3-23-2002 -- Brother Louis George Stumpe Jr., 76, died Saturday, March 23, 2002,
                  at his residence.

                  Born Sept. 18, 1925, in Alton, he was a son of the late Louis G. and Valborg
                  (Wolfbrandt) Stumpe Sr.

                  A 1943 graduate of Jersey Township High School, he was a World War II U.S.
                  Navy Air Force. Following the war, he returned home to the family dairy farm. He
                  later attended Parks College and went on to travel with Lockheed Aircraft for five
                  years.

                  He returned to work alongside is family on the dairy farm for the next 50 years,
                  served as a rural mail carrier and collected antiques. Named Illinois Family of the
                  Year in 1988, he was member of the Tri County Antique Club, the Jerseyville
                  Masonic Lodge 394, and co-founder, past president and chairman of the board of
                  the Jersey County Rural Water Company.

                  A dedicated supporter of the Jersey County 4-H, of which he spent 20 years as
                  a leader, he was alsoformer Mississippi Township Clerk, a member of the Illinois
                  Holstein Association, the Mid-American Dairy Association and hosted many
                  foreign exchange students, but mostly he was a hardworking and loving family
                  man.

                  at the Evangelical Church in Jerseyville on Sept. 28, 1947, he married the former
                  Evelyn Healey. She survives.

                  Also surviving are a daughter, Katherine Stine of Dow; two sons and
                  daughters-in-law, Louis G. and Diane Stumpe III of Dow and David and Sally
                  Stumpe of Jerseyville; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister,
                  Gertrude Rudolph of Grafton.

                  He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Gina Stine, a brother,
                  William Stumpe and two sisters, Laverna Watson and Bertha Nave.

                  Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Crawford Funeral Home in
                  Jerseyville, where Masonic services will be conducted at 7:45 p.m.

                  Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev.
                  Wilbur Cain will officiate.

                  Burial will follow at the Alton Cemetery.

                  Memorials may be made to the Tri County Antique Club, Jerseyville Masonic
                  Lodge Building Fund or to the Friends of Jersey County Youth Foundation 4-H.

9-08-2001 -- Brother Stanley Gordon Bransgrove:

Please post an obituary for my father, Stanley Gordon Bransgrove, who has lived here in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1947. He was raised in Greensborough Lodge No. 374 in 1945; when Greensborough Lodge consolidated with Lodge Minerva No. 820 about five years ago he joined
Lodge Minerva, which is also located in his native Australia. He was a sojourner to my Lodge, Mill Valley No. 356, and visited until ill health prevented his going out at night.
Fraternally,
Stanley J. Bransgrove, PM
Mill Valley No. 356, F &AM

Bransgrove, Stanley G. -- in Greenbrae on September 8th at 81 years of age. A native of Melbourne, Australia, he lived in the Bay Area since 1947. He is survived by wife Wanda "Diane;" children Stanley James, Sandy, Janie, Paul; ten grand children and four great grand children. He will be greatly missed by his loving extended family; Louise (Nanny) Birdwell, Jeanne Sanchez, Mildred Farrar, James Farrar and Stephen Farrar.

Stan worked as a precision machinist in Australia and the Bay Area and was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers for fifty years.

He was a professional bicycle racer in his native Australia, and rode for the Malvern Star team. Among his many notable victories were back-to-back wins in the Quale 65, the Victorian Long Distance Road Championship and the Melbourne Cup on Wheels. Upon moving to the United
States he took part in many six-day races (winning the first he entered) and maintained a life long interest in cycling and actively assisted cyclists young and old with advice and emergency repairs.

Stan was a Freemason and was raised a Master Mason on June 27, 1945 in Greensborough Lodge No. 374. He was currently a member of Lodge Minerva No. 820 in his native Australia. He was involved in the Cub Scouts and as a booster for the Tamalpais High School Sports program and Music Department.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at the Mill Valley Masonic Center, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley, CA, on September 26, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, or Trips for Kids.

