The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • A7

The Pan a gra Thursd ay, May 5, 2016 A7 1 OBIUTARIES CENTRAL ILLINOIS Lois Cook ROBERTS Lois Cook, 97, formerly of Roberts, daughter of Frances and Roy Kumler, passed away at 5:45 a.m. Friday (April 29, 2016) at Sugar Creek Center, Normal. She was born July 14, 1918, in Bellflower, and was the last survivor of three sisters and two brothers. She married oward Cook of Roberts on Aug. 14, 1940, in Missouri.

He preceded her in death in 1983. She is survived by a son, John Cook, Normal, and a daughter, Gail (John) Lamb, Downs, with whom she made her home for more than 20 years. Also surviving her are her grandsons, Michael (Maria) Lamb, Heyworth; Dr. Austin (Kristin) Lamb, Carlock; and Ross (Shannon) Cook, East Peoria. Great-grandchildren include Kate and Harper Lamb, Hank and Hanalei Lamb, and Kai Cook.

She was an Illinois State Normal University graduate and taught for 30 years in Paxton, Piper City and Roberts-Thawville. She enjoyed her flower garden, playing bridge, quilting, and was devoted to her family. To say that Granny will be missed is woefully inadequate. She was always happy and saw goodness in everything around her. Her soft, kind, quiet manner was an inspiration to all who knew her.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff at Sugar Creek for the many kindnesses they extended to Lois for the past years, and to Safe Haven Hospice, who did so much for her in her last days. Her family is comforted by the fact the she and Howard can once again enjoy their afternoon martini together. A private service is being handled by Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City. Memorials may be sent to the Gr eater Peoria Area Honor Flight, Wish Bone Canine Rescue or the Roberts Gym. Dorothy Harper ROANOKE Dorothy J.

Harper, 80, of Roanoke, passed away at 2 a.m. Tuesday (May 3, 2016) at her home. Dorothy went peacefully in her sleep to be with the Lord Jesus. She was born June 6, 1935, in Eureka, to Guy and Hazel Noffsinger Armstrong. She married William Harper on June 6, 1954, in Roanoke.

He survives. Also surviving are two sons, Dwayne (Sandy) Harper and Dennis (Denise) Harper, both of Eureka; three daughters, Deb Jones, Roanoke; Doris (Keith) Alvey, Eureka; and Darlene (Brent) Anderson, Bend, one brother, Paul (Joanne) Armstrong, Roanoke; mother-in-law, Lola Harper, Eureka; 16 grandchildren, Kristi, Kim, Kelli, Dustin, Deanna, Darrin, Joe, Christina, Nick, Nicole, Matthew, Kyle, Kristin, Cooper, Ashley and Zac; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Dorothy grew up in the Church of the Brethren in Roanoke. Dorothy was a member of the Eureka Church of the Nazarene for 61 years and was a secretary for the church for 20 years.

She served on the church board, played the piano, sang in the choir, was involved in Sunday school, headed meals and programs and several more volunteer events. She also participated in a missions trip to Dominican Republic and developed and headed Prime Time Group. She was a member of RVICS (Roving Volunteers In Service) for 10 years. She served on the board at Maple Lawn and was involved in blood drives for the Red Cross. Dorothy enjoyed gardening, canning and cross stitching.

Dorothy had a servant heart. She developed ousins for her grandchildren, which involved a weeklong stay with activities and fun for all her grandchildren. She would visit the sick and elderly and enjoyed collecting Precious Moments. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Eureka Church of the Nazarene, Eureka.

The Rev. Michael Stipp will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 Friday at Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Eureka, and one hour prior to service Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Olio Cemetery, Eureka. Memorials may be made to Eureka Church of the Nazarene or RVICS 1800 SE Fourth Smithville, TX 78957.

Tributes and condolences may be made to www.ar goruestmanharris.com. Amelia Prather EUREKA Amelia M. Prather, 83, of Eureka, passed away at 8:50 Sunday (May 1, 2016) at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria. She was born Aug. 29, 1932, in Peoria, a daughter of William and Edna Kelly Klein.

