Robert Louis Lighthall

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Robert (Bob) Louis Lighthall, 95 lifelong resident of Clinton, IL passed away at 11:00 A.M. October 28, 2016 at Heartland Health Care, Normal, IL. A celebration of life service is being planned for a later date.

Bob was born August 1, 1921 in Clinton, IL the son of Louis Duncan and Blanche (Graham) Lighthall. He married Mary “Gussie” Gustafson, the daughter of Arthur and Jane (Brown) Gustafson of Clinton, IL June 14, 1941. Mary passed away September 16, 2000.

Survivors include his children; William “Bill” Louis (Kathy) Lighthall of Huntington Beach, CA; Diane (Jack) Riddle of Meridian, ID; Roberta Sue (John) Baum of Bristol, IN; along with 6 grandchildren; Kipp R Riddle, Scott D (Lisa) Riddle and their children Emily and Isaac, Christian L (Melissa) Riddle and their children Connor and Abigail, Jonathan T Baum, Justin (Michelle) Baum and their children Chase and Delaney, Kirstin (Paul) Baum-Phair. Also surviving are nephews; Steve (Kathy) Myers, David Myers and nieces; Jan (Greg) Manning, Jeanne (Rhondal) Howard-McKinney, and Mary Fetzner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother Philip G Lighthall, and 2 sisters, Jean (William “Bill”) Lighthall-Howard, and Mary B Lighthall.

Bob was a member of the Clinton Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge #84 AF & AM. He was also a U.S. Army Air Force Veteran serving with the 92nd Bomber Group from 1943 to 1946. Bob attended the University of Illinois, the Stanford Business School and subsequently joined A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company in 1940 where he worked until retirement.

The family would like to express their special thanks and gratitude to Bob’s niece Dr. Jeanne Howard-McKinney for her unwavering care and support over the past 5 years for her Uncle Bob.

Services will be at a later date. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL assisted the family with cremation rites.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Weldon Springs Foundation, Inc, PO Box 323, Clinton, IL 61727.

Marianne Wagner

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Marianne Wagner, 87, of Lincoln, passed away at 7:05 a.m. Friday (Oct. 28, 2016), at Castle Manor, Lincoln.

Marianne was born Jan. 27, 1929, in San Jose, daughter of John and Dorothy May Shirley Behrends. She married Wayne Lee Wagner on Aug. 8, 1948, in Hartsburg. He preceded her in death in 1988.

Surviving Marianne are her children, Jennifer D. (Keith) Dalrymple, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; John R. Wagner, Emden; and Fay E. (Tom) Boerma, Lincoln; one sister, Lois Rae Merskin; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Shirley Jean Shaffer and Dorothy Kay Mullins.

Marianne was a member of Emden Christian Church.

Services for Marianne will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln, with Don Green and Ryan Edgecombe officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, also at the funeral home. Burial at Hartsburg Union Cemetery will follow the service. Memorials may be made in Marianne’s name to Christian Village nursing home or Emden Fire and Rescue.

Wesley Anderson

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Wesley R. Anderson, 90, of Clinton, passed away at 6:33 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 20, 2016) at his home, surrounded by his family.

His service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at First Christian Church, Clinton, with J. Kent Hickerson officiating. Burial will follow at Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton, with military honors. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton.

Memorials may be directed to First Christian Church, Clinton, or the American Cancer Society.

Wesley was born Aug. 8, 1926, in DeWitt County, the son of Ray and Zora C. Sprague Anderson. He married Bettie Joyce Rich on March 28, 1948, in Clinton. She passed away on Feb. 26, 2013.

Survivors include his children, Sherrie (George) Pasenelli, Phoenix, Ariz.; Bradley (Alecia) Anderson, Heyworth; and Kimberly (Terry) Nevill, Maroa; five grandchildren, Hillary (Gene) Hagerty, Stroudsburg, Pa.; John Wesley Nevill, Maroa; and Lindsay Marie, Wesley Preston and Courtney Jayne Anderson, all of Heyworth; two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Ashley Hagerty, Stroudsburg, Pa.; and sister, Louise Moore, Clinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.

