Obituaries: Dennis, Hames

Timmy DennisObituaries for Timmy Dennis, Del Hames

Timmy Dennis II

Timmy L. Dennis II, 27 of Pontiac, Ill. died Saturday June 10, 2017 at 9:26 a.m. at his residence.

Cremation rites will be accorded and a private family service will be held. Memorials in Timmy’s name may be made to Children’s Hospital of Illinois or the Livingston County Humane Society. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Timmy was born on June 6, 1990 in Pontiac, a son of Timmy L. and Diane (Craver) Dennis. They survive in Pontiac. Also surviving is one sister: Tiffany (Matt Gero) Dennis of Chenoa, Ill..; one niece: Mekalee Gero; one nephew: Preston Gero; paternal grandmother: Sofia Dennis of Pontiac; maternal grandmother: Aldine Craver of Pontiac. Timmy was preceded in death by his paternal grandfathers: Danny Dennis and Earl Craver.

Timmy was a 2008 graduate of Pontiac Township High School. He had been employed at Interlake Steel, RR Donnelly’s and at Dependable Company in Streator as a welder.

Del HanesDel Hanes

Franklin Delano “Del” Hanes, 84, of Bloomington; passed away at 2:45 p.m., Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Liberty Village, LeRoy.

Funeral services will be 11 am, Friday, June 16, 2017 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury; with Pastor Kathy King-Nobles officiating. Burial will follow in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery, Chenoa.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 15, 2017 also at the funeral home in Fairbury; and one hour prior to his service on Friday. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be directed to Del’s church, First United Methodist Church of Normal.

Del was born on March 30, 1933 in Gary, Ind.; the son of Earl and Lillian (Farley) Hanes. He married Janice Oakley on June 20, 1954 in Cooksville. His wife Janice survives in Bloomington.

His parents, two brothers, Norman & Chuck Hanes, 2 nieces Sharon Walter & Gail Johnson, and 2 nephews Earl & John Hanes preceded him in death.

Other survivors include three children, Ron (Beth) Hanes of Roscoe; Sandy (Bob) Sonneson of Roscoe; Ivan (Becky) Hanes of LeRoy; one sister, Dorothy (“Bud”) Rosenberger of Chenoa; eight grandchildren, Beckie, Kristi, Jeff, Steve, Ryan, Tiffany, Michael, Matthew and eight great grandchildren.

Del didn’t know many strangers. His love of people and his desire to help others led him to develop a successful team of insurance agents for Lutheran Brotherhood Ins. Retiring as the general agent in 1985. He served his church, First United Methodist Church of Normal in many capacities, served on the School Board for the Tri-Valley School district and was a member of the National Street Rod Association.

An online guest registry to leave condolences to the family is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.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…