Obituaries: Christner, Kauffman, Laughlin, Miller, Mowery, Nelson, Traylor

Lozelle F. “Bud” Christner

Lozelle F. “Bud” Christner of Danvers, Ill. passed away at 11:42 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, Ill. He was 87.

There will be no services. Cremation services were provided by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington.

Bud was born June 23, 1924 in Mt. Sterling, Ill. the son of Frank and Margaret Ferguson Christner. He married Dorothy Willing Oct. 13, 1948 in Peoria. She precedes him in death.

Surviving are 2 Children, Dale (Cameo) Christner of Danvers and Pam Donovan of Mackinaw, 5 Grandchildren, Jason Donovan of Danvers (Nicole), Zach Donovan of Danvers (Rachel), Sam Donovan of Danvers, Bridget Christner and Wyatt Christner both of Danvers, 4 Great Grandchildren and 2 sisters Dorothy Zander of Mt Sterling IL and Norma Rahn of Aurora IL. He is preceded in death by 6 siblings.

He served in the 267th Army Air Force during World War II as crew chief on B24 Bombers and obtained the rank of sergeant. He retired from Keystone Steel & Wire in 1976.

Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com.

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Nicholas “Nick” J. Kauffman

Nicholas “Nick” J. Kauffman of Bloomington, Ill. passed away at 3:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. He was 20.

Funeral services for Nick will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 801 S. Madison St. in Bloomington. Pastors Thomas Wirsing, Allen Steinbeck, and Chris Nitzel will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Monday. Burial will follow services in Park Hill Cemetery in Bloomington. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is handling arrangements for the family.

Memorial contributions in Nick’s name may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran School, or the McLean County Humane Society.

He was born May 3, 1991 in Bloomington a son of Christopher E. and Vickie L. Elmore Kauffman.

Surviving are his parents, Christopher and Vickie Kauffman of Bloomington; two brothers, Adam Kauffman of Deerfield, IL and Marine Sgt. Aaron Kauffman of N’Djamena Chad, Africa; maternal grandmother, Donna Elmore of Bloomington; paternal grandmother, Marilyn Kauffman of Chenoa; three aunts, Sandi (Jay) Zehr of Chenoa, Cindy (Joe) Szarek of Bloomington, and Dawn Elmore of Bloomington; one uncle, Danny Elmore of Bloomington; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Jim Elmore and paternal grandfather, Gene Kauffman.

Nick graduated from University High School in 2009 where he played baseball and was selected to the Inner City All Star team. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing baseball. He worked as a crew leader at Bellas Landscaping. Nick was planning on moving to Texas to work as a Communications Tower Climber-Technician.

Nick loved spending time with his family and friends; he gave great hugs and will be truly missed by everyone. His friends all considered him family.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

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William E. “Bill” Laughlin

William E. “Bill” Laughlin of Normal, Ill., formerly of Lincoln, Ill. and Hot Springs Village, Ark., passed away at 1:25 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, Ill. He was 84.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Normal. The family suggests memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church in Normal, Ill. Cremation rights will be accorded.

Bill was born April 13, 1927 in Altoona, Penn. the son of William Harold and Mary Catherine Gleichert Laughlin. He married Patricia Babbitt on April 29, 1950 in Erie, Penn. She survives.

Also surviving are 2 children: Deborah (Steven) Winter, Bloomington & Robert Laughlin, Normal; 4 Grandchildren: Erin (Chad) Keefe, Normal, Chrissy (Steve) Rustemeyer, Bloomington, Tim (Kelly) Winter, Bloomington, Scott (Ashley) Winter, Taylorville, Ill.; 7 great grandchildren: Will & Laney Keefe, Drew, Tyler and Allie Rustemeyer, Kenzie and Josie Winter.

He is preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter Sheryl Anne Laughlin and his foster daughter Luanne Koester.

Bill graduated in 1949 from Penn State University with a degree in Chemistry. He worked at PPG Industries, Lincoln, IL from 1952-1989 and was named PPG Citizen of the Year in 1975.

Bill was very involved in the community of Lincoln, Ill. and was named Courier Man of the Year in 1968. After retirement, Bill, Pat and Rob moved to Hot Springs Village for 15 years. They were heavily involved in their church, Community Players and their close circle of friends. He was a Shriner and a member of Ansar Temple, Springfield, IL.