5-03-2001 -- Brother Frank Chanbers, Ipava Lodge #213

2001 -- Brother James W. Hewitt, Farmington Lodge #192
2001 -- Brother Robert L. Thompson, Lewistown Lodge # 104
2001 -- Brother John F. Barton, Lewistown Lodge # 104

3-21-2001 -- Brother Ralph Brinely,

ASTORIA — Ralph Briney, 87, of Route 1, Astoria, died 5:25 a.m. Monday (March 12, 2001) at Heritage Manor South in Beardstown.
    Born May 25, 1913 in Bluff City, the son of John and Charlotte (Shaw) Briney, he married Frances Stremmel on February 18, 1933 in Rushville. She survives.
    Other survivors include two sons, Charles “Bud” (Betty) Briney of Astoria and Ronald (Barbara) Briney of New Braunfels, Texas; one daughter, Mrs. Greg (Kay) Ripp of Hubertus, Wi.; nine grandchildren; two stepgrandchrildren; great-grandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; and two sisters, Esther Chu of Laven, Calif. and Helen Crisner of Mesa, Ariz.
    He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold, Wilburn and Hershel; and one sister, Evelyn Thurston.
    He was a member of the Sheldons Grove United Methodist Church.
    He was a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member at the Vermont Masonic Lodge #116, Ansar Shrine,  Temple Valley of Springfield Consistuary, charter member of the Astoria Lion’s Club, and former trustee of the Hickory-Kerton Fire Department. He was a farmer for 47 years.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, the Rev. Marian Stone officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the memorial home, with Masonic service conducted by ;Vermont Masonic Lodge 116 at 8 p.m. Burial will be at Astoria Cemetery.
 
 
 

9-11-2000 -- Brother Altone Helson Corbin, was born September 20, 1913 in Bell City, MO.
He petitioned Rose Hill Lodge #550 ion Creve Coeur, MO.  INITIATED AS AN ENTERED ON OCTOBER 23, 1943 PASSED TO THE DEGREE OF FELLOWCRAFT DECEMBER 14, 1943.  AND RAISED TO THE SUBLIME DEGREE OF MASTER MASON JANUARY 11, 1944.  HE PETITION BUNKER HILL LODGE #151 JUNE 8, 1971 AND SERVED AS MASTER IN 1977.  HE WAS A LIFE MEMBER OF BUNKER HILL LODGE NOVEMBER 16, 1984.  BROTHER CORBIN WAS MORE THAN GENEROUS TO BUNKER HILL LODGE AS HE ALWAYS SENT WITH HIS DUES A DONATION AT DUES TIME.  ALMIGHTY GOD CALLED  BROTHER CORBIN FROM LABOR TO ETERNAL REST SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 BEING 86 YEARS, 11 MONTHS, AND 23 DAYS IN THE JOURNEY OF LIFE.  as/per JAMES D. WOOD SECRY.
 

8-16-2000 -- Brother Louis Wesley Brackman, elected to receive his degrees on April 2, 1970, he was initiated on April 16, 1970 , passed to fellowcraft on May 13, 1970 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on May 28, 1970.  Almighty God in his infinite mercy called Brother Brackman from labor to eternal rest. As per RWB James D. Wood Secry. of Bunker Hill Lodge #151

7-21-2000 -- Brother William Amos " Frenchy" Laurent, he was initiated in Pike Lodge #355, in Kenosha, WI. on March 5, 1964.  Passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on January 14, 1965 and raised in July 1, 1965.  Affliated with Litchfield Lodge # 236 on January 18, 1974.  He answered the summons of the Grand Warden of Heaven on July 21, 2000.  His Masonic service covered 36 years, 4 months and 16 days.  As per Everett Able Past Master.

7-07-2000 -- Brother Paul Ruedin, passed away Friday at his home.  He was a member of Franklin Lodge #25.  He was the Brother of Roger Ruedin who passed way on January 20, 2000 and was a member of Shipman Lodge #212.
Respectfully Submitted:  Ray G. Chaney & John Wilson.  Ray is the Secretary of Franklin Lodge #25

6-04-2000 -- Brother Nelson H. Milner, he passed away on June 4, at Alton Memorial Hospital.  He was a Past Master of Fidelity Lodge # 152 and a 48 year member, at Medora.  He was a volunteer firemen for 40 years and served as Treasurer of the Southwestern School District for 35 years.  He ran Milners Grocery with his son Keith who is now Master of Fidelity Lodge.
    Masonic services were held Wednesday, June 7 at 8 pm with funeral services on Thursady at 2 pm, at Targhetta Funeral Home in Medora.  Rev. Del Pancake & Father William Hembrow officiating with burail at Medora Cemetery.  per - George Puskar  Secry.
 

5-30-2000 -- Brother Lawrence Cook, he was born Jan. 5, 1922, at Canton, the son of Ernest "Bob" and Minnie (Eyerly) Cook he married Edna Ryan.  He later married Frankelee Nott Griffith on Dec. 16, 1966 at Canton. She survives.
    He was a member of the Canton Masonic Lodge, Masonic services was given.

