Obituaries - E
EARL, JAMES A.
The graveside service of James A. Earl, 78, of Arrowsmith will be today at Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City, the Rev. Stephanie Curran officiating. There will be no visitation. He died Thursday 2-9-1995 at St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. Mr. Earl was born 7-30-1916, at Rush County, Indiana, a son of Samuel and Bertha Cline Earl. He married Cynthia J. Means 9-21-1936 at Paxton and she survives. Other survivors include two sons, Richard Earl, Lincoln, and Robert D. Earl, Clinton; four daughters, Carolyn J. Earl, Rosalie Hoy, Onarga; one sister, Myrtle Ryan, Gibson City; 22 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. One grandson preceded him in death. Mr. Earl was a farmer for Floyd Gathman in Arrowsmith for more than 40 years and formerly worked in maintenance at Stokley's Van Camps Canning Co., Gibson City. He was a US Army veteran of WWII, serving as Private First Class Co. B. No. 709 Military Police, and was a member of the Arrowsmith American Legion Post #617. He was a retired member of the Arrowsmith Volunteer Fire Dept. Mr. Earl was a member of Arrowsmith Christian Church.
ECK, KENNETH E.
b. 1-6-1922
parents: John A. & Mary French Eck
m. 1-6-1947 to Beulah C. Ross
d. 9-23-1984/87
bur: Drummer Twp Cemetery
WWII PFC Army
EDDLEMAN, DWIGHT "DIKE"
Gibson City - University of Illinois sports legend, Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, died Wednesday 8-1-2001 at Carle Hospital in Urbana. Eddleman, who spent 18 years working in personnel with Central Soya in Gibson City, died of a heart ailment at 78. He was considered by many the greatest all-around athlete in University of Illinois history. During his sports career Eddleman competed in the Olympics, Final Four and the Rose Bowl in less than two years. During his Illinois career he earned 11 letters. His legacy on campus will last "as long as athletics are played at the University of Illinois," said U of I Athletic Director Ron Gunther in a Chicago Tribune article. "He was a teriffic athlete, but more importantly he was a terrific person." Following his careeer at Central Soya, Eddleman worked as a fund raiser for the University of Illinois Athletic Association. Beginning in 1992 Eddleman served as director emeritus of the Fighting Illini Scholarship Fund. Since 1993 the university's Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards have been named for Eddleman. A native of Centralia, Eddleman led the Centralia Orphans to the 1942 state basketball championship. During his high school career he scored a then state record 2702 career points in basketball and won three state high jump titles. Eddleman was a punter on Illinois' 1946 Rose Bowl champions. He won an NCAA title and won a silver medal in the high jump in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. He was named the Big Ten's Most Valuable player in 1949 after he led the team to the Big Ten basketball crown and the final four. Eddleman was a member of the "Whiz Kids" teams under basketball coach Harry Combs. After graduating from the University of Illinois he played in the National Basketball League which would later become the NBA. He played for three different teams in four years before retiring in 1953. Eddleman is survived by his wife, Teddy; a son, Thomas Dwight Eddleman, Jr., three daughters, Dianna Eddleman Lenzi, Nancy Dru Hambright and Kristsy Ann Stevenson; and seven grandchildren.
EDDY, MACEL M.
Macel M. Eddy, 87, of Paxton died at 7:29 a.m. Wednesday 10-29-2003 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. She had been in failing health for several months. Graveside services were Saturday at Cornell Cemetery, Cornell. The Rev. Nick Sullivan officiated. Mrs. Eddy was born 6-9-1916 at Golden Gate, the daughter of Foster W. and R. Bell Burkett McClain. She married Paul L. Eddy on 11-20-1945 at Shereton, Iowa. He died 6-14-1983. Surviving are nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and one brother. She lived in Paxton with her husband since 1952. She also loved to garden.
EDGAR, STUART B.
