UC Davis and Sons

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     Billy Murphy, 80, of Morris, Illinois, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 in Effingham, Illinois while traveling to Tennessee with his daughter, Aaronda, at his side.

     Born March 29, 1930, in Burlison, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Embrey E. and Tilitha LaValle.

     Billy was raised and educated in Tennessee and joined the United States Army where he would serve his country in the Korean Conflict, being honorably discharged in 1952.

     On July 16, 1953 in Hernando, Mississippi, he married Bonnie Gilliatt. Billy and Bonnie then made their home in Morris, Illinois.

     He was employed with Diamond International as a machinist until 1972, and then joined Labor Local 75 in Joliet, Illinois, where he would work construction until his retirement in 1992.

     He was a member of Local 75, Morris Country Club, Morris VFW and First United Methodist Church where he and Bonnie just received their 50 year membership certificate this past month.

     Billy enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening, but most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

     Surviving is his wife, Bonnie; one daughter, Aaronda (Steve) Neuwirth of Morris, illinois; and one son Randy S. Murphy of Morris, Illinois; three grandchildren, Michelle Murphy of Eureka, CA., PVT 1^stClass USMC Jessica Murphy, currently stationed North Carolina, and Randee of Morris, Illinois; one great grandchild, Coso Stone of Eureka CA.; two sisters, Mildred (James) Coats of Burlison, Tennessee and Juanell Cromwell of Covington, Tennessee; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

     Billy was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Milton and Richard, and two sisters Betty Griffen and Grace Billings.

     Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday July 31, 2010 at 10:00am in the First United Methodist Church in Morris, Illinois with Pastor Scott McClellan officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday July 30, 2010 from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm in the U. C. Davis and Sons Funeral Home LTD., 301 w. Washington St., Morris, Illinois, 60450. Full Military Honors will be conducted by Morris Color Guard at the burial in Evergreen Cemetery.

     Memorials may be made in Billy’s name to the First United Methodist Church.  To leave online condolences, please click on Bill’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call 815-942-0084.

     Henry J. “Bud” Lazier Jr., 74, of Morris, Illinois passed away Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Rosewood Nursing Home in Joliet, Illinois.

     Henry was born September 9, 1935, in Coal City, Illinois, he was the son of Henry J. and Myrtle I. Barker Lazier Sr.

     Bud was raised and educated in Morris, Illinois and the Morris Schools. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict in the artillery from 1955 to 1957.

     He was employed with Federal PaperBoard Company in Morris, Illinois and Elkhart, Indiana for 25 years retiring in 1982.

     Numerous nieces and nephews survive Bud.

     Preceded in death by his parents, one sister Irene Legner, and a step-brother John Paulsen.

     Per Bud’s wishes there will be no services and cremation rites were accorded.

     Arrangements were entrusted with the U. C. Davis and Sons Funeral Home LTD., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois.  To leave online condolences, please click on Henry’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call 815-942-0084.

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     Mr. Billy G. Zink, age 67, of Oakland, Arkansas passed away Friday, July 16, 2010 at Baxter Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born February 8, 1943 in Morris, Illinois to Robert Martin Zink and Anna Claire (Phillips) Zink. 

     He married Ann Myers on August 16, 1986 in Morris, Illinois.

     Bill was a construction foreman, and owned and operated 3 of his own businesses before retirement. He was a devoted member and Assistant Fire Chief of the Oakland/Promiseland Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Zink was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church.

     Bill Zink is survived by his wife, Ann Zink; 3 daughters, Dawn Cryder (Robert) of Morris, IL, Deanne Brown (Donald) of Seneca, IL and Carol (Condon) Dale of Marseilles, IL; 2 sons, Dale E. Zink (Linda S.) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Robert M. Zink (Jaime) of Morris, IL; 16 grandchildren, Jamie Miller, Cody Zink, Sarah Kehoe, Amber Condon, Chad, Derek, Michael, and Kayla Cryder, Trevor Zink, Tristen  Zink, Justin Zink, Malorie Harris, Alexis Shenberg, Grant Shenberg, Ryan Brown, and Megan Brown; 3 great-grandchildren, Faith and Billy Kehoe, and Ty Condon; 1 sister, Nancy Day of Seneca, IL; 2 brothers, Phillip Zink of Morris, IL and Kenny Zink of Earlville, IL; and his special pal, Bear.

     Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sons, Chucky and Todd Decker.

     Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday at U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home in Morris, Illinois, 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois, 60450, with Rev. Dr. Roy C. Backus officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday evening 5-8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sample Cemetery in Morris, Illinois.

     Memorials contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or Oakland / Promiseland Volunteer Fire Department. To leave online condolences, please click on Bill’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call 815-942-0084.

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     JAMES  K. “ JIM “ CRYDER, 79, MORRIS, ILLINOIS, PASSED AWAY  PEACEFULLY, EARLY THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 15, 2010 IN THE  MORRIS HOSPITAL, WITH HIS LOVING FAMILY BY HIS SIDE. HE WAS BORN ON JANUARY 19, 1931 IN MORRIS, ILLINOIS, TO CHARLES & PEARLE UERKWITZ CRYDER. 

     JIM WAS EDUCATED IN THE MORRIS SCHOOLS AND A GRADUATE OF MORRIS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE CLASS OF 1950.  HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE U. S. ARMY  DURING THE KOREAN CONFLICT FROM NOVEMBER  6, 1951 THROUGH AUGUST 5, 1953.  HE WAS AWARDED TWO PURPLE HEARTS WHILE STATIONED IN KOREA.

     JIM MARRIED SHIRLEY A. LOUCH ON AUGUST 21, 1954 IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN GARDNER, ILLINOIS.

     HE WAS EMPLOYED WITH MATERIAL SERVICE IN MORRIS, ILLINOIS, AND THEN WITH CATERPILLAR INC. IN JOLIET, ILLINOIS FOR 28 YEARS, RETIRING ON JULY 1, 1988.

     HE WAS AN AVID SPORTSMAN.  HIS NICKNAME WAS “ JAUNTIN JIM “.  JIM WAS A MORRIS REDSKIN FAN AND BOOSTER.  HE WAS A FISHERMAN WHO WAS RIGHT AT HOME FISHING LOCALLY, OR EVERY SUMMER  HE COULD BE FOUND ON LAKE LIZZIE IN PELICAN RAPIDS, MN.  HE WAS A DEER HUNTER. HE ALSO ENJOYED BOATING ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER.

     JIM SERVED AS GRAND MARSHAL  DURING THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE THAT IS HELD YEARLY IN MORRIS, ILLINOIS.

     HE LOVED SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY, ESPECIALLY HIS GRANDCHILDREN.

      JIM WAS A MEMBER OF JOHN MARTIN STEELE POST # 6049 V.F.W.

     SURVIVING IS HIS LOVING WIFE OF 55 YEARS, SHIRLEY A., OF MORRIS, ILLINOIS; TWO DAUGHTERS, LINDA ( BILL ) WILSON, MORRIS, ILLINOIS & KIM ( TIM BLANKENSTEIN ) CRYDER, CHICAGO, IL.; TWO SONS, KENNETH  & ROBERT ( DAWN ) CRYDER, BOTH  OF MORRIS, ILLINOIS; EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN,  SHAWN STERRITT, SHREVEPORT, LA., CHRISTOPHER, MATTHEW, BENJAMIN, CHAD ( EVA BJELLAND ), DEREK, MICHAEL & KAYLA CRYDER, ALL OF MORRIS, ILLINOIS; TWO SISTERS, JANICE TAMBLING, GARDNER, IL. & BETTY ( WILLIAM ) FERGUSON, MORRIS, IL.; AND  SEVERAL NIECES & NEPHEWS.

     PRECEDED BY HIS PARENTS; ONE GRANDSON, ALEX CRYDER; ONE BROTHER, LARRY CRYDER; BROTHER-IN-LAW, MORGAN TAMBLING; AND STEPMOTHER,  PEARL SUTTLE CRYDER.

     THE FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS ON SUNDAY JULY 18, 2010 FROM 2:00 – 5:00 P. M. AT U. C. DAVIS & SONS FUNERAL HOME LTD., 301 W. WASHINGTON ST., MORRIS, ILLINOIS.  FUNERAL SERIVCES WILL BE CONDUCTED ON MONDAY JULY 19, 2010 AT 10:30 A. M. IN THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 200 E. JACKSON ST., MORRIS, ILLINOIS, WITH REV. DR. ROY C. BACKUS OFFICIATING. INTERMENT WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS CONDUCTED BY THE MORRIS COLOR GUARD WILL FOLLOW IN SAMPLE CEMETERY.

