| Normal - Orville E. Gannaway, 85, of Normal, passed away at 1:33 a.m. on Monday, April 25, 2016 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. His funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016 at College Avenue Baptist Church, 1320 E. College Avenue, Normal with Dr. Clark S. Killingsworth officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, at the church. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements. Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to College Avenue Baptist Church. Orville was born on August 31, 1930 in Normal, Illinois, a son to Ivan and Florence Lesher Gannaway. He married Virginia “Mae" Wilcox on January 12, 1951 in Normal. She preceded him in death on March 1, 2014. Surviving are five children; Ron Gannaway of Normal, Dave (Nola) Gannaway of Mackinaw, Pam (Bruce) Naffziger of Bloomington, Julie Golliday of Bloomington and Becky (Doug) Gerig of Towanda; 20 Grandchildren; Randy (Racheal) Gannaway of Normal, Amy (Shaun) Champ of Normal, Tony Gannaway of Normal, Dan (Rachel) Gannaway of Morton, Joy (Tim) Gronewold of Morton, Jason Naffziger of Bloomington, Jamie (Eric) Outlaw of Bloomington, Jodi (Brett) Sides of Bloomington, Cale Golliday of Minneapolis, MN, Cody Golliday of Normal, Casie Golliday of Bloomington, Caleigh Golliday of Bloomington, Nicole (Mike) Hancock of Switzerland, Vanessa Gerig of Bloomington, Jaclynn (Josh) Guin of Downs, Jessica Gerig of Youngstown, OH, David Gerig of Urbana, Ginny Gerig, of Towanda, Katie Gerig of Towanda, Janelle Gerig of Towanda; and 17 great grandchildren. Orville was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Margaret Gannaway and Rachel Batterton; and daughter in law, Karen Gannaway. He had over 50 years in the general contracting business in the Bloomington Normal area, working up until March 2016. Orville loved his family and rarely missed an opportunity to attend his children and grandchildren’s activities. He loved the outdoors, especially the time spent hunting and fishing with his family. He was a faithful member of College Avenue Baptist Church in Normal. He was an avid Chicago Cub fan and enjoyed watching NASCAR. Orville was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be lovingly remembered and missed by those who knew him. |
| Emma Gardner was adopted into John and Emma Bratten family then married Frank Roeske then divorced and married Julius Fred Baute in 1947. She is the sister of Anne Gardner who married Clifton Forest Keim of Peoria, Illinois. |
| MEMORIES OF BILL & LOIS STETZLER After reading my sister Estella Higgs autobiography, I decided to jot down some of our memories. Bill was born in a home that his parents moved into six weeks before he arrived on 16 Nov 1917 at 218 N. Third, Morton, IL. Bill's parents had lived in a spooky old house on Jefferson next to the AC Church and later built a new home at 206 W. Jefferson. One day Mom S found her son, Manuel sitting on the interurban tracks, so Dad S decided he should build out further. Bill played Basketball and the team went to State. Bill went to work at age 16 for his Dad in construction. He was drafted 5 Aug 41. He first went to Ft. Sheridan and from there to Ft Leonardwood, MO where he spent his time in service. We meet on a blind date in late Sept 1941, when I had 2 days left in Methodist Hospital of Peoria. We went to the Hub to a dance with four other couples, including George Annasenz's and Merlin & Gen Hall. We became engaged April 1, 1942. Bill was assigned to the Engineers. He taught rope tying and bridge building. He made furniture for the offices and 40 models of bridges that were displayed at different camps where engineers were trained. . We were married on 25 Dec 42 at the Presbyterian Church on Hamilton in Peoria because that was where I had time to go to church on Sunday if assigned a split shift. We took the rocket train to Chi for our honeymoon and saw Sonja Henie, the Olypmic skater. We lived in Rolla, MO in a hotel for 3 months. The room was very large and it cost a $1 a day and we even put our car in the garage, which was in the basement. I worked at St James private hospital. When housing became available at the fort we moved into a duplex which cost $30 a month. No hospital in area so I did not work. I returned home for Sandra's delivery in Nov 44 and Bill was discharged 5 Dec 44. He did come home to be with me for the delivery but he was so tired from driving he slept through the big event - so did I. Gen Hall Smith, a close friend, was with me. After his discharge we stayed with Bill's folks till an apartment was available. Bill enrolled at Bradley for a semester of drafting. He started our home in April before school was out. That summer was work work work. I painted windows three times wood and panes, canned 300 jars of food, and took care of our little one. We moved in Nov 45. His brothers Art came home from service and brother, Manuel carne back from CA shipyards about the time we moved in and Dad S. had some work lined up for them. Over the years they built many homes out of Lankton, Ziegele, Terry Arch Firm and some homes Bill designed for clients. One summer business was slow so they built a duplex to sell. Then several years before they retired they did more commercial --schools, nursing home, banks, swimming pools, garages, and etc. Thompson Food Basket was one of their clients. Bill's free time was serving as a board member for the Village of Morton for 28 years. (1947-1975) He did find time to play a little poker, pinochle and in his later years bridge. With four children, I found plenty to do, since Bill didn't have much time to help with windows and mowing. As the boys got older they helped if they weren't on one of the jobs. The girls were involved in 4 H and scouts and the boys were scouts to so they