded in death by his father and one daughter, Kelly Ann Williams.
He was an Army veteran.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Bader Christian Church, where visitation will be one hour before services. The Rev. James Shirley will officiate. Burial will be in Bader Cemetery, with military rites accorded by Astoria American Legion Post 25.

Obituary of Ada M. Bates Willard
died: July 24, 1987
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, July 25, 1987, Page: 25
Ada M. Willard
Browning - Ada M. Willard, 84, of Browning died at 7:56 a.m. Friday at McDonough District Hospital.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Worthington Funeral Home, Rushville, with burial in Browning Cemetery.
Surviving are one son, Russell L. Willard of Elmhurst; one granddaughter; one brother, Charles Bates Jr. of Roseville; and two sisters, Bula Spillers of Browning and Delores Leezer of Monmouth.

Obituary of Norine L. Mendenhall Collins Wilcoxen
Eagle Publications, May 5, 2006
Norine L. Wilcoxen
Norine L. Wilcoxen, 87, Rushville, formerly of Canton, died at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at Snyder's Vaughn-Haven Nursing Home, Rushville.
She was born May 1, 1919, in Macomb, the daughte rof the late Charles and Lela (Bucy) Mendenhall.
She first married Paul Collins on Sept. 30, 1937. He preceded her in death Nov. 4, 1969.
She later married Ottis Wilcoxen July 1, 1970. He preceded her in death May 8, 1993.
She is survived by one son Richard Lee (Pauline) Collins, Frederick; one daughter, Kathleen (Kenny) Libby Streator; two step sons, Richard (Pauline) Wilcoxen, Canton, and Clifford Wilcoxen, Costa Rica; four step daughters, Thelma (George) Harn, and Irene (Bob) Harn, all of Lewistown, Shelby (Bob) Beck and Ruth (Larry) Pierson, all of Havana; 11 grandchildren; 27 step grandchildren; several great and step greatgrandchildren.
In addition to her husbands and her parents, she was preceded by a son Harold Eugene Collins.
She and her husband Paul farmed until 1969. She was also a nurse's aide at Hills Nursing Home in Rushville and a nursing home in Beardstown. She attended the Littleton United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2006, at the Wood Funeral Home, Rushville, with the Rev. Dixie Croxton officiating. Burial will follow in the Beardstown City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2006, at the Wood Funeral Home, Rushville.
Memorials may be given to the Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family online at woodfh@frontiernet.net.

Obituary of Helen L. Leezer Wilcoxen
Peoria Journal Star, May 29, 2005, Page: B7
Helen Wilcoxen
Cuba - Helen L. Wilcoxen, 81, of Clayberg Nursing Home, formerly of Canton, died there at 5:55 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2005.
Born Nov. 19, 1923, in Fredrick to Wallace S. and Ester V. Green Leezer, she married Charles L. Wilcoxen on Jan. 12, 1942, in Palmyra, Mo. He died Dec. 22, 2003.
She also was preceded in death by one brother, one sister, and one granddaughter.
Surviving are one son, Terry (and Karen) of London Mills; one daughter, Linda Cash of Canton; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Rollin Leezer of Lewistown and Richard Leezer of Cuba; and two sisters, Ada Wilson of Canton and Betty Strong of Rushville.
She was a member of Canton Rebekah Lodge Post 245 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Murphy-Sedgwick Memorial Home. The Rev. Gary Schmidt will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Rebekah rites at 5:45 p.m. Burial will be in Salem-Wilcoxen Cemetery in rural Bryant.
Memorials may be made to Clayberg Nursing Home.

Obituary of Charles Lee Wilcoxen
Eagle Publications, January 15, 2004
Charles L. Wilcoxen
Charles Lee Wilcoxen, 80, Canton, died at 2:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, in Graham Hospital.
He was born March 26, 1923, in Canton, the son of Thomas L. and Louella (Brown) Wilcoxen.
He married Helen L. Leezer Jan. 12, 1942, in Palmyra, Mo.
Surviving are his wife; one son, Terry Lee (Karen) Wilcoxen, London Mills; one daughter, Linda L. Cash, Canton; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one granddaughter.
An army veteran of World War II, he served as an engineer.
He worked as a coal miner, last working at Mid-State Mine. He also farmed and raced horses.
He was a member of Wiley Lutheran Church near Ellisville, American Legion Post 16, VFW Post 1984 and 40 & 8 Voiture 812.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, in Murphy-Sedgwick Memorial Home, with the Rev. Gary Schmidt officiating.
Burial with military honors were held in Salem-Wilcoxen Cemetery near Bryant.
Memorials may be made to his church.

Peoria Journal Star, December 24, 2003, Page: B5
Charles Wilcoxen
Canton - Charles Lee Wilcoxen, 80, of 1405 E. Elm, Apt. F1, died at 2:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, in the emergency room at Graham Hospital.
Born March 26, 1953, in Canton to Thomas L. and Louella Brown Wilcoxen, he married Helen L. Leezer on Jan. 12, 1942, in Palmyra, Mo. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Terry (and Karen) of London Mills; one daughter, Linda Cash of Canton; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister and one granddaughter.
He was a coal miner, last working at Mid-State Mine. He also was a farmer and raced horses.
He was a World War II Army veteran, serving as an engineer. He was a member of American Legion Post 16, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1984 and 40 et 8, Voiture 812.
He also was a member of Wiley Lutheran Church in rural Ellisville.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Murphy-Sedgwick Memorial Home, where visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. The Rev. Gary Schmidt will officiate. Burial will be in Salem-Wilcoxen Cemetery in rural Bryant, where military rites will be accorded.
Memorials may be made to his church.

