Obituaries: Crist, Ferguson, Hammerton, Honan

Mariella Crist

Mariella Crist of Bloomington, Ill. passed away at 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. She was 91.

Her memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Rev. John McIntosh will officiate. Private family inurnment will be in Wyoming, Ill. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, March 3 at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mariella was born March 31, 1920 in Kewanee, Ill. the daughter of Oliver G. and Ada M. Somers Leadley. She married Wilbur Stephens July 30, 1938, Cahokia, Mo. He passed away Aug. 12, 1961. She later married John Crist Jan. 3, 1963 in Wyoming, he passed away Oct. 22, 1990.

Surviving are 2 children: Sandy (Fred) Slamin, Estero, Fla., David (Denise)Stephens, Woodstock, Ga., 2 Step Sons: James Crist, Texas, John Crist, Ariz., Daughter In-Law: Jolly Crist; Sister: Pauline Jones, Calf.; 13 Grandchildren: Cara, Kelly, Courtney, Amanda, John, Janine, Cathy, Sharee, Kevin, Julie, Kelly, Kim, and Kristy; 19 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Ralph Crist, 2 grandchildren, Jennifer and Eric Stephens, and 2 sisters Alice Bommer and Betty Leadley.

Mariella was a member of First United Methodist Church, Normal, Ill. and the First Congregational Church, Wyoming, IL. She was an Eastern Star Grand Lecture Emeritus since 1966 and she was on the Illinois State Locker Board. She was an accountant and worked for many years at IAA in Bloomington. In later years she enjoyed a Real Estate career specializing in assisting first time home buyers. She also enjoyed traveling and traveled extensively throughout that U.S. and worldwide.

She also enjoyed traveling extensively. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com.

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Charlotte E. Ferguson

Charlotte E. Ferguson of Colfax, Ill. died at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, Ill. She was 86.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax with the Rev. Greg Summers officiating. Burial will be in Wiley Cemetery, Colfax. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 also at the memorial home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be directed to the Colfax American Legion Davis-Kerber Post 653.

Mrs. Ferguson was born April 19, 1925 in Weldon, IL the daughter of Eldo and Eula Monroe Mire.

She is survived by her loving husband and incredible caregiver Paul E. Ferguson, Colfax. Other survivors include a nephew, Thom Cobb, New Castle, PA, great nephew, Cameron Cobb and great-great nephew, Austin Cobb.

She is preceded in death by her sister Evelyn Cobb.

Mrs. Ferguson retired from General Electric, Bloomington after 32 years of service. She was a lifetime member of the Colfax American Legion Auxiliary.

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

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Marjorie F. Hammerton

Marjorie F. Hammerton of Normal, Ill. passed away at 7:30 p.m at Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at the McLean County Nursing Home in Normal. She was 92.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington with Rev. Tim Smith officiating. There will be no visitation. The family suggests memorials be made to First Baptist Church in El Paso, Ill.

Surviving are 1 son: Robert Hammerton, San Bernardino, Calif.; 1 Sister: Carol Rutledge, Normal; 4 Grandchildren.

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

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Joseph C. Honan, Jr.

Joseph C. Honan, Jr. of Normal, Ill. passed away at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 at his residence. He was a Bloomington-Normal resident since 1968. He was 90.

The visitation for Joe will be held 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington. According to his wishes, he will be cremated. Burial of ashes will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Joe’s name may be made to the Normal Public Library, for audio books or to Prairie State Legal Services.

Joe was born Feb. 27, 1921 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a son of Joseph C. and Mary Bosch Honan. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II as a second lieutenant. He attended the University of Southern California and attained his undergraduate degree there before going on and received his Ph.D in Political Science from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

It is in Columbia where he met his wife, Martha Ellen “Martie” Oder. They were married on July 12, 1958 in Columbia, Mo.

Joe was an attorney in Bloomington until his retirement in 1992. Prior to that, he was an associate professor of political science at Illinois State University. Joe was an author of numerous scholarly articles, book reviews, book chapters, and a book. From 1975-1976 he took a sabbatical and served as the Academic Director for the Washington D.C. Center for Learning Alternatives.

Surviving is his wife, Martha Ellen “Martie” Honan of Normal; two sons, Chris (Angie) Honan of Bloomington, John Honan of Columbia, Mo; two step-granddaughters, Erica (Ryan) Cappaert of Portage, MI, Alissa Kemp of Bloomington; one brother, John (Jeanne) Honan of Perth Amboy, NJ; two nieces, Gayl Hari of Dayton, OH, and Jo Carol Clemmons of Augusta, GA; two nephews, Terry (Luisa) Honan and Tom Bullock both of New Jersey.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Marie Honan Bullock.

Joe served as the chairman of the Normal Planning Commission and was involved in many other community advisory endeavors. He was an avid reader, swimmer, and golfer.

He was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed.

The Honan Family would like to thank the many friends and caregivers who have provided excellent support to them in the last few years. Online condolences may be sent to the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

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