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Champaign County, Illinois	Obituaries - Pg. 12

This page is to list obituaries for Champaign County, Illinois residents. If you would like to share any obituaries you may have, please contact Celia Snyder.

Champaign County Herald April 1st, 1885

Death
The joys we lose are but forecast
And we shall find them all once more
We look behind as for the past
But lo tis all before

Mrs Kate Glassco one the old residents of this city, quietly departed this life about 8 o'clock Thursday evening, the 26th inst. Her maiden name was Kate McIntyre. She was born in Leesburg, VA., Feb. 16, 1814. She united in marriage to Thomas Glassco about 1831 with whom she lived happily until 1864 when Mr. Glassco died in this city, to which place they removed in 1857. The result of the marriage was four children, two sons and two daughters. Mrs M.W. Kaucher, living in this city, Mrs P. Tobias, of Chicago, Presley Glassco, Kansas, and Thomas Glassco, VA. all of whom are married and have families. The deceased was converted at the age of twelve years and united with the Episcopal church in VA. In 1864 she united with the Baptist church in this city during a revival conducted by the late Elder G.W. Riley. She at once went to work with the zeal and energy for which she was noted and was an active worker in all of the departments of the church, especially that of the Sunday school, in which she was an earnest teacher until about two year since, when her age compelled her to give up her class. The large number of scholars who were converted under her teaching testify to the faithfulness of her labors and will be stars in her crown above. Her earnest exhortations to the brothers and sisters in prayer meetings, to be faithful to the cause of the Master will long be remembered. A peculiarity of hers and a very commendable one, was that she was always a firm friend and a staunch supporter of her pastor, and we are satisfied did much to cheer the heart of those who have ministered as shepherds to this church. On account of advancing years and rheumatism she has been confined to ther house for the past year, and to her bed for weeks past, yet in all her affliction she murmured not, and only said she was ready and did not see why the Lord did not call her home. She suffered no pain during her last sickness but quietly and sweetly faded into the arms of her Saviour, which were ready to recieve her and she was gathered as a full sheaf into the garner, verily her works will follow her. The funeral took place from the Baptist church in this city, Sunday afternoon, Rev. E.C. Sage preaching a very appropriate sermon from Psalms 119:54. The remains were followed to their last resting place in Mt. Hope cemetery, by a large number of sorrowing friends.

 

Submitted by Joyce Neely

Scrapbook copy of the Obituary for Barbara Frances Besore dated October 1931.

Mrs. Besore, Pioneer of County, Dies

Resident of Urbana and Area Over 50 Years to Be Buried Today

 

Mrs. Barbara Frances Besore, widow of the late Joseph M. Besore, and a pioneer resident of the county, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mae Bireley, 3 1/2 miles north of Urbana, on Route 25, at 9 o'clock, Saturday morning, after an illness of several weeks due to a complication of diseases. Her condition had been serious for sometime and the end was expected.

 

The funeral will be held at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon from the Renner Funeral Home in Urbana. Rev. S. E. Fisher, pastor of the University Place Church of Christ, will be in charge of the services. Interment will be in the family lot in Olive Grove Cemetery near Mayview, beside the body of her husband.

 

Mrs. Besore was born in Greencastle, Pa., March 1, 1849, and was 82 years old at the time of her death. She had been a resident of Urbana and vicinity, for more than 50 years.

 

The survivors are six children as follows: Mrs. Mae Bireley, Urbana; Warren Besore, Indianapolis, Ind.; E. R. and Mont Besore, Champaign; I. H. Besore, residing east of Urbana, and C. E. Besore of Fort Wayne, Ind. The following sisters and a brother surviving, reside in Waynesboro, Pa,: Mrs. W. O. Winger, Mrs. Mary Gordon and Edward Henneberger.

 

Submitted by Dick Kearns

Katherine Stickley (O'Keefe)
     Mrs. Katherine Stickley, 50, wife of Vernon R. Stickley, resident of Bartonville for 24 years, died at 6:55 a.m. today at her home at 6031 South Washington Street.  The daughter of John and Hattie O'Keefe, she was born in Champaign July 7, 1889.  On Dec 23, 1913, she was married in Peoria to Vernon Stickley.  Surviving besides her husband are her mother of Chicago, two sons, William and Arthur both of Bartonville and two brothers, John and Phillip O'Keefe, Chicago.  Services will be conducted by the Rev Dr. B. C. Carpenter at 3 p.m. Monday at the Wilton mortuary.  Interment will be in Parkview Memorial park.
Saturday, April 13, 1940 in the Peoria Star.

Submitted by JoAnn Stickley

Clyde Kearns

Clyde W. Kearns, 82, an entomologist and University of Illinois professor emeritus, died Tuesday (June 18, 1991) at Memorial Hospital, Modesto, Calif.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Salas Brothers Chapel, 419 Scenic Drive, Modesto, Calif.

Mr. Kearns was born at Denver, Colo.

Survivors include his wife, Camille Kearns; a daughter, Camille Jones of Riverside, Calif.; two sons David R. Kearns of LaJolla, Calif., and Thomas R. Kearns of Amherst, Mass.; and five grandchildren.

