Nancy J. (Reynolds) Howe, 65, of Farmer City passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, October 23, 2023.

Services will be 10 AM Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with OSF Chaplain Joyce Rinkenberger officiating. Burial will follow at Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, IL. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Friday, November 3, 2023 at the funeral home.

Nancy was born December 11, 1957 in Normal to Donald and Patricia J. Reynolds. She was older sister to her siblings Marty and Jim.

She graduated as valedictorian of Deland-Weldon High School in 1976, and went on to study nursing at Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating in 1980. Throughout her life, Nancy worked for many years as a caring nurse.

Nancy married Joe Howe on November 28, 1981 in Weldon. Together with her devoted husband, Nancy built a life she was proud of and honored God in the way she lived. She raised four daughters who loved her and cared for her. The pride of Nancy’s life were her children, the Howe girls. Her girls all grew up to be strong women who love their family like Nancy did.

Nancy was a strong believer who faced her challenges in life with grace, courage, and determination. In 1985, she had a young daughter at home and was pregnant with her second while she bravely fought brain cancer. Nancy and Joe went on to have two more daughters and many blessed years together. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2021.

Nancy especially enjoyed her summers with her family. Every August, she and Joe loaded up the Suburban for a road trip and made fond memories. The Colorado mountains had a special place in her heart and she traveled there many times after going there for her honeymoon.

She loved living on a farm in the country. She had a passion for vegetable gardening, canning, and flowers. Her flower bed was a particular point of pride and included her favorites like petunias and chrysanthemums. She lovingly tended strawberries, apples, peaches, lilacs and peonies. She was a skilled cook known for her sticky buns, orange jello, yum yum coffee cake, and pasta shells, among many others. Nancy’s homemade applesauce and strawberry jam were big hits in the Howe house.

Nancy was a talented piano player and played for several years at Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church. She enjoyed listening to Christian music especially Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant.

Nancy appreciated her three sons-in-law and everything they did for her. Whether they were providing home maintenance or delicious foods, she sure thought a lot of them.

If her four girls were the pride of her life, her four grandsons were her prize. They made her smile every time she saw them, whether that was playing on the swing set at her house, or going to their activities which ranged from drag racing to trombone to baseball. Those boys could do no wrong in their Gram’s eyes. Nancy adored her husband and family and they will miss her every day.

She is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Patricia J. Reynolds, mother-in-law, Dona Howe, and father-in-law J. Maurice “Maurie” Howe.

Survivors include Nancy’s husband Joe, her children Addie Howe, Elise (Austin) Perry, Lindsey (Jason) Pritchett, and Sarah (Tyler) Roth; grandchildren Dylan and Tanner Pritchett, Brady and Logan Roth; father Don Reynolds; sister Marty (Frank Sugent) Forrest, and brother James (Tim Acito) Reynolds.

Memorials may be made in Nancy’s honor to March of Dimes or In Touch Ministries.

John Martin Carstens, 91, of Bloomington, IL passed away 2:53 A.M. October 19, 2023 at McLean County Nursing Home, Normal, IL.

Services will be 12:00 PM Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with Pastor Tiffany Black and Fr. Thomas Szydlik officiating. Burial will follow at Weldon Cemetery, Weldon, IL with Military Honors. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Morningstar United Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

John was born October 3, 1932 in Grinnell, IA the son of Henry J. and Nora L. (Toohill) Carstens. He married Phyllis A. Long September 6, 1958 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Clinton, IL.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis A. Carstens, Bloomington, IL.

John was a US Army Veteran serving his country 1953 – 1955. He was a member of the American Legion, V.F.W., Masonic Lodge #48 and the Bloomington Consistory. He had worked for State Farm Insurance Co. as an accountant, retiring after 28 years of service.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

Dale Lee Beavers, 60 of Decatur, IL, passed away 12:25 PM October 16, 2023 at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL.

Services will be 3 PM Friday, October 27, 2023 at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with David Patterson officiating. Visitation will be from 2 – 3 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to Dale Beavers Memorial Fund.

Dale was born December 28, 1962 in Clinton, IL the son of Lonnie Dale and Nancy (Howard) Beavers.

Survivors include his mother, Nancy Robling, Decatur, IL; sons, Elijah Beavers, Champaign, IL and Aaron (Jaime) Martinez, Shorewood, IL; siblings, Paula Gee, Lincoln, IL, Brenda Beavers, Lincoln, IL, and David Burger, Clinton, IL.

He was preceded in death by father, and son, Dale Lee Beavers, Jr.

Dale was a carpenter, mechanic, and a talented musician.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

David Ray Quimby, 75, Paducah, KY formerly of Clinton, IL passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Baptist Health Paducah.

