Mrs. Grace F. Homma, 101, of Villa Grove, passed away on July 27, 2021 at Brookstone Estates of Tuscola. A Private Family Service will be held at her gravesite. Grace was born in Mountain View, California to Kenichi and Tamiye (Tsuchyama) Morioka on November 22, 1919.  She graduated from Roosevelt high school in Los Angeles with honors and was denied access to higher education due to World War II. During this time, she was relocated to the internment camp in Poston, AZ where she...

Charles W. Helm, 76, of Villa Grove died at 3:09 p.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021 at the University Rehabilitation Center of C-U. Charles was born on September 27, 1944 in Tuscola to Leon and Dorothy (Albin) Helm.  He married Janis Sigler on February 14, 1975 in Tuscola. He is survived by his wife, Janis Helm; daughter, Melinda (John) Stevens of Mascoutah, IL; three grandchildren, Taylor, Bryan, and Gracie “Emily”; and a sister, Patricia (Curt) Adams of Arizona. He was...

Barclay A. Burke, 86, of Savoy died at 6:07 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at his residence. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica on January 29, 1935.  He was the son of Aubrey E. and Valerie C. (Hogg) Burke. As a youth he moved to Canada, and then to the United States where he became a citizen in 1959.  He joined the U.S. Air Force in May of 1957. While stationed at Chanute Air Force Base, he met the most beautiful girl in the world.  He married Mary...

Betty Ayers, 91, of Villa Grove died at 1:20 a.m. on Monday, July 19, 2021 at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Arcola. Betty was born on October 28, 1929 in Indianapolis, IN to Glen and Ruth (Ikes) Wells.  She married Ralph D. Ayers on June 6, 1948 in Indianapolis, IN. She is survived by two children, Sherry Ellis and Charles Ayers; one grandchild, Dan Ellis; five great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Oliver, Harrison, Weston, and Greer; one brother, Ron Wells; and one niece and...

Winella Lynn DeSpain, 50, of Villa Grove died at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at the Tuscola Health Care Center. Winella was born on October 1, 1970 to Robert E. and Joyce A. (Letterman) DeSpain in Morrison, IL. She is survived by three children, Jonathon Sutton, Roger Sutton, and Collin Sutton; and five siblings, Michael DeSpain, Marta Rutledge, Robin DeSpain, David DeSpain, and Wendall DeSpain. She was preceded in death by her parents. No services will be held at this time.

John E. Barker, 89, of Brocton died on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Arbor Rose of Charleston. John was born on September 15, 1931 in Chicago to William and Florence Idelle (Bradford) Barker.  He married Virginia Spittler on December 28, 1951. He is survived by two children, Brad (Cheryl) Barker of Charleston and Vikki Barker of Terre Haute, IN; five grandchildren, Ian Huffington, Sarah (Patrick) Duncan, Shenandoah (Kyle) Drake, Isaac (Ashley) Barker, and Adam Barker; and four...

Michael A. Dillon, 59, of Newman died Sunday (July 4, 2021) at University Rehabilitation Center of C-U. Mike was born on Jan. 11, 1962, in Paris, to James and Karen (Step) Dillon. He married Karla Statzer on Dec. 2, 2016, in Tuscola. He is survived by his mother, Karen Dillon; wife, Karla Dillon; two stepchildren, Aaron (Hannah) Swarms and Jaymon Swarms; one grandson, Silas Swarms; four siblings, Patrick Dillon, Mary (Roy) Richter, Matt (Kim) Dillon and Mark (Jennifer) Dillon; and many...

Daisy L. Easton, 69, of Homer died at 1:14 p.m. Sunday (July 4, 2021) at home. Daisy was born on Oct. 26, 1951, in Danville, to Jesse and Geraldine (Colwell) Piercefield. She married Ivan Easton on June 1, 1974, in Tilton. She is survived by her four children, Brice Easton, Keith Easton, Neal Easton and Jennifer (Shane) Nirider; and one sister, Patricia Kilgore. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Daisy was a member of Broadlands United Methodist Church and Homer United...

John D. Hawkins, 71, of Newman died at 3:05 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Carle Foundation Hospital. John was born on November 24, 1949 in Paris, IL to John and Jeanne (Roberts) Hawkins.  He married Mary Mulcahey on August 8, 1970 in Bongard. He is survived by his wife, Mary Hawkins; one son, John (Sara) Hawkins; three grandchildren, Charlotte, Amelia, and Grant; three siblings, Sam (Teresa) Hawkins, Zala (Eric) Swigart, and Glen (Cindy) Hawkins; and many nieces and nephews. He...

Robert L. Rund, 83, of Metcalf died at 5:08 a.m. on June 22, 2021 at Pleasant Meadows Senior Living in Chrisman. Bob was born on July 3, 1937 to Wilbert and Helena (Scheafer) Rund.  He married Lupe (Lemus) Rund on January 26, 1996 in Tuscola. He is survived by his wife, Lupe Rund; 7 children, Laurie Sturtewagen of Paris, Susan (Chris) Smith of Greenup, Amy (Scott Stortzum) Rund of Texas, Ed Montgomery of Champaign, Bertrand (Rachel) Ray of Tuscola, Roi Ray of Arcola, and Jean Ray...