Mr. Kearns earned a bachelor of science degree at the Colorado School of Mines, Fort Collins, and a doctoral degree at the University of Illinois.

He joined the UI department of entomology in 1933 and remained with the department until his retirement in 1970. He conducted research aimed at understanding the biochemistry of insecticides. In 1982, the North American Entomological Society dedicated a symposium to his work, lauding him as a "pioneer in insecticide toxicology."

During much of his career, Mr, Kearns was a consultant for Shell Development in Modesto and was named director of Shell's Sittingbourne Research Center in England from 1971 to 1977.

He was a fly fisherman and tied his own flies and crafted split bamboo rods. He also played golf during his later years.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy, 785 Market St., San Francisco, Calif., 94103.

Submitted by Dick Kearns

Bloom Knott, 97, formerly of Ypsilanti, Mich., died at 12:25 p.m. Saturday (May 18, 1968) at the Champaign County Nursing Home. 

He was born December 29, 1870 in Yadkin County, N. C., the son of John W. and Ellen Cole Knott. He married Martha Childress in North Carolina in 1893. She preceded him in death in 1943.

Mr. Knott leaves four daughters, Mrs. Mamie Hertlein of 507 W. Church, C., Mrs. Fred (Bertha) Lovetinsky of Bryan, Ohio, Mrs. Rosella Rice of Tecumseh, Mich., and Mrs. H. R. (Isabelle) DeHarte of Ypsilanti, Mich.; one son, James E. of Franklin Park; and two brothers, Charles B.of Terre Haute, Ind., and Evan of El Monte, Calif.

A daughter, Cora Pratt, preceded him in death.

Services will be at 10 a. m. Tuesday at Heath and Sons Funeral Home, with Galen Miller officiating. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p. m. Monday.

(interment: Eastlawn)

Submitted by Celia Pratt

Jesse M. Pratt, 81, 408 N. Carson, a retired 40 year employee of Meadow Gold, died at 3:17 p. m. after an illness of several months.

A resident of Champaign for the last 50 years, Mr. Pratt was born March 27, 1880 in Moorefield, WV., son of John and Molly Michaels Pratt. He was united in marriage in May 1917 to Cora E. Knott. He was a member of the University Place Christian Church, Champaign Lodge 1288 Loyal Order of the Moose, and Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Pratt leaves his widow with the forllowing children: Kenneth L. Pratt,1213 Garden Lane; Mrs. H. R. (Pauline) Barcroft, 301 Brookwood; Donald Pratt, No. 2 Meadow Court: and Mrs. Paul (Birdie) Carter, Sidney. He also leaves four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and one brother, Phillip, Piedmont, W. Va.

The body is at the Heath Memorial Funeral Home, where friends may call from 7 to 9 p. m. Tuesday. Services will be conducted from the Heath Chapel at 3 p. m. Wednesday. Dr. W. J. Jarman, parstor University Place Christian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the East Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Submitted by Celia Pratt

Champaign News Gazette ( No Date )

St. Petersburg, Fla. --Frederick M. Armstrong, 73, of Seminole, Fla., formerly of Champaign, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 1986, at St. Petersburg, Fla. Private services were held at St. Petersburg, Fla. Mr. Armstrong was born at Melvin, a son of Edward E. Armstrong, Sr. and Ethel Speedie Armstrong. (Ed. Note: Incorrect. Fred Eaton was father. Ed Armstrong was step father.) He married Marybeth McKenzie, formerly of Urbana. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother Ethel Armstrong Mathews of Urbana, a son Allen F. Armstrong of Hinsdale, a grandson, a brother Edward E. Armstrong Jr. of Champaign;a sister, Anna Mary Heffelfinger of Glenview.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Mr. Armstrong retired in 1971 from the Johns-Manville Corporation, where he was director of employee relations and management development at the New York City corporate headquarters. He attended Champaign High School and was a graduate of the University of Illinois. He performed with the UI concert band and played bass with the Hall Macklin and Glenn Lee Orchestras in the late 1920's and early 1930's before beginning a career with the Manville Corporation in 1934. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Submitted by Allen F. Armstrong

Excerpts from obit- Urbana ( Illinois ) Courier-Herald, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 1906

OLD SOLDIER IS AT REST

James McKenzie Joins The Great Majority After A Long Struggle

End Came Peacefully Early This Morning

Was Prominent Lodge man and a Highly Respected Citizen of Urbana

At the McKenzie home on North Race Street in Urbana, death has appeared and James H. McKenzie, war veteran and old soldier, is sleeping final sleep. The end came at 1:30 O'Clock this morning and was not unexpected.

For four years, Mr. McKenzie had suffered from consumption and at times had been near to death. It became apparent, however, that this recent attack would be the last and all that could be done for the sufferer could not prolong his life. He gradually sank until his tired eyes closed in death and his spirit fled to a better land than this.

James H. McKenzie, commonly called Uncle Jim, was born March 4, 1837 in Lockland, Hamilton Co., Ohio. He came to Urbana in June of 1856 and was married to Margaret F. Bartley on February 5, 1868 by Rev. J.G. Little. No children blessed this union, but by adoption he leaves two who morn his death with grief equal to blood kinsfolk, Mrs. Walter Goodspeed and David Kennedy.

