Viola Williamson

Viola Williamson, 102, of LeRoy, Illinois, passed away at 7:55 P.M., Sunday, December 3, 2017, at LeRoy Manor, LeRoy, Illinois.

Her graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, December 7, 2017, at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington, Illinois, with Jeff Mayfield officiating.  There will be no visitation.  Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, LeRoy, Illinois, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the LeRoy Peace Meal or the LeRoy Emergency Ambulance Service.

Mrs. Williamson was born on August 25, 1915, in LeRoy, Illinois, to Moss and Neva Hendren Shifflett Riggs.  She married Howard E. Williamson on April 15, 1933, in Monticello, Illinois.  He passed away on October 17, 1992.

She is survived by her son, Wilbur (Karen) Williamson of Bloomington, Illinois, two grandsons, four great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, LaDonna Ruth Phillips and three sisters.

She worked for 10 years at General Electric and was the site supervisor for the LeRoy Peace Meal for 10 years.  She was a past member of the Ruel Neal American Legion Auxiliary Unit 79.

Garth T. Taylor

Garth T. Taylor, 93, of Saybrook, Illinois, passed away at 9:28 P.M., Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal, Illinois.

His funeral will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, December 3, 2017, at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Saybrook, Illinois, with Pastor Wayne Giermann officiating.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Saybrook, Illinois, with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M., Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Wesbein United Methodist Church, Saybrook, Illinois or David Humphrey Daniel American Legion Post 427, Saybrook, Illinois.

Garth was born February 24, 1924, in Saybrook, Illinois, a son of William V. & Hazel Holt Taylor. He married Myra LaTeer on February 17, 1946, in Piggott, Arkansas. She passed away January 24, 2017.

He is survived by his son, Lyndall Taylor of Saybrook, Illinois; daughter, Sidney Ann (Larry) Schaefer of Saybrook, Illinois; two granddaughters; four great-grandchildren; brother, Nile Taylor of Saybrook, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.

Garth owned and operated Taylor Earth Moving, Saybrook, Illinois. He also had worked for the State of Illinois Department of Transportation. Garth was an Army Veteran of WWII. He was a member of the Wesbein United Methodist Church, Saybrook, Illinois, David Humphrey Daniel American Legion Post 427, Saybrook, Illinois and  Milton Hill VFW Post 2029, Saybrook, Illinois.

Robert “Bob” Edward Stone

Robert “Bob” Edward Stone, 82, of Mansfield, Illinois, passed away at 1:10 P.M., Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at his residence with his family at his side.

His funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, December 4, 2017, at the Mansfield United Methodist Church with Pastor Ed Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign, Illinois with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice, American Cancer Society or Habitat For Humanity Piatt County, Illinois. Calvert-Belangee-Bruce funeral home, Mansfield, Illinois, in charge of arrangements.

Bob was born May 31, 1935, in rural Seymour, Illinois, a son of Edgar J. & Dorothy Irene Kingston Stone. He married Alberta Louise White on November 24, 1956, in Golden Gate, Illinois.

He is survived by his wife, Alberta Louise Stone of Mansfield, Illinois; siblings, Ruby Perry of Champaign, Illinois, Clarence Eugene “Stoney” Stone of Monticello, Illinois, Virginia Ann Stone of Champaign, Illinois, and Faith (Charles) Kennedy of Troy, Illinois. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles and Richard Stone and one sister, Ruth Stone.

Bob had worked at Humko in Champaign, Illinois for 25 years, retiring in 1992, due to health reasons. He graduated from DeLand-Weldon High School, class of 1954; an  Army veteran of the Korean War;  member of the Mansfield United Methodist church and served in several capacities during the years;  member and past commander of Kelso M. Garver American Legion Post 650, Mansfield, Illinois;  Bob was a past commander of the Piatt County American Legion;  Past president of Mansfield Lions Club, where he held different offices in the club;  served on the Lions Lifeline Board for 12 years;  helped organize the Piatt County Veterans Assistance Commission;  held local and district level positions in Boy Scouts;  served on the Piatt County Habitat For Humanity Board for a number of years;  served 36 years on the Mansfield Village Board; and was a volunteer fireman for 36 years for Northern Piatt Fire Protection District.

The family would like to thank George, Cece, Heather, and Kayla of Harbor Light Hospice of Forsyth, Illinois for the special and excellent care that was given to Bob.

Michael Joseph Maxwell

Michael Joseph Maxwell, 64, of Heyworth, Illinois, passed away at 8:19 P.M., Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at his home in Heyworth, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.  Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Heyworth, Illinois, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Michael Maxwell Memorial, c/o First State Bank, Heyworth, Illinois.

Mr. Maxwell was born on October 5, 1953, in Bloomington, Illinois, to Wayne C. and Elizabeth J. Burns Maxwell.

