The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 18

Wednesday, January 14, 1998 The Pantagraph OBITUARIES Central Illinois J. Diann Coomer ARMINGTON -J. Diann (Lenz) Coomer, 50, of 133 North Armington, died at 7:34 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 13, 1998) at OSF St.

Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. Her funeral will be at 1 10 a.m. Friday: at McReynoldsBeck Funeral Home, Minier, the Rev. Jim Judd officiating. Burial will be in Oakview Cemetery, J.

Diann Armington. Coomer Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Armington Rescue Squad. Mrs.

Coomer was born Aug. 26, 1947, in Crawford County, a daughter of Lewis and Alma Patton Lenz. She married Ronnie Coomer on May 29, 1964, in Shirley, Ind. He survives. Also surviving are her mother, Alma Lenz, New Castle, one daughter, Rondy (Greg) Rutherford, McLean; one son, Shannon Coomer, Bloomington; three sisters, Carol Prosser, New Castle, Helen Gray, Orange City, and Nancy Kendall, Scottsburg, and two brothers, Richard Lenz, Springfield, Ohio, and Scott Lenz, LaPointe, Ind.

Other survivors are two grandchildren, Jake and Jessica Rutherford, McLean. Mrs. Coomer was a member of Armington Christian Church and Armington Zoning Board. She worked in medical records at Bartmann Nursing Home. She enjoyed crafts, reading and traveling.

Ronnie and Diann renewed their wedding vows in Ormond Beach, on May 29, 1997. Velma R. Cramer EMINGTON The funeral of Velma R. Cramer, 81, of rural Emington, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursat Emington United Church of Christ, Emington.

The Rev. Ed Sinclair will officiate. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, rural Emington. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Harris-Martin-Burke Funeral Home, Cullom, and for one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.

She died at 1:25 p.m. Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal. Memorials may be made to Emington United Church of Christ or Dwight Library. Mrs.

Cramer was born Nov. 25, 1916, at Emington, a daughter of John and Amelia Zimmerman Gassman. She married William C. Cramer April 15, 1951, at Emington. He survives.

Other survivors include two daughters, Kathy Cramer, Emington, and Kay Clayton, Las Vegas; one daughter-in-law, Diane Cramer, Saunemin; and three sisters, Mildred Mulligan, Saunemin; ACTIVITIES Tumbling classes Tumbling classes for children ages 4 to 12 will be offered Saturday mornings by Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. Classes begin Saturday at the Lincoln Leisure Center gymnasium and will be held at 9, 10:10 and 11:20 a.m. through March 7. A progression of tumbling skills will be taught, including headstands, rolls, cartwheels, handstands and several types of jumps and leaps. No previous experience is necessary.

The fee for each eight week class is $35. For more information, contact the department at 434-2260. Wazobia dance troupe Wazobia, an African-American dance troupe, will perform at 11 a.m. Monday in the Bloomington Public Library's community room. The presentation features music, dancing and storytelling for all ages.

Diaper Derby A Diaper Derby will be held for babies 2 years old and under at 9 ON THE RECORD Police Summary BLOOMINGTON Burglaries West Olive Street Two diamond rings valued at $2,200 total and a $20 phone were stolen from a residence in the 1100 block of West Olive Street last Thursday or Friday. Entry was forced. North Western Avenue A $400 pistol and a diamond cluster ring, no value listed, were stolen from the 1000 block of North Western Avenue on Sunday. There was forced entry. Thefts North Center Street An alto saxophone was stolen from the instrument room at Central Catholic High School, 710 N.

Center Blooming- FUNERAL SERVICES TODAY Jan. 14, 1998 Finis, Ralph Bernard, 11 a.m. at First Christian Church, Gibson City. Burial in Drummer Township Cemetery, Gibson City. Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City, has charge of arrangements.

Towner, Flossie 11:30 a.m. graveside memorial service at Mount Hope Cemetery Chapel, Champaign. Musselman-Beck Funeral Home, Lexington, has charge of arrangements. Paid Notices Gladys Kohrt, Dwight; and Wanda Gish, Marshall, Mich. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Craig and Chris Cramer; and Kelli and Kara Clayton.

