Fletcher Rice
Fletcher C. Rice, 98, of Colfax passed away at 3:40 p.m., Dec. 22, 2014, at Arba Care Center, Colfax.
Funeral will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax. Pastor Wendell Wardell will be officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Saturday.
Memorials may be made to Arba Care Center of Colfax, Davis-Kerber American Legion, Colfax or the donor’s choice of charity.
Fletcher was born on February 26, 1916 in Dunlap the son of Henry Truitt and Golda Cameron Rice. He married Wava Sutter on Aug. 18, 1946 in Cooksville. She passed away Dec. 25, 2009. Surviving are his daughter Sherrilyn Ganske of Gibson City and several nieces and nephews. Fletcher was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.
He is a WWII veteran serving with the United States Army as a Corporal for three years. He belonged to the Davis-Kerber American Legion, Colfax where he was the Financial Officer. He was also and member and the Financial Officer for the County American Legion and the voiture 24 of 40 and 8. Fletcher was a member of the Union Church of Cooksville and was a member of their board. He was also a board member of Cooksville Grain Company Elevator. He also belonged to the Never To Old Club, Colfax and Farm Bureau Prime Timers of McLean County. Fletcher is a retired livestock and grain farmer.
His hobbies included calling bingo at the nursing home for the last 25 years. Fletcher’s strong belief in community led him to sponsor the games. He funded the games with an inheritance he received from a cousin. Fletcher has served his country and community with his true spirit of volunteerism.
Condolences and tributes may be made to the family at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Carol Haas
Carol Kay Haas, 72, Seymour, Tenn., formerly of Urbana and Fairbury, passed away Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 at her residence in Seymour, Tenn.
A private graveside service will be held Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 at the Chatsworth-Charlotte Cemetery, Chatsworth with Pastor Spencer Homan officiating. The family suggests memorials be given to the Humane Society chapter of their choice. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Haas was born Aug. 10, 1942 in Fairbury, IL the daughter of Arnold and Mary Zorn Rigsby. Her parents and step father, Delmar Petersen of Ashkum preceded her in death.
Survivors include one son, Shawn Haas, Elkins, WV; two sisters, Linda (Ervin) VanWinkle , Seymour, TN; Ruth (James) Winterland, Sevierville, TN; one brother, Dale (Cathy) Rigsby, Fairbury; one step sister, Ruth (Darryl) Kleinert, Chebanse; one step brother, Roy (Vicki) Petersen, Ashkum.
Mrs. Haas graduated from Fairbury-Cropsey High School and the University of Beauty Culture. She was a hairdresser for 50 years and co-owned Pickle Tree Farm restaurant, Mahomet. She also worked with Heirlooms by Gorham.
An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Doris Lewis
Doris J. Lewis, 89, of Bloomington, passed away at 10:17 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 at McLean County Nursing Home in Normal.
Doris was born on Sept. 21, 1925 in Chicago, to Carman T. and Frances Behrens Fish. She married Royce L. Lewis on September 7, 1947 in Park Ridge. He preceded her in death in April, 2000.
She is survived by a daughter, Kate (John) Pavlou of Bloomington, a son, Richard (Patricia) Lewis of Chicago; two granddaughters, Alexis Pavlou of Bloomington and Anna Pavlou of Charlotte, NC.
After graduating from The Ohio State University, she returned to Chicago to model and work at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she met Royce.
Doris taught grade school in the Chicago suburbs for many years. After moving to Bloomington in the early 1990s, she continued to write poetry, winning several awards. A number of her pieces appeared in literary publications. Her dry wit and love of language entertained her family and friends and served her well in her poetry and journal writing.
One of her greatest joys was traveling, particularly with a Lutheran international travel group. She enjoyed meeting people of all cultures and taught English as a Second Language at the Normal Public Library.
She was a member of International Women, Red Hat Ladies, Rhino poetry group, Pen Women and St. John’s Lutheran Church and Women’s Circle.
Her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington with Pastor Christine McNeal officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, McLean County Arts Center or St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Online condolences may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