Stuart B. Edgar, 41, of Gibson City died of natural causes Saturday 2-25-1995 at his home. His funeral will be Wednesday at Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City, the Rev. Dan Hill officiating. Burial will be in Drummer Twp Cemetery. Mr. Edgar was born 3-11-1953 at Fairbury, the son of Harold W. and Margery E. Cunnington Edgar. He married Barbara Sue Sweet 12-20-1989 at Paxton and she survives. Also surviving are two sons, Stuart Edgar, Jr., Cropsey, and Michael Edgar, Fairbury; two stepdaughters, Misty Vaira, Mount Carmel, and Brandy Morris, Thomasboro; one brother, Harold Lee Edgar, Riverside, CA.; two sisters, Debra DeWeese, Fairbury; and Doris DeFries, Cropsey; and two grandchildren. His parents and one brother preceded him in death. Mr. Edgar lived in the Melvin and Gibson City area all his life. He was an Army veteran.
EDMONDS, ELMER C.
b. 6-22-1922
parents: Frank & Effie Cannoy Edmonds
d. 9-11-1944 - killed in action
bur: Drummer Twp Cemetery
WWII Il. Pvt 594 Sig. Air Corps Aircraft Wing BN
EDWARDS, JOHN W.
Civil War - Pvt Co. I. 141 Ill Inf.
Merchant at Elliott, Il
b. 1-26-1842 Morganfield, Ky
m. 1866 Chrissie L. Long Edwards
children: Della May
d. 7-29-1921
buried: Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City, Il.
EHLENFELD, DON
Don Ehlenfeld, 65, of Gibson City died at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, 7-15-1997 at his home. Mr. Ehlenfeld served as Gibson City's mayor, having been elected in the April 1 election.
EHMEN, ALFRED
Alfred Ehmen, 84, of Paxton died at 7:15 p.m. Friday 4-11-2003 at Heartland Health Care, Paxton. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Loda. The Rev. David Allen officiatied. Burial was in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Loda. Mr. Ehmen was born 3-7-1919 at Melvin, a son of Ernest and Margaret Gercken Ehmen. He married Doris Foster on 9-29-1946 in rural Paxton. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, James Ehmen of rural Paxton and Douglas Ehmen of Cloverdale, Ind., two daughters, Deborah Tudor of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Sherryl Ecker of Paxton; ten grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two brothers, Delmar Ehmen of Melvin and Donald Ehmen of Watseka; and several other relatives. He was preceded in death by one sister and one brother. Mr. Ehmen lived in rural Melvin and rural Perdueville as a child; he attended rural schools, the Walnut Dell and Stringtown schools in rural Ford County and graduated from Paxton High School in 1937. He graduated from the Utilities Engineering Institute of Chicago as a certified refrigerator technician. He had numerous jobs in Chicago during WWII and worked in civil service at Chanute AFB, Rantoul for 34 years before retiring in 1985. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Loda, where he had held offices including Sunday school superintendent. He was a member of the Lutheran Layman's League and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, metalworking, traveling, fishing, hunting and collecting rocks. Paxton Record 4-16-2003
EHRESMAN, HOWARD J.
Howard J. Ehresman, 89, of Gibson City, died at 3:05 a.m. Wednesday 1-5-2000 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Gibson City. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Gibson City. The Rev. William Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City, with military rites by the Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Friday at Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City, with a rosary at 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or to a charity of the donor's choice. He was born 8-29-1910, in McLean County, a son of Charles and Anna Johnson Ehresman. He married Maria Genshemier on 1-12-1946, in Gibson City. She died 12-19-1989. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. His parents, two brothers and two sisters also preceded him in death.
Howard J. Ehresman, age 89 of Gibson City died Wednesday 1-5-2000 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Gibson City. Funeral services were January 8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gibson City with the Reverend William Smith officiating. Burial was in Drummer Twp Cemetery where military rites were provided by the Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568. A Rosary was recited at the funeral home at 8 p.m. following the visitation. Pallbearers were Jerry Lynch, Doug Knapp, Art Fisher, Wayne Stinde, Bill Hartford and Tom Hartford. Mr. Ehresman was born 8-29-1910 at McLean County, a son of Charles and Anna Johnson Ehresman. He married Maria Gensheimer on 1-12-1946 at Gibson City. She died 12-19-1989. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters. Mr. Ehresman lived all of his life in Gibson City. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gibson City and the VFW post 6289 in Gibson City. Mr. Ehresman was an Army veteran of WWII. He worked as a custodian for the Gibson City schools for many years.
