Remembering Departed Members of Anna-Jonesboro High School, Class of 1951

George D. Bean 2011, A-J 1951 Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

PEKIN - George D. Bean, 77, of Pekin passed away at 8:47 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at Pekin Hospital in Pekin. Cremation rites will be accorded. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Pekin. Woolsey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Peoria Journal Star

Paul Edward Boyer 1933 2018, A-J 1951 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Boyer Paul Edward Boyer, 85, was born in 1933, the son of Harry and Agnes Boyer. He was one of eight children. Mr. Boyer graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1951. He served at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D., in 1952. He met and married the love of his life, Ollie, in Grand Forks, N.D., and was married for 45 years. Survivors include daughters Debra Yury Keenan and Marlis Boyer Stotts; grandchildren Grant, Jordan, Mike, Katie, Wesley, Sierra and Taylor; and great-grandchildren Nolan, Avery, Bryson, Leah, Lexi, Dante, Dezarah and Dominance. Mr. Boyer retired from Sears in 1991 after 30 years of working in South Dakota, North Dakota, Ohio and Illinois. After retirement, he earned his real estate license in Arizona, finally retiring in 2017. Paul and Ollie relocated to California to live with their daughter and her husband, Mike, in 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife, Olga "Ollie" Boyer, on May 7, 2018.

Gail Richard Brown 1933 2012, 1932 2008, A-J 1951 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Mr. Gail Richard Brown age 79 of Jonesboro, died at 6:30 pm, Saturday, December 8, 2012 at his home in Jonesboro. He was born on April 6, 1933, the son of Fred L. and Agnes E. (DuRall) Brown. Gail married Shelby J. Barker on October 9, 1959 in Cobden. Gail is survived by his wife, Shelby J. Brown of Jonesboro; one son, Kenneth E. Brown of Anna; one daughter, Deborah (Daniel) Placek of Jonesboro; three grandchildren, Jonathan, Elizabeth and Sarah Jo Placek; one brother, Revis M. (Jean) Brown of Jonesboro; one sister, Barbara B. Lair of Jonesboro; other relatives and many friends. Gail was preceded in death by a son, Richard Dale Brown; an infant sister; an infant brother and his parents. Gail was a member of the Lockard Chapel Baptist Church and he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Funeral services for Mr. Gail Richard Brown will be at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro with the Rev. Jack Richardson officiating. Interment will be in the Jonesboro Cemetery. Friends may call at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 from 11:00 am until the funeral hour at 1:00 pm. Memorials may be made to TIP Hospice or Lockard Chapel Baptist Church. Memorial envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

Jean C. Craig Phillips 1933 2007, A-J 1951 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Sunday, July 8, 2007 ANNA, Ill. -- Jean C. Phillips, 74, of Anna passed away Friday, July 6, 2007, at Helia Healthcare of Carbondale, Ill. She was born May 16, 1933, in Cobden, Ill., oldest daughter of Harold and Grace Armour Craig. Phillips was a lifelong resident of Union County. She and Ralph "Tiny" Childers were married June 28, 1957. He preceded her in death June 30, 1971. She later married Eddie Phillips Aug. 26, 1978. He survives. Phillips was educated in the Cobden and Anna-Jonesboro school systems and also attended Shawnee Community College. She held several positions in her working career, her final job being with the Union County Housing Authority as a social worker. The majority of her working hours were spent at the Annavista Highrise, a position she thoroughly enjoyed. Survivors include her husband; her beloved daughter, Janie Meirndorf of Anna; three wonderful grandchildren, Jon, Josh and Jennifer Meirndorf, all of Anna; two precious great-grandchildren, Joshua Lee and Lillian Faith Evers; loving siblings, Robert (Phyllis) Brimm of Dayton, Ohio, Charles (Sue) Craig of Mount Pleasant, Roger (Donna) Craig of Beach Park, Ill., Dee (Charles) Langford of Cobden, Linda (Bob) Hill of Cobden; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, "Tiny," a brother and two sisters. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with nephew Gary Phillips officiating. Interment will be in the Anna City Cemetery. Per her request, memorial contributions may be made to the United Missionary Baptist Church in Lick Creek, where she was a faithful member. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of the arrangements. Jean attended Anna Jonesboro Community High School with the Class of 1951.

Kenneth Cruse 1933 2007, A-J 1951 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Kenneth R. Cruse, 74, of Anna died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007 at his home. He was born Aug. 22, 1933, in Mill Creek, IL, son of Festus and Sophia Rudert Cruse. He and Lois Mary Sadler were married Jan. 10, 1960 in Anna. Cruse was a farmer and attended Anna Heights Baptist Church. He was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean War.Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Lisa Sweitzer of Anna, Karen Collier of Dongola, IL; a sister, Wreatha Miles of St. Louis; and seven grandchildren. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday (Nov 19, 2007) at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Sadler officiating. Burial will be in Casper Cemetery north of Anna. Kenneth R. Cruse graduated with the Anna Jonesboro Community High School Class of 1951.

