Dr. Jaime H. Cercone, 84 of Lewistown, Illinois died on May 2, 2026 in Graham Hospital. He lived in Lewistown since July 1980.
Born November 2, 1941 in San Jose, Costa Rica to Maggi and Odilie (Segura) Cercone. He migrated to the USA in 1961 to attend Wheaton College in Illinois where he obtained a B.S. in Biology. Subsequently he obtained a Medical Degree from the Chicago Medical School and then finished a five year General Surgery Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. He also obtained a Masters Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Saint Francis in Joliet.
He married Betty J. Fawcett on January 12, 1991 in Lewistown. She survives.
Also surviving, from a previous marriage, is his son Justin of Florida; his sister Rebecca Keleshian from Chicago; his brother Maggi from Costa Rica;his granddaughter Natalia from Miami, his grandson Nicolas from Miami, his nephew Zaven from Chicago; his nephews Maggio and Stefano and niece Raquel, all from Costa Rica. He was preceded in death by his parents Maggi Cercone and Odilie Segura Cercone and by his son James.
He served in the Air National Guard as a Flight Surgeon and, for the last 9years before retirement, as Commander of the Medical Squadron of the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria. He retired as a Colonel from the Air Force, in 2003. He went in multiple deployments to Europe, Oman, Central America and South America. He was an active member of the Bishop Post 1, American Legion in Lewistown.
He was a Physician and Surgeon with a General Surgery specialty, practicing General Surgery and General Medicine at his offices in Havana and Lewistown. He was an Attending Physician at both Mason District Hospital and Graham Memorial Hospital where he last worked as a full time Emergency Department Staff Physician for six years before his retirement. He worked at multiple other Emergency Rooms throughout Illinois and even in Texas since completion of his Residency.
He also served as Medical Director and Staff Physician at Beu Health Center of Western Illinois University from 1988 to 1993. He also served, during 1998 and 1999, as the Medical Director of the Manteno Veterans Home in Manteno, Illinois.
Throughout the years he was involved in various humanitarian medical missions either with the Air National Guard or with religious organizations to Kosovo, the Philippines, Ecuador and at least four times to Cyvadier, Haiti with the Peoria organization Friends of the Children of Haiti or FOTCOH.
While practicing in Havana he occupied the positions of Secretary and President of the Medical Staff as well as Chief of Surgery at Mason District Hospital. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society-ISMS, and the Fulton County Medical Society; he served as Secretary and as President of the latter as well as its delegate to the ISMS. He had been a member of various other medical organizations.
A graveside service will be held at 11 am Thursday May 7, 2026 at Oak Hill Cemetery with Pastor Kevin Kessler officiating. Military rites will be accorded by Lewistown VFW Post 5001 and American Legion Post 1. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 pm at Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown. Memorial contributions may be made to Lewistown American Legion Post or Habitat For Humanity at habitat.org/support/honor-memorial-gifts.
Tom married his loving wife of 37 years, Gloria J. (Nee-Boggs) on August 12, 1989 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. He was a devoted husband and dearly loved all of his family members. Tom loved people so much – just like his father, he didn’t know any strangers and was always willing to help others. Known for his kindness, sense of humor, and great integrity with a love of life positively impacting those around him. You could not miss Tom coming as he loved music. He was always singing out loud and happy everywhere he went.
Tom is survived by his wife Gloria, sister Susan (David) Marr of Olympia, Washington; brother, William (Laurie) Tufford of Nevada, Iowa; sister-in-law, Karen (Brad) Sarff of Loveland, Colorado; brothers-in-law, Steven Boggs and Allen Boggs both of Havana, IL. Also, several nieces and nephews; Amy (John) Shannon, Sara Marr, Erin (Charles) Stauter all from the Seattle, Washington area; Adam (Melissa) Tufford of Nebraska, Kristen Hurst of Iowa, Tim Tufford of Iowa, Jeremy (Tanya) Sarff, Nicole (Jeremy) Crandall, and Boggs; nephews, Christopher, Justin, and Colton (Erin) and all of their children.
He grew up in his hometown of Clinton, IA before attending and graduating from college at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church ELSA in Clinton, IA. In the early 90’s he took classes at the University of Wyoming receiving a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Before his illness he had planned on proceeding towards a Doctorate, as his instructors were encouraging.
