Tree planting today at Serenity Villa in memory of Mark Aberle. Steidinger Brothers in Fairbury (where Mark was employed) donated the tree.

Mokena - Darlene L. Stahl, 84, passed away at 2:36 am on Saturday, May 19, 2018 and was immediately reunited with her loving husband, Kenneth Stahl who has been waiting for her since August of 2008. Together again they will continue to keep a watchful eye over their family. 
Darlene was born on January 12, 1934 to Robert and Edna Ruth Maxey in Kinmundy, Illinois. She graduated from Freeport High School and spent most of her life in Champaign raising her children and supporting her Champaign firefighter husband. She was the chief cook and bottle washer for the Stahl clan and the rock behind the scenes for her husband. She spent over 25 years providing home daycare services to many children and did such a great job, those children grew up and then brought their children to Darlene for care. She is “mom” to many more kids than her own. She ran the daycare operation with military precision; all the time providing love and support to all who came in to her house. Darlene never turned anyone away and helped in any way possible. In later life Darlene and Ken enjoyed retirement at Bayles Lake in Loda, Illinois and later moved to Mahomet. Over the past several years she has battled the various stages of Alzheimer’s and has finally been relieved of her suffering. Darlene and Ken can now be together without the perils of mortal life.
They were married on April 14, 1952 and have six children whom all survive. They are Michael (Tonya) Stahl, Ellen (Mark) Stevens, Sandra (Gary) Thompson, Melanie (Steve) Fawbush, William Stahl and Dennis (Amy) Stahl. They have 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Darlene and Ken will be busy keeping watch over everyone! 
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Edna Ruth Maxey, sister-in-law’s Jean Maxey and Kathy Maxey, brother-in-law Knox Gardner, her mother and father-in- law, Kenneth and Maud Stahl. Darlene is also survived by her five siblings, George Maxey, Loren (June) Maxey, Dorene Gardner (twin sister), Richard (Marsha) Maxey, and Roger (Daisey) Maxey, a sister-in-law Carol (Robert) Wooster also survives, and many nieces and nephews will also keep Darlene in their hearts and minds.
Darlene welcomed everyone into her home and many of her children’s friends were regulars at the kitchen table. Darlene made sure nobody left their home hungry. She had a great smile and was never afraid to tackle a project. Darlene will be missed but never forgotten.
A special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Stevens (granddaughter) who provided her medical care over the last few years and to Ellen (daughter) for taking care of Darlene by visiting with her every week and making sure she had everything she needed. And a special thanks to the wonderful staff at Fairview Haven for taking excellent care of Darlene.
There will be a memorial service held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 25th at Owens Funeral Home, 101 North Elm Street, Champaign. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorial contributions in honor of Darlene and Ken, please send it to Fairview Haven at 605 N. 4th Street, Fairbury, Illinois 61739 in care of the Good Samaritan Fund or to the Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 Charities Fund in care of Station 1, 307 S. Randolph in Champaign, Illinois 61820. 

Wayne M. Honegger, 90, a resident of Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury, died at 1:28 am Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.
His funeral will be at 10:00 am Friday, April 27, 2018 at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest with ministers of the church officiating.  Burial will be in the Fairbury Apostolic Christian Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 am Friday at the church.  The family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Mr. Honegger was born November 26, 1927 in Forrest the son of Paul and Martha Waibel Honegger.  He married Eleanor Walter on March 12, 1950 in Fairbury.  She survives in Fairbury.
Other survivors include two daughters, Jane (Gary) Brown, Saunemin, Kay (Chris) Steffen, Fairbury, and two sons, Paul (Amy) Honegger, Forrest, Gregg (Michelle) Honegger, Forrest, seventeen grandchildren, forty great grandchildren, four sisters, Mildred Zimmerman, Forrest, Eileen Getz, Chalmers, IN, Evelyn Zorn, Towanda and Nancy (Lloyd) Bachtold, Fairbury.
He is preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
Mr. Honegger was a lifetime Forrest area farmer.  His love for others and his gift for conversation left no one a stranger.   He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be missed dearly.

