Funerals

We are privileged to serve you before, during, and after the loss of a loved one.

Life's Final Moments

When a death is imminent, our pastor is honored to come and pray with you. If there is such a time, please call the church at 217-428-3327 and ask for pastoral care. We will make every effort to have someone come to you.

If this is after office hours, please call the emergency number: 217-413-7904. The pastor will return your call as soon as possible.

Grieving and Remembering

When the death has occurred, our pastor and staff would also be honored to provide the service for your loved one here at the church, at the funeral home or graveside depending on the family’s decision. Christ is our hope for eternal life and we offer this hope to the surviving family and friends that their beloved is now in God’s eternal charge.

Many of your questions may be answered in our Funeral Planning Guide, but if you have any additional questions regarding funeral or memorial planning, please email us or call 217-428-3327

Below are documents to help you begin thinking through some of the specific details of your own service (it's never too early to plan well for the end of your life) or the service for a loved one who is nearing death. Completed forms can be mailed to the church (please address it with "ATTN: Funeral Ministry"), scanned or emailed to us and we will keep them on file.

Planning Your Service (with Spiritual and General Autobiography)
Planning a Loved One's Service (with Spiritual and General Biography)

Some funerals are streamed online for those who are unable to attend in person. Those are available at prairieavenuechristianchurch.org

Recent and Upcoming Funerals at Prairie Avenue

Online Streaming of these services are available at prairieavenuechristianchurch.org/memorialsonline.

MAXINE (ELDER) VAN DER VOORT

September 20, 1926 - December 14, 2021

Maxine Van Der Voort, 95, of Lincoln, passed away December 14, 2021 surrounded by her family.

Maxine was born September 20, 1926 in Mt. Auburn, the daughter of Earl James and Fern (Dingman) Elder. She married Robert Van Der Voort on December 20, 1953 and he preceded her in death April 4, 1979. Maxine was a bookkeeper for many years with Crown Oldsmobile. She was also a Tupperware dealer. Maxine enjoyed staying active in bowling leagues and thoroughly enjoyed travel with highlights being trips to Germany and Hawaii. Maxine was a member of Kiwaniennes. Faith was important as she grew up in Berea Christian Church and later Prairie Avenue Christian Church, where she was a member for over 60 years.

She is survived by her daughters: Becky Bushnell of Buffalo, Vicki Shelley of Decatur, and Lisa Hackl (Keith) of Warrensburg; step-son: Robert Van Der Voort (Joan) of Reisterstown, MD; grandchildren: Kim Shafer (Chad), Scott Van Der Voort (Robin), Mallory Mathias (Chadd), Brette Shelley, Shannon Richards (Justin), and Jordan Hackl; great-grandchildren: Myah Fields, Jayda Fields, Nick Tsirsos, Makenzi Tsirsos, Anthony Tsirsos, Mykenzi Mathias, Madysen Mathias, Wyatt Mathias, Charlotte Mathias, Rhett Mathias, Amelia Richards, Bradyn Van Der Voort and Macyn Van Der Voort; great-great grandchildren: Nicholas Tsirsos and Tucker Tsirsos; sisters: Margaret Brockelsby, Marjorie Mormon, Norma Younker and Barbara Mendenhall.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; two infant sons, one infant daughter; son-in-law, Michael Bushnell; granddaughter, Michelle Fields; and 2 brothers: Kenneth Elder and John Elder.

BARBARA (BALDWIN) KATER

January 9, 1945 - September 7, 2021

Barbara Elaine Kater, 76, of Macon, passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family on Tuesday September 7, 2021. Barbara was born January 9, 1945 in Decatur, IL to Howard and Mary (Naber) Baldwin. She married Jimmy Kater on June 8, 1963.

She worked by Jimmy's side on the family farm along with working for Ameren.

Barbara is survived by children: Jaimie (Debbie) Kater, Marsha (Brett) Kyle, William (Lori) Kater, Kevin (Tammy) Kater and Jeremy (Kelsey) Kater; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and ten step-great-grandchildren; and one brother Richard (Julie) Baldwin.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

MARION GARDNER

October 16, 1927 - June 28, 2021

Marion F. Gardner, 93 of Decatur, IL passed away 8:31 AM June 28, 2021, at his family home in Decatur, IL.

Graveside services will be 11:15 AM, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at Maroa Cemetery, Maroa, IL with Rev. Jason Butterick officiating and Military Honors. Visitation will be 10:00–11:00 AM, Wednesday at the Calvert Funeral Home, Maroa, IL.

Marion was born October 16, 1927, in Decatur, IL the son of Earl Baker Gardner and Kathleen (Spicer) Gardner. He married Dorothy M. Riley on November 24, 1948 in Terre Haute, IN. She passed away on July 16, 2014.

