Helen Delores (Holt) James, 91, of Potomac, passed away at 6:00 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2019, at Country Health, in Gifford.

Helen was born on July 20, 1928, in rural Potomac, the daughter of Richard Ezra and Laura Nettie (McGlaughlin) Holt.  She attended the No. 10 one room grade school and graduated at the top of her class.  Helen graduated from Armstrong High School, in 1946, as class valedictorian.  After high school, she worked at Consolidated Products, in Danville.  She married Hardin Thomas James Sr. on June 5, 1949, at No. 10 Church of Christ, in rural Potomac.  He survives.

She is also survived by three sons- Hardin "Tom" James Jr. of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, Richard A. James of Potomac and Mark O. (Kathy) James of Austin, Texas; one daughter- Melody J. (Ron) Domanico of Atlanta, Georgia; nine grandchildren- Jason, LaTessa, Kristin, Eli, Josie, Michelle, Adam, Daniel and Amy; six great-grandchildren and three more on the way; one sister- Lillian Criblez of Potomac; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter-in-law- Della M. James and two sisters- Evelyn Butler and Richardeen Watt.

Helen was a member of No. 10 Church of Christ her entire life, where she sang in the choir.  She was also a member of Iota Theta Chapter of Psi Iota Xi, Extension Homemakers Club, Junior Women's Club and Armstrong Grade School PTA.  Helen played saxophone with Hardin for several years in their band, the Dream Beats.  She enjoyed sewing, baking, horse riding, gardening, bowling and spending time with her family. 

A celebration of Helen James life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 3, 2019, at No. 10 Church of Christ, with Pastor Ted Rohde officiating.  She will be laid to rest following the service in Partlow Cemetery, in Armstrong.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, at Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac.  Memorials may be made to the No. 10 Church of Christ.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Helen's life.  Memories or condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Gary Mark Guy, 76, of Ashkum passed on away on Thursday, September 26 at his home. 

Arragements are pending with Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.

Sandra "Sandie" Grenhoff passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at her residence in Watseka

Sandra is survived by her husband Ronald Grenhoff of Watseka, her son Ryan Grenhoff of Peoria, and her daughter Staci Warrens of Peoria as well as three Grandchildren. 

A visitation will be held at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka from 4pm-7pm on Friday, September 27th

A funeral service will be held on Saturday September 28th and 11am at Calvary Lutheran church in Watseka with another visitation one hour prior to the 11am service. 

Knapp funeral home will be conducting the services.

Leanora A. Marketto of Watseka passed away on September 9th at Sheldon Health Care Center.

Leanora is survived by her sister Jewell LaCombe of Danville and her two children; Michael Marketto of Colorado Springs, CO and Melanie Gordon of Watseka as well as two Grandchildren and three Great-Grandchildren

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00am on Wednesday, September 25 at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka. Services will follow at Sheldon Cemetary. 

Knapp Funeral home of Watseka is officiating.

Joan L. Crawford, 91, of Potomac, passed away at 10:50 p.m. September 17, 2019, at Hawthorne Inn in Danville, Illinois.

Joan was born on October 28, 1927, in Henning, the daughter of Forrest and Mary (Carter) Putman.  She married Gene Crawford on August 2, 1947, in Potomac.  He preceded her in death on September 1, 2000.

She is survived by two daughters, Judy Steffen of Oakwood and Vicki (Bill Cooper) Trask of Oakwood; two grandchildren, Meredith (David) Culp and Matthew (Heather) Trask; great-granddaughters, Claire and Stella Trask and Caroline Culp; and several nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sons-in-law, Gary Steffen and Jim Trask, and sister, Pat Jameson.

Joan graduated from Henning High School in 1945 and attended Normal Teachers College in Normal from 1945-1947.  In 1970, she received her Bachelor's of Education from Pestalozzi Teachers College in Chicago.  Joan was a teacher at Henning Grade School from 1957 to 1962 and later taught at Potomac Grade School from 1962 until her retirement in 1988.  She was a member of Middlefork United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and Potomac Public Library Board.  Joan was awarded the Golden Ruler Award For Excellence in Education in 1996.   Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her family, and she also enjoyed reading and shopping.