Norma M. Steidinger, 82, Fairbury, died at 10:39pm, Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Fairview Haven, Fairbury.​

Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm Monday, April 23, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.  Private funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with minsters of the Christian Apostolic Church of Fairbury officiating.  Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.  

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Retirement Community or South East Livingston County Ambulance Service, both in Fairbury.

Miss Steidinger was born May 7, 1935, in Forrest, IL the son of Joseph and Bertha Ifft Steidinger.  

Surviving are five sisters Alta, Vera, Doris, Edna and Alice Steidinger, all of Fairbury, three brothers, Ivan Steidinger, Fairbury, George Steidinger, Fairbury and Joseph W. (Dorothy) Steidinger, Forrest, a sister-in-law, Anna Steidinger, plus many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard, sisters-in-law, Kathryn Steidinger and Caroline Steidinger.

Miss Steidinger was a lifetime resident of the Forrest/Fairbury area, worked in the sewing industry, and was a member of the Christian Apostolic Church of Fairbury.

Lois Ruth Haab, 92, of Forrest, IL passed away at 2:10 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community in Fairbury, IL. 

Her funeral will be at 10:00 am on Friday, April 20, 2018 at the Forrest United Methodist Church in Forrest with Pastors Roosevelt Smith and Sharon Monroe officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Forrest and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will follow services at Forrest Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Forrest United Methodist Church or Fairview Haven Retirement Community in Fairbury, IL. 

Ruth was born October 3, 1925, a daughter to John W. and Della (Clark) Monroe. She married Wilbur J. Haab on July 17, 1949 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Reddick, IL. He preceded her in death on October 9, 2012. 

Surviving are her children: Dale (Gayle) Haab, Roscoe, IL; Susan (Henry) Stork, Lynn (Mike) Barnett and Dennis Haab all of Forrest; Judy (Rick) Hill, Blue Springs, MO; Steve (Teresa) Haab, Monument, CO; and Karen (Mark) VandenBranden, McCordsville, IN and Inger Helene (Kjell Ove) Nordeide, Førde, Norway. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; a sister Betty Couts, Denver, CO; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother: David Monroe; a sister, Valiere Burke; and son-in-law: Daniel Shipley. 

Ruth graduate of the University of Illinois, graduating in 1947 with a degree in Home Economics. She first taught at Forrest High School and then at Forrest-Strawn-Wing High School—teaching Home Economics, Health and P.E. She retired from teaching in 1985, but continued to substitute until 2010. 

She was a member of the Forrest Woman’s Club, the Forrest Legion Auxiliary, the Forrest United Methodist Women and lifelong member of the Methodist Church; where she was a Sunday School Teacher for more than 50 years. 

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Ruth’s spirit and caring nature was an inspiration to all whom she knew or came in contact with. She was dearly loved by her family and will be greatly missed. 

The family would like to thank the staff and those friends at Fairview Haven for all the love and support shown to our mother during her stay. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

​Fairbury – Mary Ruth Ricketts, 90, of Fairbury, passed away at 2:10am, April 1, 2018, at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
He funeral will be held at 1:00pm, on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury. Pastor Tom Krieger will be officiating.
Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.
Visitation will be held from 12:00-1:00pm, also on Thursday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Southeastern Livingston County Ambulance Service, Trinity Lutheran Church, or Alzheimer’s Association.
Mary Ruth was born November 13,1927, in Wing, the daughter of Shelby Ezra and Clella Maude Perkins Stephens. She married Lyle K. Ricketts on October 11, 1946, in Fairbury. He passed away on November 16, 1984.
Surviving are her children, Kathy (Don) Poppe, Steven L. Ricketts, and Jan (John) Reis all of Fairbury; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; sister Hazel Honzik of FL and brother, Thomas (Carolyn) Stephens.
She was preceded in death by one infant son, one daughter, two grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters.
Mary Ruth is a 1945 graduate of Saunemin High School. She was a sales clerk for Walton’s Department Store, Fairbury and last worked at the local floral shop until she retired at the age of 80.
She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury where she was very active and a part of the WELCA.
Mary Ruth volunteered for the American Red Cross. the Westview reading program, and the Helen Lewis Smith Pavilion. She especially loved her time volunteering in floral hall at the fair.
Mary Ruth never knew a stranger because of the love and value she placed in her friendships and family.

