The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

Healthdigest

ANNOUNCEMENTS Arthritis seminar

Deaths

Rebecca L. O'Connell PEKIN -- Rebecca Lynne O'Connell, 52, of 910 Willow St., Pekin, formerly of Bloomington, died at 4:48 p.m. Saturday (April 2, 2005) at her home.

Deaths

George Perry DWIGHT -- George D. Perry, 83, of 404 S. Union, Dwight, died at 3 p.m. Saturday (April 2, 2004) at Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee.

Deaths

Albert M. Prestin ROANOKE -- Albert M. Prestin, 54, of 101 Serene Way, Roanoke, formerly of Wenona, died at 9:40 p.m. Saturday (April 2, 2005) at his residence.

Deaths

Dean M. Steiner ONARGA -- Dean M. Steiner, 42, of 363 N. Cherry Street, Galesburg, formerly of Onarga, died at 7:13 p.m. March 31, 2005, at Cottage Hospital, Galesburg.

Deaths

Agnes E. Studer ROANOKE -- Agnes E. Studer, 90, of 1200 E. Partridge, Metamora, formerly of Roanoke, died at 1:10 a.m. Sunday (April 3, 2005) at Snyder Village Health Center in Metamora, where she was a resident.

Deaths

Oscar Tippett Jr. DOWNS -- Oscar Earl Tippet Jr., 84, of Alma, formerly of Petersburg and father of Downs residents, died Saturday (April 2, 2005) at St. Mary's Hospital, Centralia.

Deaths

Florence Voyles LINCOLN -- Florence L. Voyles, 86, of 405 E. Jefferson, Apt. 7, Mason City, died at 12:32 a.m. Sunday (April 3, 2005) at St. John's Hospital.

Deaths

Edna Ness BLOOMINGTON -- Edna L. Ness, 98, of Joliet, formerly of Morris and Bloomington, died Saturday afternoon (April 2, 2005) at Deerbrook Nursing Home, Joliet.

Deaths

Irma J. Roberts BLOOMINGTON -- Irma J. Roberts, 74, of Bloomington, died at 8:11 p.m. Friday (April 1, 2005) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

Deaths

Felton T. Ware NORMAL -- Felton T. Ware, 67, of 117 N. Orr Drive, Apt. A, Normal, died Saturday (April 2, 2005) at ManorCare Health Care, Normal.

Deaths

Doris I. Warner NORMAL -- Doris I. Warner, 85, of Lanark, mother-in-law of a Normal resident, died Saturday (April 2, 2005) at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport.

Fans' Rap About Illini Gets Radio Play

NORMAL -- In case there wasn't enough hoopla surrounding University of Illinois Men's basketball, the team can now add a rap anthem to its list of accolades. A rap championing the Illini written by two Normal men and recorded at a local studio has been getting attention and radio air play in the lead up to tonight's NCAA championship game.

Liberal Catholics Want Successor to Open Doors

BLOOMINGTON -- While liberal Catholics joined the faithful in mourning Pope John Paul II's death, some expressed hope his successor will be more open to certain views. The pope was unwavering in his opposition to abortion, artificial methods of birth control and the ordination of women -- all topics of debate among American Catholics.

Local Priest Headed to Rome

BLOOMINGTON -- While the world grieves the passing of Pope John Paul II, a Bloomington priest plans to personally pay his respects to the late pontiff. "He is a witness to hope," said Father Christopher Layden, a priest at Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal.

Lawmaker Wants Conservation Corps

SPRINGFIELD -- Despite both budget and staff shortages at the state's conservation agency, a Central Illinois lawmaker wants it to employ young adults to preserve some of the state's natural resources. State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, is sponsoring legislation that would create the Illinois Conservation Corps Act, providing college-age students with year-round jobs within the Department of Natural Resources.

City Clean-Up Begins Today

Pontiac pick-up When: Today though Friday; pick-up on regular garbage day

Old-School Teacher

BLOOMINGTON -- Clara Salzman knows about classroom challenges. But the former Woodford County teacher faced different issues than her 21st-century counterparts.

Buildingpermits

The following building permits were issued last week for commercial and residential construction in McLean County. BLOOMINGTON

New Gaming Board Head Shows Independence Early

The new members of the Illinois Gaming Board have a tough job ahead -- and not just because of a backlog of work left because appointment delays left the board without a quorum to take action. The biggest job may be to establish credibility as the "most independent board that you'll find in government" -- a goal set by its new chairman, Aaron Jaffe.