https://www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com/obituary/alfred-kupferschmid

Wayne Leon Anliker, 84, Fairbury and formerly of Forrest, passed away at 1:20 pm Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Mr. Anliker was born March 17, 1937 in Fairbury.  The son of Emil and Louise Kaisner Anliker.  He married Judy Traub on March 30, 1958 in Forrest.  She survives in Fairbury.
Other survivors include their children, Sherri (Paul) Kelson, Normal, Rodney (Anne) Anliker, Tempe, AZ, Robert (Linda) Anliker, Forrest, Sandra (Mike) Zimmerman, Dublin, OH, Steve (Sara) Anliker, Reynolds, IN; eighteen grandchildren, twenty- six great grandchildren; one sister, Beverly (John) Eisenmann, Fairbury and one brother, Gary (Edie) Anliker, Elgin.
Mr. Anliker had been a poultry farmer for many years.  He was a member and past minister and elder at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Sunday, August 29, 2021 at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest with the ministers of the church officiating and live streamed at www.forrestacchurch.org.   Burial will be in the South Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Fairbury.
Visitation will be 3:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, August 27, 2021 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 12:00 to 12:45 pm Sunday at the church.
The family would like to thank the staff at Fairview Haven for their kind, compassionate and excellent care.

A statement from Fairview Haven Administration regarding the following article:
Reports that the Biden administration plans to require that nursing homes mandate staff vaccinations or risk losing funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. (article linked here: https://www.cnn.com/.../nursing-homes-federal.../index.html)

While we typically refrain from mixing politics with healthcare, we feel a statement is necessary in this critical time.
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Following are excerpts taken from a statement from Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, including nursing homes.

“Access to the COVID-19 vaccine has been the most important development of the pandemic for older adults and the people who care for them”—and as such, we have strongly encouraged our team members and residents to consider vaccination. We believe it is the right thing to do, not only for nursing home staff, but also all healthcare workers who care for people with high risk of contracting severe COVID-19. The entire healthcare community has been risking their lives every day for over a year to protect older Americans from COVID. The vaccine is the best proven protection.

“While often good intentions can be found in any government mandate, we believe the best approach is to provide good solid education based on facts and science and allow each individual to make a choice. Sadly, there is a pandemic of misinformation in our world today that has bred confusion and mistrust in our healthcare community. Propagating fear and mandating things will not restore that trust but will only add ammunition to those who spread misinformation.

“To penalize nursing homes by withholding or withdrawing funding is not the right way to increase vaccination rates. Without Medicaid and Medicare funding, nursing homes cannot provide the quality care that our nation's most vulnerable older adults need. Our mission-driven nursing home, (LeadingAge) members, who operate on narrow margins in the best of times, depend on those funds alone to care for their residents. They cannot bear additional financial losses after more than a year of shouldering historic COVID-related costs.

“The (Biden) administration is right; we are on wartime footing. Defunding the care providers who continue to fight on the frontlines would be a tragic misstep. Americans agree that elected officials have failed older adults and the people who care for them by ignoring and underfunding America’s aging services for decades. (Link here: https://leadingage.org/.../Survey%20-%20Investing%20in...)
“We await more information from the administration about how and when this new requirement will take effect, and look forward to learning more details on CMS’ reported plans to work with nursing homes, employees and other stakeholders to increase staff vaccination rates in advance of the effective date.” —Katie Smith Sloan

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A wise sister in the Lord just stepped into my office and said “God will provide if He wants this ministry to continue – right?” The answer to that is YES, without a doubt.

With that in mind, I would like to solicit prayer for the following decisions that Fairview Haven will undoubtedly face in the days ahead:
1. Regardless of one’s own personal opinion, there are team members who may be faced with leaving a career they love and were called to in order to stand on their convictions and feelings. Please pray that God will help them sort this out.

2. When team members make this decision, it could leave Fairview Haven (and all nursing homes) struggling with staffing shortages. Already, most nursing homes are struggling to find adequate staffing. While Fairview Haven has been blessed to be able to attract and retain high quality staff, a vaccine mandate may present a staffing challenge like we’ve never faced. Pray that God will fill the positions needed to continue this ministry as HE wishes.