He was member of the Lincoln Lodge #210 AF & AM, Lincoln. Bill was an accomplished trumpet player and had a beautiful baritone voice. He shared his gift at church and as a hobby over the years. Bill was also an avid sports fan and rooted for the Nittany Lions.

His grandchildren and great grandchildren referred to him fondly as “Papoo” and he loved watching them grow up. He has influenced many lives and will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Cremation services provided by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington.

Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com.

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Beulah M. Miller

Beulah M. Miller of Bloomington, Ill. passed away at 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 at Martin Health Center in Bloomington. She was 93.

Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home. Rev. Keith Ferguson will officiate. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Friday at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington. The family suggests memorials be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or Martin Health Care Center, Bloomington.

She was born Aug.13, 1918 in Bloomington, the daughter of Harry A. and Rachel L. Hindenburg Miller.

Surviving are 2 nieces: Jacqueline (George) Bottrell, Normal, Ill. & Linda Miller, Pompano Beach, Fla.; 1 Sister-in-Law: Eloise Miller, Bloomington, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Eugene Miller and a niece JoAnne Miller.

Beulah was a graduate of Brown’s Business College. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomington. She was a member of Bloomington Del Phi Chapter and a former member of McLean County Gardeners. Beulah had worked for Corn Belt Electric for 44 years retiring in 1983.

Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com.

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Francis W. Mowery

Francis W. Mowery of Fairbury, Ill. passed away at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 at Fairview Haven Nursing Home in Fairbury. He was 99.

Funeral services for Captain Mowery will be at 12 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairbury. Pastor Tom Krieger will be officiating. Burial will be in Avoca Township Cemetery, Fairbury, where military honors will be performed by the John Joda American Legion Post No. 54, Fairbury and Fairbury VFW Post No. 9789. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at the church.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Fairview Haven Nursing Home. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

Captain Mowery was born Nov. 17, 1912 in Avoca Township, Ill. the son of James A. and Verna H. Widener Mowery.

He married Elizabeth Marie Herzberger on Feb. 9, 1942 in St. Charles, Mo. She preceded him in death.

Surviving are his son Milton (Barbara) Mowery of Bloomington; granddaughter Stephanie (Chris) Kroodsma; great-grandchildren, Grant and Gloria Kroodsma; sister, Verna Jean McHatton; sister-in-laws, Rosella and Ann Margaret Mowery.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.

Captain Mowery graduated from Fairbury Township High School in 1931. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1934. During this tour of duty he served at Parris Island, SC, attended Sea School at Norfolk, Va., member of Marine Detachment and the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.

In 1936, he was transferred to the Special Service Squadron, stationed at Balboa, Canal Zone where he served with a Marine Detachment aboard the Destroyers, USS Manley and Babbit. He made numerous trips to Central and South American countries and the Galapagos Islands. He made twenty transits of the Panama Canal. He was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1938.

He was employed at Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1941 and later in 1941 became a member of the Illinois State Police. He attended the First State Police Training Academy in 1941 and later served as an instructor at the Academy for seven years.

He re-enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and served at San Diego and Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was a Senior Weapons Instructor, where he trained the Windtalkers and 100’s of other Marines. As an enlisted man and upon promotion to Lt. became company Commander and Chief Range Officer at Camp Legeune. He was discharged in 1945 and resumed his duties with the state police. He was promoted to Captain in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1946.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1951, to Lt. 1957 at which time he became District Commander of the Pontiac District. He was a member of the Illinois State Pistol Team in 1954 and 1955. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1958 at Washington, D.C. He was promoted to Captain in 1962 and commanded District until his retirement in 1974. He survived a helicopter crash in 1973 while on a manhunt.

He was a life member of the State Police Heritage Foundation, International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI national Academy Associates, the Illinois Police Association. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Retired State Police Association; also the American Legion.

He was a member of the Banana Fleet Marines and elected to the Route US 66 Hall of Fame in 1990. Captain Mowery’s hobbies included trapping, hunting, fishing, golf and round table discussions with old friends.

Francis was highly respected by all who knew him and will be missed by all.

Condolences and tributes may be made to the family at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.

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Norman “Norm” Nelson

Norman H. Nelson of Bloomington, Ill. passed away at 2:12 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, Ill. He was 87.

