The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 7

www.pantagraph.com The Pantagraph Monday, December 1, 2003 A7 OBITUARIES GOP looks to cash in on win ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) When it comes to the Medicare bill awaiting President Bush's signature, Republicans are eager to cash in their political winnings at the polls in 2004. Democrats want the cards shuffled and dealt again, quickly, for fear of losing a topic that has worked to their advantage for a generation. Either way, the landmark legislation will be an issue next year. While Bush said it means Medicare "will be modern and it will be strong," his Democratic rivals all opposed it.

Some sought additional political mileage by joining a futile, last minute filibuster aimed at killing the bill in the Senate. Like all complex legislation, this one was the result of dozens of compromises, large and small, as well as shifting tactics. As president, Bush decreed that any drug benefit should apply broadly. "All seniors should have the choice of a health care plan that provides prescription drugs," he said in last winter's State of the Union address. That effectively eclipsed the view of many Republicans that only low-income older Americans and those with extraordinarily high drug costs should be covered.

Not all Republicans reconciled to that. "Once you made it universal, I think it was the beginning of the end," Sen. Trent Lott, said Sunday on ABC's "This Week," referring to the additional costs involved. Additionally, 25 House conservatives opposed the measure rather than support creation of a huge new government benefit program. 1st woman to swim channel dies ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK Gertrude Ederle, who was the toast of America and Europe in 1926 when she became the first woman to swim the English Channel, died Sunday.

She was 98. Ederle had spent the last several years living at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff, N.J., about 25 miles northwest of New York City, said Martin Ward, whose wife is one of Ederle's 10 surviving nieces and nephews. In a roaring decade where Americans cheered daredevils, few were as celebrated as Ederle, who was 20 when she made her historic swim on Aug. 6, 1926. "People said women couldn't swim the channel," Ederle told The Associated Press in a 2001 interview marking the 75th anniversary of her feat.

"I proved they could." When she returned to her native land, there were celebrations, receptions and a roaring ticker -tape parade for her in New York, where she was born in 1905. Only five men had succeeded in swimming the channel before her, and she beat the record by more than two hours. Screenwriter dies at 92 SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Screenwriter Edmund L. Hartmann, 92, who wrote zany comedies for Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and the Three Stooges, died at his home in Santa Fe.

Hartmann, who died Friday, also wrote comedies for Abbott and Costello and Lucille Ball, and penned film noir mysteries in a career that spanned more than 60 years. He once said: "I think the unexpected is the key to comedy," the Santa Fe New Mexican reported in its Sunday editions. "You can either do it or you can't. It can't be taught." His Bob Hope scripts were for "Paleface" (1948), "Sorrowful Jones" (1949), "Fancy Pants" (1950) and "The Lemon Drop I Kid" (1951). CENTRAL ILLINOIS Elmer C.

Blessing EUREKA Elmer ing, 94, of Eureka p.m. Friday (Nov. 28, Maple Lawn Nursing reka. Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Woolsey Funeral Home, Glasford, the Rev.

William Eastin officiating. Burial: Lancaster Cemetery, Glasford. Visitation: one hour before the Tuesday at the funeral Survivors: his Chamberlain Blessing. Dutch Bockler Davenport, Partridge 1:10 p.m. at Snyder C.

Blessdied at 3:15 2003) at Home, Eu- Elmer Elmer Blessing service home. wife, Ruby METAMORA Willard "Dutch" Bockler, 80, of 120 N. formerly of 320 W. Metamora, died at Saturday (Nov. 29, 2003) Village, Metamora.

Service: Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Rev. John Verrier officiating. Burial: St.

Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Meta- Dutch mora, with mili- Bockler tary rites from Dutch Bockler Metamora American Legion Post 89. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mason Funeral Home. Survivors: three daughters, Carol (Duke) Faklaris, Coralville, Iowa; Janet Briney, Washington; Joan (Joe) Clark, Crystal Lake; two sons, Bob (Dee) Bockler, Blue Water Bay, John (Peggy) Bockler, Metamora; one brother, Harold (Ann) Bockler, Fort Meyers, and 15 grandchildren. Milan E.

Folkers nonk, (Nov. His Thursday MINONK Milan E. Folkers, 86, of 924 West Fourth Midied at 5 a.m. Saturday 29, 2003) at his residence. funeral will be at 11 a.m.

at Calvert Froelich Memorial Home Minonk Chapel, the Rev. Connie Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Milan the memorial Folkers home.

Milan Folkers Mr. Folkers was born Oct. 1, 1917, in Normal, the son of Richard D. and Louria M. Parkhouse Folkers.

