Mollie Frances Jones, 94, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 8:46 P.M. Wednesday December 27, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. She was born July 31, 1929, in Columbia, KY, the daughter of Albert and Mary (Franklin) Petty. She married Chapman Jones on August 8, 1945, in Gradyville, KY. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by two daughters, Donna Pierce of Hoopeston, IL and Mary (Wally) Gilonske of Hoopeston, IL; one son, Woodrow “Butch” (Mary) Jones of Fowler, IN; one sister, Nannie Carter of Campbellsville, KY; 36 grandchildren; 83 great-grandchildren; many great-great-grandchildren; several great-great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Mollie was preceded in death by her parents; 8 children, Tony, Anna, Tammy, Junior, Joey, Tommy, John, and Bobby; 3 brothers; 3 sisters; and one infant brother.

Mollie worked as a housekeeper at Country Health Nursing Home in Gifford, and later worked as a bus monitor for Head Start. She was a member of the First Church of God in Hoopeston. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo with her family. She also loved watching the Hallmark channel and TV evangelists.

Visitation will be held 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Thursday January 4, 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 1:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home with Pastor Micah Mobley officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Mollie to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Foundation (ASGE Foundation), P.O. Box 809055, Chicago, IL 60680-9055.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Judith A. Downing, 71, of Potomac, passed away at 4:25 a.m. Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Heritage Health, in Hoopeston.

She was born August 18, 1952, Judith A. Ludvigsen, in Kaukauna, Wisconsin and was 1 of 10 children.  She was adopted at the age of 13 by Bernard and Margaret (Peterson) Vigor.  She married Roy Downing on August 14, 2000, in Clarksville, Kentucky.  He survives.

She is also survived by two step-daughters- Julie Downing and Tammy (Jason) Garrett both of Potomac.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Judith graduated from Hoopeston High School.  She worked for several years at the Stewart Grain Elevator, in Stewart, Indiana.  She was a member of the Potomac Church of Christ.  She enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre, crocheting, knitting, making blankets and embroidery.  Judy also enjoyed riding on the Harley with Roy and spending time with her dogs.

A Celebration of Judy’s Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023, at the Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac, with Pastor Randy Walters officiating.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home.  She will be laid to rest following the services in the Potomac Cemetery.  Memorials may be made in Judy’s name to the Potomac Church of Christ or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Judy’s life.  Condolences may be sent to the family on her everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Theresa Ann Long, 56, of Rantoul, passed away at 9:32 p.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital, in Urbana.

Theresa was born on June 26, 1967, in Danville, Illinois, the daughter of Don and Judy (Myers) Miller.

She is survived by her brother- Mike Miller of Rantoul; sister- Marina Rush of Potomac; two nephews- Tyler Rush of Pensacola, Florida and Jordan (Roxanna) Rush of Potomac; niece- Marissa Rush of Potomac; and great-nephew- Roman Rush of Potomac.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She graduated from Ridge Farm High School and Danville Area Community College.  Theresa worked for HR Block, in Rantoul, as a Tax Pro.  She enjoyed helping with petting zoos, doing pony rides, and going to flea markets.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the Potomac Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor Randy Holden officiating.  Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, at the church.  Cremation rites have been arranged.  Memorials may be made in Theresa’s name to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac, to assist them in honoring THeresa's life.  Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Larry Wayne Rife, 81, of Rossville, passed away at 4:10 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2023, at the VA Illiana Healthcare System, in Danville.

Larry was born on October 8, 1942, in Danville, Illinois, the son of Harold and Betty Lou (Runyan) Rife.  He married Nancy Jean Tutwiler on April 4, 1969, in Henning, Illinois.  She preceded him in death on July 22, 2022. 

He is survived by two sons- Bill Rife of Home Gardens, Illinois and Nick (Tammy) Rife of Knoxville, Tennessee; two grandchildren- Kyle (Kelly) Rife and Megan Rife both of Knoxville, Tennessee; two great-grandchildren- Maxon and Emma Jean Rife both of Knoxville, Tennessee; brother- Raymond Michael (Kim) Garretson of Poway, California; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father- Ray Garretson and two brothers- Harold and John Rife.