Survivors include his children: Ginny (Stephen) Mobley, Woodstock, GA and Chris Gardner, Decatur, IL; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and brother, David (Joy) Gardner, Maroa, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Lynn D. Gardner; sister, Mildred Werner, and brother Elmer Gardner.

Marion was a US Army Veteran and retired as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service. He enjoyed bowling and traveling.

Helen V (Crawley) Kater

February 4, 1931 - June 17, 2021

Helen Virginia Kater, 90 of Decatur died at 3:49 pm Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Clara Villa Nursing Home Decatur.

Funeral service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Prairie Avenue Christian Church (2201 East Prairie Avenue Decatur, IL. 62521). Pastor Jason Butterick will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in South Macon Township Cemetery Macon, IL. Memorials may be made to the Prairie Avenue Christian Church.

Helen was born in February of 1931 in Decatur the daughter of David and Henrietta Crawley. She graduated from Stephen Decatur High School. Helen worked for many years in the cafeteria for Decatur School District #61. She loved all the children and taught Sunday School at Prairie Avenue. She sang in the choir and loved music. Helen married Paul Eugene Kater in Decatur on February 24, 1952.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years Paul, sons, T.J. (Doris) Kater, Daniel Kater, Matthew (Susan) Kater and many grandchildren.

She was preceded In death by her parents, sister, Bernadine, brothers, Glen, Robert, David Jr., and Byron and by her son, Mark.

KATHLEEN (SCHONEMAN) HUBBELL

April 16, 1951 - May 16, 2021

Kathleen Ann Hubbell,70, born Kathleen Schoneman on April 16th, 1951 to Shirley and Derald Schoneman in Decatur, Il, passed away on May 16th at Fair Havens Senior Living center during rehabilitation. She had been ill with pneumonia for a few months and passed after being diagnosed with Covid. Kathleen leaves behind her husband Robert and two children Jeff and Brad. Kathleen prided herself on being a great wife and mother and will be missed dearly.

Kathleen had a passion for cooking and decorating and was an inspiration to all that knew her to advance their skills with both. There was never a time that there wasn't some kind of craft being made. As an avid couponer and refunder, no one would ever want for nourishment or attention when they would visit Kathleen's home. Kathleen also had a passion for jewelry in all of its facets as well as working as a jeweler for several companies.

Services will be held at Prairie Avenue Christian Church on June 4th at 11 am. Pastor Jason Butterick will officiate and a gathering hall will be provided after.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kathleen Hubbell please visit our Sympathy Store.

INA (BIRINGER) WOODWORTH

August 25, 1935 - February 20, 2021

Ina M. Woodworth, 85, of Sherman, IL, formerly of Mackinaw, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Ina was born on August 25, 1935, in Kansas City, Mo., to John and Lillian Lindeman Biringer. She married Phillip J. Woodworth on August 28, 1955, in Quincy. He preceded her in death on November 5, 1990. Also preceding her in death were her parents and one son, Steven.

Ina is survived by two daughters, Christina (Roger) Blickensderfer of Sherman and Debra (Edward) Mattison of St. Louis; four grandchildren, Rachel (Andy) Amsbaugh of Washington, IL, Timothy Woodworth of Norman, OK, David Blickensderfer of St. Louis and Phillip Scherer of Las Vegas, NM; two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Isaac Amsbaugh; and one sister, Linda Rosson of Kansas City, MO.

Ina was a dual member of Prairie Avenue Christian Church in Decatur and Parkway Christian Church in Springfield. She was a past member of Order of the Eastern Star and Sigma Kappa Sorority.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Mackinaw Christian Church. The Reverends Judith Guy and Jason Butterick will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Social distancing and appropriate masks are requested.

BETTY (DAPPERT) MOORE

October 8, 1928 - January 22, 2021

Betty J. Moore, 92, of Springfield, formerly of Decatur, passed away January 22, 2021 at Regency Care in Springfield.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Visitation will be 10:00 – 11:00 AM, Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown.

Betty was born October 8, 1928 in Decatur, the daughter of Maurice and Lillie (Beals) Dappert. She married William M. Moore in June, 1948. He preceded her in death on January 5, 2010. Betty was secretary for the Superintendent of Schools for Oceanside-Carlsbad Unified School District and then later served as secretary for the Vocational Center of Decatur Public Schools until her retirement. She was an active member of Prairie Avenue Christian Church.

She is survived by her son, Mike Moore and wife, Cindy of Springfield; grandchildren: Austin Moore, Dalton Moore and Mackenzie Moore; great-grandchildren: Isaac and Evan; and brother: Robert Dappert and wife Shirley.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 61 years, William; and a grandson, Tyler Moore.

Prairie Avenue Christian Church

Decatur, Illinois