Alma Lee Wertman

Alma Lee Wertman, 96, of Canton, Illinois, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 6, 2026.

She was born on June 26, 1930, to Albert and Coral Rachel Linn. At the age of eight, Alma Lee survived a severe accident on her way to school when she was struck by a tree limb, remaining unconscious for several days and missing months of the third grade. That same pivotal year, her mother passed away, leaving her father and sister to lovingly raise her.

On September 4, 1949, Alma Lee married the love of her life, John Carter Wertman. Together, they shared an incredible 71 years of marriage built on love, commitment, and partnership. Though she lost her own mother at a young age, Alma Lee became a wonderful, loving mother to her daughters.

Alma Lee was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her grandson, Cody; and all of her siblings.

She is survived by her three daughters: Lynn (Kevin) Brooks, Nancy (Jeff) Hendryx, and Janet (John Michael) Krulac; seven grandchildren: Nick (Jessica) Brooks, Nate (Sarah) Brooks, Kaylee (Sean) Blair, Luke (Erin) Overcash, Ty (Megan) Overcash, Tess (Brian) Whiting, and Zack (Taylor) Krulac; eleven great-grandchildren: Bailey, Carter, Cad, Linnlee, Briggs, Kenzie, Charlotte, Lennon, Cash, Colette, and Lincoln; her sister-in-law, Pat Linn. The family also extends special gratitude to her devoted caregivers, notably Mary Pollitt, who provided wonderful care to Alma Lee, John, and Grandpa Carter over the years.

Alma Lee attended Bradley University and Western Illinois University. Throughout her life, she demonstrated an extraordinary work ethic across many roles—from working in her father’s slaughterhouse in her youth, to working in bookkeeping at Graham Hospital, and Estes Livestock Sale Barn. Her true calling, however, was serving others. Alma Lee served as a chaplain at Methodist Hospital in Peoria and spent over 50 years at Graham Hospital.

Her life was defined by generosity, leadership, and community service. She was honored as the YWCA Woman of the Year in 1999, served in Altruistic for 60 years, and was a member of P.E.O. Chapter BZ for 45 years. Alongside her beloved husband, she also dedicated her time to mission trips with Habitat for Humanity.

Her grandkids knew her affectionately as "Mimi," and she couldn't have been prouder to be their grandmother. Loving her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was truly the highlight of her existence. She was known for playing dominoes and card games and teaching them how to play. Her grandchildren also fondly remember her iconic windbreaker sweat suits and taking walks with her to McDonald's to get her daily coffee. She possessed a famously adventurous spirit. Even in her later years, she fearlessly decided she wanted to join the great grandkids in tubing on the lake…fully dressed in her jeans.

Her faith was the centerpiece of her life. She was a God-loving Christian, deeply involved in her church, who spent her 96 years loving deeply, serving faithfully, and comforting those in need. Beyond her service, Alma Lee loved to pray and enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends—including memorable trips on an African safari, to Paris, and to Norway. The ultimate proof of her love for her family was her loyalties in baseball: despite growing up a Chicago Cubs fan, she proudly switched to become an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan just to cheer alongside her die-hard Cardinals-loving grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, please honor Alma Lee Wertman by sharing God’s love: perform an act of kindness or give to someone in need and ask them to pay it forward. Before going home to heaven, Mimi said, “God has one more thing for me to do.” Her family knows that this will fulfil that wish.

A funeral service will be held at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. where visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton.

Craig D. Spence

Craig David Spence, 59, of Havana, IL, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at OSF Hospital in Peoria, IL.

Craig was born on December 29, 1966, in Peoria, IL, to his parents, David Allen Spence and Nadine Ellen Spence (McDonald). He met Pamela Kay Schierer and they married in Stanford, IL, on November 24, 2007. She survives, along with his son, Curtis (Anna) Spence, of Eureka, IL; grandchildren, Sawyer Daryl Roy Spence and Daisy Jeanette Spence, of Eureka; parents, David and Nadine Spence of East Peoria, IL; a sister, Nadina Spence of Creve Coeur, IL, and a beloved companion, a black lab named Remmi.
Craig retired from Caterpillar after 30 years at the Mapleton plant, where he held several roles. Craig cherished being “PaPa” to Sawyer and Daisy, enjoyed cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Vikings, and loved spending time with his family and his dog at the beach at their lake house. Craig never knew a stranger and made friends wherever he went.
Cremation has been accorded. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Old Dog Winery and Brewery, 23 W. Pine Street in Canton. Wear your best Hawaiian shirt!
Memorial donations in Craig’s memory may be made to TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter in Pekin. Online condolences can be left for his family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.

Phillip L. Baldwin

Phillip L. Baldwin, 83, of Lewistown, passed away on September 5, 2026.

Phil was born on December 28, 1942, in Decatur, Illinois, the son of John P. and Ruth (Little) Baldwin. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Patricia Ann Baldwin. He married Etsu "Jean" Yonaiyama in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1968.

Surviving are his three children, John (Sonya) Baldwin of Lewistown, Kathy (Marc) Churchill of Canton, and Susan (Ben Miles) Baldwin of Canton; his sister, Carol Sue "Susie" Liuzzi of Sherman Oaks, California; his brother, John E. Baldwin of Pomona, California; seven grandchildren, Tyson (Isabella Kosier) Brown, Darian (Mark) Herr, Cloe (Noah) Kesselmayer, Gage (Kelsie Fletcher) Miller, Carmyn Baldwin, Jackson Churchill, and Drake Miller; and three great-grandchildren, Emmett Miller, Archer Brown, and Kase Kesselmayer.

