All Obituaries

Jesse Daniel Wood, 19, of Tolono passed away Tuesday (May 17, 2022) at home, the victim of an accidental overdose. Jesse was born October 15, 2002, in Urbana, the beloved son of Michael L Wood and Melissa A (Parsons) Wood. He is survived by his parents, Mike Wood of Pesotum and Melissa Wood of Tolono, and his sister, Anna, at home. Also surviving are his paternal grandmother, Frances Wood of Pesotum, his maternal grandfather, Ken Parsons of Danville, and numerous aunts, uncles, and...

Margaret (Maggie) Kehaulani Webb Orr, 73, passed away peacefully at home in Mahomet last Saturday evening. Maggie was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, over a decade before it became our 50th state. As a child in Hawaii, Maggie grew up enjoying everything Hawaii had to offer, especially swimming and surfing in the Pacific Ocean with her friends and family. After graduating Waipahu High School in 1965, Maggie met a young Navy man from St. Joseph, IL named Ronald Orr. Ron was stationed in Hawaii...

 Roy McCarty, 83, of St. Joseph passed away at 6:24 P.M. Friday May 13, 2022 at his home.  Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday May 16, 2022 at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Chaplin Glenn Corbly will officiate.  Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph is in charge of arrangements.  Roy was born September 8, 1938 at Champaign. The son of Onis and Bertie (Rush) McCarty. He married Phyllis Price on June 23, 1956. She survives.  He is also...

Jesse W. Penrod, 76, of Champaign passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Illini Heritage in Champaign. Jesse was born on April 20, 1946, Urbana Township in Champaign County.  Preceded in death; parents; Jesse F. and Violet P. Penrod, sister; Frances (Larry) David, brother-in-law Gerald Bloemker.  He is survived by his children; Anthony (Julie) Penrod of Schofield, WI and Russell (Cindy) Penrod of Kronenwetter, WI; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren,...

Josè Alejandro (Poppy’s or Papi Jando) Cañas Valdez , 81, of San Salvador, El Salvador passed away on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, at his residence.   Josè was born November 15, 1940, in San Salvador (Cuscatancingo), El Salvador to Rafael A. & Angela Cañas Valdez. The second of five Siblings. Josè married Rosa Navas on July 29, 1962 in San Salvador, El Salvador.  He is survived by Rosa Navas, as well as, three sons: Alex Cañas...

Karenetta (Karen) Pridemore 79 of Sidney,IL died at home May 5, 2022 after a 3 year battle of Cancer. She was born Feb 1,1943 at Burnham Hospital in Champaign IL . She was the daughter of the late Charlie ( Doc) and Marjorie (Marge Mosely) Potts. Karen married Larry Pridemore Sept, 6, 1958. They settled in Sidney, IL She retired from Carle Hospital. Karen enjoyed cruising around Homer Lake and through the country looking for deer. Karen was preceded in death by her parents Charlie...

Wendell Gene Viles, 89, of St Joseph passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 at his home. Wendell was born February 2, 1933 in Champaign County a son of Vesper and Leona (Wright) Viles.  He married Wanda (Craig) Viles on February 25, 1956 and were married for 59 years before she preceded him in death on January 20, 2016. Wendell was a Korean War veteran for the Navy from 1951-1955 and was a lifelong member of the VFW and American Legion. He worked in central receiving for the...

Alvin “Al” H. Ackerman, 90, of Urbana, passed away peacefully at his home, Urbana, on May 2, 2022. Al was born March 17, 1932 in Champaign County, son of Harm and Minnie (Aden) Ackerman. He married Verna (Ihnen) Ackerman November 7, 1954 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. She preceded him in death October 24, 2018. Al was a Korean War veteran. He trained in the military police camp and then spent 16 months in railway security in South Korea. He was a lifelong member of the...

 Betty Jean Wright, 81 of Royal passed away at 6:48 P.M. Monday May 2, 2022 at her home.  She was born December 23, 1940, in Ashville, NC, to Clyde L. and Ruth V. Edwards. Her mother died when she was 13 years old and she was in the Children's Home of Rockford, IL from 1952-1955. She was fostered to Andy and Barbara Youtzy of rural Winslow, IL. On the farm she was joined with the Youtzy children, Mary Lee, Linda and Greg. She graduated from Lena-Win High School and then...

Dennis Duden, 80, passed away suddenly on April 28, 2022 doing what he loved - spending time outdoors and helping a friend.  Dennis was born on October 10, 1941 to John and Anna (Frerichs) Duden.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Luthern Church in Royal, IL.  Dennis was raised in rural Gifford and later Fithian.  He graduated from Oakwood High School in 1959 and remained close to his classmates. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Korea.  He was...