John "Jack" Currin

John "Jack" Currin, 64, of Bloomington passed away at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 at his home.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Church of Merna in Bloomington with Monsignor Gerald T. Ward officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m, Friday at St. Patrick Church of Merna in Bloomington and for one half hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Illinois State University Foundation for the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund or to the Community Cancer Center, both in Normal.

Jack was born on Feb. 21, 1948 in Bloomington, the son of William H. and Ione Brandt Currin. He married Christine A. Concklin on Aug. 8, 1970 in Bloomington. She survives.

He is also survived by Colleen (Jeff) Graham, Bloomington and Mollie (Nick) Dodd, Gilbert, Ariz.; five grandchildren, who were the lights of his life, Olivia and Charlie Graham and Jackson, Emily and Katie Dodd; one brother, Gaylen Currin, Bloomington; many nieces and nephews; his brothers-in-law, Charles "Bud" (Ellen) Concklin and John (Sue) Concklin, both of Bloomington; a sister-in-law, Colleen (John) Crawford, Escondido, Cal.; and his big red dog, Moses.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard Currin.

Jack graduated from Bloomington High School and Illinois State University. He was employed at State Farm Insurance as a commercial field underwriter for 42 years. He coached boys and girls basketball and boys football for 20 years at St. Mary's Grade School, Holy Trinity Grade School and Central Catholic High School.

Jack was a member of Lakeside Country Club for over 35 years and loved golfing. He was an avid sports fan, but his heart was with Illinois State University Athletics. He was a donor and multi-sport season ticket holder for more than 25 years. Jack was the 2012 Joseph F. Warner Golden Redbird Award Winner, which is the highest honor ISU Athletics bestows on a non-athlete. He was a 2006 Scholarship Fund Board President, a Scholarship Fund Board member for 15+ years, serving the last five as member of Advisory Board.

He was also the all-time leading volunteer fundraiser in program history in both money raised and new members raised as well as a participant in every Weibring/Kilborn Classic and Redbird Golf Classic (spans 30+ years.)

"Jumbo". as friends called him, was a loving husband, father and "Poppy." He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Migas, Dr. Larry Raines and Dr.Stephen Pilcher and the wonderful and caring staff of the Community Cancer Center in Normal.

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Michael E. Lynch

Michael E. Lynch, 65, of Bloomington, passed away at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 at his home.

His memorial visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home in Bloomington. A private family interment will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Mike was born on Aug. 11, 1947 in Bloomington, the son of C.E. “Mike” and Ellen Young Lynch. He is survived by a son, John Lynch, Minneapolis, Minn.; a daughter, Jennifer (Bill) Koons, Williamsburg, Iowa; two grandchildren, Baxter and Charlie Koons and a brother, Kevin Lynch, Bloomington.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mike received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Illinois State University. He was employed at State Farm Insurance for over 35 years, retiring as a director in systems. Mike enjoyed golfing and was a member of Crestwicke Country Club in Bloomington.

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Ernest "Gene" Rudow

Ernest “Gene” Rudow, 88, of Bloomington, formerly of Pana, Ill., died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 at Heartland Healthcare in Normal.

His funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home and 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Gregg Petri officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Pana following a visitation from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home in Pana.

Gene was born on Jan. 2, 1925 in Pana, the son of Walter and Sadie Mae Mose Rudow. He was blessed to have married his high school sweetheart Albina “Bina” Monti on June 29, 1948 in Pana. She survives.

He is also survived by two daughters, Renetta (Terry) Cochran, Bloomington and Jeanie (Rick) Sartori, Manteno, Ill.; three grandchildren, Stephanie (Fil) Sanchez, Bolingbrook, T.J. (Taylor) Cochran, Punta Gorda, Fla. and Rich (Debbie) Sartori, Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.; nine great grandchildren; a brother, Russ (Mary) Rudow, Port Charlotte, Fla. and his loving sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, six brothers and two sisters.

Gene graduated from Progress Grade School, Pana Township High School and took correspondence courses from Southern Illinois University. He held numerous jobs over the years, including the Purity Baking Company, taxi driver, Penwell Coal Mine, a farm hand, Rudows Market, Illinois FS and Bloomington GROWMARK for over 20 years, retiring in 1986.

He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater. He was the Acting Chief Commissary Steward and taught new recruits. Gene had served as an Alderman in Pana, Boy Scout Assistant Leader, Junior Achievement Advisor and most recently volunteered 25 years at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington with close to 12,000 volunteer hours.

He received many honors including the first Volunteer of the Year Award at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center and the American Red Cross Heroes of the Heartland Volunteer Award. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Bloomington, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the Moose Lodge.

Gene enjoyed golfing, traveling, gardening and volunteering. He never met a stranger and will be remembered for his positive attitude. Gene especially loved spending time with his family and friends. Family was always first in his life. He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Church or OSF St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation, both in Bloomington.

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