Transitions: Mikhel Cain will be missed

Mikhel Allen Cain, 21, of Port Angeles, Washington, formerly Ogden, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Mikhel was born September 1, 1998, in Urbana.

Mikhel is survived by his Mother and Step Dad Jacki and Chad Wilcoxon, his brother Landon Brown, step brother Dalton Wilcoxon, 2 step sisters Alyssa and Paige Wilcoxon and his father Wayne Cain. He has lots of aunts and uncles who loved him very much and will miss him terribly. He is survived by two Grandfathers David Perry Sr. of Homer and Bill Cain of St. Joseph and one Grandmother Beth Cain of Urbana.

Mikhel is proceeded in death by his Grandmother Andrea Perry in May 2019 who he was very close to growing up.

Mikhel had the biggest heart and loved spending time with his younger brother Landon. Mikhel loved to play the piano and spent lots of time taking care of his dog. He loved going to the water falls and hiking. He loved to take lots of videos to send to his Mom so she could enjoy his journeys too.

The family will have a small graveside service at Mt Olive cemetery at a later date. There will be a Celebration of life on Saturday September 5th from 2pm - 4pm as a walk, bike, drive through at his moms house in Ogden due to covid restrictions.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mikhel Cain, please visit the floral store.

Transitions: Jack Knott, 79

Jack Wesley Knott, 79, was carried away to heaven at 4:55 p.m. Saturday (June 13, 2020) in Urbana. He was the son of Hiram Wesley Knott Jr. and Marian Louise Wood Knott.

Born in Urbana on June 18, 1940, he grew up near Kolb Park in St. Joseph and spent countless hours playing along the Salt Fork River. Never afraid of work, he delivered newspapers as a young boy.

He graduated in 1959 from St. Joseph High School, where he had been a member of the choir and participated in the state vocal contest. After graduating, he attended Champaign Commercial College in 1962.

Jack served in the Illinois National Guard from 1963-1969 as a staff sergeant in the 1144th Transportation Battalion. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

He worked as a computing supervisor in the Computing Service Office at the University of Illinois from 1963-1997. He also owned a jewelry store in the Lando Place Mall located on 6th Street in the heart of the University of Illinois campustown for several years.

Actively involved in the St. Joseph community, he was a member of the St. Joseph Civil Defense and St. Joseph Lions Club, including president; served on the St. Joseph Township Swearingen Memorial Library Board; and was co-chairman of the 1972 St. Joseph Centennial. He also was a member of the Mount Olive Cemetery Association board. He was a member of St. Joseph Church of Christ.

On Aug. 17, 1963, Jack married Barbara Gale Maddock at the St. Joseph Church of Christ; she survives him.

Also surviving are two sons, Gregory John Knott (Brooke) of St. Joseph and Kevin Wesley Knott (Julie) of Homer; and two grandchildren, Riley Knott and Hayden Knott of St. Joseph. Additionally, he is survived by numerous cousins that he was especially close to.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, John Bluford Wood and Ella Wood; one brother, James B. Knott; and sister-in law, Patricia M. Knott.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview, with Dave Barcus officiating. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be given to the St. Joseph Township Library.

Transitions: Brian K. Renfrew

Brian K. Renfrew, 54, of St. Joseph, IL, passed away at 5:11 PM, May 8, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Brian was born February 25, 1966 in Urbana, IL, son of Micheal and Bonnie (Adams) Renfrew.

Brian loved his family, airplanes – both repairing and flying them, riding his mountain bike, St. Joe football, and making people laugh. He was proud to be a Marine and served his country from 1984 to 1990. He was loyal and loving with a famous smirk. He loved motorcycles and enjoyed watching Luke race. He was very proud of Jake becoming a pilot following in his footsteps. He enjoyed watching movies on wars and very much loved history. He loved hanging out with his family, camping, and long family vacations.

