Calvert & Martin Funeral Homes

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Family ownership and community values form the foundation upon which Calvert & Martin Funeral Homes firmly stands, especially when assisting and serving the residents of Pontiac, Chatsworth, Cullom, and Forrest.

Emily Higgins passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22nd at the age of 34. Emily is survived by her parents, Rick an...
07/24/2026

Emily Higgins passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22nd at the age of 34. Emily is survived by her parents, Rick and Donna Higgins of Pontiac, IL , her sister Jennifer (James) Foster and niece Ada Foster of Madison, WI, aunts Nancy Boitnott of Pontiac, IL, Becky (Jim) Mattingly of Lavonia, GA, Kathy Drake of Forest Lake, MN, and Elaine Mitchell of Port Saint Lucie, FL, and numerous cousins. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Mary and Richard Higgins Sr. and Norma and Millard Ferguson Jr., all of Pontiac, aunt Carol Wilson of Florissant, MO, and uncle Steven Page of Pontiac.

Emily was born on June 4, 1992 in Pontiac, IL. She was a graduate of St. Mary’s School, Pontiac Township High School, and Marquette University where she majored in Accounting and Information Technology. For 11 years, Emily took great pride in her job as a claims intake specialist at Skygen USA. Her most important role, though, was as devoted “Aunt Enny” to Ada. She was a lifelong Cubs fan, and loved reading, crafting, and taking lake trips to Georgia.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A visitation will be held Friday, July 31st from 4 to 7 p.m. at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac. A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, August 1st at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac. Inurnment will follow the Mass at Southside Cemetery in Pontiac. The family asks everyone to please consider wearing purple, Emily’s favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Wisconsin Neuro-Oncology Research and Clinical Care Fund.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to Goldwater Care of Pontiac, Transitions Hospice, the Pontiac Fire Department, and the care team at UW Madison Hospital’s Neuro-Oncology Clinic.

Richard E. Von QualenBorn on September 22, 1942 to Earlen and Margaret Von Qualen.Richard attended Good Farm grade schoo...
07/21/2026

Richard E. Von Qualen
Born on September 22, 1942 to Earlen and Margaret Von Qualen.
Richard attended Good Farm grade school in rural Gardner and graduated from Dwight High School in 1960. He moved to Kempton and felt at home there. He attended Bailey Tech in St. Louis and started his working career at Gardners John Deere in Pontiac.
He retired from Loders Croklaan in Joliet, IL after 40 years, previously known as Durkee Foods.
Richard served as village president for Kempton, IL for 17 years. He enjoyed seeing the Village grow and be a part of it as a Village Trustee.
Richard married Marjorie Piercey on January 13, 1968 and was by her side for 58 years. He is also survived by his son, Brett (Brenda) Von Qualen of Kempton; one daughter, Carrie (late Marvin Long Jr.) Long of Kempton; his grandchildren, Gretchen Long, Gerald Long, Jessica Monical, Hunter, Pru, and Phoebe; his brothers Virden (Mary) Von Qualen of Aurora and Gordon (Linda) Von Qualen of Gardner; and his sister-in-law Diana (Late Henry) Eggenberger of Saunemin; and his three nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Jorie Lynne in 1976.
Richard was a proud member of the Saunemin Methodist Church, the Green Club out of Bonfield, IL, and the Slow Boys out of Gilman, IL. He had a passion for tractors and loved to work on them and take them to parades and events. Richard would enjoy his winters in Travelers Rest in Dade City, FL. He was a special Husband, Dad and Grandpa. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Services for Richard will begin on Friday, July 24, 2026 at the Saunemin Methodist Church, 90 North Street, in Saunemin, with a visitation from 4pm-7pm. Services continue the following day, Saturday, July 25, 2026 with a brief visitation from 10am until the time of the funeral service at 11am. The family also requests that all visitors come in casual clothing. Richard will be laid to rest at Broughton Cemetery in Emington, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Riverside Healthcare Cancer Center in Coal City in Richard’s name would be appreciated.

Lois Imogene Johnson, 85 of Pontiac passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford....
07/17/2026

Lois Imogene Johnson, 85 of Pontiac passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. She was born June 8, 1941, in Ellsworth, Illinois, one of 13 children born to Willie and Geneva Suttle Baker. She married Murl Johnson on July 10, 2015. He preceded her in death on November 16, 2018.

She is survived by a son, Vernon Chumbley.

Lois is preceded in death by a son, Willis Landrus, Jr.

She enjoyed reading the Bible and crocheting afghans for friends and family.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A joint graveside service for Lois and her son Willis, who passed away in May, will be held on Friday, July 31st at 1pm at Bentown Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Michael E. Brand, 67, passed away at his home in Chatsworth on July 8, 2026. He was born on July 19, 1958 to Thomas Bran...
07/11/2026

Michael E. Brand, 67, passed away at his home in Chatsworth on July 8, 2026. He was born on July 19, 1958 to Thomas Brand and Joyce Hines (formerly Brock, Brand) in Fairbury, Illinois.

