Carolyn “Carol” M. Young, 77 of Cissna Park passed away on Thursday June 26, 2025 at Carle Hospital in Urbana. She was born on November 15, 1947 in Watseka, a daughter of Howard and Helen (Luecke) Bohner. Carol married Raymond L. Young in Milford on February 1, 1969 and he preceded her in death on December 6, 2016. Survivors include one son- Jeffrey (Lisa) Young of Champaign; two daughters- Cheryl (Chad) Eades of Lafayette, IN and Angela “Angie” (Joey) King of Charleston; four grandchildren- Logan Young, Shelby Eades, Scott King, and Molly King; one brother- Duane (Kay) Bohner of Gilman; and one sister- Janet (Cornell Davis) Bohner of Danville. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and one granddaughter- Cahley Young.

Carol was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park. She loved crocheting and donating her blankets to friends and family. She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family, grandchildren, and Coffee Club friends.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday July 2, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park with Rev. Dale Fjordbotten officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland.

Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church Radio Ministry or the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park.

Please share a memory of Carol at www.knappfuneralhomes.com

James “Bernie” Curtis, 90, of Pontiac passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in Rockford. He was born September 17, 1934 near Forrest, Illinois, a son of B.R. and Elma (Bigger) Curtis and they preceded him in.

Bernie married Donna Dexter on March 28, 1953 and she survives.

Also surviving are his children, Connie of Pontiac and Douglas of Bloomington; one step-grandchild, Ashley of Delaware; siblings, Ernest (Norma) of Gilman, Kenneth (Sandra) of Calvert City, Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were a sister, Betty Andrews, a brother, James, a sister-in-law, Doris and a brother-in-law, Erwin Andrews.

Bernie was a member of the Pontiac Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Donna, were owners and operators of Pontiac Greenhouse and Flower Shop for 55 years. They also owned flower shops in Gilman and Watseka for several years.

Bernie loved working with flowers and was very active in his community. He was president of the Illinois State Florists’ Association and inducted in the Association’s Hall of Fame. He received the Lion’s Club Testimony of Appreciation for his service as president for nine years.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 30, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Danforth Reformed Church in Danforth. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. also at the church with Rev. Donald J. MacDonald III officiating. Burial will follow in the Danforth Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Danforth Reformed Church.

Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman is handling arrangements.

Please share a memory of Bernie at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.

Beverly J. Pickens, 86, of Mokena formerly of Watseka, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at Clarendale of Mokena. She was born on February 9, 1939 in Marshalltown, Iowa, a daughter of William Kenneth and Ora Mae (Brown) Fisher. Bev married James “Jim” E. Pickens on August 21, 1960 in Moline and he preceded her in death on March 12, 2012.

Bev is survived by her four children, Todd (Kimberly) Pickens of Akron, Ohio, Susan (Dave) Mackle of Tinley Park, Steve (Lisa) Pickens of Lake in the Hills, and Kris (Mike) Wilken of Riverside, Alabama; nine grandchildren, Grayson Pickens, Cam Wilken, Laine Mackle, Grace Mackle, Cooper Wilken, Maya Wilken, Lian Pickens, Tessa Pickens, and Jack Pickens; one sister, Betty Rossow of Rock Island.

She was preceded in death by both her parents; stepfather, Clarence Messer; and two brothers, William Fisher and Michael Messer.

Bev was a member of Saint Paulinus Episcopal Church, where she served as treasurer for over 20 years. She was a former board member of The Arc of Iroquois County for 11 years. Bev was involved with Home Extension for several years. She was also a registered nurse.

Private burial services will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Please share a memory of Bev at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.

Gregory G. Behrens, 63, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. He was born on January 28, 1962 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, the son of Gerald and Ruth (Dralle) Behrens. He married Tracey Turk in Watseka on January 28, 2021.

Surviving are his wife, Tracey Turk of Watseka; his mother, Ruth Behrens of Watseka; and several cousins.

Mr. Behrens was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka. He was in the restaurant business, first with Boz Hot Dogs and later with Miss Carols and Greg’s Bar and Grill.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Monday, June 30, 2025 at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Pastor Aaron Uphoff will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Monday at the funeral home, from 9:30-10:30 am.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Preschool or to the Donor’s Choice.

Please share a memory of Gregory at knappfuneralhomes.com.

Lynn E. Wulffe, 72, of Chebanse passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at La Bella of Clifton. She was born on April 3, 1953 in Kankakee, a daughter of Leslie and Janet (Yonke) Brandt and they preceded her in death along with one brother-in-law, Jim Wulffe.

Lynn married Bill Wulffe in Chebanse on August 27, 1988 and he survives.

Also surviving are one sister, Carol Brandt of Chicago; two brothers, Jim Brandt of Naperville and John Brandt of Lisle; one sister-in-law, Christine (Steve) Schoon of Somonauk.

Lynn was a member of Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Chebanse. She loved singing so much she became a member of a singing club, Something Special Singers.

Visitation will be at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton on Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to the 11:00 a.m. funeral service with Rev. Fr. Doug Hauber officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Clifton.

Memorials may be made to the Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church.

Please share a memory of Lynn at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.

Cora M. LeSage, 92, of Martinton passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Heritage Woods in Watseka. She was born on December 25, 1932 in Martinton Twp, the daughter of Martin and Ethel (Bear) Salm. She married Richard “Dick” LeSage on February 11, 1956 just east of Pitwood. He preceded her in passing on May 11, 2019.

