Retired Member Ralph Magruder Passed Away
Ralph E. Magruder, age 88, of Kankakee, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at his home surrounded by family and friends. He was born on December 3, 1936 in Wilmington, the son of Raymond and Margaret (Canney) Magruder. He married Katie Menz on January 22, 1962 in Kankakee.
Ralph attended Herscher High School, where he excelled in basketball. He was a union electrician member for 65 years. Ralph was a member of Assembly of God Church in Kankakee. He enjoyed fishing and spearing frogs.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Katie Magruder of Kankakee; three sons, Lanny (Chris) Magruder of Bradley, Rick Magruder of Savannah, GA, and Ralph W. Magruder of Limestone; ten grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; seven sisters, Carol Higginbotham of Bonfield, Margie Williams of Charlotte NC, Judy (Bill) Hamilton of Manteno, Nola Chisum of Bourbonnais, Darlene McCoin of Kankakee, Arlene Turner of Danforth, and Janet (Keith) Arends of Bradley; and one brother, Richard Magruder of Limestone.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, June Magruder; two brothers, Bill Magruder and Ron Magruder; one stepson, Bruce Leggett; one stepdaughter, Pam Truesdell; two granddaughters, Jamie Heagle and Valerie Magruder; and two brothers-in-law, Dwayne Higginbotham and Weaver Williams.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of the 12:00 noon funeral service on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee. Pastor Ted Brown will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Kankakee Memorial Gardens.
Ralph attended Herscher High School, where he excelled in basketball. He was a union electrician member for 65 years. Ralph was a member of Assembly of God Church in Kankakee. He enjoyed fishing and spearing frogs.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Katie Magruder of Kankakee; three sons, Lanny (Chris) Magruder of Bradley, Rick Magruder of Savannah, GA, and Ralph W. Magruder of Limestone; ten grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; seven sisters, Carol Higginbotham of Bonfield, Margie Williams of Charlotte NC, Judy (Bill) Hamilton of Manteno, Nola Chisum of Bourbonnais, Darlene McCoin of Kankakee, Arlene Turner of Danforth, and Janet (Keith) Arends of Bradley; and one brother, Richard Magruder of Limestone.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, June Magruder; two brothers, Bill Magruder and Ron Magruder; one stepson, Bruce Leggett; one stepdaughter, Pam Truesdell; two granddaughters, Jamie Heagle and Valerie Magruder; and two brothers-in-law, Dwayne Higginbotham and Weaver Williams.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of the 12:00 noon funeral service on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee. Pastor Ted Brown will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Kankakee Memorial Gardens.
Retired Member Wendell Yepsen Passed Away
Wendell L. Yepsen, 90, of Neponset, passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at his home. Wendell was born July 13, 1934, in Princeton, the son of Arthur and Florence (Nauer) Yepsen. Wendell attended Neponset High School, he graduated with the class of 1952. Wendell married Mary Patricia “Pat” Shaner on January 11, 1959, at the Osceola Baptist Church; she survives.
Wendell is also survived by two children, Ben (Danette) Yepsen, Plainfield, IL and Rachel (John) Morris, Paris, IL; three grandchildren, Ryan Yepsen, Ruby Yepsen, Robert Morris; great grandson, Luke Yepsen; siblings, Maurice Yepsen, Kewanee, Myrtle (Jim) Robison, Bradford, Dennis (Nancy) Yepsen, Kewanee; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; mother; step father, Leroy “Babe” Wyld ; son, Nathaniel Yepsen; sister and brother-in-law, Leta and Jack Burrows; sister-in-law, Pat Yepsen; niece, Diane Headley; and a nephew, Jeff Burrows.
Wendell served in the United States Navy from 1952 until 1960; he was stationed in Pensacola, FL.
Wendell worked with the Local Union 176 Joliet as a Journeyman Electrician. He worked for Harding Electric in LaSalle/Peru for many years. He also worked on several large projects in various states. Wendell was an owner operator of the Neponset Hardware Store during the early 70’s. During his younger years he attended the Neponset United Methodist Church. He was a member of the American Legion and was a volunteer fireman. Wendell was a very creative person; he enjoyed whittling primitive American art, Neponset’s Picnic Day, and designing and building the family’s house and barn. He also enjoyed cutting wood in his spare time. Wendell especially loved spending time with his family.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Monday, April 7, 2025, at Golnick-Schueneman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the funeral home. Pastor Rebecca Klemm will officiate. Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery, Neponset. Military Rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be made to the Neponset Historical Society or the Floral Hill Cemetery Association. Please leave an online condolence for Wendell’s family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wendell L. Yepsen, please visit our floral store.
