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Gerald “Jerry” Wendell Parsons
Commercial-News
Gerald “Jerry” Wendell Parsons, 91, of Bloomington, Ill., died at 4:08 p.m. Dec. 25, 2009, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, in Bloomington.
Gerald was born May 15, 1918, in Sheldon, N.D. to James C. Parsons and Clara Breaw Parsons. His first marriage was to Marion Tilton. He married Mary Louise McCord on Dec. 15, 1951, in Berwyn, Ill. She preceded him on April 12, 1999. He married Ruth Marian Snook-McGath on Aug. 19, 2000, in Bloomington.
He is survived by his children, Mary Jo Drews of Bloomington, Penny (Jerry) Meier of Albany, Ill., and Deborah Walters of Terre Haute, Ind.; his grandchildren, Joseph Drews (currently serving our country in Iraq), Chuck Drews of Mount Vernon, Ill., Michael Drews of Decatur, Ill., Adrienne Walters Hutson (Kyle) of Carbondale, Ill., Zachary Walters of Terre Haute, Ind., Jason Meier of Indianapolis and Erick Meier of Springfield, Mo.; his great-grandchildren, Evangeline Hutson, Jonah Meier, Alexis Meier, Jackson Meier, Evan Meier, Lucas Meier and Isaac Meier, Mackenzie Raycraft. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, William Howard Parsons in January 2008.
Jerry was a longtime member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomington. He was a charter member and past president of the Golden K Kiwanis of Bloomington and he received the George S. Hixson Fellow Award from Kiwanis International in 1997. He also was a member of the Lions Club and a master Mason for 60 years of Oregon Lodge No. 420 of the State of Illinois. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite of Danville, Ill., for 45 years.
Jerry served in the Army Air Corps as a sergeant from 1943-1946, during WWII and was stationed in Okinawa. He graduated from Rochelle High School in Rochelle, Ill., in 1936 and attended Scovill Business College, in Sterling, Ill., for two years. He worked at FS for 42 years starting out in Oregon, Ill., as a bookkeeper. He was promoted to office manager in Belvedere, Ill., and in 1954 he moved to Danville, where he was office manager for Vermilion County. In 1978, he moved to Bloomington, where he continued working for FS in computer services. He retired in 1983.
Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. He had many friends and was always looking for ways to help others. Jerry taught Sunday school for many years. He was a math whiz, a die-hard Cubs, Fighting Illini and Bears fan. Jerry put his family first and was so proud of his grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Wesley United Methodist Church, in Bloomington. Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, in Bloomington with military honors by Carl S. Martin, Post 635 and Lewis E. Davis post 56, honor guard, Bloomington-Normal, Ill., American Legion. Rev. Vaughn Hoffman will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Memorials to Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomington or to The Humane Society of Central Illinois. Arrangements are being handled by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Jerry Parsons - Oregon Lodge
Don Doran - Potomac Lodge
Donald Doran
Commercial-News
Donald Doran, 75, of Potomac, died at 11.40 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville.
Don left this world after a courageous battle with cancer with his loving wife at his side.
Don was born May 10, 1934, in Paxton, the only child of Harry and June Weiser Doran. He married Margaret Howell on March 6, 1955, at the No. 10 Church of Christ. She survives.
He also is survived by nieces and nephews, Susan (Jason) Jefferson of Royal, Scott (Melinda) Willard of rural Armstrong, Jeff (Jayne) Willard of Potomac, Captain Barry (Mindy) Willard of Bonaire, Ga., Harlan (Becki) Clemmons of Onowa, Iowa, Marvin (Kim) Clemmons of Fisher and several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Don leaves behind a beloved four-legged friend “Sandy Sue.” He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Mark Clemmons.
Don was a member of the Potomac Church of Christ, Potomac Masonic Lodge, Potomac American Legion, Vermilion Fishing Club, was a 50-year member of the Bluegrass Fire Dept., initial founder and coordinator of Middlefork Ambulance Service and currently served on the Bluegrass Fire Protection and Middlefork Ambulance Board.
He also served on the Potomac Village Board and was Middlefork Twp. Supervisor.
Don graduated from Potomac High School and farmed all his life until his retirement in 1993. Through Parkland College, he earned his EMT, ERT and CPR instructor certifications. He served in the United States Army from 1956-1962. He enjoyed camping, traveling, going on cruise’s, playing cards, needlework, crop watching and being around his family and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Wolfe Funeral Home in Potomac, Pastor Frank Hoss to officiate. Burial will be at Potomac Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Masonic service at 7 p.m. by the Potomac Masonic Lodge Memorials to donor’s choice.