Obituary of Richard Whited
Peoria Journal Star, September 1, 1991, Page: D6
Richard Whited
Richard Whited, 76, 3705 Chalmers, Bartonville, died at 11:25 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 1991, at Proctor Community Hospital in Peoria.
Born Dec. 22, 1914, in Schuyler County to Johnston and Luttie Carter Whited, he married Vada M. Billingsley on Oct. 14, 1939, in Palmyra, Mo. She survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Richard (Pamela) Booth Sr. of Camden; one son, Daniel L. Sr. of Peoria; two sisters, Minnie Bryant and Oliva Allen, both of Rushville; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, five sisters and four grandchildren.
He worked for 30 years as a machine operator at Caterpillar Inc. before retiring on Feb. 1, 1976. A World War II Army veteran, he was awarded the Purple Heart and a Good Conduct Medal, and was a member of Bartonville American Legion Post 979 and Peoria Disabled American Veterans Post 1. He also was a member of the Bartonville Methodist Church.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Endsley & Son Funeral Home, 1202 W. Garfield, Bartonville, the Rev. John Younker officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Peoria, where military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 979 and Disabled American Veterans Post 1. Memorials may be made to his church.

Obituary of Norman Lee White
Peoria Journal Star, April 16, 2002, Page: B04
Norman White
ASTORIA - Norman Lee White, 62, of 108 E. State died at 12:40 p.m. Sunday, April 14, 2002, at his home.
Born Feb. 25, 1940, in Pleasant Township, Fulton County, to William V. and Eva Derry White, he married Bonnie Welker on July 5, 1958, in Astoria. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Cam (Jacki) Renaud of Newburgh, Ind., and Mrs. Neal (Angie) Briney of Astoria; one son, Ryan (and Tina) of Astoria; six grandsons; one great-granddaughter; and two brothers, William (and Rosemary) of Beardstown and Eugene (and Betty) of Carson City, Nev.
He was preceded in death by one brother.
He worked for AMAX Coal Co. for 16 years and was club manager at Astoria American Legion Post 25.
He was a member of Astoria United Methodist Church.
There will be no services or visitation. Cremation has been accorded, and burial of ashes will be at a later date. Arrangements are by Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria.
Memorials may be made to Astoria American Legion Post 25.

Obituary of Esther "Lib Elizabeth" Elizabeth White
Peoria Journal Star, November 7, 1999, Page: B5
Elizabeth White
BEARDSTOWN - Elizabeth E. White, 91, of 214 1/2 West Fourth St. died early Saturday morning, Nov. 6, 1999, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
She was born Oct. 21, 1908, in Beardstown to Mark and Della Robertson White.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Genevieve White, Ione Rohn and Norma Bates; and two brothers, Joel and Carlyle White.
Surviving are one brother, Berlyn (Lois) White of Beardstown; and several nieces and nephews.
She graduated from Beardstown High School in 1927. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Beardstown.
She worked at Central Illinois Public Service in Springfield for several years. She then served for 27 years as the admission/payroll clerk for Schmidt Memorial Hospital until her retirement when the hospital closed.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Sager Funeral Home. The Rev. Sue Bailey will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Beardstown City Cemetery.
Memorials will be made to the "Good Samaritan Fund" at her church or the American Heart Association.

Obituary of Berlyn "Berl" Hugh White
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, November 21, 2002, Page: 18
Berlyn H. White
BEARDSTOWN - Berlyn H. White, 89, of Beardstown, died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, at Heritage Manor South in Beardstown.
He was born Sept. 20, 1913, in Beardstown, the son of Mark and Della Robertson White. He married Lois Treadway in 1943 in Spokane, Wash.
Mr. White was a 1934 graduate of Beardstown High School. He retired from the Beardstown Post Office, where he served as a letter carrier for 34 years. After retirement he was employed at Huss' Men's Wear in Beardstown for several years. He also worked as an apprentice pharmacist at Doyle's Rexall Drug Store in Beardstown and was employed at Long's Pharmacy in Jacksonville and Montgomery Ward in Beardstown. Mr. White was a member of First United Methodist Church in Beardstown and the United Methodist Men within the church. He also was a member of the Beardstown American Legion and an Army Air Force veteran, serving in the medical corps in Spokane during World War II.
Survivors: wife, Lois; a daughter, Jill (husband John) Moore of Champaign; and a granddaughter.
Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday, First United Methodist Church, Beardstown, the Rev. Sue Bailey officiating. Burial: Beardstown City Cemetery.
Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements.

Obituary of Minnie Rosetta Skiles Serff Wherley
Astoria August - In ink May 30, 1973
Astoria's Oldest Citizen Dies
Mrs. Minnie R. Wherley, 102, lifetime Astoria resident, died at 7.30 Wednesday evening at the Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
Funeral services will be Friday at 2 p.m. in the Shawgo Memorial Home at Astoria.
D. Arnold Naff will officiate and burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at Shawgo Memorial Home.
A complete obituary will be printed next week.

Astoria Argus, June 7, 1973, Front Page
Minnie Wherley; Dies At Age 102
Minnie R. Wherley, 102 lifelong resident of Astoria, died at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening May 30, 1973 at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
She was born Feb. 24, 1871 at Bader, a daughter of William and Margaret Pearce Skiles.
In 1888 {March 3, 1889} she was married to John Serff. They had two daughters. Jenny, who died in infancy, and Mary Serff Prather who died in 1921. She was preceeded in death by three step-children and Mr. Serff who died in 1916.
In 1929 she was married to Conrad {S.} Wherley. He died in 1947 {January 20, 1948}.
She is survived by two granddaughters, Mrs. Wanda Gale of Astoria and Mrs. Charlotte Jochems of Grand Rapids, Mich., 4 great grandchildren, 9 great great grandchildren, one half sister, Mrs. Fan Venters of Beardstown, two stepsons, Earl Wherley of Lewistown and Clarence Wherley of Canton, nieces and nephews; and several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.
She was preceeded in death by four brothers and two sisters.
Mrs. Wherley was an active church member all her life.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon at Shawgo Memorial Home with Rev. Arnold Neff officating. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Note: { } info was added by Sara Hemp