Norm, as his friends and family called him, was born Jan. 26, 1925, in Chicago. He was the son of Helmer and Blanche Nelson of Sweden and Chapin, Ill. respectively.

Norm married the love of his life, Dagney G. Nelson, on May 3, 1947, in Chicago. Norm and Dag were childhood friends who became reacquainted upon his return home as an officer in the U.S. Navy after World War II. Dag preceded him in death on May 4, 2011, a day after celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary.

Surviving are two children, Pamela Nelson of Bloomington and Scott (Debbie) Nelson of Marietta, Ga. and a granddaughter, Jenny (Lewis) Nelson-Cosby of Knoxville, Tenn. His sister, June Smith of Albany, Mo. also survives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Ashley Nelson, of Marietta, GA, and his wife Dagney.

Norm enlisted in the Navy’s Midshipmen’s School immediately after high school. While in the program he studied at Notre Dame and Dartmouth. After the war he completed his degree at Northwestern University and in 1946 he joined Country Life Insurance Company in Chicago as an Associate Actuary. The company eventually relocated to Bloomington in 1961 as part of the Illinois Agricultural Association (IAA). After 43 years of service, he retired in 1989 from Country Companies.During this time, he acted as Vice President and General Manager of Country Capital Management Company, Vice President of Vehicle Leasing, and Vice President of Brokerage Services, as well as a member of the Country Companies Management Committee.

Norm was active in community affairs and a believer that “you get out of a community what you put back into it, and the same is true for life.” While he and the family were living in Park Forest, Ill., he was President of the School Board and PTA Chairman. He also served as the General Chairman and Co-Chairman of the McLean County United Way in 1978, a board member of the Association of Commerce and Industry of McLean County, and a member of Illinois Wesleyan Associates.

He was also a 32nd Degree Mason in Bloomington’s Blue Lodge #43 and Consistory, and a member of Peoria’s Mohammed Shriners. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bloomington, where memorials may be addressed.

The family is having a Memorial Service for both he and his wife, Dagney, on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be emailed to www.calvert-memorial.com.

Norm was a true gentleman and a man of integrity, an incredibly loving, empathetic, caring husband and father whose unconditional love was beyond measure. He was liked by all and his sweetness, sense of humor, and good nature will be affectionately remembered and always cherished.

In loving memory, we will forever honor and deeply miss him. Goodbye Dad, we love you!

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Gerald “Jerry” Lee Traylor

Gerald “Jerry” Lee Traylor of Bloomington, Ill. died at 7:02 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 following a brief hospitalization due to a severe stroke.

A memorial celebration of Jerry’s full and meaningful life will be held this summer. Private family entombment will be in East Lawn Mausoleum, Bloomington. Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memoriam may be made to Marcfirst, 1606 Hunt Dr., Normal, Ill. 61761.

Jerry was born on July 2, 1926 in Louder, Ill., the son of Wesley and Grace Andersen Traylor. He was married in 1951 to his beloved June until her passing in 2003.

His survivors include his eight children: Tony (Linda) Traylor, Dahlgren, Terry Traylor, Dunnvilla, MN, Dianna (Rick) Jones, Mukilteo, WA, Debby (Doug) Johnson, Downs, Donna (Todd) Rosenberg, North Bend, WA, Mary (Robert) Leffler, Bloomington, Todd (Suzie) Traylor, Atlanta, GA and Marta June Traylor, Bloomington; his two nephews loved as sons, Bill (Gretchen) Dodd and Bob (Andrea) Dodd, both of Virden; 24 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; two of his seven siblings, Pat Ballenger, Girard and Marge Bogart, Virden; and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was an accomplished high school athlete and graduated from Virden High School in 1944. He was extremely proud of his military service in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. Jerry began his successful business career at Swift and Company, serving as plant manager in Springfield until 1972. He then became commissary manager and Vice President of Steak and Shake in Bloomington until 1983. Jerry truly enjoyed running his own meat brokerage, J & J Meats, until 2000.

Jerry was passionate about hunting, his dogs, watching his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, and any and all gatherings of family and friends. Jerry’s door was always open and his hand always extended to anyone in need. He will be remembered and cherished as a selfless, humble, generous and loving husband, father and friend to all.

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