Tommy Brown

Tommy Brown, 90, of Farmington, passed away at 1:56 AM on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Graham Hospital in Canton, IL. He was born on May 4, 1934 in Farmington, IL, to Dewey and Ruth (Harrington) Brown. He married Barbara Lee Nelson on July 5, 1972. She preceded him in death.

He is also preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Donald (Lela) Brown.

He is survived by two children, Barb (Wayne) Haley, and Jeff (Barb) Brown; three step-children, Kenny Nelson, Thomas Nelson, and Janet (Rick) Varnes; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Tommy graduated from Farmington High School. During his time there, he received numerous athletic accolades including setting the school shot put record which stood for 20+ years. His 1950 football team was inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. After receiving numerous college football offers and a letter of interest from Notre Dame, he started working at Keystone Steel and Wire. There, he worked for 30 years before retiring.

He was a jack of all trades and had a passion for carpentry. He enjoyed vacations to Colorado Springs and rooting for the Chicago Bears and Cubs. He also attended every home varsity football game that he could. He loved sitting outside his home in his later years to wave at people as they drove by, Many of which came to know him as ‘Pop.’ His greatest love though was spending time with his family and attending the grandkids' sporting events.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington, IL. Burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Farmington, IL, will be held at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded with Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington, IL. Memorials may be made to the Farmington Rescue Squad. To view Tommy’s DVD or to make an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

James A. Young

 James A. Young, 88, of Canton passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Red Oak Memory Care in Canton.

He was born November 18, 1936 in Aledo, IL to Adrian and Virginia (Moffet) Young.

He married Jackie Seghi on May 3, 1959 in Canton. She preceded him in death on May 26, 2020.

Surviving are two children, Craig (Gayle) Young of Germantown Hills IL, Launa “Missy” (John) Blythe of Clinton, IL, four grandchildren, Sarah (Jason) Miller, David (Rebecca) Blythe, Daniel (Amanda) Young, Abigail (David) Monahan and four great grandchildren, Blythe, Addie, Josie and John.

Jim spent his early years in Clayton, IL moving to Canton, IL prior to high school. He was a stand out athlete in three sports at Canton High School playing on the 1953 state finals basketball team. After graduating from Millikin University he served briefly as the sports editor for the Canton Daily Ledger before beginning his career in management at International Harvester, retiring in 1983. He was a longtime active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Canton. He especially loved golf, enjoying many years of play at Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills. His main devotion was to his family, especially Jackie, his wife of 61 years.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton and a memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 11 am at the funeral home where a visitation will be held one hour prior. Burial of his ashes will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Canton.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church.

To make online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Deana Viano

Deana J. Viano, 66, of Peoria, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Peoria.

She was born on April 22, 1958 in Canton to John and Betty (Bybee) Viano. They preceded her in death.

Surviving are her siblings, Edward Viano of Canton, Lewis Viano of Canton, Chester Viano of Gainesville, GA and Diana Viano of Wichita, KS.

Deana worked for AT & T for many years. She was an avid cat lover and in her spare time she enjoyed, gardening, nature and bird watching. Deana was a loving and giving sister and friend. She was of the Catholic faith.

Cremation rites will be accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. A graveside burial of the ashes will be held at St Joseph Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St Mary’s Catholic Church.

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

Susan Barnes

Susan D. Barnes, 75, of Macomb, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb.

She was born on September 20, 1949 in Macomb to Rex and Helen (Mason) Tingley.

Surviving are her children, Mike (Candy) Ide of Laharpe, Jeff Ruark of Macomb, Buddy Payne of Macomb, Troy (Lori) Payne of Pleasant Plains, one brother, Larry (Anita) Tingley of Galesburg, one sister, Janet (Kenneth) Nicholas of West Frankfort, grandchildren, Kristi (Ronnie) Reimolds, Steven Ide, Dallas McKeown, Kaitlyn Ruark, Donavan Guerrero, Angel Payne, Buddy Lee Payne Jr Kirby, Haven Riley, Mark Payne, Jacob Payne, Amanda Payne, Gracelyn Payne and many great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Tom, Greg, and Randy Tingley.

Susan was a member of the Macomb American Legion, VFW and Elks Lodge. Most of all she was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Cremation rites will be accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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

Wendy G. Kaler

Wendy G. Kaler, 63, of Havana, IL, passed away at 9:54 pm on Monday, March 24, 2025 at Arcadia Care in Havana. She was born on Monday, November 27, 1961 in Canton, IL, the daughter of Darrin and Kathleen (Sheets) Kaler.

