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Richard L. Higgins, 77, of Rossville, passed away at 1:05 p.m. Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Heritage Health, in Gibson City.

Mr. Higgins was born on March 17, 1941, in Dietrich, Illinois, the son of Norman and Anita (Gaddey) Higgins.  He married Rosalee Wright on November 24, 1962, in Funkhouser, Illinois.  She survives.

He is survived by one son- Michael (Lisa) Higgins of Rossville, Illinois; four half-brothers- James (Janet) Donaldson of Altamont, Illinois, Crawford (Teresa) Higgins of McAllen, Texas, Norman “Buster”  (Sylvia) Higgins of Corpus Christi, Texas and Ronald (Pearl) Higgins of Weslaco, Texas; two half-sisters- Eva Markum of McAllen, Texas and Linda Ramirez of Los Fresnos, Texas; and two uncles- James (Gladys) Gaddey of Joplin, Missouri and Dean Barlow of Lovington, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter- Shelley Higgins.

Richard graduated from Altamont High School, in 1957.  After high school, he served in the United States Air Force, from 1958 to 1962.  He worked at Bungee Milling for over 30 years, until he retired.  He was a member of the Morningstar Church, Rossville.  He was also a past member of the Rossville American Legion and past-president United Grain Millers Union.  Richard enjoyed woodworking, camping, golfing, playing solitaire and spending time with his family. 

A Celebration of Richard L. Higgins Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2018, at Morningstar Church, with Pastor Dan Mikel officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday at the church.  He will be laid to rest in Rossville Cemetery following the services with full military rites conducted by the Hoopeston American Legion #384.  Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Richard’s life.  Memories or photos may be shared with his family on the everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Willie B. “Curley” Collins, 90, of Milford passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at the Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. He was born on November 18, 1927 in Clinton County, KY, the son of Eddie and Ida Mae Poulson Collins. He married Emeline Allen in Milford on July 1, 1950 and she survives.

In addition to his wife, Emeline Collins of Milford, he is also survived by two grandchildren, Amy (Marc) Johnson of DeKalb, IL and Mark (Crystal) Collins of Tampa, FL; four great-grandchildren, Noah, Evan, Lucas and Maverick; and two brothers, Eugene and Overland.

Mr. Collins was preceded in death by his parents; three sons, Jonathon, Robert and William; and one brother, Raymond.

Willie was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Milford for over 70 years where he played in the band, New Life Singers, for five years. He had a love for music and enjoyed singing and playing the guitar.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Friday, April 27, 2018 at the Church of the Nazarene in Milford. Rev. Robert Killion will officiate. Burial will follow at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday.

Memorials may be made to Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland or Church of the Nazarene in Milford.

Arrangements are being handled by the Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.

Eugene “Gene” Fredrick Felstehausen, 84, of Rossville, IL, formerly of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 12:43 P.M. Sunday April 22, 2018 at his home. He was born June 9, 1933, in Clark County, S.D., the son of Fred W. and Ena Lea (Fossum) Felstehausen. He married Donna J. Pew of Watseka, IL, on June 28, 1980 at the Centennial Christian Church in Watseka. She survives in Rossville, IL.
He is also survived by two daughters, Susan Felstehausen and husband Harold Golliman of Madison, WI and Kristen Felstehausen and husband Norbert Honermeier of Palatine, IL; five grandchildren, Ian, Hayley, Abigail, Max, and Eric; one sister, Clarine Black of Winner, SD; one brother, Herman (Geke de Vires) Felstehausen of Madison, WI; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred & Ena Felstehausen, step-mother, Irma Felstehausen; and brother-in-law, Kenneth A. Black.
Gene graduated from Clark, South Dakota High School in 1951. He served in the United States Army from 1953 – 1955 and was stationed in Korea with the 79th Engineering Construction Battalion where he was a mechanics specialist. He studied mechanical engineering at South Dakota State University under the GI Bill where he graduated in 1960. Gene was employed as a product engineer at A.O. Smith Corp in Milwaukee, WI. He then worked for the Brunswick Corp. in Muskegon, MI, designing the ball return and later worked at Food Machinery Corp. in Hoopeston, IL. He left FMC in 1989 to create Felste Company to design and build tooling for the manufacturing and selling of sweet corn cutting knives and machine sharpeners for use in food processing plants. A design that the nieces and nephews recall so well is the model of Donna and Gene’s concrete wall and steel beam home that he built in the country over many years. They have enjoyed his creation, hard work and time for just over two years now. Gene was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Hoopeston, where he led the adult Sunday school class since 1970. From boyhood until the end of his life, Gene was busy in his workshop tinkering, testing, drafting, and building new tools and complicated machines. His ideas never stopped flowing.
A visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday April 26, 2018 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday April 27, 2018 at the funeral home, with Pastor Cathy Najmon officiating. Burial will follow in Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland, IL. Military rites will be accorded by the Hoopeston American Legion Post #384.

