The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 7

The Pantagraph Tuesday, June 8, 2004 A7: OBITUARIES Brain cancer yields to regimen By Daniel Q. Haney ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW ORLEANS Early low-dose chemotherapy appears to substantially improve short-term survival in patients with the most aggressive and common form of brain cancer, offering the first significant advance against the disease in decades. Whether the treatment can help cure brain cancer remains to be seen, but the approach at least seems to slow the often rapid progression of the disease for some. The treatment, tested in a form of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme, involves the drug Temodar. Until now, the medicine has typically been used only after radiation to shrink the tumor.

A major international study released Monday shows that giving low doses the capsule at the very start -for six or seven weeks during and after radiation doubles the chance of being alive two years later. "This is the first trial that has been clearly positive in brain cancer in 30 years," said Dr. M.J. van den Bent of the Daniel den Hoed Oncology Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. "This is a great day." Radiation and surgery are the first-line treatments for glioblastomas, but even with them the disease usually kills within a year or less.

Intravenous chemotherapy available since the 1970s improves these odds only marginally and can have serious side effects. Several doctors predicted that upfront Temodar will quickly become the new standard of care, routinely offered to all victims of this disease. "To be able to tell people they may have two or three years of survival rather than nine months is pretty major," said Dr. Adam Mamelak of City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, who was not involved in the study. The study was conducted and financed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and released in New Orleans at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

It was done at more than 80 hospitals in Europe, Canada and Australia. The study's director, Dr. Roger Stupp of University Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland, said patients found the drug easy to take, and fatigue was the most common ill effect. "We have started with the most malignant and devastating form" of brain cancer, he said. The next step will be to try the drug against less aggressive tumors, he said.

Bush asked to ease rules on stem ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON, D.C. Fifty-eight senators are asking President Bush to relax federal restrictions on stem cell research, and several said Monday that the late President Reagan's Alzheimer's disease underscored a need to expand the research using human embryos. The senators' letter to Bush was sent Friday, before Reagan died after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. But Sen. Dianne Feinstein, said: "This issue is especially poignant given President Reagan's passing.

Embryonic stem research might hold the key to a cure for Alzheimer's and er terrible diseases." Last month, Nancy Reagan appeared at a fund-raising dinner in Los Angeles to promote stem cell research. "We would very much like to work with you to modify the current embryonic stem cell policy so that it provides this area of research the greatest opportunity to lead to the treatments and cures for which we are all hoping," the senators wrote Bush. CENTRAL ILLINOIS Erma Bielfeldt COLFAX Erma D. Bielfeldt, 89, of Colfax died at 6:25 a.m. Saturday (June 5, 2004) at Heritage Manor, Colfax.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Christian Church, with the Rev. Dan Jassman officiating. Burial will be in Anchor Township Cemetery, Anchor. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m.

today at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax. Erma Bielfeldt Memorials may be made to Colfax Christian Church. She was born Jan. 25, 1915, in Edmundson County, a daughter of Thomas and Dela Smith Powell. She married Samuel Ferguson on Nov.

4, 1931, in Bloomington. He died Jan. 14, 1980. She later married Ralph W. Bielfeldt on Jan.

9, 1988, in Anchor. He died Oct. 5, 1997. Survivors include one daughter, Glenda (Daniel) Stewart, Anchor; one stepdaughter, Irma (Ron) Hatfield, Shelbyville; four stepsons, LaMarr (Joyce) Bielfeldt, Abilene, Texas; Dale (Blanche) Bielfeldt, Colfax; Allan (Melodee) Bielfeldt, Colfax; and Bruce (Eileen) Bielfeldt, Anchor; two sisters, Pauline Bond, Pontiac; and Orel Bounds, Fairbury; one grandchild, Sarah (Christopher) Schultze; two great-grandchildren, Augustus and Stewart Schultze; nine stepgrandchildren, Amy (Brad) Barclay, Brian (Evelyn) Bielfeldt, Kimberly (Douglas) Bielfeldt, Rosemary Barton, Bethany (Blake) Bielfeldt, Scott (Gina) Barr and Roger (Deanna) Barr; 10 stepgreat-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, five sisters, and one grandson.

