Phyllis L. Brefeld

Posted on May 7, 2012 by calvertadminmb

Phyllis Louise Brefeld, age 57, of Bloomington, IL went to be with Jesus on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 8:52 AM at her residence, surrounded by her family.  Services to celebrate her life will be at 10:00 AM on Friday (May 11, 2012) at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington with Pastor Trent Cloin officiating.  Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Bloomington.  Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 PM on Thursday (May 10, 2012) at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home.  Memorials may be made to Midwest Believers Church in Urbana, IL.

Phyllis was born on November 21, 1954 in Bloomington, the daughter of James and Ruby Belle Turner Crull.  She married William “Bill” Brefeld on September 15, 1978 in Pekin.  He passed away on June 13, 2011, and is now reunited with Phyllis in Heaven.  Phyllis is survived by her children:  Heidi Brefeld of Bloomington; Shannon Brefeld of Lithia, FL and Nathan (Somer) Brefeld of Ellsworth.  Her grandchildren:  Christopher, Patrick, Andrew, and Matthew Sixt of Bloomington; Gabrielle and Benjamin Wickersham of Florida;  Brady and Owen Brefeld of Ellsworth.  2 Sisters:  Ann and Freida; 3 Brothers:  Pete, David, and Harold.  Phyllis is also survived by her best friend Sue, her dog R.D. and her cat Oliver.  Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, 5 brothers, and 2 sisters.

Phyllis was a charter member of Midwest Believers Church in Urbana, where she was an active member.  She also served on the board.  She enjoyed mission trips to Africa, visiting Israel, and attending camping meetings in Virginia.

Phyllis loved her grandchildren and family.  She enjoyed church events, shopping, and geneology research.  She lived her life with the purpose of leading people to the Lord.

Posted in Bloomington | 5 Comments

Joan R. Marshall

Posted on May 6, 2012 by calvertadminmb

Joan R. Marshall, 78, of Bloomington died Friday (May 4, 2012) at McLean County Nursing Home, Normal.

Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday (May 7, 2012) at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, with the Rev. Josh Erickson officiating. Inurnment will follow in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church Choir Robe fund or Little Children of the Philippines.

Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.

Joan was born Nov. 12, 1933, in Bloomington, the daughter of Ray T. and Minnie A. Gudenrath Marshall.

Survivors include several cousins, numerous dear friends and work associates.

Joan was an active member and volunteer at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority at Illinois Wesleyan University.

She worked for the former Peoples Bank of Bloomington for 39 years and for two years with its successor owner, Commerce Bank, prior to retirement.

Posted in Bloomington | 2 Comments

Richard D. Gilmore

Posted on May 4, 2012 by calvertadminkr

Richard D. Gilmore, 62, rural Downs, died at 2:03 p.m. Wednesday (May 2, 2012) at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Eastview Christian Church, Normal, with the Rev. Mike Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery, Downs, with military honors by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, Downs, or Eastview Christian Church, Normal. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Gilmore was born March 4, 1950, at Normal, a son of Donald and Alyce Meiss Gilmore. He married Marjorie J. Riddell on Feb. 25, 1978, at Sparland.

Marjorie survives along with his parents, Donald and Alyce Gilmore, Gridley; two sons, Ryan Richard Gilmore, Chicago, and Adam Gilmore, Downs; a brother, Dennis (Brenda) Gilmore, and a sister, Kathy (Dan) Kinkade, both of Gridley.

Mr. Gilmore was retired from the McLean County Highway Department, where he had worked for 29 years. He assisted his brother Denny and father Don with farming in Gridley, helped Downs Township, and was a partner (with his wife and best friend Marjorie) in their equestrian business, Wellgreen Farm, Downs.

Dick was a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, rural Downs, and most recently attended Eastview Christian Church, Normal. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.

Dick was a wonderful husband and father. He will be dearly missed.

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Hallie Kathleen Otto

Posted on May 1, 2012 by calvertadminmb

Hallie Kathleen “Kathy” Senior Otto, 62, Melbourne, Fla., passed away at 9:50 a.m. April 14, 2012, at Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice House, Rockledge, Fla., with her son Dean at her side.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday (May 5, 2012) at Park Lawn Cemetery, Danvers. The Rev. Rick Tindall will officiate. There will be no visitation. The family suggests memorials be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are being handled by Otto-Argo-Calvert Memorial Home, Danvers.

Kathy was born April 23, 1949, in DuBois, Pa., the daughter of Lt. George A. and Doris Culley Senior. She married Dean E. Otto II on April 2, 1970, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Bloomington. He died January 1973.

Surviving is her mother, Doris Senior Snow, Damariscotta, Maine. Doris taught at Illinois Wesleyan University from 1954 to 1976.

