Jesse H. "Alabam" Woodruff
Decatur
Jesse H. "Alabam" Woodruff, 73 of Decatur, formerly of Harrison AK, departed us after a long, courageous battle with cancer, Sunday (September 2, 2001) to join his son for eternal life in heaven.
Family memorial services will be at a later date. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials in care of Sonja Carroll, 2232 N. Oakland, Decatur IL 62526.
Mr. Woodruff was born April 21, 1928. He was a member of Teamsters Local 279 for 40 years and served in the military with the CBC's.
His precious memories will forever remain with his surviving daughters, Sonja Carroll; Judy and husband Greg St. Hilaire; sons John Woodruff; Kevin and wife Jill Woodruff, all of Decatur; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, all of Decatur; sister Lillian Nichols of Mode, "His Inspiration" (the Lady of his Life) Jean Moody of Decatur, and many special friends of Arkansas and Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his son, Frank and mother Frances Walters.
He will be greatly missed by all.
We want to express special thanks to the many special and dedicated people who assisted Jesse; our loving mother Lois Means and his longtime companion Jean Moody, many family members; special nephews Danny, Andy and Mike Nichols of Mode; Donnie Pratt of Decatur; niece Frances Nichols of Mode, Hospice, DMH Fifth Floor Oncology nurses, Dr. Esparaz, Dr. Elliott, Dr. Depaz, the radiology nurses and the Rev. John. Cochrel.
Harley D. Culberson
Pana
Harley D. Culberson, 85, of Pana died Tuesday, September 4, 2001 at his residence.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, September 8, 2001 in the First United Methodist Church of Pana at 11 a.m. with The Reverends Walter B. Carlson and M. Thomas Swantner officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the McCracken-Dean Funeral Home in Pana. Burial will be in Millersville Cemetery.
Mr. Culberson was born November 20, 1915 in Shelby County, Illinois to Amos and Anna Hamilton Culberson. He was a retired school teacher and basketball and track coach in Tower Hill, Stonington, O'Fallon, Pana and Mt. Prospect. He was a graduate of the Pana High School Class of 1935 and received a Bachelor Degree and Master's Degree from Eastern Illinois University. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Pana and the Pana Lions Club. He served four years and three months in the U. S. Army during World War II. He was discharged in September 1945 as a First Lieutenant, being stationed in Australia and New Guinea.
He married Henrietta Crosby on May 24, 1941 in Pana. She died October 19, 1991.
He is survived by his children Kenneth Culberson and wife Margarete of Cary; Keith Culberson and wife Marianne of Lake Villa; and Jody Culberson-Fehling and husband Jim Fehling, Libertyville.
Also, six grandchildren: Anthony Lopez; Carollynn Riley; Katie Culberson; Matt Culberson; T. J. Culberson-Fehling; Michael Culberson-Fehling; and four great grand children.
He was preceded in death by six brothers.
Lois Louise Smith
Rushville
Lois Louise Smith, 68, of Rushville, passed away at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, September 6, 2001 at Snyder's Vaughn-Haven Nursing Home in Rushville.
Born on December 10, 1932 in Findlay, Illinois the daughter of the late Clarence Richard and Lois Pearl (Reedy) Spencer. She married Ivan R. Smith on November 10, 1955 in Shelbyville, Illinois and he survives.
Also surviving are one son, Michael Kevin Smith and wife Kimberly of Beaverton, Oregon, 1 step-granddaughter Michelle Dickey. One brother, Robert Spencer and wife Barbara of Palm Springs, Florida. She was preceded in death by one infant brother and one brother Clarence Spencer, Jr.
She was a homemaker.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Wood-Roby Funeral Chapel in Rushville with Walter Knockenmus and Brad Bloemaker officiating. Burial will be in the Ebenezer Cemetery south of Rushville. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be given to the Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice.
Ruby L. Workman
Shelbyville
Ruby L. Workman, 79, of Shelbyville, died at 9:08 a.m. Saturday, September 8, 2001 in Shelby Memorial Hospital, Shelbyville.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, with Dr. Bruce Owens officiating. Visitation from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville.
Mrs. Workman was born on December 28, 1921 in Ash Grove Twp., the daughter of Clarence and Fawn Storm Veech. She was a homemaker and partner in farming with her husband. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville where she was active in United Methodist Women and taught the Friendly Sunday School Class, Shelby County Home Extension Todds Point Unit, Shelby Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was a former secretary and member of the Shelby Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. She married Wave Workman on September 24, 1939.
Surviving are her husband, Wave, and six nieces, Patricia Williamson of Neoga, Carol Hinton of Gainesville, Florida, Rose Kennedy of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Janet DeVoe of Somonauk, Cathy Workman of St. Peters, Missouri, Vicki Burns of Carlinville, and Judy Nelson of Belleville.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Rex Veech.
Nellie Trout
Pana
Nellie Trout, 82, of Pana, IL., formerly of Shelbville, passed away at 12:50 am. Monday Sept. 10, 2001 in the Shelby Memorial Hospital in Shelbyville. Arrangements are incomplete at Lockart and Sons Funeral Home in Shelbyville.
