Emmons Macey and Steffey Funeral Home

Mary K. was born on Dec. 7, 1931, in Lawrenceville, Ill., the daughter of William Glenn and Marjorie Jessie (Gray) Smith. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Glenna Evelyn Smith and Margaret Ann Whitmer, as well as her parents. Mary K. grew up in rural Denison Township south of Lawrenceville and attended the Buchanan School through eighth grade, then Lawrenceville High School. In her 60s, she returned to school, studying French at Vincennes University.She married John McBride Ashbrook in 1949 and later married Philip B. Benefiel in 1958. In addition to raising five children, Mary K. wore many hats. She was a nanny to a professor at the University of Illinois in the early 1950s; did office work for the Lawrence County State's Attorney (also her future husband); sold fashion wear and accessories at Delzell's, owned by her dearest friend Ayrol Ann Gibson; founded, with her husband, the not-for-profit agency Cra-Wa-La/Volunteers in Probation; co-owned and operated Oil Field Lease Management Company with Herman and Frances Brinkley; managed the offices of Herman Loeb Oil and Gas with Herman and Ed Loeb; spent one week each summer at Camp Na-Wa-Kwa at McCormick's Creek State Park with the Lawrenceville Camp Fire Girls; and served three terms on the Unit 20 School Board. In her spare time, created by being constantly on the move, Mary K. enjoyed traveling with Philip, particularly to southern France and northern California, and spent many summers hosting grandchildren at their homes on Lincoln Drive and later 17th Street in Lawrenceville.There she also maintained beautiful gardens; cultivated orchids; chased pets of all species; knitted blankets, sweaters, socks, gloves and hats; sewed outfits for school and dances and evenings out; needle-pointed pillows and Christmas stockings; and cooked everything from elegant French cuisine to biscuits and gravy to cakes - lots and lots of cakes.Mary K. is survived by her husband, Philip Benefiel; five beloved children and their partners, John Mark an... (Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette)

She was an inspiration to many with a ready smile, positive attitude, independence, class, and zest for living. Alene was only a few days short of being a centurion.Alene, as she was lovingly known to most, was born at home on April 19, 1917 in Chauncey, IL to Justus Freed and Iva Maud (Waggoner) Hockman. Married September 27, 1936 to Donald Lee VanGilder, she leaves to cherish fond memories, two daughters, Linda Lee Nogle and husband David of Palatine, IL and Cinda Kay Peters of Illiopolis, IL; grandchildren, Marc (Beatrize) Nogle, Blake, Juliana & Annabelle of Algonquin, IL, Donna Ingersoll (fiancé Wes) & Ashlee of Illiopolis, IL, Mike (Jeannie) Nogle, Caitlin, & Caroline of West Chicago, IL, Thadd (Tonya) Peters, Claire, Joseph, & Caroline of Illiopolis, IL, Diana Nogle of Austin, TX, and Clint (Jennifer) Peters, Levi & Lynnden of Tuscon, AZ, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Fern Thomas of California and Nina Richey of Claremont, IL and brother, Nelson Hockman of Chicago, IL.A service to celebrate Alene’s life will be held April 14th, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Emmons, Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, IL. Family will receive friends 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., preceding the funeral. Burial will be at Sumner, IL Cemetery, immediately following services.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chauncey Methodist Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Veteran Organizations or the Humane Society. Condolences and memorials may be shared at www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com.On behalf of the Nogle and Peters families, we would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Atluri and Dr. McCormick of Decatur and special caretakers, Dorothy Flagg and Wanda Nelson, as well as all the staff at Imboden Creek Gardens and Imboden Creek Living Center.Obituary written by family members. (Herald & Review)