www.pantagraph.com The Pantagraph Thursday, August 11, 2011 A7. Obituaries Funerals today Alt, Edward 10 a.m. at Apostolic Christian Church, Cissna Park. Kietzman, Leona, 11 a.m. at St.
Paul's Lutheran Church, Roberts. Reeser, Harold L. "Tick," 10 a.m. at Goodfield Apostolic Christian Church. Woodward, Wanda 10 a.m.
at Duffy -Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. Funerals pending Baize, Bonnie 57, Bloomington, 3:10 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 10, 2011) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.
Beck Memorial Homes, Bloomington. Goodwin, Glen, 86, Bloomington, 9:07 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 10, 2011) at Heritage Manor, Bloomington. East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington.
Hedges, Catherine, 42, formerly of Lexington, 1:05 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 10, 2011) at Heritage Manor, El Paso. Ruestman -Harris Funeral Home, El Paso. Koos, Stephen 64, Bloomington, 5:30 a.m.
Tuesday (Aug. 9, 2011) at Asta Care Center of Bloomington. KiblerSmith Memorial Home, Bloomington. Lehman, Roger 81, Bloomington, 2:10 p.m. Wednesday (Aug.
10, 2011) at his home. Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington. Seifert, John Burns, 88, Springfield, formerly of Anchor, Saturday (Aug. 6, 2011) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Springfield. Bisch Funeral Home West, Springfield.
Wrage, Blanche, 91, Kenney, 3:45 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 9, 2011) at her family residence. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. three sons, Ken (Jill) Drennen, Peru; Richard (Debbie) Drennen, LeRoy; and Kevin Drennen, LaSalle; one stepdaughter, Tammy Smith, Standard; one stepson, Danny Vespie, Texas; four grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; six stepgreatgrandchildren; one brother, William Drennen, Granville; and nieces and nephews.
Mr. Drennen was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia, in 1990, and stepson, Kenneth Vespie, in 2009. Doreen Mary Dziewiontkoski STREATOR Mary Kirkham tkoski, 85, Streator, 4, 2011, at St. Mary's Hospital, Streator. Service: 6 p.m.
Saturday memorial service at Elias Funer al 1 Ho Doreen Dziewiondied Aug. Doreen Dziewiontkoski Streator, with the Rev. Charles Cline of the Central Church of Christ officiating. Memorial visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials: a charity of the donor's choice. Survivors: her husband, Sigmund Dziewiontkoski; four sons, Christopher Dziewiontkoski, Streator; Richard (Dale) Dziewiontkoski, Wildwood Mark (Susan Michlik) Dziewiontkoski, Streator; and Robert Dziewiontkoski, Milwaukee, five grandchildren; and one great -grandchild. Online condolences may be made to the family at Delores Hinrichs BENSON Delores Hinrichs, 82, Benson, passed away at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 10, 2011) at the Apostolic Christian Home in Roanoke, where she was a resident.
Her fu- Delores neral will be Hinrichs at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Benson. The Rev. William Hecht will officiate.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Cremation rites have been accorded and burial of ashes will be in St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery. KnappJohnson -Harris Funeral Home, Roanoke, is assisting with arrangements. Memorials may be made to Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke.
She was born Dec. 29, 1928, in Benson, daughter of Chris and Catherine Arends Kolb. She married Albert Hinrichs on July 16, 1950, in Benson. He survives. Also surviving are one son, Lee (Angie) Hinrichs, Roanoke; two grandchildren, Brenda (Joe) Schneider, Benson, and Robb (Marie) Hinrichs, California; one greatgranddaughter, Sophia; two stepgreat- grandchildren, Maurice and Ariana; one sister, Lorene Backer; and one brother, Delmar (Joan) Kolb.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Bob Hinrichs; and one sister, Velda Warnkes. Delores helped on the family farm all of her life. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed working and nurturing her flowers on the family's country home. She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Benson, where she was active with the ladies aid.
She was also a member of Benson American Legion Auxiliary Post 454. Delores loved and was proud of her family and friends. She was known to do many acts of kindness for people with visits to the elderly, preparing meals for those in need, and just send- ing cards and letters of encouragement to everyone she knew. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnsonharris. com.
