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Lari J. Ratliff
February 6, 2005
Abingdon - Lari Jean Ratliff, 62, Austin, Texas, died at 1:50 a.m. Friday (Feb. 4, 2005) in the Austin Hospice Christopher House in Austin, of lung cancer.
She was born March 28 1942, the daughter of Eugene and Editha Baker Brashear.
Surviving are her mother; her husband, Samuel Ratliff, Cedar Park, Texas; one daughter, Bobbi (and Rick) Helander, Knoxville; one son, Patrick Shawn Pierce, Austin, Texas; two stepdaughters, Teresa Skinner and Tammy Goodman; two grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her father.
She attended Abingdon schools, Galesburg School of Cosmetology, John Tyler College in Richmond, Va., and Austin Community College.
She was a beautician for 18 years at the Charm Center in Abingdon. She owned and operated Lari Jean's Style Shop in Abingdon. In 1997 she became activity director of Park Place Care Center. She was certified as an activity director by the National Certification Counsel for Activity Professionals. She was certified and served on the board for the Consortium for Therapeutic Recreation - activities certification. She was first vice president and treasurer of Capitol Area Social Activities Coordinator Association.
She was a member of First Christian Church Disciples of Christ.
Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Park Place Care Center, Georgetown, Texas. Local visitation with the family will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Water Garden Memorial project for residents of Park Place Care Center, 121 FM 971, Georgetown, TX 78626, and Austin Hospice Christopher House, 2820 MLK, Austin, TX 78701.
Ward W. West
March 2, 2005
ALEDO - Ward W. West, 80, Aledo, died Tuesday (March 1, 2005) in Mercer County Hospital.
He was born Jan. 12, 1925, in New Windsor, the son of Gale and Marie McIntyre West.
He married Colleen Rush on Oct. 25, 1947. She died in 1971. He married Barbara Juhrend on June 30, 1979, in Aledo.
Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Sandy (and Mike) Bertelsen, Aledo; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, David, and a sister.
He graduated from Aledo High School.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 782nd Tank Battalion.
He worked at Cosgrove Roofing and Kimball Cleaners and was general superintendent of public works for the city of Aledo, retiring in 1987.
He was a member of Mercer County VFW Post 1571 and a former member of the Aledo Volunteer Fire Department.
Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Aledo Cemetery, with the Rev. Carl Stoldt officiating. No visitation is planned. Fippinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to VFW Post 1571.
Esther R. McMaster
March 8, 2005
ROCK ISLAND - Esther R. McMaster, 88, Rock Island, died Saturday (March 5, 2005) in her home.
She was born Oct. 31, 1916, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Ethel Olsen Odelberg.
She married George McMaster Jr. on Oct. 17, 1943, in Moline. He died May 28, 2002.
Surviving are a son, Dr. Brian McMaster, Rock Island; a daughter, Deborah McMaster, Rock Island; two sisters-in-law, Stella Trench, South Bend, Ind., and Ann McMaster, Galesburg; two granddaughters and a great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter-in-law, Kathy McMaster, and a brother-in-law.
She attended the Western Illinois Teacher's College in Macomb.
She taught elementary school in Swedona, Milan and Keithsburg.
She was a member of Broadway Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Women's Association, where she received a Life Achievement award and the Broadway Quilters. She also was a member of the King's Daughters and was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Broadway Presbyterian Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be one hour before the service Thursday at the church. Private burial will be in National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Wheelan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Broadway Presbyterian Church or to Genesis Hospice.
Bette L. Binz
March 16, 2005
GALESBURG - Bette L. Binz, 80, 1144 Huber Ave., died at 2:25 p.m. Monday (March 14, 2005) in St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minn.
She was born Dec. 11, 1924, in London Mills, the daughter of Earl and Beulah Powell Watkins Bushong.
She married Carl L. Binz on Aug. 22, 1945, in Phoenix.
Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Denise Godsil, Galesburg; two granddaughters; two great-granddaughters and a great-grandson. She was preceded in death by a sister.
She attended grade school in Quincy, attended Lombard Junior High in Galesburg, and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1941.
She worked in the Galesburg office of the former Gale Products division of Outboard Marine Corporation and with her husband who was the owner and operator of B&B Book Bindery for 27 years. She worked in the office at Bergner's for 11 years, retiring in 1987.
She lived in Galesburg most of her life.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel, with the Rev. Bob Malone officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Chester B. Royer
April 1, 2005
VICTORIA - Chester B. Royer, 88, 1987 Knox Road 1750E, died at 6:49 a.m. Thursday (March 31, 2005) in Galesburg Cottage Hospital of natural causes.
He was born Sept. 28, 1916, in Clay City, Ind., the son of Carl and Elizabeth Blair Royer.