Growing up Tom’s first job was with a landscaping company for several years he laid a lot of sod and he loved it. He had about a 30-year career in law enforcement. He began in Iowa with the Johnson County Sheriff Department. In the early 80’s he moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming, joining the Police Department until disability retirement in 1996.
The move to Illinois was decided best to be closer to family due to physical limitations. Tom had such a love for all his pets, cats, dogs, aquarium fish, finches and cockatiel. He was also interested in bird watching. His sport was playing golf in the past. But most of all anything IOWA HAWKEYES!
There will be private memorial celebrations in WA, IA, IL, CO, WY for family participation. Burial of ashes will be at a later date in Clinton Lawn Cemetery in Clinton, Iowa for his final resting place next to his parents and both grandfathers.
Tom will be dearly missed; he was just one heck of a decent man. Thanks to his many doctors, Gentiva Hospice and Fresenius Kidney Care of Canton. With special thanks going to nurses, aides, therapist, all employees of The Loft of Canton Rehabilitation and Nursing for such wonderful care and attention he received. And to our very special friend with the Loft, Teresa, you are one of a kind-thank you so much.
If you wish to make a memorial donation to honor Tom’s memory if he touched your heart. Make it your choice to help someone else. Like buy a dinner for an elderly neighbor, treat a stranger with a gift card from McDonald’s Dairy Queen, etc., take out someone’s trash, mow their yard, visit a nursing home or neighbor. Love thy neighbor.
Cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com
She is also survived by three children, Kali Robbins of Canton, IL, Bree (John) Zeltner of Hanna City, IL, and Bret (Ryan) Robbins of Canton, IL; six grandchildren, Hunter Robbins, Hawken Robbins, Piper Zeltner, Henry Robbins, Zeke Zeltner, and Holden Robbins; one brother, Mike Ward; and one sister, Debbie Slaight.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Denny Ward.
Sheila was a co-owner of Tremont Kitchen Top. She enjoyed fishing and camping. She also loved spending time with her grandkids.
Private family service at Trivoli Cemetery will be held. Pastor Curtis Atchley will officiate. Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or American Lung Association. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, George, children; Donald (Iona) Bruketta of Canton and Teresa (Paul) Case of Springfield, OH, grandchildren; Scotty Bruketta, Jennifer McLaren, Seth (Davanna) Bruketta, Janice Ogden, Brittany French, Hannah (Allen) Craycraft, McKenzie Lewis, Caleb Biddle, great-grandchildren; Wesson Wyatt, Willow McLaren, Ja’Mere, Emmett French, Alayna Bruketta, siblings; Paula Julien of Epping NH, John Slater of Bushnell, sister-in-law Sandra Slater of Ipava, brother-in-law James Cantrall of Smithfield, several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brother Roy Slater, sisters; Virgina Cantrall, Dora Hisey and Betty Ackerson.
She graduated from Cuba High School in 1957 and attended Browns business school in Peoria. She worked as a clerk at Bruketta and Sons Coal Company.
She was a lifelong member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Canton.
She loved her family, tending to her flowers, reading, baking, gnomes and her cats.
Services will be held at 11am, Friday, May 8, 2026 at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton, where visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Norris Cemetery in Norris. Memorials can be made to the Fulton County Humane Society.
A luncheon will follow the burial at Wesley United Methodist Church in Canton.
To view Dixie’s DVD or to leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com
Marilee Casper, 87 of Canton, IL passed away on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Methodist Carle Health in Peoria, Illinois. She was born on November 20, 1938 in Ipava, IL. to Harley and Margaret (Ashton) Atwater. She married James Casper in 1959, he preceded her in death.
Marilee is survived by her son, Mike (Beth) Casper of Mt. Pulaski, IL.; Two grandchildren, Haley and Bowen Casper; five great-grandchildren, Gavin, Gwyn, Kaiden, Gracie, and Willa; and one brother Jerry Atwater of Ipava. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James Casper, daughter Cara Sue Casper; three brothers, Arlan Atwater, Terry Atwater, Bob Atwater; one sister Martha Dell Bloyd.
Marilee worked at Mid America National bank as a bookkeeper for 30 years, and she was a member of the First Christian Church of Canton, IL.
A memorial service will be on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 11:00AM at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL with a visitation one hour prior. Bill Leitze will officiate the service. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in Canton, IL. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com
