Obituaries: Koerner, Timler

Duane Koerner
Duane Koerner

Duane Koerner

Duane E. Koerner, 82 of Chenoa died at 7:55 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, Chenoa.

His funeral will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at Chenoa United Methodist Church with Pastor Rob Roy officiating. Interment will follow in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery, with full military rites conducted by Chenoa American Legion and VFW posts.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2015 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa; and one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. The family suggest memorials be directed to Chenoa United Methodist Church, American Lung Association or charity of the donor’s choice.

Koerner was born January 15, 1933 in Chenoa the son of Raymond and Beulah (Streid) Koerner. He married Marilyn L. Malcom on March 16, 1956. His wife Marilyn preceded him in death on October 2, 1994.

His parents, two brothers, Roger and Richard Koerner and one great granddaughter also preceded him in death.

Survivors include three sons, Gary (Connie) Koerner of LeRoy; Gregory (Cathy) Koerner of Champaign; Gordon (Amy) Koerner of Washington; thirteen grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Duane was a 1951 graduate of Chenoa High School and served our country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He retired after 22 years of service to the Chenoa School District as a custodian and bus driver. The Koerner’s also operated the 911 dispatch service out of their home in Chenoa for 7 years.

Duane was a member of Chenoa United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the Chenoa VFW Post 8350 where he served as Commander for 4 years. He also served as State of Illinois Commander for one year. He was a founding officer of the JC’s chapter in Chenoa and was instrumental in starting the scouting program in Chenoa where he served as president for many years.

He was a strong supporter of high school sports and loved watching his son’s and later his grandchildren’s sporting events. In his spare time Duane enjoyed camping, fishing, going to the River Boat and a good jigsaw puzzle.

An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.

Scott Timler
Scott Timler

Scott A. Timler

Scott A. Timler, 38, of Towanda, passed away at 11:40 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington with Pastor Terry Strom officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington.

Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Humane Society of Central Illinois.

Scott was born on November 28, 1976 in Normal, a son of Alvin R. and Mary Shaffer Timler. He married Cathy Fry on June 21, 2003 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington.

Surviving are his wife, Cathy Timler of Towanda; mother, Mary Timler of Bloomington; mother and father in-law, Marty and Jerry Fry of Sibley; brother, Mike (Kristine) Timler of Sivis; brother in-law, Mike (Lori) Fry of Towanda; sister in-law, Shelley Lanham of Normal; two nieces, Grace Timler and Raquel Lanham; and a nephew, Joseph Timler.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Timler.

Scott enjoyed wood working, outdoor activities, electronics and most of all spending time with his friends. He loved giving to others which touched the hearts of those close to him. Scott was loved and will be missed very much.

Online condolences and memories of Scott may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…