The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 9

The Pantagraph Tuesday, February 24, 2004 A9 OBITUARIES CENTRAL ILLINOIS Mildred Barry LINCOLN Mildred Geraldine Barry, 98, of Lincoln, formerly of Hartsburg, died at 2:20 a.m. Monday 23, 2004) at St. Clara's Manor, Lincoln. Service: 1 p.m. I.

Wednesday graveside at New Union Cemetery, Lincoln. There will be no visitation. Holland and Barry Funeral Home, Lincoln, is in charge of arrangements. Frances A. Boyer DWIGHT Frances A.

Jankousky Boyer, 90, of 406 E. James Dwight, formerly of Chicago, died at 3:15 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at Riverside Hospital, Kankakee. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m.

March 2 at Hager Memorial Home, Dwight, the Rev. William Leppin officiating. Burial will be in McDowell Cemetery, Dwight. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. March: 2 at the memorial home.

She was born Oct. 16, 1913, in Deer Park, to Frank and Wilma Wisockis Jankousky. She married Robert D. Boyer on June 24, 1932, in Saunemin. Surviving are one daughter.

Carol (Lester) Heinrich, Dwight; two sons, Thomas Boyer, Marshall; and Douglas (Carol) Boyer, Chicago; one sister, Anna Mae Land, Minonk; nine grandchildren, Susan ThompVictoria Ryan, Beth Alford, Trudi Sabaj, Bret Heinrich, Kim (David) Belcher, Mike Boyer, Jim 1 Boyer and John Boyer; and seven great-grandchildren, Eleanor Heinrich, Harrison Heinrich, Charlotte Heinrich, Nicholas Sabaj, Lori Thompson, Ben Thompson and Meg Ryan. Her parents; husband; two sisters, Bernice Smith and Nell Stank; and two brothers, Charles and Frank, preceded her in death. She was a homemaker and graduated from Minonk High School. She enjoyed reading, sewing and spending time with her family. Arthur E.

Crane CULLOM Arthur E. Crane, 79, of rural Martinton, former longtime resident of rural Clifton and formerly of Cullom, died Friday (Feb. 20, 2004) at VA Medical Center, Danville. Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Knapp Funeral Home, Clifton, the Rev.

William Callister officiating. Burial: Clifton Cemetery, Clifton. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Survivors: his wife, Shirley Mae Post Crane, Martinton; son, James (Beth) Crane, Clifton; two daughters, Carol (Norman) Westfall, Momence, and Joyce (Bruce) Hamende, Corpus Christi, Texas; son-inlaw, Eric Prather, Bradley; one brother, Elmer (Betty), Crane, Clifton; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Eleanor Eichorn EL PASO Eleanor L. Eichorn, 99, of 850 E. Second El Paso, died at 5:20 a.m. Monday (Feb. 23, 2004) at El Paso Health Care Center, El Paso.

Service: graveside, 11 a.m. Thursday at Lacon Cemetery, Lacon, the Rev. Martin Matzke officiating. There will be no visitation. Lenz Memorial Home, Lacon, is in charge of arrangements.

Edward L. Ficken EL PASO Edward L. Ficken, 86, of 2779 CR 1300 El Paso, died at 7:10 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at RuestmanHarris Funeral Home, El Paso. The Rev. Wes Ooms will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso, with military rites conducted by the El Paso American Legion.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 Wednesday at the funeral home. Mr. Ficken was born March 2, 1917, near Medicine Lodge, the son of Carl H. and Tena Tjaden Ficken. He married Ethel L.

Major on June 16, 1951, in Las Vegas, Nev. She survives. Other survivors include three children, Robert A. (Belinda) Ficken, New Orleans, Linda L. (Dale) Brown, El Paso; and William E.

Ficken, Palatine; nine grandchildren, Robert T. Ficken, El Paso; John E. (MerriAnn) Jones, Camp LeJeune, N.C.; Curtiss L. (Mendy) Jones, Euclid, Ohio; Kristina M. Ficken, Sycamore; Deborah L.

Ficken, Sycamore; Melissa (Scott) Bertuca, Wheaton; Michelle (Brian) Fagan, Wheaton; Armando Camacho, Arlington, Funerals today Baldin, Maurine, 11 a.m. at Holland and Barry Funeral Home, Lincoln. Dunham, Kathryn Joelle, 7 p.m. memorial service at The Living Word Church, Roberts. Haas, Mary Marvene, 11:30 a.m.

Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pontiac. Moore, Terry 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of LeRoy. Sprehe, Albert, 11 a.m.

at St. John's Lutheran Church, Buckley. Funerals pending Hedge, Vera I. Hudson Jarrell, 77, of Gibson City, formerly of Monticello, Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at Heartland Healthcare Center, Paxton.

Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City. Park, Beulah 85, of 935 E. Jefferson Morton, 10:30 a.m. Monday (Feb. 23, 2004) at Apostolic Christian Restmor, Morton.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home, Morton. Pipher, Elizabeth 85, of 510 N. School Normal, formerly of Detroit, and Sarasota, 12:15 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 21, 2004) at her residence.

Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington. Sowders, Larry 58, of 1 M.St., Streator, Monday afternoon at Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Solon, Baker Telford Funeral Home, Streator. Texas; and Candice Camacho, New Orleans, and five great-grandchildren, Madison Jones, Euclid, Ohio; Logan, Lindsay and Larissa Jones, Camp LeJeune, N.C.; and Samantha Bertuca, Wheaton. Ed was a rancher in Kansas and farmed in Illinois for 30 years.

He served six years in the Navy during WW II. He also worked for El Paso Grain Co. and Pfister Hybrid Corn Co. until his retirement. He enjoyed working outside in the yard and garden and sharing the results with his friends and neighbors.

He was a member of the Methodist Church and a 50-plus year member of the El Paso American Legion. He is loved by his family and will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials directed to the El Paso Rescue Squad or the American Cancer Society. Erna Giacometti CABERY Erna Giacometti, 75, of 33108 E. 2600 Cabery, died at 4:06 p.m.

Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center, Joliet. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Campus, Father William Gardner officiating.

Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Campus. Visitation will be for one hour before the service Thursday at the church. Hager Memorial Home, Dwight, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. She was born April 4, 1928, in Rockdale, a daughter of Anton and Anna Finc Slejko.

She married John Giacometti on Aug. 5, 1967, in Rockdale. He preceded her in death. Survivors include one son, Russ Giacometti, rural Cabery; one sister, Josephine Slejko, Rockdale; three brothers, Anton (Mary, deceased) Slejko, Ladislaus (Bess) Slejko and Leon (Dorothy) Slejko, all of Rockdale; and nieces and nephews. She also was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister and brother-in-law, Ann and John Bozich.

She was affiliated with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Campus. She was a homemaker. Mary M. Hoffman ROANOKE Mary M. Hoffman, 79, formerly of 506 Prairie Roanoke, died at 10:35 a.m.

Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke, where she was a resident. Born on Nov. 11, 1924, in Roanoke, to David and Anna Herbst Hodel, she married Rudie B. Hoffman on March 17, 1946, in Roanoke.

He died on March 31, 1999, in Roanoke. Surviving are three sons, Thomas (Kathy) Hoffman, Richard (Ann) Hoffman and Michael (Nancy) Hoffman, all of Roanoke; three daughters, Annie (Jim) Leman, Linda Harris, and Julie (Jim) Tibbs, all of Roanoke; one daughter-in-law, Jeanni Hoffman of Roanoke; two foster sons, Bob (Mary) Yarbrough of Miami, and J.R. (Vicki) Yarbrough of Peoria; one foster daughter, Barbie (Kevin) Lowder of Roanoke; one brother, Stan (Verna) Hodel of Bloomington; one sister, Helen Leman of Roanoke; 19 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Timothy J. Hoffman.

Mary was a member of the Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church where funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Church ministers will officiate. Visitation will be today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at KnappJohnson-Harris Funeral Home in Roanoke and from 9 to 9:45 a.m.

Wednesday at the church. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke. Margaret Kraemer Margaret Carmody-Flynn Kraemer Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with a prayer service at 7:45 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Central Illinois.

Margaret was born Dec. 24, 1935, at Champaign, the daughter of Irvin and Mary Wascher Kington. She married Lawrence J. Kraemer Dec. 27, 1957, at Champaign.

He survives. Other survivors include one daughter, Nicole Kraemer, Bloomington; two sons, Timothy (Darla) Kraemer, Mansfield, and Ronald Kraemer, Downs; two grandsons, Austin and Cody; one brother, Joseph Kington, Champaign; three sisters, Rose Marie Krueger, Urbana; Catherine Ann (James) Burgess, River Ridge, and Deb (Mike) Chalk, Mahomet; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Her parents; one brother, Robert Kington; and one sister, Mary DeHaven, preceded her in death. Margaret worked many years for Cub Foods and Schnucks grocery stores. She was a member of St.

