Obituaries in ‘Obituaries’

Gee Family

Sep 26

Raymond “Rick” Gee, Ruth Constant Gee, Justina Constant, Dillen Constant and Austin Gee, all of Beason, died early this week at their home.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at the Family Life Center, 114 N. Lafayette in Mount Pulaski. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m.

Burial will be in Laenna Cemetery, rural Chestnut.

Rick Gee

Mr. Gee was the owner of Gee Construction.

He was born Feb. 27, 1963, at Decatur. He married Ruth Ann Constant in Beason in 1997.

He is survived by his mother, three daughters, two sons, one grandson, one granddaughter, one sister, many aunts and uncles, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

His father, his wife and three children have died.

Ruth Gee

Mrs. Gee was a homemaker.

She was born Sept. 11, 1970, in Lincoln to Dean Edward and Frances Everhart Constant. She married Raymond “Rick” Gee in Beason in 1997.

She is survived by her mother, one brother, two sisters, two stepsisters, two daughters and two stepgrandchildren.

Justina Constant

Justina attended Lincoln Community High School in Lincoln.

She was born Jan. 3, 1993, in Lincoln.

She is survived by one grandmother, one stepgrandmother, two half sisters, one stepbrother, one stepsister, one niece and one nephew.

Dillen Constent

Dillen was a student at Lincoln Junior High School in Lincoln.

He was born April 4, 1995, in Lincoln.

He is survived by his father, Gerald Miller of Lincoln; one grandfather, two grandmothers, one stepgrandfather, two stepgrandmothers, five half brothers, six half sisters, three nieces and three nephews.

Austin Gee

Austin attended Chester-East Lincoln School in Lincoln.

He was born Jan. 22, 1998, in Lincoln to Raymond “Rick” and Ruth Ann Constant Gee.

Irwin W. Conklen

Jul 23

Irwin W. Conklen, 76, of New Holland, died Saturday, July 18, 2009, at 1:10 p.m. at St. John’s Hospice in Springfield.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church in New Holland, with the Rev. Charles Olander officiating.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln and on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be in Richmond Grove Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted.Mr. Conklen was a lifetime farmer in the New Holland area.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.

He was born March 21, 1933, in New Holland to Edgar and Beulah Wendell Conklen. He married Lila Krusemark on Feb. 15, 1953, in New Holland.

He is survived by his wife, of New Holland; two sons, Randy (and Mary) Conklen of New Holland and Rod (and Pam) Conklen of New Holland; one brother, Neil (and Joyce) Conklen of Mason City; three sisters, Jane (and Edwin) McLaughlin of Murphysboro, Nelda (and Terry) Walker of Mason City and Nancy (and Larry) Aper of Hartsburg; four grandchildren, Sara (and Brian) Boerma, Katie Conklen, Reid Conklen and Robin Conklen; and numerous nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents and three infant grandchildren.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in New Holland, where he was a former church elder, council president and served on numerous committees. He was a member and present commander of New Holland Porter Bell American Legion Post 715; a member of Logan County Farm Bureau, where he had been a director for nine years; and a Taloma grain board member.

He was a Golden Harvest seed dealer for many years and an avid collector of farm antiques, especially John Deere tractors.

He was a Hollander 4-H leader for 20-plus years and a strong supporter of Logan County 4-H.

He enjoyed deer hunting, auto racing, traveling and crop watching.

He graduated from New Holland High School in 1951.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church in New Holland, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the donor’s choice

Irwin Conklen

Jul 20

Irwin W. Conklen, 76, of New Holland, died Saturday, July 18, 2009, at 1:10 p.m. at St. John’s Hospice in Springfield.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church in New Holland, with the Rev. Charles Olander officiating.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln and on Wednesday in New Holland one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be in Richmond Grove Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted.Mr. Conklen was a lifetime farmer in the New Holland area.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.

He was born March 21, 1933, in New Holland to Edgar and Beulah Wendell Conklen. He married Lila Krusemark on Feb. 15, 1953, in New Holland.

