Wilma Brown
Wilma R. Brown, 57, of Bloomington, passed away on Feb. 27 at her residence at 10:20 a.m.
A celebration of Wilma’s life will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington with Rev. Frank L. McSwain, Sr. officiating. The family will greet friends from 10 – 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church prior to the service.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials may be directed to the family in care of CEFCU to help offset the loss and medical expenses. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.
Wilma Brown was born on March 18, 1957 in Shaw, Mississippi a daughter of Ned Allen and Alvira (Kyles) Curry. She attended Shaw High School and college at Tougaloo College in Mississippi. She gave her life to Christ when she was nine years old and worshiped at Rock of Ages Baptist Church.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Willie Curry, one sister, Barbara Jackson, and one brother-in-law Elbert Jackson.
She leaves to cherish her memory, a son, Daryll L. Brown of Bloomington, daughter, Gina E. Brown of Bloomington; sister’s, Carolyn(Gil) Chinnery of Bloomington, Mary Hurskin of Mississippi, Betty Curry of Chicago, Gloria (Bishop Joe Nathan) Henry of Mississippi, Martha (John) Durant of Mississippi; brother’s, Melvin C. (Victoria) Curry and Lee C. (Louise) Curry both of Mississippi.
Wilma moved to Bloomington in 1977 and started working at State Farm in 1978. She worked as a file clerk in the State Farm Illinois Office and eventually became an Underwriting Service Assistant at the Illinois Operation Center.
She was a faithful member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and previously served as choir president. She also worked on the kitchen committee where she was known for her famous chicken and dressing. Her passions were writing plays & poems and serving in Toastmasters. A couple of plays she wrote were “Weeping May Endure” and “Joy and Payne.” Wilma was blessed to publish a book of poems, Peaces of My Soul, in 2009.
You may send condolences or memories of Wilma to the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
Howard Cotton
Howard J. Cotton, 82, of Bloomington, passed away at 7:34 p.m., March 3 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal.
His funeral will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Bloomington with Monsignor Douglas Hennessy officiating. Military rites will be accorded by Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Friday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington with a rosary service at 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry or the Community Cancer Center.
Howard was born June 4, 1932 in Heyworth, the son of John D. and Nellie D. Lee Cotton. He married Mary Catherine Lenegar on Oct. 20, 1956 in Bloomington. She preceded him in death on Feb. 28, 2008.
Howard is survived by four daughters, Kimberly (Curt) Smith and Diane Siron, both of Bloomington, Julia (Edgar) Duvall of Viola, Ariz. and Mary D. Cotton of Laura; two sons, Pat Cotton of Bloomington and David (Karin) Cotton of Normal; seven grandchildren and 4great grandchildren; and his special friend and companion of seven years, Connie Wheeler of Bloomington.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
Howard graduated from Heyworth High School. He was a US Army veteran of the Korean War and was a member of American Legion Post #56 and VFW Post #454, both in Bloomington. He was an electrician by trade and a member of IBEW Local #197 in Bloomington. Howard retired from the Town of Normal in 1995 after 18 years as electrical inspector.
He was a member of Historic St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Altar & Rosary Society of the church and volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul. Howard was a member of the Fr. John D. Ring Knights of Columbus Council #574 in Bloomington, was a past Grand Knight of the Council and was a 4th Degree Knight.
Howard was an avid Cubs, Bears and Notre Dame fan; and enjoyed golf and bowling.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Genevieve Cummer
Genevieve Cummer, 92, of Bloomington, passed away at 4:35 p.m., March 2 at Martin Health Center in Bloomington.
Her funeral will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday at Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal with Monsignor Eric Powell officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 a.m., Saturday at the church.Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Easter Seals or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Genevieve was born May 27, 1922 in Dubuque, Iowa,a daughter of John and O’DeliaNiemeyer Heitman. After finishing school she moved to Madison, Wisconsin. She enjoyed singing in the Philharmonic Chorus of Madison and married Albert Cummer on Aug. 7, 1948. A merger of Al’s company with Growmark brought Gen and her family to Illinois in 1966. Gen worked in the ISU graduate department for many years. She enjoyed playing golf and bridge and the accompanying socializing with friends. She was a devoted mother and was never happier than being with family and friends.
Gen is survived by a daughter, Connie (Bruce) Herbst in Minnesota, a son, Jeff (Susan) Cummer in Grand Cayman; grandchildren Matthew (Laurie) Herbst in Minnesota, Nicholas Herbst in Colorado, Kimberly (Eric) Mathewson in Wisconsin, Andrew Cummer and Alex Cummer in Grand Cayman; and four great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Carol Ann Cummer and five brothers and sisters.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Reagan Koerner
Reagan Koerner, stillborn daughter of Kyle and Chelsey Beckman Koerner passed away at 5:00 p.m. March 1 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.
Private family services will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery, LeRoy. Kibler Brady Ruestman Memorial Home is assisting her family with arrangements.
Survivors include her parents and sister, Tenley Koerner, of LeRoy; maternal grandparents, Matt and Wendy Beckman of Lake Mills, Wis.; paternal grandparents, Gary and Connie Koerner of LeRoy; maternal great grandfather, Bill Beckman of Lake Mills, Wis.; and paternal great grandparents, Florence Schopp, and Duane Koerner both of Bloomington and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Online condolences may be sent to her family at kiblerbradyyruestman.com.
Royce Wilson
Royce L. Wilson, 75, of Bloomington, passed away at 12:26 a.m. on March 3 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.
Per Royce’s wishes, private family services will be held. Entombment will be at Park Hill Mausoleum in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to organization of donor’s choice. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Royce was born on June 2, 1939 in Russell Springs, Ky., a son to Abraham Lincoln and Lilly Cravens Wilson. He married Joyce Starkey Sieg on June 10, 1982 in Bloomington. She survives.
In addition to his wife, Joyce, surviving are two daughters, Doris Pen of Normal, Barbara Price; a stepdaughter, Joyce LeeAnn Slupianek of Seattle, Wash.; two stepsons, Robert Sieg of Bloomington, Roger Sieg of Cleveland, Texas; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two brothers, David (Susan) Wilson, Roger Dean (Sharon) Wilson and a sister, Shirley Lentz of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a step daughter, three great great grandchildren and several brothers and sisters.
Royce worked in the supply repair technician at General Telephone for 30 years, retiring on Jan. 1, 1997.
He was a member of Bloomington Fraternal Order Eagles Aerie #527 of Bloomington. He enjoyed going to sales and was an avid collector. Royce also enjoyed going to Shannon’s restaurant.
Online memories and condolences may be sent to the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.