Wesley was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of First Christian Church, Clinton, and also the Clinton VFW, American Legion and Eagles Lodge. He was a retired farmer.

Condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com.

Ivan Keith Leisner

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Ivan Keith “Ike” Leisner 90 of Weldon, Il passed away 1:47 AM October 15, 2016 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal, Il.

Services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, Il. with J. Kent Hickerson officiating. Burial will follow at the Weldon Cemetery, Weldon, Il with military honors. Visitation will be 9-11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to the Weldon Fire Department, or the First Christian Church, Clinton, Il.

Ike was born January 13, 1926 in Randolph Township, Il, the son of Frank and Bessie (Walters) Leisner. He married R. Elaine Barding October 1, 1949 in Angola, Indiana. She passed away October 21, 2015.

Survivors include his Sons: Michael Leisner, Normal, Il.; David Leisner, Weldon, Il.; 5 Grandchildren, and 8 Great-Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, 5 Brothers, and 3 Sisters.

Ike was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during WWII where he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Following his military service, he was a farmer in DeWitt County for over 50 years. Ike served as a volunteer fireman for the Weldon Fire Department, and, was also a member of the American Legion, the Weldon Lions Club, and the DeWitt Co. Farm Bureau.

Leona P. Patterson

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Leona P. Patterson, 88 of Clinton passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at the Warner Hospital in Clinton.

Leona Pauline Patterson was born July 5, 1928 in Clinton, IL to Charles and Laura Smith Gregory. She married Gerail Patterson on September 18, 1948.

Leona was a faithful member of the Clinton Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1949.

Leona was known for her faithful spiritual routine which included sharing the Bible’s comforting hope with others. Her family and friends deeply appreciated her good-hearted and kind nature. Her children and grandchildren will never forget her sense of humor..

Leona was preceded in death by her loving husband Gerail; her brothers, Charles and William Gregory; and her sister Norma Reilly.

She is survived by her son, David (Joyce) Patterson of Paris, IL, and daughters Tricia (John) Kavlock of Clinton, IL, and Lisa (Mike) O’Connor of Rochester, NY, her grandchildren: Tavis (Irene) Patterson, Talya (Bill) Calvert, Tabitha (Brandon) Duecker, Teale (Chris) Hall, Tiana (Brian) Schmitz, Corey (Liz) Kavlock, Simonne (Jerry) Bolla, and Erica Peterson, and her twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Mona Doty of Morocco, IN and Marilyn (Ron) Sparks of Bloomington, IL .

Funeral arrangements are for Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located at 1413 E. Main in Clinton, IL. Visitation is from 2:00-3:00 pm. Memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm.

Peasley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Kyle James Usher

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Kyle James Usher, 35, of Monticello, passed away at 12:22 p.m., Thursday, October 13, 2016 at his residence.

Kyle was born on March 21, 1981 in Decatur the son of Kent R. and Phyllis Ann (Pool) Usher.

Kyle is survived by his parents, Kent and Phyllis Usher of Monticello; brother, Matthew Usher (Kimberly) of Monticello; sister, Michelle Evans (Jason) of Monticello; nieces and nephews, Gavin, Hannah, and Emma Evans, and Noah and Sarah Usher; several close aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Bob and Bette Usher and Jim and Martha Pool.

Kyle worked as a relay electrician. Kyle was a member of the First Christian Church of Monticello and the band Neoga Blacksmiths. He enjoyed his nieces, nephews, reading, and the great outdoors. Kyle loved spending time at his cousin’s vineyard and hunting in Berryville, IL.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, October 17, 2016 at the First Christian Church of Monticello. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the First Christian Church of Monticello with Rev. Steve Ingram and Rev. Brian Bennett officiating. Interment will be held in Monticello Township Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Piatt County Mental Health Center.

