LAKEWOOD, NY - Wanda L. Southern, 95, of Lakewood, NY, formerly of Beason, Il, Winter Haven, FL, and Bemus Point, NY, passed away on April 21, 2024, at Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing in Jamestown, NY.    She was born in 1928 in Lincoln, IL, a daughter of the late Harold and Vernadine Fox. Wanda was a graduate of Beason High School. She was married to Jack Southern for 74 years.    Wanda was an Assistant Post Mistress at the Beason Post Office for many years.  She later worked as an Office Manager at Edward D. Jones & Co. in Lincoln, IL, until her retirement.    Wanda was a member of the Beason IL United Methodist Church and the Bemus Point New York United Methodist Church.   Wanda enjoyed cooking, knitting, sewing and other social activities and especially enjoyed the many winters she and Jack spent with their friends and family in Winter Haven, FL.   Wanda is survived by a son, Rodney (Mary Ann) Southern of Lakewood, NY; two daughters: Robyn (Anthony) Krotz of Cary, IL, and Kristina Watson of Naples, FL; six grandchildren: Tiffany Parisi, Courtney Zahm, Spencer Southern, Jacob Krotz, Theresa Wells, and Emily Watson; and six great-grandchildren.   In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Southern and a son-in-law, Arthur Watson.   A memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.

LINCOLN, IL - Gene A. Lessen, 90, of Lincoln, IL, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Luther Oaks in Bloomington.   Gene was born on February 11, 1934, the son of Arend "Arnie” and Lena (Luken) Lessen Theobald. He married Marianna Grussing on August 17, 1958 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hartsburg. Gene is survived by his wife, Marianna; son, Larry (Beth) of Bloomington; three granddaughters, Hannah (Phil) Randazzo, Molly Lessen, and Kaylee (Ian) Brugman; and four step-grandchildren, Matthew Brown, Justin Brown, Kaylee (Joel) Kussmann and Brandon Brown; and his two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Maverick Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Darrell and Donald Lessen; and one sister, Patsy Gehlbach. Gene was a graduate of Lincoln Community High School in 1951. He farmed with his stepfather until he entered the U.S. Army in September 1955. While in the Army, he completed a course in the Artillery and Guided Missile School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Gene remained there as an assistant instructor and part of the office staff of the school until he was discharged from active duty in September 1957. Following his discharge from the Army, he began his employment with the Logan County Highway Department and remained there nearly 39 years. Gene was an active lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln; serving as Treasurer four years and a Finance Committee member for four years. He had been an usher for many years, including ushering at funerals. For a long time he was involved in putting up the "Chrismon Trees” in the church for Christmas. Gene enjoyed bowling and later golfing. He loved photography. He was a great basketball fan, especially when his son, Larry, played on the Lincoln High School’s and Illinois Wesleyan University’s teams. Gene also enjoyed watching his granddaughters’ participation in sports and spending time with all of his family. He enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, attending musical programs and traveling. He and Marianna volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels for Community Action and joined the Oasis Senior Center.  Services for Gene will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln with Pastor Brian Wachendorf officiating. Visitation will take place two hours prior to the service from 9:00 am to 11:00 am also at the church. Memorials may be made in Gene’s name to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Margaret F. "Marge" Wilson, 79, of Springfield, passed away April 19, 2024 at home surrounded by her family and her dogs.   Visitation will be from 1-2 PM Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home in Lincoln.  Funeral services will be at 2 PM Wednesday, also at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.  Casual dress is requested. Marge was born April 7, 1945 in Chicago, IL., the daughter of Clarence Kirk and Marguerite (Sandel).  She was raised by her mother Marguerite and her stepfather Frank Sutheard.  She married Carl R. Wilson on September 28, 2002.  She was a lifetime member of the DAV Auxiliary and a member of the GWRRA. Survivors include her husband Carl, son Michael Shea, stepdaughter Krishauna Lynn Wilson Castellani, sister Carolyn Spears, half brother Jimmy Kirk, sister Vera Kirk, three grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Nicholas Dutch, one brother and three sisters. Memorial donations may be made to mental health awareness in honor of Nicholas Dutch.

