ATWOOD - George A. Kearns, 77, of Atwood, died at 4:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 9, 2001) at the Aspen Ridge Care Center, Decatur.
The funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Atwood, with the Rev. Ron Linder officiating. Burial will be in Cartwright Cemetery near Tuscola. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
He was born Sept. 23, 1923, in Murdock, the son of Walter Syrus and Goldie Humphrey Kearns. He married Marjorie A. Burtner in 1949; she survives.
Other survivors include six sons, Wesley and Clyde Kearns of Tuscola, David Kearns of Decatur, Terry Kearns, Lawrence Kearns of Tampa, Fla., and Danny Mapel of Tuscola; one daughter, Jerrie Greer of Decatur; one sister, Wanetta Coleman of Arthur; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one sister.
Mr. Kearns was a retired truck driver and member of the Tuscola Church of Nazarene. He was an Army veteran.
Memorials may be made to the Tuscola Church of the Nazarene.
Betty Lou Balasi-Wiley
MATTOON - Betty Lou Balasi-Wiley, age 73, of Mattoon, passed away at 8:33 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2001 at her residence.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 16, 2001 at the First Alliance Church, 1321 Broadway Avenue, Mattoon, with Reverend John Crutcher officiating. Interment will be in Dodge Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home in Mattoon.
Born Betty Lou Briggs on June 14, 1928 in Mattoon, Illinois, she was the daughter of Robert and Genevieve King Biggs. Betty grew up in Mattoon attending local schools and graduating from Mattoon Senior High School in 1946 where she was a cheerleader, ROTC Ball queen and the Sweetheart of M.H.S. during her senior year, 1946. Betty began dancing lessons at age 6 and was selected to perform with the "Boulevardeers" on the stage of Chicago's Stevenson Hotel during the summer while still in high school. After high school Betty joined the Merriel Abbott Dancers at the Palmer House in Chicago, performing with many of the top vaudeville stage and screen stars of the day. Her dancing career ended when she turned down a part in the original road show of "Oklahoma" to marry a Chicagoan, Alfred Balasi, on Oct. 22, 1948 in Mattoon, Illinois. Her husband, an employee of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, was posted to Europe in 1954 with Betty and their two sons. The family served several tours in Austria, Germany and Greece. Betty returned with her two sons to Mattoon after her husband's death on May 7, 1962 in Athens, Greece. She was employed by her brother at Fred Biggs Electric until 1969 before going to work at Eastern Illinois University in the Financial Aid Department. She transferred to the Speech Communications Department where she was department secretary until she retired in 1998 after twenty-nine years at Eastern. While employed at Eastern she attended classes part time, attaining sophomore status. She married R. Glen Wiley, a Professor of Speech Communications at E.I.U., on November 25, 1989 at Mattoon. During her life Betty was an active volunteer. She served on her high school newspaper, as a Candy Striper hospital aid, a Cub Scout den mother, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Mattoon First Alliance Church and its choir and the Chimer's Chapter of Sweet Adeline's in Charleston.
Betty is survived by her husband. Also surviving are her children, Mark Balasi, his wife Barbara and their children Maria and Geoffrey of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Marine Corps Lt. Col. Victor Balasi and his wife Christine of Spotsylvania, Virginia. A sister, Vanneta Myers and her husband Lawrence of Mattoon, a stepson, John Wiley and his wife Gina of Charleston, a stepdaughter, Frances Goh and her husband Herman of Clearwater, Florida, also survive her. Her brother, Fred Biggs, preceded her in death.
Betty's life was dedicated to friends and family. All who knew her were touched by her unbounded energy, zest for life, giving nature, incredible range of talents and ability to accomplish more than should have been possible in any single day. She way a devout Christian who lived the teachings of Jesus Christ every day. She was very much loved by all whose lives she touched, and she left this world a much better place. Betty will be tremendously missed.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Alliance Church of Mattoon, IL or Lincolnland Hospice, Charleston, IL
Pauline Dick
HAMMOND - Pauline Poole Dick, 97, of Hammond, died at 5:55 p.m. Friday (Aug. 10, 2001) at the Arthur Home.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Hammond United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Hammond Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.
She was born June 9, 1904, in Lintner, the daughter of John and Eleanor Condin Poole. She married Earl L. Dick in 1929. He died in 1958.
Surviving are one son, Sam Dick of Hammond; one daughter, Carol Myers of Dallas, Texas; one brother, Don Poole of Fort Myers, Fla.; and nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister and one brother.
Mrs. Dick was a retired teacher and a member of the Hammond United Methodist Church, the Friendship Circle and 16 High Club.
Memorials may be made to the Hammond United Methodist Church
Stephen Grafton
KANSAS - Stephen Elmer Grafton, 52, of rural Kansas, died at 9:45 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 11, 2001) at his residence.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Kansas Christian Church with the Rev. Stacy Landry officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Young America Cemetery in Hume. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Kansas Christian Church. Sutton & Son Funeral Home in Paris is in charge of the arrangements.