Mary's Church in Downs. DOWNS Margaret E. Kraemer, 68, of 21474 Cheney Grove Road, Downs, died at 7:10 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Church, Downs, with the Rev. Patrick Henehan officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday at Margaret Rev. Melvin Meister PIPER CITY The Rev. Melvin J. Meister, 85, of 11 E. Walnut Piper City, formerly of Chatsworth, died at 7:26 a.m.

Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Gibson City. Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Gibson City Bible Church, Gibson City, the Rev. Melvin J.

Meister Jr. and the Rev. Paul Thomason officiating. Burial: Chatsworth Cemetery, Chatsworth. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m.

today at Gibson City Bible Church and one hour before the service Wednesday at the church. Survivors: his wife, Gloria H. Boone Meister; three daughters, Melody J. (Dell) Sackett and Coralyn G. (Ace) Webster, both of Camdenton, and Susie G.

(Art) Kinzinger, Roberts; two sons, Melvin J. (Linda) Meister St. Amant, and John D. (Jennifer) Meister, San Antonio, Texas; one brother, Benjamin D. Meister; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Oscar JB Nowlin MAROA Oscar JB Nowlin, 92, of Holton, formerly of Maroa, died Saturday (Feb. 21, 2004) at Community Hospital, Onaga, Kan. Service: 4 p.m. Thursday graveside at Maroa Cemetery, Maroa, the Rev. Terry Westerfield officiating.

There will be no visitation. Calvert Funeral Home, Maroa, is in charge of arrangements. Survivors: his wife, Dorothy Longsdorff Nowlin; three sons, John (Lea) Nowlin, Bellflower, Stewart E. (Nancy), Nowlin, Lawrence, and David D. (Sharon) Nowlin, Phoenix, one daughter, Dr.

Mary C. Nowlin, Phoenix, and six grandchildren. Daniel D. Peterson MOUNT PULASKI Daniel D. Peterson, 77, of Mount Pulaski died at 7:26 a.m.

Sunday (Feb. 22, 2003) at his residence. Service: 11 a.m. Thursday memorial service at FrickeCalvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Mount Pulaski, Father James Cravens officiating. Visitation: one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Survivors: his wife, Wanda V. Schroth Peterson, Mount Pulaski; son, David L. (Kristie) Peterson, Temple, Texas; five daughters, Sandra (Dave, fiance) Peterson, Austin, Texas; Cindy (Norman) King, San Antonio, Texas; Pamela (David) James, Austin, Stephanie (Frank) Brower, San Diego, and Allicent (Don) Smith, New Berlin; and nine grandchildren. Jacob S. Saletzki ROANOKE Jacob S.

Saletzki, 89, of Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria, formerly of East Peoria and Roanoke, died at 11:05 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria. He was born Nov. 11, 1914, in Roanoke, to Frank and Evangeline Merlin Saletzki.

He married Marie Rech in Joliet on Sept. 13, 1936. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Ronald Saletzki of South Dakota, and Larry (Genda) Saletzki of Dunlap; one daughter, Sandra (Douglas) Kleinschmidt of Normal; two grandchildren, Paul Saletzki of Peoria and Jennifer (Cory) Legner of Flower Mound, Texas; one great-grandson, Aidan Legner of Flower Mound, Texas; two grand dogs, and five grand cats. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother who raised him, Mary Saletzki; two brothers; and three sisters.

He worked as a research engineer at Caterpillar Inc. for 43 years, last working at the Mossville plant, retiring in 1977. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at his church.

Visitation will be one hour before services at church. The Rev. Ron Miller will officiate. Cremation will be accorded following services with inurnment of ashes at American Mausoleum in Peoria at a later date. Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria has charge of arrangements.

Memorials may.be made to the Parish Nurse Fund at Redeemer Lutheran Church or to Lutheran Hillside Village. Mary A. Myles Leo V. Shelby DWIGHT Mary A. Myles, 88, of Salem Village, Joliet, formerly of Dwight, died at 1:50 p.m.

Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at Salem Village. Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael's Church, Hume, Father Paul Skelton officiating.

