U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Hanna
FLORA -- Neva Hanna, 48, Flora, died Friday (June 15, 2001). Arrangements incomplete: Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora.
Specht
COWDEN -- Wendell H. Specht, 85, of Cowden died 3:30 a.m. Saturday (June 16, 2001) in Shelbyville Manor.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Mound Cemetery, Cowden. Visitation will be one hour before services in Lockart & Sons Funeral Home, Cowden. Memorials: American Cancer Society.
Mr. Specht was born Sept. 2, 1915, in Shelby County, the son of John and Vella Christy Specht. He retired from Oliver Corp. in Shelbyville after 20 years and later retired from Norge-Fedders Corp. in Effingham.
Surviving are his daughter-in-law, Barbara Harris of Cowden; granddaughters, Courtney Doty of Shelbyville and Karissa Specht of Cowden; sisters, Frieda Rieger of Rialto, Calif.; Lorene Roadarmel of Cowden.
He was preceded in death by three wives, one son and one sister.
Tynan
HUMBOLDT -- Gladys M. Tynan, 90, Humboldt, homemaker, died Friday (June 15, 2001). Member: Humboldt United Methodist Church. Survivors: daughter, Dorothy Fidler, Arcola; brother, Paul Washburn, Belaire; sister, Lillian Chapman, Casey; Thelma Miller, Lafayette, Ind.; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Preceded by: husband, one daughter and five brothers.
Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Humboldt United Methodist Church. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Shrader Funeral Home, Arcola. Burial: Humboldt Cemetery. Memorials: Humboldt United Methodist Church.
Venable
FLORA -- Mildred R. Venable, 91, Flora, employee of International Shoe Factory, died Saturday (June 16, 2001).
Services: 11 a.m. Monday, Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Burial: Elmwood Cemetery, Flora. Memorials: Flora Public Library.
Wisley
ST. ELMO -- Harold M. Wisley, 80, St. Elmo, died Saturday (June 16, 2001). Arrangements incomplete: Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora.
Besalke
DECATUR -- Alma Besalke, 97, of Decatur died 6 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 20, 2001) in McKinley Court.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in Lutheran Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Besalke was born Nov. 22, 1903, in Decatur, the daughter of William and Louisia Galka. She was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church. She worked for the City of Decatur as chief recorder of deeds. She married Arthur Besalke in 1941 in Decatur. He died in 1963.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers and sisters, Otto, Helen, Fred W., Margaret, Ida, Emil, William, Alma, Lydia O. and two who died in Germany.
Ferry
DECATUR -- Alma Ceora Ferry, 94, of Decatur died 6:55 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 18, 2001) in Lincoln Manor Nursing Home.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in First Presbyterian Church. Cremains will be interred in Harristown Township Cemetery
where her grandfather, Richard Beck, was one of the early developers. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: in lieu of flowers, Millikin University or donor's choice.
Alma Ceora Ferry was born Dec. 16, 1906, on a farm near Harristown, the daughter of Peter Bruce and Rose Etta Beck. She retired in 1970 from the business office at Millikin University where she had worked for nine years. During World War II, she worked as a clerk-typist at the Victory Ordinance Plant in Illiopolis and at the Decatur Signal Depot. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are her son, Dr. Richard E. Ferry and wife Carol of Decatur; daughter, Alice Wasem and husband Dr. John Wasem of Decatur; grandchildren, Dr. Lisa Wichterman and husband Dr. Keith Wichterman of Springfield; Dr. Kelly Slifer and husband Dr. Mark Hanley of Arlington, Texas; John Ferry of Kansas City, Mo.; Sally Anne Zamkin and husband Patrick of Chicago; great-grandchildren, Zachary Radwine, Christian Wichterman and Anne Elizabeth Wichterman, all of Springfield. Also surviving is her 99-year-old sister, Maisie Bauer, her roommate at Lincoln Manor.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Gessaman
DECATUR -- Jack D. Gessaman, 77, Decatur, died Friday (Oct. 19, 2001). Arrangements incomplete: Dawson & Wikoff Colonial Chapel North.
