American Poolplayers Association - Central Illinois APA Pool Leagues
Deaths

Homer Johnson was a IL APA member since 2006, playing 8 & 9 ball formats as a SL2 for the Rendezvous Bar & Grill. Homer Leroy "Big Tex" Johnson, of Decatur,IL, passed away in his home on Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, IL. Homer was born April 28, 1935, in Decatur, IL, the son of Don and Delores Johnson. He retired from Norfolk & Southern Railroad. Homer enjoyed playing pool, fishing and bowling. He was also known as "Big Tex" on the CB. Surviving are his wife Audrey Darlene Johnson; sons Homer L. ( Carol) Johnson, David L. Johnson; grandchildren Kevin, Matthew and Dawn Johnson; great grandchildren Makaelyn and Emilee Johnson; sister Pamela S. Johnson; nieces Amber Burris and Juanita Miller of Decatur, IL. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, one daughter and one brother.

Penny Diane (Eschbaugh) Stortzum was a member of APA since 1991 playing in 8 ball at a skill level 2.  DECATUR - Penny Diane (Eschbaugh) Stortzum, 63, of Decatur, IL, passed away at 6:14 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010 in her residence. There will be no services. Cremation rites to be accorded. Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Illinois Raptor Center. Penny was born on April 21, 1947, in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Earl W. and Virginia (Martin) Eschbaugh. She married Max Stortzum on July 11, 1992, in Decatur. Penny was a homemaker. She loved animals and enjoyed taking care of and feeding raccoons for over 18 years. Surviving are her husband Max of Decatur; son Kenneth Wayne Tucker of Decatur; brother Ken (Tina) Eschbaugh of Decatur; nephew Mike Eschbaugh of Decatur; niece Lisa (Matthew) Madsen of Urbana; three uncles, Bill, Bob and Jack Eschbaugh; twin great-nieces Madison and Mackenzi of Urbana; cousins Carol (Mike) Shepard of Strausburg, PA, Carla Gallagher and Katherine Foster, both of San Diego, CA. Penny was preceded in death by her parents.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Larry Lutane, Sr. Larry was a member of the APA since 2001, competing as a SL 6 in 8 Ball and SL5 in 9 Ball. He will be greatly missed. Read full obituary.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Bill "Teddy Bear" Wetherell. Bill was a member of APA since 1989 competing as a SL6 in 9 & 8 ball. He will be greatly missed. William C. "Bill" Wetherell, 57, Decatur, Vietnam War Army veteran and Eldorado End Zone owner, died Wednesday (Sept. 16, 2009). Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dawson & Wikoff North Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Burial: Grove City Cemetery. Memorials: United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, Va. Send condolences: www.dawson-wikoff.com.

Charity May Decker, 36, of Mattoon , passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2009, as a result of a motorcycle/vehicular accident near Cave-In-Rock in Hardin County, Illinois . Funeral services honoring her life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, at the Schilling Funeral Home, 1301 Charleston Avenue in Mattoon with Pastor Dave Dolan officiating. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens , Mattoon . Visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. this (Tuesday) evening at the funeral home. Charity was born May 29, 1973, in Mattoon , a daughter of Roger Culp and Anna Louise (Chadwick) Culp. She is survived by her son, Derek Decker of Mattoon; her daughter, Kendra Decker of Mattoon; her grandson, Ayden Hensley of Mattoon; her mother and stepfather, David and Anna Louise Miller of Mattoon; brother, Joshua Culp and wife Lily of St. Paul, Minnesota; sister, Faith Brown and husband Frank of Mattoon; her grandmother, Anna Mae Hamilton of Mattoon; several nieces and nephews; her many friends; and her ex-husband who was still special to her, Kenny Decker of Mattoon. She was preceded in death by her father. Ms. Decker was a bartender at the Time Out Lounge and had worked as a C.N.A. at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon . Charity loved camping with her family, playing pool in the American Pool Association Tournaments and playing locally on Valley Pool League teams which won several trophies. Charity also had driven in and enjoyed watching Stock Car races. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Coles County Animal Shelter, c/o Julie Deters, 6818 N. C.R. 1120 E., Charleston, IL 61920.

Thomas H. "T.D." Deister, 78, of Decatur, died Friday, April 24, 2009 in his home. He has been an APA member since 1995. SL4 in 8 ball SL3 in 9 ball. Tom was born October 2, 1930, in Decatur, the son of Charles and Ann (Duggan) Deister. A member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Tom worked for the Norfolk & Western (now Norfolk & Southern) Rail Road. He loved to play pool and played in a league for several years. He was a member of the A.P.A. and past member of the Moose Lodge. Tom married Leah J. Dial March 31, 1951 and she preceded him in death September 7, 2004. Surviving is his sons: Barry L. Deister of Portland, OR, Jeffrey C. (wife, Kelli) Deister of Decatur and Thomas Andrew (wife, Karen) Deister of Charlotte, N.C.; daughter, Madonna K. (husband, Matthew) Hoerr of Decatur; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sister, Betty Kinsler and brother, Robert Deister of Decatur; several nieces, nephews and friends. His parents, wife and son, John Thomas Deister preceded him in death. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am, Saturday, May 2, 2009 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to the mass. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials: St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, DMH Hospice or American Cancer Society. The family of Thomas H. "T.D." Deister is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St. Decatur.

Jeff Artis - Passed 01/16/2009 Jeff was an APA member since 2002 playing as a SL4 in 8 ball at the Landing in Sullivan, IL.

Saundra K. "Sandy" Alexander, 59, July 24, 1949 - February 12, 2009. Sandy was a SL3 in 8 Ball and a SL2 in 9 Ball She joined the APA 1/21/1999 Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M.Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Monday, February 16, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Point Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek. Memorials may be made to the Decatur Animal Shelter or Cancer Care Specialists. Sandy was born July 24, 1949, the daughter of William E. and Jaqueline (Rokash) Glover. She married Larrie Dean Hassinger. He preceded her in death in 1981. She then married Oliver Allen Britton. He preceded her in death in 1994. She married John Alexander December 10, 1994, in Decatur. Sandy worked at Road Ranger for two and a half years. She was previously the manager for Big Foot Gas Station here in Decatur. She enjoyed pool and was a member of the American Pool Association. She also enjoyed darts. Sandy was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Sandy is survived by her husband John of Decatur; son Troy (Tena) Hassinger of Sacramento, CA; daughter Kelly Lynne (Chad) Hauskins of Decatur; stepson Christopher (Deenie) Alexander of Edwardsville; stepdaughter Sara Alexander of Decatur; brother David (Darlene) Glover of Harristown; sister Carol (Joseph) Hall of Decatur; grandchildren: Coty, Brandy, Nicole, Shanice, Jessica, Mercedes, and Ella. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, two spouses, and granddaughter Denise.