James Kruse
James L. Kruse 84 of rural Colfax passed away at 5:08 a.m. on Feb. 8 at Heritage Health in Bloomington.
Cremation rites will be accorded. Private family graveside services with military rites will be held at a later date at Wylie Cemetery in Colfax. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Mr. Kruse was born in the west bedroom on the family farm on Nov. 1, 1931, the son of Albert Edward and Catherine Delaney Kruse. He married Edna Sacry, Dec. 31, 1955 in Eureka. She preceded him in death March 21, 2001.
Jim farmed the family farm his entire lifetime. He was a member of the Davis-Kerber American Legion Post # 653 in Colfax
He served in the US Airforce during the Korean War.
Jim is survived by one daughter, Brenda (Tom) Corcoran, Bloomington; two sons, Brian (Linda Bertsche) Kruse, Anchor, Paul (Melanie Pointer) Kruse, Colfax; seven grandchildren, James Towner, Branden Kruse, Miranda Florey, Whitney Mooney, Kayla and Katie Gibson and Erin Hubbert; ten great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Jean (George) Koch, Springfield, Judith (Hal) Lynch, Sparta, N.J. and one brother, William (Judith) Kruse, Long Beach Calif.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Edna; twins sons, Michael and Patrick Kruse; sisters, Lucille Bruncken, Eileen Maloney and Doey Wissmiller; brothers, Edward “Junior” and Charles Kruse.
The family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Health, Bloomington for the loving and wonderful care given to Jim.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
Della Schmillen
Della Irene Kinkade Schmillen, 88, of Normal, passed away at 9:24 a.m., Feb. 8 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.
Her funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday at Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal with Rev. Eric Powell officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday at the church.
Memorials may be directed to Home Sweet Home Ministries or sent to the family c/o Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home.
Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Della was born May 18, 1927 in rural Rutland, the daughter of Jesse and Lillian M. Morgan Kinkade. She married Eugene J. Schmillen on Jan. 20, 1951 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Streator. He survives.
She is also survived by six children, Edward Eugene Schmillen of Metamora, David Alvin Schmillen of Normal, Gregg Anthony Schmillen of Phoenix, Ariz., Karen Marie (Matt) Carroll of Normal, Kevin Andrew Schmillen of El Paso and Christine Ann (Brian Beaver) Snavely-Beaver of Bloomington; 10 grandchildren, Peter Edward Schmillen, Rebecca Lynn Schmillen, Joel Parker Schmillen, Ross Parker Schmillen, Michael Anthony Carroll, Katharine Irene Carroll, Jacob Eugene Schmillen, Andrew Joseph Schmillen, Kyleigh Christine Snavely and Brandon Scott Beaver; and three great grandchildren, Mariah, Joslin and Lastin Schmillen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four infant children, including Debra Schmillen, a grandson, Daniel Joseph Carroll, a son-in-law, Jeffrey Scott Snavely, two brothers, Karl Kinkade and Marion Kinkade; and a host of other family and friends.
Della graduated from Rutland High School as salutatorian and attended cosmetology school in Bloomington. She worked at the Lipton Tea Company until marriage and then assisted with the family farm while being a homemaker. After raising her family, Della worked for the IRS Central Distribution Center.
Della was a member and very involved at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Toluca. She was the coordinator of Religious Education, a lector, a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Altar & Rosary Society of the church.
In her younger years, Della enjoyed sports and square dancing.
Della enjoyed a good laugh, traveling, entertaining and playing cards, but she especially enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed by all that knew her.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
