LeRoy Haag
LeRoy James Haag, 91, of Cullom, Ill. passed away at 8:58 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal, Ill.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cullom with Reverends Mauricio Vieira and Gabriel Baumgardner officiating. According to his wishes, his body has been donated to science with cremation rites to follow. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cullom or Cullom Fire Department.
LeRoy was born on June 28, 1926 in Cullom on the family farm, a son of Walter and Minnie (Farber) Haag. He married Constance Mae Saathoff on December 14, 1944 in Cullom.
He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years; their children: Patricia (John) Platz of Cullom; Richard (Kristine) Haag of Cullom; Lauri (Dexter) Smith of Baileys Harbor, WI; Marla (Gregory) Holloway of Trivoli, Ill. and Audrey (David) Lowe of Saunemin, Ill.; his grandchildren: Leann Shaw, Todd (Dana) Platz, Angela (Jason) Eggenberger, Adam Haag, Sara Haag (Patrick Wood), Stacey (Corey) Sharp, Ryan Willis, Chad (Kelly) Holloway, Rebecca Holloway, Megan Lowe, Kyle Lowe, and Tyler Lowe; great grandchildren: Chelsey, Stazee, Jaclyn, Dylan, Garret, Braden, Addison, Emma, Gabrielle and Cassius, Colt, and Nathan; two step grandchildren: Justin (Missy Smith), Ashly Smith; three step-great grandchildren: Cameron, Landon, and Aspen; one sister: Mary Walsh of Onarga, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father: Walter (Arleen) Haag; Mother: Minnie (Charles) Kingdon; his brothers: Herbert (Margery) Haag, Vernon (Bernice) Haag; his sisters: Delores (Bruno) Jasin, Helen Bartell, and Fern Haag in infancy; and one brother-in-law: Arthur Walsh.
LeRoy was born and raised on the family farm in rural Cullom, going to grade school and high school there, graduating in 1944. He loved farming with Connie and son (Rick) for many years. LeRoy enjoyed traveling with Connie and family in the RV, especially during the winter. The family has so many special memories of the camping trips taken, as well as the skiing trips that included the grandchildren.
He was very involved with the community as a volunteer firefighter and serving on the Cullom Grade School Board. LeRoy was a member of the Farm Bureau having served previously on the board. He also was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cullom where he had served on the Church Council.
LeRoy was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend who will be greatly missed. We will always remember the smile on his face.
This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.calvertmemorial.com.
Sally Phillips
Sarah “Sally” Phillips 95, of Pontiac, Ill. passed away peacefully at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, July 24, 2017 at Tjardes Health Care Center of Evenglow Lodge in Pontiac.
She was born November 14, 1921 in Myrtle, Ill., the daughter of Conrad and Katherine (Humburg) lls. In 1913 her parents immigrated here from Walter, Russia with great determination to become successful farmers. She grew up a farmer’s daughter in the German Valley, Ill. area with her seven siblings. She explained it was love at first sight when she met and then shortly after, married Webster E. Phillips on September 28, 1946, in Chicago. They were able to celebrate 65 wedding anniversaries before he preceded her in death on May 18, 2012.
She was also preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Martha K. Bedford on July 21, 2016, as well as her parents, her four brothers: John, George, Theodore and Joseph lls and three sisters: Amy Ruter, Margaret Gardner and Marie Kerchner. Surviving is her son Webster P. Phillips (Kelvin Pollard) of Baltimore, MD; son-in-law, Jack Bedford of Springfield; granddaughter, Sharri (Robert) Pfaff of Pontiac; great grandchildren, Justine Pfaff of Normal, Madison Pfaff and Conrad Pfaff of Pontiac; sister-in-law Doris lls, Lena, Ill.; brother-in-law’s: Cletus (Connie) Phillips, Camano Island, Wash., Wayne Phillips, Yuma, Ariz. and many nieces and nephews.
Sally was a homemaker and supported her husband through various career paths that led them in different areas of Illinois through the earlier years of their marriage. In 1965, they relocated to Pontiac because they were wanting to live closer to Webster’s new job at the Pontiac Correctional Center. They loved this community. Here she became a member of the First United Methodist Church and was active in the Women’s Society for Christian Service. She was also a member of the Pontiac Women’s Club, The Pontiac Elks Club, Bridge Club and Dance Club. Together with her husband, they were office holders of the local AARP, and helped organize the first showbus. She enjoyed baking delicious pies and cakes, gardening and canning, playing cards and games, sewing, quilting and visiting with neighbors, especially the kids that grew up around her on South Mill Street. She will be remembered as a devoted Wife, loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother.
Her funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac with Rev. Gretchen Stinebaugh officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will follow services at Patty Cemetery in rural Pontiac. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.calvertmemorial.com.
Jo Workman
Donna Jo Ann Workman passed away July 21, 2017 in Bloomington, Ill.
A professionally motivated and capable woman, she was admired and respected by students and colleagues alike. She was born Nov. 11, 1934, to Sam and Jennie Rundall Workman, in Springville, Iowa. She graduated from Springville High School in 1952. She attended Cornell College (Iowa) her first two years of undergraduate school, and finished her B.A. degree at the University of Iowa (1959) as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, honorary scholastic society. During her college years, she spent summers working as a camp counselor and canoeing instructor at Camp Hitaga in Walker, Iowa, and Cheley Girls Camp in Colorado. After teaching two years in the Denver Public Schools, Jo completed her M.A. degree at the University of Michigan (1959). Jo was hired at Illinois State Normal University in 1959, teaching at Metcalf Lab School before completing her Ph.D. at the University of Iowa in 1965. Jo returned to ISU to coordinate student teaching in the Women’s Physical Education Department which boasted over 800 majors. She also coached JV volleyball.
Dr. Workman served the ISU campus as a member of the Academic Senate, the Athletic Council, NCAA Faculty Rep and Student Fee Advisory Committee. She was known as the “Search Queen” having served on University searches for presidents, financial officers, provosts, deans and athletic directors. She was equally as involved in professional organizations in her discipline including IAHPERD, Council of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators, and Midwest Association for Physical Education for College Women. Jo also served on several Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference and Missouri Valley Conference Committees as faculty representative. Jo was awarded the ISU Athletic Department “Stretch” Miller award in 1991.
Jo retired in 1990 and suffered strokes in October 1992, and January 1994. She overcame the odds to live a long and full life. She especially enjoyed spending summers at her Wisconsin lake home, and winters with friends in Florida. Jo was an avid sports fan of Iowa Hawkeyes and ISU Redbirds. In her day, she was also a good golfer with a hole-in-one to her credit at Tagalong Golf Course in Birchwood, WI.
She is survived by her brother Nyle (Bev) Workman, nephews Scott and Mark (Sue) Workman and niece Ann (Brent) Brase. She was also very proud of her great nieces and nephews Seth and Sam Workman, and Ella, Owen, Evan and Nora Brase, and Trent Workman. She will be cremated.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Aug. 6, 1 p.m. at Hancock Stadium Club. Everyone is welcome. Jo’s philanthropic interests resided with Cornell College Women’s Basketball (Mt. Vernon, Iowa) and Illinois State University softball. Memorials may be made in her honor.
Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home is assisting the family with the cremation rites.