On August 22, 1942, he married Beth L. Kingdon in Beloit, Wis. She survives. Also surviving are his children; Beth Kaye (Martin) Lewis, Lake Wylie, S.C.; and Milan E. (Gladys) Folkers II, Excelsior, Minn.

Among his closest friends were his five grandchildren, Derek Lewis, Keven Lewis, Milan (Kelly) Folkers, III, Kimberley Folkers and Michelle Folkers. He was preceded in death by a grandson, John Folkers Lewis. He was an Army veteran of World War II and served as a captain in the Medical Service Corps for five years. Mr. Folkers served in Minonk as a funeral director for over 30 years.

He was a graduate of El Paso High School, Illinois Wesleyan University and the Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He was a lifetime member of the Minonk United Methodist Church, the Robert Morris Lodge AF AM, and Minonk American Legion Post 142. Mr. Folkers was a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Asso- 606 N. Main St.

Bloomington, IL 828-7744 CO Main Street JEWELRY Fall Into at Main Street Jewelry! Handmade Jewelry Unique Sterling Silver Jewelry Fun Fashion Accessories Jewelry Making Supplies Ask about our wish list program! Get free stuff with GOOD NEIGHBORS in focus ciation for over 50 years and served one term on its board of directors. He was a member of the Mohammed Shrine Peoria and served for over 50 years as a Woodford County Deputy Coroner. Kandy Ann Frye LINCOLN Kandy Ann Frye, 37, of Lincoln died at 5:39 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 29, 2003) at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Wednesday at Fricke-CalvertSchrader Funeral Home, Lincoln, Tom Gerdts officiating. Burial: at a later date. Visitation: none. She was cremated.

Survivors: her mother, Helen Merreighn, Lincoln; stepfather, Francis Merreighn, Lincoln; three children; two sisters, Mary (Lester) Graber and Helen Taft, both of Lincoln; and four brothers, Joseph Grimsley, Lincoln; Charles L. Grimsley, Springfield; John S. (Joyce) Grimsley, Lincoln; and Robert Frye, Mason City. Alice M. Hilliard MORTON Alice M.

Hilliard, 89, of East Peoria, relative of Morton residents, died at 2 p.m. Nov. 23, 2003, at Apostolic Christian Home, Eureka. Service and visitation were Wednesday. Remmert Funeral Home, East Peoria, was in charge of arrangements.

Burial: Fon Du Lac Cemetery, East Peoria. Local survivors: one son, William, Morton; and one sister, Catherine Clark, Morton. Ethel Lee DWIGHT Ethel Marshall Lee, 85, a resident of Heritage Manor, Dwight, died at 4:20 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 29, 2003) at Heritage Manor.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hager Memorial Home, Dwight, the Rev. Brian Wood officiating. Burial will be in Round Grove Cemetery, rural Dwight. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday at the memorial home and an hour before the service Wednesday. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. She was born Sept. 8, 1918, in Minonk, the daughter of Clarence and Lillian M. Cave Marshall.

She married Robert E. Lee on May 24, 1936, in Minonk. He died Nov. 16, 1973. Survivors include three daughters, Yuvonne Grigsby, Reddick; Ruth Slivka, New Hartford, N.Y.; and Joyce Lee, Bloomington; three sons, Richard (Betty) Lee, Aurora; Clarence "Bill" (Sue) Lee, and Robert (Natalie) Lee Virginia; three sisters, Hazel Smith, Flanagan; Ruth Berg, Polon; and Patsy Reh, Wenona; one brother, Rolland (Rita) Marshall, Streator; 23 grandchildren; 34 great and seven great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sisters and six brothers. She was a mental health technician at Fox Developmental Center, retiring in 1980. Ethel was a role model and inspiration to her children and grandchildren. She was deeply loved and admired for her generosity and giving nature. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Erroll L. Maggard LODA Erroll L. Maggard, 82, of rural Loda died at 8:15 a.m. Sunday (Nov. 30, 2003) at his home.

Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ford-Baier Funeral Home, Paxton, Steven D. Bonk officiating. Burial: Maplewood Cemetery, Rantoul, with military rites. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday at the funeral home. Survivors: his wife, Margaret L. Barrick Maggard; two sons, Gary (Jenny) Maggard, Wood- THE BEST CHRISTMAS TREES Fresh Cut Flocked Christmas Cases GARDEN SHOP 1505 N. MAIN, BLOOMINGTON 828-1424 379484 NORTH MAIN 514 THE CHOCOLATIER, INC. Candies SO We make sometimes while you watch! Phone (309) 821-0277 381189 bridge, and Clifton (Vicky) Maggard, Mohnton, one daughter, Debbie (Gary) Gustafson, Bismarck; eight grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; one sister, Frances Shaw, Three Rivers, Texas; and two brothers, Bill (Marjorie) Maggard, Kokomo, and George (Jean) Taylor, Glasgow, Ky.