Also surviving are one son, Dean E. Otto, Melbourne, Fla.; three grandchildren, Dean Edward III, Melbourne, Fla.; and twins, Samantha and Kyle Otto, Melbourne, Fla.; one brother, Christopher Senior, Enfield, Conn.; sister-in-law, Sandra (William) Foli, Secor; three uncles, David Culley, Florida; Dr. Gregory Culley, Boston, Mass.; and Kent Culley, Pittsburg, Pa.; and one aunt, Mary Ellen Lifter, Washington, D.C.

She was preceded in death by her father who was killed in the Koran conflict on July 3, 1951; twin children in infancy; mother- and father-in-law, Marion and Ronalda Otto; and her maternal grandmother, Hallie A. Culley.

Posted in Danvers | 1 Comment

Lucy Patton

Posted on April 30, 2012 by calvertadminmb

Lucy Catherine Patton, 97, formerly of Carlock and Bloomington, passed away at 8:40 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012 at her home in Normal.

Her funeral service will be at  11:00 AM Wednesday (May 2, 2012)  at Calvert-Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, with  Rev. Tim Schrag and Rev. Ronald Ropp officiating.  Burial will be at Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM -11:00 AM Wednesday (May 2, 2012) at the memorial home. Memorials may be made to the Mennonite Church of Normal.

Lucy Catherine was born on July 30, 1914 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the daughter of  Robert Leslie Mailer and Leona May VanNorsdall Mailer. She married Philip Patton in Fort Smith on February 7, 1937. He died October 4, 1976.

Surviving are a daughter, Phylis VerSteegh, Bloomington; a son, Robert (Lyn) Patton, Richmond, IN; grandchildren Sara (Dan)Ryerson, Crystal Lake, IL; Leigh Ann Westland, Munster, IN; Andrew Patton, US Navy, currently deployed; and Beth (Kevin) Dunmire, Indianapolis, IN. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Helen Patton, a brother-in-law, Leo Cretnik, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a brother John and a sister Roberta.

She worked after high school as a laboratory technician in Fort Smith and later worked for McLean County in several different departments for about 40 years, retiring in 1987. She was a member of the Mennonite Church of Normal and the Woman’s Club of Bloomington-Normal.

Lucy Catherine had a multitude of friends. She lived the majority of her life in Illinois but she never forgot her southern hospitality and gentleness. Her health was steadily declining but her physical and mental strength to continue living were beyond what most of us could believe. Lucy Catherine’s strong Christian faith upheld her through this struggle and she is at peace now. We, her family and friends, are celebrating the blessings she was to us. Her family thanks Olivia Arbuckle, her caregiver for several years, and Becky Erdman, her most recent caregiver, who provided loving and excellent daily care to her for many years and who enriched her life in so many ways.

Posted in Bloomington, Carlock, Normal | 4 Comments

Hazel D. Herman

Posted on April 29, 2012 by calvertadminkr

Hazel D. Herman, 84, Bloomington, died at 2:15 a.m. Thursday (April 26, 2012) in Bloomington at the home of her daughter, Sharon.  Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday (April 30, 2012) at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, with the Chaplain Stephanie Soon officiating. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Monday (April 30, 2012) at the funeral home.  Burial will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington.

Memorials may be made to Palliative Care OSF, Bloomington.

Hazel was born January 8, 1928 in Arrowsmith, IL the daughter of Harry H. and Elna Mae Fossett Leininger.  She married Clyde A. “Shorty” Herman on June 9, 1946, Decatur, IL. He preceded  her in death.  She is survived by 2 Daughters:  Sharon Murphy and Sheila Herman, both of Bloomington; five grandchildren: Chris ( Greg) Neal, Aroma Park, IL; Cheryl (Chad) Reeser, Bloomington, IL; Candy Herman, Bloomington,IL; Sandy (Robbie) Oliver, Bloomington, IL; Scott Herman, Bloomington, IL; 14 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Iris Kidd and Edith Leininger, both of Normal, and Carolyn Freed, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 1 son, Gary Herman.

Posted in Bloomington, Normal | 5 Comments

Mary Lou Firestone

Posted on April 29, 2012 by calvertadminkr

Mary Lou Firestone, 79, of Normal passed away at 9:04 a.m. Friday (April 27, 2012) at Heritage Health, Bloomington.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. The Rev. Duane Otto will officiate. Burial will be in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Mary Lou was born June 25, 1932, in Peoria, the daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Beau Roschinsky. She married Willie Johnson. She later married William E. Firestone on Jan. 6, 1961, in Bloomington. He precedes her in death.

Surviving are two children, Sandra “Sandy” (Lee Bonos) Rodriguez, El Paso; and Randy (Tina) Johnson, Mackinaw; eight grandchildren, Craig Johnson, Normal; Kristi (fiance Jeff Hursey) Johnson, Bloomington; Kimberly (Francois) Holtermann, Hudson; Michael Streenz, St. Genevieve, Mo.; Brandon (Alexis) Flores, Normal; Damian Rodriguez, Branson, Mo.; Brianna (fiance Batese Anderson) Duvall, El Paso; and Mikaela (Willie) Gosnell, Normal; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Florence Lane, Clinton; and Elaine Hallick, Rome.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Dean Temple and Bob Ross.

