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.