U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Beard
DECATUR -- Patricia Ailien Beard, 73, of Decatur died Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2003).
Services will be 2 p.m. Friday in J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour before services. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery.
Patricia was born Dec. 26, 1929, in Decatur, the daughter of William Delaw and Alta Lyons Hedenberg. She had been employed as a Marvel Shebler machine operator for 10 years and then worked at Cub Foods as a food demonstrator for seven years. She married William L. Buchanan on Jan. 22, 1949, in Decatur. He preceded her in death July 27, 1987. She then married Robert D. Beard on Sept. 7, 1993, in Decatur. He preceded her in death in March of 1994.
Surviving are her son, William Lee (Debbie) Buchanan Jr. of Minnesota; Donald W. Buchanan and Robert A. Buchanan Sr., both of Decatur; daughters, Patricia L. (James) Ray of Tennessee; Naomi E. (Phillip) Workman and Tanya E. Kilcoyne, all of Decatur; sisters, Naomi Marie Tomlinson of Springfield; Alta Elaine Mason of Decatur; 19 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, two brothers and two sisters.
Burkhalter
DECATUR -- Frances Wilhelmina Burkhalter, 87, Marionville, Mo., formerly of Decatur, died Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2003).
Memorial services: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Central Community United Methodist Church, Shell Knob, Mo. Burial: Painter Cemetery, Shell Knob. Arrangements by: Williamson Funeral Home, Cassville, Mo. Memorials: Central Community United Methodist Church.
Campbell
DECATUR -- Paul Kermit "P.K." Campbell, 78, Decatur, retired Borg-Warner Corp. employee, died Saturday (Feb. 1, 2003).
Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Burial: Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, with military rites. Arrangements by: Edwards Funeral Home, Arcola. Memorials: P.K. Campbell Memorial Fund.
World War II
Army veteran. Member: Glad Tidings Assembly of God. Survivors: wife, Nadine; daughters, Patricia Tague, Mount Zion; Vickie Giger, Pottsboro, Texas; brother, Herbert Campbell, Avon Park, Fla.; Donald Campbell, Lake Placid, Fla.; Evan Campbell, Mattoon; five grandchildren. Preceded by: parents.
Crawford
DECATUR -- Kenneth Robert Crawford, 76, of Decatur died 6:56 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 2, 2003) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Friday in Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard to follow. There will be no visitation. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials: Decatur Memorial Hospital Heart and Lung Center.
Kenneth was born May 1, 1926, in Decatur, the son of Kenneth Wagner and Ida Pryor Crawford. He was a furniture refinisher for Sears, Roebuck and Co. for many years, retiring in 1986. He later drove a school bus for Durham School Bus Co. He was a World War II Navy veteran. He was a member of Aero Commander Airplace Club and Blunderbirds Airplane Club. He married Rosamond Tucker on Oct. 20, 1944, in Springfield.
Surviving are his wife; son, Robert Crawford of Brownsburg, Ind.; daughter, Linda Ann Arnold and husband John of Brookins, Ore.; sister, Delores Rash and husband Duane of West Covina, Calif.; grandchild, Chuck Arnold.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Flinn
DECATUR -- Robert L. "Big Flinn" Flinn, 56, of Decatur passed from this life Monday (Feb. 3, 2003).
Homegoing services will be 11 a.m. Friday in St. Peter's AME Church, with the Rev. George A. Coates officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services in the church. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. J.J. Moran & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
"Flinn" was born June 25, 1946, in Mobile, Ala., the son of Neal and Elnora Fox Flinn. He was a member of St. Peter's AME Church and worked 10 years as line serviceman for PPG. He married Annie K. Currie on May 25, 1968, in Decatur.
He leaves not to mourn, but to cherish fond memories, his wife; parents of Decatur; sons, Robert A. Flinn and Marcus A. Flinn, both of Decatur; daughters, Tina Flinn, Jackqueline Flinn and Chastity Flinn, all of Decatur; brother, Jimmy (Joyce) Flinn
of Decatur; sisters, Rosemary (Donald) Vacca of Peoria; Geneal (Harvey) Williams and Erma Flinn, all of Decatur; 13 grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Earl Flinn and Willie Flinn.