Her parents; one son, Kenneth Cramer; and one brother, Kenneth Gassman, preceded her in death. Mrs. Cramer was a teacher for years and last taught at Saunemin Grade School before retiring. She attended country schools near Emington and was a graduate of Saunemin High School and Illinois State Normal Teacher's College. She was a member of Emington United Church of Christ; Dwight Senior Citizens; Retired Teachers of Livingston County; A.D.K.

Teacher's Sorority; Sunshine Club; Friendship Bridge Club; and Country Couples. Madaline Day CLINTON Madaline Rose Elizabeth Day, 73, of Clinton died at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 13, 1998) at Dr. John Warner Hospital, Clinton.

Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, has charge of arrangements. Donald W. Koerner CABERY Donald W. Koerner, 80, of Cabery, died at 11:03 a.m. Tuesday (Jan.

13, 1998) at St. Mary's Hospital, Kankakee. His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Cabery.

Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Harris-Martin-Burke Funeral Home, Cullom, with a recitation of the rosary at 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to St.

Joseph's Catholic Church, Cabery, or an organization of the donor's choice. He was born May 11, 1917, in Cabery, a son of William Matthew and Catherine Caroline "Carie" Weber Koerner. He married E. Vernile Costigan on Aug. 7, 1948, in Clifton.

She survives. Also surviving are one son, Patrick (Donna) Koerner, Bourbonnais; one brother, John (Sheila) Koerner, Cabery; and three sisters, Rosella Knittel and Dorine Weigel, both of Cabery, and Betty Kempen, Joliet. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Colin and Casey Koerner. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mary Margaret Koerner; and one brother, Merlin F. Koerner.

Mr. Koerner was educated in a.m. Saturday at Bloomington's Miller Park Pavilion. The free event is sponsored by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. Various contests and games are scheduled.

Participants may register at the door for all activities. For further information, call the department at 434-2260. Senior theater group A new senior theater group for adults ages 55 and over is being formed by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. Meetings will be held the Miller Park Senior Center beginning in midJanuary. No previous experience in theater is required.

The fee for program participants will be approximately $15 to $20. To be placed on a mailing list, contact Aaron at the department at 434- 2260. Story time at the mall The Bloomington Public Library will hold a story time at 10 a.m. Friday at Eastland Mall, near Mrs. ton, between Saturday and Monday.

Vandalism East Washington Street There was extensive damage to an apartment and its contents in the 500 block of East Washington Street on Friday. A list of damages and losses is being compiled. The incident occurred after an argument over a reluctance to share beer and cigarettes. Court Notes Marriage Dissolutions Almeida, John and Susan Baker, Donald and Jill Basham, Joseph and June Binkley, Shan and Darla Buffington, Russell and Keleigh Bustamante, Rodolfo and Maria Carden, and Melissa Cabery schools and had lived and farmed his entire life on the same farm where he was born. He also had done carpentry work.

He had served on the Cabery Town Board; was a member of the Cabery Fire Department; and had served as fire chief for many years. He also had served as a church trustee. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cabery. Lucille Painter FISHER The private graveside service of Lucille Painter, 82, of Fisher, will be Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery, Foosland.

The Rev. Andy Baker will officiate. Visitation will be private. Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City, has charge of arrangements. She died at 5:45 p.m.

Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) at her daughter's residence in Foosland. Memorials may be made to Carle Hospice or River Valley Church of Christ. Mrs. Painter was born Sept.

11, 1915, in Newcomb Township, a daughter of Albert and Lena Adams Liestman. She married Victor Painter March 14, 1938, at Champaign. He died Feb. 18, 1989. Survivors include one daughter, Grace Kinder, Foosland; one brother, Irvin "Bud" Liestman, Mahomet; and one grandson.

Inez Schroeder PONTIAC Inez Schroeder, 91, of 6 Garden Pontiac, died at noon Tuesday (Jan. 13, 1998) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal. She was taken to Harris-MartinBurke Funeral Home, Pontiac. Gary K. Steimle PONTIAC Gary K.

