Bill Brown
William “Bill” Brown, 89 of Fairbury, passed away at 2:30 a.m., Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Piper City Rehab and Living Center, Piper City.
Per Bill’s request cremation rites have been accorded. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 1-5 p.m. at the Fairbury VFW. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Bill was born July 30, 1928 in Barren County, Ky., a son to Virgil and Eula (Hood) Brown. He married Frances Hines on Aug. 28, 1954 in Fairbury. His wife, Frances survives in Fairbury.
Other survivors include four daughters; Brenda Varvel of Zephyrhills, Fla., Bonnie Maurer of Fairbury, Barbara Dohman of Fairbury, Kristi (Steve) Sloan of Plano; one brother, Donald Brown of Fairbury; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant sister, Mary Elizabeth Brown and one grandson, Michael Carey.
Mr. Brown served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Germany for over three years. He was employed as a truck driver for Limestone Transit, Fairbury and retired from Nussbaum Trucking, Normal. He also helped many local farmers haul or transport their crops in the fall.
Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fairbury; I.O.O.F. Lodge, Fairbury and the VFW Post 886 in Pontiac. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, spending many winters in Texas in his camper. He had a love for animals, especially the many dogs he spoiled throughout his life that were his best buddies.
An online guest registry to leave condolences to the family is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Donald Coffey
Donald J. Coffey, 85, of Bloomington, passed away at 1:26 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2018 at his home.
A funeral Mass will be at Noon Thursday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Burial will be in East Lawn
Memorial Gardens, Bloomington. There will be no visitation.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Community Cancer.
Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Don was born November 6, 1932 in Bloomington, the son of Robert W. and Marguerite Ziliox. He married Anna Louise Fackler on September 3, 1952 in Colfax. She survives.
He is also survived by three daughters, Sandra Evans of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Janet (Doug Washko) Lee of Ft. Myers, FL and Mary Kay Ratcliffe of Normal; five grandchildren, Angelique Rodriguez, Kelli Lee, Jennifer Evans, Kyle Ratcliffe and Reece Ratcliffe; nine great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
He was preceded in death by a son, James David Coffey, three sisters and two brothers.
Don graduated from Bloomington High School. He was a Veteran of the Korean war, serving in the US Army.
Don served on the Bloomington Fire Department for over 30 years, ending his career as Lietenant. He was a lifelong member of VFW Post 454 and the Knights of Columbus, both in Bloomington.
Don enjoyed golfing and fishing. He was a diehard, lifelong Chicago Cub fan and was so happy he got to see them win the World Series.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Preston Higginbottom
Preston James Higginbottom, 3 months of Bloomington, passed away on Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 7:26 a.m. at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.
Preston’s service will be at 1pm on Thursday, April 5, 2018 with visitation from 12-1 p.m. at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Following the service burial will be held at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington.
The family suggests memorials to be made to the NICU at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.
Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.
Preston was born on Dec. 13, 2017 in Peoria. He is the son of Ryan Higginbottom Jr. and Paige Hinthorn.
He is survived by his parents, Ryan Higginbottom Jr. of Peoria and Paige Hinthorn of Bloomington. Also surviving are his grandparents, Gary and Jennifer Hinthorn of Bloomington; Heather Schultz of Florida and Ryan Higginbottom Sr. of Peoria; great grandparents, Diane Brewington of Bloomington; Joe and Kim Frost of Fithian, Ill. and Debra Hinthorn of Bloomington.
Preston was born premature and proved to be a strong fighter trying hard to stay here with his family but God called him home. While here he loved cuddling with his mommy and daddy and looking at his many colorful toys. He was truly blessed with all the many people who loved him and he will be deeply missed by all of them.
Online condolences may be made to www.calvertmemorial.com.
Carolyn Sawicki
Carolyn A. Sawicki, 60, of Bloomington, passed away at 2:02 p.m., Sunday, April 1, 2018 at her home.
A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 6, 2018 at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington with Monsignor Gerald T. Ward and Rev. Dustin Schultz officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, April 5 at the church.
Memorials may be directed to OSF Hospice or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Carolyn was born April 19, 1957 in Arlington, Va. She married Dr. Robert Sawicki on December 26, 1983 in LaGrange, Ill. He survives.
She is survived by her husband Bob Sawicki of Bloomington; two children, Brian Paul (Elizabeth) Sawicki of Champaign and Sarah Kathryn Sawicki of St. Louis, Mo.; a granddaughter, Vivian Margaret Sawicki; her mother, Margie Wynn of Overland Park, Kan.; four siblings, Edward L. Wynn of Albuquerque, NM, Jeanne (Charles) Toolin of Overland Park, Lori (Jon) Hertel of Batavia, Ill. and Sherri (Perry) Hindman of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Carolyn was a natural born caregiver. She graduated Bradley University with a Bachelors of Nursing degree (RN/BSN), and worked in various clinical settings including ICU, oncology, cardiac cath lab, and most recently as a school nurse for Olympia school district. She was fiercely devoted to her family above all else. Her granddaughter Vivian was one of her greatest joys. She was highly involved in her church, St. Patrick Church of Merna, with her friends in Supper Club, and was always the first to volunteer to help people in need. She helped take care of her mother for over twenty years until her own illness prevented her from continuing this role.
Some of her favourite memories include family vacations to Door County, Wisc.; renewing her wedding vows in Hawaii and visiting Florida with her family after her diagnosis. She has said that her greatest regret is that she will not be able to attend future milestones, such as her daughter’s doctoral graduation, seeing her granddaughter grow and mature, and seeing her son become the best father he can be.
She will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind, especially her friends and family. Born on a Good Friday, Carolyn was raised to glory on Easter Sunday with her immediate family gathered together in celebration of her life. Tough but gentle, she has always been the protector of her loved ones, and we find solace knowing her watchful caring will continue from above, as she rests with her Lord and Saviour.
Reva Weeks
Reva I. Weeks, 88 of Fairbury, passed away at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal at 7:45 a.m on Monday, April 2, 2018. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, Fairbury with Pastor Ann Champion officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018, at Duffy Pils Memorial Home in Fairbury, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to SELCAS or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Reva was born Aug. 25, 1929 in Cropsey, the daughter of Jesse and Mattie Waller Carder. She married Stanley C. Weeks on Jan. 16, 1949. He survives. She is also survived by her son, Stephen (Beth) Weeks of Forrest; daughter-in-law, Pam Weeks of Fairbury; grandchildren, Tori (Chuck) Lemenager, Darren Weeks, Brent Weeks, Sarah (Jeff) Honza, and Ryan Weeks; great grandchildren, Curtis and Grace Lemenager, Benjamin and Alaina Honza, and Carder James and Sadie Weeks. She was predeceased in death by her son, James Carder Weeks; two brothers Roy (Dula Mae) Carder, Ray Carder, and her parents.
Reva was a 1947 graduate and homecoming queen of Fairbury-Cropsey High School. She retired from the meat department at Dave’s Super Market after 43 years of serving the public. Years later, people still called her for advice on preparing their meat. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fairbury, United Methodist Women, Eastern Star, and past Sunday school teacher. Reva was an avid Bingo player, bowled on mixed leagues, and enjoyed following the Cubs and Illini. She enjoyed reading cooking magazines and her dozens of cookbooks. She was the Worlds Best Cook. She loved her family and will be greatly missed.
A guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.