Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • 5

JG-TC MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 A5 Records AREA Martha ST. (Berg) Elmo, 9:04 2015 at Hospital Pankey DEATHS Dental care Dental care in nursing homes can be difficult to arrange Pankey ELMO Martha Lu Pankey, age 85 of St. Illinois passed away at a.m. Saturday, May 30, St. Anthony Memorial in Effingham, Illinois.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at A Pagel Funeral Home in St. Elmo, Illinois with one hour viewing prior to service. Burial will be at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery of rural Altamont, Illinois. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at A Pagel Funeral Home in St. Elmo, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Association or donor's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.pagelfuneralhome.com Martha was born on September 22, 1929 at Crescent, Oklahoma, the daughter of Lester and Helen (Vick) Fleming. She married William F.

Berg on July 10, 1948, who preceded her in death on July 19, 1970. She then married John Pankey on April 27, 1985, who preceded her in death on February 8, 2001. Martha owned and operated Berg Drug Sundries for 9 years and retired in 1985 from the Fayette County Bank after working in the accounting department for several years. She was a former member of the St. Elmo Women's Club and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Martha was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church prior to joining St. Paul Lutheran Church in Altamont, Illinois. She enjoyed genealogy, putting puzzles together and also tying quilts at church. She is survived by her son, Richard Berg (wife Judy) of Crossville, daughter, Kimberly Hammer (husband Douglas) of Altamont, Illinois; sister, Mary Elisabeth Michel (late husband Avon) of Shelbyville, Illinois; brother in law, Raymond Berg late wife Marion) of Altamont, Illinois; three sisters-in-law, Lorna Berg of St. Elmo, Illinois, Hilma Berg of St.

Elmo, 1 Illinois, and Anna (Berg) Blevins (late husband Arnold) of Mason City, Illinois; four grandchildren; Ryan Berg, Danielle Kirgan, Jordan Hammer and Breana Johnson; 3 great grandchildren, Clayton and Tyler Kirgan and Alec Berg; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Helen Fleming; sister, Patricia Davis and her husband, Barney Davis. To leave condolences online, visit www.jg-tc.com, click on obituaries, select the individual's name and click on "View Signatures." Hallowell service CHARLESTON The funeral for E.G. Hallowell was Saturday at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.

"Grandpa" and "Go Rest High On That Mountain" were played. Casket bearers were: Laura Golladay, Trisha Story, Bill Hallowell, Dilen Jenkins, Matthew Hallowell, and Darrell Hallowell. Honorary bearers were: Darry Hallowell, Samantha Hallowell, and Robert Hallowell. Mr. Hallowell, 85, of Charleston died May 25, 2015, at his home.

Zuniga service CHARLESTON The memorial service for Tammy Lynn Zuniga was Saturday at the Caudill- King Funeral Home. Pianist Valerie Gibson played "Amazing "In the and "What A Friend We Have In Ms. Zuniga, 53, of Ormond Beach, formerly of Charleston, died May 15, 2015, at her home. Local news, non-stop: www.jg-tc.com has has EAR been ABBY: in Alzheimer's. a My nursing She mother home for 10 years.

I feel sorry for her because she can't verbalize that her teeth are killing her, but I can see the pain in her face and hear her grind her teeth. When I asked her if her teeth hurt, she rubbed my arm up and down, which I took to mean yes. I asked for her to be seen by a doctor, but at this time we have to wait at least six weeks to see one. Something I would like people to know is there is little dental care available in nursing homes. Because of improved dental care by the general public, many more people arrive in nursing homes with their teeth intact than they used to.

This sounds good, but the problem is that patients often refuse to allow anyone to assist them with oral hygiene. Eventually they may become too frail to withstand the stress of surgery or other treatment that comes with failing teeth. As I understand it, not many dentists are willing to shoulder the extra challenge of caring for this "difficult" population, or the red tape of getting paid for the care of patients in DEAR ABBY teeth longer. We now know that a healthy mouth is important for good overall health, no matter what your age. In addition to dentists, there are now dental hygienists in many states who can provide care for people in nursing homes and homebound patients.

Some specialize in treating the developmentally disabled and "difficult" populations. Specially licensed dental hygienists can provide services outside of the dental office in the states that allow it, and can refer the patient to a dentist for further service. In the United States, individual states determine the scope of practice for providers, which includes what types of services Beau Biden dies at 46; son of VP had life of adversity Delaware's political establishment off guard, and also renewed questions about Biden's health. In the ensuing months, he kept a low public profile and declined news media requests for interviews. "I think he would have run.

I think he would have won," said Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, a fellow Democrat. Markell said he last spoke to Biden in February, when he invited him to a meeting of Democratic governors in Washington, D.C. "He was serious" about running for governor, added New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon, a longtime friend and political ally of Joe Biden who described Beau Biden as the most popular politician in Delaware. "He thought he was going to win this battle." Gordon said he last spoke to Beau several weeks ago, when Biden participated in a conference call on crime issues in Wilmington.