She was a member of Colfax Christian Church, the Hustlers Club and the Rebecca Lodge of LeRoy. She attended schools in Kentucky. She was a store clerk, retiring in 1981 from Kmart. She was much loved by her family and friends and will be Jane Bisco ROANOKE Jane Evalyn Bisco, 75, of Roanoke died at 9:30 a.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at the Methodist Medical Center, Peoria.

Her funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Roanoke United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dick Piscatelli officiating. Visita- Jane tion will be from and Bisco 2 to 4 pm. from 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday at Knapp-JohnsonHarris Funeral Home, Roanoke, and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Roanoke Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation. She was born on July 16, 1928, in Bremen, to Benjamin and Blanche Snyder Herbst. She married Henry Bisco on Nov.

13, 1948, in Peoria. He survives. Also surviving are two sons, Howard (Nancy) Bisco, East Peoria, and Hugh (Gladys) Bisco, Schaumburg; two daughters, Jan (Jim) Bisco-Werner, Boredentown, N.J., and Joan (Brian Haney) Bisco, Normal; one brother, David Herbst, Roanoke; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister. She was a member of the Roanoke United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school, was part of the church choir, a member of the United Methodist Women, a district lay member to the annual conference, and a certified district lay speaker.

She was also on the church administrative council and was the church missions chair. Jane was on the board of the Heart House in Eureka and had been active as a Meals on Wheels volunteer. She also was a volunteer teacher for area adult literary programs. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary where she had served in various offices. She was also the chaplain for the American Ex Prisoners of War, Heart of Illinois Chapter.

She was active as well in her community where she served as a Girl Scout leader, a den mother for the Cub Scouts, was active with the Boy Scouts and was awarded the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award. She served for more Funerals today Colyer, Robert L. "Deke," 1 p.m. at Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington. Roudebush, William "Bill" 10 a.m.

at Elias Funeral Home, Streator. Funerals pending Farris, Dennis 57, of Strawn, 7:13 a.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at his residence. Hager Memorial Home, Forrest. Fortune, Oscar J.

"Bud," 86, of Kenney, 3:40 p.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at Dr. John Warner Hospital, Clinton. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. Nowatski, Helen 91, of Heritage Manor, 700 E.

Walnut Bloomington, 9:35 a.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at the manor. KiblerSmith Memorial Home, Bloomington. Roberts, James H. "Red," 63, of Hudson, 1:58 p.m.

Monday (June 7, 2004) residence. East Luwn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Wellenreiter, Walter Henry, 78, of Pontiac, 1:02 p.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at' OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac.

Harris-Martin-Burke Funeral Home, Pontiac. than 30 years as an election judge in Roanoke and volunteered at the Hunzinger Museum in Roanoke Park. In the she was responsible for starting a women's softball league in Roanoke. Michelle Renee Hack Michelle Hack rest Cemetery, Forrest. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m.

Thursday at Hager Memorial Home, Forrest. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. She was born Jan. 14, 1969, in Pontiac. Surviving are her mother, Connie Lynn Hack, Forrest; one aunt, Debbie Palmore, Forrest; two uncles, Jon Hack, Forrest, and Jim (Joyce) Hack, Evans, and several cousins who thought of her as a sister.

Her grandparents, George and Mae Hack, and a cousin, Abbigal Guest, preceded her in death. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Forrest. She actively participated in Special Olympics and attended East Bay Camp. Michelle was our special Angel who brought a lot to everyone she met.

She truly knew what unconditional love was. FORREST Michelle Renee Hack, 35, of 214 W. Martin Forrest, died at 4:55 a.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at her residence. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m.

Friday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Forrest, with the Rev. Paul Darveau officiating. Burial Michelle will be in For- Louis E. Kieser Lexington Louis E.

Kieser, 81, of Lexington, formerly of Bloomington, passed away at 12:40 p.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at his residence surrounded by his family. His funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Gridley Apostolic Christian Church. Ministers of the church will officiate.

Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Scoggin Hill Cemetery, rural Bloomington. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, El Paso, and for one hour prior to the funeral service Thursday at his church. Memorials may be directed to the Gridley Apostolic Christian Church or BroMenn Hospice.

