Robert A. Nelson,

Robert (Ollie) A. Nelson, 81, of Canton, passed away on July 6, 2025 at his residence with his wife and daughters present. He was born on May 11, 1944 in Canton to Oliver and Mildred (Lockwood) Nelson. Robert married Stephanie Bowman on January 14, 1977 in Canton. She survives along with three daughters; Shawnie (Vince) Evans of Canton, Shannon Babbitt of Canton, and Nicole (Alex) Hand of Canton, brother Richard (Bobbi) Nelson of Canton, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Robert worked as a tool and die maker for many years. He worked at International Harvester until 1983, then he worked until retirement at J.H. Benedict Company in East Peoria. He was a lifetime member of the American Motorcycle Association and the 21st member of the Yamaha XS 650 Society. Robert was a US Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War.

Robert was a loving, loyal, and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He was a jack of all trades, and it was often said, "If Bob can't fix it - it can't be fixed!" He was always willing to lend a helping hand and was willing to teach skills to whomever wanted to learn. Many lessons were learned in Bob's Garage.

Robert loved riding motorcycles. When he was younger, he rode trials bikes and had a basement full of trophies proving his skills. As he grew older, he loved Yamaha 650s. His pride and joy was his Yamaha 650 XS that he custom-built from scratch. Before he got ill, he had taken the bike apart to rebuild the carbs. The day before Robert passed, his grandson, Blake put the bike back together. Blake, together with Robert's daughter, Nicole and son-in-law, Alex got the bike down from the work table and got it running. Robert got to see it and hear it running one last time - He smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Robert was a fighter. He had some pretty serious motorcycle accidents when younger, and it never phased his love of riding. He beat lung cancer twice and skin cancer twice. He had a "widow-maker" heart attack and kept on going strong. He succumbed to lung cancer the third time, but he never gave up hope and never complained. His consistent concern was for his wife and his family. Even in his final days, he was more concerned with the hospice team caring for his family rather than taking care of him.

Robert was loved, admired, and respected by all who met him. He will be dearly missed.

A note to Bob from Stephanie: "You were the love of my life, I will miss you always. Be at peace, Honey. Till I see you again - I love you!"

Cremation rites have been accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. Graveside services will be 11 am Monday, July 21, 2025 at Shields Chapel Cemetery in rural Canton. A lunch will follow at the Canton Elk's Lodge No 626 - 61 West Elm Street Canton, IL 61520.

Memorials can be made to the St. Jude Runs and mailed to Nicole Hand at 23871 Autumn Lane Canton, IL 61520.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.

Haize Ley Allen

Haize Ley Allen, born sleeping on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 6:08 AM at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

She is survived by her parents, Ryan Allen and Tresha Brookman; paternal grandparents, Tony (Marla) Sheets; maternal grandparents, Rodney (Martha) Malone; two sisters, Zyrileigh Otto and Ziraelyn Walker; and three brothers, Jaxtyn Walker, Rydge Walker, and Sawyer Rodgers.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Linda L. Oest

Linda L. Oest, 70, of Astoria, IL, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025 at her home. She was born on July 19, 1954 in Canton, IL, the daughter of Edward and Dortha (Slaight) Oest.

Linda is survived by one brother; Ed (and Nancy) Oest of Havana, IL, two nieces; Rochelle (and Chad) Sappington and Jill Easley, three nephews; Jason (and Holly Grudat) Oest, Jimmy Oest and Jon (and Staisha) Oest, numerous great-nieces and nephews, and her two trusted companions, Sunnie and Nickie.

She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother; Richard Oest.

Linda was a substitute teacher for area school districts. She was a member of the St. Patricks Catholic Church in Havana, IL. At St. Patrick Church, Linda taught CCD classes and enjoyed attending masses.

Cremation Rites have been accorded. A graveside service in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Astoria will be held at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Pastor Matthew Thiner will be officiating. Memorials may be made to the Fulton County Humane Society.

Pamela Sue Pratt

Pamela Sue Pratt, 60, of Havana, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 6:50 p.m., at Arcadia Care Havana. She was born April 3, 1965, in Detroit, Michigan, to Nells and Helen (McHenry) Hackert. She married Ronald Paul Pratt on March 10, 1984. He preceded her in death on December 11, 2020.

Mrs. Pratt is survived by four children: Erick Pratt, Shannon Craig, Ashley Pratt, and Brandon Pratt, all of Havana; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; as well as one sister, Connie Lynn Hackert, of Farmington, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother, John Hackert. 

Mrs. Pratt was a member of the Havana Southern Baptist Church. She enjoyed quilting, painting rocks, swimming and horseback riding. She worked for many years as a Night Auditor for Mariott Hotels. She liked to spend time with her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren She was also very involved in her church and like to attend Christian concerts with them.

Funeral services will be held at Hurley Funeral Home, in Havana, on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at Oakford Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pratt family. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.

Hurley Funeral Home, in Havana, is in charge of arrangements.

John Leslie Bowles

John Leslie "Les" Bowles, 65, of Havana, formerly of Easton, passed away at Arcadia Care Havana, at 10:46 a.m., on Thursday, July 3, 2025. He was born March 12, 1960, in Peoria, Illinois. He was the eldest son of John and Ann (Schoonover) Bowles.

Les graduated from Easton High School. He turned his love of and skills in carpentry into a lifelong career in construction. His handiwork contributed to the construction and upkeep of countless homes and businesses throughout central Illinois. Les lived rurally for most of his adult life, often trading longer commutes to work sites in exchange for off time in the country. He loved the quiet of his family's farmland in Mason County, where he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and caring for a multitude of rescued pets.

He married Ruth Yaeck in 1998, who passed away just one year later.

Both of his parents preceded him in death.

Mr. Bowles is survived by his brother, Scot Bowles (Kathy) of Indiana, his sister, Sally Bowles, of California, a niece, a nephew, three great-nephews, as well as several cousins.

He considered every friend a new family member and will be greatly missed.

Cremation rites have been accorded, and burial will be held at Easton Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to any charity, with the family suggesting that consideration be given to local animal rescues, area healthcare organizations, or community organizations. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.

Hurley Funeral Home, in Havana, is in charge of arrangements.