Raymond O’Connor
Raymond “Ray” J. O’Connor, 90, of Bloomington, formerly of Kingston, N.Y., died peacefully at 2:55 p.m. on Jan. 27 surrounded by family at Heritage Health Center.
Cremation rites have been accorded. To celebrate Ray’s life, a funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 2, 2016 at Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Diabetes Association or the Humane Society of Central Illinois.
Ray was born Oct. 26, 1925 in Long Island City, N.Y., the son of William and Vera Gavin O’Connor. He married Mary Kathryn “Kathy” Haney in July, 1956, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kathy died of breast cancer in 1977 when the family resided in East Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He is survived by his children, Peggy O’Connor of Chicago; Terri O’Connor Prenzler (Erik) of Bloomington, Joe O’Connor of Winchester, Mass., Mike (Susan) O’Connor of Chagrin Falls, OH, Tulie (John McKay) O’Connor of Chicago and Susan O’Connor of Menlo Park, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Alexis, Anna, Christian, Selena, Alec, Emily, Rush and Kelly.
Ray enjoyed a long, rewarding relationship with his beloved nieces and nephews, Anne (Mario) Catalano of Kingston, N.Y., Mary (Mike) Baumeister of Summit, N.J., John (JoAnn) Guerin of Kingston N.Y., Paul (Margaret, deceased) Guerin of Denver, Colo. and Ray Guerin of Kingston, N.Y.
In addition to his wife, Kathy, he was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Helen O’Connor and a daughter in-law, Julie O’Connor.
Ray served in General Patton’s army in World War II as an infantryman in France and Germany, arriving in January,1945. After his return from WWII, Ray graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University where he played point guard for the basketball team.
He was a fervent Yankees and Rangers fan and an avid golfer. Ray moved to Bloomington, in 2011 to be closer to his children and their families in the Midwest.
Ray’s children and grandchildren fondly remember him as one who would never hesitate to give a golf lesson, even while driving. Known to devote full attention to both passenger and golf lesson, only a guardian angel could have kept Ray and passenger safe.
The family gives special thanks to all of the staff at Heritage Health Center and OSF, providing Ray with loving care for the past few years.
Online condolences and memories of Ray may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
David Schmidgall
David Schmidgall, 86, Fairbury, died at 8:50 p.m. Jan. 27 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be in the North Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery, rural Forrest.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Retirement Community nursing staff or SELCAS, both in Fairbury.
Mr. Schmidgall was born Sep. 25, 1929 in Elgin the son of Joseph and Anna Lindoerfer Schmidgall. He married Alma Jean Kaisner on July 11, 1954 in Forrest. She preceded him in death on Aug. 6, 2009.
Survivors include 4 sons, Sam (Sherrie) Schmidgall, Forrest, Dan (Mary) Schmidgall, James (Lisa) Schmidgall, all of Fairbury, John (Janet) Schmidgall, Forrest, one daughter, Mary (Andre) Ross, Urbana, one daughter-in-law, Janet Schmidgall, Morris, Minn., 15 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one sister, Joann (Dale) Sauder, Tremont, and one brother, Phil (Hilda) Schmidgall, Elgin.
He is preceded in death by, one son, David Schmidgall, one sister and two granddaughters.
Mr. Schmidgall had worked at Diller Tile, Chatsworth and Honegger Slats, Fairbury and Crossroads Crating, Forrest until his retirement. He served the Lord faithfully for many years at the Forrest Apostolic Christian Church.
He was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Terry Smith
Terry W. Smith, 63, of Bloomington, passed away on Jan. 25 at 12:47 p.m. at his home.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Cremation rites will be accorded. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday at the Memorial Home.
Memorials may be made to the family in care of Richard Smith.
Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
Terry was born on March 15, 1952 in Bloomington the son of Leonard and Fern Maxwell Smith. He married Nancy Williams on July 16, 1972 in Heyworth.
Terry is survived by his wife Nancy of Bloomington, his children; Richard (Nakeeta “Nikki” Parker) Smith of Normal and Kim Smith of Bloomington, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, two brothers; Tim Smith of Oakland and Steve Smith of Heyworth along with numerous honorary children and grandchildren.
Terry worked and retired from Eureka-Williams Company. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, Sci-fi television, cookouts with family and friends and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He loved and adored his dog “Bubba”, his family and his friends. He will be dearly missed by all of them.
Online condolences may be made to www.calvertmemorial.com.
