Clarence Alvin Thorp, 91, Minonk
Minonk – Clarence Alvin Thorp, 91 of Minonk formerly of the Dana area died at 3:55 AM Tuesday, March 03, 2009 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk. Graveside services will be 1:30 PM Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Dana Cemetery, Dana. Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Activities Department at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk.
He was born September 29, 1917 in Rutland, the son of Frank and Elsie Fricke Thorp. He married Alba Jaunita LeVelle on December 24, 1936 in Ottawa. She died May 20, 2006.
Surviving is a daughter, Sheila (Robert) Bernard of Toluca; two grandchildren, Sherri (Jeremy) Watkins of Dana and Stephanie Sechrest of Toluca; three great grandchildren, Layton Sechrest, Ashton Watkins and Maleigha Carrithers.
Also surviving are cousins, nephews and a special niece, J.J. Thorp.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Scott and Samuel, two brothers, Harold and Wayne and a grandson, Eric Moore.
Clarence worked for Tucker Trucking in Flanagan retiring in 1979. He enjoyed playing bingo and was an avid Cubs fan.

James W. Riley II, 62,
Oklahoma City
Eureka- James (Jim) W. Riley II, 62, passed away on February 26, 2009, in Oklahoma City, OK. He was born in Chicago, Illinois April 12, 1946 to Dr. and Mrs. James Riley, but lived most of his childhood in Eureka, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jim passed away from complications due to an injury in 1998.
Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1971 from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana and his M.Ed in Junior College Administration in 1983 from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was a member of Kappa Delta Phi, was on the President’s list and graduated with honors as Summa Cum Laude at the University of Central Oklahoma. He worked in the field of athletics for forty two years. He served as the head athletic trainer and/or instructor and assistant athletic director at East Mississippi Community College, Illinois College, MacMurray College, Newberry College, North Greenville College, University of Wisconsin-Superior, Southern Oregon State University, Eureka College, Kent State, and Utah State University. He also worked with the Houston Oilers and the New Orleans Saints professional football teams. Jim served as the trainer at Utah State University when Utah State appeared at the Japanese All Stars footballs games sponsored by the Japanese Football Association in Japan in 1971. Over his career Jim was asked to speak at numerous conventions and clinics. The sites included the following: Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine, N.A.T.A. National Convention in Las Vegas, Mid-Atlantic Trainers Association, and Great Lakes Trainers Association. He was nominated for an athletic trainer position for the 1976 Olympic Games. He received a twenty five year award from N.A.T.A. and was the College Citizen of the Year from Newberry College. He was nominated for the Hall of Fame at MacMurry College and received the 2006 N.A.T.A. Trainer of the Year-Above and Beyond Award. He also worked as a restaurant manager for El Chico and York Steak House.
He is survived by his son, James W. Riley III and his daughter Susan and her husband, William Rogers of Oklahoma City, OK. He is also survived by his two brothers Jerry Riley and William (Robin) Riley and their children and grandchildren. He is survived by numerous relatives including his aunt, Mrs. Edward Riley (formerly of Eureka) of New York City, New York and by numerous cousins. He was blessed by the friendship of many acquaintances over the years.
Visitation will be held from 5-7p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009 at Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka. Graveside services will be held at 10:00a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Olio Township Cemetery in Eureka. The Rev. Fred Dorisse will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to a Charity of Donor’s Choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com

Gerald R. Fischer, 79, Roanoke
Roanoke – Gerald R. Fischer, 79, of 808 W. High St. Roanoke, IL passed away at 8:15 pm on Wednesday March 4, 2009 in Roanoke at his residence in Roanoke.
He was born on November 29, 1929 in Roanoke, IL to Samuel and Ida Rechkemmer Fischer. He married Marjorie Stoller on October 18, 1953 in Latty, Ohio. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Keith (Dori) Fischer; Kevin (Annette) Fischer both of Roanoke; three daughters, Lavonne (Keith) Funk of Eureka; Cheryl (George) Sanford of Peoria; Crystal (Chad) Getz of Roanoke; one brother, Richard Fischer of Roanoke; four sisters, Lila Decker of Roanoke; Laverne (Albert) Butikofer of Elgin, IA; Velda (Dick) Fisher of Aurora, IL; Ann (Dean) Freesmeyer of Pekin, IL; 14 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; and 6 step great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Judy Fischer; one son, Lynn Fischer; and three brothers, Lester, Wilmer, and Marvin Fischer.
An Army veteran, Jerry served his country during the Korean Conflict.
Jerry was a farmer in the Roanoke area all his life. He also delivered mail for the U.S. Postal service doing the rural area route for 19 years before he retired in 1994.
He was a member of the Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church where funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday March 8th. Church ministers will officiate. Visitation will be held from 3-6 pm on Saturday at Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home in Roanoke and from 12:00-12:45 pm on Sunday before the services. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke or to the Roanoke Ambulance Squad. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnsonharris.com.
Memorials may be made to the Eureka Apostolic Christian Home, 610 W. Cruger Ave., Eureka, IL 61530.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnson.com.