He is survived by his wife, of New Holland; two sons, Randy (and Mary) Conklen of New Holland and Rod (and Pam) Conklen of New Holland; one brother, Neil (and Joyce) Conklen of Mason City; three sisters, Jane (and Edwin) McLaughlin of Murphysboro, Nelda (and Terry) Walker of Mason City and Nancy (and Larry) Aper of Hartsburg; four grandchildren, Sara (and Brian) Boerma, Katie Conklen, Reid Conklen and Robin Conklen; and numerous nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents and three infant grandchildren.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in New Holland, where he was a former church elder, council president and served on numerous committees. He was a member and present commander of New Holland Porter Bell American Legion Post 715; a member of Logan County Farm Bureau, where he had been a director for nine years; and a Taloma grain board member.

Robert Horn

Jul 10

Robert Leon Horn, 54, of Roanoke, Va., an Illinois native, died Saturday, July 4, 2009, at 1 p.m. at his home. He was raised in Lawndale.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln, with the Rev. Tim Crump officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.Burial will be in Lawndale Cemetery, Lawndale, with military rites conducted by Lincoln American Legion Post 263.

Mr. Horn was a retired union electrician.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

He was born Dec. 9, 1954, in Peoria to Robert E. and Anna L. Hougham Horn. He married Marcia Loeffler in 1977, and they later divorced.

He is survived by one daughter, Melissa Ann Horn; two sons, Kyle R. Horn and Travis William Horn, all of Arkansas; one brother, David (and Renee) Horn of Decatur; and one grandchild.

He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

He graduated from Lincoln Community High School in 1973.

Emma C O’Dell-Girdler

Jul 10

Emma C. O’Dell-Girdler, 92, of Cisco, formerly of Elkhart, died Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 2:35 p.m. at Bement Health Care Center.

Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Mount Pulaski, with Father James Cravens officiating. Visitation will be from noon until 1 p.m. at the funeral home

Burial will be in Elkhart Cemetery, Elkhart.

She had been co-owner of the Elkhart Grill in Elkhart.

She was born Nov. 25, 1916, in Elkhart to Harland and Maude Pankey Shockey. She married Enos O’Dell, and he preceded her in death on Jan. 15, 1975. Her second marriage was to Herman Girdler, and he preceded her in death on April 18, 1997.

She is survived by one stepdaughter, Judith McKinstry; three nieces; Leahdell Turner, with whom Emma lived for the past 10 years, Cordelia Shelton and Gwen Roosevelt; and two nephews, Jerry Shockey and Lewis Suttory.

She was also preceded in death by one brother and one sister.

She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Lincoln.

Mark Theobald

Jul 10

Mark Douglas Theobald, 57, of Elkhart, died Friday, July 3, 2009, at 11:03 p.m. at his home.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln, with the Rev. Roger James officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Williamsville.Mr. Theobald retired from the shipping department of Lehn & Fink after 26 1/2 years with the company.

He was born April 30, 1952, in Springfield.

He is survived by two sons, Brian D. (and Jamie) Theobald of Springfield and Eric D. Theobald of Farmington, Ky.; four sisters, Melva Jo Breitenstein of Chicago, Carolyn Neal of Lincoln, Edwina Ellegood of Beason and Bea Leonard of Farmersville; and one brother, Roger D. Theobald of Broadwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin D. Theobald and Helen Cofer Staats.

He was a club member of Chevy Classics and National Nostalgic Nova.

He was also known for his poetry.

Edna J. Harmon

Jun 28

Edna J. Harmon, 74, formerly of Lincoln, died Monday, June 22, 2009, at 12:30 p.m. at New Mercer Commons Assisted Living, Fort Collins, Colo.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 29, at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln, with Dustin Fulton officiating. Visitation will be 9:30-11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield.

Mrs. Harmon was a homemaker.

She was born Sept.18, 1934, in Lincoln to Omer E. and Lucille Van Hook Henrichsmeyer. She married Bill Harmon on March 24, 1962, in Lincoln. He preceded her in death on Jan. 1, 2001.

She is survived by two sons, Kevin Eric Harmon of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Mark William (and Nancy) Harmon of Windsor, Colo.; one stepson, Timothy (and Linda) Harmon of Pleasant Plains; one granddaughter, Hannah Harmon; one grandson, David Harmon; and one brother, George (and Janet) Henrichsmeyer of Lincoln.

She was also preceded in death by her parents.

She was a member of Lincoln Christian Church and taught Sunday school for a number of years. She was also a member of the Logan Railsplitting Association and the Logan County Arts and Crafts Guild.

