Marlene Ortman
Marlene J. Ortman, 77, of Bloomington passed away at 6:30 a.m. on July 13 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.
Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington with Rev. Terry Strom officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial in Bloomington and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.
Interment will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran School.
Marlene was born on March 25, 1938 a daughter of Louise and John C. Dithen Steege. She married John Ortman on Oct. 9, 1971 in Bloomington.
Surviving are her husband, John Ortman of Bloomington; and a brother, Ron (Jennifer) Steege of Scottsdale, Ariz.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Marlene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
In her early years, Marlene worked for Country Companies and later, she worked for over 30 years at Illinois Wesleyan University in the school of art serving at the office coordinator.
Marlene loved her husband, family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Online condolences and memories of Marlene may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
Van Rash
Van O. Rash, 84, of Bloomington, passed away at 11:15 a.m. on July 12 at LeRoy Manor in LeRoy, where a friend Marilyn Woolridge had watched over him.
His funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington. Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m. on Friday, prior to the service at the memorial home.
Interment will be in McLean-Mount Hope Cemetery in McLean. Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.
Van was born on July 2, 1931 in Normal, a son of James H. and Bessie E. Swearingen Rash.
Surviving are his children, Nancy Rash of Bloomington, James G. (Vickie) Rash of Shirley, Cynthia K. (Steve) Henert of Bloomington, Sonia R. (Victor) Reyes of Bloomington, Sue E. (Gary) Woolridge of Bloomington, and William R. Rash of Bloomington; grandchildren, Curtis M. (Janina) Robson, Jr., Cory J. Robson, Chad A. Robson, Bradley S. Henert, Kama K. N. Henert, Mandy Jo Rash, Melissa Daugherty, Erik (Amanda) Daugherty Rash, Carlos Reyes, Esy Reyes and Gary Ray (Alicia) Woolridge; 14 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews; and his friend’s son, Mike Carter.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; four brothers; a grandson, James G. Rash II;
a daughter in-law, Linda S. Niepagen Rash; and his special lifelong friend, Charlie Carter.
He attended schools in Minier and Normal, Illinois. He worked for G.M.O. and I.C.G. Railroad as a car inspector for over 30 years and Metra in Chicago for 10 years.
Van loved life and country music, his favorite singer was Hank Williams, Sr. He square danced in Chicago for five years and the Twin City Twizzlers in Bloomington for five years. He loved his Harley motorcycle, playing shuffleboard and was a champion checker player. In the 90’s he went to the Senior Olympics and won several gold medals. He was an avid Cubs and Bears fan. Van loved to tell jokes and funny sayings. He never knew a stranger.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge 43 in Bloomington for over 30 years and was Toastmaster for 3 years. He was also a member of Young At Heart for 3 years, and the Eagles, Low Twelve Club and Scottish Rite Temple, all in Bloomington.
The family would like to give special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and LeRoy Manor.
Van loved his family and enjoyed visiting his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be missed by his family and friends.
Online condolences and memories of Van may be sent to the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
