All Obituaries

Rita Evelyn Jessup passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital surrounded by her children, Natalie (Everett) Miller, Thomas Bedwell, and Jamie Jessup. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main Street, Sidney, IL 61877, followed by graveside services at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney with Pastor Darren Sluder officiating. She was born October 6, 1946 in Hymera, Indiana at home to Curtis Ira Dayton and Dixie ...

Lester Wayne Kinney, 90, passed away peacefully at home, born on October 20, 1935, to Basil and Maxine Kinney, Lester grew up in Illinois and proudly served his community and state in the Illinois National Guard. On April 30, 1965, he married Marilyn Mosely Bennet, in Paxton, Illinois. For most of his career, Lester was a familiar and dependable face in Ford parts departments. Outside of work, he enjoyed building and flying model airplanes and he was happiest when tinkering on his workbench ...

Marcia K. McDuffie, 87 of Champaign passed away at 6:52PM, Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Memory Haven of Tolono. Graveside services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 17, 2026 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Pesotum, with Rev. Keith Walder officiating.  Freese Funeral Home, Tolono is assisting with arrangements. Mrs. McDuffie was born July 8, 1939 in Tuscola, a daughter to Peter and Bernice Mayer Lecher.  She married Eddie McDuffie; he preceded her in death. She is survived by a ...

Mark Ellars, 68, of Philo, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at LaBella Nursing Home in Danville, Illinois. Mark was born on July 8, 1958, in Urbana, Illinois, to Harley “Gene” Ellars Jr. and Mary (Lapeschka) Ellars. He attended Unity High School. Mark is survived by his brother, David Ellars (Michelle) of Tolono; his sisters, Nancy Hancock (Steve) of Philo and Kris Thomas (Douglas Dillavou) of Tolono; nephews, Michael (Jamie) Ellars, DJ (Dawn) ...

Crystal K. Dillavou, a loving mother, kindhearted soul, and loyal member of her community, passed away on October 5, 2026, at the age of 74. Crystal will be remembered for her generous spirit, her kindness, and the care she showed to those around her. Above all, she was a loving, devoted mother to her daughter, Darce Dillavou, who held a special place in her heart. She also shared a unique bond with her precious granddogs, Phoebe and Kano, who brought love and companionship into her ...

Keith Rohl, 69, of Homer passed away Saturday October 3, 2026 at his home.  Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Thursday October 8, 2026 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 P.M.. Pastor Jason Braaten will officiate. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.   Keith was born November 23, 1956 in Champaign to Orville and MaryAnn (Rothermel) Rohl of Homer.  He is survived by his wife Brenda, son Collin (Nicole) Rohl ...

Shirley A. Rothermel, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away at 4:27 A.M. Monday, September 28, 2026, at Gibson Area Hospital Annex, Gibson City. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday October 2, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Broadlands. Pastor Dan Ulrich will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the church. Shirley was the youngest of four born to Boyd and Lessie (Hodson) Bane of Newman. She attended and was baptized in the Presbyterian Church and graduated ...

Joseph Bernard Hewing, 58, of Bartlett IL, died Sunday, September 27 surrounded by the love of his family and friends. Visitation will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Philo on Friday, October 9 from 5-7 PM, commencing with the rosary at 4:30. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at the church at 10 AM on Saturday, October 10. Freese Funeral Home of Tolono is handling the arrangements. The family invites you to bring a copy of a photo of Joe to share with us as we commemorate his ...

Marilyn Highsmith, 69, of Philo passed away at 5:20 AM, Wednesday, September 23, 2026 in Charleston. There will be no services. Marilyn was born February 13, 1957 in Champaign, a daughter to Larry and June Ephgrave Highsmith. She is survived by a son, two sisters; Cheryl Highsmith and Kaydee (Doug) Byers, a brother Doug (Simone) Highsmith, a niece and a nephew. She graduated from Unity High School in 1975 and from Parkland College with a degree as a Veterinarian Technician.  She ...

Rebecca “Becky” Irene (Hardin/Lonberger) Clark, 70, went to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior, at 5:10pm on September 17, 2026 after a long battle with cancer. She was a loved and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend; the joy of her presence will be deeply missed. Becky was born to Harry and Frances Hardin in Greenfield, IN on July 13, 1956; graduated in 1974 from Decatur Central High School in Indiana and graduated with a bachelor’s from ...