He married Bobbie Delmotte on October 5, 1996 in Georgetown, IL. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Jake Renfrew and Luke Renfrew, both of St. Joseph, IL, a daughter, Jennifer Ogle of Barren Springs, VA; three grandchildren, Chelsea, Easton and Keely Ogle, all of Barren Springs, VA; his mother, Bonnie Renfrew of Urbana, IL, sisters Christine (Greg) Renshaw of Mahomet, IL, Kathryn (Thomas III) Wimmer of Rantoul, Megan (Jarrod) Reed of Reno, NV and a brother, Micheal Jayson Renfrew of the Philippines.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, Micheal Renfrew, maternal grandparents, Oscar and Alice Adams, paternal grandparents, Bob and Rosemary Renfrew, uncle Marc Renfrew and aunt Lish Renfrew.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at this time, the family is having a private viewing only. The burial will be at a later date.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Transitions: Inki Abu calls Annie Lee Jessup home

Annie Lee (Kemp) Jessup passed away on Good Friday, April 19, 2019, at the Waterford at Bridle Brook in Mahomet.

She was born September 22, 1925, in Ada, OK, a daughter of Joel Leamon Kemp and Annie Laurie (Aldrich) Kemp. A direct descendant of ancestors who made the historic Trail of Tears across the southern United States in the mid-19th century, both of her parents were Native Americans descending from Chickasaw and Choctaw Indian tribes, members of the Five Civilized Tribes.

She married Bobby Gene (Robert G.) Jessup January 1, 1946, in Harris County, Texas, and moved to St. Joseph after her husband served his country in the United States Air Force. He preceded her in death on February 14, 1975. She had two sons who also preceded her to the heavens; Robert G. Jessup II (November 19, 1968) and Leamon Kemp Jessup (August 20, 2017). She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Sue Fathree, George Kemp, and Harry Kemp.

Annie is survived by her grandchildren: Jeremy (Nichole) Jessup and Joshua Jessup, both of Mahomet, Joel (Katie) Jessup of Seymour, and Annie (Tyler) Anglin of San Diego, California. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Erin, Ainsley, Jack, Addie, Liam, Jameson, and Emmalyn.

A Celebration of Life service for Annie will be Saturday, May 4, at the St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 205 N. Third Street, St. Joseph, the Reverend Gene Turner officiating. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph.

Memorial gifts may be made to the St. Joseph United Methodist Church.

Transitions: Bobby Divan of St. Joseph

Robert “Bobby” E. Divan, 50, who worked at AJ’s Station as the head mechanic, passed away in his home on Sunday, April 14, 2019, in St. Joseph.

Bobby was born August 20, 1968, the son of Robert S. Divan and Gail L. Martin-Divan. He attended Flatville Grade School and South Vigo High School in Terre Haute, IN.

Bobby enjoyed being with family and friends, walking his dog and listening to music. He also enjoyed going to the demos and camping, fishing, and riding motorcycles and three- or four-wheelers as well as collecting various furnishings for his home.

He formerly worked for Mike’s Garage and Towing on North Fourth Street for 20 years.

Visitation will be held tomorrow, April 19, at Freese Funeral Home in St. Joseph from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 20, 2019, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Stearns-Fithian Cemetery. Memorials may be made out to the family to help with funeral expenses.

Bobby is survived by his mother and stepfather, Gail and Kem Curits of LaGrange, Indiana; stepmother, Robin Divan of Urbana; girlfriend, Laurie Ferguson of Farmer City; sisters, Kimberly Divan-Abel of New Braunfels, Texas, Tera and Chris Swisher of Sidney and Samantha Oesch of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brothers, Jesse and Sheila Divan of Urbana and Joshua Divan of Urbana; children, Karen and Freddy Davis of Griffin, Georgia, Jamie and Joey Moore of Barnesville, Georgia, Alexandra Divan and Joseph Ragle Jr. of St. Joseph, Robert Divan and Amy Gibbons of Champaign, Hailey Huskey of Waggnor and Denver Huskey of Sidney; grandchildren, Michael, Herman, Brayln, Dillon, Lucas, Calvin, Aubree, Zaiden and Lylah; and nieces and nephews, Amber and Tommie Gonzales, Leslie Shaffer, Jesse Divan, Shawnna Utley, Nicole Divan, Dagen Gonzales, Joshua Swisher, Tommie Gonzales, Taniya Colon, Rayden Vasquze, Jayden Divan, Zayliehn Mancias, Kysleigh Cavos, David Leiding, Brayden Swisher, Koby Divan, Kayla Divan and Kallie Mae Divan.