Gause
DECATUR -- Dawn R. Rowe Gause, affectionately known as "Beaver," 36, of Decatur died Friday (Jan. 31, 2003) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Services will be noon Thursday in Greater Mount Olive M. B. Church, with Pastor Oliver Johnson officiating. Visitation will be two hours before services in the church. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Walker Funeral Service and Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Dawn was born Aug. 3, 1966, in Sikeston, Mo., the daughter of Lee Andrew Rowe and Eula May Bean Rowe. She was a 1984 graduate of MacArthur High School and formerly attended Richland Community College and Southeast Missouri University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She attended Salem Baptist Church. She was an avid reader and was very knowledgeable of many past and present issues and events through her readings. She married John Gause on Feb. 14, 2001.
She leaves not to mourn, but to cherish fond memories, her husband; mother of Decatur; daughters, Danielle Rowe of Jacksonville, N.C.; Ashley Rowe and Heather Gause, both of Decatur; son, Jeremy Gause of Decatur; sisters, Julia (Steve) Kirkwood of Arlington, Texas; Kimberly (Harry) Peppers of Hurst, Texas; Evon (Martin) Wheeler and Chanette Brazier, both of Decatur; brother, Austin Rowe of Grand Prairie, Texas; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father; grandparents, Annabelle and Martin Rowe and Thomas and Florene Bean; uncle, George Rowe.
Hildebrand
DECATUR -- Margaret Scott Hildebrand, 87, of Decatur died 8:10 p.m. Monday (Feb. 3, 2003) in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Services will be noon Saturday in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana, with the Rev. Jean Eyrich of Illini Congregational United Church of Christ, Warrensburg, officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Friday in First Congregational Church of Decatur and one hour before services in the funeral home. Burial will be in Rosemond Cemetery, Rosamond. Memorials: First Congregational Church of Decatur or Easter Seals of Central Illinois.
Mrs. Hildebrand was born May 29, 1915, in Rosamond, the daughter of George Haft and Jesse Putnam Scott. She was a graduate from Rosamond High School. She later lived in Pana and moved to Decatur in 1965. She received training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago as an infant nurse. She and her husband operated a Fay's Fabrics in Decatur. She was a poet and loved to paint and did crafts. She was very active with Meals on Wheels in Decatur and was a past member of American Legion Auxiliary, Pana. She married Ernest Frederick Hildebrand on Sept. 5, 1937, in Rosamond.
Surviving are her husband; children, Margie Malone and husband Pat of Maroa; Mary Kay Harris of Decatur; Douglas Hildebrand of Peoria; Stanley Hildebrand and wife Mary of Metamora; daughter-in-law, Shirley Hildebrand of Morton; grandchildren, Mark, Leah, Stacey, Nickey, Mandy, Jennifer, Keith, Leslie, Lindsay and Brad; great-grandchildren, Mady and Tyler.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Herb Scott and James Scott.
Lawton
DECATUR -- Sidney "Sid" Lee Lawton, 69, of Decatur passed away peacefully 9:57 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 1, 2003) in McAllen Medical Center, Pharr, Texas, with his wife and daughters, Catherine L. Cleary and Carol Ann Lawton, at his bedside.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday in Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with 8 p.m. Masonic rites conducted by the Stephen Decatur Masonic Lodge 979 AM & AF. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, with a gathering for family and friends to follow in Warrensburg Sportsman's Club, Inc. Memorials: Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131-3597.
Sid was born Feb. 8, 1933, in Kensett, Ark., the son of William P. "Perkins" and Georgia Lawton. He later moved to Decatur for the rest of his life. He went to Centennial and Decatur High School. He then worked at Decatur Paper Warehouse, General Electric and P & W Constuction Co. In 1966, he became owner/operator of Sid Lawton Construction. He built many new homes and did remodeling in the Decatur area. When he was not busy "collecting rent" and taking care of his rental property, you could find him in Warrensburg Sportsman Club, Inc., or riding one of his many Cushman scooters or down in Pharr, Texas. He was president of Warrensburg Sportsman's Club, a member of Stephen Decatur Masonic Lodge 979 AM & AF, Beaumonoir Commandry No. 9 K.T., Decatur Shrine Club, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite-Valley of Danville, Ansar Eagles, BPOE Elks, Ansar Temple of Springfield, Decatur Landlord's Association, Order of Eastern Star Guiding Light and past member of Decatur
Home Builder's Association. He married Dorothy L. Rager on April 5, 1952, in Marion, Ark.
