Obituaries
Dea-Der

DEARING, Alberta L. - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, 2001 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Alberta L. Dearing 1922-2001
   Alberta L. Dearing, 79, of Chandlerville, died Saturday morning, Dec. 1, 2001, at the home of her daughter in Ashland.
   She was born March 30, 1922, in Cass County, the daughter of Louis and Fern Dupes Cox. She married Harry Dearing, Jr. Feb. 14, 1945 at the Cass County Courthouse, in Virginia, and he survives.
   She is also survived by one son, Norman Dale (wife, Margaret) of Beardstown, two daughters, Wanda (husband, Len) Shoemaker of Hankamer, Texas, and Connie (husband, Tom) Holmes of Ashland; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jack Cox of Glasford, Donald (wife, Sue) Cox of Virginia and Norman (wife, Joan) Cox of Galesburg; one sister, Betty (husband, Dave) Kaonohi of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brother, Eugene and Gerald Cox.
   Mrs. Dearing was employed for several years at Vollmer's Grocery Store in Chandlerville. She was a member of the Chandlerville Christian Church and the Chandlerville American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed crocheting and cooking.
   Funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Lintner-Buchanan Funeral Home in Chandlerville, with burial at the Chandlerville Cemetery. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Monday at the funeral home where family will meet friends from 7-9 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice or the Cass County Health Department.

DEARING, Harry Jr. - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, October 2, 2002 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Harry Dearing, Jr. 1922-2002
   "Harry Dearing, Jr., 80, of Chandlerville, died Monday afternoon, Sept. 30, 2002 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
   He was born July 11, 1922, in Cass County, the son of Harry Sr. and Sylvia Watkins Dearing. He married Alberta L. Cox Feb. 14, 1945, at the Cass County Courthouse in Virginia, and she preceded in death December 1, 2001.
   He is survived by one son, Norman Dale (wife, Margaret) of Beardstown, two daughters, Wanda (husband, Len) Shoemaker of Hankamer, Texas, and Connie (husband, Tom) Holmes of Ashland; eight grandchildren; one brother, Roland (wife, Lois) of Oakford; one sister, Gladys (husband, Adam) Baxter of Canton; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Blanche Clark; and eight brothers, Bill, Dennis, Virgil, Kenneth, Ernest, James, Russell, and Raymond.
   Mr. Dearing was a farmer and also served as a bus driver and custodian for Chandlerville schools. He later was employed as a meat cutter for Oscar Mayer in Beardstown. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a 37-year member of Chandlerville American Legion Post 694.
   Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Lintner-Buchanan Funeral Home in Chandlerville, with burial at Chandlerville Cemetery.
   Friends may call after 3 p.m. today at the funeral home where family will meet friends from 4-7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Cass County home Health."

DEARING, Karen S. - newspaper unknown, November 20, 2005 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
   Karen S. Dearing, 56 years, of Kilbourne, IL died Sunday afternoon, November 20, 2005 at her residence.
She was born July 30, 1949 in Springfield, IL; the daughter of Phillip N. and Rose M. Dobson Willing.
   She is survived by three sons, James (wife, Molly) Dearing of Kilbourne, Chris (wife, Pam) Dearing of Springfield, and Alen (wife, Kristy) Dearing of Divernon, IL; five grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; four brothers, Thomas (wife, Diane) Willing of Kilbourne, Clarence "Bud" Willing of Kilbourne, Timothy (wife, Cheryl) Willing of Jacksonville, NC, Michael (wife, Maggie) Willing of Chandlerville, IL; one sister, Barbara Lewis of Kilbourne; and several nieces and nephews.
   She was preceded in death by her parents.
   She was a Rehabilitation Aide at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Petersburg prior to her illness. She enjoyed attending garage sales, gardening and was a avid Bingo player. She was a member of the Kilbourne Community Church.
   Funeral services will be held at Noon on Wednesday November 23, 2005 at the Kilbourne Community Church in Kilbourne with burial in the Kilbourne Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday, at the Lintner-Buchanan Funeral Home in Chandlerville. Memorial contributions may be given to the Kilbourne Community Church or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com