Larry served in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1967.  He worked as a truck driver most of his life as an owner/operator and also worked for Central Transport and Southland.  Prior to that he worked as a machinist at Montgomery Machine and for Hyster, in Danville.  He was a 32^nd degree Mason and a member of Pleasant View Lodge #0782.  Larry loved garden tractors and he enjoyed buying, selling and collecting antique garden tractors.  In his younger years he loved horses and grew up around horses.  Larry was also a NASCAR fan and enjoyed cheering for Ryan Blaney. 

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 5^th, 2024, at Danville National Cemetery, with Pastor Dan Mikel officiating, with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #210.  Masonic services will also be held during this time.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Larry’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Masonic Children’s Hospital, in Minnesota.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Larry’s life.  Condolences may be shared with the family on his everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Lucy Jean Cross, 90, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 7:10 A.M. Monday December 25, 2023, at Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center. She was born April 5, 1933, in Danville, IL, the daughter of Jeff and Dora (Burton) Floyd.

She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Pickett of Hoopeston, IL and Pamela Lindsey of Hoopeston, IL; two sons, John (Paula) Cross of Scottsdale, AZ and Stanley Eugene Cross of Hoopeston, IL; one sister, Sue Zarate of Watseka, IL; 5 grandchildren, Amber Obenland, Darren Pickett, and Steven, David, and Sarah Cross; 3 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Marcia Bradshaw and Crystal Nelson; one son, Michael Cross; two sisters, Marcella Ingram and Pearl Williams; and three brothers, Ernie, Bill, and Jeff Floyd.

In her earlier years, Lucy worked at Stokely’s in Hoopeston during corn pack. She later cared for her family as a homemaker. She enjoyed watching television and listening to WHPO Radio especially Turn Back the Time Tuesday’s and Sunday morning gospel. Lucy also loved enjoying a good meal together with her family.

A visitation will be held 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Friday December 29, 2023, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. A graveside service will follow the visitation and will begin at 11:15 A.M. Friday, at Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston, with Pastor Micah Mobley officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the donor’s choice.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements

Virginia May Morts, 96, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away on Tuesday December 26, 2023, at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Living in Hoopeston. She was born on May 2, 1927, in Rossville, IL., the daughter of Earl Wood and Agnes (McCluskey) Wood. Virginia graduated from John Greer High School with the class of 1945. After graduation, she worked as a secretary at Food Machinery Corporation. In 1948, she married her high school sweetheart, Floyd Morts. She completed the Heim Beauty School in Chicago in 1950. Floyd and Virginia celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary in 2008. He preceded her in death on December 23, 2008. Her parents, three brothers, one sister, and several nieces and nephews also preceded her in death.

Survivors include one son, Larry D. (Anne) Morts of Valdosta, GA; one daughter, Diane A. (Ron) Cress of Zionsville, IN; three grandchildren, Brad Cress of Veedersburg, IN, Amber (Matt) Smith of Fort Wayne, IN, and Megan (Austin) Holtz of Westfield, IN; and four great-grandchildren, Everett Smith, Kylah Smith, Grayson Holtz, and Payton Holtz.

Virginia was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Hoopeston where she served on numerous committees, including treasurer. She also worked as the church secretary for fifteen years, retiring to help her husband farm.

Her hobbies included sewing, crocheting, square dancing, swimming with her friends, and reading. She was an avid fan of the U of I basketball team. Virginia was a former member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, Jolly Dozen Club, Merry Circle Club, Sweet Corners Square Dance Club, Eastern Star, Euchre Club, and the Farm Bureau.

Private services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in memory of Virginia to the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 502 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL 60942, or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, TX 75380.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Karen Maxine Bowman-Fink, 77, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 7:04 A.M. Monday December 11, 2023, at her home. She was born June 12, 1946, in Hollywood, FL, the daughter of Orval and Evelyn (Pattenaude) Mains.