Steimle, 45, of Tiferas, N.M., formerly of Pontiac, died Friday (Jan. 9, 1998) at St. Joseph Medical Center, Albuquerque, N.M. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today at Sandia Funeral Care, 7601 Wyoming Blvd.

NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home. Cremation will take place later in the week. Memorials may be made to Joy Junction, 4500 Second St.

SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105. He was born Feb. 16, 1952, in Pontiac, the son of Fredrick Keith and Mary Etta (Van Winkle) Steimle. He is survived by his wife, Veronica Steimle; two children, Samantha and Cheov; his father, Fredrick K. Steimle, Pontiac; a brother, James F.

Steimle, Bloomington; and three sisters, Linda J. Blair, Pontiac; Gail A. Ramp, Waco, Texas; and Diana K. Szekelyhidi, Garland, Texas. He was preceded in death by his mother.

Durwood S. Stewart CULLOM- The funeral of Durwood S. Stewart, 81, of Cullom, will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Cullom.

The Rev. Ernest Serr will officiate. Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery, Cullom. Visitation will be from 4 to Field's Cookies. Story time is held the third Friday of each month at the mall.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the mall's customer service department at 663-5361. Singles Rendezvous The Singles Rendezvous monthly party dance for singles will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the P-Nut Banquet Hall, Veterans Parkway and Mercer Avenue in Bloomington. Free dance lessons will be given by an instructor from Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and Studio Entertainment will play music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Cover charge is $5. Rendezvous members who bring a new single friend to the event will be eligible for a drawing to be held that night. Harlem Globetrotters trip The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is offering a trip to see the Harlem Globetrotters at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Peoria Civic Center. Departure time is 5:45 p.m.

from the Lincoln Leisure Carter, Mark and Melissa Coleman, Scott and Sonya Cook, Mark and Lana Coon, Joseph and Vanessa Davis, James and Nancy Defenbaugh, Richard and Jean Dill, Michael and Susan Erbe, Kevin and Debbie Gazelle, Leslie and Deborah Gilmore, Dennis and Martha Hasselbring, Scott and Lori Heermance, Glenn and Laurie Hudson, Glenn and Patricia Huesing, Scott and Jamie Hunter, James and Judith Ibsen, Ole and Debra Jipp, Tregg and Elizabeth Kwit, Kenneth and Donna Lintz, Danny and Deborah Markham, Terry and Terri Mitchell, James and Katherine Mulvaney, Paul and Beverly 8 p.m. today at St. John's Lutheran Church Hall, Cullom, and for one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. MartinBurke Funeral Home, Cullom, has charge of arrangements. He died at 1:45 p.m.

Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Cullom, or Cullom Memorial Library. Mr.

Stewart was born April 8, 1916, at Kempton, a son of H. Frank and Eva Shaw Stewart. He married Angeline A. Holtman Aug. 9, 1947, at Chebanse.

She survives. Other survivors include one daughter, Sue Ann (Ben) Sutton, Coral Springs, and one son, Douglas (Vicky) Stewart, East Peoria. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Sarah and Blake Stewart; and Maureen and Nora Sutton. His parents and three brothers, Willet Stewart, Harry G. Stewart and John Spencer Stewart, preceded him in death.

A funeral director and embalmer, Mr. Stewart purchased the funeral home in Cullom from Joseph Koerner in 1948. He and his wife owned and operated Stewart Funeral Home from 1948 until 1980. Mr. Stewart continued to direct and assist with funerals until 1991.

Stewart Funeral Home provided ambulance service to eastern Livingston County, northern Ford County a and southwestern Kankakee County until the mid 1970s. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Cullom; 45-year member of Elks Lodge, Pontiac; member of Skinner Trost American Legion Post 122, Cullom; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 886, Pontiac. For many years he was a director of the First National Bank of Cullom and continued to serve on the board of its successor, the Vermilion Valley Bank. He had served for three terms on the Livingston County Board and had been a member of the former Cullom Grade School Board.

He attended Kempton Grade School and was a 1934 graduate of Kempton High School. Mr. Stewart graduated in 1947 from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II with the Sixth Seabees.