Obituary for Lorraine Daniels Wheeler
Eagle Publications, April 5, 2005
Lorraine Wheeler
Lorraine Wheeler, 74 years, of Jacksonville, IL died Saturday morning, April 2, 2005 at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville.
She was born April 15, 1930 in Macomb, IL; the daughter of Joseph and Myrtle Mae Womack Daniels. She married James Clinton Wheeler on October 9, 1949 in Jacksonville, IL and he preceded in death on November 28, 1970.
She is survived by two brothers, Joe Daniels Jr. of Macomb and Franklin D. Daniels (wife, Judy) of Victorville, CA; two sisters, Hazel D. Robinson (husband, Paul) of Jacksonville and Barbara J. Wilson (husband, Tom) of Seands Ferry, NC; numerous nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews; and an adoptive daughter, Suzzan Neves of Jacksonville.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Leroy, Leslie, and Donald Daniels; and a sister, Geraldine Daniels.
Mrs. Wheeler was employed at J. Capps and Sons, the Wells Center, and CaterVend for many years prior to her retirement. She was a member of the Amvets Post 100 Auxiliary.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM Thursday at the Gillham-Buchanan Funeral Home in Jacksonville with burial in Jacksonville East Cemetery. The family will meet friends at the funeral home from 12:30 PM Thursday until the time of services.
Memorial gifts are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com .

Obituary of Leona Brooks Westlake
Peoria Journal Star, June 16, 2001, Page: B05
Leona Westlake
Macomb - Leona Brooks Westlake, 98, of The Elms died there at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2001.
Born Oct. 27, 1902, in Industry to George and Margaret Roudebush Brooks, she married Eugene Westlake on June 3, 1923. He died Dec. 10, 1957.
She also was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.
Surviving are one niece, Mary Peterson of Bettendorf, Iowa; and one nephew, Skip Bainter of Macomb.
A graduate of Western Illinois Teachers College, she taught school for several years.
She moved to Macomb in 1962 and was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery in Davenport. The Rev. Lori Harvey will officiate. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb.
Memorials may be made to The Elms.

Obituary of Dale B. Westlake
Peoria Journal Star, April 24, 1993, Page: C9
Dale Westlake
Astoria - Dale B. Westlake, 48, of 510 N. Penn St. died at 8:40 a.m. Friday, April 23, 1993, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
Born Oct. 10, 1944, in Peoria to Glenn and Genivie Worthington Westlake, he married Darlene Lawver on Nov. 8, 1968, in Bader. She survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Troy and Jeffrey, both of Astoria, and Derik, at home; his parents of Browning; two grandchildren; five brothers, Glenn of Astoria, Ronald, Gary and Larry, all of Browning, and Marvin of Mount Carmel; and three sisters, Linda Gale of Astoria, Julia Rayburn of Morton and Tami Clements of Browning. He was preceded in death by an infant sister.
He was owner and operator of Westlake Garage in Astoria for 25 years and worked at Spoon River Blacktop for six years. He was a Vietnam War Army veteran.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. The Rev. James Shirley will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the memorial home. Burial will be in Browning Cemetery, where full military rites will be accorded.

Obituary of Paul Lee Wenger
Peoria Journal Star, November 30, 1991
Paul Wenger
Rushville - Paul Lee Wenger, 49, of Rushville died at 5:42 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28, 1991, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
Born Oct. 13, 1942, in Brown County to Ezra and Edna Ferrell Wenger, he married Betty Bedenbender on July 2, 1961, in Rushville.
She survives, along with two sons, Kenneth and Dean, both of Rushville; one brother, Dale of Rusville; one sister, Mrs. Lyle (Joan) Ganther of Princeton; two granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
A Schuyler County farmer, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America Alumni and the National Farmers Organization.
He attended the Free Methodist Church in Rushville.
Services will be at the Rushville church, with Revs. Robert Goldsboro and J. Robert Kirkham officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Roby Funeral Chapel in Rushville. Burial will be in Palm Cemetery, Rushville.
Memorials may be made to the Rushville church or to Culbertson Memorial Hospital.

Obituary of Mrs. Martha Wells
found in a scrapbook, Astoria Argus Album written in inside cover
pobrably Sterling, Kansas
Long-time resident of Sterling, dies
Mrs. Martha Wells of Sterling, 78, died Saturday afternoon at the Sterling community hospital, following a long illness. Born November 3, 1888, in Ontario, Canada, she came to Sterling in 1892. She lived in Windfield and Salina before moving back to Sterling. She was married to Virgil G. Wells, October, 4, 1911 in Sterling.
She was a member of the Sterling Methodist church the Sterling PEO and the Eastern Star.
Survivors include the widower of the home; one daughter Mrs. S. A. Edgar of Auburn, Alabama and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow in the Porter and Sillin Funeral home in Sterling with Rev. Phil Chastain officiating. Burial will be in the Raymond cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home until services time tomorrow.
Note: other obits on the same scrapbook page are dated 1959-1975 - all obits from the Astoria Argus.

