Helen Fern Meeker, 84, of Alvin, IL, passed away at 8:54 P.M. Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at her home. She was born on February 6, 1942, in Alvin, IL, the daughter of Jesse and Francis (Pettice) Rumble. She married Philip Meeker on November 10, 1965, in Danville, IL. He survives in Alvin, IL.

She is also survived by two daughters, Gina (Brad) Stephenson of Alvin, IL and Tammie Herriott (Doug Crawley) of Rossville, IL; stepson, Mike Meeker of Ridge Farm, IL; foster son, Mike (Kathy) Pratt of Danville, IL; sister-in-law, Charlotte Lynn of Danville, IL; two brothers-in-law, Robert (Mick) Meeker of Zolfo, FL and Billy (Mindy) Meeker of Catlin, IL; five grandchildren, Josh Nunn (Angie Rhodes), Shannon (Walker) Eye, Caleb (Steph) Stephenson, Cade (Madison) Herriott, and Kelsey Herriott; and seven great-grandchildren, Tinley, Reis, Tessa, and Rollins Stephenson, Tucker and Tate Eye, and Hayes Herriott.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse & Francis Rumble; two sisters, Peggy Stahl and Mary Ellen Gilbert; and one brother, Melvin Rumble.

Helen retired from Chuckles Candy factory in 2003 after 43 years of service. She enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, and mushroom hunting. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St., Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 12:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Gundy Cemetery in Bismarck.

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

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Brian Patrick “Bruiser” Root, 54, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 5:20 P.M. Sunday, July 5, 2026. He was born on October 14, 1971, in Danville, IL, the son of James and Patricia (Kane) Root. They survive in Hoopeston.

He is also survived by one sister, Laura (Marc) Olson of Littleton, CO; one brother, Kevin (Suzi) Root of Hoopeston, IL; and six nieces and nephews, Jack and Heather Olson of Wahpeton, ND, Sam Olson of Denver, CO, Karsen Root of Westfield, IN, Rhys Root of West Lafayette, IN, and Owen Root of Hoopeston, IL.

Brian was a carpenter. He loved to go fishing and was a Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. He also enjoyed following Cornjerker athletics.

Cremation rites will be accorded, and a service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Brian to the Hoopeston Area Sports Boosters, C/O Hoopeston Area High School, 615 E. Orange St., Hoopeston, IL 60942.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Linda S. Lockhart, 80, of Venice, FL, formerly of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 10:45 A.M. Wednesday July 1, 2026, at Sunset Lake Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Venice, FL. She was born on July 24, 1945, in Hoopeston, IL, the daughter of Orville R. and Doris (Barragree) McCalla. She married Stephen Lockhart on August 1, 1980, and he preceded her in death on March 24, 1996. She later married Ed Lockhart on August 12, 1998, in St. Charles, MO. He survives in Venice, FL.

She is also survived by her daughter, Dawn (Robert) Askins of Pekin, IL; her son, Todd (Misty) Karrick of Hoopeston, IL; one sister, Mary Jane (Ken) Adams of Covington, IN; two brothers, Jim McCalla and Dan McCalla both of Hoopeston, IL; four grandchildren, Blake Karrick, Lauren Karrick, Madison (Dylan) Gale, and Brady Askins; four great-grandchildren, Adalai Goins, Finnegan Gale, Lincoln Askins, and Henslee Askins; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Doris McCalla; three sisters, Sandra Hughes, Donna Baughman, and Judith Burton; two brothers, Dick and John McCalla; one niece, Debbie Hughes; and two nephews, Travis McCalla and Greg Baughman.

Linda worked at the Ritz and later operated the lunch counter at Pla-Mor Lanes. She then worked at Stokely’s in Hoopeston until its closure and later worked as a program support coordinator for Hoopeston Migrant Head Start until her retirement. Linda enjoyed bowling, drinking wine with the girls, and playing cards especially Rummikub, Skip-Bo, and Ups. She also enjoyed Facetiming with her grandkids and traveling.

A private service will be held.

Memorials may be made in memory of Linda to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036 or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Myrna Joyce Rhodes, 83, of Danville, IL, passed away at 12:34 P.M. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Hoopeston, IL. She was born on November 20, 1942, in Hoopeston, IL, the daughter of Ralph James and Betty (Wintersteen) Moore. She married Ben Rhodes on July 3, 1961, in Chicago, IL. He preceded her in death on July 9, 1984.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, stepdaughter, Carolyn Martinez-Miller (Robert); step-son-in-law, Lawrence Pope; one granddaughter, one great-grandson, one nephew, and two sisters-in-law, Sharon and Bonnie Moore.