Christian L. Metz, 89 of Fairbury, died at 2:13 pm, Friday, January 26, 2018 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

His funeral will be at 10:00am, Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at the Apostolic Christian Church of Forrest with Ministers of the Church officiating.  Burial will follow at the North Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery, Forrest.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Monday, January 29, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9-9:45am, Tuesday at the church.

Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury. 

Christian was born March 11, 1928, in rural Forrest the son of Ludwig and Persida Honegger Metz. He married Viola Moser on August 5, 1962. She died October 13, 2013.

Mr. Metz is survived by his siblings, Elizabeth (Lavern) Johnson of Clifton, Esther (Earl) Gerber of Fairbury, Ruth Metz of Fairbury, Ben (Miriam) Metz of Francisville, IN, William (Carol) Metz of Sealy, TX, and Arthur (Betty) Metz of Keizer, OR; 20 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Emil and David.

Christian is a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict.
He was a farmer in the Strawn area and a member of Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest.
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The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Fairview Haven Retirement Community for their loving care and concern to Christian.

Pavers being laid in the interior courtyard today!

Florence Mary Schmidt, 103, Forrest, died at 3:18 pm Monday, January 22, 2018 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Her funeral will be 11:00 am Thursday, January 25, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with Pastor Roosevelt Smith officiating.  Burial will be in the North Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Forrest.

Visitation will be 10:00 – 10:45am Thursday also at the memorial home.  The family suggests memorials be given to the Forrest United Methodist Church or Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Mrs. Schmidt was born November 2, 1914 in Romeo, MI the daughter of Dan and Bessie Bollier Yoder.  She married William Schmidt on November 22, 1934 in Livingston County, IL.  He died on January 13, 1991.

Survivors include four daughters, Kay (Bob) Rinkenberger, Forrest; Carol Hornickle, Fairbury; Barb Wenger, Bloomington; Marilyn (Dick) Todd, Pontiac; nine grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; twenty-two great great grandchildren and three great great great grandchildren.
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She is preceded in death by three sisters and three grandsons.
Mrs. Schmidt was a member of the Forrest United Methodist Church and an avid Cub Fan.

Shirley Mae Herron, 88, Fairbury, died at 5:03 am Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Her funeral will be 11:00 am Friday, January 19, 2018 at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury with Pastor Daryl Evans officiating.  Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.

Visitation will be 9:00 to 11:00 am Friday also at the church.  The family suggests memorials be given to First Baptist Church or Fairview Haven Retirement Community, both of Fairbury.  Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Herron was born June 13, 1929 in Hannibal, MO the daughter of Orville and Ruby Selleck Rouse.  She married Donald L. Herron on January 23, 1948 in Hannibal, MO.  He preceded her in death on November 26, 2006.

Survivors include one son, Donald R. (Patricia) Herron, Champaign; one daughter, Connie (Rod) Golladay Stevens, Fairbury;, five grandchildren, Kathy (Gary) Davis, Christy (Frank) Deer, Amy Costa, Joshua (Rebecca) Golladay; Matthew (Carly) Golladay; nine great grandchildren, Brad (Melissa) Davis, Amanda (Tony) Garner, Bryant Deer, Elizabeth Deer, Kristen Costa, Carmeron Costa, Daniel Golladay, Kaitlyn Golladay, Elinor Golladay; two great great grandchildren; two step great great grandchildren; and one sister, Karen (Steve) Raps, St. Charles, MO.

She is preceded in death by one brother.
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Mrs. Herron was a member of the First Baptist Church, Fairbury.

Marilyn J. Wyllie 83 of Pontiac, IL died Thursday January 11, 2018 at 6:05PM at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury, IL.