     MEMORIAL GIFTS CAN BE DIRECTED TO GRUNDY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER HOSPICE OR OPERATION ST. NICK. ONLINE CONDOLENCES CAN BE MADE BY CLICKING ON JIM’S NAME AT THE TOP OF THIS OBITUARY.  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 815-942-0084.

     Martin Pederson, 90, of Morris, Illinois, passed away Thursday July 8, 2010, at the Walnut Grove Nursing Home.     Martin was born on October 15, 1919 in Nettle Creek Township, the son of the late Thomas B. and Julia (Berkland) Pederson.

     MRS. VERNE ( DOLORES J. ) KOLBA, 84, MORRIS, ILLINOIS & FORMERLY OF PLAINFIELD, ILLINOIS, PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010 IN WALNUT GROVE NURSING HOME. SHE WAS BORN ON APRIL 21, 1926 IN WAUWATOSA, WISCONSIN TO ALFRED G. & ALMA L. E. RAHN LAATSCH.     DOLORES WAS A GRADUATE OF RIVER FALLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE CLASS OF 1944, IN RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN.

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     PAULINE COLEMAN WEITZ, 97, MORRIS, ILLINOIS, PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 1, 2010 IN MORRIS HEALTHCARE & REHABILITATION CENTER, WITH HER LOVING FAMILY BY HER SIDE. SHE WAS BORN MARCH 29, 1913 IN FARMERSBURG, INDIANA, TO JESSE & JANE GRIFFITH ENGLE.

     PAULINE WAS EDUCATED IN FARMERSBERG & GRADUATE OF FARMERSBERG HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE CLASS OF 1931.     SHE MARRIED HAROLD S. COLEMAN ON JANUARY 29, 1933 IN THE CHICAGO AREA. WITH HER HUSBAND & FAMILY, THEY MOVED TO MORRIS, ILLINOIS TO MAKE THEIR HOME IN 1936.

     MRS. RAYMOND E. ( DOROTHY M. ) COCKREAM, 84, OF MORRIS, ILLINOIS, PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 30, 2010, IN THE MORRIS HOSPITAL, WITH HER LOVING FAMILY BY HER SIDE. SHE WAS BORN IN JACKSON TOWNSHIP, WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS ON DECEMBER 1, 1925, THE DAUGHTER OF GEORGE & LILA MELLINGER ATTAWAY.     SHE RECEIVED HER EDUCATION IN THE ELWOOD, ILLINOIS SCHOOLS.     DOROTHY MARRIED RAYMOND E. COCKREAM ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1944, IN BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MORRIS, ILLINOIS.

     ANTON P. HARKABUS, 92, OF MORRIS, ILLINOIS & FORMERLY CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 30, 2010, IN HIS HOME SURROUNDED BY HIS LOVING FAMILY. HE WAS BORN ON DECEMBER 14, 1917 IN CHICAGO TO ALEXANDER & CAROLINE LITVIAK HARKABUS.

     HE WAS EDUCATED IN CHICAGO SCHOOLS.      ANTON PROUDLY SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE U. S. ARMY AIR CORP DURING WW II IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS AS A TAILGUNNER WITH THE 701^ST BOMB SQUADRON, AND WAS AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, THE 1^ST, 2^ND, & 3^RD BRONZE OAK CLUSTERS, FOUR BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND TWO OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS.

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     DEAN ERIC LARSON, 47, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, PASSED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010, IN HIS HOME. HE WAS BORN ON JULY 8, 1962, IN MORRIS, ILLINOIS, TO DUANE & GWEN WILLIAMSON LARSON.

     HE RECEIVED HIS EDUCATION IN THE MORRIS SCHOOLS AND GRADUATED FROM MORRIS COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE CLASS OF 1980, WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE REDSKIN FOOTBALL TEAM in 1977 & 1978.     DEAN WAS SELF EMPLOYED OWNING AND OPERATING LARSON & SON TILE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. HE TRULY LOVED HIS PROFESSION AND TAUGHT THE TRADE TO MANY.