Doug Christiansen
Douglas Christiansen, 89, of Dwight, Ill., passed away on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Ill. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services that same day also at the church. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Dwight.
Doug was born on Nov. 30, 1928 in Dwight, a son of Soren and Viola Christiansen. He married Wilma J. Johnson on Nov. 11, 1950. She passed away on February 21, 2015.
Doug is survived by his daughters, Dee (Bruce) Philips of St. Anne, Ill., Kim (Dr. Scott) Carlson of Washington, Ill.; three grandchildren, Dr. Kristin (John) Koth of Monette, Mo., Kaitlyn (Josh) Brown of Morton, Ill. Jeff Carlson of Washington, Ill.; brother, Wayne Johnson of Pacifica, Calif., sister-in-law, Joyce Christiansen of Dwight.
Doug is preceded in death by his parents, wife; sisters-in-law, Maria Johnson and Wanda May; brother, Jerry Chirstiansen.
He was born and raised in Dwight he graduated from Dwight Township High School. He served in the United States Army and then settled back in Dwight becoming the Manager of Clapp’s Supermarket. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. He also was a member of the Danish Brotherhood and a past president of the Dwight Chamber of Commerce. In lieu of flowers memorials in honor of Doug may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Dwight and online condolences may be made at www.hagermemorial.com.
Helen Collins
On New Year’s Day in 1923, a baby girl was born at home in Maywood, Ill. to Ray Edward and Naomi Hope Laros Goodrich. She would excel in school, her hands would fly across the keys of a typewriter, and she would pen creative essays with distinctively elegant penmanship. She would even learn to twirl the baton and become a drum majorette at Proviso Township High School in Maywood. What Helen Lucille Goodrich was really born to do, though, was to be a mother-not any mother-the Mother of 11 children.
She married John Michael Collins, Sr. in 1942, and they began their family life. They had 11 children: Terence R. (Eleana) Collins of Pinehurst, N.C., John Michael (Jean) Collins, Jr., Helen K. (Patrick) O’Rourke of Normal, Ill., Suzanne A. Arendt of Dowagiac, Mich., Richard H. (Ruby) Collins of Shingletown, Calif. Robert J. (Janet) Collins of Cypress, Texas, David A. (Catherine) Collins of Houston, Texas, Yvonne (Gary Shenfield) Collins of Williams Bay, Wisc., Joanne E. (David) Wickersham of Nekoosa, Wisc., Patricia E. (Jeffry) Potempa of American Fork, Utah and Theodore G. (Susan) Collins of Scottsdale, Ariz. They also had 33 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.
Helen L. Collins, 95, of Gainesville, Fla., passed away at 4:06 p.m., Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 in Normal.
Survivors include ten children. She was preceded in death by her husband on Oct. 20, 2000; her son, John Jr.; three sisters, Marie Wyatt, Lois Goodrich and Jean Grove; a brother, Edward Goodrich; two grandsons; and a daughter-in-law, Janet.
Her memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at St. Celestine Catholic Church in Elmwood Park. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service, when family will greet relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local Habitat for Humanity in Helen’s name.
After raising her children, Helen learned to play bridge, and became a Bronze Life Master. She was happy to share her expertise with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as neighbor children. Four Kings in the Corner was another favorite card game of hers, which she taught to anyone interested in learning. Health was her number one priority, believing that you are responsible for taking good care of yourself. Double-chocolate brownies were part of her health regimen, and you could always find frozen ones in her freezer. She had a zest for living and learning; was true to herself and her principles; and was fiercely independent. She will be cherished in the hearts of all who knew her.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Michael Sharp
Micheal Lynn Sharp, 56 of Manitowoc, Wisc.; formerly of Chenoa, passed away peacefully at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 at his residence in Manitowoc.
Mike was born May 31, 1961 in Florence, Ala.; the son of Jack Sharp and Mary (Staggs) Reiter. His parents and one son, Kyle Sharp preceded him in death.
Survivors include two sons, Micheal J. Sharp of Peoria; Corey (Taylor) Sharp of Champaign; one daughter, Erin K. Sharp of Chillicothe; one brother, Rick Sharp of Peoria; one sister, Phyllis (Richard) Brecklin of Dunlap; one half-sister, Amanda Sharp of Peoria; step mother, Patricia Sharp of Peoria; ex-wife Dawn (Golliday) Sharp of Bloomington; girlfriend Shari Rahlf of Manitowoc; two grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Though he spent most of his life in Illinois, Mike never relinquished his Alabama roots. This led him to a lifelong love of fishing, hard work, time with his children & family and a passion for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He also spent time with his friends and family watching Cardinals baseball and NASCAR races.
In his professional life, he made a successful career for himself in automobile sales where he made countless friends over the years. Mike was an aficionado of the music of his generation and often said that Glenn Frey followed him around and wrote songs about his life. His quick wit and strong sense of humor made any moment ripe for a joke.
Roll Tide
Cremation rites have been accorded and a memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa; Inurnment services will follow in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery, Chenoa.
Visitation and time of sharing with the family will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the memorial service at noon, also at the funeral home in Chenoa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family of Micheal L. Sharp.
An online guest registry to leave condolences to the family is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com