She married Jack Prather on April 18, 1954, in Peoria. He survives. Also surviving are one son, Bob (Marlene) Prather, Eureka; one daughter, Sue (Larry) Steffen, Fraser, five grandchildren, David (Tara) Prather, Kirk (Wendy) Prather, Clint Prather, Britt (Megan) Steffen and Whitney (Tyler) Huber; 10 great-grandchildren; ve sisters, Ruth (Randy) Kellenberger, Washington; Linda (Lyle) Wettstein, Gridley; Evie (Eugene) Heinold, LaCrosse, Elaine Haines, Mesa, and Rita (Ron) Sweetin, Loveland, and one brother, Dave Klein, Peoria. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mary Wilson and Sonia Banwart; and one brother, John Klein. Milly was a homemaker.

She volunteered at the Eureka Apostolic Christian Home and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria. She loved to entertain friends and family in her home, but her greatest joy was to be with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Eureka Apostolic Christian Church, where her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday. Church ministers will officiate.

Visitation will be fr om 5 to 8 Thursday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, El Paso, and also from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in the Washington Apostolic Christian Cemetery. Ruest man-Harris Funeral Home, El Paso, is handling arrangements for the family. Memorials may be directed to the Eureka Apostolic Christian Home or Timber Ridge Home, Morton.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ru estmanharrisfuneralhome. com. Robert Sha er EUREKA Robert Allen Shaffer, 67, of Eureka, passed away at 3:08 a.m. Sunday (May 1, 2016) at his home. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m.

Saturday at Waynesville United ethodist Church. A celebration of life will follow at 11 a.m. at the church with Pastor Dave Steinbeck officiating. In urnment will be at Rock Cr eek Cemetery, Waynesville. Memorials may be made to Crosspoint Community Church, Eureka, or St.

Research Hospital. Calvert Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements. Bob was born May 31, 1948, in Clinton, the son of Emmett Raymond and Betty Imogene Higgins Shaffer. He married Delores June Arbogast on July 15, 1978, in Danvers. Bob is survived by his mother, Betty (Rob) Roy, Eureka; his wife, Delores; and their children, Steven Paul (Julie) Shaffer, Bloomington; and Wendy (Jason) Bachman, Eureka; and five grandchildren, Jacob, Jett and Justis Bachman; Samantha and Annabelle Shaff er.

Also surviving are his brothers, David (Martha) Shaffer, Maynard, Ar and Greg (Evelyn) Shaffer, Flagler, sisters, Connie (Wayne) Fisher, Shelbyville; Elizabeth (Bob) Mylott, Gilbert, Janice (Mark) Nevius, McLean; and Ginger Bartz, Sierra Vista, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Pamela Rosenthal. He attended Crosspoint Community Church, Eureka. Bob previously attended Waynesville UMC and irst Presbyterian Church in Danvers and was a member of the Danvers Lions Club. Bob grew up on a farm in the Waynesville area, where he raised pigs and would show them for 4-H at the fairgrounds.

He was a graduate of Waynesville High School, Class of 1966, and received his and degrees from Illinois State University. Bob taught agriculture and science at Parkside Junior High School in Normal for 29 years. Prior to teaching at Parkside, he taught at Robein Junior High School, East Peoria, for four years. Bob was a dedicated teacher who loved educating middle-school children. Bob was a hard worker and loved working on his farm in East Peoria.

Along with his nephew and great-nephews, he cleared the land and made a pond and grew mostly beans on the farm. In addition, Bob had a passion for buying homes deemed He loved remodeling them and renting them. Above all else, Bob was dedicated to his family. He took great joy in spending time with his grandchildren, who affectionately called him Bob will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. Condolences may be made to www.calvertme morial.com.

Carolyn Whipple GRIDLEY Carolyn J. Flesher Whipple, 84, of Maple Grove, formerly of Gridley, passed away Saturday (April 30, 2016) in St. Paul, Minn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas son, Tom and siblings Geraldine, Alonzo, Robert, Lester and Raymond. She is survived by her son, Lon A.

