Gordon M. Walker, 87, of Hopedale Commons in Hopedale, died at 1:35 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, at Hopedale Medical Center.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Emden, with the Rev. Darby Lawrence officiating.

Burial will be at Bethel Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church.

Walker was a livestock and grain farmer in Armington for many years. In 1972 his family was named the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Family of the Year.

He was born Jan. 17, 1913, at Crookston, Minn., a son of William and Lillian (Minch) Walker. He married Ida R. Boerma Jan. 5, 1944, at Emden. She died April 2, 1992.

Surviving are sons and daughters Jim (and Sharon) Walker of Bloomington, Sue Crome of Lawrenceville, Ann (and Ron) Olson of Tampa, Fla., Bob (and Sandy) Walker of Virginia, Ill., and Kurt (and Marla) Walker of Armington; a sister, Margaret Patterson of Morton; a brother, Everett Walker of Armington; 13 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, John Walker.

He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Emden, where he served on the church board and building committee and also as a deacon. He was one of the three original trustees of the Armington Fire District, where he served for 30 years. He also served on the Hittle Township High School Board and the Trioka School Board.

Memorials may be made to his church or to Armington Rescue Squad.

Robert Ritchhart, 71, of Springfield, formerly of Lincoln, died at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Union Memorial Park, Lincoln, with Paul Olson officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Ritchhart was a co-owner of  the former Ritchharts' Appliance Store on Chicago Street in Lincoln.

He was born July 6, 1928, at Lincoln, a son of Harold and Wilma (Shay) Ritchhart. He married Norma Jean "Mackie" Langenbahn in 1954 at Lincoln. She survives.

He is also survived by two sons, Scott (and Kim) Ritchhart of Lincoln and Kent Ritchhart of Rolling Meadows; two brothers, Ronald Ritchhart and Jack Ritchhart, both of Lincoln; four sisters, Norma Jean Berglin, Pat Shay, Nancy Treach and Janet Smiley, all of Lincoln; and one granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Swede.

Memorials may be made to Dr. Wayne J. Schall Hospice, Lincoln.

Bisch Funeral Home West, Springfield, is in charge of arrangements.

Mabel Vespa

Mabel A. Vespa, 85, of Lincoln, died at 11:05 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.

Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Holy Family Church in Lincoln, with the Rev. Thomas Taylor officiating.

Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Lincoln.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at Kerrigan Funeral Home, with the rosary and wake service at 5 p.m.

Mrs. Vespa retired in 1987 after 21 years as a clothing aide at Lincoln Developmental Center.

She was born March 29, 1914, in Buffalo, Ill., a daughter of George and Lena Mae (Woodcock) Clements. She married Anthony Vespa Sr. Nov. 9, 1938, in Springfield. He survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Teresa Tierney of Lincoln; one son, Anthony Vespa Jr. of Richardson, Texas; three grandchildren; and three sisters, Dorothy Nass, Geneva Creviston and Maxine Sabo, all of Springfield.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, one brother and one sister.

She was a member of Holy Family Church in Lincoln.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Kerrigan Funeral Home in Lincoln is in charge of arrangements.

Bernard Wayne Slayton

Bernard Wayne Slayton, 69, of Lincoln, died at 6:48 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at Holland & Barry Funeral Home in Lincoln, with the Rev. Richard Reinwald officiating.

Burial will be at Zion Cemetery, Lincoln.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the funeral home.

Slayton was a carpenter, retiring in July 1994. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was born Dec. 20, 1930, at Lincoln, a son of William Hiram and Pearl (Wood) Slayton. He married Eloise Hutchcraft Dec. 20, 1957, at Lincoln. She survives.

He is also survived by one son, Douglas Slayton of Peoria; two daughters, Andrea (and Jeff) Tibbs of rural Greenview and Debra (and Mike) Turner of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Jay Tibbs of Greenview and Alexandra Turner and Chase Turner, both of Lincoln; one brother, Lloyd E. (and Laura) Slayton Sr. of Lincoln; one sister, Maxine (and Frank) Klockenga of Lincoln; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Loren, Hubert and Harold Slayton.

He was a Protestant. He had been a member of the Laborers' Union for nine years. Then he was a member of the Carpenters' Union for more than 35 years. He was a former president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, Local #5.

Memorials may be made to Logan County Heart Fund, Family House of Peoria or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Frank W. Misselhorn, 95, of Lincoln, died at 11:40 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.

Cremation rites were accorded and there will be no services.

Misselhorn worked for General Telephone Electric for 36 years, retiring in 1969 as district commercial manager.

He was born Feb. 29, 1904, at Sparta, a son of August and Clara (Schunhoff) Misselhorn. He married Virginia Rippetoe Jan. 7, 1938, at Chester.

He is survived by one sister, Ruby McCreight of Spring, Texas.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Edison, Roscoe and August Misselhorn; and one sister, Ruth Edgar.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Elks, Rotary Club and Masonic Lodge, all in Lincoln.

Holland & Barry Funeral Home, Lincoln, is in charge of arrangements.