Phil graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School in 1960. A talented blacksmith and fabricator, he was known for his creativity, craftsmanship, and ability to build or repair nearly anything. Throughout his life, he was actively involved in numerous organizations, including the Jaycees, the American Welding Society, the Fulton County Fair Board, and the Lewistown Historical Society.

Phil enjoyed fishing the Spoon River, working on Volkswagens, and spending countless hours tinkering in his shop. His love of craftsmanship and history led him to become a dedicated supporter of the Lewistown Society for Historic Preservation, with a particular passion for the Rasmussen Blacksmith Shop. He played an important role in its continued operation by helping recruit and mentor individuals who shared his commitment to preserving its legacy. While he also supported the Rasmussen Museum and Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot, the Blacksmith Shop was where he most enjoyed sharing his talents and knowledge. Above all, Phil cherished time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family gatherings brought him his greatest happiness, and the love he had for his family will be remembered by all who knew him.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, at Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown. A gathering to honor and remember Phil will be held immediately following the visitation at the Lewistown VFW.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lewistown Society for Historic Preservation in his honor.

Patricia A. Black

Patricia A. Black, 95, of Cuba passed away at 12:56 PM Saturday September 5, 2026 at Wesley Village of Macomb.

She was born February 15, 1931 at Cuba the daughter of Franklin and Dorothy (Beam) Marshall. She married Ronald E. Black on May 18, 1951 at Cuba. He died December 1, 1999. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one son Kim Black, one granddaughter, Tammy Thompson, and a special friend Francis Clark. Surviving are one sister, Nancy Oaks of Florida, one granddaughter, Tia (Mike) Stewart, and two great grandchildren, Bryce & Riley Stewart all of Monmouth.

Pat was a member of the Cuba United Methodist Church and has lived in Cuba most of her life. Pat enjoyed her work as a banker in Canton for many years. Her biggest enjoyment was being active in her church, singing in the choir, and spending time with her granddaughters. She enjoyed snowmobiling, and the simple things in life like listening to rain and looking at the stars.

Pat’s funeral will be at 11:00 AM Friday September 11th at the Cuba United Methodist Church with Pastor Shane Smith officiating. Several hours after the service you can view the service at youtube.com/@LewistownUnitedMethodistChurch6184. Burial will be in Cuba Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Cuba is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Cuba United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at henrylange.com.

Connie E. Lockard

Connie E. Lockard, 91, of Ipava, IL, passed away on September 6, 2026 at her home. She was born on February 25, 1935 in Buckheart Township, Fulton Co., IL, the daughter of Damon and Opal (Brown) Baker. Connie married Gene Lockard on December 26, 1953 in Lewistown, IL. He survives.

Also surviving is her daughter, Beth Ellen (and Rusty) Dungey of Bloomington, IL, sister-in-law; Barbara Baker of Bushnell, IL, and niece; Diana (and Craig) Horwedel of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son; Todd Lockard, and brother; Eldon Baker.

Along with her husband Gene, Connie owned and operated Lockard Photography for over 30 years.

Connie was a member of the Summum Christian Church where she served in several different areas, including: playing the organ and piano for 60 years, organizing over 90 funeral dinners and served on the church board. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, HEA and “You Go and I Go” club for many years. She enjoyed sewing, reading, gardening, doing crossword and wordsearch puzzles and she loved cooking.

Services will be held at 11 am on Friday, September 11, 2026 at the Summum Christian Church in Summum, IL. Pastor Matt Haberman and Richard Meehan will officiate. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown, IL. Memorials may be made to the Astoria American Legion or the Summum Christian Church.

Frances I. Kruschinsky

Frances I. Kruschinsky, 84, of Canton, passed away, Friday, September 4, 2026, at Renaissance Care Center in Canton.

She was born in Farmington, on November 22, 1941, to James and Ruby (Engle) Wade. They preceded her in death as well as two brothers, James and Ronnie Wade, and three sisters, Elsie Wilcoxen, Joan Lentz, and Patty Layne.

Fran married Paul Kruschinsky on December 12, 1999 in Canton, he preceded her in death in 2017.

She is survived by two children, William Wade, and Tammy Horvath, three grandchildren, Teisha Buskirk, Donavan Hamilton, and Sarah Dildine and six great grandchildren.

Fran was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Canton. She enjoyed to cook, make candies, and watch QVC. Most of all Fran loved spending time with her family.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton where visitation will be held one hour prior to the services, burial will immediately follow at Orendorff Cemetery in Canton.

Memorials may be made to the Susan B. Komen Foundation.

Penny Littlefield

Penny Littlefield, 67, of Canton, passed away, Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Carle Methodist Hospital in Peoria.

She was born in Tremont, Illinois, to Buck Neville and Sarah Jane Hoenher. They preceded her in death as well as a son Chad Combs.

She is survived by three children, Keely Stoltz – Combs, Kodi (Sybellen) Neville, Sierra (Noah Bailey) Steffey, six grandchildren, Nash Stoltz, Wyatt Combs, Grady Combs, Marley Hughes, Melody Steffey, and Nevaeh Bailey, one great grandchild, Delilah Stoltz, three sisters, Mollie Sellers, Peggy Denbo, and Julie Weishaupt, and brother Denny.

Penny joined the United States Army after she graduated high school. She later returned and graduated Spoon River College and worked as a CNA at various nursing homes in the Canton area, doing what came naturally to her, helping others. She enjoyed taking care of her many cats she had, and studying coins. She also enjoyed meeting new people and helping people. Most of all Penny loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton; a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made the family asks to please donate to the go fund me to help cover cost since expenses are going to be out of pocket, the financial burden on top of the grief is a lot to carry.