She is survived by her daughter, Addie (and Tyler) Kimbro of Summum, IL, two grandsons; Trenten and Dayten Kimbro, brother; Robert (and Salina) Gilson of Vermont, IL, and sister; Nicky (and Mike) Franciskovich of Canton, IL.

Wendy is preceded in death by her parents and sister; Kelly Kaler.

Wendy enjoyed collecting arrowheads and rocks. She also enjoyed watching old western movies. She loved plants and spending time with her grandsons.

Cremation rites have been accorded. No services have been planned at this time.

Eddie K. “Ed” Weaver

Eddie K. “Ed” Weaver, 92, of Lewistown, passed away at 6:13 PM on Monday, March 24, 2025 at Graham Hospital in Canton. He was born on October 4, 1932 in Liverpool Township to Herman and Bertha (Harris) Weaver. He married Patricia “Patty Audrey Black on January 17, 1960 at Mt. Pleasant Church. She preceded Ed in death on October 11, 2022.

He is also preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Karla Leffler; and twelve siblings.

He is survived by three sons, Chris of Louisville, KY, Randy (Pam) of Dubuque, IA, and Lance (Cheryl) of San Ramon, CA; 5 grandchildren, Krista (Nick) Smith, Abby (Matt) Tomlianovich, Emy Leffler, Grady and Chase Weaver; 6 great-grandchildren, Smith and Mills Tomlianovich, Andy, Graham, Kate, and Heidi Smith; and one sibling.

Ed worked as a HVAC tech at Caterpillar for 48 years where he retired in 1991. After retirement he owned HVAC Repair. Ed was of the Christian faith and attended the First Baptist Church in Pekin and Evangelical Free Church of Canton. He loved traveling with his wife to Hawaii, Yellow Stone, Yosemite, and other national parks. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Ed was a Veteran of the United States Navy and severed during the Korean War.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Apple Cemetery in rural Lewistown, IL. Pastor Matt Spangler will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Evangelical Free Church Building Fund. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Terry J. Watson

Terry J. Watson, 71, of Canton, passed away at 2:13 PM on Friday, March 21, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving wife and children. Terry was born on September 9, 1953 in Bloomfield, Iowa, a son of Roy and Margaret (Purvis) Watson. He married Debra (Vaughn) Flynn on July 3, 1990 in Lewistown. She survives.

Also, surviving are his four sons, Jeremy (Desrah) Watson of Macomb; Joe Watson of Canton; Marc (Samatha Bugos) Flynn of East Peoria; Scott (Sara) Flynn of Canton; daughter, Julie (Darrell) Hunt of Saunemin; three grandchildren, Dillon & Hayden Hunt, and Allie Flynn.

Preceding Terry in death were his parents, and brothers, Jeffery and Tony Watson.

Terry retired in 2015 from Illinois Department of Corrections, after 26 years of service. An avid hunter, Terry enjoyed his yearly deer hunts at the family farm in Missouri. He also enjoyed the many hunting trips with his dad, brother, and cousins, out west, and in Canada. One of Terry’s greatest joys was when his children came home to visit and he would sit and listen to them talk, laugh, and reminisce. It always brought a smile to his face and joy in his heart. Terry was a man of great faith. He was a member of Evangelical Free Church in Canton, serving as a member of the safety team, and as an usher.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Serenity Point Hospice for their care and compassion in Terry’s final months. Per Terry’s wishes, there will be no services, and cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. A private family burial of ashes will take place at a later date in Bethel Cemetery in rural Canton. Memorials can be made to Evangelical Free Church, Serenity Point Hospice or to Fulton County Humane Society. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

David G. Brecheisen Jr.

David G. Brecheisen Jr., of Canton, passed away at 12:47 AM on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Graham Hospital in Canton, IL. He was born on July 23, 1931 at a farm near Welda, Kansas, to David G. Sr. and Julia (Prochazkova) Brecheisen. He married Marilyn McClenahan on June 6, 1964 in Clay Center, Kansas. She survives.

He is also survived by one son, David Brecheisen III; one sister, Pauline Darby; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Karl and Julius Brecheisen, and two sisters, Ruth Hoffmeier and Helen Saunders.

