All Obituaries

Sally Ann Blackford, 75, of Congerville, IL passed away at 9:56 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Normal with her family by her side. She was born on July 26, 1946 in Kenosha, WI a daughter of Ralph and Hilda Kessler McFall. She married Vern A. Blackford on December 17, 1966 in Washington, IL. He survives. Survivors also include one daughter, Carol (Ron) Kelly of Edmond, OK; one son, Matthew (Lesley) Blackford of Springfield, IL; eight grandchildren; one...

Reese Martin Appleyard, 23, of Congerville, died Friday, October 15, 2021 at 8:34 a.m. at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Reese was born on November 12, 1997 in Peoria to Ernest A. and Cathy L. Wade Appleyard. He married Elle R. Arvin on September 14, 2019. She survives. Also surviving are his father, Ernest Appleyard of Wapello, IA; one brother, Mitchell Hinrichsen of Goodfield; three sisters, Audrey (Lindsay) Hinrichsen of Secor, Shelly (Chance) Knapp of Goodfield, Eydra...

Patricia L. Wuethrich, 94, of Eureka passed away on Monday, October 4, 2021 at Hamilton House in Cedarburg, WI. Patricia was born October 8, 1926 in Eureka to Merrill and Velda (Jeter) Graham. She married Merle Wuethrich on December 21, 1946 in Eureka. He preceded her in death on April 17, 2013. She is survived by three children, Tim Wuethrich of Eureka, Julie Geiger of Port Washington, WI, and Gretchen Erickson of Pompano Beach, FL; sister, Judy (Bob) Hickok of Eureka; eight grandchildren,...

Ila Bernice Lott, 85, of Eureka, IL passed away at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Snyder Village in Metamora. She was born on June 29, 1936 in Nebraska a daughter of Walter and Elma Sparks Merrill. She married David Lott in 1955 in Missouri. He passed away on February 22, 1992. Survivors include three sons, Michael Lott of Roanoke, IL; Dave (Deann) Lott of Peoria, IL; Steve Lott of Colorado Springs, CO; two daughters, Kathy Lott of Eureka, IL; Gretchen Hatton of Peoria, IL;...

MORTON-Kenneth E. “Gene” Crawford, Jr., 92, of Morton, IL passed away at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on November 23, 1928 in Peoria, IL a son of Kenneth E. and Gladys Miller Crawford, Sr. He married V. Joy Greer on June 26, 1946 in Kentland, IN. She died October 16, 2005. He married Joan Musick on January 2, 2010 in Eureka, IL. She survives. Survivors also include three sons, Kenneth (Radene) Crawford of...

Anna B. Johnston, 45, of Eureka passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on September 24, 2021. She was born on January 14, 1976 in Abilene, Texas. She married her high school sweetheart Jake W. Johnston on September 15, 1995. He survives. Also surviving are their three sons, Shawn, Tyler and Jason Johnston; three grandchildren, Vanessa, Raiden and Devin Johnston; siblings, Caroline J. McCollum; Peter G. (Stacy) Bryan; Rachel A. Johnston; Andrea (Adam) Watson in-law;...

Joshua Ray Mayotte, 35, of Secor, IL passed away at 10:00 p.m. on Monday, September 20, 2021 at his residence with his family by his side. He was born on August 29, 1986 in Peoria, IL the son of Douglas Mayotte and Kathy Hudson. He married Linda Brielman on June 16, 2012 in Secor. She survives along with their children, Peyton (11), Levi (8) and Jett (6) Mayotte. Survivors also include, mother, Kathy Hudson of Secor; father, Doug (Debbie) Mayotte of Evansville, TN; four sisters, Jamie...

Donald Lynn Nixon 87, of Eureka passed away at his residence. He was born on March 30, 1934 in Congerville, IL the son of Hubert and Ruth (Smallwood) Nixon. Donald married Anna Mae Wilder on July 27, 1958 in Goodfield, IL. Don was an amazing and loving father, grandfather, husband, and a friend to many.  He was an avid bowler.  He bowled in both a men’s and couple’s league.  He loved cars and trucks both old and new.  He was a mechanic at Hyle Motor/Sam...

Richard L. Kupferschmid, 74, of Eureka passed away at 8:54 p.m. on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. He was born on June 25, 1947 in Peoria, Illinois, a son of William L. and Nettie (Bachtold) Kupferschmid. He married Maribeth Ebach on May 18, 1969 in Forrest, IL. She survives. Survivors also include his children, Bradley (Cheryl) Kupferschmid of Cordes Lakes, AZ; Rodney (Cindy) Kupferschmid of Eureka; Shelly (Greg) Kaeb of Carlock; Eric (Joy) Kupferschmid...

Palo Alto, CA - Shirley Florence Reeser Schulthes, 98, passed away peacefully in the morning on August 28, 2021 at Palo Alto Commons, where she lived in Palo Alto, CA. Shirley was born April 15, 1923 at Eureka, IL, the oldest daughter of Christian and Amelia Hartman Reeser.  Shirley married Vernon Schulthes on February 27, 1943, in Benson, IL, and they were married for 68 years, until Vernon’s death in 2011. Shirley is survived by her daughter, June (Gregory) Loy; two...