Vernon D. “Speck” Mathews

Vernon D. “Speck” Mathews, 91, of Galesburg, died at 4:22 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at home.

He was born July 18, 1926, in Salem Township, the son of Robert Cyrus and Edna Lavinia (Suydam) Mathews. He married Helen McCoy in Delong. He later married Ramona Torrance on May 1, 1976. She preceded him in death February 28, 2011.

He is survived by his children, Melvin (Donna) Mathews of Gilson; Paul (Ginger) Mathews of Desoto, Missouri; Roger Tharp of Palos Heights; Rita (Marty) Smith of Abingdon; Diana Hallstrom of Galesburg; Pamela (Billy) Jump of Canton; and Debra (Jeff) Oelberg of Wataga, Illinois; 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and a sister, Jean (Tip) Bowers, of Yates City. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Dorothy Mathews; two brothers, Robert Mathews Jr. and James Mathews; and a grandson, Marcus Wagner.

Speck was a truck driver for Burlington Truck Lines for 34 years. He also was a tractor mechanic for Yates City Implement Company for four years. He graduated from Haw Creek Township High School in 1944. He was a member of the El Bon Shrine. Speck was a member of the Pacific Masonic Lodge #66. He was devoted father, grandfather and friend who cherished his time and conversations with others.

Speck served in the United States Army for two years at Fort McClellan, Alabama and Camp Campbell, Kentucky during WWII. He was a member of the Knoxville American Legion Post #749.

Masonic Rites will be 4:30 p.m. Friday, August 18, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 pm Friday. Funeral will be 11:30 am Saturday at the chapel with Rev. Jeremiah Barker officiating. Burial will be in Raritan Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children Hospital or Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

James Clyde “Butch” Johnson

James Clyde “Butch” Johnson, 75, of Galesburg, died at 8:25 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in Marigold Health Care Center.

He was born July 2, 1942, in Aledo, the son of Harlan and Dorothy (Wood) Johnson.

He is survived by his fiancé, Jenny England of Galesburg; a son, Curt (Ann) Johnson of Wilmette; a step-son, Wesley England of Galesburg; two step-daughters, Jessica England and Chrissy England, both of Galesburg; seven grandchildren with one on the way; a brother, Kenny (Liz) Johnson of Clay Center, Kansas; three sisters, Wanda (Delano) Ohaver of Farmington, Peggy Brooks of Galesburg, and Sandy (Louis) Powell of Aledo; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Christy Symons; and two sisters, Judith Newton and Connie Johnson.

Butch was raised and educated in Aledo, graduating from Aledo High School in 1959. He went on to school to train to be a butcher. He worked as a butcher for Roger Woods Meats in Milan for many years. He was the manager of Quinn’s Grocery Store in Aledo for several years. He had lived in Galesburg for the past 20 years. He worked in maintenance at the Knox County Nursing Home before retiring in 2003.

Butch enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, camping, and golfing. He was also an accomplished woodworker. He was fond of gambling, enjoying going to the casinos locally and also going to Las Vegas.

Visitation will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. at the chapel with Rev. Jim Ecklund officiating. Burial will be in Warren County Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

Audrey L. Benson

Audrey L. Benson, age 92, of Maquon, Illinois died at 8:07 P.M. on Monday, August 14, 2017 at Seminary Manor in Galesburg, Illinois.

She was born on May 2, 2015 in Wataga, Illinois, the daughter of Richard and Florence Frome Maxwell. She attended and graduated from the Wataga High School in 1943. She married Donald G. Benson on November 22, 1943 in Wayne, Missouri. He preceded her in death on January 6, 2016.

She is survived by five children; Larry (Mary Ann Hanlin) Benson of Maquon, Illinois, Jerry (and Deb) Benson of Williamsfield, Illinois, Gary (and Judy) Benson of Elkader, Iowa, Mary (and Larry) Isenberger of Davis, Illinois, and Janet (and Eric) Windish of Yates City, Illinois. She is also survived by eighteen grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren; and eleven great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

She was a farm wife assisting her husband on the farm and raising a family. She loved to cook, bake, and help others. She was a member of the Douglas United Methodist Church in Douglas, Illinois and enjoyed singing in the choir. She was a life-long member of the Spoon Sisters and the Elba Worthwhile Club.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois, with Deacon Mike Crummer officiating. Interment will be at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Galesburg, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to the Douglas United Methodist Church, Galesburg Rescue Mission or St. Jude’s. Online condolences or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com

Kenneth E. “Kenny” Engstrom

Kenneth E. “Kenny” Engstrom, 93, of Galesburg, died at 4:32 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017 in the Knox County Nursing Home.