Louis was born June 7, 1923, at Morton, a son of Carl and Hilda Menold Kieser. He married Jean E. Shipp on Nov. 29, 1947, at Peoria. She survives in Lexington.

Other survivors include five sons, Robert (Laura) Kieser, David (Wilma) Kieser, Paul (Karen) Kieser, all of Bloomington; Carl (Rebecca) Kieser, Gibson City; and Dan (Lora) Kieser, Bluffton, four daughters, Bonnie (Steve) Kaeb, Paxton; Mary (Nick) Kuenzi, Silverton, Emily (John) Maurer, Saybrook; and Barbara (Tim) Spencer, Bloomington; three brothers, Richard Kieser, Pekin; Alfred (Marie) Kieser, Tremont; and Albert Kieser, New Port Ritchie, three sisters, Gertrude Kieser, Pekin; Anna Kieser, Peoria; and Alice (Clifford) Snodgrass, Walnut Ridge, 40 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; two sisters; one daughter, Marie; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson. Mr. Kieser was a member of the Gridley Apostolic Christian Church. 'He was a lifetime farmer and served in the U.S.

Navy during World War II. Louis will be remembered for his kindness to those in need and his love for the Lord. Anna Myers LeROY Anna J. Myers, 66, of 25824 E. 150 Road, LeRoy, died at 2 a.m.

Friday (June 4, 2004) at her home. Her memorial service will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bloomington, with the Rev. Thomas Wirsing officiating. Anna Cremation rites Myers have been accorded.

There will be no visitation. Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements Memorials may be made to the Community Cancer Center. She was born May 20, 1938, in Bloomington, a daughter of Ance Huff and Clara Gibbs Huff. She married William D. Myers on Aug.

16, 1958. They remarried Aug. 16, 1983, in Bloomington. He died March 16, 2002. Survivors include one son, Bret D.

(Nanci) Myers, Keller, Texas; one daughter, Teresa Byrd, LeRoy; two sisters, Louise Gwin and Darlene (Dave) Sloan, both of Bloomington; five grandchildren, Kevin D. Byrd and W.D. Byrd, both of LeRoy; and Hunter, Tanner and Madison, all of Keller, Texas. She was preceded in death by one brother, two sisters and her parents. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

She was a certified professional secretary. She worked at State Farm Life Insurance Citizens Savings and Loans, IRS Building, and later stayed at home and took care of her grandchildren. A special thanks to Dave and Darlene Sloan for taking her to Texas for her last time, and to Don Lawson for always calling and checking on her. She had a true undenying faith and love for Jesus Christ and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Kenneth Nunn Sr.

MINONK Ken- neth Earl Nunn formerly of Minonk and Bloomington, passed away Saturday (May 29, 2004) in Denton, Texas, at the age of 79. His wife of 55 years, June Nunn, and his sisters, Jean Cunningham and Juanita Jacek, both of Minonk, survive. Also surviving are four children, Kenneth E. Nunn Daniel A. Nunn, Randall A.

Nunn and Linda I. Wallace, allof the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Texas. Ken Nunn Sr. also had six grandchildren Dr. Andrea M.

Parker, DVM; Daniel A. Nunn II; Jamie F. Nunn; Jennifer E. Nunn; Rudy F. Wallace; and Anna N.

Nunn. Mr. Nunn was preceded in death by his mother, Birdie Nunn; his father, Van Nunn; his daughter, Janet A. Nunn; and his sister, Oleda Hock. Mr.

Nunn was a graduate of Minonk Community, High School in 1943 and subsequently joined the Navy, serving in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in February 1946 as a radio operator, second class, and received the Victory Medal World War II for service to his country. Mr. Nunn retired from the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in 1984 after 40 years of service. For most of that time he was a director of industry service for freight operations at numerous locations.

