Jean Anne Bates

Jean Anne Bates, 66, of Bloomington passed away Sunday Oct. 21, 2012 at 4:13 a.m. surrounded by family at her home.

A visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 pm at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home on Friday. A private service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. for family and close friends. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community Cancer Center, 407 Vernon, Normal, IL 61761.

Survivors include four children, Kerry (Beth Pelz) Wolf, Secor; Kristy (Dan) Moore, Heyworth; Jodi (David) Hettinger, DeLand; Jessica (Kevin) Ryan, El Paso; and four grandchildren: Gina, Justin, Logan and Allison. Also surviving are two brothers, Charles Bates, Bloomington; Dennis (Linda) Bates, Tolono; one sister, Mary Strohl, Champaign; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Milt and Anne Bates, Louie and Jo Reis and one niece Jennifer Bates.

Jean graduated from Tolono Unity High School. She went to St. Frances Nursing School in Peoria IL. She married William Wolf in Pesotum in 1965, lived in Tolono and later moved to El Paso. She started her career at Shell Chemical Products in 1978 which later became DuPont Agricultural Products. She graduated from Texas A&M fire school, following in her father’s footsteps becoming a fire chief. She finished her career as a Senior Human Resources leader at DuPont. She was a very active philanthropist, volunteering for the United Way, McLean County Compact, WYSE Competition, Day of the Dozier, McLean County Extension Board and also served on the Community Cancer Center Board. She retired in March of 2010 to become the Nanny for her granddaughter. She was as busy in retirement taking care of her grandchildren and traveling the world working for Mecum Auto Auctions. Jean loved cars almost as much as people; her special gift was making everyone feel special.

A special thank you to the Community Cancer Center, Dr. John Migas and Advocate Bromenn Hospice for their excellent care.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

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George Jasper Call

George Jasper Call, 75, of Heyworth, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and dear friends, on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012.

The family will take visitors at noon on Saturday at the Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home in Bloomington. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. with Rev. David Keithley officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in George’s memory to the McLean County Farm Bureau Foundation, 2243 Westgate Drive, Suite 501, Bloomington, IL 61705. Donations support local agriculture in the classroom programs.

He was born in Chicago to the late Rodney Warren and Ruby Mae Call.

He is survived by son Chris (Katy) call of Upper Arlington, Ohio, daughter Bobby (Derrin) Ritchie of Worthington, Ohio, grandchildren Grace (11) and Sofia (7) Call, and Alex (11) and Alivia (7) Ritchie, sisters Marilyn (Win) Gould of Lake Bluff, Ill., and Pearl Stanger of Holland, Michigan and nieces and nephews. Also survived by very dear family friends, Dick and Sharon Haas and their extended family who treated him as one of their own.

After retiring from a career in the title business at age 55, George followed his passion and moved to his farm to live the farm life fulltime. George loved the land and sharing his passion for farming with his family and friends. As a steward of the land, George served as long-time commissioner on both the Adrian and Brokaw Brining Drainage Districts.

He was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and faithful friend.

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David E. Freed

David E. Freed, 48, of Towanda, passed away at 1:50 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 at his home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the El Paso Golf Club in Kappa, Ill. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family strongly urges that memorials may be made to the Eastbay Camp, 24248 Ron Smith Memorial Highway, Hudson, IL 61748.

David was born on Oct. 13, 1964 in Bloomington, the son of Loren E. Freed and Shirley M. Downes. He married Julie A. Riddle on February 23, 1985 in Lexington. She survives.

He is also survived by his mother, Shirley Downes, Bloomington, his father, Loren Freed, Bloomington, his children, Benjamin S. Freed, Dylan R. Freed and Sara A. Freed, all of Towanda; two sisters, Rosemary Freed, Bloomington and Marilyn (Mike) Wagner, Lexington; two brothers, Jerry (Nola) Freed, Casa Grande, AZ and Brian (Cindy) Freed, Lexington; his in-laws, Don and Coryla Riddle, Normal; a special uncle and aunt, William and Ruth Freed of Bloomington, who David was like a son to; numerous nieces nephews and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by a niece, Kimberly Williamson.

David graduated from Lexington High School in 1983 and farmed in McLean County for many years. He was one of the first no-till pioneers in McLean County. David was also a nature lover and very involved with McLean County Conservation. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing.

David also enjoyed spending time in Sarasota, Florida as well as at the family cabin on the Mackinaw. Family was always first to David and he was always there to lend a helping hand. He will be forever remembered for his work ethic and his sense of humor

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William Joseph McNiff

William Joseph McNiff, 87, of Normal, died at 12:19 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, 2012 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal, with Monsignor Eric S. Powell officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be for a half-hour prior to services Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Epiphany Catholic School.

He was born Feb. 25, 1925 in Joliet, the son of William Lawrence and Blanche Clark McNiff. He married Teresa Ann “Tess” Carey on Jan. 10, 1948 in Joliet. She survives.

Also surviving are 13 children, William McNiff of Joliet, Dick (Jo Elaine) McNiff of Bloomington, Jack (Dori) McNiff of Bloomington, Mary (Phil) Brunner of Joliet, Maureen (Douglas) Zimmerman of Noblesville, Ind., Michele (Ken) Schmidt of Bloomington, Kathy (Doug) Clemens of Bloomington, Nancy Platt of Normal, Toni (Dan) Hany of Normal, Kelly Spencer of Normal, Tammy Harris of Bloomington, Michael (Kimberly Alred) McNiff of Normal and Jimmy (Jill) McNiff of Bloomington; a daughter-in-law, Kathy McNiff of Normal; 30 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a brother, John Bernard (Neda) McNiff of Joliet.

He was preceded in death by a son, Pat McNiff; and two sisters, Odette Clark and Katherine Anderson.

Bill served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was employed by Alexander Lumber Company for 43 years, retiring as district manager. He was a member of Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal. Bill was an avid golfer and a fan of the Illinois State University Redbirds.

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