Cora Lusher
Cora Nell Lusher, 85, of Bloomington passed away at 2:29 a.m. on Aug. 20 at Symphony of Lincoln in Lincoln.
Her memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington with Pastor Keith Ferguson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the memorial home. Cremation rites have been accorded. Internment will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Cora was born on Feb. 12, 1931 in Edgar County, a daughter of Sam and Nellie Osborn Bates. She married Gerald Lusher in 1951 in Bloomington. He survives.
Surviving are her children, Michael (Mary) Lusher of Bloomington, Jeffrey Lusher of Pekin and Sue Lusher of Bloomington; granddaughter, Azlyn Lusher of Bloomington; brother, Simeon (Virginia) Bates of Roanoke and sister, Ethel Land of Normal.
She was preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings.
Online condolences and memories of Cora may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
Christ Schwelle
Christ F. Schwelle, 74, of Bloomington, passed away at 10:36 a.m. on Aug. 19 at his residence.
His Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Prairie Room at Bone Student Center at Illinois State University in Normal with a reception following the service. Cremation rites have been accorded. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to ISU Foundation/Bone Student Center or Illinois Cancer Care Foundation.
He was born on March 7, 1942 in Chicago, a son of Christian and Victoria Ellinger Schwelle. He married Diane Clever on June 8, 1968 in Charleston. She survives.
Surviving are his daughters, Karen Schwelle of St. Louis and Kim Schwelle of Kenosha, Wis.; uncle, John (Sylvia) Ellinger of Geneva; aunt, Frances Newberg of Algonquin; cousins, Elenore Heinrich of Niles, Robert (Renee) Newberg of Arlington Heights and Herlinde Yugar of Canonsburg, Penn.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; one sister, Susan F. Schwelle; his step-father; and a step-sister.
After graduating from Lane Tech High School in Chicago and receiving an associate’s degree from Wright Junior College, Christ received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University. He was a guidance counselor in the Danville public schools for a year before coming to Illinois State University in 1968.
Christ held a variety of positions in the Student Affairs division including Director of Bone Student Center and Braden Auditorium from 1978-1999. During his tenure as director, the Braden “Stars on Stage Series” brought major entertainment to the community and space was leased to a bookstore and brand-name food operations.
He was a recipient of the Neil R. Gamsky Quality of Student Life Award and the Administrative/Professional Staff Distinguished Service Award for his contributions at Illinois State University, and the Association of College Unions-International Region 9 Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to that organization. He retired in 1999.
Christ was president of the ISU Annuitants Association from 2006-2010 and continued on the ISUAA Board of Directors after his presidential term expired. Since his retirement, he has been an active member of the Spring Ridge Homeowners Association Board, University Club and the Young Men’s Club. Additionally, Christ was a volunteer track official at ISU for over 30 years.
He was an avid baseball fan and, usually accompanied by his family, had attended games at 35 major league parks plus 24 minor league parks and spring training sites.
Online condolences and memories of Christ may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
