Elston Edward Mitchell, 94, of Bloomington died 1:20 p.m. Tuesday (March 12, 2014) in Heritage Healthcare, Normal. 

Private graveside services will be in Maroa Cemetery. Calvert Funeral Home, Maroa, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: Illinois State University Baseball Program. Send condolences: www.calvertmemorial.com. 

Elston was born July 23, 1919, in Casey, the son of Joseph and Nealy Perisho Mitchell. In 1937, he was the national baton twirler champion. He was a Navy veteran from 1943 to 1946. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Decatur, and American Legion Post 2910, Bloomington. He was a Maroa Scoutmaster. He retired from A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. in 1973. He coached Maroa youth baseball for many years and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He enjoyed spending time with everyone at the Parmon House Apartments. He married Clarice Jean Brock on Oct. 1, 1940, in Fairfield. She passed away June 17, 2001. 

Surviving are his children, Elston E. (Joan) Mitchell and Roger (Diane) Mitchell, both of Bloomington; grandchildren, Todd (Christine) Mitchell and Kimberly (Dusty) Wilson, both of Bloomington; Kelli Mitchell of Portland, Ore.; Kristi Mitchell of Las Vegas, Nev.; great-grandchildren, Reese and Myles Mitchell; Caroline, Madeline and Max Wilson. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three sisters; and grandson, Kevin. 

He will be greatly missed. 

S'Monne Joey Elder, 89, Lexington, band teacher, died Tuesday (March 11, 2014). 

Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Church Christ Uniting, Lexington. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday and one hour before services in the church. Burial: Lexington Township Cemetery. Arrangements by: Edwards Funeral Home, Arcola. Memorials: Church of Christ Uniting. 

Betty R. Kinzel, 91, of Monticello, passed away at 8:40 a.m. March 11, 2014 at the Piatt County Nursing Home. Graveside services for Betty will be Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the Bement Cemetery in Bement, Illinois. Betty was born January 7, 1923 in Lovington Illinois, the daughter of Thomas Emery and Elania Ann (Probst) Redman. Betty is survived by Sharon Kinzel (Gayle Simpson) of Gibson City, IL; Jeanne Kinzel of Monticello, IL; Janet (Jim) Bishop of Tolono, IL; and Doug (Gail) Kinzel of Sebastopol, CA. 5 grandchild and 10 great grandchild. Brother Lowell Redman of Bement, IL; and a sister Mary Flennikin of Bement, IL. Betty was preceded by Parents, daughter Marcia Kinzel, 6 brothers and 2 sisters. Betty was a registered nurse for 36 years at Kirby Hospital. Betty loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Memorials may be given to the Piatt County Nursing Home Halcyon Unit in Betty’s honor. 

Wanda E. Keist, 83, Clinton, formerly of Bloomington, died Tuesday (March 4, 2014) at her home.

Service: A celebration of life service will be at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. 

Memorials: American Heart Association. Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors: her brothers; James (Cleo) Sparrow, Bloomington; David (Dot) Sparrow, Kinney; and Fred (Marge) Sparrow, St. Anne.

Bernice Opal Paceley, 102, Peoria, formerly of Warrensburg, died Monday (March 3, 2014). 

Graveside services: 2 p.m. Saturday, Illini Cemetery, Warrensburg. Memorials: Midwest Food Bank or Cornerstone Rehab & Healthcare activity department.

Nathan Howland,28 of White Heath, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Kirby Medical Center, Monticello. Visitation will be held at 10:00 Wednesday and funeral service to follow at 11:30 at Mackey-Wright Funeral Home, Monticello. Pastor Steve Ingram will officiate. Burial will be at the Monticello Township Cemetery, Monticello. Nathan was born December 31, 1985 in Urbana, the son of Richard and Barbara Howland. He married Elisabeth Banta on September 15, 2012 in Monticello. Surviving are his wife Elisabeth and his children Maddi and Lydia Howland; his sister, Nichole (Troy) Louis of Lake Villa; nephew, Canaan Louis; niece, Athalia Louis; and Grandmother Alma Howland. He was preceded in death by his Grandparents Russell Howland and Dwight and Mary Miner. Nathan was an avid lover of the outdoors, especially his Grandpa Miner’s farm. It was on the farm where he met his beloved wife, loved to hunt, and taught his girls how to catch their first fish. He loved spending time with his wife and two precious girls. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, Nathan would have liked memorial contributions to be made to the Maddi and Lydia Howland Scholarship Fund at the First State Bank, Monticello,IL.