Cleo Kroeschen Cleo Kroeschen TOLUCA Cleo H. Kroeschen, 88, Toluca, died at 9:15 p.m. Monday (Aug. 8, 2011) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m.
Friday at St. John's Lutheran Cleo Church, Kroeschen Toluca, with the Rev. Barbara J. Ziah officiating. Burial will follow in St.
John's Lutheran Cemetery, Toluca. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Calvert Johnson Froelich Memorial Home, Toluca, and for one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to her church, Parkinson's Disease Foundation or Minonk Ambulance. Cleo was born March 19, 1923, in Stover, the daughter of Henry and Helena Steinmeyer Koester.
She married Robert H. Kroeschen on July 5, 1941, in Stover, Mo. He died April 4, 1992. Surviving are her four children, Gloria Harms, Peoria; Gary (Cynthia) Kroeschen, Toluca; Eugene (Ronda) Kroeschen, Lafayette, and Greg (Debra) Kroeschen, Toluca; a brother, Clarence Koester, Cypress, a sister, Alice Harms, Tonica; eight grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.
Cleo was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. She had worked in the Seneca Shipyard during World War II. She then worked 20 years as a seamstress at the Toluca Garment Co. and last as a bookkeeper for 13 years at Kroeschen Plumbing Heating until retiring in 1987.
Cleo loved her family and was a great cook. Salads and pies were her specialty. She had crocheted countless afghans for family and Wayne Lowman LINCOLN Wayne H. Low- man, 84, Cape Coral, formerly of Lincoln, died Aug. 3,2011, after a brief illness, at Hope Hospice, Cape Coral, Fla.
A memorial service will 1 be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Parkway, Cape Coral, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the quests donations in loving memory be Hope Hospice. Cremation are under the Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services, a Coral, Fla. He was born April 4, 1927, son of George and Bertha Meyers Lowman.
family reWayne's made to Beverly A. Barr LANE Beverly 62, Lane, died at Monday (Aug. catur Memorial Decatur. Her funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton.
The Rev. Dan Bell will offici- Ann Barr, 10:59 p.m. 8,2011) at DeHospital, Beverly Barr Beverly Barr ate. Burial will be in Baptist Cemetery, Kenney. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m.
today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Beverly Ann Barr Memorial Fund. She was born March 16, 1949, at Clinton, daughter of Lloyd William Cobb and Alice Marie Moore. She married Dale E. Barr on May 16, 1967, in Seymour.
Surviving are her husband, Dale E. Barr, Lane; children, Jerry E. Barr, Lisa L. Barr and Amy L. Sago, all of Clinton; James D.
Barr and Joseph D. Barr, both of Lane; brother, Hugh E. Spencer, Clinton; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother. Online condolences may be emailed to www.calvert Steven Bottcher MINONK Steven F.
Bottcher, 55, Minonk, died at 9:25 p.m. Aug. 4, 2011, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. Service: A private memorial service at a later date.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Affordable Funeral and Cremation Services of Central Illinois assisted the family in arrangements. Memorials: Muscular Dystrophy Research or a local animal shelter Survivors: three sisters, Lillian (Robert) Weiss, Farmer City; Linda (Michael) Thacker, Normal; and Michelle (Mark) Medley, Minonk; and brother-in-law, Martin Cummings, Minonk. Charles Drennen LeROY Charles Dwayne Drennen, 75, Standard, father of a LeRoy man, passed away at 3:29 p.m. Monday (Aug.
8, 2011) at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at HelmerShields Funeral Home, Granville. Burial will be in Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Spring Valley. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Friday, both at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family. Mr. Drennen was born Sept. 3, 1935, in Spring Valley, son of William and Catherine Vernardi Drennen.
He married Virginia Kolczaski on July 7, 1955, in St. Valentine's Church in Peru. She preceded him in death in 1990. He later married Patricia Day on June 3, 1995, in Deer Park Church. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association.
Mr. Drennen was a graduate of St. Bede Academy, Class of 1953, and was inducted into the Golden Bedans in 2003. He was an avid outdoorsman; and he enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, trapshooting, gardening, NASCAR and the Indy car races. Mr.
