Webster E. Phillips, 91, of Pontiac, IL, passed away at 7:40 am on Friday, May 18, 2012 at Evenglow Tjardes Healthcare Center in Pontiac.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac, with Rev. Ray Owens of the First United Methodist church of Pontiac officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be at Patty Cemetery following services, where Military rites will be accorded. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Pontiac or a charity of the donor’s choice.

He was born December 15, 1920 in Thebes, IL a son of Webster Jennings and Ada Marie Gulley Phillips. Webster married Sarah Ils on September 28, 1946 in Chicago, IL and they have been married for 65 years.

Webster is survived by his wife: Sarah Phillips of Pontiac; one son: Webster P. Phillips of Baltimore, MD; one daughter: Martha K. (Jack) Bedford of Springfield; one granddaughter: Sharri (Robert) Pfaff of Pontiac; three great grandchildren, Justine, Madison, and Conrad Pfaff; two brothers: Cletus (Connie) Phillips of Blane, WA and Wayne Phillips of Yuma, AZ. He was preceded in death by  three sisters, and one brother.

Webster served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He was in the 30^th Infantry Division and took part in the Battle of the Bulge and theNormandy invasion. Webster was awarded the Bronze Star for valor, twice and given a Purple Heart.

He made a career in the Department of Corrections, having worked at the Dwight Penitentiary before his retirement in 1985.

Webster was a member of the Elks Club, the Art Guild, and the AARP where he was an office holder. Webster enjoyed music, dancing, playing the guitar, and singing. He would often go from nursing home to nursing home performing for the residents. Webster was a great storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor.

Sarah was the love of his life and his family meant a lot to him. Webster was a devoted husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa who will be greatly missed.

Amer B. Shay, 85 of Pontiac, IL, died on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 7:20 AM at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, IL. 

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, May 21, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the Cornell United Methodist Church with Pastor Larry Frank officiating.  A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 2:00 -5:00 PM at the Cornell United Methodist Church.  Burial will be held at Camp Cemetery in rural Odell, IL.  Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac is handling the arrangements.  Memorials in Amer’s name may be left to the Cornell United Methodist Church or The Baby Fold.

Amer was born on April 20, 1927 in Pontiac, IL a son of Arthur and Ellen (Hamreway) Shay.  He married Beulah Mae Kimber on May 23, 1948 in Odell, IL.

He is survived by his wife: Beulah Shay of Pontiac, IL; two sons: Randy (Sandy) Shay of Pontiac, IL and Gary (Lisa) Shay of Hoschton,GA; one daughter: Nancy Shay of Gainesville, GA; five grandchildren: Dawn, Maggie, Kelly, Erin and Kevin and one sister: Aldine Monroe of Pontiac, IL.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Orin and Burtin Shay.

Amer graduated from Cornel lHigh School.  He served our country in the United States Navy from 1945-1946.  He farmed in the Pontiac area his entire life.  He was a member of the Cornell United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Men.  He directed work camps at The Baby Fold and East Bay Camps.  He had served on various committees in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He had been a member of the Pontiac-Esmen School Board and was a trustee at the Esmen-Camp Cemetery.

Melissa Marie Harder, 45, of Pontiac, died at 9:49 AM on Monday, May 14, 2012 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

Her memorial service will be held at a later date. According to the family’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac is handling arrangements for the family.

Melissa was born on February 21, 1967 in Pontiac, a daughter of Charles and Loretta (Harmon) Craver. She married James Harder on July 20, 1994 in Chatsworth.

She is survived by her husband: James Harder of Pontiac; five children: Brandon Campbell of Odell, Jessica Campbell of Chicago, Robert Campbell of Chenoa, Tiffany Harder of Chenoa, and Dakota Harder of Pontiac; five grandchildren; two brothers: Daniel Craver of Chatsworth, and David Craver of Forrest; two sisters: Sandy Gonzalez of Cropsey, and Karen Lewis of Pontiac; and one uncle: Oscar Gorbet of Pontiac.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and one sister.

Melissa loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Jean M. Evans, 71 of Pontiac, IL died on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 12:51 PM at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

Cremation Rites have been accorded. There will be no services. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home inPontiacis in charge of arrangements.  Memorials in Jean’s name may be left to the American Lung Association.

Jean was born on August 26, 1940 in Fairbury, IL a daughter of Harry and Grace (Norris) Lawrence.  She married Lee Evans on October 6, 1983 in Pontiac, IL.

She is survived by her husband: Lee Evans of Pontiac, IL; her children: Scott (Kristi) Harrington of Pontiac, IL, Troy (Lisa) Harrington of Pontiac, IL, Chad (Janet) Evans of California, Champ (Jennifer) Evans of Plainfield, IL and Crystal (Jimmy) Stadel of Pontiac, IL; fifteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren; one brother: Jack (Betty) Lawrence of Fairbury, IL; one sister: Vicki Lawrence of Fairbury, IL; one sister in law: Betty Lawrence of Fairbury, IL and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother: Richard Lawrence and one sister: Della Kinkade.

Jean graduated from Fairbury Cropsey High School.  She had retired as a secretary from Lincoln Grade School in Pontiac.  Jean was a dedicated wife, mother, sister and grandmother.  She enjoyed her family and loved cooking for them.