'B' Woodford County Obits
Illinois Genealogy Trails

Mrs. Ben Baker

Mrs. Ben Baker died this morning abut 10:30 at the home of Mr. Henry Baker, Sr., corner of Lincoln avenue and Bloomington streets.

This is a tragic ending to the events of the past three weeks, in her life - Three weeks ago yesterday she returned from a pleasant trip to Iowa with her father-in-law and sister-in-law, only to be met with the information that she had been deserted by her husband, Ben Baker. The blow was a terrible one, not only to Mrs. Baker, but also to Ben's father and relatives.

Mrs. Baker was taken ill a few days later while here attending to some business affairs and was conveyed to the home of Mr. Baker on Lincoln avenue. Her illness developed into typhoid fever, and from the first physicians gave but little hope for her recovery. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Koch, of Varna, and her brother and sister were here most of the time and nothing was left undone which would add to the patients comfort or assist in fighting the dread disease, all effort were in vain, however, and the end came peacefully at the hour named above. The parents are prostrated with grief and Mrs. Koch is quite ill.

Mrs. Baker was born on a farm near Varna, and was 27 years of age at the time of her death. She was united in marriage to Ben Baker abut five years ago and they had made their home in this city since that time, the past three years in a cozy residence of their own on Washington street. Mrs. Baker was a lady of sunny disposition and pleasant matter, and was the friend of all who made her acquaintance, and the news of her death caused many a tear of sympathy to fall, not alone or the dead but for the heavy hearted parents.

The remains will be taken to Varna for burial, but the time of the funeral has not yet been fixed. - Streator Free Press

Lawrence Brenneman

Lawrence Brenneman, 88, of 703 E. Second St., El Paso, passed away at 5:33 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 17, 2007) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, El Paso. The Rev. John Libert will officiate. Burial will be in Minier Cemetery, with full military honors. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, El Paso.

Lawrence was born Sept. 29, 1918, at Minier, a son of Samuel and Emma J. Weihmier Brenneman. He married Doris E. Kruse on Aug. 13, 1944, at Stanford. She survives.

Other survivors include three daughters, Dr. Sandra (Walter) Oldendorf, Valley Cruces, N.C.; Marcia (Ronald) Mool, El Paso; and Dr. Kathy Brenneman, Washington, D.C.; one sister, Ruth Brenneman, Normal; six grandchildren, Troy D. (Kerri) Mool, Jackson, Mo.; David Lawrence (Sheila) Mool, Gridley; R. Adam (Karen) Mool and Thad R.Mool, both of El Paso; Andrea Brenneman Oldendorf, Nashville, Tenn.; and Andrew Brenneman Oldendorf, Bozeman, Mont.; and two great-granddaughters, Lauryn and Ashlyn Mool.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arthur and Ralph.

Lawrence was a member of the El Paso United Church of Christ and a past member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Minier. He was a longtime farmer in the Minier area. He served with the United States Army Air Corps during WW II serving as a B-24 pilot.

He enjoyed golfing and was a member and past treasurer of the El Paso Golf Club. He was also a member and past treasurer of the Lake Bloomington Association. He was a member and past worshipful master of the Miner Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Shrine. He was a member of the El Paso American Legion Post 59 and past commander of the Minier American Legion Post 448 and the Bloomington Elks Lodge 281.

Online condolences may be sent to his family at www. ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com

Andrew Bradley

Andrew Bradley, 81, formerly of Roanoke, died Oct. 20, 2006, in Spokane, Wash.

He was born July 28, 1925, in Coal City, the son of Herbert and Marion Bradley. His wife of 40 years, Lucilla Bradley, died in 2002.

Survivors include one son, Gary Bradley, and one daughter,Jan (Mitch) Brown, both of Spokane; one sister, Mary (Ken) Bachman, Roanoke, and five grandchildren.

Bradley graduated from Roanoke High School, Roanoke. He was drafted into the Navy in 1943 and served during World War II as a gunner's mate. After being discharged in 1946, Bradley attended the University of Missouri-Rolla and received an associate's degree in business administration. He later served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict and attained the rank of Major during the Vietnam conflict, where he flew more than 100 missions as a B52 navigator.

He retired from the Air Force in 1971 and went into the restaurant business, including managing Sambo's for several years.

Services were held Nov. 4 at his daughter's home in Spokane. He was to be laid to rest in Coal City.

Sarah Banta

Last Saturday, at Chenoa, Mrs. Sarah Banta, formerly of this county, died aged 48 years. The remains were taken to Metamora, and buried last Monday.