He married Katherine G. Milroy on Jan. 21, 1939, in Peoria.
Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Sharon (and Harry) Howerter, Galesburg, and Susan (and Keith) Swanson, Victoria; a son, Gene (and Jan) Royer, Knoxville; a brother, Wilbur (and Theda) Royer, Farmersburg, Ind.; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He was reared and educated in Oakwood, graduating from Oakwood High School. He attended North Western College in Chicago.
He worked for Derby Foods-Peter Pan as a purchasing agent and in inventory control for nine years. He moved to rural Victoria in 1951 where he farmed and operated a farm drainage business.
He was a member of Altona Masonic Lodge 330, formerly the Victoria Masonic Lodge, for 65 years, and a member of the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association where he served as past president and director. He also received the ILICA 1990 Contractor of the Year Award.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Victoria United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Marty Briney officiating. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home, Oneida, with Masonic Service conducted by Altona Masonic Lodge 330 at 4 p.m. Burial will be in Victoria Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Victoria United Methodist Church or Altona Masonic Lodge 330.
Chester G. Steele
April 2, 2005
WATAGA - Chester G. "Chet" Steele, 90, formerly of 232 E. Prairie St., Wataga, died at 7:09 p.m. Thursday (March 31, 2005) in Seminary Manor, Galesburg.
He was born Oct. 5, 1914, in Delong, the son of Harley and Grace Steele.
He married Lela M. Taggart on Jan. 27, 1935, in Galesburg. She died March 23, 2000.
Surviving are two sons, Kay (and Arvella) Steele, Yreka, Calif., and Daniel Steele, Galesburg; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Deanna, and his parents.
He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1932.
He operated a gas station and delivered gas for Farm Services. He was Wataga Cemetery sexton.
He was a member of the Wataga Masonic Lodge for more than 60 years and a member of Wataga Congregational Church.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Wataga Congregational Church, with the Rev. Mark Taylor officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Sandra K. Specht
April 2, 2005
GALESBURG - Sandra Kay Specht, 60, 373 W. Losey St., died at 12:01 a.m. Friday (April 1, 2005) in Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
She was born April 23, 1944, in Kewanee, the daughter of C. Donald and Betty J. Kitterman Hedges.
She married Steven K. Specht on Sept. 29, 2001, in Galesburg.
Surviving are her husband; her father, C. Donald Hedges, Wyoming., Ill.; a son, Austin Boyd Musselman, Woodhull; a stepdaughter, Nicole Specht, Peoria; and a stepgranddaughter. She was preceded in death by her mother, a brother and a stepbrother.
She graduated from LaFayette High School in 1962 and from Carl Sandburg College in 1974 with a degree in accounting.
She worked as a secretary at Oak Run Realty for a year, Galesburg Cottage Hospital as a medical transcriptionist for two years and at Country Companies from Aug. 19, 1974, until May 2002 as a secretary, a support specialist and a claims support adjuster.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel, with the Rev. Scott Grulke officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to her church or any charity.
Lydia E. Hopping
April 2, 2005
ABINGDON - Lydia E. Hopping, 75, 506 S. Main St., died at 8:35 a.m. Friday (April 1, 2005) at home.
She was born March 21, 1930, in Vermont, the daughter of Ross and Lena Forshee Hopping.
Surviving are a brother, Eugene (and Inelda) Hopping, Galesburg; her stepmother, Lavina Hopping, Abingdon, with whom she made her home; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.
She lived most of her life in Abingdon, where she attended school.
She worked in housekeeping at the Abingdon Nursing Home for 17 years.
She attended First Assembly of God Church.
Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Abingdon Cemetery, with Eleanor Landon officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service Monday at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Teresa J. Bartlett
April 2, 2005
DEERFIELD - Teresa Jane Bartlett, 44, Deerfield, died at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday (March 30, 2005) in Hinckley, Mo.
She was born March 25, 1961, in Midwest City, Okla., the daughter of Lewis Jr. and Marie Cadena Frymire.
Surviving are her mother, Marie Frymire, Oneida; two sons, A1C William Andrew Bartlett IV, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Stuart Bartlett, Aurora; three daughters, Olivia (and William) McKinley, Fountain Hills, Ariz., and Ava Bartlett and Grace Bartlett, both of Aurora; a sister, Gayle (and Chuck) Hoots, Galesburg; a grandson; a niece and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her father and a brother.
She graduated from the University of Minnesota. with a degree in theology and was enrolled in Trinity College, Deerfield, studying bio-ethics.
She served in the Air Force for 17 years and achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant.
Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Watson Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ted Gillen officiating. Visitation will be 11:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Silent Home Cemetery, Cameron.
Memorials may be made to Minnesota. Teen Challenge, c/o Debbie Jonas.
