Joann Wright

 

Joann Wright, 58, of Cuba, passed away at 8:27 PM on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Graham Hospital in Canton, IL.  She was born on April 27, 1963 in Canton, IL to Vernon and Evelyn (Windsor) Morse. They preceded her in death.

Joann was also preceded in death by three brothers, Gary Morse; Ronald “R.D.” Morse, and James “Jim” Morse; one sister, Flora May Meyer.

She is survived by her significant other, David Gray of Cuba; three children, Jamie Wright (Martin Decker), and Chad Wright both of Cuba, and Nicole Wright (Dale Fountain) of Jacksonville, FL; nine grandchildren, Shawn Wright (Aelissa Payne) of Cuba, Natalie Wright (Jordan Kruzan) of Lewistown, Emily Wright, Damon Decker, Mason Decker, Drake Decker, Clayton Decker, all of Cuba, Dillan Wright and Miranda Wright of Florida. Four sisters, Mary Mathews of Canton, Sandy Phillips of Jacksonville, FL, Debra Wright (Angie Ganger) of Belleville, MI, and Susan Morse (Ron Smith) of Norris.

Joann worked as a CNA at Clayberg Nursing Home in Cuba, IL. She was a member of Fiatt Independent Christian Church.

Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, where a visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Pastor Ben Williamson will officiate.  A burial will be held in Cuba Cemetery following the services. Memorials can be made to Sedgwick Funeral Homes for funeral expenses. To make online condolences you may got to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Betty J. Frank

 

Betty J. Frank, 87, of Peoria, passed away at 10:50 AM on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at her residence. She was born on September 6, 1933 in Canton, IL to Wendell and Bulah (Murphy) Thompson. She married Rogers M. Frank in October of 1955 in Canton, IL. He preceded her in death.

Betty was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and one sister.

Surviving are two daughters, Teresa (Anton) Pavesich of Downer’s Grove and Sherry (the late William) Arrowsmith of Trivoli; five grandchildren, Stephanie (Jordan) Suits, Courtney (Joshua) Fisher, Kelsie Pavesich, Andrew (Nikki) Pavesich, and Justin Arrowsmith; and eight great-grandchildren.

Betty retired as a register nurse at the Lutheran Home in Peoria Heights. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Peoria and was a trustee for the Trivoli United Methodist Church.

Graveside services at Trivoli Cemetery in Trivoli, IL will be held at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded with Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Grandview Alzheimer’s Special Care, or Trivoli Fire Department. To make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Connie Marie Smock

Connie Marie Smock, 70, of Farmington, passed away, May 4th, 2021 with her family by her side.

She was born to the late William V. and Dorothy Grzanich, January 13, 1951, in Canton, Illinois. Connie graduated from Lewistown High School in 1968 and received a degree in Court Reporting from Midstate College.

She married Robert L. Smock July 27, 1968. They resided in Farmington, Illinois for the last forty-six years. Connie is survived by her loving husband, Robert Smock and four children: Angelia (Derryck) Dreher of Vail, Colorado; Heather (Alan) Getz of Glasford; Kimberlee (Matt) Harding of Washington; and Nichole (Andrew) Reiten of Metamora. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Abigail & Noah Dreher, Rachael & Beck Getz, Brendan & Ashton McKeever, Elaina & Jack Reiten and two great-grandchildren: Charlotte Nickel and Ava McKeever. Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and William (Bill) V Grzanich, her brother, William (Billy) W. Grzanich, and her sister Bonnie Beth Grzanich.

Connie wrote for the Canton Daily Ledger, ran her own shop (Connie’s Yarn & Macramé), was a certified nurses assistant at the Farmington Nursing Home, was a teacher’s aide for SEAPCO (spending most of that time at Kelly Avenue Elementary in Peoria Heights, Illinois), and cashiered at Hy-Vee (Canton, Illinois). This was in addition to the duties of a full-time wife and mother.

In her spare time Connie enjoyed cooking, reading John Grisham books, collecting angel figurines, collecting I Love Lucy memorabilia, and spending time with her family. She had a smile that would light up the room and a distinct laugh that can be heard through each daughter’s laugh. Those who were close to her knew that she had a unique vocabulary, (aka Connie-ism’s) that made everyone chuckle.

A private celebration of Connie’s life will be held later. The family requests that people make donations in support of Serenity Point Hospice, LLC 507 N. Main St., Canton, Illinois 61520. Cremation rites will be accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. To make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

RaLynn Beaird

RaLynn Beaird, 67, of Bartonville, formerly of Canton, passed away on Wednesday, May 5th, at her residence after a two-year battle with ALS. She was born on November 7, 1953 in Canton to Gale W. and Shirley (Davis) McNett. They both preceded her in death. RaLynn grew up in and around the Canton area and graduated from Canton High School in 1971. She married William L. “Bill” Beaird on June 20, 1981 at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Canton. He survives along with their son, Eric M. (Kelly) Beaird of Bartonville and their daughter, Emily K. (Brent) Dean of Spring Bay. She is also survived by her three grandsons, Taylor Smith, Ethan Dean, and Aiden Dean and one sister, Dorette (Phil) Reid of Indianapolis.

RaLynn spent much of her adult life working in the food service industry beginning in high school as a waitress and culminating as the service manager at the Olive Garden in Peoria. After retiring from the Olive Garden in 2006, she began working in the floral department at Jeffrey Alans in Peoria and worked there until fully retiring in 2019.

