Herman Harms
Herman Andrew Harms, 96, of Forrest, Ill., died peacefully on the evening of Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Surrounded by family at his daughter’s home in Sugar Land, Texas, he drifted into deep sleep and to his final rest.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Forrest with Pastor Tom Krieger officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will follow services at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in rural Wing, Ill.. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Forrest is handling arrangements for the family.
Herman was born October 20, 1921 in Forrest, son of Harry Harms and Lena (Wild) Harms. He grew up helping on the farm, worshiping at Saint Paul Lutheran Church and attending Saunemin High School.
In October 1942, he joined the military and was trained in aircraft instrument mechanics. He repaired & maintained U.S. reconnaissance planes, arrived on Omaha Beach the day after D-Day, and was part of the Mighty 8th Air Force. He attained the rank of Staff Sargent before returning home in December 1945.
On Nov. 6, 1951 Herman married Almita Clara Sancken of Saunemin. Together they gardened, raised crops and livestock and created a loving home for their two daughters, Joanne and Jeanette.
Besides farming, Herman enjoyed decades of service at the Agriculture Stabilization & Conservation Service, teaching 4-H students, working as a chaplain with Gideons International, and judging and showing chickens at county fairs across the state. He enjoyed a lifelong membership at Saint Paul Lutheran Church. After moving to live with his daughter in Sugar Land in fall 2016, he continued to enjoy visiting with family, watching sports and reading in his favorite chair with his cat by his side.
Herman is survived by his daughter Joanne Johnson, his son-in-law Mike Johnson, grandson Nathaniel Johnson and his wife Davida Dwyer, granddaughter Bonnie Patterson and her husband Anthony Patterson and great-grandsons Wesley & Tyler Patterson.
Herman was preceded in death by his wife Almita Sancken Harms (August 10, 2004), his sister Aline Schroeder, and his daughter Jeanette Harms. In his last days, he spoke fondly of seeing them again.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Forrest.
This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at calvertmemorial.com.
Harlan Wessels
Harlan Eugene Wessels, 85, Fairbury on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 at his residence, Fairbury, Ill.
A private graveside inurnment will be held Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 at Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury with Ray Mitchell and Larry Oakes officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the Fairbury VFW and American Legion posts.
A public celebration of life open house will be held 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at the Fairbury VFW, 205 E. Locust St., Fairbury. The family suggests memorials be given to Fugate Woods, C/O Prairie Lands Foundation, P.O. Box 260, Fairbury, Ill. 61739. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is assisting with arrangements.
Mr. Wessels was born December 14, 1932 in Fairbury the son of Clarence and Clara Schlicher Wessels. He married Cheryl Robinson July of 1958 in Pontiac.
Survivors include his four children, Diane (Ron) Williams, Mahomet; Darlene (Max) Rexroad, Peculiar, MO; Dean (Carol) Wessels and Dale (Shay) Wessels, both of Fairbury; ten grandchildren, seven step grandchildren, three great grandchildren, eight step great grandchildren; one sister, Lara (Don) Wunsch, Saunemin and his longtime companion, Ella Holforty.
He is preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Mr. Wessels was a graduate of Fairbury Twp. High School in 1951. He served in the US Army during the Korean War (2/2/1953-11/23/1954) in the Infantry Division’s 26th Infantry Scout Dog platoon, “Hell on Paws”, obtaining the rank of Sergeant. After his active duty he served seven years two months in the reserves completing his eight-year commitment to the army.
Mr. Wessels worked as a bricklayer and stone mason for Melvin Zimmerman Construction, Stoller & Maurer Construction and later Vissering Construction. He was a member of the IOOF Lodge No. 290, American Legion John Joda Post No. 54, and the Bricklayers Union No. 6. He was a past member of Arrowhead Lodge.
A guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