DEATON, Victor - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, August 30, 2007 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Victor Deaton, 1923-2007
   Victor Deaton, 84, of Beardstown, died Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 28, 2007, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
   He was born Aug. 17, 1923, in Ashland, the son of Shelby and Bessie Lee Jenkins Deaton. He married Barbara Jean Hedrick on June 29, 1947, in Rockford, and she survives.
   He is also survived by two daughters, Paula (husband, Michael) Barnett of Beardstown and Donna of Mount Aukum, Calif.; three grandchildren, Laura Barnett (husband, Jeremy Alcorn) of Beardstown, Jack Barnett of New Hope, Minn., and Cheryl Barnett of Champaign; and one brother Lincoln (wife, Mary Liz) of East Hartland, Conn. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Fischer and Dorothy MacKenzie.
   Mr. Deaton graduated at age 16 from Alton High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II stationed in North Africa and Naples, Italy, in the 3196th Battalion. He began his employment with AT&T as a craftsman and after 34 years of service retired as District Supervisor in Central Illinois. Retiring at age 51, he and his wife moved to Beardstown for four years. They then moved to Sarasota, Fla. for 11 months then on to Tallahassee, Fla., where he worked for Action Cable TV. A year later they moved to Kingwood, Texas, where he supervised for construction of a new cable TV system. They were transferred to Zepher Hills, Fla., where he supervised the building of yet another cable TV system. In 1989, they moved to Beardstown to be near their family. He enjoyed singing in a Barbershop Quartet, playing the piano and writing short stories. His fondest memories came from taking his family each year on a two-week fishing vacation in Wisconsin.
   Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown, with burial at Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 5-7 p.m. today at he funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Culbertson Memorial Hospital or VFW Post 1239 in Beardstown. Condolences may be sent to sagerfh@casscomm.com.

DECKER, John - Beardstown, Illinoian, Sept. 11, 1884
   Died Sat., the 8th, John Decker. He was born in Germany,May 21, 1804. He married Mary Ann Guyot of St. Augustine, FL in 1835. He converted from the Catholic faith and founded Decker Methodist Chapel near Bluff Springs. They were the parents of two sons, one having died in 1870 and Mrs. Decker, his wife, in1873. Burial in Beardstown City cemetery.

DEGROOT, James Degroot - newspaper unknown - Submitted by Carol Orwig
died February 2, 1917
   James Degroot was born July 19, 1898 and departed from this life February 2, 1917, aged 18 years, 5 months and 15 days.
   He is survived by his father Jerry Degroot, tow sisters and two brothers, all at home, namely, Annie, Joachum, Silas and Nancy. His mother, two brothers and one sister have preceded him in death. Interment was at the Garner Cemetery.

DEGROOT, Marie - Star Gazette, Beardstown, Illinois, January 28, 1921 - Submitted by Carol Orwig
   In a letter to this paper, Joseph DeGroot, a former resident of this county, now living near Macon, MO, tells of the death on January 4 of his daughter Marie Gesenia DeGroot, a young lady 15 years old. She had been ill for several months. She was born near Ashland, this county, December 1904. Survivors include her aged grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Jurgens of near Tallula, her parents, six sisters and one brother namely: Mrs. Emery Whiles of Leola SD; Margartia Josephine, Otto, Emma, Martha and Lela all residing at home. The remains were laid to rest at Bethelehem, MO.

DELESS, Blanche - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, November 13, 2002 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Blanche DeLess 1901-2002
   Blanche DeLess, 100, of Heritage Manor South in Beardstown, formerly of Clayton, died Monday evening, Nov. 11, 2002, at the nursing home.
   She was born Nov. 22, 1901, in Fulton County, the daughter of Walker and Martha Graham Bolton. She married William DeLess June 14, 1923, in Macomb, and he preceded her in death Jan. 14, 1991. She is survived by one daughter, Mary (husband, Jack) Gist of Beardstown; two grandsons; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Kent Bolton; and one sister, Clara Shank.
   Mrs. DeLess and her husband owned and operated the Polka Dot Shoppe in Clayton from 1955-1975. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Neighbors, Modern Quest Reading Club and Clayton Lioness Club. She was a member of the First Federated Church of Clayton, where she served as Sunday school superintendent and was district young people's officer and a member of the Dorcas Class. She graduated from Clayton High School and attended Western Illinois University.
   Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Thursday at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Clayton, with burial at South Side Cemetery in Clayton. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the First Federation Church of Clayton or to Heritage Manor South in Beardstown.