He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth J. Maxwell of Heyworth, Illinois; one sister, Cecilia E. (Terry Wise) Prochnow of Heyworth, Illinois; two nieces, Nicole Prochnow of Normal, Illinois, and Brittany Wise of Bloomington, Illinois; and his caregiver, Jeff Prochnow of Heyworth, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, John P. Maxwell.

Michael had worked at Eureka Co., Bloomington, Illinois, for 22 years and Wal-Mart, Normal, Illinois, for 10 years.  He was a member of the Machinist’s Local 1000, Bloomington, Illinois, and past member of the Sons of the American Legion, Heyworth, Illinois.

He loved baseball and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears.  He played football at Heyworth High School and was a part of the team that won the Sangamon Valley Conference title in 1971.

Michael had a big heart and would do anything for anyone.

Betty Jean Lewis

Betty Jean Lewis, 92, of Farmer City, Illinois, passed away at 8:21 A.M., Sunday, November 26, 2017, at Farmer City Rehabilitation and Healthcare.

Her funeral will be at 2:00 P.M, Friday, December 1, 2017, at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Farmer City, Illinois, with Pastor Dave Ashby officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M., Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Farmer City, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Farmer City Rehabilitation and Healthcare activity fund.

Betty was born July 20, 1925 in Farmer City, Illinois, a daughter of Jesse and Marguerite Ruch Anderson. She married Carrry Allen “Bud” Lewis, May 2, 1947, in Farmer City, Illinois. He passed away, November 8, 2011.

She is survived by her son, Gene (Anita) Lewis of Mahomet, Illinois and daughter, Pamela (Richard) Chapman of Broadlands, Illinois; four grandchildren, Chad (Kathy) Lewis of Mahomet, Illinois, Blake (Jamie Jarboe) Propst of Foosland, Illinois, Wesley (Jordan) Propst of Farmer City, Illinois, and Ryan (Courtney Johnson) Propst of Mahomet, Illinois; three stepgrandchildren, Samantha (Ian) Estes of Fisher, Illinois, Katie (Brett) Taylor of Mahomet, Illinois and Bailey (Todd) Schiff of Ogden, Illinois; eight great-grandchildren, Abbie Lewis; Faith Lewis; Julian Hudspath; Charlotte Propst; Conner Propst; Gabbie Jarboe; Corbin Johnson; and Josie Johnson; eight stepgreat-grandchildren, Tanner Estes; Morgan Estes; Kayla McKinney; Kassie McKinney; Kallen Taylor; Kade Taylor; Beau Hauersperger; and Dean Schiff; siblings, Duane (Sylvia) Anderson of Bellflower, Illinois; Louise Jiles of Farmer City, Illinois; Judy (Dale) Marshall of LeRoy, Illinois; Jack (Rita) Anderson of Wyoming and Arizona; and Carolyn (Walt) Jiles of Atkinson, Illinois; sister-in-law, Roxee Anderson of Atkinson, Illinois. Betty was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Ronald, Donald, Robert, and James Anderson; sisters, Martha Anderson, Anna Mae Okeson and Mary Lou Flegel.

Betty had been a train master clerk for the New York Central Railroad and Conrail Railroad. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Farmer City, Illinois. Betty loved bowling and craft work.

Priscilla L. Reynolds

Priscilla L. Reynolds, 65, of Farmer City, Illinois, passed away at 1:30 A.M., Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Farmer City Rehabilitation and Healthcare.

A graveside service will be 3:00 P.M., Saturday, December 2, 2017, at Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Illinois, with Bud McMasters officiating. There will be no visitation.

Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Farmer City, Illinois, in charge of arrangements.

Priscilla was born December 25, 1951, in Watseka, Illinois, a daughter of Kenneth Virgil & Myrtle Elizabeth Hall Larkin. She married Kevin Paul Reynolds. He passed away April 14, 2017.

She is survived by her son, Greg (Jamie) Larkin of Mansfield, Illinois; three stepdaughters, Kerri Reynolds of LeRoy, Illinois, Shannon (Steven) Cox of Bloomington, Illinois and Krystal Reynolds of LeRoy, Illinois; two grandchildren, Colby and Cory Larkin; three brothers, Larry (Mariam) Larkin of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kenneth (Robert Dahm) Larkin of St. Louis, Missouri and Martin A. Larkin of Kansas City, Kansas; one sister, Jo C. (Norman) Hunt of

Downers Grove, Illinois.

Priscilla was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Priscilla was a member of the First Christian Church, Farmer City, Illinois.

Jeffrey Nechkash

Jeffrey Nechkash, 63, of LeRoy, Illinois, passed away on November 23, 2017 at his home.

His service will be from 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Downs, Illinois. Donations can be made in care of Jordan Nechkash to help with funeral expenses. Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, LeRoy, Illinois, is handling arrangements.

Jeff was born April 3, 1954, in Dodgeville, Wisconsin a son of John and Evelyn Nechkash. He married Kelly Cook in 1982, she survives.

