Warren McGhee

Warren McGhee, 80, of Canton, passed away Monday October 5, 2020 at Graham Hospital in Canton.

He was born on February 16, 1940, in Rushville, Illinois, to Ora W. and Hazel M. (Ford) McGhee. He married Mary Katherine (Kay) Musolino, on August 6, 1960 and she passed away on March 24, 2005.

They had five children, Mike (Cess) McGhee, Kelly (Ed) Jobson, Jerry (Becky) McGhee, Katherine (Jeff) McGhee, and daughter Ryan (Mike) Wolbing.

He then married Joyce McElroy and gained three step children, Gwen (Randy) Jester, Steve (Tina) Lister, and Lisa (Dennis) Kenser. On November 11, 2006 together the blended family increased to eighteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren with one on the way.

Warren is preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, and two sisters, Doris Lynn Roberts and Sharon Kay Sorrell

He was a veteran serving from 1957 until 1962 in the Navy Reserves and the United States Air Force.

Warren attended Canton High School graduating in the class of 1958 and later returned to Spoon River College in 1972 graduating with honors being a member of Phi Theta Kappa in 1974. He attended Western Illinois University taking a few additional hours.

Warren worked at International Harvester in Canton from 1962 until March 1984 when he transferred to the IH truck plant in Springfield, Ohio. There he worked until his retirement in 2001, having worked for over 39 years. After being retired for awhile he got a job that wound up being almost a second career. He was hired as a security guard at the Fulton County Courthouse in December 2003. After nearly eleven years as a security officer he transferred to a non 911 tele communicator (fancy for switchboard operator) working there until he had sixteen years with the Sheriff’s Department. He had a very special feeling for this group as they were so very supportive and caring during his periods of illnesses. 

Warren enjoyed his family and friends, playing cards and socializing when he was not working. He also started to play golf when he got older and really took a liking to the sport. He also was quite a sports fan. He enjoyed them so much that he became an official with the Illinois High School Association and the AAU. He rose to the certified level in Football and track and field, and to the recognized level in basketball. He certified at the International level in the AAU. He transferred to the Ohio USAT&F, (United States of America Track and Field) association which had replaced the AAU.it really was track and field he had most of his enjoyment. It was with the Ohio group that he was able to start working for the Ohio State group and many doors were opened up. During his time in Ohio he worked over a dozen Big Ten Championships and Championships at the Division I,II and III indoor and outdoor Championships. With his association with USATF he was able to work at the International level when countries would come into the Untied States for World Championships. He also worked cross country and long distance road racing such as half marathons and full marathons. He worked Columbus Marathon from 1986 to 2001 including the 1992 Olympic Marathon Tryouts. But what he enjoyed most was the fact that he worked the Illinois High School Championships for 47 years being made the Honorary Referee in 2004. Although it was not widely known fact Warren loved to dance. From the days on High School and the days at the pavilion at Lake Story in Galesburg to the line and country dancing of his senior days he really enjoyed “Cutting” the rug. He also loved to travel. He especially enjoyed Yellowstone and the Badlands. Other trips that he enjoyed was cruising the Hawaiian Islands and the sailing back to the mainland, the trip to Alaska up the interior cruise and then going to Denali Park and touring Alaska was greatly enjoyed. He was able to go on the cruise for the inner and outer Caribbean Islands, visiting friends that lived in Guatemala was also enjoyed.

A visitation will be held Friday October 9, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home where a Rosary service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Following the rosary service a celebration of life will be held at the American Legion in Canton.

A burial of ashes will be held at a later date at St. Josephs Catholic Cemetery in Canton.

Due to COVID 19 mandates a mask will be required.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic church in Lewistown or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

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

Robert L. Boggs

Robert L. Boggs, 80, of rural Ipava, passed away at 1:35 PM Monday October 5, 2020 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

He was born April 20, 1940 at Havana, the son of Delford and Loreta (Gilmore) Boggs. He married Lola D. Rains on June 4, 1965 at Quincy. She preceded him in death on October 15, 2014. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Denny Boggs. Survivors include two children, Charlie (Angie) Boggs of Lewistown, and Bobette (John) Massaglia of Pekin, four grandchildren, Seth, Devin, Brennan, and Brock, two brothers, Roland (Patty) Boggs of Maryland, Kevin (Sue) Boggs of Blue Mound, IL; and one sister, Betty (Garry) Gorsuch of Sebring, FL.

Bob was a retired brick mason and a member of the Bricklayers Union. He was a member of the Lewistown First Presbyterian Church, Ipava Masonic Lodge, and Sons of the American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being with his grandkids.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown, where visitation will be held 2 hours prior to services. Social distancing and face masks will be required. Cremation will be accorded after the service and a private burial of ashes will be held at the Ipava Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or Sons of the American Legion. To view Bob’s life tribute video or to send condolences visit henrylange.com

Elaine Jarvis

Elaine Jarvis, 89, of Canton, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at 6:47 PM on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at UnityPoint Health Methodist following a short illness. She was born on June 2, 1931 in Canton, IL to William and Rachel Hughes. She married Wilbur Jarvis on August 4, 1950 in Canton, IL. He preceded her in death on May 14, 1994.

Elaine was also preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving are three children, Rolly (Becky) Jarvis of Bradenton, FL, Marlea (Mark) Yonke of Naples, FL, and Brad (Lori) Jarvis of Canton, IL; nine grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Elaine was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Free Church in Canton, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She volunteered at Meals on Wheels and was a tutor at Common Place in Peoria, IL.

A special thanks goes out to all the kind caregivers at Graham Hospital, Renaissance Care Center, Bickford House, and UnityPoint Health Methodist.

