Ralph “Buddy” Linn Paul

Canton – Ralph “Buddy” Linn Paul, 92, of Canton, passed away at 11:38 AM on Monday, December 2, 2019 at Graham Medical Group. He was born on September 13, 1927 in Canton to John W. and Sadie (Brush) Paul. He married Marian Grace Gillette on October 7, 1950 at the First Baptist Church in Canton. She survives.

 Also surviving are four children, James E. (Annegret) Paul of Kalamazoo, MI, Ralph W. (Patricia) Paul of Normal, IL, Jeffrey L. (Tina) Paul of Macomb, IL, and Kathleen A. (Michael) Luker of Canton, IL; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, John W. Paul Jr. of Escondido, CA. Also, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

 Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Herschel and Robert Virgil Paul, and six sisters, Ethel Pfieffer, Mabel Miller, Opal Averill, Waneta Whitaker, Gertrude Melz, and Emma Everlen, and one great-grandson, Nathan Paul Hickman.

 Ralph joined the Army in 1946 serving in WWII, spending over two years in Italy, two years with the Korean conflict, and a total of five years in the service. In his youth he worked at Al’s Shoe Repair, The IHC Canton Plant, and Norm Zeurcher’s Auto Care. He began carrying mail in Christmas ’52 and worked at the Canton Post Office for 32 years. He retired in 1984 to work maintaining his properties and enjoying his friends and family. He was a cubmaster for Boy Scouts of America and co-president of Kellogg PTA during the 60’s. He was also a member of National Association of Letter Carriers and a member of the First Baptist Church of Canton where he often ushered.

 A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church Food Pantry in Canton or Love, Inc. in Canton. To make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

James “Jim” Allen Morse

Canton – James “Jim” Allen Morse, 64, of Canton, passed away at 10:49 AM on Sunday, November 24, 2019 at Graham Hospital Emergency Room. He was born on July 23, 1955 in Farmington, Illinois to Vernon Dean and Evelyn (Windsor) Morse. He married Janet Frew on March 20, 1976. She preceded him in death on April 15, 2019.

James is also preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Flora (May) Meyer; two brothers, Gary Morse, Ronald “RD”Morse; and sister-in-law, Iris Lancaster.

Surviving are two children, Jennifer (Greg Smith) Geeseman and James E. Morse both of Canton; two grandsons, Chase Geeseman of New Jersey, and Seth Geeseman of Cuba; five sisters, Sandra Phillips of Jacksonville, Florida, Mary Mathews of Canton, Joann (Mike Gray) Wright of Cuba, Debra (Angie Ganger) Wright of Belleville, Michigan, Susan (Ron Smith) Morse of Norris; several nieces, nephews, and brother-in-law’s.

James was in Local 165 for 30 years. He also worked for Fulton County Weatherization and Allied Iron & Steel.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 PM (Noon) on Friday, December 6, 2019 at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, where visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Rev. Monroe Bailey will officiate. A burial of ashes will follow services at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton. Memorials can be made to Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory for funeral expenses. To view Jim’s DVD or to make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Dorothy Sestedt

Dorothy Sestedt, 92, of Peoria, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019 at her residence. Services pending with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton.

Rev. J. Gary Schmidt

Rev. J. Gary Schmidt, 75, of Hanna City, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at his residence. He was born on July 12, 1944 in Minot, North Dakota to Herman and Agnes (Leier) Schmidt. He married Darlene Honig on July 10, 1966 in Lincoln, Kansas. She survives.

Also surviving are three children, Jonathan Schmidt of Hanna City, Illinois, Dawn (Rich) Good of Dacula, Georgia, and Timothy (Kristin) Schmidt of South Beloit, Illinois; five grandchildren, Adrianna and Evan Good, Annalise, Ian, Gavin Schmidt; one sister, Carol Treckman of Minot, North Dakota.

Gary retired from Federal Warehouse Companies. He was Pastor of Penn Ridge Lutheran Church in Trivoli, and Wiley Lutheran Church in Ellisville. Gary loved his family and grandkids.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington. A visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home. Pastor Rich Good will officiate. Burial will follow services. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to your local church. To make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Pauline M. Myers

Canton- Pauline May Myers, 87, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at the Loft in Canton.

She was born on December 29, 1931 in Lewistown Township to Lloyd and Katherine (Hughes) Swise.  They preceded her in death.

She married Ray Myers on January 1, 1951 in Cuba, IL.  He survives.

Also surviving is one daughter, Cathey (Larry) Fleming of Canton, three sisters, Norma Atchley of Perris CA, Frances Barnett of Canton, Diane Wells of Canton, two grandchildren, Joseph Fleming of Canton, Brett (Becky) Fleming of California, seven great grandchildren, Derrick, Parker, Brennan, Kyle, Colby, Abigail, Brett Jr. and one great great grandchild, Jace.

Four brothers, Jim Swise, John Lloyd Swise, Raylee Swise, Danny Allen Swise and four sisters, Betty Richardson, Shirley Wages, Peggy  Sue Schneider and Pat Bryan also preceded her in death.

Pauline retired from the billing department at Graham Hospital. She was member of the Ladies of the Moose.

Most of all she was a loving mother, grandmother and friend. 

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 10-11 am at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton with a graveside service to follow at White Chapel Memory Gardens in Canton.

Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association.

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

Bessie Esther Weaver

Name: Bessie Esther Weaver Age: 93

Address:      Astoria, IL

Date of Death: Saturday, November 30, 2019 Time:  9:49 pm    

Place: The Loft Rehabilitation & Nursing of Canton, IL

Date of Birth: February 17, 1926 Place: Woodland Twp., Fulton County, IL

Parents: Terrance and Wealthie (Weise) Kingery

Married: Carroll Edward Weaver. He preceded her in death. 

Survivors: Son- Dan (and Cindy) Weaver of Astoria, IL
Daughter- Dixie Weaver of Dewey, AZ
3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren

Preceded by: her great-grandson and brother.

Occupation: was farmer who loved her animals.

Services:   Cremation rites have been accorded.

Services By:  Shawgo Memorial Home, Astoria, IL. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.shawgomemorialhome.org

Lester Courtney

Lester Courtney, 92, of Canton, passed away at 11:40 PM on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at The Loft in Canton. He was born on December 17, 1926 in Canton to Lester T. and Edna (Fidler) Courtney. He married Alma L. Lingenfelter on December 13, 1947. She preceded him in death on July 20, 2014.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Tommy Courtney and Leslie Paul Courtney; and three sisters, Shirley Atkins, Irene Davison, and Sheryl Hughes.

He is survived by five children, Robert (Carla) Courtney, David (Pam) Courtney, Susie (Larry) Vanmiddlesworth, Laura Clendenny, and Virgil Courtney all of Canton; seventeen grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Harold Courtney.

He worked for Caterpillar for 30 years. He liked hunting, fishing, going on gambling trips, and dancing. He was a man who showed love and friendship. He was greatly respected and loved by all of his family. Everyone was hugged and kissed every day. He was the center of his family’s world. He was the best dad and everyone knew they were loved. His family is the people they are today because of how they were raised. At the end of the day we are family and we love each other because of mom and dad.

Lester served in the United States Army.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton. A visitation will be held Monday from 5-7 PM at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. Rev. Monroe Bailey will officiate. A burial will follow the services at Bethel Cemetery, rural Canton. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. To view Lester’s DVD or to make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com