Clyde Myron Fuller 1932 2013, A-J 1951 Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Clyde Myron Fuller died at his home on March 25, 2013. He was 80 years old. He was born on Oct. 29, 1932, the son of Lloyd and Wanda Keller Fuller of Dongola. His family were farmers. He credited his early years on the farm with teaching him to be content with people and circumstances how they are, not how he would like them to be. He attended a one-room schoolhouse until 8th grade, when his family moved into Anna, where they enjoyed city conveniences of electricity and indoor plumbing. He was an ROTC member while attending Anna High School. He later majored in civil engineering, graduating from the University of Illinois. Immediately after graduation, he went to work for Douglas Aircraft. He enjoyed his work for 44 years in aerospace as the company merged into McDonnell Douglas, then Boeing. He retired in 1999. He was known for his sense of humor. His interests included camping, fishing, jeep trailing, gardening, woodworking, genealogy, computer programming, bird watching and photography. His first marriage to Marilyn Dillow ended in divorce. His second marriage to Sharyn (Bisbey) Wright ended with his death after 44 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Wanda Fuller; his only sibling, Ray Fuller; and his first wife Marilyn Dillow Fuller. He is survived by his widow, Sharyn Fuller of Sequim, Wash.; his son, Marc Fuller of Tempe, Ariz.; his daughters, Kelly Fuller of Silver Spring, Md., and Rachel Zippwald (spouse Terry) of Huntington Beach, Calif., his granddaughter, Jillian Jones (spouse Dalton) and great-grandson Bryson R. Jones of Cypress, Calif.; a nephew, Ray Fuller of Noblesville, Ind.; and a niece, Angie Hornsby of Greenwood, Ind. Memorials can be made to the charity of the donors choice. A celebration of his life was held for family, friends and co-workers at Grace Lutheran Church in Huntington Beach, Calif., on April 27, at 4 p.m. His ashes were to be scattered privately. Gazette-Democrat Posted Thursday, May 2, 2013 12:26 pm.

Richard D Hase 1933 2011, A-J 1951 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Mr. Richard D. Hase, age 78 of Anna, died at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011 at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was born May 18, 1933 in Murphysboro, the son of Theodore E. and Beulah Miller Hase. He married Susan Penninger on August 24, 1957 in Mill Creek. Richard is survived by his wife, Susan Hase of Anna; four daughters, Sally (Doug) LeFevere of Anna, Stephanie (John) Van Daele of Colona, IL, Cindy (Dave) Maaske of Yorkville, IL, Laura Bussey of Anna; ten grandchildren, Zack, Ethan and Alex LeFevere, Drew and Maddie Van Daele, Jacob, Lucas and Ellie Maaske, Nicholas and Emily Bussey; one cousin, Bob Hase of Anna; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Richard was a graduate of the Anna Jonesboro Class of 1951 and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1954. He began working in the former Foley Drug Store in Anna which later became Hase Pharmacy in 1959 which he owned and operated for over 43 years. Richard was a member of Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna for many years. He was a member of the Illinois Pharmacists Association, the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Independent Pharmacy Association. Richard was also a member of the Anna Jonesboro Elks Lodge # 1641 and the Union County Country Club. Funeral services for Mr. Richard D. Hase will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Pastor Kathy Montria officiating. Interment will be in the Anna City Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2011 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church or Stinson Library. Envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. To view this obituary and leave a condolence for the family please visit, www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com RENDLEMAN & HILEMAN FUNERAL HOME IN ANNA IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS Published: Gazette Democrat Monday, August 1, 2011 8:47 AM CDT

Margaret Anne Keller Petty 1933-2008, A-J 1951 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

ANNA, Ill. -- Margaret Anne Petty, 74, of Anna died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born Dec. 20, 1933, in Anna, daughter of Corliss Don and Bertha Marie Corbitt Keller. She and Frank Lyle Petty were married May 11, 1951, in Anna. Petty is survived by her husband; two sons, Frank Petty of Bloomington, Ill., Stephen Petty of Anna; a daughter, Anne Marie Johnson of Davis Junction, Ill.; a sister, Sara Shaw of Camas, Wash.and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Petty was a member of Anna First Baptist Church where she was secretary the past five years. She served on the church library committee and was past president of Auxiliary of Illinois Rural Letter Carriers Association. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, and from 10 a.m. until time of service Monday at First Baptist Church. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Tony Foeller officiating. Interment will be in Anna City Cemetery. Margaret graduated with the Anna Jonesboro Community High School Class of 1951.

Isom Yvonne Noble 1932 2012, A-J 1951 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Yvonne Noble, 79, of Anna, died at 6:30 AM on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at home. She was born on September 21, 1932 in Wetaug the daughter of Fred and Bessie (Batson) Isom. She married Donald Noble on December 22, 1952. He survives her. She retired from Florsheim Shoe Company. She loved quilting, puzzles and was an avid reader. She is survived by her husband, Donald; 2 sons, Rich (Linda) Noble of Bettendorf, IA and Earl (Jo Vonna) Noble of Anna; 3 grandchildren, Katie Noble of Bettendorf, IA and Dylan and Austin Noble of Anna; nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Sherry Mitchell, brother, Fred Isom and sister, Annetta McCloud. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 12:00-2:00PM at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro. Services will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 2:00PM at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro with Billy Carter officiating. Interment will follow in American Legion Cemetery in Dongola. Crain Funeral Home http://www.crainsonline.com/ January, 2012 , 2012.