"He was a rock star," Gordon said. "He had a great image, great character." President Barack Obama said he and his wife, Michelle, were grieving alongside the Biden family. "Michelle and I humbly pray for the good Lord to watch over Beau Biden, and to protect and comfort his family here on Earth," Obama said in a separate statement. The Obamas visited the vice president and his family at their official residence, the Naval Observatory, on Sunday afternoon. After leaving office earlier this year, Biden joined a Delaware law firm run by Stuart Grant, a prominent Democratic campaign donor and plaintiffs nursing homes.

It is very important to take care of our teeth as we age. Once we or our loved one enters a nursing home, we need to continue their dental hygiene to the best of our abilities. We can help overworked staff by encouraging our loved ones to brush and floss. Take them out for a checkup every six months. I can't stand a toothache for a day.

I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone, especially someone with Alzheimer's who cannot ask for help. I wish I had been more aware. Please let the public know how important this is. NANCY C. IN WEST VIRGINIA DEAR NANCY: As you noted, people are keeping their The Associated Press In this Sept.

6, 2012, file photo, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. lawyer specializing in corporate litigation. The law firm announced late last month that Biden was expanding his work on behalf of whistleblower clients, but Biden was not available for comment. Summer reading program starting at the Charleston Public Library From the Charleston Library CHARLESTON Summer Read will start at the Charleston Public Library today and will continue through July 26. Summer Read is for all ages.

Participants do not need a library card to participate. The event requires no registration. The program is not limited to reading library materials only. Prizes will be awarded each week to those in the program. Participants will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing of the individual's choice just by reading or being read to for two hours a week or Sun returns to RANDALL CHASE Associated Press DOVER, Del.

He was the privileged son of a longtime U.S. senator and two-term vice president, yet Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III was no stranger to personal adversity. When he was only 3, just weeks after his father, Joe Biden, had been elected to the Senate, the younger Biden was seriously injured in a 1972 car crash that killed his mother and infant sister. His father was sworn into office at his hospital bedside.

As a young college student, not long after his father's 1987 presidential campaign imploded among allegations of plagiarism, he was back in the hospital, holding vigil with other family members as Joe Biden underwent surgery for a life -threatening aneurysm. And after launching his own successful political career, Beau Biden was dogged by health problems. In 2010, he suffered a mild stroke at the age of 41. On Saturday, Beau Biden died of brain cancer, less than two years after he was diagnosed. He was 46.

Although twice elected attorney general, the younger Biden never realized the dream of many Delaware political observers that he would follow in his father's footsteps as a U.S. senator, and perhaps even become governor. Biden did, in fact, plan to run for governor in 2016. He made the announcement in an April 2014 email to supporters in which he also noted he would not seek re-election as Delaware attorney general. The announcement caught ALLEN REED AND DAVID WARREN Associated Press DALLAS Most of Texas was set to get its first period of extended sunshine in weeks, allowing surging rivers to recede as emergency- -management officials turn their attention to cleanup efforts in such places as Houston, where damage estimates top $45 million.

Parts of the state were finally beginning to recover Sunday 1 from weeks of rain and SIREN REPORT Charleston fire Firefighters responded to a false alarm caused by a smoke detector malfunction at 2 a.m. Sunday at Eastern Illinois University's dental hygienists may provide in that state. Several states are currently working to expand their oral care workforce and improve access to care in part to meet the growing aging population who are retaining their teeth. In West Virginia, dental hygienists are permitted to deliver care in nursing homes and a variety of other settings. If you have additional questions, the American Dental Hygienists' Association (adha.org) can provide further state- specific information on this subject.

Dear Abby is written by Jeanne Phillips and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. The column is distributed by the Universal Press Syndicate. Justice from 1995 until 2002, including five years as a federal prosecutor in Philadelphia. In 2001, he volunteered for an interim assignment helping to train judges and prosecutors in postwar Kosovo. With his father, then Delaware's senior U.S.

senator, at his side in 2006, Biden launched his campaign for attorney general. He promised to reorganize the state Department of Justice to better combat identity theft, Internet stalking by pedophiles, street crime and abuse of the elderly. Politically astute, photogenic and backed by his father's political machine, Biden won with 52.6 percent of the vote. "He's supped at this table since he's been 3 years old," a beaming Joe Biden said after the victory. Beau Biden was a toddler when his father was first elected to the Senate.

"I'm just proud of him," the elder Biden added. "I think he will make the state proud." During the campaign, however, the younger Biden sidestepped questions about his ultimate political ambitions. "Sometimes, it's not good to look too far down the road," said Biden, who remained similarly cautious about discussing his long -range plans in an interview with The Associated Press after suffering the stroke in 2010. "Having long-term dreams is a good thing but having a plan has never worked for me, because life always intervenes," Biden told the AP at the time. For Biden, his initial health scare was also a reminder to balance his job with family time.

