James Koch
James E. Koch, 63, of Bloomington, passed away at 5:08 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2018 at Heartland Health in Normal.
His memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bloomington with Rev. Gregory Nelson officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the church. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with cremation arrangements.
Jim coached basketball at St. Mary’s School for many years and the family asks that memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s School to be used for athletics.
Jim was born December 31, 1954 in Bloomington, the son of Charles Edward and Anne Marie Kniery Koch. He married Tamera Foran on October 4, 1986 in Bloomington.
Survivors include a daughter, BreeAnn (Nathan) Griffin and their daughter, Alivia Koch; a son, Jake (Megan Zelenka) Koch, all of Wilson, KS; seven sisters, Mary Thiel, Margie (Tim) Simmons, Jane (Tom) Harris, Christine (Rob) Knight, Colleen (Jim) Stokes, Cindy (Joe) Stokes and Teri Brady, all of Bloomington-Normal; eighteen nieces and nephews and eleven great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sisters, Nancy and Susie Koch.
Jim graduated from Bloomington High School and was a member of Laborer’s Local #362 in Bloomington. He enjoyed sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Dallas Cowboy fan. Jim was a kind and loving man. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He especially loved his children and granddaughter.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Marian Shepherd
Marian F. Shepherd, 98 of Normal, Illinois, passed away on January 12, 2018 at 5:15 a.m. at Heritage Health Care, Normal.
Marian’s graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at Park Hill Mausoleum, Bloomington. Her Great Nephew Larry Peak officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or charity of the donor’s choice.
Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.
Marian was born on May 2, 1919 in Peoria, Illinois. She is the daughter of Claude and Mae (Callahan) Williard. She was happily married for 68 years to Lowell “Butch” Shepherd. They were married on June 21, 1941 in St. Louis, MO, He preceded her in death in 2009.
Marian is survived by several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
After graduating high school she attended Browns Business School. She worked as a secretary for Unit 5 School District. For her 23 years of service, she was presented a paving brick by the Unit 5 board of education in 2016, for service to 3 principals at NCHS, 1958-1981.
The family would like to send a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Heritage Manor Normal, and her good friend and roommate Millie.
Online condolences may be made to www.beckmemorial.com.
Virginia Sutherland
Virginia Sutherland, 100, of Tampa, FL, formerly of Bloomington, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2018 in Tampa, FL.
Her memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bloomington. Inurnment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Holy Trinity Church.
Virginia was born December 24, 1917 in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Jeremiah Joseph and Hazel Elizabeth Wingert Swartz. She married Edmund Sutherland on August 28, 1945 in Bloomington and he preceded her in death on March 25, 2009.
Survivors include two daughters, Sue Wellspeak of Fort Worth, TX and Jane (Chuck) Faulkner of Tampa, FL; four grandchildren, Jason and Marissa Wellspeak, Beth Ann (Jon) Alcorn and Chris Faulkner.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Nelson Wellspeak.
Virginia graduated from Illinois State Normal University and was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church until she moved to Florida in 2010.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