Daisy F. Armstrong
Mesa, AZ
(formerly of Findlay)
Daisy F. Armstrong 86 of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Findlay, IL and Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 10:10 AM Saturday Sept. 8, 2001 in the Encore Senior Village in Mesa. Arrangements are incomplete at Lockart and Sons Funeral Home in Findlay.
Thomas Dwight Wallace
Moweaqua
Thomas Dwight Wallace, 81, of Moweaqua died at 8:30 am. Tuesday September 11, 2001 at St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur. Visitation is 9:00 am. Until 11:00 am. On Thursday at Seitz Funeral Home in Moweaqua. Graveside services will follow at 11:00 am. Thursday at the Westside Cemetery in Moweaqua. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association in Mr. Wallace's name.
Mr. Wallace was born October 27, 1919 in Windsor, Illinois. He was the son of Franklin N. and Sylvia Kagey Wallace. A retired farmer since 1989, he was also a 20 year member of the Shelby County Board and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Moweaqua. He married Daletta Davis on April 19, 1940 in Windsor, Illinois.
Mr. Wallace is survived by his wife, Daletta, son, Thomas G. and wife Suella Wallace of Maroa, grandchildren Clarissa and husband Mark Trudeau of Forsyth, Bryan and wife Amber Bennett of Maroa, Daletta Wallace, Maroa, and Thomas Andrew Wallace and fiancé Tamara McCarty of Normal.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
Robert H. Merrell
Virginia
(formerly of Shelbyville)
Robert Herron Merrell, 76, died July 1, 2001 in the State of Virginia. Interment with full military honors was in Quantico National Cemetery, Quantico, Virginia.
Mr. Merrell was born September 13, 1924 in Shelbyville, the son of William R. and Edna (Herron) Merrell. He graduated from Shelbyville High School and was a retired career Marine. He is survived by his wife, Mary E. (Ragan) Merrell of Warsaw, Virginia, and two sons: Lee Merrell and family of Havre De Grace, Maryland; and Keith Merrell and family of Locust Grove, Virginia.
Juanita L. Maycroft
Findlay
Juanita L. Maycroft, 80, of Findlay died 1:20 a.m. Tuesday (September 11, 2001) in her residence.
Private family services will be held Thursday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Rev. Ray Roberts officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in the Findlay Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Lincolnland Hospice or to the family.
Mrs. Maycroft was born July 13, 1921 in Mattoon the daughter of Elisha and Grace Wiseley Hutson. She was an inspector for Brown Shoe Company in Sullivan. She married William E. Maycroft on August 10, 1940 in St. Charles, Missouri.
Surviving are her husband: William E. Findlay; daughter: Nancy Jeffries and her husband Donald of Findlay; granddaughters: Heidi Cole and her husband Brad of Sullivan, Gretchen Martin and her husband Virgil of Charleston; great grandchildren: Ashley, Ryan, Andrew Cole, Zach and Rebecca Martin; nephew, Martin E.G. Murrell and his wife Peggy of Montezuma, Indiana.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister and two great-grandchildren.
Virgil Black
Herrick
95 year old Mr. Virgil Black of Herrick Illinois died Tuesday, September 11 at 1:45 a.m. at Olivewood Health Care Center, Shelbyville.
Funeral services will be, Thursday, September 13 at 11:00 am at Wallace Carroll Funeral Home in Herrick. Howard Taylor officiating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until service time Thursday, September 13 at Wallace Carroll. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fayette Co. Illinois.
Mr. Virgil Black was born Sunday, January 7, 1906 in Fayette Co. Illinois the son of Oliver S. and Martha S. (Nee Pope) Black. He attended the Hog Creek Country School in the Beecher City area and the Valley Country School in the Cowden area. He was united in marriage to Lovetta June Beasley by Rev. Walt Black, Thursday, September 18, 1947 in Herrick. Mrs. Black died Wednesday March 9, 1988. Mr. Black was veteran of the US Army during World War II. He was a member of Oak Grove Church of Christ Church. A life long resident of the Cowden Herrick area, he farmed the family farm with his father, Oliver Black who died in 1966.
Mr. Black is survived by daughters Martha M. Lorentz of Morrisonville, Oklahoma, Burnis B. Blickem of Lufkin, Texas, Bonnie J. Reese of Cushing, Oklahoma, Freda M. White of Cowden, Glady A. Ray of Nacogdoches, Texas and Hilda J. Dennis of Shelbyville. Also surviving are his sons Carl B. Black of Shumway, Burl P. Black of Charleston, Curtis R. Black of Shelbyville. Brothers; Burl (wife Betty) Black of Tolono, Illinois, Gale (wife Melva) Black of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Glenn (wife Carole) Black of Herrick. His sister Norma Tuckery of Shelbyville is also surviving. His 28 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren are also surviving.
Mr. Black was preceded in death by his parent, wife, 3 brothers, Ivan, Cecil and William Black. Two sisters Lucy Bivenue and Edna Carter, one brother and one sister in infancy.
