Theodore J. “Ted” Miraski, 75, of Metamora, IL, formerly of Northbrook, IL, passed away at 9:15 pm on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at Unity Point Health-Methodist in Peoria, IL. He was born on February 26, 1945 in Philadelphia, PA to Joseph and Esther (Brand) Miraski. He married Phyllis H. Czupryn on September 29, 1973 in Chicago, IL. She survives. Also surviving are his two sons, Benjamin (Wendy) Miraski of Chicago and Alexander (Kristin) Miraski of Peoria; grandson, Harrison...

EAST PEORIA - Willie Mae Dobbins, 92, of East Peoria, IL, passed away at 10:50 pm, Monday, August 3, 2020, at her residence with family at her side. She was born on November 14, 1927, in Old Fort, TN, the daughter of Marion and Mary Jane Goble Crump.  She married Ralph E. Dobbins on November 5, 1944, in Chatsworth, GA. He passed away on June 21, 1991. Three daughters, Peggy Dobbins, Becky Gabriel and Linda Clark, six brothers Sherman, Avery, Ferris, George, Vance, and Bud and two...

Rosemary E. Curless, 91, of Metamora, IL passed away at 10:20 pm on Sunday, August 2, 2020 at Snyder Village in Metamora. She was born on July 8, 1929 in Metamora, IL to Frank and Agnes Mary (Speck) Kunkel. She married Bernard E. Curless on September 3, 1949 in Metamora. He passed away on February 17, 2016. Surviving are her two sons Frank (Alice) Curless and Brad (Sue) Curless both of Washington, IL; six grandchildren Eric Curless of North Pekin, Amber (Arthur) Kovach and Andrea (Nick)...

Michael T. VerKuilen, 55, crossed to new shores on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at his home in Germantown Hills, IL. He fought a courageous war against bile duct cancer for almost three years. Mike leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Libby (Hubeny) VerKuilen; daughters Katie and Tracie; his mother Shirley M. VerKuilen of Appleton, WI; sister Vicki (Bill) Gooding of Appleton; and three brothers: Dan (Virginia) VerKuilen of Milton, FL; Steve (Michelle) VerKuilen of Pleasanton, CA; and Rich...

WASHBURN - Barbara Stringer, 86, of Washburn, IL, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at her home of natural causes surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 3, 1933, in Roanoke, IL, the daughter of Dennis and Clara (Miller) Kempf. She grew up on a farm and married a handsome farmer. She married Ivis Stringer on March 16, 1952, at the Kempf family farm outside Roanoke. This year they celebrated 68 years of marriage. For over 60 years, they celebrated their anniversary by...

Victoria “Vicky” Ann Voll, 62, of St. James, MO, passed at 1:41 am Thursday, April 16, 2020, in the comfort of her home with her family by her side. Vicky was born on July 6, 1957, in Peoria, IL, to Clifford and Ellamae Jaquet. She graduated from Woodruff High School in 1975 and received a clerical certificate from Midstate College in 1977. She married Allen Hamilton August 30, 1980, and resided in East Peoria, IL. They had two sons, Jeremy (Jenna) Hamilton, of Washington, IL,...

Gerald L. “Smitty” Smith, 79, of Washington, IL passed away Saturday, July 25, 2020, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on July 19, 1941, in Peoria, the son of Kenneth and Dorothy McGilvary Smith Jr.  He married Paula J. Kelley on August  9, 1962, in Creve Coeur, IL. Surviving are his wife, their children Annette (Brad) Kanaga of Washington, Sandra (Terry) Green of Schertz, TX, Donald Smith of Washington, and Richard (Stephanie) Smith of...

Steven Edward Smith, 61, of East Peoria, IL passed away at 1:57 am on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on September 11, 1958 in Spring Valley, IL to Wallace V. and Imelda H. (Dunn) Smith. Surviving are his two brothers Daniel (Sherry) Smith of Varna and Randall (Michele) Smith of Peoria; nephew Jeremiah (Joleen) Smith; step-niece Christina Janssen; step-nephew Michael Combs; eight great-nieces and great-nephews; and his significant other Cindy...

James “Jim” Schierer, 76, of Metamora, IL passed away at 5:47 am on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at his residence. He was born on March 24, 1944 in Peoria, IL to Leonard A. and Jane E. (McCoy) Schierer. He married Sue M. Stickelmaier. He then married Laura J. Mullins on February 5, 2000 in Las Vegas, NV. She survives. Also surviving are children Todd (Karen) Schierer, Kyle (Tricia) Mullins, and Blake Mullins all of Metamora and Dylan (Taylor) Mullins of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren...

Robert Landis Schertz, 91, of Metamora, IL passed away at 3:40 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at Snyder Village in Metamora. He was born on October 23, 1928 in Peoria, IL to Raymond John and Florence Landis Schertz. He married Juliet Engel on August 3, 1957 in Metamora at Christian Union Church. Surviving are his wife, Juliet Schertz of Metamora; two daughters, Sandra (William) Christ of Metamora and Janet (Gordon) Schwartz of Portland, Oregon; two grandchildren, Thomas Christ of Metamora...