Drennen worked at Libby-Owens Ford Glass for more than 35 years. He was a hunting guide at Duck Boat and Armor Duck Clubs in the Illinois River Valley and was a riverboat pilot for Starved Rock Scenic Boat Co. After his retirement, he managed the Hennepin Duck Club. He enjoyed bartending at Bellino's Tap in Standard. He also worked part time at Pioneer Seed Co.
He was an actor in the made-for-TV movie "The Chisholms," shot in the Illinois River Valley in 1978. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; one daughter, Carol (Jeff) Schnaiter, Amboy; worked at Vactor Manufacturing in Streator for several years. This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.martinfuneralhomes.com. arrangements direction of Wayne Lowman Wayne Lowman Hemarried his loving wife, Geraldine "Geri" Lowman, on Jan. 26, 1952, in Lincoln.
She survives. He is also survived by his three sons, Rob (Maggie) Lowman, Fort Myers, Todd (Georgia) Lowman, Lincoln; and Scott (Marleena) Lowman, Cape Coral, six grandchildren, Cole, Kelsey, Samantha, Melanie, Sydney and Aaron; and Wayne's five siblings, Blanche Baldwin, Baton Rouge, Elaine Lakin, Fort Myers, Dean (Carol) Lowman, Lincoln; Dale (Ila) Lowman, Springfield; and Robert (Georgia) Lowman, Fort Myers, Fla. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter and both parents. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy.
He was a member of Eagles Lodge 2708, American Legion 263 and First United Methodist Church of Lincoln. Upon his return from the service, Wayne began working at Stetson's China Factory, and then Culligan Soft Water. He then worked at MII Myers Industries, for more than 28 years as a production supervisor before his retirement in 1989. He was a fan of all sports, in particular NASCAR and the Bears, but his love for the Cubs was matched by few. Lucas J.
Lurz STREATOR Lucas James Lurz, 20, Streator, died July 21, 2011, at his residence. Service: a private funeral was Aug, 3, 2011. SolonTelford Funeral Home, Streator, was in charge of arrangements. Survivors: his mother, Linda Lurz; sisters, Ang el Lucas a Lurz Kenneth McClellan Showen, and Regina and Rebecca Lurz; brothers, Frank Jr. and Michael; and grandparents, Eugene and Barbra Kolesar.
Kenneth McClellan PONTIAC Kenneth A. McClellan, 51, Pontiac, died at 4:50 a.m. Tuesday (Aug. 9, 2011) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.
His funeral will be at 5 p.m. Friday at Martin Funeral Home, Pontiac, with the Rev Patrick Embley of- ficiating. Kenneth Visitation McClellan will be Kenneth McClellan from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service.
Memorials in Kenneth's name may be made to the American Cancer Society. Kenneth was born Nov. 2, 1959, in Pontiac, a son of George and Evelyn Thurston McClellan. He is survived by one son, Chris McClellan, Pontiac; his special friend, Angela Hornbeck, Pontiac; one stepson, Ryan Hornbeck, Pontiac; two brothers, Ralph (Deb) McClellan, Bourbonnais, and Bill (Amy) Thurston, Pontiac; two sisters, Jeanette (Pete) Malone, Pontiac, and Wilma (Bob) Romig, Flanagan; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Julie Brogan.
Kenneth graduated from Pontiac Township High School in 1978. He had Merle W. Metz FORREST Merle W. Metz, 81, Forrest, passed away at 1:49 p.m. Monday (Aug.
8,2011) at OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Martin Funeral Home, Forrest, with the Rev. R.
David Reynolds officiating. A private inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home, where memorials may be made to the Forrest Fire Department. Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral.
Merle was born Dec. 22, 1929, in Fairbury, a son of Ben and 1 Hilda Abts Metz. He graduated from Fairbury High School, Class of 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1951 to 1955 in the Amphibious Group Forces.
He married Patricia Nolan on July 21, 1954, at the Naval Chapel in Norfolk, Va. She survives. Also surviving are one daughter, Linda (Mark) Hurt, Tolono; two sons, Michael Metz, Urbana, and David (Robin) Metz, Chenoa; six grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; two sisters, Pauline Miller, Fairbury, and Elsie (Richard) Schaffer, Fairbury; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenneth and Melvin; and one sister, Donna Sifert. He had worked for the Clayton Mark Co.
in Chicago, Honegger Feed Mill Hatchery and also Forrest Redi-Mix before retiring in 1991. Mr. Metz enjoyed fishing, fixing rods and reels, hunting, attending sales auctions and collecting coins. He was a member of J.A. Folwell American Legion Post 174, Forrest; Forrest Fire Department for 23 years; and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fairbury, He was a lifetime blood donor at the American Red Cross.