Private family services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, IL. Memorials can be made to the Samaritan’s Purse. Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL is in charge of arrangements. To make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Karen J. Helle

Karen J. Helle, 74, passed away at 5:30 am, on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Sunset Manor in Canton.

She was born on September 13, 1946 in

Tampa Bay, Florida to Eugene and Shirley (Pensinger) Lawver.

She married William Lee Stevens in 1964.  He preceded her in death in 1977. She later married Verle Helle of Farmington, whom also preceded her in death.

Surviving are her children, Stephanie (Robert “Doc”) Weyrick of Peoria, William Derek Stevens of Farmington, Adam (Becky) Stevens of Canton.  Also surviving are three sisters, Terri Avery of Joliet, Julie (Rowen) Hebb of Canton, Connie Shields of Cuba, two nieces, Melanie Maxfield of Florida, Kimberly (Townsley) Smallwood of Florida, one nephew, Chad (Christina) Bordenkircher of Canton, two grandchildren, Noah and Abby Stevens of Canton and one great Niece Jada Smallwood of Florida.

Her brother Michael Lawver preceded her in death.

Karen loved her grandchildren and her family.  She loved Halloween and would decorate like crazy.  One year her costume was so convincing that she scared the trick or treaters.  She actually loved all holidays and was very entertaining as well as hilarious when the sisters and nieces got together to play games.

Karen had a love for animals and as a farm wife in the 70’s she had a pet horse, raccoon, cow and dog.  She especially loved cats and spent her later years with Sash, her final beloved pet cat.

Cremation rites have been accorded per her wishes.  There will be a celebration of her life at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Fulton County Humane Society.

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

Dolores Alene Yocum

Dolores Alene Yocum, 77, of Cuba, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Unity Point Health Methodist in Peoria.  She was born on November 1, 1942 in Canton, IL. to Oscar J. and Mary Louise (Lasswell) Schoonover.  She married Harold “Junior” Yocum on January 12, 1961 in Rushville.  He preceded her in death on January 16, 2020. Also preceding her in death were her parents, one daughter Amy D. (Yocum) Pratt, one granddaughter, Emily Yocum, three brothers and two sisters.

Surviving are three children, Timothy J. (Kylie) Yocum, Terry Lee (Kim) Yocum, and Angela Marie (Chuck Knowles) Yocum, nine grandchildren, Annalisa (Jay), Jordan, Joshua, Kelsey (Jace), Dylan (Katherine), Kayla, Cody (Carmen), Delora (Corbin), and her miracle baby Chloe, best friend and sister-in-law Sandra “Liz” Yocum and seven great grandchildren, Abigail, Urban, Lochlan, Seelyanna, Liam, McKale, Journey and two unborn great granddaughters that she was eager to meet in 2021.

Dolores worked as a bus driver and farmers wife.  She loved to sew, cook and singing to her grandbabies.  She also loved listening to her country 8-track tapes and fiddling on her ipad.

She was such a pillar for her family, who always spoke her mind.  Her stubborn, loving soul will never be replaced.

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

Berniece E. (Spencer) Connor

Berniece E. (Spencer) Connor, 89, of Oswego, IL, formerly of Canton, IL passed away at 2:48 PM on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at The Reserve of Oswego in Oswego, IL. She was born on August 8, 1931 in Dixon, MO, the daughter of John S. L. and Lottie (Switzer) Spencer. Berniece married Donald E. Connor on November 4, 1951 in Dixon, MO.

She is survived by two children, Michael (Susan) Connor and Lisa Connor, both of Oswego, three grandchildren, Matthew (Monica) Connor of Yorkville, Rebecca (Scott) Nickel of Oswego, and Marissa Connor of Oswego, five great-grandchildren, Ronan Connor of Yorkville, Niya Connor of Yorkville, Finnley Connor of Yorkville, Ella Nickel of Oswego, and Olive Nickel of Oswego, and one sister, Charlotte (Eldon) Zaborac of Canton.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Donald E. Connor, her parents, one brother, and three sisters.

Berniece worked at Illinois Bell Telephone Company after graduation. When her youngest child started college, she decided to reenter the workforce. She took a job at Marshall Fields Fox Valley and worked there over 20 years until her retirement, earning a pension and great discounts. She was of the Methodist Faith. Berniece was a very giving person and always been happy to share her time, talents, and treasure to help out her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 11 AM to 12 PM noon on Friday, October 9, 2020 at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Funeral Services will be held at 12 PM noon at the funeral home. Rev. Kevin VanTine will officiate. Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, IL. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. To make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Hunter L. Brawdy

Hunter L. Brawdy, 14, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2020 at OSF St Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born on March 18, 2006 in Canton to Doug Brawdy and DeeAnn Gregory.  They survive.

Also surviving is his sister, Marleigh Agner of Effingham, IL, one brother, Jacob Brawdy of Charleston S.C., Paternal grandmother, Debbie Funes of Canton, Paternal Grandfather, Roger (Debbie) Brawdy of Canton, Maternal grandmother, Regina Hein of Bonita Springs, FL, Maternal Grandfather, Stephen Frye of Bonita Springs, FL, Maternal great grandmother, Dee Ross of Canton, Aunts, Megan Brawdy of Charleston, S.C., Christine Welker of Peoria and Uncle, John Gregory of Pekin.

He was preceded in death by Paternal Grandfather Carlos Funes and Maternal Grandfather, Ralph Gregory.

Hunter enjoyed wrestling and was a member of the Canton Wrestling Club, Fulton County Stingers and the Canton Junior High wrestling team.  He enjoyed his video games, music fishing and shooting clay pigeon.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton with a visitation one hour prior to services.  Burial will follow at White Chapel Memory Gardens in Canton.

Due to COVID 19 mandates a mask will be required.

Memorials may be made to Canton Wrestling Club.

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