LINCOLN, IL – Richard "Dick” C. Simmons, 90, of Lincoln, passed away at Springfield Memorial Hospital on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Funeral Services for Dick will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lincoln. Rev. Joseph Dondanville will officiate. Burial will follow at New Union Cemetery in Lincoln. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Holy Family Church from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Richard C. Simmons was born November 14, 1933, in Lew Beach, New York. His parents were Robert C. and Naomi Becker Simmons. Dick served in the Air Force during the Korean War and met his future wife in Rantoul, Illinois. He married Gloria Ann McGregor on December 24, 1954. Dick and Gloria had four children. Gloria preceded him in death on August 3, 2000. On February 23, 2001, he married Helen Mileham Meagher. For over 40 years Dick was a self-employed carpenter and a skilled craftsman who took great pride in his work. He continued working into his 80s. Growing up in the Catskill Mountains of New York, he developed a love for the great outdoors and the beauty of nature. Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to share his love for fishing with his grandchildren and other kids throughout his life. Dick took great pleasure in his gardens and enjoyed raising several types of barnyard fowl. He also loved cats and always had many cats to entertain him. Dick was a great storyteller and loved entertaining everyone with his stories. He was a man of great faith and gave thanks to God every day for the blessings he enjoyed with the greatest of those being his family and many friends. He is survived by his wife, Helen; brother Bill Pierpoint; sons Timothy (Danni) of Gainesville, Texas, and Sean (Natalie) of Plano, Texas; daughter Kimberly (Kent) Hart of Tullahoma, Tennessee; stepson Kevin (Pamela) Meagher; grandchildren: Jonathan (Brandy), Andrea, Jeremy, Allison, and Daniel Simmons, Collin and Tristan Piller, Alex and Linley Hart, and Drew and Jake Simmons; step-grandchildren: Connor and Allyson Meagher, Jonathan (Alexis) Beverman, Kiersten, Braden and Wesley Meagher, and Mikaela (Zach) Barker; four great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Daniel, Allan, and John Mileham; his best friend, Alex Hoblit; and countless nieces, nephews, and friends. Dick was also preceded in death by his brother Gail, and sisters Melissa, Naomi, and Linda, who all lived in New York State; his daughter Sabrina Piller, and stepson Kent Meagher. Memorials may be made to Humane Society of Logan County, Holy Family Food Pantry, or the donor’s chosen charity. Final arrangements are entrusted with Peasley Funeral Home of Lincoln.

LINCOLN, IL - Diane Buse, 69, of Lincoln, IL, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Lincoln Memorial Hospital.  Diane was born February 26, 1955, in Lincoln, IL, the daughter of Vincent and Mary (Amberg) Dorgan. She married Steven Buse on May 17, 1980, in Lincoln.  Diane is survived by her husband, Steven; children, Chris (Rachelle) Buse of Lincoln and Katie (Nick) Davis of Elkhart; grandchildren, Clara, Lyla, Addalyn, and Caden; and her step-grandchildren, Kaylee and Evelynn. She was preceded in death by her parents, and grandson, Theodore Buse. Diane was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Lincoln. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.   A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lincoln. Visitation will be the evening prior on Tuesday,  April 23, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln. Memorials may be made in Diane’s name to her Grandchildren’s Education Fund.  

DELAVAN, IL - Margaret Rose (Jett) Allen, 25, of Delavan, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 15, 2024. Margaret was born on September 11, 1998, in Park Ridge IL, the daughter of Douglas Jett and Sarah (Mark) Flahaven. She married Theodore Allen in June of 2022. Anyone lucky enough to love and be loved by Margaret knows the impact she had on every life she touched. She had a magnetic passion for music, gardening, baking, literature, and animals–especially her two cats, Baby & Henry, and dog, Diane; and she loved spending time with her husband, Theo.  Margaret was named winner of the William Howard Award for Excellence in Writing and the Sutter Award for Historiography from Illinois State University. Her work will be published in the Spring 2024 edition of Recounting the Past, a student journal at ISU that represents the highest quality of research in the History Department.  Margaret’s life here and hereafter is one to be celebrated, for we who remain grieve as those who yet have hope. Her soul is with God, but her spirit of joy, strength, and love will forever abide in the hearts of those who choose to remember.  Margaret is survived by her husband, Theo; parents, Douglas Jett and Sarah (Mark) Flahaven; siblings, Violette, William, and Charlotte Flahaven; maternal grandmother, Vickie Loranca; grandfather, Gary Shuler; great-grandmother, Lois Schad; paternal grandmother, Mary Foley; and great-grandparents, Justine McKeon & William Stroud. She was preceded in death by her great-grandfather, Bill Schad. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Bloomington, IL. Visitation will take place the night prior on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the Margaret Rose Scholarship Fund through Delavan Schools [or Paypal @MargaretRose24, paypal.me/MargaretRose24]. 