Susan Marie Parker Foley Henning, 76, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 9:42 A.M. Thursday April 19, 2018 at Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center.  She was born February 8, 1942 in Hoopeston, IL, the daughter of Paul “Pete” and Helen (Cordes) Parker.  She married Donald Ray Foley Sr. and later married Melvin Henning on June 9, 1967 in Hoopeston.  He survives in Hoopeston. 

She is also survived by one daughter, Patricia Lynn Asselin of Ward, AR; four sons, Donald Ray Foley Jr. of Wellington, IL, Ralph Wayne Foley of Knoxville, TN, Charles Dale Henning of Lafayette, IN, and Patrick Earl Henning of Hoopeston, IL; one sister, Roberta Willis of Eufaula, AL; three brothers, Marion (Patricia) Parker of Hoopeston, IL, Charles (Cathy) Parker of Hoopeston, IL and Tom (Linda) Parker of Malvern, AL; 11 grandchildren, Madeline, Hayden, Carolyn,  Rian, Cameron, Riley, Zachary, Waylon, Christian, Dylan, and Aubrey; 3 great-grandchildren, Carson, Nolan, and Rhylen; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Bob Hendricks; and one brother-in-law, Cecil Willis.

Susan’s first job was with Margie Gaff as a car hop at The Shack in Hoopeston.  She then worked in Early Childhood Development in Danville at Central Christian and the Center for Children’s Services.  She later became a homemaker, caring for her family.  She served as a den mother for Cub Scouts and a room mother for her children at school.  Susan loved to cook, crochet, and spend time with her grandchildren.  She also loved watching ballgames, especially her grandchildren’s and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

A visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Monday April 23, 2018 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M Tuesday April 24, 2018 at the funeral home, with Rev. Frank Laci officiating.  Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.

Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN  38105-3678.

Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Susan’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Penelope Pearl Keith, 77, of Wellington, IL, passed away at 3:49 P.M. Tuesday April 17, 2018, at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, IL.  She was born June 1, 1940, in Watseka, IL, the daughter of Clifford and Hazel (Bell) Smith.  She married Thomas C. Keith on September 28, 1957, in Sheldon, Indiana.  He survives in Wellington.

She is also survived by two daughters, Debra Keith of Danville, IL and Lisa Rath of West Frankfort, IL; two sons, Timothy (Penny) Keith of Monroe, GA and Tony Keith of Loganville, GA; 2 granddaughters; 2 grandsons; 2 great-granddaughters; 2 great-grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Jean (Bud) Feller; and one brother, Eddie (Mickey) Smith.

Penelope worked at Howard Industries.  She later worked at Grant Ross Credit Union in Hoopeston and then at CCMSI in Danville, IL.  She enjoyed volunteering for the Jerry Lewis MDA and playing the piano and organ.  Penelope also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and loved to play on pogo.com.

Per her wishes, she will be cremated.  A visitation will be held 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Monday April 23, 2018 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL.  No burial will be held.

Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500 Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Penelope’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

  Michael E. Edwards, 65, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 11:49 A.M. Monday April 16, 2018 at Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center.  He was born January 2, 1953, in Danville, IL, the son of Fred and Hazel Lois (Brock) Edwards.  He married Laura Kinsey on August 21, 1976 in Monticello, IN.  She survives in Hoopeston.

He is also survived by two daughters, Michelle (Erik Flesher) Sloan of Hoopeston, IL and Dawn Edwards of Hoopeston, IL; two sons, Jeremy Edwards of Hoopeston, IL and Scott Edwards of Champaign, IL; one sister, Beverly (Ernie) Park of Kentucky; and 6 grandchildren, Chloe Edwards, Rycelynne Sloan, Arianna Arredondo, Audrey Olson, Adian Arredondo, and Austin Arredondo.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Michael served in the United States Army for four years and the National Guard for eight years.  While in the military, he was a telephone lineman.  After the military, he worked at Monon Trailer until his retirement.  Michael enjoyed golfing, paintball, and Civil War era muzzleloading.    

Cremation rites will be accorded and a visitation will be held 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. Sunday April 22, 2018 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL.  Burial will be held at a later date.  Military rites will be accorded by the Hoopeston American Legion Post 384.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Michael’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

ecca Jean (Marshall) Klotzbach, 68, of Rossville, IL, passed away at 4:15 A.M. Monday April 16, 2018 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.  She was born May 27, 1949, in Paxton, IL      the daughter of Wayne and Mary (Randish) Marshall.  She married David Klotzbach on June 25, 1971 at the Methodist Chapel in Rantoul, IL.  He survives in Rossville, IL.

