Jeanette A. Horner

Jeanette Horner (Mehlenbeck), 86 of Manito entered the kingdom of heaven peacefully on July 2, 2026 at Hopedale Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Rodney Horner (1939-2024) and her son Craig Horner (1971-2026). She is survived by her other sons Glen Horner, 62 of Pekin and Mark, 59 of Lindenhurst, IL, daughter-in-law Laura Horner (Wilson), 59 of Lindenhurst, IL and two granddaughters, Sarah Reusche (Horner), 31 of Mundelein, IL and Ashley Horner, 27 of Greeley, CO.

Born in Peoria on February 19, 1940, Jeanette was the daughter of Paul Mehlenbeck and Margaret Mehlenbeck (Kuhn) and had a sister Joan and brother Fred. She was a graduate of Peoria High School in 1958 and met Rodney, also a graduate of Peoria High School, while they worked together at Block & Kuhl Department Store in Peoria. They were married on February 9, 1963 in Peoria. In a remarkable true love story of the time, shortly after they were married, after Rodney had been drafted, she packed everything she and Rodney owned into their 1958 Chevy and drove by herself at age 23 across the country from Peoria to Seattle to meet Rodney who was stationed there in Tacoma, Washington after completing his basic training.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she was a member of the Manito Community United Methodist Church, a lover of arts and craft fairs, flea markets and antiques and was a regular attendee at the annual Spoon River Drive each fall with her family. In her later years she was a regular among a group of Manito seniors where she could be seen walking at the Forman Center, playing dice at Hot Stuff and helping at the Popcorn Festival each Labor Day weekend. Jeanette had a loving and supportive spirit and leaves a lasting legacy of love and kindness.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Manito Community United Methodist Church, with a visitation one hour prior from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Rev. Steve Oaks will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Meadow Lawn Cemetery in Manito.

Memorial donations may be made in Jeanette’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com

Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito is in charge of arrangements.

Joe Brewer

Joe E. “Gampy” “the Chief” Brewer, 77, passed away at home surrounded by his family on July 31, 2026 and has gone on to the big tee pee in the sky.

He was born on July 15, 1949 in Tahlequah, OK to Max and Juanita (Walker) Brewer.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Christine Hale on December 23, 1967 in Bellevue, IL.

Surviving is his mother, wife of 58 years, two daughters, Jayme (JD) Delashmit of Hazelwood, MO, Cayse Bowcott of Canton, two sons, Clayton (Nicole) Wefenstette of Bellevue, Paxton (Jennifer) Wefenstette of Andover, MN, two Godsons, Ian (Macy McKinney) Dillman, Kyle (Sarah Yace) Dillman, two granddaughters, Sydney (Donnie Eskridge) Bowcott, Isabella Delashmit, one grandson, Jacob Bowcott, one great granddaughter, Avery Eskridge, one great grandson, Jacob Eskridge, one brother, Allen (Debbie Hammer) Brewer, one brother-in-law, Mark Rose, Joe’s kitty, Maxi and many special nieces and nephews..

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ed and Sally Walker, his father, one infant son, Todd, one sister, Rita Rose and one brother, Walter Brewer.

Joe graduated from Richwoods High School in 1967. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1967-1971 serving two tours in Vietnam. He worked for the University of California and later worked for UNR Rohn’s Mfg. for 29 plus years retiring in 2003. He was a longstanding member of the Fulton County Bass Association and tournament fished for 34 years. He was a past member of the Wee-Ma-Tuk Golf Club and was a proud member of the UAW. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and spending time with his family.

Cremation rites have been accorded per his wishes through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. There will be no services.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Kidney Fund.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Jerald T. Sarnes

Jerald T. Sarnes, 86, of Havana, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 4:16 p.m. Arcadia Care in Havana.

Jerald was born on November 17, 1939 in Easton, Illinois to Harold and Marie Sarnes. Jerald had the following brothers and sisters: Faye Bybokas (deceased), Raymond Sarnes (deceased), Harold Jr. Sarnes (deceased), and Jerald’s twin brother Gerald of Kewanee.
Jerald graduated from Havana High School in May 1957 and in November 1957 he entered the U.S. Navy. After boot camp he was stationed at Newport, Rhode Island and in May of 1959 he was transferred to USS Chukawan AO 100, where after completing an exam was promoted to Petty Officer Third Class and was released from the Navy in December 1961. After being released from the Navy, he was employed by The Havana National Bank and worked there until December 2005 as Assistant Vice President. Jerald was also very active in all the branches of the Odd Fellows in Havana and was the General Commanding (retired) of the Patriarchs Militant of the World in the Odd Fellows.
Jerald was very active in the community where he was in the Havana Jaycees, Havana Chamber of Commerce where he served as Secretary to the Board of Directors, Havana Rotary Club where he was also President of the Club and Secretary and awarded the Paul Harris medallion, Mason County Housing Board as a Director and before he retired from the Board was President, City of Havana as Alderman in the second ward replacing Clarence Bastien after he passed away.
He married Judy Kay Thompson, daughter of Merritt and Mary Thompson of Havana, Illinois on May 30, 1962. Out of this marriage they had four sons, Bruce (Teresa) of Lincoln, Illinois, Patrick of Havana, Andy (deceased), and Rusty (Amber) of Havana. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Over the years of marriage, they enjoyed watching the children and grandkids in all of their sports programs.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Hurley Funeral Home in Havana, with a visitation two hours prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Lori Fornoff will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana.
Memorial donations may be made in Jerald’s name to HHS Boosters for the boys and girls basketball teams or to Havana Rotary Foundation. Online condolences can be left for his family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.