Condolences to the Family of Carol Rebbe

Carol Rebbe

CHAMPAIGN - Carol Rebbe, 91, of Champaign, IL passed away Monday, August 13, 2012 at 11:37 p.m. at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. She was born June 11, 1921 in Menard County to Frank and Alma (Heflin) Rebbe. Carol is survived by her brother Bob (Jane) Rebbe, her sister Patricia Schurman and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her sisters Hermina DeMonbrum, Dorothy Peterson, Marjorie Beatty and Hazel Seeds.

Carol was a graduate of Petersburg Harris High School. She attended Eastern Illinois University where she received her B.S. degree. Carol also attended the University of Illinois and graduated with her M.S. degree. Following her graduation from Eastern Illinois University she accepted a position with Easton Community School.

She later was hired by the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service (CES) as County Extension Home Economics Adviser in Schuyler/Brown Counties in western Illinois where her responsibilities included both adult and 4-H programming. She later moved to similar positions, first in Vermilion County and later in Champaign County where she focused her programming efforts on home economic issues for adults. Representative program areas included food and nutrition, home financial management, clothing selection and construction, and a variety of health and wellness issues.

In the early 60's she was selected as a CES Regional Director overseeing the Extension operations in the northern part of Illinois. She assisted staff in developing programs in home economics and community development, oversaw the financial management of county offices and provided staff training in a wide range of topics.

By the end of that decade she had been named to head a new federally funded program in Illinois. She was the first state leader of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program, a program designed to help improve the nutrition and diets of low-income people in target areas within Illinois, developing programs, managing finances and securing and training staff were key responsibilities. The program had substantial success by training staff members from the target areas that were effective in teaching and relating to their friends and neighbors in those communities.

In the early 70's she was named to the administrative staff of the Cooperative Extension Service with the title of Personnel Officer. Her responsibilities included all recruiting and hiring operations for CES staff throughout the state, and as a member of the administrative staff she had input on many decisions influencing the programming and direction of CES in Illinois.

She retired in 1982 and remained in the Champaign/Urbana area until earlier this year. Carol was an avid Illini fan and attended football and basketball games for many years. She was a member of the Illini Quarterback Club and carried out an aggressive tail-gate program with her many colleagues and friends.

A Funeral Mass was held Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church with Fr. James Palakudy officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Petersburg, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Menard County 4-H Federation or the Menard County Rescue Squad.

Member Update

Mary Ann Fugate has been doing some traveling. She attended Epsilon Sigma Phi in Syracuse with Ellen Burton. They also plan to go to Mobile, Alabama  for the 2012 meeting in early October. In September she went to Montreal and Boston,  and plans to go to Branson, Missouri in November.

Mary Ann had her hip re-done in March, and does some quilting when she stays home long enough. Her goal is to have fun in retirement!

Condolences to the Family of Bob Harris

 


Robert Raymond Harris
(April 8, 1941 - September 24, 2012)

Robert Raymond Harris, 71, of Sullivan passed away 4:45 a.m. Monday September 24th at Mason Point, Sullivan. Bob was born on April 8, 1941, in Geneseo, Illinois, the son of Esther Harris-DeSplinter and Oliver Harris.

His smile was known to light up every room, and he had an incredible gift for making everyone he met feel welcome. He married Glenda Lee Crist on June 7, 1969 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a devoted husband to Glenda Harris for 43 years, and a loving father to Bill and Cristina Harris. As a couple, he and Glenda traveled all over the world after retiring and visited all 50 states together.

Bob was a devoutly religious Catholic who attended St. Columcille in Sullivan, where he was a lector for 41 years and a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bob graduated from the University of Illinois in 1964 and received his Master’s degree in 1966. He and Glenda moved to Sullivan in 1971, and spent 41 years as members of the community. He was an incredibly generous and compassionate man who devoted his life to helping farmers as a University of Illinois Cooperative Extension advisor in Moultrie and Douglas counties, working for economic justice with C.E.F.S., and coordinating 4-H programs for youth for 35 years.

His generous spirit and natural leadership were apparent in his positions as a member of Kiwanis, the Moultrie County Board, and his participation in Meals on Wheels. Though he had many professional accomplishments, he was best known for his character, integrity, and warm spirit. He also loved to enjoy coffee in the morning with his friends and local farmers, and was known to often say, “Keep the faith!” as his parting line.

Surviving are his wife, Glenda of Sullivan; mother, Esther DeSplinter of Geneseo; daughter, Cristina Harris of Brooklyn, New York; sisters, Sheryl Plumley of Geneseo and Laurie (Chip) Benjamin of New York City, New York; nephews, Garett, Owen, and Marshall Plumley and David Benjamin; and countless friends and community members who will miss him dearly.

Bob was preceded in death by his son, Bill Harris, in 1999 and his father, Oliver Harris, in 1955. The family would like to thank all who came to the Celebration of Life for Bob on Saturday, September 22nd, and all of the amazing care givers at Mason Point.

Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan, with Fr. John Sohm celebrant, followed by the Rite of committal and burial in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to the Harris family, which will be given to the care givers at Mason Point who provided loving and compassionate care throughout the final two years of his life. Alternately, donations can be made directly to the Bill Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net

Member Update

Jananne Finck shared information on the new Shields store in Springfield. It is a very large place to shop for all types of sporting goods.

She also mentioned that she had given up on her lawn because of the drought. Some will remember that Jananne did some extensive landscaping in recent years. Let's hope the recent rains revived things a bit.

Part of last winter was spent in Fredricksburg, Texas, a small town just south of Dallas. Jananne said it has just what she is looking for in a winter hideaway. She also has family members close to there.

She has been busy keeping up with the nieces and nephews and attending graduations and weddings--wherever they might be. In addition she helps the McCoupin County Health Department with some projects.

Happy Fall Everyone! Can't say I am sorry to see this summer behind us.
  

Member Update

Diane Duewer has been on a cruise to Greece & Turkey. She also spends time on Anna Maria Island in Florida in the winter.  The island is south of Tampa. She serves on the Red Cross Board in Jacksonville, and plays golf as often as possible.

Her daughter, Rachel, works for Marriott in St. Louis. She spends time with her. The dog, Molly, and two new kittens are also members of the family.

Member Update

Bev Combs usually has a big garden, but has given up on it this year because of the drought. She says it feels a little funny not to be doing lots of canning.

She has been judging 4-H foods shows in Indiana and Illinois--including the State Fair. It was interesting to hear that State of Illinois Central Management Services is now located in the State Fair facility where the County Extension Office and Center used to be.Therefore, it is no longer available to use for the 4-H Foods Show. The dormitory building has also been condemned. There were no food demonstrations at State Fair this year. Sangamon County Extension Office is out by the Springfield airport.

Bev is also an avid quilter, and is currently making one for her granddaughter who is graduating from training in the National Guard. Can we all get in line for a quilt, Bev?