He was proceeded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clarence and Callie Mae Divan of Danville; maternal grandparents, Chuck and Pat Martin of Chino Valley, Arizona.; father, Robert S. Divan of Flatville; and brother-in-law, William P. Abel, husband of Kimberly Divan Abel of New Braunfels, Texas.

Transitions: Ruth Williams, 96

Ruth L. Williams, a former employee at St. Joseph High School, once sang with the Sweet Adelines. Williams passed away on April 10 at the age of 96.

The daughter of William “Bill” Hartman and Ollie Denhart Hartman, Ruth was born west of St. Joseph on Aug. 11, 1922.

She attended Illinois Commercial College and later landed her first job at Sullivan Chevrolet automotive dealership in Champaign. From there, she moved on to Collegiate Cap and Gown. She then went to work at a restaurant in St. Joseph before becoming a dedicated employee at the high school, where she worked for 32 years.

At the age of 20 she married Murray Williams who preceded her death on June 30, 1980.

Ruth loved country music and dancing. She enjoyed her family and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by a daughter, Margaret “Kay” Charles (Ron) of St. Joseph; five grandchildren, Angela Mumm of Cape Coral, Florida, Vicki Sparks (Larry) of St. Joseph, Bob Mumm of Cape Coral, Florida, Jodi Williams of Nashville, Tennessee, and Melissa Williams, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and four great-grandchildren, Kayla Sparks and Brandon Sparks of St. Joseph and Grace Vilar and Michael Vilar of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Bill Williams; two brothers, Ernie Hartman and Bill Hartman; and a sister, Helen Lowe.

She was laid to rest on Monday, April 15, 2019, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview, with David Barcus officiating.

Memorials can still be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Transitions: Mervin Aden, 86, passes on

Mervin G. Aden, 86, of Savoy, passed away at 10:28 p.m. Friday, February 1, 2019, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Visitation services will be held tomorrow from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church at St. John Lutheran Church in Royal, with the Rev. Emil Blobaum officiating. Mervin will be laid to rest following the visitation at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Royal.

Mervin was born on August 19, 1932, in St. Joseph, the son of Heye and Margaret (Roelfs) Aden.

He served his country from 1952-1954 in the U.S. Army and did a tour in the Korea. A graduate of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, Mervin continued his education to earn a Master Degree from Bradley University.

He married Sonna Lou Wills in 1955. She preceded him in death in 1983.

After 34 years of loyal service he retired from Catepillar in Peoria in 1997.

He was a member of Toastmasters, the Illinois Farm Bureau and First English Lutheran Church in Peoria and also attended St. John Lutheran Church in Champaign. In addition living in Savoy, Mervin made Chillicothe, Ogden and Royal his home during his lifetime.

Mervin was active in farming all of his life and earned a pilot's license. In addition to flying, he enjoyed traveling, golf and read in his spare time.

He is survived by his children, Julie (Adrian Stone) Aden of Sunrise, Florida, and Kevin (Jennifer) Aden of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren, Heather (Chris) Lebow, Abigail (Stan) Henaman and Katie Aden; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Berniece Aden of Champaign; brothers, Ray (Loretta) Aden of St. Joseph and Herb (Nancy) Aden of Newman; and his companion, Ruth Ann Buckles of Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Jan Ellen Aden; and sister, Irene Osterbur.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Cemetery Fund and the Paralyzed Disabled Veterans.