Merlin Eash
Merlin Ray Eash, 90, of Meadows at Mercy Creek, Normal, Ill., formerly of Chenoa, Ill., passed away at 1:47 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.
Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 with a church service following at 11 a.m. Both visitation and funeral service will be at Christ Community Church (formerly First United Presbyterian Church), Chenoa A private family burial will follow in Chenoa Township Cemetery.
Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to one of the following: Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community; Community Cancer Center Foundation, Normal, or Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Merlin was born Sept. 8, 1927 on the family farm near Chenoa, to Walter and Ella (Ringenberg) Eash. He married Norma Lorene Hewitt, of Chenoa, on Oct. 1, 1948.
Merlin graduated from Chenoa High School in 1945. After graduation, he began flying lessons at the Bloomington Airport and he became a private pilot. He had a passion for flying and was a member of the Pontiac Flying Club. When he and Norma married, they began farming on the family farm northwest of Chenoa. He also started dairy farming and raising children, both bringing joy to his days.
In 1964, the family moved into Chenoa and Merlin took on a new role as a Star Route Mail Carrier. There are many memories of the mail route for his family and friends. Many of these friends are the people he met along the routes, forming lifelong connections. Merlin returned to the family farm after the route years, raising small herds of cattle. After retirement, Merlin was kept busy helping others in the community with travel to appointments, visits to Meadows and keeping people laughing with his jokes.
He loved being with his family and playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. There are many hours of video of family as well as Norma’s music performances. They also attended as many of their son’s football games as possible, becoming lifelong Illinois Wesleyan football fans.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Eash, his three children; Merline (Richard) Erdman, Sterling, Ill., Norman (Cheryl) Eash, Bloomington, Ill., and Dr. Christine (Patrick) McConnell, Duluth, Minn. Also surviving him are ten grandchildren, Amanda Erdman, Corinne Nye, Dr. David Erdman, Dr. Kyle Eash, Kendra Eash, Kelsey Andrews, Kaylyn Cawley, Karley Eash, Logan McConnell, Catherine McConnell, as well 11 great grandchildren.
A guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Myron Erdman
Myron Edward Erdman, 89, passed away peacefully at his home at 4 a.m., Jan. 17, 2018.
His funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chenoa, Ill. Burial will be in Chenoa Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chenoa and 12:30-1:15 a.m., Saturday also at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations be made to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chenoa, The Guernsey Foundation or Advocate BroMenn Hospice.
Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of arrangements.
Myron was born on Feb. 19, 1928, in Chenoa the son of William and Etta Schwager Erdman. He graduated from Chenoa High School and attended Illinois State University where he played football and wrestled. Myron also received the FFA American Degree.
Myron married the love of his life, Waneta Callahan from Milford, Ill., after attending college. They celebrated 68 years of marriage, always winning the anniversary dance at weddings they attended.
Myron dairy farmed in Chenoa all his life. Myown Guernseys is known by dairy farmers all over the USA, with production and show winners. His leadership as President of the American Guernsey Cattle Club came at an important time in it’s history. His dairy leadership skills were also shown on six different milk boards, including the National Milk Board.
In the community, Myron was a long proponent and board member of the Rural Electrification Cooperative. He served for nine years on the school board for Fairbury-Cropsey School District and was a lifelong member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chenoa as a chairman, elder and choir member. For many years he sold and distributed Purina Feed and was presented the Mclean County Master Farmer’s Award in 1985.
Myron was always a man of his word through consistently showing generosity and respect for others. By his example, we learned to live our life as Christians. He was the most loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Myron is survived by his wife, Waneta; three children, Ann (Jim) Meyer, Linda (Bill) Langel, and Mark (Tammy Knight); grandchildren, Amy (Pat) Roady, Becky (Jon) Freed, Jeff (Megan) Meyer, Laurie Langel, David (Taylor) Langel, and John (Stephanie) Langel; and 10 great-greandchildren. He is further survived by brother Ronald (Dorothy) Erdman, and sister-in-law, Judy Erdman as well as many nephews and nieces. Myron was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dale and Verne; and sister-in-law, Mildred.
An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Shirley Mae Herron
Shirley Mae Herron, 88, Fairbury, died at 5:03 a.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
Her funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury with Pastor Daryl Evans officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.
Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Friday also at the church. The family suggests memorials be given to First Baptist Church or Fairview Haven Retirement Community, both of Fairbury. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Herron was born June 13, 1929 in Hannibal, Mo. the daughter of Orville and Ruby Selleck Rouse. She married Donald L. Herron on January 23, 1948 in Hannibal. He preceded her in death on Nov. 26, 2006.
Survivors include one son, Donald R. (Patricia) Herron, Champaign, Ill.; one daughter, Connie (Rod) Golladay Stevens, Fairbury; five grandchildren, Kathy (Gary) Davis, Christy (Frank) Deer, Amy Costa, Joshua (Rebecca) Golladay; Matthew (Carly) Golladay; nine great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two step great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Karen (Steve) Raps, St. Charles, Mo.
She is preceded in death by one brother.
Mrs. Herron was a member of the First Baptist Church, Fairbury.
A guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Arden Osborne
Arden Ann Osborne, 87, of Strawn, Ill., passed away at 3:00 am on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018 at her son’s home in Forrest, Ill.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at Forrest United Methodist Church with Rev. Roosevelt Smith officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will follow services at Strawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Arden’s name to Forrest Public Library. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Forrest is handling arrangements for the family.
Arden was born July 14, 1930 in Wisconsin a daughter of William and Dorothy Ellen (Moore) Edie. She married Chester L. Osborne on Aug. 26, 1951. He passed away in 1966.
She is survived by her three sons: Daniel D. Osborne of Westminster, Colo., Steve Osborne of Gibson City, Ill., and Tim (Sandie) Osborne of Forrest; her ten grandchildren: Katherine, Todd, Brad, Nicole, Greg, Mindy, Chris (Michelle), Tina, Jamie and Mark; 27 great grandchildren; and one brother: William Edie, Jr. of Hendersonville, Tenn. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter-in-law: Brenda, and one great granddaughter.
Arden raised three boys while working full time after her husband’s death. She worked for over 30 years at the Coil Factory in Fairbury. Arden remained faithful to her family and taking care of them. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She enjoyed playing bingo, being in a card club, and reading nearly six books a week. Arden also liked her time alone being an introvert.
Arden was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be greatly missed.
This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at calvertmemorial.com.