Harmon
DECATUR -- Ruth "Irene" Harmon, 67, of Decatur died 4:33 a.m. Friday (Oct. 19, 2001) in St. Mary's Hospital.
Funeral liturgy will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials: donor's choice.
Mrs. Harmon was born March 10, 1934, in Whitmore Township, Macon County, the daughter of Roy W. and Alta M. Cox Jestis. She was a retired salesperson for Pfiles Camera Shop. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church. She married Robert P. Harmon Aug. 9, 1952.
Surviving are her husband; mother, Alta M. Jestis of Modesta, Calif.; sisters, Betty Woltz of Modesta, Calif.; Shirley Hilvety and husband Tobe of Herrick; Violet Burns and husband Bill of Bend, Ore.; Jackie Trebs of Cowden; 28 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father and brother, Richard.
Davis
DECATUR -- The Rev. Vernon Jack Davis, 82, Decatur, died Saturday (Oct. 20, 2001). Arrangements incomplete: Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home.
Holman
DECATUR -- Mary Norine "Bobbie" Holman, 84, of Decatur died 8:37 a.m. Friday (Oct. 19, 2001) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Monday in Spring Hills Cemetery, Beecher City. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Monday in Dawson & Wikoff Colonial Chapel North. Memorials: to the family.
Mrs. Holman was born Aug. 14, 1917, in Sandoval, the daughter of Edgar and Alberta Purvis Deadmond. She formerly worked for Hi-Flier Kite Co. and was affiliated with the Christian Church. She married George B. Holman Feb. 28, 1933.
Surviving are her husband; son, George D. Holman and wife Lorene of Odin; daughter, Hazel Wren of Decatur; brother, John Deadmond and wife Shirley of Decatur; 11 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and two sisters.
The family would like to thank Dr. Esparaz and the staff at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Hehmeyer
DECATUR -- Mildred Elaine Hehmeyer, 88, of Shelbina, Mo., formerly of Hannibal, Mo., and Decatur, died 12:50 p.m. Friday (Oct. 19, 2001) in Northeast Regional Medical Center, Kirksville, Mo.
Services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday in Greening-Eagan-Hayes Chapel, Shelbina, Mo. Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in North Fork Cemetery, Decatur. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home, with Bro. David Johnson and the Rev. Wray Offerman officiating. Music will be by Myrna Carothers, Virginia Holder and Sharon Jones. The pianist will be Cara Wilt. Memorials: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Clarence Christian Church, Shelbina, Mo., American Diabetes. Association or Gideons International.
Mildred was born Oct. 4, 1913, in Hannibal, Mo., the daughter of Frank and Ella Walls Wells. She attended Clarence Christian Church while she lived in Shelbina, Mo., and was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the PTA and the school lunch program in Decatur. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Mother's Club and enjoyed growing flowers, particularly roses, embroidering and being a friend to many people. She worked at Kresge Dime Store, Hehmeyer Coal and Ice in Hannibal, Mo. She also worked as an Avon representative for about 15 years. She was united in marriage to Robert E. Hehmeyer Sr. May 14, 1933. He preceded her in death.
Surviving are her children, Judith Johnson of Buffalo Grove; Robert "Bob" Hehmeyer of Shelbina, Mo.; Gayle Peterson of Springfield; grandchildren, Michael Johnson of Jacksonville, Fla.; Michelle Johnson Kruse of Arlington Heights; Cpt. Matthew Johnson of Riverside, Ohio.; Alissa Hehmeyer Kaser of Shelbina, Mo.; Jennifer and Caitlin Peterson of Springfield; great-grandchildren, Hannah and McKenna Johnson of Jacksonville, Fla.; Josiah and Callie Kaser of Shelbina, Mo.
She was preceded in death by parents, husband, one brother and three sisters.
Johnson
DECATUR -- Irene Rice Johnson, 73, of St. Charles, Mo., formerly of Decatur, died Friday (Oct. 19, 2001) in St. Joseph Hospital, St. Charles, Mo.
Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday in New Friendship Cemetery, Paragould, Ark. Visitation will be 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Heath Funeral Home, Paragould. Pallbearers are Don Davis, Jared Seay, Matt Bibb, Vince Davis, Carlos Smith and Robert Sparks.
Mrs. Johnson was born Oct. 19, 1928, in Paragould, Ark., the daughter of Guy and Cessna Laird Rice. She was a homemaker.
Surviving are husband, Leo Johnson; son, Gene Johnson and wife Pat of Hayward, Wis.; daughters, Christine Davis and husband Don of St. Charles, Mo.; Patricia Seay and husband Jared of Goose Creek, S.C.; brother, Donald Rice of St. Louis, Mo.; sisters, Agnes Briscoe of Robertsville, Mo.; Barbara Olive of Richwood, Mo.; grandchildren, Vincent Davis and wife Kay; Katrina Bibb and husband Matt; Jennifer Johnson; Tristan Seay; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Johnson-Pheiffer; Ashleigh Bibb; Luke Davis; Grace Davis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jack and Toby Rice, and two sisters, Maxine Rogers and Sue Rosenhoffer.
Greve
DECATUR -- Esther M. Greve, 99, Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Decatur, died Saturday (Oct. 20, 2001). Arrangements incomplete: Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home.
Hunt
DECATUR -- Chauncey A. Hunt, 96, of Decatur died 5:40 a.m. Friday (Oct. 19, 2001) in Lincoln Manor Nursing Home.
Private family graveside services will be Monday in Graceland Cemetery
with Chaplain Dan Spruell officiating. There will be no visitation. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Chauncey was born June 28, 1905, in Atwood, the son of Lewis and Lulu Harshbarger Hunt. He worked in the maintenance department at Caterpillar Tractor Company for many years, retiring in 1971. He married Kathryn Lancaster Oct. 1, 1929, in Bloomington. She preceded him in death Sept. 11, 1991.
Surviving are his daughter, Dolly Dick and husband Richard of Decatur; grandsons, David Dick; Ryan Dick and wife Vianna; great-grandchildren, Brittney Nyberg, Brianna Dick and Alyssa Dick.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter, Virginia Lee Hunt, three brothers and one sister.
Stage
DECATUR -- Jacqueline Sue Stage, 70, of Decatur died 4:45 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 18, 2001) in her residence.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Monday in Graceland Cemetery
with visitation a half hour before services. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Stage was born March 16, 1931, in Centralia, the daughter of Rufus and Golda Thelma Hammond Revelle. She owned J&S Catering, retiring July 10, 1999. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. She married Wallace Dale Stage Oct. 20, 1947. He preceded her in death Jan. 18, 1986.
Surviving are her daughter, Susan Brown and husband Richard of Decatur; brothers, Karen Revelle and wife Debbie of Forsyth; Michael Revelle and wife Mary of Decatur; sister, Dana Beth Weiss and husband Allen of Warrensburg; grandchildren, Monya, Tiera and Jeffrey; great-grandchildren, Destiny, Colton, Kelsey, Makayla and Jessica.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Peacher
DECATUR -- E. Jane Peacher, 96, Decatur died Saturday (Oct. 20, 2001). Arrangements incomplete: Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home.
Sellers
DECATUR -- Dorothy Louise Sellers, 88, Decatur, died Tuesday (Oct. 16, 2001).
Services: 11 a.m. Monday, Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home. Visitation: one hour before services. Burial: Fairlawn Cemetery. Memorials: Prairieland Animal Welfare Society or Dorothy Sellers Art Award, in care of Millikin University.
Stewart
MOUNT ZION -- Grace Maybell Stewart, 72, Mount Zion, died Wednesday (Oct. 17, 2001).
Services: 10 a.m. Monday, J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home. Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Burial: North Fork Cemetery. Memorials: American Heart Association.
Brock-Jones
CHARLESTON -- Louise Brock-Jones, 85, Chesterfield, Mo., formerly of Charleston, died Friday (Oct. 19, 2001).
Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wesley United Methodist Church, Charleston. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Adams Funeral Chapel, Charleston. Burial: Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston. Memorials: American Parkinson's Disease Association or American Heart Association.
