All Obituaries

Crystal Dawn Gray (nee Lovell), 44, of Foosland, IL passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 at Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL. Crystal was born Sept. 7, 1978 in Peoria, IL to Steven Eugene Lovell and Ellen Maria (Fox) Lovell. She graduated as Valedictorian of Joliet Central High School in 1996, and summa cum laude at Augustana College in 2000, with a major in Spanish and Elementary Education. Though she was always reading as a child, Crystal's...

G. Wayne Crowley, 75 of Champaign and formerly of Mahomet, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at home. Honoring Wayne’s wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes will be buried at Grandview Memorial Gardens at 10:00am on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Wayne was born August 21, 1947 in Newcomb Township to Leo William and Violet Eva McNear Crowley.  He was married to Beverly McKinley, she survives. Survivors also include his daughter and son-in-law Marcy Crowley and Tim Sutton: two...

Cheryl Blackford, 76, of Mahomet, died at 1:10am on November 14, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.   In accordance with her wishes, a memorial will be held in the future.   Cheryl was born on October 30, 1946 in Jacksonville, IL, a daughter of Wilbur and Violet (Mahoney) Hoffman.   Survivors include: daughter, Tonya (Randy) Bliss-Craig of Mahomet; Son, Michael (Meri) Merrow of Wichita, KS; Grandchildren, Samantha Bliss and Gray Craig, both of...

Michael L Parks, age 75, of Mt. Sterling, IL passed away at 2:08 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. He was born May 30, 1947 in Beardstown, IL; the son of Daniel A. and Virginia Elizabeth Aldridge Parks and was raised by his grandparents, Russell and Mary Parks. Michael worked for the United States Postal Service in Champaign for 33 years. He graduated from Brown County High School with the class of 1965 and then received his bachelor's degree from...

Born in Berlin in 1948 (November 29), Elke Meyer Titus passed away on November 12, 2022, at home in Savoy while receiving care from Carle Hospice. She had only recently returned to the area to be near several close friends, having spent many years living in New York City after graduating from the University of Illinois in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences.   The daughter of Erich and Lydia Meyer, Elke grew up in Chicago, where her family had immigrated. She...

Richard “Rick” Krandel, 74, of Champaign, passed away Friday, November 11, 2022 in Norridge, Illinois. Rick was a rehabilitation and vocational counselor. He retired at 65 after finishing his career at the Illinois Employment and Training Center. In retirement, Rick was a Tai Chi instructor. Rick is survived by his wife: Diana; his children: Jacob (Amy) Krandel, Beth (Matthew) Hansen; brother: Marc (Marta) Krandel; grandchildren: Lydia Gleason, Addison Krandel, and Oliver...

Jackie Hollie Rayburn, 69, passed peacefully with her family in her Division Street home on the morning of Sunday, November 6, 2022. Jacqueline Debra Hollie was a southern belle, evident in her beauty pageant crowns and Tennessee twang, but also in her hospitality, charm, and grace. She was born at home in Hornbeak, TN, the third and youngest child of RB and Imogene Hollie, and raised in Union City, TN with her brother (the late) Larry Hollie and her sister Dianne Thomason. She is survived...

God granted Rest to Sara (Sally) J. Stauffer on November 5, 2022. She was 88 years old. She passed to Eternal Life peacefully at her home, her final wish. Sally was born the ninth daughter of John Sylvester & Ruth Avada Oliger on November 7, 1933 in Champaign IL.  Three brothers completed a very close, loving Oliger family.  She graduated from Central High School.  Sally married John V McKinney in 1952, soon widowed by the Korean War. Sally married Charles Richard...

With great sorrow we announce the passing of our sister Linda S. Carroll on October 31, 2022. She is survived by her brother: William E. Carroll of Colorado; and sister: E. Patricia Carroll of Urbana. Born in Rockford, Illinois, the family moved to Champaign in 1963 where she graduated from Central High School in 1969. She worked in town for a few years before going to Parkland College and becoming a Certified Operating Room Tech. She began working at Burnham City Hospital and then at...

Steve Gilbertz, 66, lived a full life filled with love. In the early hours of Wednesday, October 26, 2022, he quickly and quietly left this world. Just as he had wished, he spent his final days in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his wife Amy Santos Gilbertz, daughter Lin Gilbertz, and dog Cooper. Steve was and remains known as a loyal and generous friend. His two brothers-from-another-mother, Todd Neely and Jeff Olson, and close friends, Micki Ostrosky and Delroy Robinson,...