EHRESMAN, MARIA (GENSHEIMIER)
Gibson City - died 12-19-1989
EICHELBERGER, ALPHA
Alpha Eichelberger, 78, of Paxton died Monday 5-6-2002 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Funeral services were Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Paxton, the Rev. James Heramb officiating; burial was in Glen Cemetery, Paxton, where military rites were accorded. Mr. Eichelberger was born 2-24-1924 in Fisher, a son of Ervin and Lena Heimberger Eichelberger. He married Margaret L. Harrington 10-22-1948 in Paxton; she died 2-3-1998. Surviving are two sons, Gary Eichelberger of Rankin and Morrie Eichelberger of Paxton; one daughter, Kim Hammel of Paxton; two brothers, Wayne Eichelberger of Rantoul and Walt Eichelberger of Champaign; seven grandchildren and three great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ivan "Bud" Eichelberger and Floyd "Babe" Eichelberger; and two sons, Brad and Craig Eichelberger. Mr. Eichelberger was employed by UPS in Danville for more than 30 years. He was a US Army veteran of WWII and was decorated with two Bronze Stars. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Paxton and the Knights of Columbus. He loved his grandchildren and dogs.
ELKIN, PAUL S.
b. 1893
parents: L.H. & Nannie Walkup Elkin
m. Elizabeth I. Dozier 1-5-1928
children: Richard
infant - deceased
d. 1983
bur: Drummer Twp Cemetery
WWI Pvt E. Co. 305th Inf.
ELLIOTT, WILLIAM H.
William Hubert Elliott, 86, Elmhurst, a Paxton area native died Saturday 3-15-2003. A memorial service was Wednesday at Firsts Congregational Church of Elmhurst United Church of Christ. Burial was private. He was preceded in death by his wife, Idella Moundy Elliott. Paxton Record 3-19-2003
ELLIS, DORA M. (PURDIN) KOGLER
Dora M. Ellis, 98, of Paxton, formerly of Cissna Park, died at 2:03 a.m. Tuesday 2-18-2003 at ASTA Care Center, Paxton. Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Ford – Baier Funeral Home, Paxton, the Rev. Terry Strom officiating. Burial was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Cissna Park. Mrs. Ellis was born 9-13-1904 in Manchester, Ohio, the daughter of Robert and Georgeanna Bently Purdin. She married Wilbur Kogler 8-14-1926. He died 12-20-1969. She married Harlie Ellis on 5-6-1972, in Cissna Park. He died 2-27-1987. She is survived by two daughters, Lois Olive of Glenview and Beverly Nuss of Paxton; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, two brothers and a sister. Mrs. Ellis spent her early years in Milford, where she attended school. She lived in both Milford and Cissna Park before moving to Paxton. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park, the Trinity Lutheran Ladies Aid Society and the Cissna Park Fireman's Auxiliary. Memorial contributions may be made to her church or to ASTA Care Center, Paxton. The Paxton Record 2-27-2003
ELLISON, ELMER L.
b.
parents: Peter & Christina Ellison
m.
d. 10-30-1918
bur: Drummer Twp Cemetery
WWI I. Pvt 38th Inf. Co. H.3rd. Div.
ELLSWORTH, P. HARVEY
Civil War - Surg. Co. F&S 106 Ill. Inf.
b. 8-25-1842
m. Mattie Ann
d. 3-212-1926
buried: Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City, Il.
EMINGER, BRUCE B.
b. 11-23-1917
parents: Evan and Ethel Nelson Eminger
m. Reynolds
d. 10-29-1958
bur: Drummer Twp Cemetery
WWII Sgt. 463 Base Unit Air Force
ENGHAUSEN, ROENA
Roena Lynn Enghausen, 50, of 204 W. Washington St., Champaign, formerly of Gibson City, died Tuesday evening 5-29-1990 at Covenant Medical Center, Urbana. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, at Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, the Rev. Morris Christman officiating. Burial will be in Willowbrook Cemetery, Fisher. Visitation will be from noon - 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Enghausen was born 8-28-1939, at Russell Springs, KY., a daughter of Kermit and Martha Christman Gosser. She attended Gibson City schools. Survivors include two sons, David Enghausen of Gibson City and Rodney Enghausen of Rantoul, two daughters, Denise Enghausen of Gibson City and Kimberly Brown of Fairbury; her parents of Urbana; two sisters, Gretchen Weberg of St. Paul, Minn., and Rita Foster of Danville; and a brother.........