Clifford Roscoe DePrenger

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Reverend Clifford Roscoe DePrenger, age 89, of Springfield, Missouri went to be with His Heavenly Father on Thursday, October 6, 2016. The son of Carl Cornelius DePrenger and Bessie Rykoek DePrenger, he was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on March 4, 1927, the second of five children. Clifford’s early years were spent with his parents, two brothers, and two sisters on a farm north of Grinnell, Iowa, where he attended school.

At age 13, the family home burned down in late autumn. A solid house was purchased in Chester, Iowa then moved out to the farm and set over a new basement. The house movers invited the family to attend the Assemblies of God church in Grinnell. Given their parents’ permission, Leo and Clifford walked down the muddy lane out to the family car parked off the main grid road and drove to the local Assemblies of God church the next Sunday night. There they surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and experienced new direction in life.

At age 18, Clifford took the train to Minneapolis to attend North Central Bible Institute (NCBI), now North Central University. He worked his way through school. While there, Clifford was instrumental in forming “The Trumpet Trio” with a few friends. Together, they travelled in ministry to local Assemblies of God churches throughout the Central Plains during the summer preceding Clifford’s final year at NCBI.

In 1948, Clifford graduated from NCBI and helped to start a new church in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Once it was established, he became the pastor of Correctionville Assembly of God, in Correctionville, Iowa. In March 1949, he married Betty Brooks of Mascoutah, Illinois who also had graduated from NCBI the previous year. He received his ordination with the Assemblies of God in 1951.

As partners in ministry, Clifford and Betty pastored in Gillespie, Illinois before investing more than 16 years in building the Assemblies of God work in Clinton, Illinois. In 1969, they accepted the pastorate of Calvary Assembly of God in Galesburg, Illinois, and served that congregation for 20 years. In 1989, Clifford and Betty bought a home located on Lake Williamson Christian Center’s grounds in Carlinville, Illinois. For the next 22 years, they served as interim pastors for several congregations in the Illinois district and for one church located in Holland, land of his forefathers. Clifford and Betty helped form “The Dream Team” with some close friends, all retired couples, who shared ministry together at revival meetings and special services of many Assemblies of God churches in Central Illinois.

In 2010, Clifford’s ministry began to focus on needs at home as Alzheimer’s disease significantly affected Betty’s quality of life. She entered her eternal rest on September 26, 2011. Within the year, he retired and moved to Springfield, Missouri.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, his elder brother Leo DePrenger (of Phoenix, Arizona), his younger sisters Jean DePrenger Landers and Eva DePrenger Gill (of Des Moines, Iowa) , his wife of 62 years, Betty Brooks DePrenger (of Carlinville, Illinois), and their twin daughters Karen and Sharon (of Clinton, Illinois) who died shortly after birth. Clifford is survived by his daughter Ladonna (Mrs. Mark) Christianson, of Springfield, Missouri, their children Monique and Mark Dale (Wendy) Christianson, Clifford’s younger brother Warren (Jayne) DePrenger, of Lakewood, Washington, as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Services will be 11 Am Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Clinton Assembly of God Church with Rev. Gary Grogan, Pastor Doug Lowrey and Pastor Dan Bell officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton, Il. Visitation will be 9:30 to 11 AM at the Church. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, Il. is in charge of arrangements.

Joe Nechkash

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Joe Nechkash, 31, of Heyworth, passed away on Wednesday (Oct. 12, 2016) at University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago.

Joe was born May 6, 1985, in Normal, to Jeffrey and Kelly Nechkash. He grew up in LeRoy and Downs. He attended Tri-Valley High School and was Six Sigma Green Belt certified. He was a site supervisor for Advanced Technology Services in conjunction with Caterpillar.

Joe enjoyed fishing, cooking, camping, boating, hunting and woodworking, and was a connoisseur of fine beers. He was an avid Tennessee Vols fan and was a general handyman. You could say Joe loved the outdoors. He loved to spend time with his friends and family, including his four-legged family, George, Riley, Mabry and Kershaw.

