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.

​If you're planning to visit Fairview Haven, please read the following:
Greetings, It’s been a couple of months since we’ve done a public update regarding our COVID-19 policies and procedures here at Fairview Haven. Recently, we have updated our policies due to guidance changes from CDC, CMS and IDPH. Please understand that if and when you see changes of guidance in the news, it doesn’t always mean that changes are going to happen at Fairview Haven. We are required to satisfy more than one governing body and are often required to do a risk assessment before making any changes. The Fairview Haven COVID task force is constantly monitoring CMS (our federal regulatory body), IDPH (our state regulatory body) and CDC. We also keep in constant communication with six other Apostolic Christian Homes in Illinois through our shared “Corporate” nurse.
With recent updates from CDC, CMS and IDPH, Fairview Haven has revised its COVID-19 Infection Control policy. In essence, we have adopted nine core principles for COVID-19 Infection Prevention. Fairview Haven will adhere to these core principles as best as we can as we implement policies and procedures for the safety, dignity and well-being of our residents.
Of the nine core principles, there are four that we need everyone’s help with.
1. Screening – anyone entering Fairview Haven is required to go through a screening process. Visitors who have been in close contact with individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, have been diagnosed themselves with COVID in the past 10 days or have signs and symptoms that could indicate COVID-19 will not be permitted to visit at this time. If you are cleared to visit, you will be asked to wear a name badge at all times to show our staff you have been cleared for entry to the building.
2. Hand Hygiene – It is very important that residents, team members and visitors are using proper hand hygiene at Fairview Haven. There are hand sanitizer stations placed throughout the building for your use, please use them!
3. Face covering or mask – Visitors on our campus are required to have their mouth and nose covered with a cloth face covering (or disposable facemask) anytime they are in our building or around our residents. Residents are expected to wear a face covering when they leave their room or when they have a visitor with them. And team members are required to wear a face mask at all times (with exceptions for breaks) at Fairview Haven as well.
4. Social Distancing – 6 feet is the magic number according to CDC. Visitors must maintain social distancing as much as possible. Understand, at this time, vaccinated residents (those who have a teddy bear on their door) are allowed physical contact. Unfortunately, during contact the mask must continue to cover the mouth and nose.
The visitor guidance and outing guidance (available at the front desk and on our website on our COVID-19 page) is developed with these core principles in mind. A few highlights that all visitors must comply with:
1. Please call and schedule any visit or outing. This allows us to ensure that the resident is available and ready for your visit. Unfortunately at this time we are still required to monitor all visits – we do this by asking you to leave the resident’s door open so that our staff can monitor without disturbing your visit.
2. There is no longer a limit on the number of visitors a resident
may have. We are only limited by the number of people that can fit in the visiting area and still maintain 6 feet between the visitors and the resident. When you schedule your visit, please indicate how many visitors there will be.
3. No roaming: When you come for a visit, you will be escorted to your resident’s room (or designated visiting area) and you will be asked to leave directly after the visit. You may not stop to visit with other residents and/or team members.
4. You must wear a face covering at all times and practice social
distancing as much as practicable.
5. If you develop symptoms within 3 days after your visit, you must notifiy the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
6. As you take residents out on outings, please remember the core principles. While we can’t monitor outings, we do ask that you follow IDPH guidance which includes:
a. Masking at all times
b. Social Distancing where applicable. Physical touch allowed for vaccinated residents.
c. You can remove mask for eating, but always remember the core principles of COVID safety.
d. Limit gatherings to those that comply with IDPH guidance. <50 people, masking, etc.
Residents will never be declined their right to leave Fairview Haven. However, if guidance is not followed, we must enact quarantine upon return for the safety of other residents and team members.
Outings and visits will be available so long as our county positivity rate remains below 10%, IDPH does not impose mitigation efforts AND Fairview Haven is not experiencing an outbreak. An outbreak is classified as ONE facility acquired or associated case.
Again, you can find this guidance posted on our webpage under COVID-19 as well as at our main reception area. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dave Blunier, Brandon Stoller or Lila Fehr if you have any questions about what is acceptable and what is not.
Thank you for all your support over the past year. It has been a long journey and unfortunately we must remain vigilant. While we see light at the end of the tunnel we are not to the end. I implore you to continue to be diligent in following the guidelines developed by Fairview Haven to remain in compliance with CDC, CMS, IDPH and to keep our residents safe. By doing so, you are doing your part to help maintain a home where life is lived in abundance and keep Fairview Haven on the path to fully reopening.

When you have a day off work and it's your birthday! ​

Colfax – Ferne Onken, 88, of Colfax, passed away at 10:00am, April 1, 2021, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.
Her funeral will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 10, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Anchor. Pastor Jim Davis will be officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Anchor.
Visitation will be held from 4-7:00pm, Friday, April 9, 2021, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Memorials may be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Anchor or Alzheimer’s Association.
Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax is in charge of arrangements.
Ferne was born October 5, 1932, in Metamora, the daughter of Rudolph and Esther Reeser Garber. She married Ronald Onken on February 26, 1950. He died September 2, 2010.
Surviving are her children, Ricardo (Debra) Onken of Colfax, Steven (Rhoda) Onken of Snohomish, WA Victoria (Daniel) Eyer of Anchor; grandsons, Jason Onken of Elgin, Nicholas Onken of Brooklyn, NY, and Ryan (Ashley) Eyer of Doral, FL; granddaughters, Rebecca (Robert) Connor of Colfax, Christina (Adam) Zehr of Cary, Leah (Phil) Painter of Snohomish, WA, and Josh (Holly) Mathis of Mackinaw; and great grandchildren, Chloe, Norah, and Ethan Onken, Briana Goeppinger, Brooklynn Connor, Abigail Mathis, Isiah, Matthew, and Joshua Painter, Jackson and Emery Eyer, and Cora and Hayley Zehr.
She was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Amy Onken, two brothers and one sister.
Ferne was a secretary for Octavia School District, she waitressed at Fincham’s Steakhouse in Colfax and owned and operated with her husband Ron Onken Chevrolet also in Colfax.
She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Anchor.
Ferne loved to knit, cook, and bake for her family. Whether it was for Thursday Night Dinners, at the cabin on the lake, or a holiday, Fern enjoyed these times with her family. She also enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and coffee time with her friends.
She loved her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren even more.
An online registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com