David was a retired truck driver.  He loved reminiscing about all his travels.  

Surviving are his five children, Sandy Moreland, David Quimby, Robert Quimby, William Quimby, Charlotte Curnel; three siblings, Billy Quimby, Tanya (Chris) Ward, Dan Quimby; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Quimby; his parents, Willard Quimby and Louise Welch; and one sister, Sandra Quimby.

He will be cremated per his wishes and no services will be held at this time.

Online condolences may be left at www.lindseyfuneral.com

Lindsey Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Elizabeth York, 84, of Cary, NC passed away October 5, 2023 at 9:51 PM at Sunrise of Cary, Cary, NC.

Graveside services will be held 11 AM Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Oak Park Cemetery, Clinton, IL with Scott Marsh officiating. Visitation will be 10 AM – 11 AM at Calvert funeral Home, Clinton, IL.

Memorials may be directed to National Audubon Society.

Virginia was born February 1, 1939 in Bloomington, IL the daughter of William E. and Alice (Willard) Tuggle. She married Troyt York June 23, 1962 in Clinton, IL. He passed away May 7, 2007.

Survivors include her children Amy Bowers, Frederick, MD and Alison York
Apex, NC; and three grandchildren Vanessa Sanderson, William Sanderson, and Christina Sanderson.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Ginny was a devoted mother and grandmother and loved to travel with her children and grandchildren. She had a love for animals, nature and history and was an avid supporter of the National Audubon Society and the Smithsonian Museum. She enjoyed the performing arts,

reading, gardening, and spending time with family. 

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

Shiloh Brave Monkman 21 month old daughter to Cody and Emilee Monkman of Clinton, IL went to heaven on October 5, 2023 at 8:59 A.M., St Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL.

Celebration of Shiloh’s life will be 10 AM Friday, October 13, 2023 at Eastview Christian Church, Normal, IL with Pete Cocco officiating. Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery, Heyworth, IL. The family has entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to Courage Park.

Shiloh was born December 17, 2021 in Bloomington, IL the daughter of Cody and Emilee (Houchin) Monkman.

Survivors include her parents, Cody and Emilee Monkman, Clinton, IL; brother, Zion Valor Monkman, at home; baby brother to come, Malachi Cove Monkman; maternal grandparents, Brian and Karley Houchin, Heyworth, IL; paternal grandparents, Junior and Jody Monkman, Clinton, IL; maternal great grandparents, Rob and Sharon Houchin, Mackinaw, IL; paternal great grandmother, Norma Staton, Wapella, IL; maternal great grandparents, Richard and Marilyn Wahl, River Grove, IL; aunts, Mariah Monkman, Elizabeth “Sa” Houchin, Abigail (Michael) Chermak, uncle, Ben (fiancé, Reagan Parks) Houchin; and cousin, Stevie Chermak.

When Emilee and Cody were talking about starting a family, they discussed intently what their "family vision" would be. Their vision was for their children to be raised in a way that instilled a deep faith that would carry them through whatever the world may throw at them. A deep faith that would be characterized by wonder and a thirst for adventure, discovery of God's creation, and a heart to create new spaces for people to experience Jesus in fresh ways. Their vision is for their children to live lives that show a deep faith in Jesus that gives life to others, and a taste of God's goodness. It is this foundation - Jesus, our Rock - that their children are to use as a launch pad to take on whatever the world throws at them. This foundation is only found in knowing the truth that Jesus is with them no matter what - that Jesus is the reason to never back down, but to take on this broken, scary world, and be an agent of the grace and truth Jesus shared with humanity. Their vision is rooted in this scripture:  Joshua 1:9, "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” We celebrate the fact that Shiloh Brave Monkman lived this vision for 22 months, and she lived her last 40 days fighting HUS Disease with such bravery and courage. We are so thankful that God gifted us with the opportunity to look into your eyes at the end, and to hear her say "Mommy" one last time. 

Shiloh is brave. Shiloh is courageous.

The family wants to extend a special thanks to their Floor 4 PICU Team:  Nurse Sadie, Nurse Marissa, Jenna, Savannah, Dr. Kelsey, Nurse Kelsey, Nurse Amy, Charge Nurse Julie, Charge Nurse Angela, Nurse Grant, RT Amy, Dr. Syngal, Dr. Issa, Charge Nurse Emily, Nurse Grace, Nurse Iris, Nurse Jess, Dr. McPhee, Dr. Fleischer, Nurse Tori, Dr. LeBlanc, Dr. Paul, Dr. Robert, Dr. Maureen, Dr. V...and too many shining faces to name.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com