DEMAREE, Josephine Elizabeth Mahnken - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, February 19, 2007 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Josephine Elizabeth Mahnken Demaree, 1925-2007
   Josephine Elizabeth Mahnken Demaree, 81, of Beardstown, died Sunday morning, Feb. 18, 2007, at Heritage Manor East in Beardstown.
   She was born July 5, 1925, in Cooperstown, the daughter of Joseph E. and Gladys Avery Logsdon. She married Jerry J. Mahnken on Dec. 10, 1944, and later married Dwight Demaree.
   She is survived by one son, J. Scott (wife, Robin) Mahnken of Springfield; one daughter, Terri Jo (husband, Thomas) Barker of Davenport, Iowa; six grandchildren, Aaron (wife, Emily) Dufrene, Dawn (husband, Gabe) Seward, Chris (wife, Barb) Brewer, Tom (wife, Lisa) Barker, Tim (wife, Angie) Barker and Todd Barker; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Geraldine Ryan and Maurine Carl, both of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Judith Ann Brewer.
   Mrs. Demaree attended Beardstown High School and was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beardstown. She retired in 2002 after several years of service with the Beardstown Public Library.
   Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beardstown, with burial at a later date at Beardstown City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Heritage Manor East Activity Fund. Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to sagerfh@casscomm.com.

DEMAREST, Martha - Star Gazette, Beardstown, Illinois, February 15, 1907 - Submitted by Carol Orwig
   Mrs. Martha Demarest, was born in Hannibal, MO, January 24, 1839 and died at her home in Jacksonville Monday. The deceased is survived by two children. She was a sister of R.W. Mills and had many friends in this city.

DEMING, Gordon Lowell - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, February 16, 2007 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Gordon Lowell Deming, 1960-2007, Beardstown
Gordon Lowell Deming, 46, of Beardstown, and working in Iraq, died Wednesday Feb. 7, 2007, in Thailand.
   He was born April 21, 1960, in Beardstown, the son of Wesley and Neva Cunningham Deming.
   He is survived by two sisters, Barbara (husband, Daun) Schone of Riverton and Becky (husband, Carlos) Avery of Waterman; three nieces; one nephew; several great-nephews; and several aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and one niece.
   Mr. Deming graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1978. He worked in Iraq since December 2005 for Kellogg, Brown, and Root as a truck driver of military supplies. He came home in May 2006 for a visit with many stories to tell. He loved being with his family, telling stories, playing several instruments, and singing.
   Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown with burial at Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to sagerfh@casscomm.com.

DERRICK, Mary Kendall - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, June 1, 2003 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Mary K. Derrick - 1935-2003 - Virginia
   Mary K. Derrick, 67 years, of Virginia, died Friday morning, May 30, 2003 at St. John's Hospice in Springfield.
   She was born June 20, 1935 in Springfield, the daughter of Otto L. and Alice Ione Taylor Dour. She married Michael A. Derrick Jan. 18, 1957, in Sacramento, Calif., and they were later divorced in August of 1967.
   She is survived by a son, Jeffery (wife, Ann) of Springfield and three nieces. She was preceded in death by one half-brother, Robert D. Dour.
   Mrs. Derrick was a graduate of Virginia High School and attended Western Illinois University in Macomb. She was previously employed at the Illinois Department of Revenue, Thompson Jewelry Store in Jacksonville, the Office of the Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction, Illinois Secretary of State, and from 1974 until her retirement in 1997 at Four Rivers Special Education Office in Jacksonville. She was active in the Republican Party as a member of the State and National G.O.P. Women and served as a past president and member of the Cass County Republican Women. She was also active in the National and State Associations of Education Office Professionals, serving on the State Board for 14 years. She was a member and a former deacon and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Virginia and a member of the Jacksonville Women of the Moose. She formerly served as a board member of the Virginia Memorial Public Library, the Wells Center in Jacksonville, the Women's Crisis Center in Jacksonville, and the Cass County Home Extension.
   Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Virginia with burial at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Monday at Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home in Virginia, where the family will meet friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorial are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield or the First Presbyterian Church in Virginia. Messages of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com.

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