Larry Kennedy Jr.
NORMAL – Larry Wayne Kennedy Jr., 57, Normal and formerly of Cooksville, died at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.
Visitation will be 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax followed by his funeral service at noon. The family suggests memorials be given to the Larry Wayne Kennedy Jr. family.
Wayne was born November 15, 1960 in Bloomington, the son of Larry Wayne and Gwen Pickett Kennedy. He married Christina Day on July 12, 1997 in Bloomington. She survives in Normal.
Other survivors include 3 sons, Kevin (Leah) Van Hook, Hudson, Christopher (Nichole) Van Hook, Normal, Casey (Chelsey) Van Hook, Bloomington, his mother, Gwen Kennedy, 7 grandchildren, Devin, Kevin, Marshall and Olivia Van Hook, Alex and Zoey Van Hook, Joey Deiliosa, 1 sister, Toni (Anthony) Alexander, Oak Forest, 1 nephew, Eric Alexander, and several aunts and uncles.
He is preceded in death by his father.
Wayne was a 1978 graduate of Octavia High School and attended Illinois State University. He retired as an assistant manager at K-Mart, Decatur after 38 years of service.
Wayne was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed following the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Cubs. His hobbies included playing softball, bowling and fishing.
A guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
James Prodehl
BLOOMINGTON – James R. Prodehl, 81, of Bloomington; beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many passed away Friday, October 12, 2018 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal; with his family by his side. There were so many rejoicing to receive him into heaven. There are so very many who will miss him until we too can again be joined with him.
Cremation rites have been accorded and a celebration of Jim’s life will be 11 a.m., Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Chenoa Baptist Church, Chenoa; with Pastor Jefferson Williams officiating. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to Chenoa Baptist Church, Chenoa.
Jim was born May 4, 1937 in Joliet, the son of Raymond and Blanche (Allen) Prodehl. He married Lona Reedy on June 6, 1956. That union brought forth three much loved children, Janice, Lawrence and Christine. He later married Deborah (Hoover) Adams on October 24, 1998. That union brought forth two step sons, Brett and Ben and a magnificent German Shepherd, Cage. Survivors include his wife, Deborah, his children, step sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren and Lona, a much beloved sister, Pat Wilmoth, who was especially close to Jim and mourns his passing immeasurably.
Preceding him in death were his sisters, Janet, Arlene, Jean, Betty, Shirley and a brother, Raymond, step-son, Ben Adams. His best friend on this earth, his brother in-law, Darrel P. Wilmoth also preceded Jim in death. The two of them could build anything and did. They were excellent carpenters. Jim was a master of precision in wood working. Two of Jim’s fishing buddies, Ron & Bob, greeted Jim as he arrived in heaven. May you forever swap fishing tales and again engage in fishing in heaven.
Jim’s long career with Caterpillar began as a machine shop apprentice in data technology and progressed to traveling the world for Caterpillar in Information Technology. Jim was instrumental in the founding of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at University of Illinois. Jim had high level involvement in Guide, an IBM mainframe user’s group at Caterpillar before his retirement. Jim had a very strong work ethic and his philosophy was that if you were dissatisfied with your current position, you worked harder at being promoted or redirected. More than anything Jim accomplished in his career with Caterpillar, Jim was first a father, husband, grandfather and grounded soul. He never allowed his successful career and his status to corrode his character. He enjoyed contributing to the happiness of others. I Love You Jim. I always will.
The family enjoyed many years at their cottage on Big Sand Lake in Wisconsin. The memories are forever inscribed on our hearts. Jim loved to fish and was a good teacher and example to his children and grandchildren on safety of the lake. Jim’s voice was soft and his heart was large. Jim loved to read, and patronized both the Bloomington and Phelps, WI; public libraries frequently.
Jim died on Deb’s birthday, October 12th. His gift to Deb was to see him suffer no more. Jim knew Deb loved snow. At noon on October 12th big fluffy flakes of snow started and continued until late afternoon. Jim was telling Deb he had arrived in heaven and sent her his gift, the snow that she loved.
The family extends much gratitude to Advocate BroMenn Hospice, Home Care and staff and many thanks to Dr. Hoschek and Nurse Joy for the care given to Jim. Ethel what would I have done without you? You are my angel on earth. Only Ethel Regenold would arrive at my house at 3:30 a.m. and stay with me the duration. Pastor Jeff, Jim loved you. Last but not least, Jim loved Denver omelets at the Green Garden after church on Sunday.
Online condolences and guestbook for the family are available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Ronald Vedder
FAIRBURY – Ronald W. Vedder, 82, Fairbury, died at 6:10 a.m. Monday, October 15, 2018 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
His funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 19, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, Fairbury with Pastor Ann Champion officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Friday at the church. The family suggests memorials be given to the Indian Creek Golf and Country Club or Southeastern Livingston County Ambulance Service, both in Fairbury.
Ron was born January 11, 1936 in Jacksonville, Ill. the son of Jesse and Clara Lacey Vedder. He married Shirley Sperry on November 7, 1954 in Jacksonville. She survives in Fairbury.
Other survivors include a daughter, Deborah (John) Kaisner, a son, Randall Vedder, both of Fairbury, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and a sister, Betty Pennell, O’Fallon.
He is preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
Ron was a career police officer serving as chief in Paxton before entering the Illinois State Police Academy in 1968. He served 25 years with the District 6 Illinois State Police retiring as a master sergeant.
Ron was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #41, the First United Methodist Church, Indian Creek Golf and Country Club, both of Fairbury. He was an avid hunter of deer, pheasant and quail. He also raised German short hair bird dogs for many years.
A guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