Wendell is also survived by two children, Ben (Danette) Yepsen, Plainfield, IL and Rachel (John) Morris, Paris, IL; three grandchildren, Ryan Yepsen, Ruby Yepsen, Robert Morris; great grandson, Luke Yepsen; siblings, Maurice Yepsen, Kewanee, Myrtle (Jim) Robison, Bradford, Dennis (Nancy) Yepsen, Kewanee; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; mother; step father, Leroy “Babe” Wyld ; son, Nathaniel Yepsen; sister and brother-in-law, Leta and Jack Burrows; sister-in-law, Pat Yepsen; niece, Diane Headley; and a nephew, Jeff Burrows.
Wendell served in the United States Navy from 1952 until 1960; he was stationed in Pensacola, FL.
Wendell worked with the Local Union 176 Joliet as a Journeyman Electrician. He worked for Harding Electric in LaSalle/Peru for many years. He also worked on several large projects in various states. Wendell was an owner operator of the Neponset Hardware Store during the early 70’s. During his younger years he attended the Neponset United Methodist Church. He was a member of the American Legion and was a volunteer fireman. Wendell was a very creative person; he enjoyed whittling primitive American art, Neponset’s Picnic Day, and designing and building the family’s house and barn. He also enjoyed cutting wood in his spare time. Wendell especially loved spending time with his family.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Monday, April 7, 2025, at Golnick-Schueneman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the funeral home. Pastor Rebecca Klemm will officiate. Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery, Neponset. Military Rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be made to the Neponset Historical Society or the Floral Hill Cemetery Association. Please leave an online condolence for Wendell’s family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wendell L. Yepsen, please visit our floral store.
Retired Member Kevin Gray Passed Away
Kevin Howard Gray
Kevin Howard Gray, 70, of Marseilles, IL, conceded to cancer peacefully with loved ones around, while snowbirding in Fort Myers, FL on March 28, 2025.
Kevin is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marie (Luttrell); sons, Michael Gray, Ben (Jessica) Gray, and Steven Carlson; daughter, Sara (Edward) Durdan; sister, Susan Gray; and brother Steve (Jody) Gray. Kevin had eight loving grandchildren, many nephews, and extended family. Kevin was a loving and caring, father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend.
Kevin was a jack of all trades, but found his calling as a union electrician for 20 years. He took that experience to Exelon as an electric work planner for the next 10 years before retirement. He had a few interests, but mainly flying, as he was an Army pilot, piloting both helicopters and fixed wing. He loved soccer, and Leeds United was his favorite team. He played while in college, and well into his thirties. Anyone that knew Kevin also knew his new love of stocks. Kevin was always there to help friends and family with anything they needed.
A special thank you to all his friends and family, for their care and support.
Even though Kevin would say "Do not make a fuss about me," the family will be planning a celebration of life at 4 p.m. on the 31st of May at Shoreline Boat Club in Ottawa, Illinois.
Kevin Howard Gray, 70, of Marseilles, IL, conceded to cancer peacefully with loved ones around, while snowbirding in Fort Myers, FL on March 28, 2025.
Kevin is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marie (Luttrell); sons, Michael Gray, Ben (Jessica) Gray, and Steven Carlson; daughter, Sara (Edward) Durdan; sister, Susan Gray; and brother Steve (Jody) Gray. Kevin had eight loving grandchildren, many nephews, and extended family. Kevin was a loving and caring, father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend.
Kevin was a jack of all trades, but found his calling as a union electrician for 20 years. He took that experience to Exelon as an electric work planner for the next 10 years before retirement. He had a few interests, but mainly flying, as he was an Army pilot, piloting both helicopters and fixed wing. He loved soccer, and Leeds United was his favorite team. He played while in college, and well into his thirties. Anyone that knew Kevin also knew his new love of stocks. Kevin was always there to help friends and family with anything they needed.
A special thank you to all his friends and family, for their care and support.
Even though Kevin would say "Do not make a fuss about me," the family will be planning a celebration of life at 4 p.m. on the 31st of May at Shoreline Boat Club in Ottawa, Illinois.
MEMBERS LOST IN 2025
BEN THOMAS 1/17/2025
LUDWIG KARUN JR. 1/20/2025
JAMES LA TOUR 1/28/2025
AARON TAYLOR 3/11/2025
DENNIS FINCH 3/21/2025
KEVIN GRAY 3/28/2025
WENDELL YEPSEN 4/1/2025
RALPH MAGRUDER 4/13/2025
JAMES HESS JR. 5/13/2025
BEN THOMAS 1/17/2025
LUDWIG KARUN JR. 1/20/2025
JAMES LA TOUR 1/28/2025
AARON TAYLOR 3/11/2025
DENNIS FINCH 3/21/2025
KEVIN GRAY 3/28/2025
WENDELL YEPSEN 4/1/2025
RALPH MAGRUDER 4/13/2025
JAMES HESS JR. 5/13/2025