BLOOMINGTON, IL - David L. Hodge, Jr., 64, of Bloomington, passed away at Carle BroMenn Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. David Lee Hodge, Jr. was born on January 2, 1960, in Bloomington, the son of David Lee Hodge Sr. and Betty Jean Welch.  He was united in marriage to Teresa Colleen Embry in May 1980. David was preceded in death by his wife Teresa Hodge, his mother Betty, his mother-in-law Ellen Embry, as well as his grandson Nicholas Knell. David is survived by his three children, David E. (Michelle) Hodge, Misty (Thomas Potter) Hodge, and Timothy (Nikki Hughes) Hodge.  He is also survived by his fiancée Julie Lenardt and his step-children Mikayla (Brandy Navadomskis) Lenardt, Austin Lenardt, and Racheal Reed. He is survived by his grandchildren: Aiden Hodge, Raegan Hodge, Colton Hodge, Camden (David E.) Hodge, Riley Bone, Mia (Misty) Bone, Logan Hodge, Witten (Timothy) Hodge, Nathanial (Brandy) Brinker, Valerie Reed, and Calvin (Rachel) Reed. David had many people that he met and considered family. A special mention must be given to David (Kayla Schmidt) Chapman, whom he considered a grandson.  David is also survived by two sisters, Candy Behrens and Wanda Tervan, and one sister- in-law, Maria Braswell. David was employed by Anytime Towing in Bloomington. David's hobbies included fishing and watching Nascar races. He loved watching the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Cardinals. His favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren and other family when he had the chance. Donations may be made to the family. A celebration of life will be held at Lake Bloomington on May 18, 2024. Cremation Rites have been accorded with Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home of Atlanta assisting the family with final arrangements.

Republished with updated services information LINCOLN, IL - Darrell L. "Big D" White, 79, of Lincoln passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 7:48 p.m. at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield. Graveside Services will be held at the Zion Cemetery in Lincoln on Wednesday May 8, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Military Rites will be accorded by American Legion Post # 263.  Darrell Lee White was born on July 8, 1944 in Lincoln the son of Donald Wayne and Urla Kathryn (Leesman) White.  He is survived by one sister: Kathryn (Ned McKenna) White, three brothers: Dan (Pam) White, Dale "Jake" (Mary) White, and David White. Nieces and nephews: Damon J. White, Amy (Greg) Humphrey, Jamie (Craig) Pollitt, Dustin White, Darcy (Craig) White Gunty, Jason White, Jennifer (Mark) Craig.  Several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Darrell graduated from the Beason Community High School in 1962. He served in the United States Air Force from 1965 until 1971 as a Communication Expert.  He retired from the Logan County Cemetery District after 36 years of service. He was a member of the Beason United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #263  and their Honor Guard, Building Committee and is past Commander, Beason Sportsmans Club, Chestnut Men's Club, Warrensburg Sportsman's Club. He was an avid STAG supporter. Darrell enjoyed Chili parties, refinishing furniture and wine making. At 3:00 p.m. on any given day you could find "Big D" on his corner stool at the Legion where he would gladly share with you his opinion of or tips for current state of politics, the Cubs, the Chicago Bears, or his favorite NASCAR driver. You would seldom get away without buying a ticket. Oh, and watch out for his zingers....they will get you every time!! What a guy! Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post #263 Building Fund.  Peasley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

DELAVAN, IL – Margaret Rose (Jett) Allen, 25, of Delavan, IL, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024. Arrangements are pending at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.

LINCOLN, IL - Cynthia Ann Beavers, 63, of Lincoln, passed away April 13, 2024 at her daughter's home.  Cremation rites have been accorded by Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home.  There will be no services at this time. Cynthia was born September 18, 1960 in Tampa, FL., the daughter of Jim Usherwood and Marilyn (Boughan) Leesman.  Her grandchildren were the light of her life.  She was very family oriented and always put the needs of others before herself.  She enjoyed fishing, reading, and watching investigative documentaries. Survivors include her mother Marilyn (Dean) Leesman; daughter Beth Edwards (Kyle Welch), son CJ McCurry (Lori), grandchildren:  Chrissy, Coltyn, Eva, and Cruz; and her cat Nightmare. She was preceded in death by her father, her boyfriend George "Geo" Lynch, sister Joyce Britt, and nephew Jason Hurley. Memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.