Kevin Wayne Smith

Jun 28

Kevin Wayne Smith, 36, of Athens, formerly of Mount Pulaski, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at 7:54 p.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Pulaski Christian Church. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. at the church.

Burial will be in Mount Pulaski Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Mount Pulaski.

Mr. Smith was an EMT for the Menard County EMS.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

He was born Dec. 21, 1972, in Spearman, Texas. His parents were Donald Smith Jr. and Linda Robertson Hamlin.

He is survived by two daughters, Brittany and Isabelle Smith of Athens; his mother, of Mount Pulaski; two brothers, Donnie (and Jennifer) Smith of Mount Pulaski and Josh (and Gina) Hamlin of Springfield; and his best friend, Sara Bendler of Shelbyville.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and one uncle.

Robert George Werner

Jun 23

Robert George Werner, 87, of Lincoln passed away June 19, 2009 at his home in Lincoln.

Bob was born on February 19, 1922 in Springfield, the son of John and Anna Werner. He married Betty J. Sandidge of Louisville, Kentucky on March 8, 1945.

Following his graduation from Lanphier High School, Springfield, Illinois in 1940, Bob was called to serve in the Air Force. During World War II he served with the 15thAir Force, 454 Bombing Group in the European Theater. Technical Sergeant Werner, a radio operator and aerial gunner was wounded on two bombing missions in March and April of 1944 and was awarded a Purple Heart with 1st Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. On his 50thbombing mission during the “Battle of Polesti, Romania” his B-24 plane was shot down over Bulgaria. He was captured by the German Army and held as a “prisoner of war” from June through September, 1944, when the Russian Army liberated him and his fellow soldiers.

Bob worked as an insurance broker for Aid Associations for Lutherans Life Insurance Company and later as a Technical Advisor with the Illinois Department of Transportation, retiring in 1989.

His hobbies included traveling with his wife in their motor home, gardening and watching sports, especially when his children and grandchildren were playing.

Bob was a member and attended Zion Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Illinois. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, American Ex-Prisoners of War.

Mr. Werner was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Edward, Frederick and John Werner and a sister, Esther Wild.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty J. Werner of Lincoln; four (4) children, daughter Sandra K. Adkins of Lincoln, Illinois; son Steven R. (wife Carol) Werner of Chandler, Arizona; son Scott A. Werner of Lincoln, Illinois; son Stanton W. Werner of Aurora, Illinois and seven (7) grandchildren, Christopher A. (wife Nicole) Adkins of Aurora, Illinois; Cynthia A. Adkins and Courtney A. Adkins of Springfield, Illinois; Emily R. Werner of Tucson, Arizona; Eliot D. Werner of Phoenix, Arizona; Brock A. (wife Hayley) Werner of Lincoln, Illinois and Morgan T. Werner of Aurora, Illinois; two (2) great-grandchildren, Imagin Patience Werner and Jessa Bliss Werner of Lincoln, Illinois; two (2) brothers, Walt (wife June) Werner of Tinton Falls, New Jersey and Raymond Werner of Springfield, Illinois, one (1) sister-in-law Ethel (husband John) Kelly, of Venice, Florida and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Mon. 6/22 at Fricke-Calvert- Schrader Funeral home, 127 South Logan Street, Lincoln, Illinois. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Tues. at Zion Lutheran Church of Lincoln with Pastor Mark Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery, where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Zion Lutheran School Scholarship Fund or Memorial Home Services Hospice.

The family of Robert George Werner is being served by Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, 127 South Logan Street, Lincoln, Illinois.

Patricia Franklin

Jun 23

Patricia Franklin, 74, of Lincoln, died Saturday, June 20, 2009, at 2:26 a.m. at her home.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, with the Rev. Jeff Laible officiating.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Mrs. Franklin had been a personnel representative at Lincoln Developmental Center.

She was born Nov. 1, 1934, in Lincoln to Fred “Butch” and Mabel Liesman Faul. She married James Franklin on Sept. 18, 1954, in Lincoln.

She is survived by her husband, of Lincoln; two daughters, Teresa (and Dan) Dankoski of St. Charles and Susan (and Ed) Walker of Peoria; and three grandchildren, Elyse Dankoski, Olivia Walker and Patrick Walker. She has numerous cousins in Lincoln.

She was preceded in death by her parents and was the last of her immediate family.

She was a member of Holy Family Church.