3. Pray about a career in healthcare and, especially, long term care. We need high-quality individuals who have a calling to serve our seniors. This will be an ongoing need, regardless of vaccine mandates. The mandates will just add to the struggles.
4. Pray for the Administrative team and Board of Directors as we face decisions regarding the mandate. Likely, we will face difficult decisions, such as potentially scaling back the number of residents we can care for, reducing the number of Medicaid certified beds, etc. These are difficult times where our integrity will be challenged. Pray that God will help us discern the steps we should take to uphold the long-standing principles and values of Fairview Haven in light of the current situation.

5. On Saturday, July 31, Fairview Haven started another covid outbreak. This time around has been a little different as lessons have been learned and regulations have been updated. However, the same nightmare awaits us every day as we have many times seen the light at the end of the tunnel only to hear of yet another positive test. Our team is full of committed heroes! They work tirelessly to mitigate the spread of covid and care for those who test positive, often picking up extra shifts to cover for team members who themselves need to quarantine or picking up extra time to help staff the “covid unit.”

6. Please pray for our team and our residents! There are so many perspectives in the world regarding Covid-19. To many, it has been a pandemic that has touched their lives by limiting their social interactions and causing them inconveniences. To some, the pandemic has taken an economic toll. To some, it is considered a disease completely politicized and overblown to further the agenda of one party or another.

To our residents, it has been a time of fear, loneliness and discouragement. To our team, it has been an emotional nightmare. We’ve watched as our residents linger in depths of despair. We’ve cried as we see the fear in a resident’s eyes when they hear they’ve tested positive. We listened and tried to help as they gasped for air and struggled to breathe. And our hearts broke when we felt the defeat of watching them take that last breath, when we lost people we loved.
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At the beginning of the pandemic, healthcare workers were hailed as heroes. Today, in many ways, they feel forgotten, unsupported and ostracized. We are still here, fighting the daily battle, and depending so much on the strength of our great God and on your prayers.
-Dave Blunier, Administrator, Fairview Haven

We interviewed a number of our Fairview Haven team members regarding their questions about covid and, particularly, the covid vaccines.

Following is a link to a video created by Fairview Haven’s medical director, Dr. Sam Steffen of Lexington, and Dr. Heather Schweizer of Fairbury, who is one of our physician partners at Fairview Haven.
Dr. Steffen and Dr. Schweizer provide answers to the questions asked by our team members.

We thought it would be helpful to share here also.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Fairbury – Donald E. Rinkenberger, 93, of Fairbury, passed away at 12:30pm, August 14, 2021, at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Private family services will be held.
Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church, Forrest or the Forrest American Legion.
Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.
Donald was born September 17, 1927, in Hancock, MN, the son of Ben and Minnie Wenger Rinkenberger. He married first married Rita Stephen on August 28, 1955. She died October 26, 1975. He then married Florence Ann Bender on December 1, 1979 in Forrest. She survives.
Also surviving are his children, Kim (Larry) Baggerly of Springfield, Dawn (Paul) Stork of Chatsworth, and David Rinkenberger of Forrest; grandchildren, Megan Wymore, Elijah (Ashley) Stork, Jared (Jenna) Stork, Isaiah (Brooke) Stork, Tamra (Thadd) Zimmerman, and Joshua Rinkenberger; 18 great grandchild; brothers,  Robert (Kay) Rinkenberger of Piper City, and Jack (Carolyn) Rinkenberger of Fairbury; sisters, Darlene (Joe) Miller of New Castle, OK and Barbara (Kenneth) Lund of Tucson, AZ; and sister-in-law, Mary Rinkenberger of Denver, CO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughters, Kimberly and DeAnn;two brothers, Duane and Kenneth; and two grandsons, Benjamin and Lucas Stork.
Donald retired from General Telephone in Pontiac.
Donald was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of the Forrest American Legion.

Henry Steffen will be featured on The Paul Garcia Show on Sunday!

Contemplations from the Fairview Haven Nurses...