5-27-2000 -- Brother Terry Bryan, he was 55, of Bryant, was born Sept. 5, 1944, in Canton to Cecil A. & Gretchel Maxine Bartlett Bryan. He married Carol J. Hamilton. She died in 1996.
    He was a member Harmony Masonic Lodge #8 in Urbana, Ohio, Masonic services was given.

5-14-2000 -- Brother John Russell, he was born April 11, 1907, in Burnbank, Scotland, the son of John and Janet (Rae) Russell, he married Inez J. Bianchir in 1929 at Valpariso, Ind.  She survies at the Farmington Center.
    He was a 70 year member of Farmington Lodge #192.

2-27-2000 -- Brother Roger Clanin, he was born May 18, 1948, at Pekin.   He was a member of Lewistown Lodge #104.  services were at March 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Henry Memorial Home in Lewistown, with Masonic services at 7:45 p.m. on the 29th.  Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown.

2-26-2000 -- Wor. Brother Francis E. Woody, he was master 2 times, 1960 & 1961, he was very active in the Cuba Lodge #534.   He was a 50 yr. + member, of Cuba Lodge #534.  Born on February 6, 1923.  Masonic services were on Feb. 28 at 7:45 P.M. at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, IL..  Reg. Services were at the same place at 10:30 A.M. with place of interment at Baughman Cemetery, Smithfield, IL.

1-20-2000 -- Brother William Gilstrap, 68, of 1374 E. Chestnut St., died at 9:45 pm Wednesday at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.    He was a Past Master of Farmington Lodge #192.   He was also the 6th Western District DDGM for many Years.  Funeral was at Oaks Hines Funeral Home in Canton.

1-20-2000 -- Brother Roger Richard Ruedin, he was a 59 year masonic member.  He past away at his son home on Feb. 17, 2000.  He was initiated on March 21, passed May 27, and was raised June 25 all in 1941.  Masonic services were Feb. 19 at 1:40 P.M. at Elias - Smith Funeral Home in Alton, burial at Valhalla Memorial Park.

1-09-2000 -- Brother Harold D. Ford, 84, of 1136 Sunview Dr., died at 6 p.m. Sunday, , at Graham Hospital Extended Care. Services were held at 10 a.m. Jan. 13, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, the Rev. Robert O'Connor officiating. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 12,  with Masonic rites at 4:45 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton.

1-07-2000 -- Brother Leis Coftello Cartoon, 90, of Canton. Services were held at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton.  He was a 51 year member of Morning Star Lodge #734.

1-04-2000 -- Brother Clarence Roy Myers 82, of Canton. Services were held at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, He was a 62 year member of Morning Star Lodge #734.   With Masonic rites at 4:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

1-02-2000 -- Brother George Percy Roney, died at 5:45 a.m. Sunday January 2, 2000 at the Monmouth Nursing Home.  Born December 15, 1897.    Married Margaret Hodge on October 11, 1934
Survived by his wife and a nephew and niece plus many great nephews and great nieces.  November 20 1999  he became an 80 year member of A. Lincoln #518 Kirkwood IL.  He served as Worshipful Master In 1928.  Masonic and funeral services to be held at 10:30 a.m. at Hoover Hall Memorial Chapel Monmouth IL. Burial will be at Center Grove Cemetary Kirkwood IL.  Respectfully Submitted:  Robert W. Loving, Sec. of  A. Lincoln Lodge #518.

12-17-99 -- Brother Willis E. Jacobus, 82, of 620 W. Avenue G, Lewistown, died at 7:24 a.m. Friday, at Graham Hospital emergency room. He married Maxine Baumgartner on April 15, 1950 at Lewistown. She survies.  Funeral arrangements are ( 12-20-99 at 2 pm) at Murphy-Sedgwick Memorial Home in Canton.  He was a Member of Lewistown Masonic Lodge # 104 for over 50 yrs.

12-17-99 -- Brother Russell Mayall, 96, of 788 north Ninth Avenue, Canton, Died at 9:56 am Friday, at his residence.  He married sue Morse on Nov. 10, 1956 at Palmyra, Mo. she died sept. 16, 1988.  Funeral arrangements are ( 12-21-99 at 10 am) at Murphy-Sedgwick Memorial Home in Canton.  He was a Member of Vermont Masonic Lodge # 116.  Memorial may be made to the Masonic Home in Sullivan, Ill.

