William M. Febus

ROCHESTER - William M. Febus, one of the "Greatest Generation," has gone home to be with the Lord.

Mr. Febus, 83, a resident of Rochester since 1990, formerly of Buffalo, died at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007, at St. John's Hospice.

He was born Sept. 8, 1924, in Buffalo, the son of Donald and Clea Burrus Febus. He married Maxine L. Bozarth on Jan. 20, 1945; she preceded him in death on Jan. 2, 2001.

Also preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Dallas Febus; and two sisters, Eileen Hinds and Naomi Lucas.

Bill was a respected farmer in the Buffalo area all of his life. He served his country in the Navy in World War II.

He was a member of Calvary Temple Church and Sangamon County Farm Bureau. He was an avid woodworker. His church and Sunday school class were very important to him, and he was a Bible study leader for years.

He taught his family, by the way he lived, what is important in life -- God, family and caring for others. He set a great example with his integrity and great love for the Lord. He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, extended family, and his much loved pet, Cammi.

Surviving are two daughters, Linda (husband, Robert T. Jr.) Hendrickson of Rochester and Rita (husband, Daniel) Ross of Delta, Ohio.; a son, Carl (wife, Barbara) Febus of Buffalo; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Wilma Febus of Mount Pulaski; his many friends at Bob Evans; an aunt, Ruth Connor; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, at Staab Funeral Home. Services will be there at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, with the Rev. Paul Rose and the Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery, where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Hospice, American Cancer Society or to Calvary Temple Church.