Burial will be in Young America Cemetery, Hume. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday with the rosary recited at 6 p.m. by Farther James Rickey at Duffy Funeral Home in Odell and visitation one hour before the service at the church in Hume. Memorials may be made to Joliet Hospice Program.

She was born July 12, 1915, in Hume, to Chester H. and Georgia Ann Devers Roth. She married Bernard Myles Jan. 5, 1939, in Hume. He died Jan.

16, 2002. Surviving are son, Richard A. (Patricia) Myles, Lockport; daughter, Betty K. (Jim) Dernule, Joliet; brother, Glenn Roth, Missouri; five grandchildren; and three great dren. Her parents, husband, one brother and one sister preceded her in death.

She had been a sales clerk for Boston Store and Goldblatts of Joliet. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Dwight; Aland Rosary Society at church; and Women of the Moose. She graduated from grade and high schools in Hume. Surviving are his mother, Evelyn Clark, ManorCare in Normal, formerly of Gilman; two brothers, Dr.

Gerald Stemke, Edmonton, Canada, and Larry Stemke, Chatsworth; and two sisters, Beverly Gillenwater, Normal; and Linda Whitlow, Normal. His father preceded him in death. He had been a resident of the R.P. Roberts Friendship Home in Watseka since March of 1973. Vera M.

Yeates LINCOLN Vera M. Yeates, 89, of Lincoln died at 12:15 a.m. Monday (Feb. 23, 2004) at St. Clara's Manor, Lincoln.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lincoln, the Rev. Dan Wissmann officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Lincoln. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m.

today at Immanuel Lutheran Church. FrickeCalvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the speech team at Lincoln Community High School, Lincoln. She was born Nov. 25, 1914, in Scully Prairie, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Knollenberg Miller.

She married John R. Yeates on Sept. 29, 1938, in Hannibal, Mo. He preceded her in death on May 7, 1972. Surviving are one son, John D.

(Christine) Yeates of Richton Park; three daughters, Marilyn (Joe) Weingarz and Carolyn (Steven) Schreiber, all of Lincoln; and Joelyn (Tim) Kelly of Normal; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. Her parents, husband and three brothers preceded her in death. She managed the Pink Shutter in Lincoln for 15 years. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Lincoln; Ladies Aid and Sewing Circle of the church; and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Super Grandma is fondly remembered by family and friends for her limitless patience, caring kindness, and chocolate chip cookies.

She had fulfilled with greatest success her one life goal of creating a home filled with warmth and welcome for all, where she built with her husband the foundation for their family and nurtured children, grandchildren, and great -grandchildren her own and all who came into her life. Her smile and unfailing acceptance will be missed by all. BLOOMINGTON -NORMAL Helen E. Basting NORMAL Helen E. Basting, 87, of 101 Eastview Drive, Normal, died at 2:50 a.m.

Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at ManorCare Health Services, Normal. funeral will be at 10 a.m. wHer Wednesday at East White Oak Bible Church, Normal, the Rev. Jeff Van Goethem officiating.

Burial will be in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at KiblerSmith Memorial Home, Bloomington. Helen Basting Memorials may be made to East White Oak Bible Church. She was born Nov.

13, 1916, in Dry Grove Township, McLean County, to Ferdinand J. and Mary Altes Basting. Surviving are three nephews, Grant (Catherine Metsker) Basting, Carlock; Warren (Julia) Basting, Normal; and Brian Basting, Bloomington; a sisterin-law, Dorothy Basting, Normal; four great-nephews, Brant, Reid, Bryce and Thomas Basting; and a great-niece, Taryn Basting. Her parents, two brothers and three sisters preceded her in death. She was a graduate of University High School in 1933; attended Illinois State Normal University; and graduated from Browns Business College.

Miss Basting retired in 1976 from the Farmer Home Administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture after 38 years of service. She was a member of East White Oak Bible Church; BroMenn Service Auxiliary volunteer; Bloomington-Normal Women's Club; and National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She volunteered 11 years with the Africa Inland Mission in Pearl River, N. Y.

Bertha Lee Samuels BLOOMINGTON Bertha Lee "Babysister" Samuels, 75, of 104 W. Wood Bloomington, died Saturday (Feb. 21, 2004) at 2:57 a.m. at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m.

Thursday at Mount Pisgah Bap- tist Church. The Rev. Frank McSwain will officiate. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday at Kibler-Smith Bertha Samuels Bertha Samuels Memorial Home, Bloomington. Memorials may be made to Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in her memory. Bertha was born July 29, 1928, in Memphis, the daughter of Tom and Viola Thompson Butcher. She married Vernon L. Samuels in 1958.