A celebration of Joan's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 23, 2019, at Middlefork United Methodist Church, with Pastor George Desmond officiating.  Burial will follow the service in Mann's Chapel Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday at Blurton Funeral Home in Potomac.  Memorials may be made to the Middlefork United Methodist Church or the Potomac Public Library.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Joan's life. 

Memories or condolences may be sent to the family at www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Arthur “Red” N. Nelson Sr., 91, of Hoopeston, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2019, Iroquois Memorial Hospital, in Watseka.

Red was born on April 15, 1928, in Chicago, the son of George D. and Rose Mary (Wiengart) Nelson.  He married Marjorie Malott in September of 1948 and later married Florence Elizabeth Schinkey on December 31, 1955, in Danville.  She preceded him in death on December 23, 1992.  

He is survived by one daughter- Rosanne (Terry Chandler) Coffman of Hoopeston; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three sons- Don, George and Nick Nelson; one daughter- Theresa “Sissy” Nelson; one brother and four sisters.

Red served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948 and later served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955.  He worked for several years as an equipment operator at Chanute Air Force Base, in Rantoul, until his retirement in 1971.  He later worked as a custodian and bus driver for Hoopeston Schools, until he retired in 1991.  Red was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #384, VFW Post #4826 and Am Vets, in Rantoul.  He enjoyed walking, doing yardwork, helping others and spending time with his friends.  Red was a great storyteller and he never forgot a face.  He also enjoyed watching train and tractor shows and his cats and dog-Tiger.  

A Celebration of Arthur “Red” N. Nelson Sr’s Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 20, 2019, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with Pastor Phillip Callahan officiating.  Burial will follow the service in Rankin Union Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by the Hoopeston American Legion Post #384.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, at Blurton Funeral Home.  Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the Hoopeston American Legion.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Red’s life. 

Memories or condolences may be sent to the family on his everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Nina J. Gillenwater, 95, of Watseka passed away on Thursday, September 12th at Gilman Health Care Center.

Nina is survived by her 3 children; Rodger Gillenwater of Normal, William Gillenwater of Watseka, and Deana Gregoire of Saranac, Michigan as well as 8 Grandchildren, many Great Grandchildren, and many Great-Great-Grandchildren. 

A graveside service is to be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 21st at Memorial Park in Watseka. Knapp Funeral Home is conducting the service

More information is pending.

Terry “Tinkerbell” Bell, 77, of Henning, passed away, Thursday, September 5, 2019, at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Terry was born on August 8, 1942, in Hoopeston, Illinois, the son of Archie and Clara (Hinton) Bell.  After completing school, Terry worked several different jobs before serving his country in the United States Army. He then worked at Cargail Inc. for 20 years after his honorable discharge from the service.

Terry is survived by his wife—Linda (Watson) Bell; three sons—Terry L. (Cindy) Bell of Danville, Kevin E. Bell and Keith E. Bell of Henning; two granddaughters—Brooklyn Bell and Destiny Bell of Henning and two great-grandchildren—Graysyn Finney and Braylee Greene; brothers—Marion (Mickey) Bell of Cheneyville and Gary (Terri) Bell of Hoopeston; as well as several other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers—Archie Jr., Robert, Eugene and Larry; sisters—Edith (Bell) Sprague, Sharon (Bell) Robinson, and Shirley (Bell) Mollet; his in-laws—Wilbur L. and Ardieth (Long) Watson.

Terry volunteered at Morningstar Food Bank, in Rossville, which he enjoyed very much and made several lifelong friends that he would meet for breakfast every Tuesday morning at the Rossville Family Restaurant.  Terry served as mayor and trustee of Henning and he enjoyed helping his community.  He loved visiting with friends and family, going for car rides and sitting on the front porch.  Terry was a comical man, always joking with everyone he was around, and he knew no stranger.  Terry especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and great grandkids.

There will be a celebratory dinner in Terry’s honor on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the community building, in Henning from 2 P.M. to 6 P.M.

Cremation rites will be accorded and there are not any services scheduled at this time.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home, in Hoopeston, to assist them in honoring Terry’s life.  Memories or condolences may be shared with the family on his everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

LaDonna G. Johnson, 90, of Fruitland Park, FL, formerly of Danville, IL, passed away on Saturday September 7, 2019 at Leesburg Medical Center in Leesburg, FL.  She was born May 25, 1929, in Collison, IL, the daughter of Parker and Ethel (Irvin) Hanson.  She married Richard Johnson on October 14, 1973, at the Lincoln United Methodist Church in Danville, IL.  He survives in Fruitland Park, FL.