Monday, December 28, 2009
GAO Grotto Clowns have Fun
BY MARY WICOFF - Danville Commercial News December 24, 2009
DANVILLE — Clowns do more than cavort in circuses and prance in parades. In Danville, the Gao Grotto’s clown unit also spreads holiday cheer in nursing homes each December.
Dressed in bright costumes and cheerful makeup, the clowns distributed dozens of Beanie Babies to senior citizens earlier this month.
“We try to keep people happy,” said Don Knee, president of the clown group and also a past monarch of the Grotto.
The group chose two nursing homes at random — this year, Colonial Manor and Hawthorne Inn — and distributed the stuffed animals, which were donated by Gao Grotto members and others.
Making a holiday appearance at the nursing homes is just one example of the group’s community outreach efforts. The clowns also make balloon animals at schools, march in parades, walk in charitable events such as the March of Dimes and participate in the AMBUCS summer camp, among other activities.
The clown unit is a subordinate group of the Grotto, which is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. The clown unit usually has up to 15 members, said Marietta West, vice president of that group and a clown since 2003.
The clowns especially make sure they walk in parades, such as the Hoopeston Sweet Corn Festival, Oakwood Fourth of July and Danville Labor Day events. Instead of candy, the clowns hand out toothbrushes to the children along the parade route — part of the Grotto’s program to promote dental care among the underprivileged and special needs children.
“It’s nice to see the smiles on the kids (on the parade route),” West said. “It’s a fun thing.”
The clowns also like to give big hugs to people and say, “You’ve been hugged by a clown — have a great day.”
However, they don’t force themselves on those who are afraid of clowns, West added.
What’s nice about the clown unit is it allows women and children to participate, both West and Knee said. The Grotto is a men’s organization.
Most of the clowns are women, Knee said; the men in the group dress up like hobos. Also, members’ children and grandchildren get involved, and will walk in the parades. Some like to do cartwheels along the route, Knee said.
“Kids like things like this,” he said. “They love to get out there and show off.”
West said the clowns make their own outfits or buy them, and some have nicknames. They don’t go to clown school, she said, but they do help each other with makeup tips at meetings.
Now that the holidays are winding down, the clown unit will be inactive until March or April, West said. Then the group will get ready for another year of parades, school events and nursing home visits.
However, she stressed that the clowns are not available for hire at private parties.
Besides the clowns, the Grotto also has dinners that are open to the public, and sponsors other events.
FYI
To donate Beanie Babies or to schedule an appearance by the Gao Grotto clowns, call Marietta West at 442-2317. The clowns appear only at community events, and not at private parties.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Ron Blue - Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest RAM
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Gene Holt - Farmer City
R. Eugene Holt
FARMER CITY - R. Eugene "Gene" Holt, 83, of Farmer City passed away Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, peacefully at 4:26 p.m. at home.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home Farmer City with Jerry Hawn officiating. Inurnment will be in Greenleaf Cemetery, Farmer City, with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Gene Holt Memorial Fund at Farmer City State Bank. The money will be used for something at Fred G. O'Malley Post 6190 VFW, Farmer City and the Carle Cancer Center, Urbana.
Gene was born Jan. 21, 1926, in Farmer City, the son of Leonard and Virgie Neal Holt. He married Mary Helen Larson on July 9, 1949, at the United Methodist Church in Farmer City.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Helen Holt of Farmer City;
five daughters, Jan (Joe) Necessary of Heyworth, Chris (Ken) Hermann of DeLand, Anita (Mac) Harden of Farmer City, Diana Thomas (Chuck Penny) of Weldon and Nanci Holt of Farmer City; eight grandchildren, Mike Necessary (Carrie Necessary), Travis Hermann, Brett (Janelle) Hermann, Daci Hermann, Josh (Jesse) Harden, Jessi Harden (Aaron Price), Kati (Nick) Bumgardner and Logan Anderson; three great-grandchildren, Tate Harden, Dane Harden and Bella Necessary.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Gene worked alongside his father in the moving and storage business. He was later employed by and retired from Wickes Lumber.
Gene was an Army Veteran of World War II.
He was a charter and life member of Fred G. O'Malley Post 6190 VFW, Farmer City; life member of Joe Williams Post 55 American Legion, Farmer City, for 64 years and will be recognized as a 65-year member in January 2010; member of the Farmer City Masonic Lodge 710; and a Farmer City volunteer fireman for 38 years.
Gene was chauffer in his 1973 Cougar for Judy Fraser for 32 years in the Farmer City Christmas Parade.
Gene's life was blessed in many ways, including having wonderful family and friends. He took great pleasure in restoring player pianos and antique music machines. Gene was a jack-of-all-trades who enjoyed helping other people. Gene never knew a stranger and will be dearly missed by all.