(Donna) Whipple; daughter-in-law, Diane Whipple; granddaughter, Rebecca (Andrew) Makula; great-granddaughters, Audrey and Makenzie; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of her life will be at noon May 14 at the American Legion Hall, 212 W. Second Gridley. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery, Gridley. Washburn-McReavy Funeral Homes, Hopkins Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Condolences may be left at www.washburn-mcreavy. com. BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL Shirley Gaddis BLOOMINGTON Shirley Gaddis, 76, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside at 10:40 a.m. Monday (May 2, 2016) at her home following a long, courageous attle with pancreatic cancer. Cremation has been accorded.

A private service was held for the immediate family at Kibler-Brady-Ru estman Memorial Home, Bloomington. Shirley was born Jan. 11, 1940, in Bloomington, a daughter of Victor Houston and Doris Chambers. Surviving are her daughters, Kathy Wayment, Bloomington; Linda (Jim Sadler) Cotton-Sadler, Reston, and Lisa Gaddis, Normal; three grandchildren, Jenna (Alex) DiPrima, North Carolina; TJ (Emily) Lemons, Bloomington; and osh Gaddis, Normal; great-grandchild, Charis Lemons; and her fondest friend and beloved guardian angel cockapoo, Kalia Maria Bella. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; and her grandmother, Mabel Chambers, who raised her.

Shirley loved to travel and especially loved Cabo San Lucas, Hawaii, Key West and the Bahamas. Some of her favorite pastimes included her love of the outdoors, feeding the squirrels and birds daily, moon and star gazing, gardening, and lounging on the beach. Shirley loved to relax at her home with candles and soft colorful lighting while listening to her favorite music, especially the blues. Some of her favorite blues artists were BB King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Noah Hunt. She also loved Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Hank illiams Jr.

and Sr. and most other classic country music. She retired in 2013, following 15 years working for Sodexho Campus Services at the on Illinois Wesleyan University campus. She truly loved her time spent there and was thought of very fondly by the faculty, staff, students and her co-workers. She was extremely grateful for her support plus the many friends and neighbors who helped her through her struggle, including Mike and Linda, Mar Diana, Patty, Pam, Nancy, Dave and Luke, Kelly and so many more.

Special thanks goes to the warm and loving staff of Restaurant, including Janet, Dawn and Carol; thanks for making her feel like a part of your family she truly loved you all and felt very special when eating the many meals she shared there with her family. The family is grateful to her online family and friends from afar, who brought her many smiles, particularly her Facebook Support friends. She loved her Cabo family. Shirley attended Heartland Community Church in ormal. The family is extremely grateful for the support and care from Advocate at Home Hospice of Normal.

As well, the family sends sincere thanks to Dr. John Migas and the wonderful staff of Mid-Illinois ematology Oncology Associates, Normal. In lieu of flowers, to assist the family with medical and service arrangements, contributions can be made at any PNC Bank branch to the Shirley Gaddis Memorial Fund or at www.gofundme.com/ nv2q5mef. Condolences and memories of Shirley may be left for the family at kiblerbradyru estman.com. Shirley Shepherd BLOOMINGTON Shirley A.

Shepherd, 89, of Bloomington, died at 6:10 Monday (May 2, 2016) at McLean County Nursing Home, Normal. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, with Monsignor Gregory Ketcham officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Entombment will follow in East Lawn Mausoleum, Bloomington. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington. Shirley was born Sept. 1, 1926, in Normal, the daughter of Emmett and Mae Johnson Koos.

She married Robert E. Shepherd on Aug. 23, 1946, in Ludington, Mich. He preceded her in death on April 16, 1990. She is survived by two daughters, Nancy (Steve) Orrick, Largo, and Sandi Whiteley, Waynesville, N.C.; one son, Michael Shepherd, Bloomington; six grandchildren, Stacey Barger, Lori Gilmore, Steve Orrick Ron Peterson, Kristi McKenna and Tricia Montrone; 16 great-grandchildren; and one brother, James Koos, Tennessee.

She also was preceded in death by one sister, Patty Koos, and two brothers, Emmett Koos and George Koos. Shirley attended Holy Trinity Grade School and graduated from Normal Community High School. She retired from General Electric, where she worked as a cost accountant. She was a former president of Bloomington American Legion Auxiliary and former president of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority. She was a member of American Business Association and a member of the Club.

greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all. To express condolences, please visit www.carmody ynn.com. ELSEWHERE Irene Clayton PRINCETON Irene Clayton, 92, of Princeton, passed away Sunday (May 1, 2016) in Princeton. Jennie Irene Clayton was born March 11, 1924, at Wataga, to Fred and Hilda Peterson Wenstrom.