Mr. Stewart was an active supporter of school sports in the TriPoint School District. Josephine Wheeler CLINTON Josephine A. Wheeler, 87, of Clinton died at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday (Jan.

13, 1998) at Crestview Nursing Center, Clinton. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, has charge of arrangements. Edward J. Woodrey COLFAX- Edward J. Woodrey, 40, of Colfax died at 11:30 p.m.

Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) as a result of a semi-truck accident near the Monticello Road exit on Interstate 57 south of Champaign. The Champaign County coroner's office is investigating. A story is on Page A9. Arrangements are pending at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax.

Center. Return time will be approximately 10:30 p.m. The fee of $16 includes transportation and a ticket to the show. Participants under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact the department at 434-2260.

Birthright fund-raiser Birthright of McLean County is conducting a citrus sale fund-raiser. Indian River fruit, supplied by the Golden Harvest Fruit Company, is available until Jan. 21. Fruit orders for oranges, grapefruits and tangelos are being taken by Betsy Boatz at 829-5430, Sister Helen Carey at 829-2428, or Carrie O'Rourke at 722-9208. Fruit may be picked up Feb.

1 at St. Clare Holy Trinity School in Bloomington from 11 a.m. to 04 p.m. Fish fry FLANAGAN The Flanagan American Legion will host a fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the legion hall.

Cost is $5 and carryouts will be available. Namoff, David and Sandra Nickum, George and Frances Passmore, Karl and Shirley Pierce, Michael and Julie Pozzie, Thomas and Pamela Roberts, Mark and Lynne Seath, Robert and Jeanne Stachelek, Edward and Lisa Towner, Timothy and Cheryl Wellenreiter, Robert and Cledith Wilson, John and Debra Wissmiller, Alan and Laura Zaumdio, Ricardo and Michelle Zivalich, Stephen and Mary McLEAN COUNTY Misdemeanors Alcohol Douglas K. McClure, 34, of the 1400 block of East College Avenue, Normal, fined $500 and sentenced to two years of court supervision for driving under the influence of alcohol and conviction for illegal Edwin Henderson Edwin Henderson, 76, of 214 Prospect Bloomington, died 7:40 a.m. Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) at Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago.

Arrangements are pending at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Lawrence A. Kirchman Lawrence A. Kirchman, 77, of 1202 Westview Drive, Normal, and Bradley, died Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) at his residence in Normal.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Kankakee. Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens, Kankakee. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m.

Thursday at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Kankakee, and for one hour before the service Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Kankakee, or BroMenn Hospice, Normal. Surviving are his wife, Betty, whom he married Sept. 4, 1943, in St.

Louis; four sons, Michael (Darlyn) Kirchman, Marietta, David (Pat) Kirchman, Columbia, S.C.; Mark (Sally) Kirchman, Valrico, and John (Lisa) Kirchman, Columbus, two daughters, Marilee (Warren) Provost, 1202 Westview Drive, Normal; and Sister Lori Kirchman, Dominican Sisters in Springfield; and 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Elmer, Vernon a and Merdov Kirchman. Kenneth Littlefield Kenneth R. Littlefield, 73, of Richland Hills, Texas, formerly of Bloomington, died Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) at Fort Worth (Texas) Hospital.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. Burial will be in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 tonight at the church with a vigil at 8 p.m.

Lucas Funeral Home, Hurst, Texas, has charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Senior Center at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. Mr. Littlefield was born Feb.

23, 1924, in Nokomis. He married Hulda Oertwig Sept. 25, 1943. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Kenneth Michael (Jacque) Littlefield, Watauga, Texas, and Kevin Mark (Trish) Littlefield, North Richland Hills, Texas; one daughter, Cynthia Littlefield, Washington, D.C.; one brother, Louis (Pat) Littlefield, Bloomington; and two sisters, Ophelia Berry, Bloomington, and Emma Wilson, California.