Her funeral will be held on Tuesday January 16, 2018 at 11:00AM at Emington Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. Grant Speece officiating. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00-7:00PM at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Pontiac, IL. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Emington, IL. Memorials in Marilyn’s name may be made to Emington Congregational United Church of Christ Church or Fairview Haven. 

Marilyn was born on November 13, 1934 in Wing, IL a daughter of Reuben and Mildred (Whately) Metz. She married John H. Wyllie on September 15, 1957 in Forrest, IL. He preceded her in death on April 30, 2015. 

Surviving are two sons: John (Diane) Wyllie of Pontiac, IL and Scott Wyllie of Emington, IL; one daughter: Jan (Todd) Miller of Pontiac, IL; eight grandchildren: Evan (Rachel Fink) Wyllie, Ryan (Cara) Miller, Christopher Wyllie, Bethany Miller, Casey Wyllie, Emily Miller, Katie Wyllie and Aaron Wyllie; six great grandchildren: Trinity, Nova and Ziva Miller, Bryleigh Fisher, and Seth and Bailee Branscum; two brothers: Ron Metz of Champaign, IL and Wayne Metz of Peoria, IL; one sister: Kay Monahan of Forrest, IL; brother-in-law: Glen Waibel and a special friend: Jim Carroll. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, one sister: Patricia Waibel, sister-in-law: Marilyn Metz and a special uncle; Ray Giovanini.

Marilyn was a 1953 graduate of Forrest-Strawn-Wing High School. She was employed as a receptionist/secretary for Jerome Pearre at the Pontiac Daily Leader and also worked at Klopfenstein Office Supply Store in Pontiac, IL. She later worked at Wyllie Convenience store in Pontiac until retiring in 2009. She was a member of the Emington Congregational Church of Christ. She belonged to the Emington Thursday Evening Club, Emington Community Club. Livingston County Rural Youth and the Pontiac Historical Society. She helped with and was a huge supporter of the Emington July 3rd celebration.
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Marilyn’s most cherished time was spent with her family. She also enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s activities and spending time with friends.

Cropsey – Erma Jean Hamilton, 93, of Cropsey, passed away at 2:30pm, December 22, 2017, at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Her funeral will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, December 27,2017, at Cropsey United Methodist Church. Pastor Gifty Smith will be officiating. Burial will be in Cropsey Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 10-11:00am also on Wednesday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Cropsey United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice of charity.
Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.
Erma was born December 27, 1923, in Cropsey the daughter of Arthur and Clara C. Brucker Seifert.
She married Kenneth Hamilton. He passed away in 1992.
Surviving are 10 nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter.

Erma was a member of Cropsey United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.

Marilyn E. Dennis, 88, of Fairbury, died at 2:40 pm on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Monday, December 11, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury with Pastor Dan Robertson officiating.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  A private family burial will take place at a later date at Dawson Cemetery, Ellsworth. 
A visitation will be held from 1-2 pm prior to the service on Monday also at the church in Fairbury.  Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury has charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury or Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Mrs. Dennis was born on June 3, 1929 in Bloomington, IL, the daughter of Earl and Eleanor (Wikowsky) Zabel.  She married James G. Dennis on November 22, 1947 in Cooksville.  Her husband James passed away on June 22, 2008. Her parents, one sister, Laverta Hopt and one grandson, Timothy Dennis also preceded her in death.
She is survived by two sons:  Rev. David (Rita) Dennis of Knoxville, TN and Daniel B. Dennis of Fairbury; and two nieces, Judy Johnson of Bonita Springs, FL and Susan Vance of Gresham, OR.  
Mrs. Dennis graduated from Cooksville High School and attended Kankakee College to obtain her LPN degree.  She worked as an LPN at the Fairbury Hospital and later became an LPN and the Director of Nursing at Fairview Haven Retirement Community.
Marilyn was a student of Scripture and served as Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury where she also taught Sunday School for 40 years, she was also a member of the Dorcas Circle of Church and the Shakespeare Club, and a Hospice volunteer.