All Obituaries

D. LaVerne Lafenhagen (Dutton), 93, of Sidney, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. The visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, June 12 at Sidney United Methodist Church with funeral service and burial (Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney) directly following. Rev. Jeff Stahl will officiate. Freese Funeral Home of Sidney is assisting with arrangements. LaVerne was born October 17, 1932, the oldest of five children, to Richard and Hattie Dutton of ...

Cheryl A. Baird, 73, of Homer, passed away at 6:31PM, Monday June 1, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Visitation will be from 5 to 7PM, Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney.  Private burial will be at later date. Cheryl was born May 23, 1953 in Champaign, a daughter to RF and Dortha Bowles Gerald.  She married Mark Baird on July 14, 1973 in Homer, he survives. Also surviving are two children; Shauna (Michael) Baird Marsoobian of St. Louis and Justin ...

John Sutton, 74, of Philo passed away at 6:35PM, Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Private graveside services will be held.  Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is assisting with arrangements. John was born March 1, 1952, a son to John Francis and Wilma Sutton.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Sutton. John graduated from St. Thomas grade school in Philo, Unity Highs School in Tolono, and University of Illinois.  John was a ...

Helen Virginia Bear went to Heaven on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Visitation will be from 10 to 11AM, with funeral services to follow at 11AM on Saturday May 30, 2026 at Homer United Methodist Church, Homer.  Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is assisting with arrangements. She was born November 17, 1922, the daughter of the late Albert and Emma Pruitt in Homer.  She married Marion “Ned” Bear on June 30, 1941.  He preceded in death on November 7, 2009.  They had been ...

Gerald “Jerry” Keele, 76, of Tolono passed away at 4:18PM, Sunday, May 24, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Graveside services will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Bailey Memorial Cemetery, Tolono with Pastor Darin Elder officiating. Jerry was born Feb 15, 1950 in Sedalia, MO, a son to Eugene and Geraldine Baldwin Keele.  He married Kathy Byers on December 31, 2017 in Tolono, she survives. Also surviving are a son Tim (Angie) Keele of Sedalia, MO, three ...

Earl “Chick” Welch, 92, of Champaign, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026. He was born near Monticello, Illinois on June 1, 1933, to Clarence and Wilhemina Welch. He grew up in Sadorus, Illinois and graduated from Unity High School. On April 5, 1958, Earl married Marlene Clark. She preceded him in death. Earl proudly served his country in the United States Army before beginning a long career with the University of Illinois Fire Department. Known for his strong work ethic, ...

 Francis A. "Fran" Bosch Jr., 69, of Homer entered into heaven at 1:39 A.M. Saturday May 23, 2026 at his home.  Fran was born April 10, 1957 in Urbana. The son of Francis A. and Mary Ellen (Melton) Bosch Sr.. He married Vicki Kurlakowsky on September 26, 1998 in Ogden. She survives.  He is also survived by his son Anthony "A.J." Bosch of Homer. Sisters Theresa Bosch of Champaign, Mary Bosch of Arthur, Dianne (Basil) Auteberry of Longview, and Susan (Mark) ...

 Everett K. Hoppes, 90, of Tolono formerly of Indianapolis, IN, passed away at 12:10 P.M. Friday May 22, 2026 at home. Everett was born February 27, 1936 in Anderson, IN. The son of Everett and Edith (Lemon) Hoppes.  e is survived by his daughter Sandra Hoppes of Henderson, NV. Two grandsons Jovan Williams and Kolel Williams both of Las Angeles, CA. Four great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews with two special nieces Kim (Brian) Wishall and Robin Hilton both of ...

Kari Elizabeth Fonner, 38, of Danville passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at her home. Kari Beth was born September 30, 1987, in Urbana, the daughter of Lester and Cindy (Kamerer) Fonner. Kari is survived by her father, Lester (Vickie) Fonner of Ogden, her brother, Chad (Candy) Fonner of Philo, her sisters, Amber Fonner of Tolono and Shelbie (Codie Swan) Murphy of Champaign. She is also survived by her nieces Emmie, Sienna, and Asjah, and her nephew Ashton. Kari grew up in Philo as a ...

 Dorothy Buhr, 86 of Tolono formerly of Royal, passed away at 6:29  P.M. Saturday may 16, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital.  Dorothy was born September 24, 1939 in Sidney. The daughter of Lou and Lena (Poll) Wienke. She married Harold Buhr on September 8, 1957 in Broadlands. He preceded her in death on October 5, 2006.  She is survived by her daughters Lisa (Gary) Mitchell of Tolono and Karen Buhr of Danville. Four grandchildren and eight ...