RaLynn enjoyed crafts, antiques, and traveling with Bill. She especially enjoyed their Alaskan cruise, their trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons, and their many trips to the Smokey Mountains. Most of all she cherished the time spent with her family and attending the activities of her grandsons.

A memorial visitation will be held from 5-8 PM on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Memorial services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the funeral home. Pastor Alan Beuster will officiate. Burial of ashes will follow at Walnut Cemetery in Banner, IL. Memorials can be made to the ALS Association or the American Cancer Society. Cremation rites will be accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. To view RaLynn’s DVD or to make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Mary E. Ogden

 

Mary E. Ogden, age 94 of Cuba, Illinois, passed away at 9:42 am on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at the Clayberg Fulton County Nursing Center in Cuba. She was born on March 24, 1927 in Woodland Township, Fulton County, IL, the daughter of Harry and Leah (Mathias) Grove. She married DeVere Ogden on December 28, 1947 in Astoria, IL. He preceded her in death on October 24, 1988.

Mary was also preceded in death by her sister Edna Garlisch.

She is survived by her son Kenneth Ogden of Cuba, three daughters; Nancy (and Kevin) Roberts of Bryant, IL, Patty (and Gary) Merrill of Canton, IL, and Brenda (and Chris) VanAllman of Chicago, IL, and five grandchildren; Aimee Roberts, Jennifer (and Isaac) Teel, Kaitlin Roberts, Jessica Merrill, and Paul VanAllman.

Mary worked as a secretary for Astoria High School following her graduation from there. She also worked for Lutheran Social Services in home health care. Mainly, she was a farm wife, helping her husband on the family farm.

She was a member of the Providence Church in rural Lewistown, IL, where she was a member of the Friendship Club.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, May 10th at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Pastor David Meader will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Clayberg Fulton County Nursing Center in Cuba. Interment will be in the Astoria Cemetery.

Ernest Duane Shanks

Ernest Duane Shanks, age 88 of Astoria, Illinois, passed away at 8:50 am at Graham Hospital in Canton, Illinois. He was born on October 13, 1932 in Macomb, Illinois, the son of Ivan Ocie and Olive Mae (Frazee) Shanks. He married Jeannine Powell on February 4, 1951 in Brooklyn, Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are four daughters; Vicky (and Dean) Conway of Astoria, Phyllis (and Rick) Batterton of Ipava, Illinois, Ann (and Bill Burnham) Mitchell of Canton, Illinois, and Roberta (and Chris) McCormick of Astoria, 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Ernest was preceded in death by his son Duane Kenneth Shanks and his granddaughter Bambi Shanks.

He was a welder for International Harvester for 17 years. He also was a timber buyer for Pekin Hardwood and was owner and operator of Evergreen Hygro Systems in Astoria. Ernest and Jeannine were managers of Camp Emmanuel in Astoria from 1975 to 1984.

Ernest was a member of the Woodland Church of the Brethren. He enjoyed reading and loved tending his gardens.

Visitation will be held at Shawgo Memorial Home on Monday, May 10th from 6-8 pm. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 11th at the Blackburn Cemetery in rural Brooklyn, Illinois. Jim Grossnickle-Batterton will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ernest's memory to Camp Emmanuel.

Jeanne Ems

Jeanne Ems, 88, of Naperville, formerly of Canton, entered eternal life on May 4, 2021 at Arbor Terrace Senior Living in Naperville, IL. She was born on May 27,1932 in Waukegan, IL to Leo and Elsie(Mitchell) Mitchell Gossard. Jeanne married Robert "Bob" Ems on June 7, 1952 in Fisher, IL. He survives along with two children, Randy (Amy) and of Yorkville and Lizabeth "Dee" Watson of Canton, MS, brother Roger (Susan) Gossard of CO, sister Lynn(late Kenneth) Blackburn of AZ, five grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brother; Lyle, Billy and David.

From a very early age, Jeanne showed signs of great courage and faith. Her older brothers Lyle and Billy died at very young ages due to scarlet fever. She supported her mourning mother and helped raise her younger siblings David, Roger and Lynn.

Throughout Jeanne's life she always gave more than she took. She was tremendously active in her church and community her entire life. She was a member of the Altruistic Club, PEO and Methodist Church. She pitched in wherever help was needed be it teaching Sunday School, delivering Meals On Wheels or assisting with the Golden Agers Group at the Canton Park District. She could be a team member or leader whatever the situation needed. She was a past president of the Canton PEO and a state leader in County Health. She was named YMCA Women of the Year in Canton. She was co-chair of the Veteran's Memorial at Lakeland Park.

Jeanne was always a hard worker and bright student but did not have the opportunity to attend college until she was 38. But when the chance came she was ready. Wanting to help put her kids through college and to better herself, she decided to become an RN. And that she did, graduating number 1 in her class at Graham Hospital School of Nursing, later going on to receive her nurse clinician designation at Wichita State and her Master in Nursing from WIU. She worked at Graham Hospital as an RN and Director of the The Fulton County Health Dept for Nursing.

You also would be hard pressed to find another person who was a better spouse, mother and friend. She was kind, caring, strong and faithful not to mention her God given beauty inside and out. She truly left a legacy of what it means to be a good person and lead by example. Her memory lives on through the countless lives she touched.

A celebration of life will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Canton on June 12. Visitation will begin at 10, service at 11 and fellowship to follow.

Memorials can be made to Wesley United Methodist or to the Veteran's Memorial at Lakeland Park.