News-Tribune from Spring Valley, Illinois • a9

9 BITUARIES New sTribune New sTrib.com 15,2021 LNT William I. Peel, 84, of Princeton, Illinois, passed on December 6, 2021. Arrangements entrusted to Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton, Illinois. Additional information: 815-879-3641. WILLIAM I.

PEEL Anthony Scott Dye passed away suddenly De- cember 10, 2021 at St. Clare Medical Center, Princeton, IL most likely due to unknown cardiac issues. He was 59 years old. Tony was born on July 31, 1962 in Princeton, IL to Russell and Carol (Curley) Dye, the very youngest of all the Dye cousins. He married Kris (Bickett) Ferrari on December 30, 2008 in Princeton.

She survives. Tony was raised in Princeton and proudly graduated as a basketball stud with the Class of 1980. Go Tigers! He began his employment career as an adolescent working the counter of his business, The Greasy Spoon, on Main Street in Princeton. In high school he worked other jobs as well. He loved to tell youth about how he could stay out all night partying and but was still able to get up for work at Later, he was an operating engineer at Monterey Mushrooms for 28 years.

Tony was, to say the least, a sports enthu- siast. Aside from being a high school jock, in his adult years he play in several slow-pitch softball leagues and was infamous for hitting one onto the roof of the Malden school. He caught the ball right handed but pitched and batted left-handed. He bowled (right-handed) on the Tuesday night Route 6 league and golfed (left-handed) on the league at Indian Hills Golf Course in Tiskilwa. He played Busch League pool (left-handed), and played pitch, euchre, 3-card and Texas (dealt right handed).

He participated in many parlay cards and 13-run pools and enjoyed hunting and fishing. But Tony valued most of all the friendships made throughout his life. He was a man large in stature standing but was well known as a gentle giant. If Tony liked you, you knew you had a true friend for life. One of his favorite things to do was to drive around the county dropping in to visit friends.

He also truly loved his weekday with his buddies at the P.I. where data was collected in order to strategize on how to save the world. For these reasons and many others, he will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Tony left behind his wife, Kris, of Princeton, daughter Ashlee Dye of Malden, stepdaugh- ters Alison Ferrari of Kihei, Hawaii and Lauren Ferrari of Princeton. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren Garrett, Tessa and Harlee, trusty sidekick Apollo, brother Kevin Dye and cousin-like-a-brother Jim Dye, sisters-in-law Kelly (Fred Kimberley) Bickett and Kani Bopes, brother-in-law Kim (Debbie) Bickett, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, in-laws and canine compan- ions Babe, Duke and Charlotte. A celebration of life followed by dinner for Anthony Dye will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Princ- eton Moose Family Center, 1339 N. Euclid Avenue, Princeton, IL. Cremation rights have been accorded and interment will be at a later date. Grant-Johnson Funeral Homes, Inc.

of Princeton is handling arrangements. The family requests that in lieu of flowers have a beer for Tony. Online condolences may be sent to www. ANTHONY DYE Born: July 31, 1962 in Princeton, IL Died: December 10, 2021 in Princeton, IL John M. Flecker, 47, of Wenona, Illinois, passed on December 13, 2021.

Arrangements entrusted to Hurst Funeral Home, Wenona, Illinois. Additional informa- tion: 815-223-0380. JOHN M. FLECKER Matthew Waido, 33, of Mendota, passed on Arrangements entrusted to Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Additional information: www.merrittfh.com.

MATTHEW WAIDO Norman Hansen, 90, of Hoffman Estates, passed on Arrangements entrusted to Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Additional information: www.merrittfh.com. NORMA HANSEN OBITUARIES Helen F. Smith, 77, of Princeton, Illinois passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Aperion Care Nursing Home in Princeton, Illinois She was born De- cember 6, 1944 in Delhi, Louisiana the daugh- ter of Rex and Fadra (Robertson) Young. Helen married Ron Smith on March 12, 1966 in Aurora, Illinois He preceded her in death October 4, 2014.