Surviving are his wife of 50 years; daughters, Catherine L. Cleary and Carol Ann "Goofy" Lawton, both of Decatur; son-in-law, Michael Gilstrap of Decatur; grandchildren, Elizabeth Cleary and fiance Mark Donnelly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Christine and William Lawton Cleary of Decatur; brothers, Dennis A. Lawton and wife Janet of Decatur; sister, Sheila A. Gardner and husband Al of Decatur; nieces and nephews, Gary Spaugh; Cathy Stalker and husband Jim; Patty Wickline, Randy Spaugh and wife Kathy; Darin Robinson.
She was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jessie Marie; nephews, Derek Robinson and Dennis Binkley; very dear and special person, Thom Miller.
The family would like to thank all their friends and family, the Warrensburg Sportman's Club, Inc., Nellies Tavern, Jackies, American Legion in Pharr, Cancer Care Specialists in Decatur, Dr. Velasco, McAllen Medical Center in Pharr, sister-in-law,
Shirley Rager, and Dwight Buckner.
Sid will be deeply missed by his friends, both here and in Texas, but we all know that he is resting in peace and out of pain, wearing his orange stocking hat. God bless you.
Meyer
DECATUR -- Betty V. Meyer, 79, Decatur, died Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2003). Arrangements incomplete: Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes.
Meyerholz
DECATUR -- David W. Meyerholz, 50, Decatur died Sunday (Feb. 2, 2003).
Services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes. Burial: Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. Memorials: to the family.
Miller
DECATUR -- Nellie Miller, 89, of Decatur died 10 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2003) in McKinley Court.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren, with visitation one hour before services in the church. Burial will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren.
Mrs. Miller was born Jan. 28, 1914, in Brownstown, the daughter of Alonzo Daniel and Myrah Elizabeth Harris Eveland. She was a member of Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren. She married Joseph James Miller on April 17, 1935, in Cerro Gordo. He preceded her in death.
Surviving are her son, Jerry Miller and wife Donna of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Linda Duncan and husband Jim of Decatur; grandsons, Lonnie Miller of Mattoon; Joe Miller and wife Kelly of Decatur; granddaughters, Angela Rager of Latham; Donna Miller-Stogsdill of Forsyth; Joetta Miller of Decatur; stepgrandchildren, Geoff Duncan and wife Holly of Decatur; Jim Duncan and wife Lisa of Bartlett; daughter-in-law, Adiline Young of Arthur; brother, Bud Eveland of Dix; seven great-grandchil dren; four great-stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Bob; two brothers; five sisters.
O'Dell
DECATUR -- Atha Louise O'Dell, 87, formerly of Decatur, died Monday (Feb. 3, 2003).
Services: noon Saturday, Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation: 9:30 a.m. until services. Burial: Graceland Cemetery. Memorials: Trinity Hospice, 15105 Lemoyne Blvd., D'Iberville, MS 39540 or donor's choice.
Secrest
DECATUR -- Hazel Secrest, 94, of Decatur died 1:46 p.m. Monday (Feb. 3, 2003) in Lincoln Manor Nursing Home.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Graceland Star of Hope Chapel, with visitation one hour before services in the church. Entombment will be in Star of Hope Mausoleum. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: Telephone Pioneers.
Hazel was born March 21, 1908, in Pana, the daughter of Maude Secrest Dixon. She was an Illinois Bell Telephone Co. group chief operator for 38 years, retiring in 1963. She enjoyed gardening and her many flowers. She was affiliated with St. Paul's United
Methodist Church.
Surviving are her cousins, Farrell Secrest and wife Marion and family of Cupertino, Calif.; Wendell Secrest and wife Verna and family of Florence, Ore.
She will be missed by all of her friends.
Shildneck
DECATUR -- Keith Robert Shildneck, 68, of Des Plains, formerly of Decatur, died Thursday (Jan. 30, 2003) in his home.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.
Mr. Shildneck was born April 13, 1934, in Decatur, the son of Paul R. Shildneck and Jennie B. Brodahl Shildneck. He was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and the University of Illinois. Mr. Shildneck was a former industrial designer and graphic
artist in Chicago. He specialized in automated technical equipment and retired in 2000. He was an
Army veteran, where he was in demolition and ammunition transport.
Surviving are his sister, Ann Yackel and husband Walter of Argenta.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Roger.
