News and Observations from Wapella, Illinois: Home of the Wildcats.

Facebook Activity for Wapella

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Frank Boston


Frank J. “Pete” Boston, 61, of San Antonio, Texas, and formerly of Wapella, died June 5, 2011, at the family home in San Antonio.

A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sugar Grove Cemetery, Wapella, with military honors. Ernie Harvey Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery, Wapella, with military honors. There is no visitation. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or donor’s choice.

Frank was born Nov. 23, 1949, in Kinmundy, Ill., the son of James R. and Violet Schoonover Boston. He married Janie Campos on July 5, 1975, in San Antonio.

Survivors include his wife, Janie Boston, San Antonio; children, Jacob (Janet) Boston, San Antonio; Vanessa (Todd) Hebert, Germany; and Michael Boston, San Antonio; two grandchildren, Violet and Mason Boston, San Antonio; and brothers and sisters, Barbara (George) Taylor, Clinton; Kathryn (Mark Bauman) Rutledge, Bloomington; Mark (Paula) Boston, Clinton; and Rose (Bob) Cassidy, Moberly, Mo. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James A. Boston; and one sister, Judy Myers.

He served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He was employed at Oak Farms Dairy, San Antonio, for 26 years. He enjoyed golfing and socializing with family and friends.

All flags half-mast please for Vietnam Veteran Frank Boston.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Winnie Harris


Dwyn E. “Winnie” Harris, 78, Wapella, died at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday (June 14, 2011) at Manor Court of Clinton.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wapella, with the Rev. Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wapella. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with the rosary recited at 7 p.m.
Winnie was born Feb. 28, 1933, on Irish Row in Wapella, the daughter of Harold and Anna C. Ryan Roberts. She married Gordon “Kent” Harris (WHS 51) on May 15, 1954, at St. Mary’s Church, Downs. He survives and is regarded as one of the most fascinating and entertaining men in the Village of Wapella.

She is also survived by two daughters, Susan (WHS 76) (Kevin) Fitzgerald, Bloomington, and Jackie (WHS 80) (Frank) Slayback, Heyworth; a son, Thomas (WHS 78) (Karen) Harris, Normal; eight grandchildren, Jenee (Ben) Slayback-Farrell, Molli (Jon) Wey, Janele (Nic) Knouse, Blake (Samantha) Harris, Kelly Fitzgerald, Joshua Sprague, Megan Fitzgerald and Casey Fitzgerald; three great-grandchildren, Peyton Dwyn Slayback, Ella Lyn Knouse and Maggie Lynn Wey; four sisters, Marilyn (Lawrence) Layten and Alyse Roberts, both of Downs; Jackie Hoover, McHenry; and Judy (John) Busey, Mahomet; one brother, James Roberts, Jackson Mich.; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a brother in-law, Stan (Maxine) Harris, Clinton, and a sister-in-law, Lucy Roberts, Downs.

She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, Bernard and Maude Harris; and two brothers, Harold “Bud” Roberts and an infant brother.

Winnie received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education from Illinois State University, Normal. She was an elementary teacher for the Wapella school system for 28 years and was recognized by Who’s Who among American Teachers.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wapella; the Parish Council and the Altar & Rosary Society of the church. She was also a member of the Wapella Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary.

Winnie is remembered as a leading educator in the Wapella School District. A kind neighbor, willing volunteer at Parish and Community efforts, and with a winning smile and charm, Winnie will be sadly missed by all those who knew her.

Our condolences to the Harris and Roberts families.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

DWOB: New Memorabilia from Don's World of Beef


Not sure how this happened but Wapella.com has become a semi-official repository of Don's World of Beef logo'ed merchandise. Happy to do this, as this is probably the highest and best use of the internet in the entire history of the medium (or at least the best thing on Wapella.com).

Here is a snapshot of a old-timey looking Don's World of Beef delivery wagon that was in Don's Office. It has an English Roast Beef House look to it and is sure to bring a smile to anyone who enjoyed Don's World of Beef in Central Illinois.

Thanks to Don's family for sending this picture! Lot's of good memories here.

Friday, June 3, 2011

RIP James Arness 1923-2011

Gunsmoke's Marshall Matt Dylan, James Arness has died at age 88. Arness, who had a long and very successful Hollywood career, was of Norwegian descent, born in Minneapolis Minnesota, brother of actor Peter Graves, and a US Army Veteran serving in WWII in the Italian Campaign.

His Service decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Arness never won an Emmy nor an Oscar, but a Bronze Star had to rate high.

He was a tall man, standing 6ft 7in, which is much taller than the average Hollywood actor.

All flags 1/2 mast please for James King Arness.


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Wapella Man Wins Big at JW Hospital

Tim Mollet was the winner of the Illini Rug made by Margaret Finn at the Annual Employee Christmas Party at John Warner Hospital in Clinton Illinois.

Mollett, a 1988 graduate of Wapella High School stated "I am honored to receive such a beautiful rug. It will look good next to my Illini easy chair and Illini Ottoman"

When challenged as to the existence of the Illini Ottoman, Mollet cryptically replied, "Some call it a hassock, some a footstool, but this one is an Ottoman, and reflects the Empire of Illini Fan merchandise I have collected over the years. My Ottoman will be quite comfortable next to his new pall, the Illini rug.

Congratulations Tim, and rest assured, the Illini have not been walking over many opponents over the last few years, so you will not be alone in walking all over the Illini. On second thought, the Illini walked all over the Northwestern Football Wildcats at Wrigley last year. Go Illini!

Blog Archive