Maxine Mae Miller Connelly 1933-2011, A-J 1951 Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Maxine Mae Miller Connelly of Monroe, Georgia and formerly of Mill Creek, died 21 November 2011 in Monroe, Georgia. Maxine was born May 27, 1933 in Mill Creek, Illinois, the daughter of Ivan Ford Miller and Clara Dillow Miller. Maxine attended Tamms High School for her first two year, and then transferred to Anna Jonesboro Community High School, as the High School boundary was changed. Maxine Mae Miller graduated in the A-J class of 1951. After high school Maxine married Clemon William Connelley who was in the service. The Connelly lived in Monroe, Georgia. Surviving are four children; Stephen and Ulene Connelly of Monroe, Phillip Connelly, of Monroe, Jeff and Connie Connelly, of Monroe, Jon and Rhonda Connelly; one; Sister Mary Hahan, of Rockford, IL. Her parents preceded her in death. Note: Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Lenora (Norris) Rendleman Leffler 1933 2010, A-J 1951 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Lenora (Norris) Rendleman Leffler, died in Carbondale on November 4, 2010. Lenora was born in Jonesboro, IL on November 22, 1933 to Mable (Lutz) Norris and Cecil Farrin Norris. She was the oldest of three daughters. Lenora married John S. Rendleman on December 15, 1956; he preceded her in death on March 4, 1976. She later married Thomas Lee Leffler; he preceded her in death on January 23, 2004. Lenora is survived by her four children: Jean Farrin Rendleman Kelley, John S. (Andrea) Rendleman, Mary Elizabeth (John) Lindner, and David Scott (Kirstin) Rendleman and a step-son, Charles Matthew Rendleman, her 13 grandchildren; Elizabeth, Mary, Claire and Michael Kelley; Margaret, Eleanore, Alison and Jane Rendleman; Grace, Emily and Audrey Lindner; and Jack and Molly Rendleman. She is also survived by her two sisters, Mary Carolyn (Glen) Hudgens of Carmel, CA and Cecelia Norris of Carbondale, and a number of Lutz and Norris cousins, as well as many nieces and nephews. Lenora was known for her grace, elegance and good taste. She loved music and history. She was a civil rights advocate and valued education. She took University classes into her later years. She was most passionate about her family. A graduate of Jonesboro High School, Lenora received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. It was here that she was introduced to snow skiing, which she loved. Her love for Southern Illinois was strong and pulled her back to the area to teach and attend graduate school. Lenora was also an avid equestrian; she rode horses as a young girl and would later lend a helping hand with her daughter's horse. She enjoyed studying history, which she expressed through her antique collection and her knowledge of things pertaining to the civil war, southern Illinois and her family's past. Lenora was a wonderful cook and hostess. While married to John Rendleman, she and John were known around Carbondale and later Edwardsville for hosting fabulous parties. John and Lenora lived in Carbondale from 1957 until 1968 when John became the first chancellor of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In Edwardsville, Lenora became the "first lady" of SIUE. She served that role with grace and pride. One of her proudest accomplishments during their stay in Edwardsville was helping to establish the Mississippi River Festival, and in so doing, brought to Edwardsville and the Metro East area performances of many talented bands and orchestras including performances by the St. Louis Symphony. When John died in 1976, Lenora made the decision to stay in Edwardsville as all of her children were still in the area. She married Thomas Lee Leffler in 1978. When David Scott began law school, Lenora and Tom returned to Southern Illinois. Asked by a reporter during her time as the first lady of SIUE why she came back to southern Illinois, Lenora stated that "it just gets in your blood." Lenora and Tom spent many happy years together, traveling and enjoying their extended family. After Tom passed away in 2004, Lenora would take extended trips to California to spend time with her daughter, Mary Elizabeth and her family, as well as her sister Mary Carolyn and her family. Lenora became an adept quilter and spent hours creating beautiful works for her family. To this day, all of her children possess various baby blankets, quilts, holiday banners, Christmas tree skirts and other handcrafted items. She enjoyed baking and decorating Christmas cookies for her children and grandchildren. Lenora was an ardent reader and also loved doing the New York Times crossword puzzles, including the difficult Saturday puzzle. Lenora was a very stylish woman and a very accomplished shopper, a trait that she has passed on to some of her children and grandchildren. Lenora will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren, sisters, extended family and friends. Visitation will be held from 2:00PM - 3:00PM, Sunday, November 7, 2010 at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home, Old Rt 13W between Carbondale and Murphysboro. Memorial services will be held at 3:00PM, Sunday,November 7, 2010 at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home. Private burial will be held at a later date at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Washington University School of Neurology, Epilepsy Unit and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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Last Updated on 07/14/2019