Harold Bumeter

METAMORA - Harold D. Bumeter, 82, of Metamora, Ill., died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at 8:45 a.m. peacefully at his home. Harold was born on June 15th, 1924, in Metamora, Ill., a son of Edward (World War I veteran) and Louise Bumeter. The Bumeter family came to Metamora in the 1880s. Harold grew up in the Metamora area and spent his entire life building and giving back to that community. He married Geraldine "Gerry" Garrison on Aug. 17th, 1947. Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother (World War II veteran) and one sister.

Surviving are his loving wife of 59 years, Gerry of Metamora; his two sons, Steven (Cindy) Bumeter of Metamora, Ill., and Ricky (Donna) Bumeter of Lake St. Louis, Mo.; eight loving grandchildren, Scott, Brett, Dawn, Troy, Andrea, Casey, Christopher and Brandon; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Clara Roland of Eureka, Ill., and Elma (Charles) Barth of LaRose, Ill.; one brother, Clayton (Zella) Osler of Peoria, Ill.; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Harold left school at an early age (14), he worked as a farm hand from 1937 to 1945. He learned about farm machinery from another local hand. He joined the Air Force in February 1946. He was honorably discharged as a buck sergeant in 1949 from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson Ariz., having completed special training at Lowery Air Field in Denver receiving certificates as camera technician and photographer for use in aerial photography. Harold began employment with Rex Camera Shop as a camera repair technician, while he and Gerry began to raise their two sons, Steven (1950) and Ricky (1952). Harold later moved on to Caterpillar Tractor Company in the photocopy department.

He repaired cameras at his home for various professional photographers around the Peoria area; part-time, he photographed weddings and did special photography for Eastern Star. He opened a family camera repair shop, Harold's Camera Repair, in 1953, located on North Adams Street in Peoria, Ill. He worked at Caterpillar during the day and the camera repair business in the afternoon and evenings.

Gerry and Harold ran the camera repair business for 17 years. During this tenure, Harold and Gerry built their own home in Metamora. The house was featured in the Peoria Journal Star for its unique design and construction. He created a man-made 4 1/2 acre lake, which was stocked for great fishing and designed for swimming. The lake has been enjoyed by many throughout the decades that have followed.

After temporarily losing his vision partly from too many years looking through magnifying lenses needed for camera repair, Gerry coached Harold by reading real estate books and materials that Harold could not see. With Gerry's help and mentorship, Harold passed the Illinois State Real Estate exam and obtained his Real Estate license in 1967. He specialized in selling farms and acreage. While doing this, Harold and Gerry and their sons converted the 160 acre family farm into a campground (Wild Wind Lake Campground) with water and electric hookups. It was one of the few in the area that provided a weekend escape for many from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

In early 1971, Harold and Gerry redeveloped the campground into a Mobile Home Park (Lake Wild Wind Mobile Home Park) with sewer and water. Harold and Gerry gave a start to many hundreds of people in housing that would not otherwise have had the opportunity to have a home of their own. They provided affordable and safe housing, financial assistance, jobs, and year round 24 hour counseling and emergency service for almost 24 years.

After rebuilding their business throughout the recession in the early 1990s, Harold and Gerry sold Lake Wild Wind and moved into a hard-earned retirement in 1995. They maintained a close relationship with friends and family, while continuing to help members of the local community throughout their retirement again providing jobs, financial assistance and counseling. Harold and Gerry were a fantastic team for 61 years.

Harold was one of the founding charter members of the Germantown/Metamora Rotary Club in 1968. He was a member of the American Legion Post 89 in Metamora and a charter member of the Illinois Manufactured Housing Association. He was an avid reader, very knowledgeable of Civil War and Native American history and culture buff and collector and a devoted lover of the outdoors.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mason Funeral Home, Metamora Chapel. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Services of Methodist Medical Center in Peoria, Ill. To send online condolences, please visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

Arlene Blumenshine

Eureka - Arlene Roberta Blumenshine, 88, of 700 N. Main St., Eureka, mother of Warren Blumenshine of El Paso, died Feb. 3, 2007, at Eureka Community Hospital Burial was in Olio Township Cemetery, Eureka. Arrangements were by Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Eureka.

Mrs. Blumenshine was born Oct. 6, 1918 Eureka, the daughter of Bernard and Marjie Farmer Johnson. She married Raymond Blumenshine on Sept. 30, 1939, at Kokomo, Ind. He died March 5, 1994. Surviving are four daughters, one son, one sister, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one grandson.