Judith M. Mills CLINTON Judith M. Mills, 51, of Clinton died at 4 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 30, 2003) at St.

Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. Arrangements are pending at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. Trevis Jay Olsen HUDSON Trevis Jay "T.J." Olsen, 26, of 501 Marion Hudson, died at 9:35 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 29, 2003) at his residence.

Arrangements are pending at Calvert Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Franklin D. Partridge STREATOR Franklin D. Par- Franklin tridge, 70, of 1605 N. Shabbona Streator, died at 5:15 p.m.

Saturday (Nov. 29, 2003) at 5:15 p.m. at O.S.F St. Anthony's Medical Center, Rockford. Service: 1 p.m.

Tuesday at Elias Funeral Home, Streator, the Rev. Jamie Swanson officiating. Burial: Hill- Franklin crest Memorial Partridge Park, Streator. Visitation: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday at the funeral hoine. Survivors: one son, Kerry (Wendy) Partridge, Rockford; one brother, John Partridge, DeKalb; and two grandchildren. Arlane Reed STREATOR- Arlane Reed, 69, of 1603 E. 23rd, Streator, died at 1:55 p.m. Sunday (Nov.

30, 2003) at her home. Arrangements are pending at Elias Funeral Home, Streator. Mary Swanstrom MORTON Mary M. Swanstrom, 84, of 935 E. Jefferson Morton, formerly of Pequot Lakes, died at 12:35 p.m.

Nov. 12, 2003, at Apostolic Christian Restmor, Morton. Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home, Morton, is in charge of arrangements. John J. Voytko STREATOR- John J.

Voytko, 81, of 1504 E. Hickory Streator, died 3:02 a.m. Sunday (Nov. 30, 2003) at Ottawa Community Hospital, Ottawa. Service: noon Wednedsay at Hagi Funeral Home, Streator.

Burial: St. Stephen's Cemetery, Streator. Visitation: 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the funeral home. Survivors: his wife, Dora Lee Voytko, Streator; one son, John Lee (Candace) Voytko, Cabot, two daughters, Valerie Mundt, Fairbanks, Alaska; and Michele Davis, Streator; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and one sister, Rosanne Topolski, Streator.

-NORMAL Norma Boitnott BLOOMINGTON Norma Gibson Boitnott, 83, of Bloomington passed away at 4:05 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 29, 2003) at her residence. She was born Sept. 5, 1920, in Bonnieville, the daughter of Thomas and Stella Hodges Gibson.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington. The service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at TOTALLY THOMAS THOMAS FRIENDS AT WOODEN RAILWAY ALL THOMAS TRAIN SETS: Tables Boards Wooden Train Set Coat Rack Engines Alarm Clock Bedding Puzzles Desk Games Train Whistle Toy Box Engineer Lantern REGISTER TO WIN $500 SHOPPING SPREE DRAWING DEC. 15, 2003 HOUSE Corner Oakland Rt.

150 Layaway Available Blm. 309-827-8811 Holiday Hours -F 10-8; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-4 381287 the funeral home, the Rev. Ron Thacker officiating.

Internment will be in West Twin Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the donor's Norma Norma choice. Boitnott Norma married Benjamin Boitnott on Feb. 24, 1936, in Bloomington. He passed away Oct.

28, 1989. She was a member of West Twin Grove Christian Church and had worked for Brokaw Hospital. Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Foley, Bloomington; Sandra Mann, Roanoke, Brenda David, Bloomington; three sons, Merle (Joyce) Boitnott, Roanoke, Earl (Diana) Boitnott, Normal; Leonard (Geraldine) Boitnott, Bloomington; one sister, Nina Donaldson, Bloomington; two brothers, Jimmy (Pat) Gibson, Bloomington; Wilburn (Elsie) Gibson, Normal; 29 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter; two sisters; and five grandchildren. Eloise Claire Enata BLOOMINGTON Eloise Claire Enata, 80, of Champaign, mother of a Bloomington man, died at 12:40 p.m.

Saturday (Nov. 29, 2003) at Provena Covenant Medical Center, Urbana. Service: memorial service will be at a later date. Local survivor: one son, Brian Enata, Bloomington. Virginia B.