At 18, Mike joined the Army and while stationed in Germany, he met his wife, Eva Brand, (formerly Beck). Mike was a cherished son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and Army veteran. He had previously owned a gas station in Chatsworth where he loved to crack jokes as he helped pump people’s gas for them, and had later moved on to Selig where he then retired. He was an avid NFL fan with his favorite team being the Pittsburgh Steelers. Every year you would catch him at the SuperBowl party held at the Legion in Chatsworth.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Hines; and his brother, Joseph Brand.

He is survived by his father, Thomas Brand; his brother, David Brand; his wife, Eva Brand; his daughter, Cheryl Brand; and his granddaughters, Briana and Nicole Brand. He will be missed by many.

Mike’s family has chosen to hold a graveside service that will be held at the Chatsworth/Charlotte Cemetery on Monday, July 27th at 10 a.m. The public is invited.

Taylora Z. “Tazie” Curtiss, age 88, passed away at O.S.F. Saint Joseph Hospital in Bloomington, IL on Sunday, July 5, 20...
07/08/2026

Taylora Z. “Tazie” Curtiss, age 88, passed away at O.S.F. Saint Joseph Hospital in Bloomington, IL on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 11:46pm.
Taylora is survived by her beloved children, Patricia K. Wolf, Stephen R. (Teresa) Curtiss, Terry L. Duncan, Dlorah L. (Henry Gaston) Curtiss, and Andrea M. (James Marable) Blackwell; her sisters, Laura Clark, Michelle (Richard) Barsema, and Chicquita Humbles; her thirteen grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and her beloved dog Mylo.
She is preceded in death by her husband, of 51 years, Milton Curtiss; her sons James G. Porter and Robert T. Porter; her parents Taylor and Edna Sears; her sisters Maxine Johnson, Betty Brown; and her brother Francis Sears.
Taylora was born in Fairbury on July 23rd, 1937 and resided there until 1964 when she moved to Pontiac. She started working at the Pontiac Correctional Center and was there for well over twenty years. In her free time, Tazie enjoyed the food network and going to the river boat with friends. She LOVED family gatherings and making scrubbies for family gifts and the St. James Hospital giftshop. Over all else she loved spending time with her family. She was a kind woman and will be deeply missed by all that knew her.
Services for Taylora will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Calvert-Martin Funeral Home, 413 N. Main Street, in Pontiac, IL from 10am until the time of the Memorial Service at 12pm. A graveside will be held immediately following the service at Southside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Taylora’s name would be appreciated.

Paul Flessner, 83 of Cullom, passed away Thursday, July 2nd at St. James Hospital in Pontiac surrounded by his family.Cr...
07/03/2026

Paul Flessner, 83 of Cullom, passed away Thursday, July 2nd at St. James Hospital in Pontiac surrounded by his family.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, located at 511 W. Jackson Street, Cullom, IL, 60929. A visitation will be held immediately prior to the service, starting at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Pastor Lloyd Evans will be presiding over Paul’s services. A private inurnment will be held at a later date at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Cullom.

Memorials may be made in Paul’s memory to Beckman Memorial Library in Cullom, Cullom Historical Society, or to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cullom.

Calvert and Martin Funeral Home, Cullom, is entrusted with the arrangements.

He was born on September 10th, 1942, to his parents Les and Marie Flessner. He married Diann Elizabeth Magee on April 6th, 1963. She was his beloved wife for 63 years.

He survived by his wife Diann, children Amy (Brian) Malone, Jeff (Kris) Flessner, Jill (Bill) Smith, and Andy Flessner; grandchildren Brad (Kali) Malone, Danielle (Erik Vosen) Malone, Andrea Malone, Josh Flessner, Alison (Dalton) Koehl, Tyler (Kara) Smith, Trevor (Erin) Smith, and Nick Smith; great grandchildren Emmett, Tate, Colton, Kade, and Quinn; and one sister Mary Hack.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters Gerry Jehle, and Ruth Ann Penicook.

Paul was a lifelong farmer in the Cullom area. He also was owner and partner of F & R Tiling in Piper City, IL. He took great pride in working the land and serving the community.

Paul was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cullom, IL.
Paul was a die-hard fan of the Cubs, Bears, and Illini. He loved the water and boating, whether it was winter in Fort Myers Beach, FL with his wife or hosting family and friends at his cherished Lake Marie. Paul was a proud father, grandparent, and friend. He will be missed by his entire family and his many friends.

He will truly be missed by all of those who knew him and loved him.

This obituary may be viewed, and a guestbook signed, at www.calvertmemorial.com or visit us on Facebook.