He died in 1975. Survivors include two sons, Marvin (Lorna) Thompson of California and Arthur Holland of St. Joseph, one stepson, Samuel (Phyllis) James of Bloomington; two daughters, Jacalyn Samuels of Bloomington and Elizabeth Matthews of Mira Loma, 11 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Also surviving are five sisters, Gertrude Brown of Blooming. ton; Augustine Levy, Ethel Beverly and Sadie Cummings, all of Ferriday, and Mary Lindsey of Memphis, and four brothers, Frank (Stephanie) Butcher and Toby (Charlotte) Carlos, both of Bloomington; Tom (Lucille) Butcher of Ferriday, and Leon (Emma) Butcher of Jonesville, La.

A host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Wanda Holland; one son-in-law, Earl Matthews; two sisters; and four brothers. Bertha accepted Christ at an early age at the Tree of Life Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn. She was a devoted member of the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, where she attended faithfully until her health failed. She was employed at the former Diana Shop, Booker T.

Washington Children's Home, Bloomington Junior High and Bloomington High School cafeterias. She also was a volunteer at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. Aaron Walter NORMAL Aaron Walter, 25, of Normal died Friday (Feb. 20, 2004) at his residence.

Service: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Laird Funeral Home, Elgin, Pastor Mike Frantz officiating. Visitation: 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Survivors: his parents, Dan and Cathy Walter; two sisters, Kerri and Kelli Whipple; one brother, Joseph Wright, Cortland; his grandmother, Louise Lira; three half-brothers, Nick, Jake and Max, of Arizona; and his birth mother, Katherine.

ELSEWHERE Dr. Raymond Ceresoli PEORIA Dr. Raymond A. Ceresoli, 64, of 123 S.W. Jefferson, Peoria, died at 9:13 a.m.

Sunday (Feb. 22, 2004) at Proctor Hospital, Peoria. His funeral will be at noon Thursday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria, the Rev. Ron C. Miller officiating.

En- tombment will be in Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Parkview Cemetery in Peoria. Visitation will be from 10 to noon Thursday at the church. Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, CLINTON Leo V. Shelby, 81, of Mount Vernon, who had been living with a niece in Clinton, died at 9:50 a.m. Monday (Feb.

23, 2004) at Dr. John Warner Hospital, Clinton. Service: 11 a.m. Thursday at Murman and Wilson Funeral Home, Johnston City. Burial: East Lawn Cemetery, Herrin.

Visitation: one hour before the service Thursday at the funeral home in Johnston City. Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln, is in charge of local arrangements. Survivors: three sisters, Bertha Dieckman, West Frankfort; Pearl Russell, Kevil, and Fern (Lloyd) Owens, Lincoln; and the niece with whom he lived, Barb (Allen) Trago of Clinton. William Fred Stemke GILMAN William Fred Stemke, 46, of Watseka, formerly of Gilman, died at 4:20 a.m. Friday (Feb.

20, 2004) at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka. His funeral was Monday at Segur-Knapp Funeral Home, Watseka, the Rev. Larry Juergensen officiating. Burial was in Wenger Cemetery, Gilman. Memorials may be made to The ARC of Iroquois County.

He was born Jan. 23, 1958, in Watseka, to Vincent W. and Evelyn Goller Stemke. Raymond Ceresoli Raymond Ceresoli Peoria, is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice or Esther House Shelter for women, sponsored by the Peoria Rescue Mission.

He was born April 30, 1939, in West Frankfort, to Medardo and Freida Richter Ceresoli. He married Patricia J. Gregory April 27, 1968, in Peoria. She survives. Also surviving is one daughter, Christina H.

(Martin Zagorsek) Ceresoli. His parents and one brother preceded him in death. Raymond graduated from St. Louis University Dental School in 1964. He practiced general dentistry in Roanoke years, last working in November of 2003.

He was a veteran of the Air Force from 1964 to 1968, where he served as a dentist. He was a member of the Roanoke Jaycees from 1968 to 1975; also former member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Roanoke, where he was an elder, youth leader, Sunday school teacher and a member of the choir; member of Peoria Dental Society; Illinois State Dental Society; American Dental Association; Roanoke American Legion; Roanoke Farmers Association; and the Caper Club. A member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria, where he was a member of the Festival Choir 1.