Mary Alverson
Mary Ellen Abbott Alverson passed peacefully to eternal life at 11:15 a.m., Oct. 5 at her family home, which she called “Heavenblest House”, in Normal after a brief and brave struggle with cancer.
Herfuneral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday at Epiphany Catholic Church with Monsignor Eric Powell officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington with a Rosary service at 6:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry or Faith in Action, both in Bloomington.
Mary was born July 3, 1927, in Bloomington, the daughter of William Herman Abbott and Anna Arteman Abbott. Mary was known for her ready smile and sharp sense of humor.
Mary is survived by her six children, Jeanette (Bill) Fey of Carrollton, Texas, Kathy Simmons of Champaign, Bill (Rhonda) Alverson of Bloomington, Jim (Sandy) Alverson of Lawrenceville, Ga., Andy (Patty) Alverson of Plano, Texas, and Julie (Tom) Sica of Glenmont, N.Y., 17 grandchildren, 18.5 great-grandchildren, countless nieces and nephews, and many treasured friends.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Harry (1980), her brother Donald, and three infant sisters.
Mary graduated in 1945 from Trinity High School in Bloomington and began working at State Farm Insurance Company, where she met Harry Lee Alverson. They married in 1948in St. Paul, Minn., where they lived until 1952. They moved with their first 3 children with State Farm to Dallas, Texas, in 1952, where they lived until 1967. The next three children were born in Dallas. The family transferred back “home” to Bloomington-Normal in 1967.
In addition to raising their six children, Mary often volunteered at their schools and her parish.
Mary was a daily communicant at Epiphany Catholic Church, and an active volunteer. She volunteered for Faith in Action, Mobile Meals, St. Vincent DePaul Society Food Pantry at Holy Trinity Church, and as a “Pink Lady” at St. Joseph’s Hospital and The Community Cancer Center in Bloomington-Normal, IL. Mary hosted a number of her high school class reunions at home, and continued to meet with high school friends regularly.
Born on Independence Day Eve, Mary was a bold and patriotic American, witnessed by her fierce reverence for the flag and respect for the military, as well as all of the great Fourth of July celebrations many will remember attending at the family home.
Mary believed in and loved Angels. She amassed a collection of angel items in her home and her beloved gardens.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Kenneth Cook
Kenneth Cook, 90, of Henderson, Nev., passed away Sep. 29.
He was born Oct. 9, 1924, in Beaver Dam, Ky. Ken served in the U.S. Navy during W.W.II, as a Machinist Mate First Class on the U.S.S. Hopewell. He was a long time grocer in the Bloomington-Normal area, owning Cook’s Bi-Rite in Bloomington. Prior to moving to Henderson, Nev. this year, he lived in Normal and Lindenhurst, Ill.
He was married to his wife of 61 years, Wanda Cook who preceded him in death in July of 2013.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Estell and Ada White Cook, his sisters, Bertha Fouche, Virginia Renfrow, and Marie Milam; and brothers, Glendon Cook and Leonard Cook.
Ken is survived by his three children, Candace C Fujii of Henderson, NV, Gregory S Cook of San Diego, Calif., and Michael K Cook (Cindy) of Carlock, four grandchildren; Nicholas Fujii (Krystal), Katie Fellig (Derek), Brandon Cook, Douglas Cook and two great grandchildren.
Ken will be remembered for his service to our country and devotion to his wife and children.
There will be no funeral services and internment will be private.
Richard Hart
Richard Royce Hart, 81, of Normal, passed away at 11:20 a.m. on Aug. 31 at his residence in Normal.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Normal with Rev. Don Jones officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the start of service at the church. Memorials may be made to the family. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Richard was born on Nov. 30, 1933 in Chicago, a son of Chester and Gretchen Hart. He married Nancy Erickson on Aug. 18, 1956 in Princeton, Ill.
Surviving are his wife, Nancy Hart of Normal; children, Douglas E. Hart of Normal and Deborah (Mike) Love of Bloomington; three sisters, Sherrill Chillo of Downers Grove, Dorothy (Kenneth) Wlodarczyk of Hickory Hills and Kathy Cappelli of Crestwood; and four grandchildren, Dylan Hart, Jacob, Alex and Madysen Love.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Richard was a graduate of Cornell College and the University of Iowa, receiving his Ph.D. in palenotology and geology. He then relocated to Normal to start his teaching career at Illinois State University and later received an additional degree in oceanography and he went on to teach for 29 years. The love of his teaching career kept him involved with his many students and colleagues over the years.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Normal. Richard loved to paint and was a superior craftsman. He enjoyed sailing his own craft with family and friends
Richard was a loving, caring and kindhearted gentleman to his wife, children, grandchildren, sisters, family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.
Online condolences and memories of Richard may be sent to the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
Ruth Roth
Ruth Marie Roth, 88, of Fairbury, went to be with the Lord at 5:45 a.m., Oct. 6, at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Her funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday at Forrest Apostolic Christian Church. Ministers of the church will be officiating.
Burial will be in North Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Forrest.
Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9-9:45 a.m., at the church on Friday.
Memorials may be made to Fairview Retirement Community, Fairbury or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Ruth was born Aug. 11, 1927, in Forrest, the daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Moser Honegger.
She married Lester John Roth on June 6, 1948, in Fairbury. He passed away on March 5, 2009.
Surviving are her children; L. John (Karen) Roth of Shelbina, Mo., Ken (Debra) Roth of Forrest, Tim (Diane) Roth of Germantown Hills; two sons in law, Takis Paplomatas of Washington D.C. and John Payne of Fairbury; sister, Donna Leman of Fairbury; two brothers, Harley (Lorraine) Honegger, Fairbury and John (Wilma) Honegger of Peoria; one brother in law, Wilbur Schneider of Rittman, Ohio; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by two daughters, Patricia Paplomatas and Sharon Payne; four sisters and five brothers.
Ruth was a very special mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a wife to her husband of 60 years.
Ruth loved her Lord and was a member of the Forrest Apostolic Christian Church.
Condolences and tributes may be made to the family at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Henrietta Toepke
Henrietta C. Toepke, 98, of Bloomington, passed away at 1:55 a.m. on Sep. 24 at Fireside House of Centralia in Centralia.
Her memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. until the start of the service at the church on Saturday. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Henrietta was born on March 3, 1917 in Barnes, Illinois, a daughter of Henry and Freda Goetsch Thomas. She married Wilbur H. Toepke on Jan. 6, 1937 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. He preceded her in death on Feb. 4, 1996.
Surviving are her children, Ival (Elsa) Toepke of Harvest, Ala., Arlene (Al) Coers of Centrallo, Rex (Janet) Toepke of New Lenox, Dixie (Robert) Lee of Independence, La. and Allen (Lynne) Toepke of Jacksonville, N.C.; 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Henrietta was preceded in death by her parents; and infant son, Arlo; and 3 brothers and sisters in-law.
Henrietta was a farm wife.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Henrietta loved chickens and flowers. She enjoyed playing cards.
She was never seen without a smile, but now it is even brighter because she is home with her Lord.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed by all.
Online condolences and memories of Henrietta may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