Surviving are one son, Rick (Sheila) LeSage of Donovan; two daughters, Cindy (Joe) Lafond of Watseka and Linda Ross of Florissant, MO; grandchildren, Courtney and Josh Smith, Rori and Chris Sorensen, Nathan and Jessica Lafond, Matthew and Taylor Lafond, Paul and Jerica Ross, Brett and Stephanie Ross, Darren and Carrie Ross, Wendy and Jason Mertz, Haley LeSage, and Jenna LeSage; twenty-two great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Wendall (Sandy) Salm of Martinton; one sister, Opal (Kenny) Tatro of Martinton and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick; three brothers, Jake, Harold, and Frank; an infant brother and infant sister; and one great-grandchild, Caleb.

Cora was a lifetime member of Martinton Church of Christ where she was also a Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed ceramics, and camping and boating at the lake.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm on Monday, June 16, 2025 at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at Martinton Church of Christ. Pastor Brent Salm will officiate. Burial will follow at Teege Cemetery in rural Martinton. There will also be a one hour visitation on Tuesday at church from 10:00-11:00 am.

Memorials may be made to Prairie States Christian Camp or Martinton Church of Christ.

Please share a memory of Cora at baierfuneralhome.com.

Donn Allen Potts, 69, of Chebanse passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at the University of Chicago Medicine Mitchell Hospital in Hyde Park. He was born on August 7, 1955 in Kankakee, a son of Donald J. and Bonnie (Droste) Potts and they preceded him in death.

Donn married Antoinette Bucksath in Chebanse on November 4, 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Antoinette “Toni” Potts on Chebanse; three children, Jennifer (Gary) Stephens of Thawville, Ben (Ashley) Potts of Clifton, and Merrie (Frank) Pina of Odessa, Florida; sister, Bonnie “Cookie” (Cal) Hickson; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Donn was a semi-truck driver for many places over the course of his career. Donn was a former Lion Club Member in Chebanse. He had previously served as a Scout Leader in Chebanse. Donn enjoyed playing cards, fishing, and camping, but most of all loved time spent with his grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. following the visitation at the Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse. Tim Tammen will officiate.

Memorials may be made to the family’s wishes.

Please share a memory of Donn at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.

Della M. Miller, 89, of Watseka passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka. She was born on January 13, 1936 in Watseka, a daughter of Charles and Nellie Wilson Adkins Zurlinden. Della married Marvin E. Miller at the First Christian Church in Watseka on August 16, 1953 and he preceded her in death on December 17, 2003.

Della is survived by one daughter, Lori Anne (David) Ehrhardt of Watseka; three granddaughters, Lindsi Anne (Ricky) Leavitt of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lauren Ashley (Eric) Liebert of Antioch, and Katherine June Ehrhardt of Watseka; five great-grandchildren, Anthony Gulli, Seth Hall, Violet Gulli, Avery Liebert, and Remi Liebert.

Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Charles Melvin Zurlinden.

Della attended Cissna Park Grade School and some High School there as well. She was a 1954 Watseka Community High School graduate. Della earned her Associate’s Degree from KCC in 1991 in Marketing Management. Della was a member of the First Christian Church in Watseka, where she served in various positions. Her hobbies included reading, sewing, and gardening.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 9, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka with a private funeral service to follow. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church or to the family’s wishes.

Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

Please share a memory of Della at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.

Alfred L. Ponton, 78, of Chebanse passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025 at Miller Healthcare Center in Kankakee. He was born on June 18, 1946 in Kankakee, a son of Emile and Myrtle (Hartman) Ponton. Alfred married Joyce E. Bradford on October 22, 1966 in Chebanse and she preceded him in death on August 31, 2014.

Alfred is survived by one daughter, Christine (Jose) Villafuerte of St. Anne; one son, Alfred (Jason) Ponton of Bradley; and three grandchildren, Manuel (Haley) Villafuerte of Coal City, Vanessa (Mark) Senesac of Bradley, and Daniel (Wendy) Villafuerte of Chebanse.

He was also preceded in death his parents; one brother; three sisters; and one great-grandson, Connor Villafuerte.

Alfred was a 30-year member of the Moose Lodge in Bradley.

A private graveside service will be held at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in L’Erable with Deacon Ed Szymanski officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Miller Healthcare Center in Kankakee.

Arrangements are being handled by the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.

Please share a memory of Alfred at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.

Ruthann Bone, 81, of Danforth, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth. She had been a resident of Prairieview Lutheran Home since 2017, where she resided with her husband and sister.

She was born on November 6, 1943 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, the daughter of Weldon and Carolyn (Dykstra) Kohlman. Ruthann married Thomas Bone on August 16, 1969 in Danforth. Together they shared over five decades of love and devotion.

A proud graduate of Gilman High School, Class of 1961, Ruthann continued her education at Hope College, where she earned her degree in 1965. She later received her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology in 1969. She worked as a substitute guidance counselor at Bolingbrook High School, where she supported and encouraged countless students during her time there.

Ruthann was a devoted member of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Joliet, where she sang in the choir for nearly 40 years. Her deep faith and love of music were central parts of her life. She found great joy in playing the piano and sharing her musical talents with others.

She was also an avid Illini basketball fan, a passion that began in her childhood and stayed with her throughout her life.

She is survived by her loving husband, Thomas Bone of Danforth; her sister, Merikay Bland of Danforth; her nephew, Steven (Michele) Kohlman of Miramar, Florida; and her great-nephew, Zack Kohlman of Miramar, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Ruthann will be remembered for her warmth, musical spirit, and dedication to both education and faith.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Danforth Reformed Church. Rev. Donald J. McDonald III will officiate. Burial will follow at the Danforth Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are by the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.

Please share a memory of Ruthann at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.