He was born July 10, 1924, in Abingdon, the son of Edgar and Fern (Morss) Engstrom. He married Margaret “Jean” Blackie on February 4, 1967, in Galesburg. She preceded him in death on July 25, 2009.

He is survived by a sister, Barbara (and Manuel) Leon of Galesburg; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard and Gerald.

Kenny graduated from Galesburg High School in 1942 and lived most of his life in Galesburg. He served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1946 during World War II. He was a mailman for the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1975. He loved woodworking and gardening. He attended First Presbyterian Church and enjoyed reading the Bible.

Visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, August 18, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Funeral will follow at 2 p.m. at the chapel. Rev. Jim Ecklund will officiate. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Altona. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Nursing Home or the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

Daniel J. Lawson

Daniel J. Lawson, 54, of Galesburg, Illinois died at 4:19 am Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Marigold Health Care Center, Galesburg.

Memorial Services is scheduled for 6:00 pm Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel with Mr. Doug Gibb officiating.

Visitation will be from 5:00-6:00 pm Thursday at the chapel. Cremation has been accorded. Memorials may be made to the Family or to Hospice Compassus Grief Camp.

Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com

Josephine S. Dennis,

Josephine S. Dennis, 97, of Galesburg, Illinois died at 6:37 pm Sunday, August 13, 2017 at Seminary Manor.

She was born November 10, 1919 in Robinson, Illinois the daughter of Jonas and Belle Skidmore Springer. She married Geza A. Dennis on September 25, 1940 in Alliance, Ohio. He preceded her in death on July 23, 1993.

Josephine is survived by her son, Gregory S. (Marcea) Dennis of Newton, Illinois; twin daughters, Pamela Miller of Atlanta, Georgia and Tamara Hippensteel of Galesburg; five grandchildren, Monica (Kent) Murphy of Vincennes, Indiana, Melanie (Steve) Simon of Frankfort, Illinois, Eric (Nancy) Miller and Matthew Miller both of Atlanta, Georgia, Stefani (Mark) Gillen of Monmouth, Illinois; one grandson-in-law, Tom Drauden of Galesburg; twelve great grandchildren, Mia and Macklyn Simon, Hannah and Jonah Ritz, Hannah Miller, Aiden Miller and Jett Miller, Jackson and Addison Gillen, Paige (Zach) Leihenseder, Cody and Riley Drauden; one great great granddaughter, Hadley Leihenseder. Jo was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister, Opal Core and her granddaughter, Sherri Hippensteel Drauden.

Josephine worked as a legal secretary for over 30 years, retiring in 1985. She had lived in Robinson, Illinois, Alliance, Ohio, Irving, Texas and moved to Galesburg in 2004. She graduated from Robinson High school and Mount Union College in Alliance. Jo volunteered at Galesburg Cottage Hospital and was a member of the Welcome Wagon/Newcomers Club. She also was a Reading Buddy at Cooke and Gale Schools. She was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church.

Memorial Services are scheduled for 10:00 am Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Pastor Mary Runge will officiate. Cremation will be accorded. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Harbor Light Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com

Charmain R. "Joanne" Ricketts

Charmain R. "Joanne" Ricketts, age 87, of Burlington, Iowa; and formerly of Oquawka, passed away at 7:50 pm on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at her home in Burlington, Iowa. Charmain was born on September 24, 1929 in Blandinsville, Illinois and is the daughter of Frank and Wilma Pendall Randall. She was raised in Blandinsville and Oquawka and attended school in Oquawka, Illinois where she graduated from the Oquawka High School. She then attended Western Illinois University and later the Grand Rapids Junior College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Charmain was a legal secretary and librarian. She began work at Bank of Oquawka and later at the Oquawka Courthouse where she served in various capacities. She also was employed by the Community Unit School District 115 Union School for a number of years before working as legal secretary at Dykeman, Gossett, Goodnow, and Trigg, Attorneys in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Charmain loved her grandchildren and spending time with them. She is survived by two sons, Murray Ricketts of Burlington, Iowa and Brian (Loyda) Ricketts in Houston, Texas. There are three grandchildren, Jennifer, Aaron, and Jessica Ricketts also surviving. Two sisters survive, Judy (Gary) Townsand of Farmington, Iowa and Carolyn Pierson of Charleston, South Carolina. Two brothers survive, Carl (Kay) Randall of Jacksonville, Illinois and Frank Randall, Jr. in Arizona. Also a number of nieces and nephews and other relatives survive her. She is preceded in her death by her parents, husband, brother Gene, and sister, Linda.

A funeral service is planned at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. No visitation hours are planned by her family. Interment will be in the Oquawka Cemetery. To leave a condolence or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.