This obituary may be viewed and private condolences sent to the family online at www.martin-funeral homes.com. Jewell R. Morgan PONTIAC Jewell R. Morgan, 93, Pontiac, died at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday (Aug.
9, 2011) at her residence. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, Pontiac, with the Rev. James O. Wolfe III officiating.
A visitation will be from noon until the hour of service Friday at the Jewell church. Morgan Burial will Jewell Morgan be at South Side Cemetery, Pontiac. Memorials in Jewell's name may be left to First Baptist Church, Pontiac. Mrs. Morgan was born Feb.
13, 1918, in Harrisburg, a daughter of John and Bessie Sutherland Vaughn. She married Randell W. Morgan on Nov. 16,1951. He preceded her in death Feb.
13, 2010. She is survived by her children, Randell S. (Sandra) Morgan, Pontiac; Curtis Warren (Pat) Chapman, Tempe, Bette (Glen) Ewell, Mesa, and Gary (Mari) Chapman, Pontiac; seven grandchildren, Stephanie, Jacob, Tracie, Martin, Bonnie, David and Troy; and nine great -grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers and one sis-: ter. Mrs.
Morgan was a member of First Baptist Church, Pontiac, and active in many church circles and community organizations throughout the years. She was a loving mother and grandmoth-: er, and will be deeply missed by all. This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.martinfuneralhomes.com. Craig Ripsch PONTIAC Craig Preston "Rat" Ripsch, 62, Pontiac, died Monday (Aug. 8, 2011) at 1:37 p.m.
at his residence, following a brief illness with cancer. His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church, Pontiac, with the Craig Rev. Heidi Ripsch Punt offi- Craig Ripsch ciating. A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m.
today at Martin Funeral Home, Pontiac. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service. Memorials in Craig's name may be left to his family. Craig was born June 27, 1949, in Pontiac, a son of Glenn and Gladine Leffler Ripsch. He married Vicki L.
Zehr on Oct. 9, 1971, in Pontiac. He later married Ruth Green on Jan. 20, 1990, in Flanagan. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ripsch, Pontiac; two daughters, Amber (Charles) Morey, Eagle River, Alaska, and Brooke (Dan) Weir, Flanagan; one stepdaughter, Jessica Farrell, Ottawa; eight grandchildren, Riley, Jacob, Ryan, Adam, Kate, Charlie, Savannah and Elizabeth; and three brothers, Cary (Judy) Ripsch, Fulton, Jeff (Twila) Ripsch, Marseilles; and Neil (Linda) Ripsch, Bend, Ore.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Cathy Beedle; and his world -famous dog, Merl. Rat graduated from Pontiac Township High School. He was the owner of Ripsch Painting and Decorating in Pontiac. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Flanagan and was a Christian.
He was also a member of Sons of the American Legion, Pontiac Masonic Lodge, Pontiac Elks Lodge and Flanagan Lions Club. He was an honorary Walldog and had served on the Flanagan Volunteer Fire Department. He was also the grand admiral of the Vermillion River Naval Command and an "Ambassador at Large" for Bob and Ringo's. Craig never knew a stranger. He was a world traveler, who began his travels in 1971.
He especially liked traveling Europe, hitchhiking adventures and fishing trips. He was a master of the air guitar and a Moody Blues enthusiast. Craig possessed a vast knowledge of useless information attained from the Discovery, History and National Geographic channels. Rat was a loyal Chicago Bears fan, and in honor of that feel free to wear your Chicago Bears attire. As Craig would say, "Think good thoughts -do good deeds." This obituary may be viewed and condolences left at www.martinfuneralhomes.com.
MORE OBITUARIES PAGE A8 Calvert Metzler memorial homes Bloomington Always affordable, caring compassion Touching families with our thoughtful communication, compassion and personal attention. Alex Calvert, Director Serving All Faiths.