"I would like to make an impact on the advancement of quality of care delivered to seniors."
(Watch for more thoughts from our nurses)

"Being a nurse is an art. It's challenging but a wonderful way to serve others every day! I am a nurse at Fairview Haven because of the location and the standards set for care."

(Watch for more thoughts from our nurses)

​Dorothy Mae (Wagenseller) Dassow, 94, a resident of Fairview Haven Independent Living, Fairbury, passed away at 7:29 am Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at her residence, Fairbury. 
Mrs. Dassow grew up on the family farm north-west of Fairbury.  Dorothy attended all eight grades in a little one room schoolhouse. After graduation from Fairbury High School, she studied art at the Art Institute in Chicago.
On June 6, 1948 she married Elmer Dassow Jr. and they moved to Chatsworth to farm.  She loved the farm life.  While raising three children, she also raised chickens, ducks, sheep, goats and helped with the pigs and cows.  Dorothy had a special fondness for her cats.  She loved beauty and had numerous gardens and flower beds that she shared.  Dorothy also made and sold handmade crafts.  To her church she donated many skillfully crafted pieces.  Dorothy was a member of the United Methodist Church in Chatsworth and taught Sunday School for 33 years.  She is the last of her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, one sister, one son and one grandson.  Her husband, Elmer preceded her in death on September 14, 2007.
Survivors include two daughters, Marla (Ervin) Fehr and Becky (Rusty) Barker, three grandsons, Travis (Abby Wurmnest) Barker, Jim (Lisa) Barker and Clinton “C.J. Barker, seven great grandchildren, Dana, Hana, Hunter, Morgan, Maggie, Bow and Willow Barker.  Also, surviving are one nephew and two nieces.
Dorothy was a loving wife, mom, grandma, great grandma and aunt and will be missed.
Visitation will be 9:30 – 10:30 am Friday, June 4, 2021 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury followed by her funeral at 10:30 am.   Interment will be in Chatswoth Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury or the United Methodist Church, Chatsworth.

Help us celebrate our Fairview Haven graduating seniors! Today at 3 PM we will have a graduation ceremony for them. You can join us on Facebook Live!

Phyllis A. Eilers, 91 of Fairbury, died at 10:28pm, Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Funeral will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury with Pastor James Rients officiating.  Burial will take place at 3:00pm that afternoon at Lyman Twp. Cemetery, Roberts.  Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00am also at the church prior to the funeral.  Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury.
Mrs. Eilers was born on September 21, 1929 in Roberts, a daughter of Henry and Lillian Repp Garrelts.  They preceded her in death.  She married Arthur E. Smith on October 6, 1951 in Roberts.  He preceded her in death on December 13, 1989.  She later married Paul E. Eilers on December 1, 1991.  He preceded her in death on June 25, 1995. 
Survivors include her son, Kevin (Heather) Smith of Oreana, IL; five grandchildren, Bryan Meredith, Mattthew Smith, Trevor Smith, Emma McConnell and Avery Smith; and one brother, Weldon Garrelts.
She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Kay Lynn Derossett, four brothers and one sister.
Phyllis was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury where she was a long-time choir member, Silver League, American Legion Auxiliary and was a member of the Prairiettes.  She was also awarded the Fairbury Citizen of the Year in 2014.