Obituary of Thomas Lee Wedeking
Peoria Journal Star, August 6, 1991, Page: D6
Thomas Wedeking
Browning - Thomas Lee Wedeking, 35, of Fort Madison, Iowa, formerly of Browning was pronounced dead at 1:40 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, 1991, at Fox Valley Lake in Clark County, Mo.
He drowned while fishing alone in a boat at the lake, just north of Kahoka, Mo.
He was born Nov. 22, 1955, in Beardstown to Harold Lee and Thelma Waneta McFetridge Wedeking.
He is survived by his father and stepmother, Harold Lee and Dortha Wedeking of Rushville; one son, Phillip Lee of Fort Madison; one daughter, Sarah Ann Wedeking of Fort Madison; one sister, Mrs. Roger (Patricia) Stone of Browning; three stepsisters, Mrs. Mike (Paula) McCage of Troy, Tenn., Mrs. Steve (Sharon) Battles of Santa Fe, N.M., and Tammy Martin of Tulsa, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother.
He graduated from Rushville High School in 1973 and from Morrison Institute of Technology in Morrison. He worked as an engineer at Amana Refrigeration in Amana, Iowa. For the past nine years he was a tool engineer at Sheaffer Pen Co. of Fort Madison.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Roby Funeral Chapel in Rushville, with Collis Trone officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at Browning Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to his children's trust fund, yet to be established.

Obituary of Hiram Waugh
Rushville Times, March 22 1906
Hiram Waugh was born in Indiana, Oct 14, 1837, and died at his home in Buena Vista township, March 17, 1906; aged 68 years, 5 months and 3 days. He was one of a family of ten children, six boys and four girls, of which three sisters and one brother survive him. In the year 1844 he removed to Schuyler county, Illinois, and has since then made his home in this county. He was united in marriage with Amanda Tyson in Oct 1871, and to this union were born six children, all of whom survive with the wife to mourn the loss of a kind and loving husband and father. The children are: James, Charles, Mrs. Charles Phillips of Warsaw, Louis, Mrs. J. L. Tomlinson and Mrs. Frank Young.
At the time of the Civil War, Mr. Waugh enlisted and served his country faithfully for three years and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Funeral services were held at the family residence March 19, conducted by Rev. M. V. Hill, and the remains interred in the Ebenezer (south) cemetery. Although the day was unusually stormy the house was filled with sympathizing friends and neighbors who met to pay their last respects to one they loved and respected.

Obituary of Verna "Tootie" L Gilson Ward
Peoria Journal Star, January 1, 1992, Page: D6
Verna Ward
Verna L. "Tootie" Ward, 73, of 2613 N. Missouri died at 6:32 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1991, at Proctor Community Hospital.
Born Dec. 16, 1918, in Astoria to Fenton D. and Edna M. Beadles Gilson, she married Howard W. Ward on July 3, 1936, in Rushville. He died Jan. 23, 1988, in Peoria.
Two brothers and two sisters also preceded her in death.
Surviving are two brothers, Gerald Gilson of Galesburg and Jerry Gilson of Bader; and two sisters, Mrs. Hayden (Betty) Sundberg of Galesburg and Mrs. Robert (Jacquelin) Toland of Knoxville.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Wilton Mortuary, the Rev. James M. Sandy officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the services at the mortuary. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Obituary for Margaret Lorena Cooper Ward
Eagle Publications, October 20, 2005
Margaret Lorena (Cooper) Ward
Margaret Lorena (Cooper) Ward, a resident of Friendship Village, Tempe, Ariz., formerly of Rushville and Canton, died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005.
She was born July 2, 1915, in Brown County, the daughter of John Wesley and Myrtle (O’Neal) Cooper. She married Lyle Kenneth Ward Nov. 16, 1935, in Fairfield, Iowa. He survives.
She is also survived by one daughter, Janice E. (Ron) Dudas, Sun Lakes, Ariz.; two sons, Kenneth (Barbara) Ward, Cape Coral, Fla., and David (Nancy) Ward, Peoria; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one neice, Helen Jones, Dixon; and two nephews, Francis Burnett, Oregon, and Lozelle Burnett, Mt. Sterling.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Cooper; and two sisters, Mary Burnett and Edna Powers.
She was an honor graduate of Rushville High school, received an associate degree at Western Illinois State Teachers College and graduated with honors from Illinois State University.
She was an elementary teacher. She taught in Brown, Schuyler and Fulton counties. She taught for almost 30 years, the last 19 years at Canton District 66 as a teacher and unit district elementary librarian.
She was always active in church work as a member of the Ripley Church of God and a 50-year member of the Disciples of Christ Church in Canton, Downers Grove, and Tempe, Ariz.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, at the Wood Funeral Home, Rushville, with the Rev. Gene Danner officiating.
Internment will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family online at woodfh@frontiernet.net.

Obituary of Kathryn "Kate" L. Loring Ward
Peoria Journal Star, May 3, 1994, Page: D5
Kate Ward
Rushville - Kate L. Ward, 79, of Rushville died at 2:11 a.m. Monday, May 2, 1994, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital.
Born March 17, 1915, in Frederick to John and Katie Bell Herron Loring, she married Harold Ward on Oct. 20, 1938, in Peoria. He died Dec. 22, 1966.
One daughter, Harriet L. Ward, three brothers, two sisters and one grandson also preceded her in death.
Surviving are four sons, Gary, Jerry and Tim, all of Rushville, and Jim of Beardstown; two daughters, Mrs. Wayne (Marilyn) Thomas and Mrs. Bob (Judy) Greer, both of Rushville; one sister, Edna Smedley of Rushville; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was a clerk at Ford's Grocery and later was a nurse's aide at Hill's Nursing Home.
She was a member of Pleasant View Methodist Church.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wood-Roby Funeral Chapel. Carl Wiggins will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the chapel. Burial will be in Rushville City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Cass-Schuyler Home Health Care.

Obituary of Herman Harold Ward
Peoria Journal Star, October 2, 1994, Page: C17
Herman Ward
Rushville - Herman Ward, 91, of Rushville died at 12:40 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 1994, at Snyder's Vaughn- Haven Nursing Home.
Born Aug. 2, 1903, in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, to Ezra A. and Ada Gragg Ward, he married Helen Thompson on Oct. 7, 1925, in Rushville. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Stanley of LaPrairie; two sisters, Olive Drawve of Beardstown and Gladys Wilmot of Rushville; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
One son, Burdette, two brothers, one sister and one granddaughter preceded him in death.
He was a lifelong farmer in Schuyler County, retiring in 1972. He was a member of First Christian Church Disciples of Christ.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Worthington Funeral Home. The Rev. Robert Belew will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rushville City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to his church or Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.