12-01-99 -- Brother Ronald E. Black,  born March 18, 1928, at Cuba, the son of Ross H. and Dorothy (Ranson) Black, He married Patricia Marshall on May 20, 1951 in Cuba. She survives.
    He was a member of Cuba Masonic Lodge #534 and a past officer there.  He was 71.

11-25-99 -- Brother Richard Wayne Frueh,  of Fidelity Lodge #152.   Brother Frueh was a Past Master.  Masonic Rites were Nov. 29, at 7:30 PM at the Targhetta funeral home in Medora.  Brother Frueh was 59.

11-19-99 -- Brother Elmer Brown "Tug" of Leonard White Hall Lodge.  Masonic Rites were at 6:30 pm Sunday at the funeral home in White Hall

11-19-99 -- Brother Elmer Brown Leonard, born on 7-18-1915, he passed away on Friday, Masonic services were  6:30 pm Sunday Nov. 21th.  Bro. Leonard was initated on 2-12-54, Passed on 3-2-54, & Rasied on 3-16-54  Bro. Leonard was a Past Master of Hillview Lodge.  As Per Richard J. Bridges Secry.

11-14-99 -- Brother Loren Eugene "Gene" Crowder, Bro. Crowder was initiated on 8-2-1948, Passed on 10-18-1948, & Raised on 12-3-1948 to the sublime degree of Master Mason at White Hall Lodge #80.   Bro. Crowder traveled from Jacksonville then south to Calhoun and all around the 17th, 19th and 20 Western Area Districts.  He was a very hard worker for the craft and will be missed very much by everybody.   He was laid to rest at White Hall Cemetery at 11:00 am on Wednesday the 17th.  This has been posted per the request of George R. Duncan (Master) & Richard J. "Rick" Brides (Sec.) all of  White Hall Lodge #80. All so by John Wilson of Shipman Lodge #212.

8-25-99 -- Brother James Duke Schneider,  Fieldon Lodge # 592: Worshipful Master was called home by the Supreme Architect of the Universe.  He was made a Master Mason on March 15, 1996.  Bro. Schneider was insteumental in getting a fund going to build a new lodge and having it on the first foor. Memorials may be made to The Fieldton Masonic Lodge Fund.  posted behave of Wm. Getting Jr. Sec..

8-01-99 -- Brother Fred T. Easley, Born on 4-13-1925   Bro. Easley was elected on 8-5-1974, initiated on 8-19-1974, Passed on 11-18-1974, & Raised on 1-20-1975 to the sublime degree of Master Mason.   He was WM.. in 1980 and was the J.W. in 1999 of Jerseyville Lodge #394.

Brother Fred was an Honorary member of several of the Lodge in the area. He was big in Scouting, Piasa Power Burners and anything to do with the outdoors, Brother Fred was in it.

HE HAD A HOPI PRAYER THAT HE TAUGHT THE BOY SCOUTS:
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain, I am the gentle Autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of
quiet birds in curled flight, I am the solf stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die.

8-01-99 -- Brother LesterAllen , Born Sept 22, 1924, He was Elected on 4/6/64,  Initiated 5/4/64,  Passed 6/12/64, and Raised 7/10/64.  He was  35 Year member of Jerseyville Lodge #394

6-21-99 -- Brother Louis H. Dye,58, of Canton, IL. died at 5:47pm Graham Hospital emergency room.  Funeral arrangements are at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton.  He was a member of a Ohio Masonic Lodge  AF & AM.

5-04-99 -- Brother Charles R. "Cappy" Chapman, 65, of 401 S. Fifth Ave., died at 12:25 p.m.  Tuesday at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.
    Born March 28, 1934 at Canton, the son of Clyde and Vera (Stillwell) Chapman, he married Lida S. Johnson on Sept. 24, 1989, in Norris. She survives.  He was Past Master of Morning Star Lodge #734 AF & AM, the Scottish Rite Valley of Peoria.  Masonic rites were given at 7:45 p.m. on Friday (5-07-99).

3-28-99 -- Brother Chester Routson, 88, of 24603 E. US Hwy24, died at 1:08pm Sunday at Graham Hospital Extended Care.
    Born July 1, 1910  at Duck Island Fulton County, the son of Clyde and Verna (Weaver) Routson, he married Barbara Johns Nickerson on Sept. 9, 1967 in Canton.
    He was Past Master of Lewistown Lodge #104 and was a 50yr. member.

