All Obituaries

Larry Grandison Craft, 84, of Benton, KY formally of Sadorus, IL, passed away on September 1, 2026 at Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, Murray, Ky. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 9am-11am with funeral immediately following at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sadorus, IL. Graveside Service with full military honors will be at Craw Cemetery, Sadorus, IL. Pastor Joshua Reifsteck is officiating. Larry was born October 7, 1941 in Arrowsmith, IL., the son of William Carl and ...

Deborah J Cook, 71, of Champaign passed away at 11:24 AM, Monday, August 31, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Celebration of Life will be at 6:00 PM on Sept. 5, 2026 at her residence.  Freese Funeral Home, Tolono is assisting with arrangements.  Mrs. Cook was born June 16, 1955 in Champaign, a daughter to Robert and Norma Kesler Jelly.  She married Melvin Cook on July 28, 1974 in Champaign, he survives. Also surviving are two children; Chasity (Ken) McGee and ...

Harold “Gene” Wilsey, of Sidney, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, at the age of 89. Born October 22, 1936, in Sidney, Illinois, Gene was the son of Ross and Mabel (Ruffner) Wilsey.  Gene graduated from Unity High School in Tolono in 1954, where he lettered in basketball and football. He remained a lifelong sports fan, proudly passing his love of the Fighting Illini on to his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and his ...

Connie Lou Ray, 86, of Urbana, Illinois, passed away on the morning of August 30, 2026, at Carle Hospital in Urbana. Born January 23, 1940, in Danville, Illinois, to Ivan and Helen Yount. Connie grew up in St. Joseph, Illinois before making her home in Urbana Illinois. She married Jerry W. Ray on February 2, 1962, in Vermilion County. They remained lifelong friends. For over 60 years Connie provided in-home daycare. She loved children, and they loved her. Connie was a wonderful cook and ...

Doug Emrick, a cherished son, brother, uncle, and friend, peacefully departed this world after a medical emergency. Born on August 17, 1952, in Urbana, Illinois, Doug was the beloved son of the late Ronald and Judith Emrick, who predeceased him in 2008 and 2004, respectively. Doug was a graduate of St. Joe Ogden High School, class of 1970, where he began cultivating his lifelong love for Western movies and TV shows. His extraordinary memory for family events, birthdays, and details of old ...

Kenneth Thomason Heyen, 91 of Broadlands passed away at 12:59PM, Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at The Haven in Tuscola. Private graveside services will be held.  Freese Funeral Home, Tolono is assisting with arrangements. Mr. Heyen was born Nov 15, 1934 in Petersburg, IL, a son to Julius and Ruby Thomason Heyen.  He married Awanda Lee Limkeman on Sept 20, 1958 in Sutter, IL.  She preceded him in death on August 31, 2023. Surviving are two sons; Kevin (Susan) and Kendall ...

Marilyn Louise Paul Marilyn Louise Paul, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away on August 21, 2026, one day after celebrating her 89th birthday. She was born August 20, 1937, in Winner, South Dakota, to Francis and Alfred Clementz.  A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday August 29, 2026 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 708 W. Main St. Urbana. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Champaign. Fr. Anthony Co will officiate. ...

Sharon Lea (Overmyer) Oakes of Tolono passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026 at Haven of Tuscola. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 18, 2026 from 9 A.M. to 11 A. M. at St. Patricks Church Tolono. Funeral mass will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be at St. Patricks Cemetery in Tolono.  Freese Funeral Home, Tolono is assisting with arrangements. Sharon was born March 5, 1938 in Champaign, the daughter of Paul and Margaret (Pfiefer) Overmyer. She is preceded in death by her parents and ...

 Joseph Lee Boise, 93, of Champaign formerly of St. Joseph passed away at 8:26 A.M. Monday August 10, 2026 at his home.  Visitation will be Monday August 17, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Graveside services will be at 11:15 A.M. at Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph. Rev. Paul Dinges will officiate.  Joseph was born March 28, 1933 in Homer. the son of George and Ruth (Bryant) Boise. He married Dorothy Schuman on May 11, ...

William A. Wilson, 90, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, leaving behind a life deeply rooted in family, faith, friendship, and the farmland he tended for more than six decades. Bill was a graduate of Oakwood High School and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army Reserve. He shared his life with his wife, Sandra (Ray) Wilson, and together they built a family and a lifetime of memories. He was the proud father of William J. (Julie) Wilson and Allison (Joe) ...