Obituary of Burdette Reich Ward
Peoria Journal Star, December 24, 1991, Page: D7
Burdette Ward
Rushville - Burdette Ward, 63, of rural Rushville died at 1:12 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 1991, at his residence.
Born March 19, 1928, in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, to Herman and Helen Thompson Ward, he married Betty J. Fey on Feb. 26, 1949, in Rushville. She survives.
Also surviving are his parents of Rushville; one son, Steven of Macomb; three daughters, Marsha Lashbrook and Teresa Gossage, both of Rushville, and Becky Harrison of Houston, Texas; one brother, Stanley of LaPrairie; and nine grandchildren.
He farmed until retiring in 1987. A Korean War Army veteran, he was a member of Schuyler American Legion Post 4. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville, with the Rev. Wayne Bonser officiating. Calling hours will begin at noon Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Palm Cemetery near Rushville.
Memorials may be made to the Cass-Schuyler Home Health Care Program.

Obituary of William ''Chuck'' Charles Walton
Peoria Journal Star, August 19, 2003, Page: B04
William Walton
Cuba - Services for William Charles ''Chuck'' Walton, 27, of 922 E. Jackson St. will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cuba Church of the Nazarene. The Rev. Clifford Larrabee will officiate. There will be no visitation. Cremation has been accorded.
He was pronounced dead at 10:42 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, in Canton.
He was born Feb. 10, 1976, in Canton to Marion and Lydia Scalf Walton.
Surviving are his father of Ina; his mother, Lydia Glasgow of Cuba; one son, Jeremiah ''Tiler'' of Minonk; one brother, Franklin Glasgow Jr. of Cuba; and six sisters, Lois Glasgow and Sarah Glasgow, both of Cuba, Shelly Shannon of Abingdon, May Ann Glasgow and Frances Glasgow, both of Terre Haute, Ind., and Laura Glasgow of Cuba.
He worked in construction.
He was of the Protestant faith.
Memorials may be made to his family in care of Mid America National Bank in Cuba.

Obituary of Marion G. Walton
Peoria Journal Star, December 1, 1994, Page: D6
Marion Walton
Pekin - Marion G. Walton, 63, of 11126 Illinois Route 29 died at 4:53 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1994, at Pekin Hospital emergency room.
Born March 26, 1931, in Schuyler County to Albert T. and Laura E. Eagle Walton, he married Maxine R. Miller on Oct. 8, 1954, in Virginia, Ill. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Brian G., and one daughter, Karen F. Walton, both of Pekin; one brother, Albert P. of Peoria; five sisters, Pauline F. Dehn of Bath, Mrs. William (Helen) Roudebush of Canton, Mrs. Robert (Ethel) Anderson of Beardstown, Mrs. Wayne (Anna) Lowe of Virginia, Ill., and Mrs. Kenneth (Betty) Browning of Perry; and two grandchildren. One brother and one sister preceded him in death.
He was a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War. He was member of Illinois Masonic Lodge 263, AF&AM, in Peoria for 38 years.
He worked at Caterpillar Inc. for 37 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Peoria.
A Masonic service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, with a memorial service immediatly following. The Rev. Dr. R. David Goodell will officiate. There wil be no visitation. Cremation will be accorded.

Obituary of Joseph Daniel Walton
Peoria Journal Star, June 6, 2004, Page: B6
Joseph Walton
Canton - Joseph D. Walton, 83, of Canton died at 6:45 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2004, at Graham Hospital.
Born Jan. 18, 1921, in Browning to George and Ada Busby Walton, he married Thelma Bolen on September 1939 in Canton.
He later married Gloria J. Jackway. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Eddie (and Donna) of Canton and Ramsey (and Michelle) of Lewistown; one daughter, Deava Walton of Canton; five stepchildren; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
A World War II Army veteran, he served in Europe with the Army Company 107 Tank Division.
He was a bricklayer from 1943 to 1971. He then worked as a truck driver and excavator in the Fulton County area until retiring in 1986.
Cremation has been accorded. Burial of ashes will be at noon Wednesday at Orendorff Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded. Schmidt-Haller Burial and Cremation Service in East Peoria is in charge of arrangements.

Obituary of John George Walton
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, April 8, 1988, Page: 13
John G. Walton
VIRGINIA - John George Walton, 75, of rural Comstock, Wis., formerly of Cass County, died Sunday in Eau Claire, Wis.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home, Virginia. Burial will be in Walnut Ridge Cemetery.
Surviving are his wife, Ruth M.; two sons, Steve of Higbee, Mo., and David of Turtle Lake, Wis.; four daughters, Barbara Davis of Leesburg, Fla., Kathleen Fruit of Des Moines, Iowa, Christine Broten of Dallas, Wis., and Wendy Moritz of Lynchburg, Va.; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one brother, Russell of Springfield.

Obituary of John B. Walton
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, December 1, 1990, Page: 26
John B. Walton
John B. Walton, 91, of Petersburg, formerly of Virginia and Ashland, died at 4 a.m. Friday at Menard Convalescent Center in Petersburg.
He was born Nov. 12, 1899, in Cass County, the son of Frank and Emma Needham Walton. He married Mae Freel in 1918 in Ashland, and she preceded him in death in 1942. Also preceding him in death were two daughters, Margaret Walton and Mary Jane Potter; five brothers and two sisters.
Surviving are one son, Eugene of Springfield; one daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth "Libby" Jones of Ashland; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home, Ashland. Interment will be in Walnut Ridge Cemetery, Virginia.

