Holly Spencer

Holly Spencer, 66, Executive Director of the Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestra (ESYO) died on January 7, 2024 after a long battle with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. She leaves behind her two beloved children, Lewis and Bailey Gilmore, as well as many friends, colleagues and family who will all miss her dearly.

Holly Jo was born in Jackson, Michigan on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1957. She grew up the fourth of 7 children of Richard and Mima Spencer, and shared many adventures and much laughter with her 3 brothers and 3 sisters. After a few moves the family settled in Urbana, Illinois where Holly remembered as she described it, an “idyllic” childhood.

In 5...

Jarelle (Cindy) Stein

Jarelle S. Stein, 59, formerly of Urbana, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, March 31, 2017, at her home in Lake Forest, Calif.

Jarelle was born in Lincoln on July 23, 1957, the fourth child of James and Claudine (Perry) Stein. She married Zoe Pittman on Nov. 15, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents.

In addition to her spouse, Jarelle is survived by her five siblings: Susan "Sue" Stein (Doug Rose) of Tampa, Fla., Jeffrey "Jeff" Stein (Mimi Rivera) of Mays Landing, N.J., Tina Croix of Champaign, Anita Stein (Harvey Welch) of Urbana and Andrew "Andy" Stein (Denise) of San Diego, Calif. She is also survived by eight nephews and nieces and o...

Christina Diane Newsome (Stewart)

Ms. Newsome died at 6:30 a.m. Thursday (Nov. 11, 1999) at her home.



She was born April 16, 1957, at Urbana, a daughter of Paul and Joyce Wisher Stewart.



Survivors include two sons, Scott and Dale Newsome, both of Urbana; two daughters, Tabitha Newsome and Corrine Carr Toppe both of Urbana; four brothers, Michael Stewart of Mahomet, Rocky Stewart of Wisconsin, Jeff Stewart of Ogden and Kent Stewart of Chicago; two sisters, Debbie Cuppernell of Rantoul and Nancy Brooks of Alabama; and a grandchild.



Ms. Newsome graduated from Urbana High School and worked in building services at Ameritech for 17 years. She was a member of Pennsylvania Avenue Bapti...

Jo Ellen Sussen

Jo Ellen Sussen, 59, of Urbana died at home on Tuesday (June 13, 2017).

She is survived by her mother, Mildred Sussen; son, Chad Sussen (Katie); grandson, Jack; brothers, John (Angie) and Bill Sussen; and sisters, Sandy Wilson and Tammy Bell.

She was preceded in death by her father, Burl Sussen, and longtime companion, Clay Brown.

Jo Ellen was always quick to help anyone. The desire to help the community triggered her to become a member of the Champaign County Healthcare Consumers Organization.

She loved visiting with her mother and working crossword puzzles. Jo Ellen prided herself on being a prankster and loved to tell jokes even though she had a hard time hi...

Michael D. Taylor

Michael D. Taylor was born on Monday, March 4, 1957, in Urbana. He was born to the union of Joel “Billy” and Earnestine (Currie) Taylor.

Michael graduated from Urbana High School in 1975. He attended Parkland College for two years where he studied communications. Michael worked at Kraft Foods in Champaign for 18 years.

Michael leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Earnestine Coleman; sister, Adriene Govan; two sons, Deshaun Taylor and Michael Jamar Taylor; and a host of other close family and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone for the heartfelt condolences and cards. They ask that you keep them in your prayers during these tough times.<...

Jerome Douglas Townsend

Mr. Townsend, 40, of Carbondale and formerly of Urbana, died Tuesday morning (Feb 11, 1997) at Carbondale.



He was born Dec. 29, 1956 at Urbana, a son of Ed Lee and Viola Hodges Townsend.



Survivors include a daughter, Janae Patricia Townsend of Peoria; his father and stepmother, Ed and Rita Townsend of Urbana; a sister, Sylvia Davis of Champaign; and a brother Eddie D. Townsend of Urbana.



He was preceded in death by his mother.



Mr. Townsend graduated from Urbana High School in 1974. He received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry froom Western Illinois University, Macomb, in 1979.

David H. Voigtlander

David H. Voigtlander, 52, died on Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, at Tradition Assisted Living Facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.



He was born on Feb. 9, 1958 in Champaign to Henry P. and Betty J. Guyer Voigtlander. They survive. He was preceded in death by one sister, Nancy Miller.



Also surviving are two sons, David Voigtlander and Christian Voigtlander, both of Plymouth, Minnesota; two daughters, Lauren Voigtlander and Rachel Voigtlander, both of Plymouth, Minnesota; two sisters, Carol Voigtlander and Mary Sommers and her husband Jack Sommers, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma and a brother, James Voigtlander and his wife Rayla Voigtlander of Champaign.



Burial...

Nancy J. Miller (Voigtlander)

Ms. Miller died Wednesday (Nov. 8, 2006) in Tulsa, OK.



She was born Dec 5, 1956, in Champaign, a daughter of Henry and Betty Guyer Voigtlander.



Survivors include her parents of Urbana; two brothers, David Voigtlander of Plymouth, MN, and James Voigtlander of Rancho Murieta, CA; and two sisters, Carol Voigtlander and Mary Voigtlander, both of Tulsa, OK.



Ms. Miller graduated from Urbana High School in 1975 and the University of Illinois in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in education and sports medicine.



She was a physical education and health teacher in the Melvin-Sibley school district and worked at Parkland College. At the UI...

Penny Zdrojewski (Watkins)

Penny A. Watkins-Zdrojewski, 60, of Champaign passed away at 12:45 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2018, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Penny was born May 29, 1957, at Burnham Hospital in Champaign, the daughter of Dwight and Norma Jean Watkins (Thompson). She married Edward M. Zdrojewski, first on April 30, 2007, by a Mayan shaman on the beach at Playa del Carmen, Mexico, then in a civil ceremony May 25, 2007, at the Champaign County Courthouse, Urbana. Her husband survives.

Penny is also survived by a brother, David Watkins, his wife, Ellie and daughter, Lydia of Minneapolis, Minn., and numerous cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her...

Kathy Ann White