He is survived by his wife, Jennie Larson-Nechkash; parents, Jeff Nechkash and Kelly Cook-Duby; two brothers, Graham (Audriana) Nechkash, Bloomington, and Jordan (Ashley) Nechkash, Carlock; grandmother, Joan Cook-Cothern; and three nephews, Wyatt, Case and Clayton Nechkash. Also surviving are several loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, George Cook Sr.; grandparents, John and Evelyn Nechkash; and stepfather, Don Duby Jr.

His life will be celebrated with a memorial visitation from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, with a memorial service from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at St. Mary’s Church, 108 E. Washington St., Downs, IL 61736.

Donations may be made to the donor’s choice in memory of Joe.

Condolences may be made at eastlawn-bloomington.com.

David C. Sparrow

Posted About Eight Years Ago

David C. Sparrow 79 of Kenney, IL passed away 8:12 AM October 4, 2016 at his family residence, Kenney, IL.

Graveside Services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, October 7, 2016 at the Baptist Cemetery in Kenney, IL with Pastor Randy Munson officiating. The family has requested casual attire.

Memorials may be directed to the Kenney Fire Department, or the Kenney Community Center.

David was born July 15, 1937 in Girard, IL the son of Walker and Gladys (Livengood) Sparrow. He married Dorothy J. Meadows in 1963, Clinton, IL.

Survivors include his wife: Dorothy J. Sparrow, Kenney, IL; son: James R. (Sherri L.) Sparrow, Lincoln, IL; grandchildren: Taylor S. Sparrow and Austin R. Sparrow; brothers: Jim (Cleo) Sparrow, Bloomington, IL, and Fred (Marge) Sparrow, Anna, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, and three brothers.

David was the owner and operator of Sparrow Home Improvement and Sparrow’s Nest Antique Shop. He retired from the Village of Kenney.

Robert W. Strom

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Robert W. Strom 90 of Clinton, Il. formerly of Watseka, Il. passed away 7:20 PM, Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at his family residence, Clinton, IL.

No Services are planned at this time. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, Il. assisted the family with cremation rites.

Robert was born May 12, 1926 in East Lynn, IL the son of Glenn W. and Ethel (Clements) Strom. He married Beverly Jean Glass December 20, 1947 in Hoopeston, IL.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Strom, Clinton, Il., Children, Debbie Stauter, Normal, Il., Jo Ann Jenkins, Clinton, Il., Barb DeLong, Silverton, Oregon, 10 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Brother, Arthur (Lois) Strom, Effingham, IL.

He was preceded in death by his Parents and 1 Sister.

Robert was a veteran of the US Navy. He retired from Uarco, Watseka, IL.

Enoch L. Nunnery

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Enoch L. “Doby” Nunnery 88 of Clinton, IL passed away 8 AM October 9, 2016 at Manor Court, Clinton, IL.

Services will be 3 P.M. Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at the First Church Of the Nazarene, Clinton, IL with Rev. Mike Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton, IL. Visitation will be 1 – 3 P.M. Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the First Church Of the Nazarene, or the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Illinois Chapter 430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60631.

Doby was born August 8, 1928 in Clinton, IL the son of Enoch Curuth and Minnie B. (Hugley) Nunnery. He married Mary Alice Gunnell May 19, 1951 in Ruth, MS. She passed away September 14, 2016.

Survivors include his children, Doby Michael (Beverly) Nunnery, Mark (Gail L.) Nunnery and Susan (Ted) Turner all of Clinton, IL, 9 Grandchildren and 13 Great-Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, 2 Brothers and 1 son-in-law.

Doby was a 1946 Graduate of Clinton High School. He attended Copiah Lincoln Junior College, Wesson, MS from 1946 – 1948 then from 1949 – 1951 he attended the Olivet Nazarene College in Bourbonnais, IL and again in 1953 when he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree.

He began his teaching career in 1952 at Topeka High School in Jayess, MS where he taught seventh grade, from there he taught High School Social Studies in Bogue Chitto, MS from 1953 – 1954 and Junior High Industrial Arts at McComb, MS from 1954 - 1955. After moving back to Clinton, IL he taught Language Arts and Math at the Clinton Junior High in 1955.

During the summers of 1956 and 1957 Doby continued his own education attending the University of Illinois.