Obituary of Francis Franklin Walton
Peoria Journal Star, October 22, 1997, Page: D6
Francis Walton
Browning - Francis F. Walton, 87, of Route 1 died at 6:28 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, 1997, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
Born Dec. 5, 1909, in Browning Township in Schuyler County to Raymond and Carrie Alena Geer Walton, he married Lavina Waters on Dec. 17, 1930, in Rushville. She survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Dianne Hutton of Naples, Ill.; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother.
A farmer, he retired in 1971. He was a member of the Illinois Valley Amateur Radio Club and a 73-year member of the American Amateur Radio Relay League.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Browning, where services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday. The Rev. Joe Tomich will officiate. Friends may call after 3 p.m. today at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, where the family will meet with friends from 6 to 9 tonight. Burial will be in Bader Cemetery in Bader.
Memorials may be made to the Schuyler County Jail Museum in Rushville or his church.

Obituary of Dorothy Faye Geer Walton
died: March 27, 1993
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, March 29, 1993, Page: 7
Dorothy F. Walton
BROWNING - Dorothy F. Walton, 87, of Browning died Saturday at her residence.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Central Christian Church in Browning, with burial in Browning Cemetery.
Cline Funeral Home, Beardstown, is in charge of arrangements.
Surviving are a brother, Robert H. Geer of Quincy; a sister, Marcella Brodman of Virginia; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Note: She was born June 03, 1905, the daughter of Arthur "Hiram" Hiram Geer and Ada Bertha Kloker and married Lawrence A. Walton, son of John Morris Walton and Phoebe Ellen Miller.

Obituary of Albert N. Walton
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, February 3, 1994, Page: 16
Albert N. Walton
RUSHVILLE - Albert N. Walton, 74, of Rushville died at 2:56 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Medical Center.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville. Burial will be in Rushville City Cemetery.
Surviving are a son, Michael Walton of Catlin; a daughter, Mrs. Judy Nielsen of Eldridge, Iowa; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Ellen Campbell of Rushville and Goldie Johnson of Golden.

Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) - February 3, 1994, Page: C5
Albert Walton
RUSHVILLE - Albert N. Walton, 74, of 223 S. Jackson St. died at 2:56 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, 1994, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Born July 24, 1919, in Hillview to Ezra and Gertrude Breeden Walton, he married Marcella Bowman on Oct. 23, 1946, in Virginia, Ill. She died June 29, 1984. He also was preceded in death by one sister.
Surviving are one son, Michael of Catlin; one daughter, Judy Nielsen of Eldridge, Iowa; four grandchildren; two sisters, Ellen Campbell of Rushville and Goldie Johnson of Golden; and a friend, Lucille Clark of Delavan.
He was a farmer and worked for Jones Trucking in Beardstown for many years, retiring in 1985. He was a World War II Army veteran.
He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville. Collis Trone will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rushville City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Rushville Public Library.

Obituary of Agnes Ellen Leezer Walton
Peoria Journal Star, April 24, 1995, Page: D6
Agnes Walton
Rushville - Agnes Ellen Walton, 88, of Rushville died at 9:31 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 1995, at Snyder's Vaughn-Haven Nursing Home.
Born July 1, 1906, in Frederick to Charley and Hattie Icenogle Leezer, she married William Lewis Walton on March 21, 1925, in Rushville. He died Nov. 2, 1959.
One daughter, Hattie Baldry; three sisters; and four brothers also preceded her in death.
Surviving are one son, William Vern of Pea Ridge, Ark.; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was a nurse's aide and also worked at Bartlow Brothers in Rushville. She last worked as a clerk for the secretary of state's office in Springfield, retiring in 1971. She was a member of Church of Christ in Rushville.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wood-Roby Funeral Chapel. The Revs. Steve Rutter and Paul Morris will officiate. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Rushville City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church.

State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, April 24, 1995, Page: 20
Agnes E. Walton
RUSHVILLE - Agnes Ellen Walton, 88, of Rushville died Saturday at Snyder's Vaughn-Haven Nursing Home in Rushville.
Survivors: a son, William Vern Walton of Pea Ridge, Ark.; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild.
Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Wood-Roby Funeral Chapel, Rushville. Burial: Rushville City Cemetery.

Obituary for Robert W. Walters
Peoria Journal Star, January 26, 2003, Page: B07
Astoria civic leader Robert Walters dies
ASTORIA - Robert W. Walters, 78, of 601 N. Pearl St. died at 3:41 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003, at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.
Born Aug. 27, 1924, in Oakland Township, Schuyler County, to Lester and Fern Lybarger Walters, he married Barbara Wickert Parry on May 5, 1969, in Ipava. She survives.
Also surviving are one stepdaughter, Linda Shaw of Macomb; two stepsons, Dan (and Lisa) Parry and Jim Parry, both of Ipava; one stepbrother, Fred (and Dorothy) Riebling of Industry; two stepsisters, Mrs. Elvie (Shirley) Norris of Astoria and Joy Claassen of Washington; three granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one stepbrother.
He was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran and a 50-year member of Astoria American Legion Post 25 and Lewistown Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He started a Producer's Dairy route in Astoria in 1948.
He built Bob's Dairy Dipper restaurant in 1951, added the Astoria Laundry Mat next to it in 1959 and built Walters' apartment buildings in 1976.
He was one of the Astoria businessmen who helped build the Astoria Care Center, now know as Astoria Gardens.
He served on the Astoria Building and Loan Board, the Astoria Town Board and the Astoria Park Board for several years.
He also served on the Board of United Soft Serve and Fast Food Association for eight years.
He donated property for the first Habitat for Humanity house built in Astoria last year.
He was a member of the Master Mason Grand Lodge of Vermont Masonic Lodge 116, AF&AM, for more than 50 years; and the Illinios Valley Shriners ANSAR Temple for 47 years.
He was a member of the Macomb Elks Lodge. He also was a member of the Scripps Golf Course in Rushville and Alligator Club, both for more than 40 years.
He was a member of Astoria United Methodist Church in Astoria.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Shawgo Memorial Home. The Rev. Marian Stone will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the memorial home, where a Masonic Service will be accorded at 8 p.m. by his Masonic lodge. Burial will be in Ipava Cemetery in Ipava, where military rites will be accorded by his American Legion post.
Memorials may be made to Astoria Public Library or Astoria Fire and Rescue Squad.