ENGLE, SYLVAN GERALD
Sylvan Gerald Engle, age 83 of Columbus, Ohio, died Tuesday 6-6-1995 at the Convalarium at Indian Run, Dublin, Ohio. His graveside service was Monday at Drummer Twp Cemetery with the Reverend William Smith officiating. Lamb Funeral Home of Gibson City was in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Engle was born 8-17-1911 in Lowell, Ohio, a son of William P. and Amelia Schwendeman Engle. He married Marjorie Walker on 4-16-1942 in Gibson City. She died 9-2-1989. He is survived by one son, Stephen G. of Golden, CO; one daughter, Carol Jurgensen of Washington state; four brothers, Charles and Bernard, both of Florida; William of Lowell, Ohio; and James of Pataskala, Ohio and five sisters, Marian Hoffert and Monica Hoffert, both of Tiffen Ohio; Jeanne Glover of OK; Marcia Williams of VA; and Zita Izzo, Wy and three grandchildren. Mr. Engle was a member of Our Lady of Peace Church in Columbus Ohio. A Veteran of WWII, Mr. Engle served in the Pacific Theatre as a weather forecaster. He was a 1933 honors graduate of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where he was a member of the 1933 Ohio State Track Team and was a contemporary of the famous Jesse Owens. He was employed with the Railway Postal Service for 35 years.
ENSIGN, ROBERT J.
Robert Ensign, age 69 of Gibson City, died at 8:53 a.m. 11-24-2003 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday at Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City with the Rev. Chuck Nicholson officiating. Burial was in Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City. Mr. Ensign was born 1-11-1934 at Cisco, a son of Robert D. and Opal R. Eubanks Ensign. He married Irene L. Morris on 5-23-1953 at Monticello and she survives. Survivors include his wife, four sons, Danny (Judy) Ensign of Melvin; Ricky (Debbie) Ensign of Gibson City; Teddy (Colleen) Ensign, Commerce City, Colo.; and Johnny (Jennifer) Ensign of Gibson City; three daughters, Kimmie Kirk of Gibson City, Penny (Al) Beamount of Rantoul and Patsy (Duane) Richard of Gibson City; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, one great-grandchild, one brother and two sisters. Mr. Ensign was a member of the Church of God in Rantoul. He was a truck driver for many years. He retired from Central Soya in 1996 after 10 years of service.
ERICKSON, DONALD E.
Donald E. Erickson, age 70 of Gibson City, died Tuesday 11-17-1992 at Covenant Medical Center, Urbana. His funeral Mass was Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Gibson City with the Reverend William Smith and Thomas Condron officiating. Burial was in Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City with military services accorded by the Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568 Gibson City. Pallbearers were Robin Johnson, Louis Miller, Harold Bond, Ron Davis, Jerry Lynch and Russell Coulter. Mr. Erickson was born 2-20-1922 in Fisher, a son of Nels and Ethel Hamblin Erickson. He married Joanne Benjamin on 9-6-1958 in Gibson City and she survives. Other survivors include two sons, Charles Erickson of Indianapolis, Indiana and Richard Erickson of Elliott; one daughter, Becky Brucker of Gibson City; three grandchildren and one brother, Darrell Erickson of Champaign. One sister preceded him in death. Mr. Erickson had been a foreman in the feed mill at Central Soya in Gibson City. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and the 25th Century Club at Central Soya. An Army veteran of WWII, Mr. Erickson was a former member of the Lee Lowery American Legion Post 568 and a former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6289.
ERICKSON, NELS S.
b. 6-8-1894
m. Ethel E. Hamblin
children: Donald
Delores m. Johnson
d. 12-24-1961
bur: Drummer Twp Cemetery
WWI Il. Wagoner Supply Co. 46th Inf.
ERWIN, GEORGE W.
Civil War - PVtg Co. A. 159 Ohio Inf.
b.
m. Sarah C.
d. 8-19-1914, 70 yrs, 3 m., 12 days
buried: Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City, Il.
ESTES, S CHARLES B.
Civil War
b. 1842
m. Emma A.
d. 3-1-1930
buried: Gibson City Cemetery
The many obituaries available here were transcribed and contributed by Gail Hahn Hutchcraft.
