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.

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.