Mary Lou Schuler, age 92 of Lexington, Illinois passed into God’s hands on Sunday, May 16, 2021.
Mary Lou was born on May 20, 1928 to Floyd and Ardis (Patterson) Bossingham of Stanford, Illinois. She married Melvin D. Schuler on November 27, 1949.
Those remaining to celebrate her memory are her three children, Dwight Schuler, Lexington; LuAnn (Bryon) Lundell, Phoenix, Maryland; and Paul (Kelly) Schuler, Lexington; as well as her brother David (JoAnne) Bossingham of Minier, Illinois. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of seventy years, Melvin; sister Joan Graff; and brother Roger Bossingham.
Mary Lou has six grandchildren, Kara (Jason) Yeager, Lutherville, MD; Ericka (Brett) Butler, Baldwin, MD; Kelsey Schuler, Aurora, IL; David (Lauren) Schuler, Chenoa, IL; Allison (Jon) Cook, Baldwin, MD and John (Makenzie) Schuler, Lexington IL. She also has eight great grandchildren.
Mary Lou was a graduate of Illinois State Normal University with a degree in Home Economics and taught in the Lexington School District. Her passion for cooking, sewing and gardening remained throughout her life as seen by her victory style gardens on the farmstead and flowers that adorn her home. Mary Lou was a talented seamstress which extended from making her own wedding gown to being a clothing judge at 4-H fairs. She was known for her pies and Christmas peanut brittle.
Mary Lou was a 50-year member of HCE, Home Community Education in which she held many local and McLean County officer positions. She especially liked to prepare and teach the monthly lessons. She also belonged to Salem Club, St. Paul’s Ladies Aide, Lexington Food Pantry, and was a 4-H Leader for many years.
Mary Lou was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 800 S Division Street, Chenoa, Illinois for 72 years. A visitation at St. Paul’s will take place Saturday, May 22 from 9-10:45 followed by a funeral at 11:00 am.
Family requests memorial contributions be made in Mary Lou’s memory to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chenoa or Lexington Food Pantry.
The family is grateful to Synergy Home Healthcare and Fairview Haven for their loving care.
The funeral service will be streamed live on the Duffy-Pils Memorial Home Facebook page. 

Allen F. Zimmerman, 89, Fairbury, died at 2:19 pm Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Mr. Zimmerman was born December 13, 1931 in Forrest, IL the son of Louis A. and Louise Mueller Zimmerman.  He married Carolyn Marie Leman on February 13, 1955 in Fairbury.  She preceded him in death on October 15, 2003.  He then married Melba Funk-Steffen on July 5, 2009 in Cissna Park, IL.  She survives in Fairbury.

Other survivors include three daughters, Shelly (Ray) Steidinger, Strawn, Cinda (Ivan) Fehr, Holly (Glen) Steidinger, both of Fairbury, one son, Kent (Paulette) Zimmerman, Forrest, six step children, Kenny (Patsy) Steffen, Tangier, IN, Dean (Shirley) Steffen, Butler, IN, Terri Young, Lakewood, CO, Marvin (Rhea) Steffen, Jon (Sandy) Steffen, both of Naples, FL, and Greg (Darla) Steffen, Leroy,  twenty five grandchildren, twelve step grandchildren, sixty seven great grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by a son, Scott Zimmerman, six brothers and five sisters.

Mr. Zimmerman served in the United States Army during the Korean War.  He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest and worked as a lifetime farmer and truck driver.

Visitation will be 3:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, May 7, 2021 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 am Saturday, May 8, 2021 followed by the funeral service at 10:00 am at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest.  Burial will be in the North Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Forrest.  The family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
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To live stream Mr. Zimmerman’s funeral service please visit Forrestacchurch.org or you can call in to listen at (727)731-5199.

Yesterday CDC published new guidance for the public about what those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now safely do. In addition, CDC released updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in response to the COVID-19 Vaccination.

While we are excited to see CDC progressing towards normalcy in their guidance, Fairview Haven must continue to abide by the regulations of Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. While these agencies have not yet issued updates to the regulations, so far they eventually follow the CDC recommendations.

In these recommendations, the nursing home is given significant freedom to begin lifting restrictions for at least our fully vaccinated residents and visitors. Fairview Haven will not mandate our residents, team members or visitors to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and will respect everyone’s individual decision about the COVID-19 vaccine, although we do strongly support vaccination as a means to protect our residents and move forward towards the normalcy we all so strongly desire. We promote that everyone should utilize trusted sources, such as their family physician, when making this decision.
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With that being said, I feel obligated to share with you that we believe in the coming days, persons (visitors and residents) who are vaccinated will have less restrictions at Fairview Haven than those who are not. While this may not be our choice, as a licensed facility, we will follow the law. We look forward to a day soon when all restrictions can be lifted, but until then, there likely will be distinctions made. If you have questions or just want information about the COVID-19 vaccination, please feel free to reach out to Dave Blunier, Brandon Stoller or Lila Fehr, or private message Fairview Haven.