During 1957 – 1962 while teaching third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade in Lane, IL he was also principal. He moved to teach at the Webster Elementary School in Clinton, IL in 1962 for two years before becoming principal.

After attending Illinois State University during the evenings and the summer of 1960, he graduated with a Master’s Degree in 1967.

From 1973 – 1975 he was Principal of both Webster and Kenney School.

Doby retired June 17, 1993, after 38 years in the Clinton School System, 31 years at the Webster School, Clinton, IL and 3 years in Mississippi schools.

Doby's loves were God, family, church and educating children.

Rev. Clifford Roscoe DePregner

Posted About Eight Years Ago

Reverend Clifford Roscoe DePrenger, age 89, of Springfield, Missouri went to be with His Heavenly Father on Thursday, October 6, 2016. The son of Carl Cornelius DePrenger and Bessie Rykoek DePrenger, he was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on March 4, 1927, the second of five children.

Clifford’s early years were spent with his parents, two brothers, and two sisters on a farm north of Grinnell, Iowa, where he attended school.

At age 13, the family home burned down in late autumn. A solid house was purchased in Chester, Iowa then moved out to the farm and set over a new basement. The house movers invited the family to attend the Assemblies of God church in Grinnell. Given their parents’ permission, Leo and Clifford walked down the muddy lane out to the family car parked off the main grid road and drove to the local Assemblies of God church the next Sunday night. There they surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and experienced new direction in life.

At age 18, Clifford took the train to Minneapolis to attend North Central Bible Institute (NCBI), now North Central University. He worked his way through school. While there, Clifford was instrumental in forming “The Trumpet Trio” with a few friends. Together, they travelled in ministry to local Assemblies of God churches throughout the Central Plains during the summer preceding Clifford’s final year at NCBI.

In 1948, Clifford graduated from NCBI and helped to start a new church in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Once it was established, he became the pastor of Correctionville Assembly of God, in Correctionville, Iowa. In March 1949, he married Betty Brooks of Mascoutah, Illinois who also had graduated from NCBI the previous year. He received his ordination with the Assemblies of God in 1951.

As partners in ministry, Clifford and Betty pastored in Gillespie, Illinois before investing more than 16 years in building the Assemblies of God work in Clinton, Illinois. In 1969, they accepted the pastorate of Calvary Assembly of God in Galesburg, Illinois, and served that congregation for 20 years. In 1989, Clifford and Betty bought a home located on Lake Williamson Christian Center’s grounds in Carlinville, Illinois. For the next 22 years, they served as interim pastors for several congregations in the Illinois district and for one church located in Holland, land of his forefathers. Clifford and Betty helped form “The Dream Team” with some close friends, all retired couples, who shared ministry together at revival meetings and special services of many Assemblies of God churches in Central Illinois.

In 2010, Clifford’s ministry began to focus on needs at home as Alzheimer’s disease significantly affected Betty’s quality of life. She entered her eternal rest on September 26, 2011. Within the year, he retired and moved to Springfield, Missouri.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, his elder brother Leo DePrenger (of Phoenix, Arizona), his younger sisters Jean DePrenger Landers and Eva DePrenger Gill (of Des Moines, Iowa) , his wife of 62 years, Betty Brooks DePrenger (of Carlinville, Illinois), and their twin daughters Karen and Sharon (of Clinton, Illinois) who died shortly after birth. Clifford is survived by his daughter Ladonna (Mrs. Mark) Christianson, of Springfield, Missouri, their children Monique and Mark Dale (Wendy) Christianson, Clifford’s younger brother Warren (Jayne) DePrenger, of Lakewood, Washington, as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Services will be 11 Am Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Clinton Assembly of God Church with Rev. Gary Grogan, Pastor Doug Lowrey and Pastor Dan Bell officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton, Il. Visitation will be 9:30 to 11 AM at the Church. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, Il. is in charge of arrangements.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be directed to the Clinton Assembly of God Church Missions Fund to help start an orphanage.

Dewitt Obits Archives for 2016-10