Joyce Christine (Brush) Elston, 87, of Pontiac, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, surrounded by loved on...
07/03/2026

Joyce Christine (Brush) Elston, 87, of Pontiac, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at Goldwater Care of Pontiac.
A memorial visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church of Pontiac, 219 N. Chicago Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 11:00 A.M. also at the church. Pastor Gretchen Stinebaugh will be officiating. Family, friends, and others are invited to attend and honor Joyce's life. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Born on June 15, 1939, in Canton, Illinois, she was the child of Carl and Josephine (Dowell) Brush. Joyce attended Canton H.S. and married Marvin Elston upon graduation. They were divorced in 1972, but had two sons who survive, Gene (Sarah) Elston of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Jeff (Jill) Elston, of Bloomington, IL. She is also survived by a brother, Gerald Brush, two grandchildren, Brian Elston and Laura Elston, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her parents and a sister, Melba Ripper, preceded her in death.
Joyce worked from 1968 until 1995 as a secretary at Pontiac prison, and after that as a court clerk at the Livingston County courthouse from 1996-2011. After retiring, she spent many hours as a volunteer at the St. James Hospital gift shop. She enjoyed reading, crafting, and doing puzzles in her spare time. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church. During her final years, Joyce enjoyed visits from her many friends and was especially grateful to Harold Frobish for all of his assistance in recent years She was an avid animal lover, and over the years cherished the companionship of her dogs Pepe, Elllie, and Rusty. Joyce will always be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and her infectious laugh.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Livingston County Humane Society or to First United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be made to the family at calvertmemorial.com.

Katherine L. Richardson, age 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026 at Goldwater Nursing and Rehab in Ponti...
07/01/2026

Katherine L. Richardson, age 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026 at Goldwater Nursing and Rehab in Pontiac, IL.
Katy is survived by her children, John Richardson, Coleen Schlappi (Randy), Jesse Richardson (Kathy) and Norma Miller (Paul); her grandchildren, Jeanna Schlappi, Josh Richardson, Amanda Martinez (Othon), Tara Crawford (Kenny), Sunshine Richardson, Kyle Miller (Heather), Joe Richardson (Kelsey), Tiffany Ward (Dylan), Jared Richardson (Katie), Heather Thorne (Gery), Stephen Richardson (Hanna), Stephanie Myers (Nick), Jason Richardson, Matt Richardson, Ginny Drew (Garrett) and Sarah Richardson. She is also survived by her 40 great-grandchildren; and 5 great great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death her beloved husband JD Richardson; her son Jay Richardson; her parents Lester and Reva Lind; and her siblings Dorothy, John, Joe, Mary, Lester and Danny.
Katy loved to spend all the time that she could with her family. Especially when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren visited. Katy was a sweet lady, and will be deeply missed by all that knew her.
Donations to Hurst, IL Fire Department in Katherine's name would be appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Calvert-Martin Funeral Home, cremation rites have been accorded. A private graveside will be held in the future.

Susan “Susie” L. Johnson, 79, of Pontiac, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2026 at Goldwater Care in Pontiac. She was bor...
06/29/2026

Susan “Susie” L. Johnson, 79, of Pontiac, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2026 at Goldwater Care in Pontiac. She was born October 13, 1946, the daughter of Leo and Mae (Powell) Eisele. She married Chuck Johnson on May 14, 1971. He survives.

A long-time resident of Pontiac, Susie attended local schools. She later worked for many years as a social worker, serving area children and families. Susie loved wildlife and spending time with animals, and she attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pontiac. Her smile could truly light up a room, and she will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Goldwater Care and Transitions Hospice for their excellent care.

Cremation rites will be accorded. Graveside services are pending.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Food Pantry or the Livingston County Humane Society.

Allan “Toby” Finnell, 89, of Pontiac, passed away peacefully on Monday June 15, 2026. He was born July 27, 1936, in Pon...
06/17/2026

Allan “Toby” Finnell, 89, of Pontiac, passed away peacefully on Monday June 15, 2026. He was born July 27, 1936, in Pontiac, IL, to John “Leo” and Irene (Swager) Finnell.

He graduated from Pontiac High School, Class of 1954. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout earning a degree in Industrial Arts. His first job was Superintendent of Education at the Pontiac Correctional Center. His career continued with employment at Caterpillar and General Mills. In retirement, he returned to his passion for farming at Melody Lane Farms - the family farm in Pontiac. Allan was noted for his quick-witted humor, driven work ethic, appreciation of music, and being extremely gifted in repairing all things mechanical (even if he always had parts left over!).

Allan was actively involved and proudly supported his three sons’ national and international canoe/kayak training & competitions-which culminated in him being a staff member for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and 1986 World Championships.

He will be fondly remembered as a devoted husband, caring father and as “Papa Bear” to his adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Allan is survived by his loving wife Sarah (Williams) of 65 years, children Christopher (Mary Beth) of Hampton, NH, Jeffrey (Kathryn) of Edmond, OK, and Roger (Julie) of Springfield, IL.; grandchildren Amanda Finnell, Shannon (James) Aycock, Brian Finnell, Colleen Finnell, Lorryn (Taylor) McGarry, Garrett (Caye) Finnell, Sr. Zion Joy (Karalyn) Finnell, Alayna Finnell, Brendan Finnell, Lindsay Finnell and Amelia Finnell. Surviving great grandchildren are Bailey Aycock, Gianna McGarry, William McGarry, Michael McGarry, Benedict McGarry, Anthony McGarry, Bosco McGarry, John Finnell, Joseph Finnell and Giorgio Finnell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 East Howard Street, Pontiac, IL. There will be no visitation, but friends are invited to attend the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Address

413 N. Main Street
Pontiac, IL
61764

Telephone

+18158445151

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