He was born April 18, 1949, in Paris, the son of Marvin G. and Nell McGirvin Grafton. He married Shirley Ann Hawkins in 1972. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Megan Kristeen Grafton of Normal and Marle Ann Grafton at home; his step-mother, Helen Grafton of Kansas; and one sister, Donna Pinnell of Charleston.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Grafton was a farmer and member of the Kansas Christian Church and Kansas American Legion Coral Hall Post 539. He served in the National Guard with the 1545 Transportation Company of Paris.
Memorials may be made to the Kansas Christian Church
James McGaughey
VILLA GROVE - James Alex (Jake) McGaughey, 15, of Villa Grove, died at 12:58 p.m. Friday (Aug. 10, 2001) at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Villa Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Tennyson officiating. Burial will be in Villa Grove Cemetery. Visitation was from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the church. Joines Funeral Home in Villa Grove is in charge of the arrangements.
He was born Aug. 15, 1985, in Urbana, the son of James Albert and Kathy Krenz McGaughey.
Surviving are his parents of Villa grove; one sister, Carrie Kiser of Villa Grove; one brother, Seth McGaughey of Villa Grove; paternal grandmother, Winnie McGaughey of Quincy; and maternal grandparents, Dr. Robert and Marilyn Krenz of Mendota.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather.
Mr. McGaughey was a sophomore at Villa Grove High School where he played football for two years.
Memorials may be made to the Villa Grove Athletic Booster Club.
Bruce Pelton
CHARLESTON - Bruce D. Pelton, 57, of Charleston, died at 8:25 p.m. Friday (Aug. 10, 2001) at his residence.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home with the Dr. Mark Prevo officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon until 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
He was born Sept. 14, 1943 in Charleston, the son of James and Beatrice Roberts Pelton.
Surviving are two children; three brothers, Jimmy Pelton of Louisville, Ky., Rob Pelton of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Kirk Pelton of Charleston; and one sister, Debbie Craig of Charleston.
He was preceded in death by one sister.
Mr. Pelton attended the First Christian Church and was a member of the Elks, Moose, Eagles, and VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, all of Charleston.
Memorials may be made to the VFW Paul McVey Post 1592 in Charleston.
BEVERLY RADLOFF
Beverly June "Bev" Radloff, age 66, of Mattoon, passed away at 10:40 p.m. on Friday, August 10, 2001, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Funeral services celebrating her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the St. John's Lutheran Church with the Reverend Bruce D. Osborne officiating, assisted by the Reverend Delton L. Nack. Burial will be in Dodge Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. this (Monday) evening at the Schilling Funeral Home.
Bev was born August 29, 1934, in Windsor, a daughter of Roy and Louise Schenck Griffin. She married Glen J. Radloff on December 4, 1953.
Survivors include her husband of forty-eight years, Glen Radloff of Mattoon; two sons, Ronald Radloff and wife Mary Lu of Raleigh, North Carolina and Joe Radloff and wife Lori of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Robin Farkas of Mattoon; one brother, Donald Griffin and wife Lil of Mattoon; two sisters, Jean Lowry and husband Harold "Sonny" of Paris and Helen Heinrich of Mayville, Wisconsin; six grandchildren, Justin Radloff, Ronnie Radloff, Sydney Radloff, Jennifer Farkas, Robert Farkas and Gabrielle Farkas.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Glenda Nicolopulos, an infant son, Robert Radloff, her parents and two brothers, Ray Griffin and Everett Griffin.
Mrs. Radloff was employed with Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center for many years and was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church. Bev's hobbies included enjoying and watching her grandchildren grow, attending sporting events and walking endless miles with her husband, Glen. When her children were younger she volunteered countless hours in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the local school P.T.A.s.
Memorial gifts may be made to the St. John's Lutheran Church or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Bernice Bolin
SULLIVAN - Bernice E. Bolin, age 81, of Sullivan, died at 9:21 a.m. on Friday, August 10, 2001 at St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, conducted by Rev. Dr. David Leslie. Friends may call one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials suggested to the Moultrie County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
She was born September 20, 1919, in Moultrie County, the daughter of John and Blanche Ballard Taylor. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Sullivan.
Survivors include a son, Richard E. Bolin of North Carolina; daughters, Donna Shafer, Arlene Fraker and Darlene Moody all of Sullivan; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers.
David Hawker
MATTOON - David D. Hawker, 44, of Mattoon, formerly of Pana, died at 11:38 a.m. Friday (Aug. 10, 2001) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.
The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
He was born April 25, 1957, in Pana, the son of Charles Orville and Helen Warren Wagner Hawker.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Helen and Harry Dean of Pana; three brothers, Charles Wagner of Pana, and Curtis Dean and David Dean, both of St. Joseph, Mo.; one sister, Nancy Wagner of Indianapolis; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Mr. Hawker was a counselor at CEAD Council in Charleston. He previously worked at Kemmerer Village and Precision Industries. He was a 15-year member of N.A., and was a Marine Corps veteran.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