Ken Nunn was a loved and respected employee with that company. His outside interests included fishing and gardening. Ken and his wife, June, traveled extensively after his retirement, ultimately visiting all 50 states of the USA. At his request there will be no funeral, but a celebration of his life will be held June 12, 2004, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Anyone wishing for more information should contact his son, Dan, at (817) 488-8214 or e-mail him at Condolences can be mailed to June Nunn at Linda Wallace, 7909 Winding Stream, Denton, TX 76210.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that if you have any photos of Ken or any stories that you would like to share with his family, please send them to Linda Wallace at the above address. Also, any contributions should be sent to the World War II Memorial Society. Information about the society can be obtained by contacting his son Dan, whose phone number and e-mail are also listed above. Jennie Oertwig Oertwig, 92, formerly of 1910 LEXINGTON Jennie B. Garling Drive, Bloomington, died Sunday (June 6, 2004) at 11:50 a.m.

at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Bloomington. Jennie died of complications Jennie Jennie from a heart atOertwig tack she suffered May 9, 2004. She just moved to the nursing home from St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. Most recently Jennie lived with her granddaughter and family, Vicky and Curt Meiner, for the last five years in Colfax.

Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Calvert Musselman Funeral Home, Lexington, with the Rev. Ray Owens of the Lexington First United Methodist Church officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Lexington First United Methodist Church. Jennie was born July 14, 1911, in Towanda, the daughter of William and Estella Anderson Ferguson. She married Dwight Woolridge Feb. 19, 1928. She then married Lloyd "Guinnie" Whisman on July 3, 1936, in Chenoa.

He died June 21, 1974. She later married Harold Oertwig on Dec. 23, 1981. He died Dec. 4, 1995.

Surviving are one daughter, Rosemary (John) Whisman Pool, Bloomington; two granddaughters, Connie (Pete) Bachman, Lexington, and Vicky (Curt) Meiner, Colfax; two grandsons, Kenny (June) Woolridge, Centralia, and Rick Woolridge, Paducah, 10 greatgrandchildren; and two greatgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; three husbands; one son, David Woolridge of Centralia; three brothers; three sisters; and six grandchildren. Jennie was a homemaker and helped her husband farm in the Gridley and LeRoy areas. She was a lifelong member for 78 years of the Lexington First United Methodist Church, which gained her the honor of having the second longest membership in years of the church with the Golden Elite Club. She was also a member of the Ladies of the Moose in Bloomington, and she held several different offices in that organization.

Jennie loved the outdoors and working in her flowerbeds. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She will be missed by all whose lives she BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL Irva A. Barnes BLOOMINGTON Irva A. Barnes, 86, of Bloomington, died at 9:24 p.m.

Sunday (June 6, 2004) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. Her funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington, with Pas- tor Phil Bachman officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Irva the memorial Barnes home. Anna Memorials may be made to International Bible Society. She was born July 5, 1917, at Minier, to John N. and Ida F.

McWilliams Gainer. She married Ruben K. Barnes Jr. Aug. 9, 1953, at Bloomington.

He died in 1991. Surviving are a son, Gary (Janet) Barnes of Normal; two grandsons, Daniel and Timothy Barnes, both at home; and two sisters, Ilene Bell of Englewood, and Doris Jobba of Orlan-, do, Fla. Her parents, one brother and six sisters preceded her in death. She was a member of the VFW Post 454 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a Book Binder in the 1950s for Pantagraph Printing and Stationery.

Irva was a special caregiver for her nieces Sharon Hughes, Carol Cope and Sandra Perschall. She was a loving mother; and grandmother, and demonstrated her strong faith in the Lord. Betty M. Hathorn NORMAL Betty M. Goetsch Hathorn, mother of a died 5:25 p.m.

2004) at OSF ical Center, Peoria. Service: a.m. Wednesday at Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa, the Rev. Phillip King officiating. Burial: Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood.

Visitation: 5 the funeral home. Memorials: Breast Cancer Hidden Treasures School in South Local survivor: Vicki (David) mal. 74, of Ottawa, Normal woman, Sunday (June 6, Saint Francis cis Med- 10 Betty Hathorn to 8 p.m. today at Susan G. Foundation or Christian' Carolina.

a daughter, Bennett of Nor- Clarence C. Young HUDSON Clarence C. Young, 84, of 19816 N. 1500 East Road, Hudson, died at 1:30 a.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at his residence.

Service: 10 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, 211 N. School Normal. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Kibler-Smith Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary is scheduled for Wednesday's paper. Memorials: The Preacher's Aid Society or First United Methodist Church, Normal. Jane Bisco Calvert Metzler- memorial homes Our Service Gives Meaning To A Life That Was Special To You. Family Owned and Operated Alex A.

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