Obituaries

Agnes Mangan

Mon, 7 May 2012 14:08:00 -0500

DWIGHT – Agnes Mangan, 92, of Dwight died at 4:54 a.m., Monday, May 7, 2012 at Morris Hospital.
Arrangements are pending at Hager Memorial Home, Dwight.

Helen June Lithgow

Sat, 5 May 2012 14:08:51 -0500

DWIGHT – Helen June Henderson Lithgow, 83, of Dwight passed away peacefully at 7:18 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2012 at her residence with her loving husband and children by her side.
Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m., Friday, May 11, at Hager Memorial Home, Dwight.
Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, at the Memorial Home with Rev. Lance Leeds officiating.
Interment: Union Cemetery, Emington.
Helen was born June 29, 1928 in Mazon, daughter of George and Esther Winter- bottom Henderson. She married Harold Lithgow March 4, 1973 in the United Methodist Church, Dwight.
Surviving are her husband of 39 years, Harold; her children:Susan Farris, Fort Worth, Texas; Sally (Dean) Henderson and Norval (Kathy) Wiemken, Dwight; sisters-in-law, Virginia Henderson, Rock Island; Jean Henderson, Seattle, Washington; and Darlene Lithgow of Emington; and a brother- in-law, Dempsey Burris of Hyde Park, New York.
Also surviving are grand-children: Brian (Rachel) Farris, Jason Farris, Michael Henderson, Tifney (Brian) Walkup, Corey (Joe Call) Henderson; Amanda, Joey, Alyson and Mary Wiemken; great-grandchildren: Aiden Farris, Calvin Farris, Zack Farris, Sami Henderson, Dalton Henderson, Keegan Walkup, and Kayla Walkup; and several nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters: Mary Wilkey, Dorothy Marx, Erma Rothrock and Peggy Burris; and two brothers: Ray Henderson and Willis Henderson.
She was a member of the Dwight United Methodist Church.
Helen had been a waitress for many years and worked as an aide at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Dwight, prior to working for the State of Illinois, Department of Corrections in Dwight. There she worked as a correctional officer, achieving the rank of Sgt. and retiring as Supervisor of the Laundry Department after 24 years of service.
Helen enjoyed and participated as a spectator in the activities of her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren.
She was loved and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers memo- rials may be directed to Camp Quality Illinois, P.O. Box 641, Lansing, Illinois 60438, “Where kids with cancer can be kids again,” in honor of her great-grand- daughter, Sami, who is in remission.

Donald L. Johnson

Wed, 2 May 2012 20:21:09 -0500

CULLOM – Donald L. Johnson, 77, of Cullom died Monday, April 23, 2012 at 9:05 a.m. at the Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.
Donald was born December 14, 1934 in Carroll, Iowa, a son of Mino Meint and Josephine Katharine Breidert Johnson. He married Patricia Ann Skates August 1, 1959.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann “Pat” Johnson of Cullom; two sons: Karl Leon (Sara) Johnson of Delaware, Ohio and Michael Leon (Cindi) Johnson of Normal; two adored granddaughters: Emily Patricia Johnson and Kayla Michelle Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Marjorie and Virginia.
Donald moved to Roberts as a young child. He attended grade school in the Cullom area and graduated from Cullom High School in 1952. He served our country in the United States Army. Don began farming in the Cullom area in 1960.
He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cullom, serving in various capacities. He was a member of the Vermillion Drainage District and the Skinner-Trost American Legion Post 122 in Cullom, where he had formerly of served as Commander. He had served on the Board of Directors of the Cullom Co-op Grain Company and the Tri Central Co-op.
Don loved farming, fishing and his family. He was known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services were held Thursday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cullom, with Pastor Trudy Foote officiating.
Burial: Mona Township Cemetery, rural Kempton, where military rites were accorded by Skinner Trost American Legion Post.
Visitation was held Wednesday from 4 until 7 p.m. atthe Church.
Memorials in Donald’s name may be left to American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.
Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Cullom, was in charge of arrangements.
This obituary may be viewed and guestbook signed at www.calvertmartinmemorial.com

Mary Ellen McDermott

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:40:35 -0500

OTTAWA – Mary Ellen McDermott, 68, of Ottawa and formerly of Braidwood, passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Ottawa Pavilion in Ottawa.
She was born April 24, 1944 in Braidwood to Sherman A. and Agnes Lorraine Conder Dennison. Ellen was a graduate of Reed-Custer High School in Braidwood, Class of 1962. She married Jerry McDermott June 8, 1963. 
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Braidwood.
Surviving are her son, Jeffrey McDermott of Ottawa; a granddaughter, Aubrie McDermott; brother, Ray (Patricia) Dennison of Morton; sisters: Doris (Bernard) Giordano of Coal City; Joyce (Thomas) Perkins of Gardner; and Lois (James) Watters of Coal City; and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation rites were accorded.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, April 30, at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Braidwood. Rev. Show Reddy Allam officiated.
Inurnment: Braceville- Gardner Cemetery, Braceville.
Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church in Braidwood.
Arrangements were by R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd., Braidwood Chapel.
Please sign her online guestbook at rwpatterson funeralhomes.com

Mary E. Cleary

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:13:53 -0500

ODELL – Mary E. Cleary, 97, of Odell died Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at the home of Jim and Diane Schott, her loving caregivers for the past seven years.
Mary was born February 12, 1915 in Odell, daughter of John C. and Algoga Wells Bolen. She married Leo F. Cleary July 13, 1935. He passed away February 24, 2001.
Surviving are her sons: Joseph L. (Paula) Cleary and Lee (Becky) Cleary; and daughter, Sharon Wall, all of Odell; sisters:Phyllis (Jim) Schmidt-Walsh, Pontiac; and Lucille (Philip) Clevenger of Lansing, Michigan; grand- children: Robert Wall; Joseph (Amanda Chandler) Cleary, Jr.; Michael (Jenni- fer) Cleary; Kristi (Brian White) Cleary; and Amy (Brent Bowen) Cleary. Mary was recently gifted with her first great-grandchild, Leo Charles Cleary.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; son-in- law, Don Wall; four brothers: Paul, Sam, John and Bob; and three sisters: Helen Thelma and Betty. Mary was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Odell, and was a member of St. Paul Church Circle One, Catholic Daughters, and Odell Senior Citizens. She was an Odell High School graduate.
Her hands were never idle, always busy embroidering dish towels, quilting or playing cards. She also enjoyed trips to the river- boat, spending time with her family and friends.
Her funeral was Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Odell, with Monsignor Thomas Mack officiating.
Burial: St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery, Odell.
Visitation was from 3:30 to 7 p.m., Sunday at the church, with the rosary recited at 3 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s School, St. Paul’s Church, or the Odell Library.
Duffy -Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Odell, was in charge of arrangements.