3-25-99 -- Brother John S. Reid, 82, of 358 Northeast Street in Farmington, died at 8:45 pm at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.
    Born Jan. 14, 1917 in Joliet to william and Isbel McPherson Reid, he married Elma Thomas on Oct. 23, 1937, in Farmington.  she survives.
    He was a member of Farmington Lodge 192 for over 50 years.

3-07-99 -- Brother Marion L. Nelson, 77, of 287 Haffner Blvd., died at 2:40p.m. Sunday at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.
    Born Dec. 10,1921, at Fulton County the son of Willard M. and Lulu (Latimer) Nelson, he married Rose Marie Schenck on June 9, 1951, in Monterey, IL.  She survives.
    He was a member of the Morning Star Lodge 734 in Canton, IL.

3-05-99 -- Brother William w. Million, 84, of Jacksonville, died Friday at the Skyview Terrace Nursing Center in Jacksonville, IL.
    Born April 8, 1914, at Farmington the son of Oscar and Mary (Burn) Million, he married Lotto Iran Wise on August 1936 in Canton, IL  She survives.
    He was a member of the Morning Star Lodge 734 in Canton IL.

3-05-99 -- Brother Russell Deal, 73, of rural Trivial, died at 3:59 p.m. Friday at Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston Texas.
    Born Dec. 14, 1925, at Peoria the son of Walter and Phoebe (Chatham),  he married Edith Knight on Feb. 8, 1948 in Brim field.  She survives.
    He was a member of the Farmington Lodge 49.

2-28-99 -- Brother David Hamblin,  60, of RR1, Astoria, died at 12:20 a.m. Sunday at Hendersonville Hospital in Hendersonville, Tenn.
    Born Sept. 6, 1938, at Mason City, the son of Theodore and Rhode (Jockisch) Humbling, he married Loll Casey on April 8, 1961, in Fort Jackson, S.C.  She survives.
    He was a member of the Vermont Lodge 116.

2-28-99 -- Brother Q. Donald Baily , 89, of 200E. Main St., died at 7:05 a.m. Sunday at his residence.
    Born Sept. 4, 1909, at Table Grove, the son of Quinton Douglas ans Nellie (Hammond) Baily, he married Winifred Hayes on May 22, 1938, in Table Grove.  She survives.
    He was a member of the Vermont Lodge 116.

1-29-99 -- Brother Audry B. Wells, 92,  An emergency meeting of Springfield Lodge #4 was held at Bisch Funeral Home in Springfield on Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999 for the performing the last rites and ceremonies of the courtesy to Vermont Lodge #116 for Bro. Wells.  The services were at 7pm with R. W. Area Grand Master, Bro. G. Robert Turner as worshipful Master, Bro. Louis E. Walla as Chaplain, and Wor. Bro. Scott R. Schuett as Secretary.
    Bro. Wells was born on Nov. 18, 1906 at Scheller in Jefferson Co., IL.  He petitioned Astoria Lodge #100 of Astoria, IL. for degrees in Masonry and was elected on June 11, 1963 to receive those degrees.  He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on June 17, 1963.  Passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on April 13, 1965.  Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on October 25, 1966.  Astoria Lodge #100 consolidated with Vermont Lodge #116 in 1994.

12-22-98 -- Wor. Brother Donald E. Busby was born on September 16, 1935. Installed as Worshipful Master on December 19, 1998.  Died on December 22, 1998.  Masonic Funeral was held on December 26, 1998.  Don had been a member of the lodge for eight  years.  He was a very hard worker for the craft and will be missed very much.   He married Dorothy Fisk.  He Later Married Judy Bollinger on July 29, 1975, in Palmyra, Mo.  She survives.
    Also surviving are one daughter, Sue Ellen Busby of Houston:  one son, Steve Busby of Macomb:  one stepdaughter, Beverly Ford of Rushville: one stepson, Robert Bollinger of Astoria: one sister, Nellie Bucher of Astoria: one brother, Morris "Bud" Busby of Astoria and one granddaughter.
    One sister preceded him in death.
    He was a coal miner for Amax Coal Co. for eight years.  He also was a farmer and a self employed carpenter.
    He was a member of Vermont Masonic Lodge 116 in Vermont, where he was serving as Master.
    He also was a member of Canton Methodist Church and the Astoria Village Board.
    Services were held Dec. 27 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, the Rev. Gary Sheets officiated.  Burial was in Christian Neck Cemetery near Rushville.
    Memorials may be made to the Vermont Masonic Lodge Chair Lift Fund.

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