She is also survived by two daughters, Roxie (Larry) Nixon of Danville, IL and Dianna Turner of Danville, IL; three sisters, Julie (John Funk) Rose of Decatur, IL, Jean Lete of Alvin, IL, and Audrey (Sherrill) Overlander of Alvin, IL; one brother, William (Sally) Hanson of Danville, IL; four grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, one sister, three brothers, and one granddaughter.

LaDonna was a homemaker for most of her life.

A visitation will be held 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Monday September 16, 2019 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL.  A graveside service will follow the visitation and will begin at 1:00 P.M. Monday at Gundy Cemetery in Bismarck, IL, with Pastor Richard Lewis officiating. 

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Maxey Irving “Max” Page, 82, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 4:13 P.M. Saturday September 7, 2019 at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Living in Hoopeston.  He was born June 12, 1937, in Barren County, Kentucky, the son of Buford and Jewel (Wells) Page.  He married Esther Teegarden on June 11, 1957, in Cheneyville, IL.  She survives.

He is also survived by three daughters, Christine (Elmer) Shipman of Odenville, AL, Charlene Wallace of Hoopeston, IL, and Julie (Mike) Barker of Hoopeston, IL; two sons, Duane (Stacy) Page of Glenwood, IA and Tom Page of Danville, IL; thirteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; three brothers; and four brothers-in-law.

Max worked in the grocery business for 56 years.  He worked at the Grab-It-Here, Bloyd’s and later at Eisner’s.  He also worked at IGA, Save-A-Lot, and Price-Less until his retirement at the age of 65.  Max was a lifetime member of the Church of Christ in Potomac.  In 2007, he was honored to receive the Citizen of the Year award for Hoopeston.  He enjoyed playing cards, gardening, and visiting with his church family.  He was an Illini basketball fan, loved helping others, and was very patriotic.

A visitation will be held 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday September 11, 2019 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday September 12, 2019 at the funeral home with Steve Unger officiating.  Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.

Memorials may be made to the Potomac Church of Christ 211 N. May St. Potomac, IL 61865 or Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Living 423 N. Dixie Highway Hoopeston, IL 60942.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Louise Fruhling, 92, of Potomac, passed away at 9:55 a.m. Saturday, September 7, 2019, at Country Health, in Gifford.

Louis was born on March 22, 1927, in rural Penfield, Illinois, the daughter of Gerhard "G.R." and Etta (Bluhm) Bunting.  She married Clarence J. Fruhling, on January 29, 1950, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in Gifford.  He preceded her in death on September 11, 1997.

She is survived by two sons- Roger Fruhling of Potomac and Mitchell (Mary Ficek) Fruhling of Royal; sister- Vernetta Schluter of Rantoul; sister-in-law- Dorothy Fruhling of Gifford; four nephews and five nieces all whom she loved very much; and special friends- Loretta Burke, Sonna Carley and Connie Rutledge.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers-in-law- Harm Schluter and John Fruhling.

Louise graduated from Armstrong High School in 1945.  She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Flatville.  Louise was a homemaker and she spent many hard hours working on the farm, from milking cows to mowing her yard.  In her later years, she worked at several businesses in Potomac.  She was a Sunday School teacher and Bible School teacher.  Louise was also an election judge for many years. 

Louise loved watching sports and the Wheel of Fortune.  She was an avid Cubs and Illini fan.  She also liked golf, not really knowing what was going on but she knew the ball had to go in the hole. 

No words can express our appreciation to Connie Rutledge for her loving care and compassion to our mother for the last four years.  She has truly become a part of the family and we will always be indebted to her.

Louise had a great life and loved her two boys and had a good word about everyone.  She will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Louise's Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2019, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Flatville, with Pastor Jim Lehmann officiating.  She will be laid to rest in Kopmann Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac.  Memorials may be made to the Middlefork United Methodist Church or Immanuel Lutheran Church.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Louise's life.  Memories or photos may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorials page at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.