Patricia Kafer
FAIRBURY – Patricia A. Kafer, of Fairbury, passed away at 7:25 a.m., February 25, 2018, at the Richard L. Owens Hospice House, Peoria.
Her funeral will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 1, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury. Pastor Dan Robertson will be officiating.
Burial will be in Cropsey Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury, Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury or Richard L. Owens Hospice House, Peoria.
Patricia was born January 6, 1935, in Kankakee the daughter of Carroll R. and Ruth Rudd Coen.
She married B. Duane Kafer on June 15, 1957 in Kankakee. He passed away on April 22, 2007.
Surviving are her children, Patti (Ed) Davis of Mansfield, Ben (Carol) Kafer of Fairbury, and Pamela (John) Steidinger of Murfreesboro, TN; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; siblings, Sandra (Robert) Milton of Kankakee and Russell (Sharon) Coen of Sedona, AZ .
She was preceded in death by one grandchild and one sister.
Patricia was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury.
She graduated from Illinois State University, Normal with a bachelor of science in Education. She taught at Fairbury High School and Kankakee Junior High School and was a bookkeeper for Kafer Tiling and Ditching, Fairbury.
Patricia enjoyed being a part of several bridge clubs and loved her children and grandchildren deeply.
An online register book in available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Samuel Achord
Samuel E. “Sam” Achord, 68, of Bloomington, passed away at 8:38 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2018 at his home.
His funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 26, at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington with Rev. Paul Stroup officiating. Burial will be in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 25, at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington and from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church or the Bloomington-Normal Community Concert Band.
Sam was born February 16, 1950 in Oak Park, the son of Bud and Marj Achord. He married Molly Haas on October 10, 1992 at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington. She survives.
He is also survived by a daughter, Shanna Achord of Kansas City, MO, a sister, Sue Bennett of Plainfield, IL and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Cassie Samantha Achord.
Sam was a graduate of Illinois State University and served as drum major while at the university. He worked at Musicland and then later went on to work as a dedicated Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service for 34 years before retiring.
Sam was a member of Second Presbyterian Church and the Bloomington-Normal Community Concert Band, where he played saxophone. He was also a member of the Brotherhood Tree Committee, Monday Night Friend of Bill W meeting and the Thursday Morning Breakfast Club at Shannon’s.
Sam loved many things in life, including music of all kinds, being a band parent, Drum Corp, walking the park with his dogs, camping, grilling, golfing, playing Cribbage, reading books to his wife, being a “Super Man Babysitter” to Avery and Peyton, the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks and he tried to never miss the ISU Women’s Basketball games.
His friends and family meant a lot to him. At the time of his death, Sam was lifted up by prayers of friends and family all over the world. Sam had a deep faith and enjoyed reading scripture everyday with his wife Molly. His generosity, sense of humor and wisdom are already missed.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Betty Pratt
FAIRBURY – Betty L. Pratt, 84, of Fairbury formerly of Cropsey, passed away at 7:40am, February 23, 2018, at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Funeral will be held at 10:00am, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.
Pastor Gifty Smith will be officiating.
Burial will be in Cropsey Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 12, 2018, from 4-7:00pm, also at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Cropsey United Methodist Church or Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Betty was born November 21, 1933, in Pontiac, the daughter of John D. and Rachel Bohm Schaefer.
She married Owen Pratt on November 21, 1954, in Graymont. He passed away on February 21, 2008.
Surviving are her children, Norman (Jeannine) Pratt of Howell, MI, David (Teresa) Pratt of Colfax, and Sandra L. Stiles of Rochelle; grandchildren, Derek and Jarod Swackhamer, Cameron (Fiancée Bria Rivet) Pratt, Daniel (Emily) Pratt, Jacob (Kate) Pratt, and Josiah Stiles; brother, John W. (Rita) Schaefer of Graymont; sister, Wanda (Delbert) Piller of Pontiac; sister-in-laws, Dorothy Myers of Lexington and Margery Pratt of Pontiac; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Lauren Stiles; and sister, Mary Huffman.
Betty graduated from Pontiac High School and Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing.
She then worked as an RN for Mennonite Hospital, Bloomington and Fairbury Hospital. She also farmed with her husband Owen.
Betty was a member of Cropsey United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and Cropsey Women’s Club. She was also a member of Livingston County Farm Bureau and Women’s Committee, Livingston County 4H Leader with the Fayette Fantastics Club for 15 years, Livingston County Country Couples, and Livingston County Home and Community Education Association, and Forrest American Legion Auxiliary.
An online registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
