Dale Casson
Dale A. Casson, 81, Fairbury, died at 8:36 pm Friday, June 3, 2016 at Kindred Hospital, Peoria.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury with Pastor Tom Krieger officiating. Burial will be in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery, Chenoa.
Visitation will be 3:00 to 7:00 pm Monday, June 6, 2016 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Tuesday at the church. The family suggests memorials be given to the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury; Kemmerer Village, Assumption; or the Burn Unit at Memorial Medical, Springfield.
Mr. Casson was born October 10, 1934 in Pontiac, Ill. the son of Eli E. and Florence M. (Schott) Casson.
Survivors include his life partner, Donna Dixon, Saunemin; eight children, Terry Casson, Fairbury; Marilyn (John) Kefallinos, Hinsdale; Diane (Phil) Troehler, Fairbury; Joni (Greg) Besgrove, Fairbury; Cathy (Delmar) Smith, Gridley; Liz (Rob) Hobart, Anchor; Sara (Isaac) Okai, Bloomington; Chris (Christine) Casson, Morrison, CO; 22 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; one sister, Jeanne (Phillip) Kenney, Eureka; and Donna’s four daughters, Carla (Jamie Walker) Zimmer, Bloomington; Marcie (Steve) Trainor, Pontiac; Diane (Rick) Bell, Wapella; Paula (Andy) Reynolds, Colfax.
He is preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Jane Casson and a granddaughter, Kyra Casson.
Mr. Casson was a 1952 graduate of Chenoa High School and was a lifetime farmer. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury and a past director at the Prairie Central Coop.
Dale was an avid hunter who enjoyed the outdoors and traveling with his life partner Donna to such places as Alaska and Nova Scotia. Family was extremely important to him and without question he hosted the annual family Christmas celebration.
An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Linda Hankemeier
Linda Kay (Timm) Hankemeier, 44, entered her heavenly home surrounded by family on Friday, June 3, 2016 after a valiant battle with cancer. It was her devotion to her family and firm faith in God that gave her strength and ultimately peace.
Linda was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, IA. She is the daughter of the late Leonard C. Timm and Gwendolyn (Gould) Timm. She was baptized, confirmed, and later also married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was a graduate of Trinity Luther School and Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids. Growing up, Linda was very active in cheerleading, show choir, school groups, church activities, and having fun with many friends.
After high school she earned her bachelors degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill. While in college Linda excelled in academics, was very involved in campus activities, and was a proud member of the Kappa Delta sorority.
Linda also earned a masters degree in Communication at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Linda was always passionate about education – both her own and others having also taught communication at Lincoln Community College in Lincoln, Ill.
Professionally Linda had a terrific career having served in various communications related roles at both Girl Scouts of America briefly after undergrad and for the last 19 years at State Farm Insurance. She touched the lives of so many across State Farm having worked in several departments in many communications related positions including several leadership roles.
She has been very actively involved in communication organizations as was recognized in 2001 when she was awarded the highest Crystal Award from the Association for Women in Communication local chapter. She contributed to several local publications through freelance writing and often entertained and enlightened many in her blog justlivingthenormallife.
The greatest joy of Linda’s life was her family, which she began when she happily married her high school sweetheart, Kevin M. Hankemeier on July 30, 1994 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Together they raised their two sons, Ryan Leonard (15) and Justin Everett (12), in Bloomington-Normal, Ill.. Being involved in her children’s lives was always top of her passions. She served as an active member (including board member) of the Chiddix Jr. High School PTO in Normal, Ill. and was always at her children’s activities supporting them in all they do.
Linda’s spiritual life guided her through everything she did. She was a very active and devoted long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington, IL where she graced so many with her beautiful singing.
Linda is survived by her husband Kevin; her two sons, Ryan and Justin, both of Normal. She is also survived by her mother, Gwendolyn Timm; one brother, Gary (Dawn) Timm of Westerfield, NJ; one sister, Marsha (John) Leibundguth, of River Forest, Ill.; an uncle, E. Allen Timm; an aunt, Charlotte (David) Blaschke; and several nieces and nephews. She was loved by and loved each of her family dearly.
Linda has now been re-joined with her father, Leonard C. Timm, in heaven.
Her celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Bloomington, IL with Pastor Christine McNeal officiating. Following the service will be the burial at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington, Ill. Visitation will be held 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 also at the church. All are invited. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Linda loved her family, friends, and her husband of 22 years this July, Kevin. Her two sons, Ryan and Justin, were the loves of her life. She will be deeply missed by all.
Memorial donations can be made to the Community Cancer Center in Normal, IL or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences and memories of Linda may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
Roberson Hightower
Roberson Hightower, 87, of Normal, formerly of Waco, Texas, passed away at 10:51 a.m., Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Heartland Healthcare in Normal.
His visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. His funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Willow Grove Baptist Church in Waco, TX. Burial will be in Willow Grove Cemetery, Waco, Texas.
Memorials may be directed to fightcolorectalcancer.org.
Roberson was born June 28, 1928 in the Willow Grove Community of Waco, Texas. He joined the Willow Grove Baptist Church at an early age and attended Willow Grove grade school.
Roberson leaves to cherish his memory two brothers, Jay (Mary) Hightower of Joliet, Ill. and Jimmy Troy (Pat) Hightower of Hewett, Texas; a sister, Nora Powell of Texas; 8 children, Jesse (Mary) Hightower of Phoenix, Ariz., Craig (QuoVadis) Hightower of Peoria, Ill., Sharon Tolbert of Normal, Ill., Yvonne Hightower of Peoria, Ill., Neil (Ellen) Hightower of Bloomington, Ill., Gloria Williams of Bloomington, Ill., Allen (Chris) Hightower of Normal, Ill. and Karen Hightower of Bloomington, Ill.; 20 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Dottie Mae (Roberson) Hightower and sisters, Gloria, Mary Ruth, Lillie Fay and LaClede; and 5 great grandchildren.
Roberson served in the Korean War and received the Korean Service Ribbon, with 1 Bronze Star. He also received the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Roberson worked for GM&O Railroad, where he retired as foreman after 40 years. He loved going to church and listening to spirituals, while also being active in the choir.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