She is survived by three sons, Charles Thomas (Selena) Hutton, Victor Lamar Hutton, and Richard (Danielle) Hutton; one sister, Delores Elmor; nine grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings.

Karen was a homemaker. She attended the Baptist church where she participated in many church functions such as singing in the choir and doing mission work. She was also involved in the Florida Jaycees. Karen enjoyed handwriting, crocheting, and doing crossword puzzles.

Cremation rites will be accorded, and no services will be held.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements

Carol “Sue” Cawthon, 89, of Hoopeston, passed away at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at Accolade Healthcare, in Paxton.

Sue was born on November 7, 1934, in Prairie Green Township, Illinois, the daughter of Ernest and Ethel (Boltz) Longfellow.

She is survived by two daughters- Debbie (Jim) Benjamin of Hoopeston and Deanna Hines of Danville; three sons- Brad Cawthon of Indianapolis, Phil (Tricia) Cawthon of Fishers, Indiana and Marty Cawthon of Newark, Ohio; sixteen grandchildren- Sean (Michelle) Cawthon, Elizabeth Cawthon, Austin Cawthon, Jeremiah Brinkworth, Sam Cawthon, Ivy Cawthon, Courtney Benjamin, Doug (Beth) Benjamin, Tim (Katie) Benjamin, Casey (Daniel) Harrison, Nigel Cawthon, Jacob Cawthon, Tanner Cawthon, Gabby Cawthon, Bailee (James) Wright and Preslee (Lance) Evans; eight great-grandchildren- Stephen, Maddie, Mallory, Regan, Zaren, Merritt, Eleece and Caiden; great-great granddaughter- Cecelia; two brothers- Gary Longfellow of Rossville and Jack (Sue) Longfellow of Champaign; sister-Sandy (Jim) Firebaugh of Whitestown, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son- Greg Cawthon.

Sue graduated from Rossville High School.  She worked for Howard Industries for several years and then later at Hoopeston Regional Hospital, until her retirement.  She was a member of the Life Church, in Danville.  Sue enjoyed watching game shows on TV, listening to old country music, cooking, and her cats.

A Celebration of Sue’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 11, 2023, at Blurton Funeral Home, in Hoopeston, with Hank Sanford Officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.  Following the services, she will be laid to rest in the Rossville Cemetery.  Memorials may be made in Sue’s name to HART, American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.  The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist the family in honoring Sue’s life.  Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Timothy Yates, 65, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023, in Hoopeston. Born on March 25, 1958, to Fred and Barbara Yates, Tim was the youngest of three siblings. He was a native of Chrisman, IL, and graduated from Chrisman High School in the Class of 1976.

Tim was a patriot and proud United States Army veteran. He earned his Green Beret in November 1982 and was assigned to the 5^th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, NC. After his decorated military service concluded, he attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale before joining the Vermilion County Probation and Court Services Department. He later transitioned to the Social Security Administration in Danville.

Tim was a fiercely devoted family man. He married Cyndi Christine on July 14, 1989. They made their home in Hoopeston with sons, Aaron, Elijah, and Silas. In retirement, he remained active in the veteran’s community, regularly attended University of Illinois football games, and proudly supported his boys’ diverse endeavors. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hoopeston.

Tim was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Debbie Yates.

He leaves behind his wife, three sons, and sister, Andrea (Dana) Russett of Richmond Hill, GA. He will also be dearly missed by his father and mother-in-law, Dave and Julie Christine, sisters-in-law, Rosellen Cornelius and Mary Tselepis, and his nephews and nieces, Wade and Craig Scrogham, Luke Russett, Katie and Will Tselepis, and David and Maya Cornelius.

The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday December 15, 2023, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 423 S. Third St. Hoopeston, IL, with Father Ignatius Mulenda officiating. Burial will follow in the Danville National Cemetery, 1900 E. Main St., Danville, IL. Military rites will be accorded by the Danville American Legion Post 210.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Danville VA, Voluntary Service Office 135, 1900 E. Main St., Danville, IL 61832 or The Society of St. Vincent De Paul, 66 PROGRESS PARKWAY, MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO 63043-3706.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.