Biden, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, earned a law degree from Syracuse University in 1994. He served as a law clerk for a federal judge in New Hampshire before working for the U.S. Department of completing a listed activity. Individuals may read anything they like or listen to an audiobook. Enter accomplishments online at www.charlestonlibrary.org by Sunday night.

Library computers are available for use. Participants will have two weeks to pick up prizes. Kids ages 3-18 may earn extra entries for the grand prizes! An extra entry will be earned for each extra halfhour read over the two -hour minimum, with a maximum of 10 tickets per week (6 Texas, revealing flooding that have made Texas a place of extremes: severe drought conditions earlier in the year that have given way to unprecedented rainfall in some areas. At least 31 people have been killed in storms that began in Texas and Oklahoma over Memorial Day weekend. Twenty-seven of the deaths have been in Texas, and at least 10 people were still missing over the weekend.

The plentiful sun forecast for much of the state this week Lincoln Hall. Firefighters responded to a possible car fire at 9:50 a.m. Saturday at 1508 A St. The problem was found to be an hours). That's 80 chances to win a grand prize.

Babies ages 0-36 months: earn entries by reading, doing finger plays, or reciting nursery rhymes with the baby for just two hours a week (20 minutes a day) to earn a prize. Not all weekly prizes will be suitable for all ages, participants may choose to skip a prize or opt for a jumbo sticker. For more information, contact Beth Lugar, youth services manager, at charlestonlibrary.org, or at 217-345-1514. flood damage was expected to allow engorged rivers such as the Trinity in North and East Texas, the Brazos southwest of Houston and Nueces in South Texas to flush massive volumes of water into the Gulf of Mexico. More than 10 inches of rain has fallen during the last 30 days across nearly the entire central and eastern portion of the state from the Texas Panhandle to the Mexico border.

Isolated areas have received 15 to more than 20 inches. overheated vehicle. Firefighters responded to a false alarm caused by an activated pull station at 1 p.m. Friday at 2305 Bostic Drive. COMMUNITY TUESDAY 7 a.m., Charleston Exchange Club meeting, What's Cookin' Restaurant.

7 a.m., Our Hopeful Journey AA closed meeting, Common Grounds, Mattoon. 8 a.m., General Electric Retirees Coffee Hour, Pagliacci's, Mattoon, 217-235-1369. 10 a.m., Sullivan Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Titus Library. 10 a.m., Weight Watchers, East Side Church of the Nazarene, Mattoon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., East Central Illinois Safety Management Association meeting, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Noon, Casey Rotary Club meeting, Richards Farm. Noon, Charleston Rotary Club meeting, public library. Noon, Mattoon High 12, Pagliacci's. Noon, Out to Lunch Bunch open AA meeting, First Christian Church, Charleston, 217-512-9189. Noon, Recovery Room AA closed meeting, 109 N.

16th Mattoon, 217-235-0006. p.m., "Lunch with the Lord" Bible study and prayer meeting, free snacks and drinks, First Christian Church, Mattoon, 217-234-2928. 12:30 p.m., Mattoon Eagles Auxiliary card party, Eagles lodge. 1-3 p.m., MattoonCharleston Area Art Guild, LifeSpan Center. p.m., Living with Diabetes, METS lab, Sarah Bush Lincoln.

4:30 p.m., Sullivan Bingo Hall doors open, games begin at 5:45 p.m., Moultrie County Beacon, Sullivan. 4:45 p.m., Weight Watchers CALENDAR weigh-in and meeting, East Side Church of the Nazarene, Mattoon. 5 p.m., AA closed meeting, First Christian Church, Mattoon. 5 p.m., Domestic violence support group, Dove Moultrie County office, 203 S. Graham, Sullivan, child care provided, 217-728-9303.

p.m., Survivors of Suicide Support Group, LifeLinks, 750 Broadway Ave. East, Mattoon. p.m., TOPS, Sullivan Public Library, 217-728-8314. 6 p.m., Celebrate Recovery open meeting, Christ-centered, 12-step program for everyone with any hurts, habits or hang-ups, Salisbury Church, Charleston. 6-8 p.m., HOPE of East Central Illinois, support group for victims of domestic violence, Charleston, 217-348-8815.

7 p.m., Al-Anon, basement of First Christian Church, corner of 16th Street and Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, 217-273-5666. 7 p.m., Coles County Barbershop Chorus, First Presbyterian Church, Mattoon. 7 p.m., 100F Coles County Lodge 260, Lodge Hall, 1321 Edgar Mattoon. 7 p.m., NA open meeting, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Charleston.

7 p.m., SAA Charleston Recovery group, 7 p.m., Shoulder to Shoulder AA open meeting, First Christian Church, Mattoon. 7:30 p.m., Mattoon Coin Club, YMCA. 7:30 p.m., Open 12-step meeting, 1225 S. Ninth Mattoon, 217-512-1467. p.m., Open AA meeting, Neoga Free Methodist Church, 217-512-3817..