Eagle Publications, January 28, 2003
Robert W. Walters
Robert W. Walters, 78, Astoria, died at 3:41 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2003, at Moffitt Cancer center, Tampa, Fl.
He was born Aug. 27, 2003 {this is the date published - it's wrong}, in Oakland Twp., Schuyler County, IL, the son of Lester and Fern (Lybarger) Walters. He married Barbara (Wickert) Parry May 5, 1969, in Ipava, IL. She survives.
He is survived by one step-daughter, Linda Shaw, Macomb; two step-sons, Dan (Lisa) Parry, Ipava and Jim Parry, Ipava; three granddaughters and 4 great-grandchildren; and two step-sisters, Elvie (Shirley) Norris, Astoria, Joy Claassen, Washington, IL.
He started a Producer's Dairy route in Astoria in 1948. He built Bob's Dairy Dipper restaurant, the Astoria Laundry Mat, and Walters' apartment buildings. He was also one of the businessmen that came together to build the Astoria Care Center, now known as Astoria Gardens.
He was a member of the Astoria United Methodist Church, Master Mason Grand Lodge of the vermont Masonic Lodge #116 AF & AM for over 50 years, the Illinois Valley Shriners ANSAR Temple for 47 years, the Macomb Elks Lodge, a 50 year member of the Astoria American Legion Post #25 and the Lewistown VFW, a member of the Scripps Golf Course in Rushville for over 40 years, he served on the Astoria Park Board for several years. He served for 8 years on the Board of United Soft Serve and Fast Food Association, and was a member of the Alligator Club for over 40 years. Last year he donated the property that became the first Habitat for Humanity house built in Astoria. He also belonged to the 8th Air Force serving in World War II.
Services were held Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at the Shawgo Memorial Home, Astoria, with the Rev. Marian stone officiating.
Memorials may be made out to the Astoria Public Library or the Astoria Fire and Rescue squad.

Obituary of Etta Jane Martin Hameloth Walters
died: July 12, 1986
State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, July 14, 1986, Page: 4
Etta J. Walters
Rushville - Etta Jane Walters, 59, of Rushville died at 11:45 p.m. Saturday at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Rushville Assembly of God Church. Burial will be in Camp Creek Cemetery, Schuyler County. Roby Funeral Chapel, Rushville, is in charge of arrangements.
Surviving are her husband, Howard A.; one son, David G. Hameloth of Chespeake, Va.; three daughters, Judy Kay Hameloth of Dhaska-Bangladash, Jane R. Hameloth and Sally Jo Lust, both of Redding, Pa.; one stepson, Homer Walters of Arnold, Md.; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandson; six brothers, Jerry Martin of Sunnymead, Calif., James Martin of Millersburg, Ind., Jack, Joe, Earl and John, all of Galesburg; one sister, Mrs. Julia Martin Leonard of Galesburg.
Note: Etta, b. October 10, 1926 is the daughter of William Flaude Earl Martin and Leah Deliah Unger. She 1st married Gordon Harry Hameloth, the father of her children.

Obituary of Dorothy "Margaret" Margaret Davis Walker
Peoria Journal Star, August 13, 1991, Page: D6
Margaret Walker
Rushville - Margaret Davis Walker, 72, of 507 W. Clinton died at 6:10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, 1991, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Born March 30, 1919, in Rushville to Dale E. and Blanche Bartlow Davis, she married Oscar E. "Heavy" Walker on Dec. 17, 1940. He died June 28, 1985. She also was preceded in death by her father and one infant son.
Surviving are her mother of Rushville; one son, Gordon "Mick" of Pekin; one daughter, Marna Walker of Springfield; two brothers, Harold E. and James T., both of Rushville; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was a member of First United Church of Rushville; National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution; Rushville Womens Federation; and Schuyler County Historical Society.
She was chairperson for Schuyler County Sesquicentennial in 1975, and for the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, where she received the governor's commendation.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at her church, the Rev. Jerry Watkins officiating. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Worthington Funeral Home, Rushville. Burial will be in Rushville City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Schuyler County Jail Museum.