David went to Baker University for one year before entering the Air Force in 1951. His basic training was at Sheppard Air Force Base while his technical training was at Lindall Air Force Base at Panama City, Florida. He then shipped overseas and spent three years in Germany as an air force policeman from March of 1952 until March of 1955. He served the remaining five months at Smoky Hill Air Force Base at Salina, Kansas. He worked for the Kansas Highway Department, testing materials used for the turnpike. He then returned to finish his BA at Baker University in 1959. He then enrolled at Emporia State University where he received his MS degree in 1961. He had additional educational study at Washburn University and Kansas University. He then began work as a school psychologist at Holton, Kansas, serving a county program. He worked in this system for four years, one year at the Shawnee County Cooperative and three years for the Jefferson County Cooperative. He then moved to Moline, Illinois where he worked for the Black Hawk Cooperative for two years. He then moved to Canton, Illinois and worked for the West Central Illinois Cooperative, serving several schools in Fulton County for twenty-two years. He retired in 1993, but continued working for Rushville, Astoria, Havana, and Canton School Districts. He was employed as a school psychologist for forty years.

David enjoyed gardening and spent much of his retirement years in this activity. He also had the first tree farm, with his brother Karl, in Anderson County, Kansas. They had a pecan orchard with over 128 trees.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Memorials may be made to The American Heart Association or The Nature Conservancy. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Barbara Taylor

Barbara Taylor, 82, of Canton, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Clayberg Nursing Home in Cuba.

She was born on December 3, 1942 in Thayer Township, MO, to Walter and Esther (Pennington) Regan.

She married Gary Taylor on February 11, 1962 in Table Grove. He preceded her in death on January 21, 2025.

Surviving are her children, Jeff Taylor of Washington, D.C., Laura Heberling of Missouri, Carol Chandler of Annawan, IL, grandchildren, Jordan (Cherish) Mills, Jessica Meador, Katy Lewis, Emily Towns, Abby Mills and great grandchildren, Lincoln Meador and Everett Mills.

Barb worked as the bookkeeper for her husband’s Construction Company, Taylor Construction. She enjoyed to sew and made several pieces of clothing for her family. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Cremation rites will be accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. Burial of her ashes, along with her husbands, will be held on at Table Grove Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the St Jude Children’s Hospital.

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

Keith A. Siegel

Keith A. Siegel, 39, of Elmwood, passed away on early Saturday morning, March 22, 2025, in Hanna City. He was born January 1, 1986, to Tommy and Rhonda (Wilson) Siegel.

Keith married Jenna Musgrave on September 10, 2022, at Camp Wokanda in Chillicothe. She survives.

Keith is also survived by his daughter, Presley Siegel of Elmwood; and one sister, Ashley Jo (Pedro) Coleman.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Megan Siegel.

Keith was a Combine Mechanic for AC McCartney for six years and most recently for Fliginger Equipment in Trivoli.

Keith was a loving husband and father. When not spending time with his family, he spent most of his time at Peoria Speedway or working on his B-Mod car. He was a two-time points Champion, securing multiple feature wins in his career.

A funeral service will be held at noon on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood. A visitation will be held the same day prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. In honor of Keith, he will take his final lap around Peoria Speedway following the funeral service. Burial will immediately follow at Elmwood Township Cemetery.

To watch Keith’s video tribute or to leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Elmwood is in charge of arrangements.

Billie Jean Garman

Billie Jean Garman, 80, of Manito, passed away at 5:03 a.m., on March 20, 2025, at Richard Owens Hospice House, in Peoria. She was born June 4, 1944, in Springfield, Illinois, to William and Anna (Stuart) Timinsky. Her father died when she was young, and she was raised by her mother and step-father, George Simmering. She married Lee Garman, in Pekin, Illinois, on September 2, 1973. He survives.

Mrs. Garman is survived by her husband, Lee, of Manito; one daughter, Jamie L. (Darrin) Vance, of Forest City; three grandchildren: Stephan M. Simmons, Derrick Vance, and Damien Vance; four great-grandchildren, Sophia R. Simmons, Leia R. Simmons, Logan M. Simmons, and Liam E. Vance. Also surviving are three siblings: Patricia A. Derks, of Scofield, Wisconsin, Kim J. Simmering, of Ft. Meyers, Florida, and Kent B. Simmering, of Port Orchard, Washington. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Page Ann Garman, and brother, Kevin S. Simmering.
Mrs. Garman was a member of Manito Community United Methodist Church. She was a cosmetology teacher, owner of BJ & Company Photos, and worked as a teacher’s assistant at District 150 for seventeen years. She enjoyed making jewelry and was an active seller at the Manito Popcorn Festival, Havana Oktoberfest, and several other fall festivals. Her favorite thing to do was spend time with her family and other loved ones.
Funeral services will be held at Manito Community United Methodist Church, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at Forest City Cemetery. Rev. Steve Oaks will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to her church, Forman Fire Protection District, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Maas-Hurley Funeral Home, in Manito, is in charge of arrangements.