Jeff is also survived by his two sons, Graham (Audriana) Nechkash of Bloomington, Illinois and Jordan (Ashley) Nechkash of South Carolina; three grandsons, Wyatt, Case and Clayton; his sister, Becky (Frank) Toohill of LeRoy, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by one son, Joseph, his parents and his in-laws.

Jeff graduated from Tri-Valley in 1972. He worked for Heartland Printing for 16 years.

Jeff was an amazing brother, uncle, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.

Denver Lee Bailey

Denver Lee Bailey, 60, of Bellflower, Illinois, passed away at 7:58 A.M., Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at his residence.

His visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday, November 27, 2017, at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, 106 North Main Street, Famer City, Illinois.

A Memorial Service will follow at 5:00 P.M. with Rev. Wayne Clevenger officiating. Please wear your casual Cubs attire. Memorials may be made to the Carle Hospice Program, Champaign, Illinois.

Denver was born July 2, 1957, in Somerset, Kentucky, a son of Hubert and Marie Wooton Bailey. He married Terrye Flannery on January 29, 1977, in Farmer City, Illinois.

He is survived by his wife, Terrye Bailey of Bellflower, Illinois; mother, Marie Bailey of Gibson City, Illinois; three daughters, Jennifer (Jeremy) Duke of Gibson City, Illinois, April (Blake) Warren of Gibson City, Illinois and Krystal Bailey of Bellflower, Illinois; five grandchildren, Owen, Ethan and Declan Duke; Anna and Carly Warren. Preceded in death by his father.

Denver was a truck driver and looked forward to coming home to see his grandkids. He loved to watch his grandsons wrestle and play football at GCMS.

Denver was a die-hard Cubs fan before it was “cool”!

Monte Earl Jenkins

Monte Earl Jenkins, 74, of Bloomington, Illinois, passed away at 2:20 A.M., Sunday, November 19, 2017, at LeRoy Manor, LeRoy, Illinois.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, LeRoy, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Monte was born April 24, 1943, in Bloomington, Illinois the son of Earl and Mabel Fern

Montgomery Jenkins. He married Pamela Sue Moore on October 24, 2003, in Bloomington, Illinois. She survives in Bloomington, Illinois.

He is also survived by his daughter, Julie Ann Jenkins of Bloomington, Illinois, one niece and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sandra Doty.

Monte worked at Nestle for 30 years. He was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed the Cubs and the Bears, and also enjoyed his motorcycle

Dr. Donald Reed Jensen

Dr. Donald Reed Jensen, 86, of Bloomington, Illinois, died at 10:00 A.M., Monday, November 13, 2017.

His visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Friday, November 17, 2017, at Calvert-

Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home in Le Roy, Illinois. His funeral service will follow at 3:00 P.M.

Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Le Roy, Illinois. Military rites provided by Ruel Neal

Post 79 American Legion LeRoy, Illinois. Memorial donations may be made to the Dept. of

Biological Sciences at Illinois State University or Donor’s Choice.

Reed was born May 4, 1931 in Pocatello, Idaho, the third of four sons, to Joseph Golden and Myrtle Lillie Reddish. He married Brigitte E. Becker in Heuchelheim, Kreis Giessen/Lahn, Germany November 2, 1956. She survives.

Surviving are two daughters, Linda C. (Chad) Covert and Donna M. (Mark) Brent Hicks; son, David R. (Kaori) Jensen; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Jensen attended Pocatello public schools, Idaho State University (BS, Chemistry, 1953),

University of Washington, Seattle (BA, Zoology, 1954). He served in the United States Army

Medical Corp from 1954-1957. Upon release from the military, he attended Utah State

University where he earned advanced degrees in Physiology (MS, 1961; Ph. D. 1964). He was

awarded a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellowship and conducted research in

Germany at the Institute of Physiological Chemistry at the University from 1964 to 1966. Dr.

Jensen then accepted a position in the Department of Biological Sciences at Illinois State.

During his tenure at ISU he was known for his great love for teaching and for the unselfish

dedication of his time to students. He served as Assistant to the Department Chairman for 10

years directing affairs of the Undergraduate Program, Inventory and Space allocation, advising

students in the Academic Advisement Office, and Chairman of the Physiology and Anatomy

Section of the Department for many years. He was elected to status of Fellow in the American

Association of Sciences in 1959. Mr. Jensen retired in September 1994.

At home, “Reed” was known for his great devotion to family,friends, neighbors, and gardening.

Passers-by were always pleased to see his flowers. The raspberries, gooseberries, currents, and

apples he grew were always a delight to his children and grandchildren. Reed was loved and

adored by all that knew him and he truly will be missed. Reed Jensen (Papa) had a strong Faith

in Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God’s comfort and promises bring peace to his loved ones.

“To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.” Amen.