She is survived by two children: Doug (Erin) Smith of Evanston, IL and Kristin Smith Doherty of Princeton, IL; two step-children: Deborah Smith of Princeton, IL and Daniel (Paula) Smith of Sebring, FL; 9 grandchildren: Lucas and Nicolette Smith, Liam Ardon, Ains- ley Doherty, Jennifer Rano, Bronson Lackey, Chancellor, Dakota, and Korianne Smith; 7 great-grandchildren: Cassidy, Frank, III, Lily, Charlotte, Max, Ben, and Isabella; one sister, Shirley Young Hudson; two sisters-in law, Beverly Schneider of Princeton and Michelle Young of Mississippi; her dear friends, Janeen Korody and Barbara Hansen; and numerous nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ron, her brother, Ronald Young and one brother-in law, Lloyd Schneider. Helen graduated from Ingomar High School, Union County, Mississippi, where she was an All State Basketball player. Her basketball team won the State Championship her senior year and she held the scoring record of 44 points in a game for approximately 40 years. She was offered a professional contract to play for the All American Red Heads traveling basketball team. She turned that down to go to college at Delta State Community College.

She then worked at Richards Wilcox in Aurora, Illinois, where she met her husband. Helen also worked at Steelmasters and C.F. Industries. She also did secretarial work for the First United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Helen enjoyed playing bridge with various couples and belonged to couples clubs through her churches.

She liked to go to supper clubs and going dancing with Ron and friends. She enjoyed travelling, especially her trips to Europe and Spain. Helen was a very kind person with a loving heart and will be remembered as that. A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home, Princeton, Illinois with Pastor Derek Boggs officiating.

A visitation will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 10:30 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Burial will take place in Oakland Cemetery in Princeton, Illinois. Memorials may be directed to the Evangeli- cal Covenant Church in her memory. Online condolences may be sent to www.

HELEN F. SMITH Born: December 6, 1944 in Delhi, LA Died: December 11, 2021 in Princeton, IL James Rolland Saal, 81 of Henry, Illinois passed away at 8:10 p.m. Sunday, December 12, 2021 at OSF St. Clare Medical Center in Princeton, Illinois. He was born September 28, 1940 in Sparta, Illinois the son of Leonard and Gladys (Red- nour) Saal.

Jim married Laura Duffield July 10, 1960 at the Pentecostal Church in Tiskilwa, Illinois. She survives in Henry. He is also survived by two children: Laurie Ann Saal (Kirk) Riva of Springfield, Illinois, Randy (Rita) Saal of Princeton; five grand- children: Melissa Jean (Thomas) Suchy of Albuquerque, NM, Erica (Lee) Brittin of Springfield, IL, Derek (Allie) Betzer of Duran- go, CO, James (Amanda) Saal of Cedar City, UT, and Nicole (Chris) Osborn of Sheffield, IL; four great-grandchildren: Kinsley Ann Brittin, Orson Suchy, Ellis Suchy, and Levi Brittin; and one great-grandchild on the way, Kyrin Randall Saal; five siblings: Norm (Peggy) Saal of Mountain Home, AR, Kenny (Linda) Saal or Princeton, IL, Emma Nelson of Princeton, IL, Jerry (Connie) Saal of Princeton, IL, and Les (Beth) Saal of Tiskilwa, IL; one sister- in law, Cheryle Owens of Henry, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother in infancy, Leonard Lawrence Saal. Jim graduated from Bureau Township School, where he played basketball and his team was in the hall of fame.

He worked at the Bureau Service Company for over 32 years. He was a member of the GWRRA Motorcycle Club and the Antique Car Club. Jim enjoyed carpentry work, and sports. He spent 13 years of retirement in the golf capital of Tennessee. While in Tennessee he was very active in the Blazing Hope Ranch, a safe haven for victims of human trafficking.

Jim enjoyed traveling with his wife, Jean. He especially liked the mountains. Jim loved his family and spending time with them. He was known as a playful uncle, a faithful husband to his bride, and a loving father. Jim was an active member of the New Life Community Church in Henry.

He loved the Lord and his desire is for his family to all love the Lord. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, December 17, 2021 at New Life Com- munity Church, Henry, Illinois. A visitation will be held 10:00 11:30 a.m. on December 17, 2021 at New Life Community Church, Henry, Illinois prior to the service.

Cremation rites will be accorded after the service and burial will take place at a later date in Mt. Bloom Cemetery, Tiskilwa, Illinois. Memorials may be directed to Blazing Hope Ranch in his memory. Online condolences may be sent to www. JAMES ROLLAND SAAL Born: September 28, 1940 in Sparta, IL Died: December 21, 2021 in Princeton, IL.