Mrs. Blumenshine was a member of the Eureka Christian Church, the Christian Women's Fellowship, Lakview Club, Eureka Hospital Auxiliary, and American Legion Auxiliary. Memorials may be made to her church. Online condolences may be made at www.ruestman-harrisfuneralhome.com

Henry Boston

Henry Boston, 84, retired farmer and the last of his family, died in his sleep about 8:00 a.m. Wednesday at his home in Greene Township, where he had lived since 1907. The coroner's office conducted an investigation and ruled that death was due to natural causes. He had been in poor health for several years. His funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday at St Peter's Lutheran Church near Benson. The Rev H. J. Knoploh will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. He was born July 29, 1875, at Minonk, a son of Henry and Elizabeth Knack Boston. He married Marie Porth Feb. 11, 1903, near El Paso. She died Oct. 12, 1948. Five brothers and five sisters preceded him in death. Several nieces and nephews are his only survivors, including Mrs Florence Bohlander who resided with him since his wife's death.

John F. Broers, Jr., of Cazenovia Dies in Peoria Hospital - Death Came Monday Morning After an Illness of 3 Weeks Funeral Wednesday

John F. Broers, Jr., familiarly known to all as "Jack" Broers, died in St Francis hospital, Peoria, Monday morning at 11:38 o'clock of an illness of three weeks. Deceased was the son of John and Elizabeth [Tjaden] Broers and was born in Greene township, Woodford county, May 20, 1894. He grew to manhood in this county and on Feb. 15, 1914, was united in marriage with Miss Udena Noll. To this union six children were born, three of whom preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his loss three children, Franklin, Joan and Janice Broers, his parents, four brothers and two sisters, Charles, Frank and Bernard Broers and Mrs Marie Obert of Cazenovia, Ernest Broers of Lowpoint and Mrs Velma Fredericks of Peoria. Three nieces and five nephews also survive with other relatives and a host of friends unite with them in sorrow and sympathy. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Bernard Broers residence in Cazenovia at 12:30 and in St Paul's Lutheran church, Benson, at 1:15 pm. The Rev. O.A. Braunschweig, pastor of the church, was in charge of the services. The music service was sung by Mr and Mrs Dan Schrock, Mrs Silas Bachman and WIll Schrock. Pallbearers were Lloyd Ivins, Bernard Foster, Wm. Reiter, Dane Stivers, Glenwood Tanton and Edward Zoss. Flowerbearers were Mrs Dane Stivers, Mrs Clara Robertson, Mrs Bernard Broers, Mrs Lester Risser, Mrs Florence Ivins, Mrs Myrtle Zoss. The body was taken to the Lacon cemetery after the services and interred there.

Mary V. Blumenshine

WASHINGTON — Mary V. Blumenshine, 101, formerly of Washington, died at 7:55 p.m. Saturday (June 9, 2007) at the Apostolic Christian Home, Eureka. Service: 11 a.m . Wednesday at Evangelical United Methodist Church, Washington. Burial: Glendale Cemetery, Washington. Visitation: One hour prior to services Wednesday at the church. Mason-White Funeral Home, Washington, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: Evangelical United Methodist Church, 401 Walnut St., Washington, IL 61571. Survivors: One son, Clinton Blumenshine, Eureka; one daughter, Vera (The Rev. David) Litchfield, Battle Creek, Mich.; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Alderman George E. Bell Died in El Paso Saturday 

Geo. F. Bell died at his home in El Paso Saturday afternoon, after an illness extending over three years.  He was born in Cincinnati, O., NOv. 16, 1859, and his parents, Mr and Mrs William Bell are now deceased.
 
On December 15, 1881, he was married to Miss Sarah Scott at Panola, Ill.  They lived in El Paso since 1917.  Mr Bell was alderman of the second ward.  He was a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Methodist church.  There were five children, four of whom are living:  Mrs Elsie Forsythe of Vicksburg, Mich., Ethel Bell of Arthur N. D.; Mrs Pearl Mool of Panola, Ill.  A daughter, Myrtle, is deceased.  There is a brother, William Bell, of Rogers, Ark., and a sister, Mrs Ann Vogler of Crescent City, Ia.
 
The funeral was held Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the Methodist church with Rev. M. C. Van Leer in charge of the services.  Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.
 
[N.B.  The obit says four children are living but only names three.]