Mary Lou had formerly worked for the Eureka Company, Bloomington. She enjoyed going to Branson, Mo.; Memphis, Tenn.; and the Conklin Dinner Theatre, Goodfield. Mary Lou loved God and enjoyed spending time with her family.

Posted in Bloomington, Normal | 1 Comment

Lloyd W. Hacke

Posted on April 29, 2012 by calvertadminkr

Lloyd W. Hacke, 96, of Normal, formerly of Granite City, died at 2:30 a.m. Saturday (April 28, 2012) at the home of his daughter Brenda and son-in-law Dave in Normal.

Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Sunset Hill Funeral Home, Glen Carbon. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Estates, Edwardsville. The family suggests memorials be made to the Advocate BroMenn Hospice. Arrangements are being handled by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington.

Lloyd was born July 14, 1915, in Carlinville, the son of Adolph A. and Anna Marie Schaiper Hacke. He married Ruth I. Sissons on July 17, 1937, in St. Louis, Mo. She passed away in 1996.

Surviving are two daughters, Donna Duran, California; and Brenda (Dave) Duggan, Normal; two grandsons, Russ (Debbie) Downs, Arizona; and Mike Duggan, Bloomington; two great-grandsons, Bryan Downs, California; and Kevin Downs, Arizona; and two nieces, Darlene (Jerry) Elliott, Carlinville; and Patricia (Tim) Simspson, St. Cloud, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Minnie Mae and Lucile; and one brother, Stanley.

Lloyd worked for the GM&O Railroad for 40 years.

Posted in Bloomington, Normal | Leave a comment

Robert L. Gray Jr.

Posted on April 29, 2012 by calvertadminkr

Robert L. “Roy” Gray Jr., 80, of Bloomington died at 9:55 a.m. Friday (April 27, 2012) at Heritage Health, Bloomington, with his wife and brother-in-law by his side.

A visitation celebrating Roy’s life will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Inurnment will be in Mesopotamia Cemetery, Eutaw, Ala. The family suggests memorials be made to the Community Cancer Center, Normal, or to Heritage Health, Bloomington.

Roy was born Feb. 28, 1932, in Eutaw, Ala., the son of Robert L. and Mae Henderson Gray Sr. He married Linda A. Bye on July 11, 1987, in Prattville, Ala. She survives.

Also surviving are three children, Connie (Ron) McCombs, McLean; David (Judy) Gray, Forrest; Lisa (Bill) Hinthorne, Crawfordville, Fla; six grandchildren; two brothers, W.D. (Peggy) Gray, Montgomery, Ala.; and J.E. (Bobbie) Gray, Deatsville, Ala.; one sister, Maryann (Frank) Daniel, Columbus, Miss.; and brother-in-law, Robert (Mary Ann) Bye, Bloomington.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Dale; and three sisters, Carol; Beatrice; and Jane.

Roy retired from GM&O Railroad. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict from 1951 to 1955. Roy attended the University of Alabama on a football scholarship his freshman year. He and Linda enjoyed going out and listening to country music. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan and a Crimson Tide of Alabama fan. He was a life member of the VFW Post 454 and Bloomington Moose Lodge 745.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Community Cancer Center, Normal, and Heritage Health, Bloomington, for their care and compassion shown to Roy.

Posted in Bloomington, Normal | 6 Comments

Donald Strand

Posted on April 27, 2012 by calvertadminmb

Donald L. Strand, 82, Normal, passed away at 9:50 p.m. Wednesday (April 25, 2012) at Heartland Health Care, Normal.

His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday (April 28, 2012) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bloomington. Pastor James E. Reents will officiate. Private inurnment will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church Columbarium, Bloomington.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday (April 27, 2012) at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to Illinois Wesleyan University School of Business, St. John’s Lutheran Church or Bradley University School of Business.

Don was born Feb. 2, 1930, in Eau Claire, Wis., the son of Harold B. and Marie Jirgle Strand. He married Jeanne L. Hill, his wife of 54 years, on Dec. 28, 1957, in Cyrus, Minn. She survives.

Also surviving are daughter, Susan (Frank) Courtright, and his son, Steven Strand.

Donald Strand was raised in St. Paul, Minn., and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Don taught at Bradley University for nine years. In 1968, Don became the professor of insurance at Illinois Wesleyan University, and was department head for many years. When Don retired from IWU in 1993, after 25 years of service, he was honored with the emeritus status.

In the early 1960s, Don began more than 25 years of involvement in continuing insurance education, where he was a member, and taught, for the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) professional certification programs. He also was an author of an insurance student study guide and instructor manual and served as a consultant for companies in risk management.

Donald also enjoyed fishing, giving his time and talents to St. John’s Lutheran Church and being an avid fan of Illinois Wesleyan men’s and women’s basketball teams. Donald enjoyed playing bridge and was a life master.

Posted in Bloomington, Normal | 14 Comments