James McKenzie was a brave soldier in the war of rebellion. He served three years in Company K 25th Ill Volunteers. There were five brothers fighting for the preservation of the Union, two of whom survive him. Jacob McKenzie of McPherson, Kansas and Samuel in Missouri. He has one sister in California. His father and mother preceded him into the unknown some years ago.

Mr. McKenzie was one of Urbana's highly respected citizens. He had friends on every hand and his death will cause more than one heart pang in the University city and surrounding country.

( Article goes on to list affiliations which were: First M.E. Church of Urbana/ Urbana lodge #139 of I.O.O.F. / Urbana Camp No. 269 MWA/ Rebekah's #57 )

Funeral at home Thursday afternoon. Interment Mayview Cemetery.

Submitted by Allen F. Armstrong

The Gazette Champaign, Ill (No Date, probably November 23, 1884 )

Under Urbana Items Conducted by B.A. Dunlap ( Office Over Sims Book Store )" Thomas McKinzie arrived in the city from Kansas, Saturday, to see his father, John McKinzie, who died this morning."

(Separate Article-Same paper as above )

John McKenzie, one of Urbana's oldest citizens, died this morning at eight o'clock, at his home on Race street, north of the I.,B. and W. railway of paralysis. Mr. McKenzie was quite an old man, and had been in feeble health for some time. His death was a sad blow to his many friends. The funeral services will be held tomorrow.

Submitted by Allen F. Armstrong

Champaign (IL) News Gazette Friday, July 4, 1930 P.5

URBANA WOMAN DIES IN HOME OF DAUGHTER

Mrs. Mary Ann McKenzie, 95 years old,died of old age at 12:45 o'clock Friday afternoon in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Laura McGraw, 206 West University Avenue, Urbana. She was a pioneer resident of Urbana, having lived there since 1857.
No funeral plans have been made yet. Mrs. McKenzie's maiden name was Hillyer. She was born August 8, 1835 in New York City, the daughter of William and Sarah Hillyer. At five years of age, she moved with them to Cincinnati, being married there in May, 1857, to Elias McKenzie.

Surviving her are two daughters, Miss Sarah McKenzie and Mrs. McGraw, both of Urbana; four sons: Arthur of Urbana, Edward H. of Cleveland, Joseph and Lyle, twins of Alma, Mich.,and one adopted daughter, Mrs. W.H. Ruscamp of Chicago

Submitted by Allen F. Armstrong

Champaign News-Gazette November, 1994 (Illinois)

EDWARD E. ARMSTRONG, JR.

Edward E. Armstrong, Jr. ,72, of 609 Haines Blvd., Champaign died on November 16, 1994 at 12:13 P.M. at the Covenant Medical Hospital in Urbana. Funeral services will be at 10AM Monday, November 21 at Mittendorf-Calvert-Morgan Funeral Home Champaign Chapel. The Rev. Terry Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be at Mittendorf-Calvin-Morgan Funeral Home Champaign from 2-4PM Sunday with a Masonic service at 4PM conducted by Western Star Lodge 240 A.F.A.M.

Mr. Armstrong was born August 2, 1922 in Champaign, Il, a son of Edward Earl Armstrong, Sr. and Ethel Speedie. He married Bette Lou Brown on June 15, 1941 in St. Charles, Missouri. Survivors include his wife Bette of Champaign, his son Dan Edward Armstrong of Urbana, and his daughters Tracy Armstrong and Kande Bingaman of Champaign and daughter-in-law Marianne Armstrong of Urbana and a sister Anna Mary Heffelfinger of Glenview,Il. Grandchildren are Angela Bingaman, Holly Leach, and Andrew Armstrong of Champaign and Julie Armstrong of Urbana. Great Grandchildren are Clayton Lamanske and Abigail Lamanske of Champaign. he was preceded in death by both parents and one brother Fred Armstrong.

Mr. Armstrong was a graduate of Champaign High School and attended the University of Illinois. He owned Armstrong Cash & Carry Lumber Co. in Urbana and served in the United States Air Force during World War II.

He was a member of St. Peters United Church of Christ in Champaign. Mr. Armstrong was a member of Western Lodge #240 A.F. & A.M.,Ilini Shrine Club in Springfield, Il.,Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Danville, Il.,University of Illinois Quarterback Club and Rebounders Club, and Ansar Temple, Springfield, Il.

Armstrong Cash & Carry Lumber Co. started in buisness in 1957. In the lumber business since 1946 with his father- in- law, Mr. Armstrong was a long time and well respected business man in the Champaign-Urbana area. he began in his career in his father's (Edward E. Armstrong, Sr.) grocery store. After returning from the service in 1946, he went into the lumber business with his father-in-law Wallace Long. In 1957 he founded Armstrong Cash & Carry Lumber Co. in Mayview, Il later moving it to its present location in Urbana.

Memorials can be made to the Covenant Cardiac Rehab Unit.

Submitted by Allen F. Armstrong

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