She is survived by her daughters, Bennita Lynn Rhodes-Adams (Dave Adams) of Fort Wayne, IN and Michelle Rhodes-Jones (Greg Jones) of Indianapolis, IN; step-daughter, Gladys Pope; three brothers, Kenneth “Butch” Moore, Richard Moore, and Rick D. (Cathy) Moore all of Hoopeston, IL; 11 grandchildren, Benni A. Rhodes, Justin D. May, Brittanni J. Bernard, Brandon T. Bernard, Sierra L. Bernard, Mariah K. Adams, Jasmine R. Adams, Brooklyn Cockerham, Christian Cockerham, Anna Cockerham, and Brianna Cockerham; 24 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Myrna was the Transportation Supervisor for ECICAA Head Start in Vermilion County for 42 years until her retirement. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, decorating, and gardening.

Cremation rites will be accorded.

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

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.

Tammy Jean (Duffin) Bertram, 85, of Rossville, Illinois, passed away on June 30, 2026.

Tammy was born on February 20, 1941, in Danville, Illinois, and was raised in Hoopeston, where she graduated from Hoopeston High School.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph Bertram, and her parents, Thomas and Vera Duffin.

She is survived by her son, Craig (Wendy) Bertram; her granddaughters, Kelli (Devin) Huckstep and Lacey (Jared) Lyons; along with extended family members, dear friends, and all whose lives were touched by her kindness.

Nothing brought Tammy more happiness than spending time with her family. She was endlessly proud of Craig and adored her granddaughters, Kelli and Lacey, as well as Devin and Jared, whom she loved as her own grandchildren. Their accomplishments, milestones, and time together were the greatest joys of her life.

She never met a stranger. Tammy was known for greeting everyone with a smile and her occasional “Howdy-do,” making friends wherever she went.

One of Tammy’s greatest joys was watching her son, Craig, perform with local bands. She loved music, loved to dance, and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer him on. Those evenings spent listening to him play were among her happiest.

Tammy also enjoyed bowling and golfing with her friends, sharing years of fun, laughter, and treasured memories.

She had a lifelong love of horses and animals. She enjoyed owning horses, spent many years trail riding with family and friends, and was a longtime member of the Rossville Saddle Club. Her love and appreciation for animals remained with her throughout her life.

Tammy and Ralph built a wonderful life together on their farm near Rossville, where they made countless memories with family and friends. Although her later years took her away from the farm she loved, Rossville was always home. Earlier in life, Tammy worked at Gulbransen Organ in Hoopeston, the Hoopeston Food Locker, and later at Aunt Jody’s antique shops in Rossville.

More than anything, Tammy will be remembered for the love she shared with her family, the countless friendships she made, and the joy she found in life’s simple moments. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Rossville Church of Christ, followed by the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Kevin Purdy officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Hill Cemetery. The family has entrusted Blurton Funeral Home in Potomac with arrangements honoring Tammy’s life.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity or organization of the donor’s choice.

Condolences or memories may be shared with the family at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

Lois Lee Petersen, 92, of Rossville, IL, passed away at 10:10 A.M. Monday, June 29, 2026, at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Living in Hoopeston. She was born on April 17, 1934, in Watseka, IL, the daughter of Emery and Bonnie May (Eastburn) Dubea. She married Norvan Thomas Petersen on September 12, 1954, and he preceded her in death.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Lynn “Cookie” Green of Rossville, IL.

She is survived by two daughters, LuAnn Lusk of Alvin, IL and Kellie Petersen of Danville, IL; one son, John (Tia) Petersen of Rossville, IL; one brother-in-law, John Green of Rossville, IL; three grandchildren, Tom (Amanda) Lusk of Rossville, IL, Hunter (Skylee) Petersen of Mahomet, IL, and Tucker Petersen of Rossville, IL; three great-grandchildren, Colton and Austin Lusk, and Wade Petersen; two nieces; and one nephew.

Lois was a devoted farm wife who worked alongside her husband throughout their years on the farm. She was a member of the Rossville United Methodist Church and Daughters of the American Revolution. Lois loved her English bulldogs, Smoke and Gretchen, and enjoyed quilting, sewing, traveling, and watching QVC.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 3, 2026, at Rossville Cemetery, with Pastor Gary Milton officiating.

Memorials may be made in memory of Lois to the Vermilion County Animal Shelter, 14775 Catlin Tilton Rd, Danville, IL 61834.

Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Lois’ eternal tribute page.

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.