Elizabeth Gildner
Elizabeth Rose “Betty” Gildner, 90, of Bloomington, passed away at 1:55 p.m., Oct. 4 at Martin Health Center, Bloomington.
Her funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington with Rev. Gregory Ketcham officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service, Monday at the church. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Betty was born June 10, 1926 in Bloomington, the daughter of George and Elizabeth MoewsKerz. She married George F. Gildner on Aug. 28, 1948 in Bloomington. They were high school sweethearts and were married for 60 years. He passed away on Aug. 18, 2008.
Betty is survived by her daughter Kit Billick, Keller, Texas and her son Doug (Suzan) Gildner, Bloomington; five grandchildren: Kelly (Cole) Coulson, North Richland Hills, Texas, Brett (Minna) Billick, Austin, Texas, Steve (Julie) Gildner,, Bloomington,Jon (Kayte) Gildner, Harrisburg, N.C., and Melissa Gildner, Chicago; and ten great-grandchildren: Kenley, Kylar, Kaslyn, Koley and Kabryn Coulson, Nooa, Aili and Niklas Billick, Everley and Finn Gildner.
She was preceded in death by a brother, George Kerz and a sister, Madeline Dieckhoff.
Betty graduated from Trinity High School in 1944, earned a scholarship to Rosary College
(now known as Dominican University) from 1944-1946 and graduated from ISNU (now ISU) in 1948.
Betty was member of St. Patrick’s Church of Merna, Bloomington Country Club and Travel Club.
She enjoyed tennis, golf and traveling; loved playing mahjong and bridge and was an avid Cubs fan.
Betty loved and was loved by her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and her many sweet friends.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Donald McCaughey
Donald L. McCaughey, 99, of Pontiac, passed away at 9:48 p.m. on Oct. 4 at OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pontiac with Father David Sabel officiating. A Rosary will be recited prior to mass at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. Christian burial will follow mass at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Cullom. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Don was born Dec. 29, 1916, a son of Ray and Lottie (Brown) McCaughey. He married Mary R. “Jean” Kerrins on May 17, 1947 in Cullom. She passed away on July 8, 2009.
He is survived by his daughter: Michelle (Daniel) Ocean of Pontiac; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by two brothers.
Don was educated in the Cullom schools, graduating from Cullom High School.
He proudly served our country during WWII era in the United States Army Air Corp from 1942-1945 in the Carribean and Iro Jima.
Don was a mechanic all his life, working on International Harvesters, Olds and Cadillacs, as well as farming. Later in life he became quite a baker and cake decorator, taking pride in his work. Don was instrumental in setting up the Cullom Fire Protection District and served as the first Fire Chief from 1956-1962.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pontiac, a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and the oldest member of the Skinner-Trost American Legion Post #122 in Cullom.
Don was a loving father and uncle who will be greatly missed.
This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at calvertmemorial.com.