Roy C. Bell, Ex-Supervisor, Passes Away
 

Roy C. Bell, 72, of El Paso, former Woodford County supervisor, died at his home Wednesday afternoon, July 13.
 
He was born May 4, 1894, in Panola Township, a son of George and Sarah Scott Bell.  He married Mabel Roth Nov. 30, 1916, in Panola Township.
 
He is survived by his wife; a son, George D., El Paso; a daughter, Mrs Margaret Murphy, Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters, Mrs Ethel Bell, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Mrs Pearl Mool, El Paso; and four grandchildren.  A sister preceded him in death.
 
He was a member of the First Methodist Church of El Paso and the Masonic Lodge.  He was appointed supervisor of Panola Township Feb. 1, 1946, and had served continuously until he resigned recently because of his health.
 
Funeral services were held Saturday at the First Methodist Church of El Paso, the Rev. Ralph W. Fitch officiating.  Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso.

Eugene Bennett

El Paso - Eugene Bennett, 23, died at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday at the Woodford county sanitarium at Minonk where he had been a patient the last seven months. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fickens funeral home, with the Rev. H. H. McFall officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. He was born Oct. 18, 1919, son of Ross and Ruth Harvey Bennett.

John Breese

El Paso - John Breese, 73, died at 3 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's hospital in Bloomington. He had been ill two weeks. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Tessie Breese; two sons, Fayron and George of Heyworth, and a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Guard of el Paso. Three brothers, Charles Rolla and Arthur, and a sister, Mrs. Maude Tucker, all of New Albany, Ind., also survive.

El Paso - Funeral services for John Breese, who died Wednesday, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Christian church, with the Rev. Osceola McNemar officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen cemetery.

Helen Louise Whitman Burrell Baker - contributed by Desiree Burrell Rodcay

EUREKA - Helen L. Baker, 86, Eureka, died at 3:40 a.m. on Monday (Jan. 16, 2006) at Maple Lawn Health Center in Eureka, where she was a resident.

She was born on April 22, 1919, in Hardinsburg, Ind., a daughter of Bert and Mary Myrtle Fancher Whitman. She married James Burrell on Sept. 8, 1934, in Eureka. He died in October of 1974. She then married Cecil Baker on Aug. 16, 1975, in Eureka. He died in January of 2002.

Surviving is one son, Kenneth (Joan) Burrell, St. Petersburg, Fla.; two daughters, Pat (Don) Horn, Danvers, and Carol (Everett) Myers, Eureka; one stepdaughter, Barbara (Cecil) Franke, Runge, Texas; two sisters, Blanche Burrell, Gibson City, and Ruth Turner, Winter Haven, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Dick (Richard), Carl,(Walter) Frank and (Robert Paul) "Bob" Whitman; and one granddaughter.

Helen was a homemaker but also cleaned various homes and businesses in Eureka.  She was a member of the Eureka Church of the Nazarene.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka. The Rev. Doug Hicks will officiate. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. before the service on Thursday. Burial will be held in Olio Township Cemetery in Eureka. There will also be an additional memorial service at 10 a.m. Friday at the assembly room at Maple Lawn.Berneice Baumann, 90 - July 28, 2008

Berneice Baumann
90, Minonk, died at 1:26 p.m. Monday (July 28, 2008) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Minonk, with the Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe officiating. Burial will follow at Minonk Township Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Berneice's name.

Berneice was born March 24, 1918, in Minonk, the daughter of John and Alessa Devon Schmillen. She married Alfred "Bill" Baumann on March 28, 1937, in Minonk. He died May 28, 1981.

Surviving is one son, Duane (Nancy) Baumann, St. Louis, Mo.; one son-in-law, Stan Schrock, Goshen, Ind.; six grandchildren, Bridget Brodie, Rebecca Baumann-Hays, Brittany Baumann, Shannon Schrock, Steffen Schrock and Salissa Young; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Diane Schrock; one granddaughter, Samantha Schrock; and two sisters.

Berneice was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk. Born to humble beginnings, she found her way to a spiritually rich life. After graduating from high school, she became a farm wife and lived on the farm east of Minonk for nearly 50 years. She raised two children, who were the joy of her life. She also served the community through her warmth and hospitality, her coffee and pies were famous. Her final days were spent as the recipient of great kindness from her many friends, family and the wonderful staff of Heritage Manor. She never wanted for anything, because she was always satisfied with what she had. Her family will greatly miss her love, wisdom and guidance.

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