Obituaries: Friant

Posted on February 10, 2016

Elmer FriantElmer H. “Sonny” Friant, 79, Fairbury, went to be with the Lord at 3:05 am Monday, February 8, 2016 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury with Pastor Tom Krieger officiating.  Burial will be in Avoca Twp. Cemetery, Fairbury with full military rites accorded by the Fairbury VFW and American Legion posts.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00pm Friday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with a Tarbolton Masonic Lodge service at 7:00 pm and 9:00 to 9:45 am Saturday at the church.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury.

Sonny was born July 17, 1936 in Flanagan, IL the son of Elmer and Emma Tammen Friant.  He married Sue I. Sparks on November 25, 1956 in Fairbury.  This year would have marked their 60th anniversary.  Sue survives in Fairbury.

Other survivors include 3 sons, Charles L. (Debbie) Friant, Dixon, Kenneth D. Friant, East Peoria, Dean E. Friant, Fairbury, 3 grandchildren, Courtney (Tyler) Friant-Thomas, Dixon, DeAnna (David) Friedman-Klabanoff, Milwaukee, WI, Tim (Anna Boer) Friedman, Sterling, 1 great grandson, Nolan Henry James Thomas, Dixon, 1 sister, Lois Immke, Pontiac, and 2 brothers, Otis Friant, Benton, Kentucky and Paul (Joan) Friant, Stillwater, MN, 1 brother-in-law, Bill Schauble, Fairbury, and many special friends that were close to his heart.

He is preceded in death by his parents, step mother, Birdeen, 1 son, Douglas, grandson, Tyler Friant, brother in law, Paul Immke, as well as sisters in law Emogene Friant and Sally Schauble.

Sonny served in the United States Army during the Korean War.  He owned and operated Sonny’s Paint Repair and Radiator Shop, Fairbury, and was a janitor at Westview Elementary School before his retirement.  He was a man of many talents and had many hobbies.  He was involved in Shriners and was a 28 year member of the Tarbolton Masonic Lodge #351, Fairbury.  Sonny enjoyed spending time with his wife, Sue, and traveling with her throughout the United States.  His pride and joy was his family and they loved him just as much.  All those who knew him will miss him dearly; he was truly a special man.

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

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