Also surviving are the three loves of his life: grandson, Kyle Lee Littlefield, Watauga, Texas; granddaughter, Kimberly Littlefield, Watauga, Texas; and stepgranddaughter, Talisa Woodhouse, North Richland Hills, Texas; and Genealogical society meeting The January meeting of the McLean County Genealogical Society is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the McLean County Historical Society Museum building at 200 N. Main St. in Bloomington. Members of the Lovins family will share ideas on genealogy research.

For more information, contact Eleanore Mede at 454-2688. Programs for children The Children's Discovery Museum of Central Illinois at 716 E. Empire St. in Bloomington is offering several programs and classes for children. Kids enrolled in kindergarten through third grade are eligible for a fossil hunt program.

Class is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at the museum. Cost is $10 per child with $2 off for sibling enrollment. The Discovery Bunch is a program aimed at preschool children and their parents.

Activities and squealing or screeching of tires. Must complete recommended treatment. Felonies Battery Richard L. Kletz, 29, of the 1300 block of Ewing, Bloomington, was sentenced to 30 months probation, domestic violence counseling, a DENTURES PARTIAL DENTURES, SAME FOR EXTRACTIONS DENTURES C-U 2110 $31 EACH several nieces and nephews. At an early age Mr.

Littlefield's family moved to Bloomington. He graduated from Trinity High School where he was captain of the basketball team. He moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and became district manager with State Farm Insurance Cos. He retired in 1989 after 35 years with State Farm. Upon his retirement, he and his wife opened an antique shop in North Richland Hills.

After a few years, they retired and their son, Kevin, took over. In his early years, Ken was very active at St. John's Catholic Church. He was president of first organization at St. John's, the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

He was instrumental in getting a temporary building for a to open on time, since the school was not built yet. He and his wife were the originators of the church group to work at Tarrant County Convention Center on a volunteer basis which this project paid for the church. With the help of many parishioners, these projects were realized. He was a wonderful husband and father. He will greatly be missed.

James N. Sherrod James The funeral service of James N. Sherrod, 49, of 1107 Hinshaw Bloomington, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at KiblerSmith Memorial Home, Bloomington, the Rev. James Hines officiating.

He will be cremated. Visitation will be one hour before the service Saturday at the funeral home. He died at 6 a.m. Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) at James BroMenn Re- Sherrod gional Medical Center, Normal.

Memorials may be made to Loving Missionary Baptist Church, Bloomington. Mr. Sherrod was born June 18, 1948, in Charleston, the son of Bobby Joe McCleary and Velma Sherrod. He married Kimberly Tice, who survives. Survivors include his mother, Velma Walton, Bloomington; two daughters, Elaina Sherrod and Trinae Brown, both of Bloomington; one stepdaughter, Valerie Byrd of Bloomington; four stepsons, Jeremy Byrd, Cory Byrd and Erik Byrd, all of Bloomington, and Michael Tice of Oklahoma; two sisters, Rosemary Sherrod and Nora Sherrod, both of Bloomington; and two brothers, Tyrone Walton and Quention Walton, both of Bloomington.

Also surviving are 11 nieces and nephews; two great-nieces and one great-nephew; and a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents. Mr. Sherrod formerly worked at the Eureka Company and was later a heavy equipment operator. He also was an avid fisherman.

crafts will be offered. Class will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 27 and 28. Fees are $5 for one adult and one child, and $2 for each additional child.

Pre-registration is required for all classes. To enroll, contact the museum at 829-6222. Basketball program Bloomington Parks and Recreation is offering a basketball program for boys and girls in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The program will cover specific skills, teamwork and sportsmanship. Practice is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Jan.

20 at the Bloomington High School south gym. Games are scheduled for Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 7 at Pepper Ridge gym.

Registration for the program is taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the parks and recreation office. The fee is $30 per participant. For more information, contact the office at 434- 2260.

$100 fine and 60 days in jail on work release for felony domestic battery. Marijuana Mario B. Jordan, 22, whose court file had conflicting addresses, was sentenced to 24 months probation, $650 in fines and 30 hours of community service for felony possession of marijuana. $239 EACH DAY RELINES AND REPAIRS DENTURE SERVICE N. Market, Champaign Dr.

Scot Brewer (217) 351-3035.