Obituary of Henry "Kelly" Wagle
The Bootlegger's Funeral (excerpt)
On April 8, 1929, shortly after nine o'clock in the evening, in the quiet little town of Colchester, Illinois, a man named Henry Wagle, whom everyone called "Kelly," was shot dead on the street a few hundred feet from his front door. It was a gangland-style slaying, and his killer was never caught.
Wagle had expected it, had told everyone it was coming, but no one saw anything except his perforated body lying in a pool of blood on the sidewalk, illuminated by the dim glow of the streetlight, and a new Ford roadster heading out of town.
Wagle was a bootlegger. Alive, he had been the most notorious man in McDonough County. Dead, he was a communal memory that the people of Colchester (population 1,350) had to wrestle with.
Two days later they held his funeral.
The dusty old mining town was strangely quiet that Wednesday morning, poised in a kind of unnatural stillness that perhaps symbolized the future of the community. The small brick stores were closed along the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad tracks that divided the central business district into the North Side, or Depot Street, and the South Side, or Market Street. A very important resident, a man of consequence, was dead, and the town was showing its respect.
The schools were open, but most students did not attend on that day. They knew they didn't have to. The youngsters who did show up gathered in small groups at recess and talked about the bootlegger. He had been a fascinating figure to many of the - friendly and generous, exciting and mysterious.
In a certain sense the townspeople looked forward to the funeral. The killing had challenged their social consciousness, raising a host of uncomfortable questions about their community, so a great deal needed to be remembered, considered, and reconstructed.
When it was all over, the people of Colchester had another memory to keep, the last of their memories about the bootlegger, and they could only try to make a meaningful whole from a town-mind full of contradictory fragments. But notorious lawbreaking and renowned social commitment made a difficult mix, so the townspeople disagreed among themselves, and within themselves, about how they should finally regard him. As a writer for the Quincy Herald Whig soon remarked, "Wagle's own community isn't quite sure he is a hero."
On the next day, in an article entitled "1,000 Attend Henry Wagle Funeral," editor Harry Todd of the Colchester Independent, well aware of the community's psychological struggle, made a determined effort to suppress the dark reality of the dead man's career as he emphasized what many in town wanted to remember:
During his entire life Henry Wagle was known for his generosity and kind deeds. He was ever anxious and willing to lend whatever aid was at his command to acquaintances and strangers alike, and he always derived a great deal of pleasure from doing someone a kind deed. In time of sickness, no matter whether it was a contagious illness or not, Henry Wagle was the first to volunteer his services. If one or more cars were needed at a funeral, Henry Wagle always furnished them. If some person in the community found it necessary to make a hurried trip to some point, Henry Wagle always offered to drive, no matter how distant the destination. And he was never known to accept pay for any of his services. No bigger hearted man ever lived than Henry Wagle, and we are proud to class him, not as a pleasing acquaintance, but as a friend.
That was the newspaper's only comment. The killing and what had led to it were ignored. To Todd, the bootlegger had been a model of neighborly commitment and generosity, an incarnation of the small-town spirit in an era of frightening social change. That was his importance to the community.
Many of the townspeople agreed. They recalled how warmly Kelly Wagle had greeted people, calling them by name and asking about their families, and how often he had done a good turn when someone, or some group, really needed help. It was Kelly who had saved little Edna Belle Clarke after a terrible accident north of town, and it was Kelly who had outfitted the entire Colchester High School football team when nobody else stepped forward to contribute.
Others in town had admired Kelly Wagle as an individualist, a man willing to go his own way, to take a chance, to do whatever was necessary to get ahead. They told a different set of stories - about the time he outwitted the police with two identical cars, or hid his liquor in the baptistery of the local church, or stood up to the Ku Klux Klan. In his later years the bootlegger had become a legend.
Still others had simply been afraid of him. They recalled the newspaper reports about his bootlegging, the stories about his fights with men who had crossed him, the rumors that he had killed his wife. Now that he was gone, they were relieved.
So were the authorities at the county seat. The editor of the Macomb Journal viewed Wagle's career as a perversion of the American rise-by-native-talent-to-success social pattern. In an editorial published shortly after the murder, he moralized about the notorious bootlegger, making an all-too-obvious point, but he also revealed a certain admiration for him.
A LIFE OF CRIME NEVER PROVES PROFITABLE
That Kelly Wagle was an outstanding success in his field cannot be disputed. He was the most notorious bootlegger in western Illinois, and he was also rated as a wealthy man. He had entered the game in its infancy, and he had made money.
His character was a combination of the dynamic force, natural shrewdness, and bold fearlessness that are necessary for great achievement in any walk of life. It is to be regretted that he did not turn his ability to legitimate channels.
Once again becomes apparent the great place that opportunity plays in our lives. Had opportunity placed Wagle in the employment of a big corporation, the characteristics for success which he possessed would have advanced him to a high place. Instead, he became the leading bootlegger of this section.
Although Wagle occupied the limelight, he lived under a constant strain. His last days were turbulent. He knew that he was doomed - that eventually his enemies would get him. He led a life that could but get on the nerves of the strongest man.
They say that the iron nerves of Jesse James finally broke before his death and he was as irascible as a maiden aunt. So, too, the strain of being hunted by relentless enemies was beginning to tell on Kelly Wagle. . . .
His assassination proves again that crime does not pay.
Editor Todd of the Independent did not approve of the bootlegger's career either, but he couldn't bring himself to say so. The implications for Colchester were too severe. Still, he knew that many people in town, especially young men, had an intense admiration for Wagle, so the next issue of his weekly newspaper displayed something new - a motto, set in bold type above the masthead:
"The road to success may be winding, but it is never crooked."
Todd wanted the people of Colchester to ponder the meaning of success in the light of Wagle's career in their community, and he gave them plenty of time to think it over. That motto remained at the top of every issue for two years, until he sold the newspaper and moved out of town.
And in truth, as the years went by, the townspeople thought and talked endlessly about the bootlegger, about why he had died and what he had done and how he had happened to come along in their town - Colchester, of all places.

Obituary of Gilbert M. Wages
Peoria Journal Star, July 31, 1999, Page: B4
Gilbert Wages
Canton - Gilbert M. Wages, 66, of 195 Wakota Trail, Wilsonville, Ala., formerly of Canton, died Wednesday, July 28, 1999, at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala.
Born Jan. 14, 1933, in Canton to Jesse and Verna Josephine Mills Wages, he married Norma J. Murphy on March 10, 1952, in Canton. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Brian and Audie, both of Wilsonville; three daughters, Verna Ashwood and Joanie Stambaugh, both of Canton, and Leighann Hinchee of Cuba; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jesse Jr. of Panama City, Fla., and Joseph of Tampa, Fla.; and two sisters, Virginia Motsinger and Glenna Blevins, both of Canton.
He was an electrician at Caterpillar Inc. for 31 years, retiring in 1981. A Korean War Air Force veteran, he served from 1951 to 1955.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. The Rev. James McCracken will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in White Chapel Memory Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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