She is also survived by her mother, Mary Marshall; two daughters, Nicole Gregory of Rossville, IL and Alexis (Paul) Tomaso of Carol Stream, IL; one son, Ryan (Lauryn) Klotzbach of Elgin, IL; one sister, Sue (David) Walder of Cissna Park, IL; two brothers, Bob (Bethanie) Marshall of Kellart Lake, IL and Ted (Dawn) Marshall of Cave Creek, AZ; four grandchildren, Molly and Erin Gregory and Pauli and Josephine Tomaso; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Marshall and one nephew, Dustin Marshall.

Rebecca worked in Commercial Ad Sales for the News-Gazette from 1971-1972.  She later worked in bookkeeping and was a retail associate for Michael’s Craft Store from 1989-2012.  She was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Rankin, where she served as a lay person and the secretary for the Grace Lutheran Church Council.  Rebecca was active in organizing and distributing food pantry supplies, made hats for chemo patients, hats and mittens for school age children, and made burial garments for the Preemie Project.  She was an organ donor and two-gallon blood donor.  She was an avid knitter and taught others to knit.  Rebecca also loved baking, attending musicals, and spent countless hours maintaining burial plots of family and friends at Rankin Cemetery.

Per her wishes, she will be cremated.

Dennis Bright 59 of Rankin

Private Services will be held at a later date. 

James Caspers 67 of Cissna Park

Graveside Services will be 11am Monday April 10th at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Cissna Park. 

Norma Lee Cox, 80, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 7:50 A.M. Friday April 6, 2018, at her home.  She was born September 26, 1937, in Hoopeston, IL, the daughter of Jesse and Ruby (Shields) Moore.  She married Charlie H. Cox on February 15, 1992.  He preceded her in death. 

She is survived by one daughter, Brenda (Steve) Holland of Hoopeston, IL; four sons, Terry (Cheryl) Mullen of Williamsport, IN, Robert (Kathy) Mullen of Sturgis, MI, Greg Mullen of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Tim (Rene`) Mullen of Monticello, IN; one sister, Donna Moore of Hoopeston, IL; 16 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and four brothers, Bob Philips, Walter Moore, Gary Moore, and Marvin Butch Moore.

Norma worked at Scranton’s in Hoopeston.  She later worked at CBS and then Publix Food and Pharmacy until her retirement.  She was a member of the Hoopeston United Methodist Church, where she was also a member of the United Methodist Women.  Norma enjoyed volunteering for Meals on Wheels, cooking, bowling, and making crafts.  She also enjoyed traveling, taking walks, and loved spending time with her family. 

Cremation rites will be accorded.  A visitation will be held 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Wednesday April 11, 2018 at the Hoopeston United Methodist Church 403 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL.  A memorial service will follow the visitation and will begin at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church, with Pastor Cathy Najmon officiating.  Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Carle Hospice 611 W. Park St. Urbana, IL 61801.

Martin Lee Bice, 78, of Potomac, passed away at 12:08 a.m. Sunday, April 1, 2018, at Heartland Manor Care, in Paxton.

Mr. Bice was born on December 30, 1939, in Sycamore, Alabama, the son of William and Jewel (Duncan) Bice.  He married Eleanor Childs on March 10, 1964, in Duluth, Minnesota.  She preceded him in death on June 12, 2005.

He is survived by four sons- Brian (Sarah) Bice of Loda, David Bice of Potomac, Scott Bice of Armstrong and Randy Bice of Ludlow; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three brothers- Billy Bice, Johnny Bice and Tommy Bice all of Alabama; five sisters- Betty Ricks of Alabama, Daisy (Fred) Hottensen of Senoia, Georgia, Brenda (Bobby) Davis, Diane (David) Dennis and Joan (Jody) Thornton all of Alabama; four sisters-in-law- Faye Bice of Alabama, Margaret Edberg, Maxine Lear and Edith Hill all of Minnesota; five brothers-in-law- Thomas Childs, James Childs, Chuck Childs, Glen Childs and Dan Childs all of Minnesota; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter-in-law- Judy Bice, two brothers- Marland and Roy Bice, and one sister-in-law- Sarah Childs.

Mr. Bice enlisted in the United States Air Force, in 1963 and retired from Chanute Air Force Base, in 1983.  He was a member of Potomac American Legion Post #428.   He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and mowing his grass.  He also loved stock car racing and watching football and NASCAR.

A Celebration of Martin Lee Bice's Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018, at the Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac, with Pastor Sally Swaim officiating.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  He will be laid to rest following the services in Potomac Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by the Potomac American Legion and Illinois Patriot Guard.  Memorials may be made to the Potomac American Legion Post #428.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Mr. Bice's life.  Memories or condolences may be shared with the family on his everlasting memorial page at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.