All Obituaries

Carol L. Travis, age 79, of Chillicothe, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at Lacon Rehab after a long illness. Carol was born on June 14, 1942 in Chillicothe to Ross and Geraldine (Donath) Thompson.  Surviving are her husband, Richard Travis; her sons, Scott (Debbie) Buennemeyer and Greg (Kris) Buennemeyer; two step-sons, Donald and Gary Travis; her granddaughter, Danielle; four step-grandchildren, Tess, Janelle, Haley and Aaron; two brothers, Jim (Joann) Thompson and Richard...

Barbara Jean Eckhoff, age 95, of Chillicothe, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at Heritage Health in Chillicothe. Barbara was born on Tuesday, December 22, 1925 in Lee Township, the daughter of Ray Victor and Mary Esther (Homer) Sweney.  She married Milford “Mel” Eckhoff on May 15, 1955 in Prairie City, IL. Surviving are her son, David Eckhoff; two granddaughters, Alexis and Emily Eckhoff; a step-grandson, Cody Lewis; and a step-great-grandson.  She was preceded...

Deborah B. Welch, age 70, of Chillicothe, passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Deborah was born on January 29, 1951 in Peoria, IL to Jim and Opal (Claypool) Williams.  She married David Welch on June 26, 1971 in Chillicothe. Surviving are her husband, David; her children, Jennifer (Tim) Schwartz of DeKalb, IL, Jill Lyon of Shorewood, IL and Johanna (Sean) Davis of Chillicothe, IL; her grandchildren, Chase and Collin Lyon, Maggie and...

Thomas Henry Wilson, age 79, of Hopewell, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at his home. Tom was born on March 9, 1942 in Peoria, IL to Charles Henry and Marjorie Alice (Burnett) Wilson.  He married Roberta Nelson on September 24, 1960 in Varna, IL  Surviving are his wife, Roberta; his daughters, Cynthia Wilson of Arizona and Natalie (Ross) Elsasser of Princeville, IL; his grandchildren, Jeremy Kuhlman of Arizona, Seth (Emma) Elsasser of Dunlap, Nolan Elsasser of Sparland,...

David Harms unexpectedly transitioned to his heavenly home on Monday, July 19, 2021 surrounded by family and friends. Dave was born on July 21, 1945, to his parents Neve and Marion Harms of Peoria, Illinois.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Marc Harms; and an older brother Richard (Vicky) Harms.  His younger brother, Robert (Linda) Harms currently reside in South Carolina; younger brother, Thomas (Debbie) Harms of Chillicothe; daughter, Kelley (Andrew) Schaar of...

Marilyn J. Zimmerman, 86, of Chillicothe passed away on July 19, 2021 at Apostolic Christian Skylines in Peoria. Marilyn was born on July 6, 1935 in Irvington, IL the daughter of Edward and Dora (Roper) Schilling.  She married Donald Manns on Jan. 1, 1955 in Centralia, he preceded her in death on Dec. 30, 1973. She married Robert Zimmerman on July 10, 1976.  Surviving are her children Kimberly Manns of Greensboro, N.C., Kristy (Joe) Willis of Chillicothe, Kelly (Jeff) McMorrow of...

Lola Mae Blankenship, age 89, of Chillicothe passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at her home. Lola was born on August 24, 1931 in Tyronza, AR to Carl and Pearl (Roberts) Mathis.  She married Jack C. Blankenship on June 15, 1949 in Memphis, TN.  He preceded her in death on November 1, 1999. Surviving are six children, Terry (Linda) Blankenship, Marcella Galetti, Paula (Larry) Gilmore, Charlie (Ann) Blankenship, Alan (Becky) Blankenship and Jeff Blankenship; one sister Joyce...

William F. Espinosa, 88 of Chillicothe, passed away on July 17, 2021 at his home surrounded by family.    William was born on February 10, 1933 in Depue, Illinois, the son of Theodoro and Eufemia (Renteria) Espinosa.  He married Rachel Ramos on February 4, 1956 in Chillicothe.  William was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  William was employed as a carpenter and volunteered his carpentry skills on many occasions throughout his...

Betty Lou Taylor, age 87, of Chillicothe, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at UnityPoint Health Proctor in Peoria. Betty was born on August 12, 1933 in Morrison, Illinois to Bert and Henrietta (Decker) Wiebenga.  She married Donald W. Taylor on July 29, 1955 in Morrison.  He preceded her in death in March of 2004.  Also preceding her in death are her son, Daniel, and her daughter, Barbara Jo. Surviving are her children, Beth (Craig) Welk of Gladstone, MO; her...

Eric D. James, age 50, of Chillicothe, passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Eric was born on August 2, 1970 in Peoria, Illinois to Jimmy E. and Linda K. (Williamson) James. Surviving are his parents; his sister, Jill (Jason) Schrock of Chillicothe; his nephew and nieces, Keller, Kinzie and Kaylynn Schrock; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his infant sister, Christine James, and his grandparents. Eric...