Jenkins BLOOMINGTON Virginia B. Jenkins, 95, of Lakewood, formerly of 2025 E. Lincoln Bloomington, died at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday (Nov. 25, 2003) at Exempla Lutheran Hospital, Wheat Ridge, Colo.

Arrangements are pending at Calvert Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Kari Johnson BLOOMINGTON Kari A. Methodist Church, Bloomington, with the Rev. David W. Gaffron officiating.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and after the service. Kari She born Johnson, 38, of 17 Drake Court, Bloomington, died at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 25, 2003) at St.

Mary's Medical Center, Rochester, Minn. An informal celebration of life service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Wesley United Johnson Dec. 31, 1964, at Bloomington, the daughter of Owen and Carolyn Moreland Klawitter. She married John F.

Johnson on Nov. 12, 1997, at Negril, Jamaica. He survives. Other survivors include her parents, Bloomington; a sister, Teresa Klawitter, Bloomington; a brother, Eric (Sandy) Klawitter, Bloomington; two nieces, Ericka Klawitter and Amber Klawitter; one nephew, Aaron Klawitter, and in- laws, Harold and Romona Johnson, Paris, Ill. Kari is also survived by her and John's Black Lab, Butler, and Blonde Lab, Bandi.

She was preceded in death by an infant sister, Ivey Klawitter, and both sets of grandparents. She was a systems technician at State Farm Insurance Bloomington, and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomington. She was active in the Leukemia and Lymphoma and Training and also organized and participated in the Relay for Life. She enjoyed golfing, cycling and rollerblading. In the past year, she completed two marathons, one in Alaska and the other in Funerals today Abner, Phyllis 10 a.m.

graveside inurnment service at the Monticello Township Cemetery, Monticello. Fulford, Inez 11 a.m. at the Evangelical United Methodist Church, Washington. Hirst, Evelyn, 10:30 a.m. at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington.

Leach, Ruth 10:30 a.m. at Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Eureka. Minder, Anna, 9:30 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Church, Lincoln. Page, Mary 11 a.m.

at HarrisM Funeral Home, Pontiac. Parkhill, Harry 11 a.m. at Gilman United Methodist Church, Gilman. Sager, Nancy, 11 a.m. at Lincoln Christian Church, Lincoln.

Smith, Martha 2 p.m. at Tremont Baptist Church, Tremont. Obituary policy The Pantagraph does not charge' for standard obituaries, notices of pending funerals or notices of services. An extended obituary is available for $1.50 per newspaper column line. This may include any relates, information thee family but those items subject to editing for accuracy and style.

For more information, please talk to your funeral director. Hawaii. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Kari's courage and love will always be an inspiration to her family. The outpouring of support from family and friends has: been deeply appreciated.

C. Turner Stanger BLOOMINGTON -C. Turner Stanger, 81, of 905 Mayflower Bloomington, died at 4:40 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 29, 2003) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements. Kathryn Underkoffler BLOOMINGTON Kathryn J. Underkoffler, 75, of 1407 Windham Hill Road, Bloomington, died at 5:57 a.m. Sunday (Nov. 30, 2003) at BroMenn Regional Med- ical Center, Normal.

A private family service will be held. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens. East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of Kari may be made to Prairie Aviation Museum or McLean County Youth Hockey Association. Mrs. Underkoffler was born Aug.

10, 1928 in Normal, a daughter of Pete and Mary Etta Hixson Sizemore. They preceded her in death. She married Milton Underkoffler on Aug. 29, 1947. He survives.

Also surviving are her children, Larry (Cindy) Underkoffler, Stillwater, Linda (Jon) Coleman, Chapel Hill, N.C.; Jim (Cathy) Underkoffler, Indianapolis; Mille (Andy) McManus, Garland, Texas; and David (Barb) Underkoffler, grandchildren: one brother, Pete (Sara) Sizemore, Jacksonville, and three sisters, Helen Adams, Annapolis, Donna (Duwayne); Woltzen, Port Washington, and Nancy Ditmar, Milledgeville. Three brothers and one sister also preceded her in death. Mrs. Underkoffler was a lifetime member of Prairie Avia-, tion Museum and she also volunteered with the McLean County Youth Hockey Association. OVER 50 LIFT CHAIRS IN STOCK PRIDE LIFT CHAIRS, We Featuring Electric Lift and Power Recliners (Lowest Guarantee Free Price! $599 Special Delivery ADVANCED Medical Homecare Supply, Inc.

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