Ronald Dowell

Ronald Dale Dowell, 84 of Colfax, passed away at 2:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, lll.

Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at 6 p.m. at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax, Ill. Visitation will be prior to the funeral service from 3-6 p.m. also at the memorial home in Colfax. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service. An inurnment will be held at Mason City Cemetery, Mason City, Ill. at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 207 S. Prospect Road No. 1, Bloomington, Ill. or the Illinois School for the Deaf, 125 S. Webster Avenue Jacksonville, Ill. 62650.

Ronald was born at home on June 15, 1933, in Mason City, the son of Vernon and Bina (Davis) Dowell. He grew up in the Mason City area, graduating from Mason City High School in 1951. Ron married Virginia Dennis in 1953. Together they had a son, Dennis. Ron pursued a degree in education, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Illinois University in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. In 1963, Ronald earned his Masters of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University. Ron married Barbara Packer in Lake County, Ill. on April 17, 1970. Together they had a son, Ryan.

Mr. Dowell began his teaching career of 25 years as a physical education teacher and coach in Grayslake Elementary District No. 46, later serving as Principal and Assistant Superintendent until his retirement from education in 1979. He then moved to Colfax to pursue a career in the commodities industry with his brother, Ray, owning and operating R&R Commodities. He served as councilman for the Colfax Village Board, he worked for The Center for Deafness in LeRoy, and serviced on the Ridgeview School District Board of Education.

Ron is survived by two sons; Dennis (Eva) Dowell, Mundelein, and Ryan (Beth) Dowell, Bloomington; two step-daughters; Debra O’Connell, Bloomington and Dawn O’Connell, Lake Villa; and a son-in-law, Craig Cozza, Tacoma, Wash.; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one brother, Reggie (Norma Jean) Dowell, Greenview, Ill.; one sister, Linda Miller, Ashland, Ill., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; Vernon and Bina Dowell; one brother, Ravonne Dowell; his wife, Barbara Dowell; one daughter, Karen Cozza; and former wife, Virginia Dowell.

Ron devoted his life to his family, his students and the communities he served. He touched so many lives including countless students as a teacher, coach and administrator, colleagues and family members. Ron was actively involved in 4H with his children and grandchildren and the Octavia Park District. Ronald was a member of the National Education Association and the McLean County Retired Teachers Association. Ron enjoyed staying physically fit including his daily bicycle rides and weekly water aerobics at the YMCA, gardening, watching the Cubs and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed by many.

An online guest registry to leave condolences to the family is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.

Sylvester Fosdick

Sylvester Junior Fosdick, 86, Forrest, died at 9:10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

His funeral will be at 10:00 am Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury with Pastor Daryl Evans officiating. Burial will be in Forrest Twp. Cemetery with full military rites accorded by the Forrest American Legion.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-9:45 a.m. Friday at the church. The family suggest memorials be given to the First Baptist Church, Fairbury or the Central States Threshermen’s Reunion, P.O. Box 293, Pontiac, Ill. 61764. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is assisting with arrangements.

Mr. Fosdick was born July 19, 1931 in Wing, Ill. the son of Sylvester Roy and Mary Henrietta Watkins Fosdick. He married Beverly Fritts on October 17, 1952 in Chatsworth, Ill. She survives in Forrest.

Other survivors include one daughter, Sharon (Randal) Kinzinger, Buckley, Ill.; three sons, Larry (Julia) Fosdick, Pontiac; Harry (Lisa) Fosdick, Chenoa; Tim (Brenda) Fosdick, Pekin, Ill.; 13 grandchildren, including Logan Fosdick who Sylvester and Beverly raised; 17 great grandchildren and one sister, Esther Stone, Ottawa, Ill.

He is preceded in death by one son, Dale; one great granddaughter and two sisters.

Mr. Fosdick was a graduate of Fairbury High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a lifetime farmer and had worked as a crane operator at Pittsburgh Tube, Fairbury.

He was a lifetime member and supporter of the Threshermen’s Reunion (1948-present). He had his pilot’s license and did independent mission work as far away as South America.

Sylvester lived his life as a faithful disciple of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.

Janet Weakman

Janet Weakman, 84, of Forrest, Ill. passed away at 9:20 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 at Accolade Health Care in Pontiac, Ill.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Forrest. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at the funeral home with Rev. Corinne Blissard officiating. Burial will follow services at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in rural Wing, Ill. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Janet was born November 7, 1932 in rural Chatsworth, Ill. the daughter of Lester and Myrtle (Shockey) Elbert. She married Earl Weakman on Nov. 25, 1978. He passed away on May 17, 2007.

She is survived by her children: Teresa “Terry” (Mark) Henry of The Villages, Fla., Steve (Kathy) Barnes of Wing, Kris (Dave) Wenger of Bloomington, lll., and Marci (Dino) Monterastelli of Pontiac; her grandchildren: Eric (Kimberly) Henry, Amber (Martin) Brady, Lea (Shane) Voyles, Michael Mann, Johnny, Laura, Al, Jennifer (Craig) Braaten, Bryant (Dolores) Fisher, Andrew Fisher, Faithe Wenger, and McKay Wenger; four step children through Earl: Pat, Johnny, Karen, and Sheila; sixteen great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one brother-in-law: John Nance of Forrest; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters: Rosemary Maurer and Lois Nance.

Janet was born, raised and educated in the Forrest area. She worked at Trainor Grain for many years. She enjoyed gardening, embroidering, and her cats. Janet had a great sense of humor and liked to have fun. Most of all she loved her family and spending time with them.

She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Forrest.

This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at calvertmemorial.com.