often went to camps in summer. I did join Home Bureau about 1953 or 4. I served on the County Board 4 years. A scout leader for 7 years and a 4-H leader for 9 years & served on the Morton United Fund board. Volunteering for Red Cross for 35 years, serving on the Taz Co Red Cross Board, CIC Red Cross Board in Peoria for several years. Served as an election judge many years and was active in the Republican Women's Club and County Republican work. In 1995 I received the County outstanding reward. About 1974 I joined Taz Co Genealogical Society and serve as Program Chairman for 14 years. Bill served on the Building Committee. PTA also took some time. When the children were older I started to play Bridge!! I had played auction as a youngster so it was a start. We took the Children to St Louis for weekends of swimming & Cardinals Ballgames each summer. Bill, his Mother, Uncle Henry, Jerry and I drove to CA in 1951. We took the 3 children to FLA one winter before Dave was born. We took Dave to FLA when he was 2 yrs and 5 yrs. We went a few times in the winter and had a baby sitter for the children. Went to NO and Jerry babysat for us when on semester break. We took the 4 children to Yellowstone in about 1958 in a station wagon and were gone about 2 weeks which was about one day too long. Bill got mad at me the last morning and we drove across Mo with no breakfast. When Sandy went to school and told of our problem, one of the Schwenk's said they drove across two states while their parents were not speaking. After the children were through college we went to Hawaii, Europe, Canadian Rockies, Carolina's, Texas, Louisiana, Kansas City, Colorado, Nova Scotia, New York City, Fla and Scandinavian Countries. We took lots of week end trips with Peoria Park District. Our cruising included two Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mediterranean, St Lawrence Seaway, Amazon River, and Alaska. We had lots of fun playing cards with the children over the years and with friends. My family got together almost every month and the men usually played poker. Stetzlers usually had holiday dinners and we started Family reunions several years ago in late summer. Stetzler's usually had breakfast in the park or picnics until their families got bigger. When Jerry was about 15 we bought a pool table so that attracted lots of youngsters on weekends. Before that WaIz's, our back door neighbors, had a pony so we also purchased one with a cart which the children & friends seem to enjoy. I should not tell this but the pool table attracted some trouble makers and one night when Dave was older, he and two buddies took some of my eggs and egged a coach's house. Dave told us he even liked the man. They got caught, which was good, so I had to go to the police station. His punishment was a month of confinement to home writing a report and pay for the window pane one of the boys threw a rock at. We purchased an interest in a farm with a lake west of Trivoli probably in the '60s. Dave enjoyed it so much especially the fishing that he never became an Eagle Scout like his brother, Jerry. He almost made it but the lake was more to his liking. Jerry & Mike Carius bought an old ambulance to take camping out west. It never got out of IL. After 2 or 3 flat tires they gave up and Mike's Mom let them drive a car. On one of their trips out west they fought forest fires instead of canoeing. Jerry and Bob Kirchner both built canoes from a kit. Jerry left his in the Snake River. Bob used his once on Schwartz's lake. In 1966 he was killed in an accident on the way home from the Peoria Fair. Fred Raymer and Jean Ackerman were also victims and Janet Stetzler & Nancy Raymer were seriously hurt. This was a rough weekend but we were thankful our children were not involved. I did not sleep for 3 nights. It was county fair time and all day judging clothes and I stayed with the girls two nights. The hardest thing was attending 3 funerals and returning Jean's 4-H dress to her Mom after the fair. The children's years in college were enjoyable - seeing them mature. I laugh as I recall the year Becky was starting to IL and Jerry was in his last at Bradley, I asked Bill for money and he said "do you think it grows on trees?" So I told him I needed surgery but I guess we cannot afford it. I don't need to tell you he felt pretty bad and am sure that was the last time we ever had a real argument. Before that if we had words he would go out and mow. He never mowed much that I recall. We had more ups than downs and four good children to be proud of. We enjoyed traveling to see them & their Families. I hope they will have the pleasures we had and enjoy good health. Bill & I celebrated our 50th wedding Anniversary on December 26, 1992 with family and friends at the Peppermill in Morton. Bill, I, and the children attended the Morton Apostolic Church. I now volunteer at the AC Restmor Nursing Home. |
| James Monroe Jones, Lizzie Goldstone, Mary, James |
| Viola R. Aupperle, age 92, of Chanhassen. Preceded in death by son, Fred Aupperle and grandson, Kevin Bragg. Survived by children, Arletta Bragg and Aaron Aupperle; grandchildren, Kane (Kathryn) Bragg, Merilee Retzloff, Troy Aupperle and Lisa Hutchins; great-grandchildren, Jordan and Jake Bragg. Funeral service Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 at 1:30 PM at the Apostolic Christian Church, 1390 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota, MN 55150 (651- 452-9783). Visitation Saturday, 3-5 PM at Huber Funeral Home Eden Prairie Chapel, 16394 Glory Lane, Eden Prairie (1/2 mi. S. of Hwy 5 on Co Rd 4). Also one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday. Interment Groveland Cemetery, Deephaven. Huber Funeral & Cremation Services Eden Prairie Chapel 952-949-4970 |
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