She was a 1941 graduate of Galesburg High School. After her graduation, Irene worked for the Illinois Department of Public Health in Moline and Galesburg. She married May 3, 1947, in Galesburg. After moving to Princeton in 1968, Irene worked in the office of Dr. A.D.

Poppens and at Perry Memorial Hospital. She retired from PMH in 1999. Irene is survived by a daughter, Karen (Chuck) Hanson, Bloomington; a son, Barry (Jackie) Clayton, Raleigh, N.C.; four grandsons, Christopher and Jonathan Hanson and Brandon and Jordan Clayton; and two great-grandchildren, Frank and Sophia Hanson. Irene is also survived by one brother, Nevin Wenstrom, Venice, two sisters, Ruth Rouland and Dorothy (Harvey) Brinton, both of Galesburg; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and a granddaughter, Lindsay Clayton.

Irene was a member of First Lutheran Church of Princeton, Friends of the Library and the Bureau County Senior Center. Representing the Senior Center at the Illinois Senior Spelling Bee at the Illinois State Fair, Irene tied for first place in 2008, and took second place in 2013. At request, no funeral services will be held. Cremation will be accorded at Grant-Johnson Funeral Homes Inc. Crematory, Princeton.

A private graveside service will be at a later date at Elm Lawn Memorial Park, Princeton. Condolences may be left at www.grant-johnsonfh. com. Dean Thomas Ru PINCKNEYVILLE Dean Thomas Ruff, 86, of Pinckneyville, passed away at 8 a.m. Sunday (May 1, 2016) at Des Peres Hospital, St.

Louis surrounded by family. According to wishes, he will be cremated and burial will be at a later date. Arrangements are by Hohlt File Funeral Home, Vandalia. Memorials may be made to Lung Cancer Research and mailed to Hohlt File Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Vandalia, IL 62471.

Dean was born April 20, 1930, in Fairbury, son of Glen and Bernice Tinges Ruff. He married Doris Diveley Plunkett on July 25, 1988. Dean, along with his brothers, started Long Point Grain in 1957, later known as Ruff Bros. Grain. He farmed most of his life, retiring in 1999.

He was affiliated with the Methodist faith, was a member of the Livingston County Farm Bureau. In his free time, he loved to go fishing and enjoyed cooking. He is survived by his wife Doris Ruff, Pinckneyville; children, Dianne (Kenneth) Kuerth, Gridley; Linda (David) Sass, Streator; and Dale (Jody) Ruff, Long Point; stepchildren, Janesa (Randy) Whitener, Pinckneyville, and Jason (girlfriend, Stephanie Potts) Plunkett, Vandalia; brothers, Otis (Marian) Ruff, Streator; Gerald (Janice) Ruff, Streator; and Keith (JoAnn) Ruff, Pleasant Hill; ve grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson. Condolences are available at www.hohltandfilefh.

com. Dorothy Harper Amelia Prather Robert Shaffer Carolyn Whipple Shirley Gaddis Shirley Shepherd Irene Clayton Dean Thomas Ru Funerals today Bolliger, William 11 a.m. at Tremont nited Methodist Church. Ishee, Carl, 7 p.m. at Winterrowd Funeral ome, tr eator.

Kearfott, Laverna, 11 a.m. at Beck Memorial ome, Bloomington. Miller, alph ddie 10 a.m. Thursday at lls worth nited Methodist Church. Scott, Mable, 10:30 a.m.

at nitarian niversalist Church of Bloomington- ormal. Funerals pending Steinhilber, Betty, 85, Minonk, 11:10 p.m. Tuesday (May 3, 2016) at eritage ealth, Minonk. uestman- arris Funeral ome, Minonk. Swift, lenn 88 Pontiac, 4:10 p.m.

Tuesday (May 3, 2016) at Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. Calvert Martin Funeral ome, Pontiac..