Saturday-Sunday, December 16-17, 2023 The Sun-CommerCial A3 OBITUARIES Dannie Ray Roark Dannie Ray Roark, 71, passed away on Dec. 11, 2023, in Vincennes, with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law present. Born on July 26, 1952, in Linton, to Clif ford Avery and Violet (Fitzpatrick) Roark, it would be possible to imagine Dannie entering the world with his mischievous grin or friendly smile. Throughout his life, Dannie remained proud to be a native of the small town of Westphalia where he developed lifelong friendships. He first was a Westphalia Wildcat, then a Sandborn Bluejay, and finished his education as a North Knox Warrior.
He was an excellent student, played cornet in the high school band, enjoyed playing baseball his junior and senior years, among other activities. Dannie had a fondness for his fellow members of the class of 1970 such that he kept in touch with a number of them well beyond graduation. Hard-working, dependable, but also fun-loving were among his attributes in the work world. While in high school, he worked at the Westphalia IGA. There he was a for the high school student who was taking his place there.
(A few years later she became his wife.) The grain elevator in Westphalia was his first job after high school. While working there, he enjoyed bantering and playing an occasional trick on those with whom he worked, along with serving the farmers. A career move came when Dannie was hired at Public Service (PSI) Edwardsport power plant. Gibson Station was a PSI plant just getting started near Mount Carmel, Illinois. On May 5, 1974, Dannie started in its maintenance department and on July 1, 2008, retired as a from what had become Duke Energy.
Finally, he worked five more years as a sub-contractor near the site of the new Duke Energy Edwardsport plant before retiring permanently. Dannie married Brenda (Spanger) Roark on Dec. 7, 1974. They recently quietly celebrated their 49th anniversary, made even more special by the thoughtfulness of friends and family. Blessings acquired during those years, beyond the families from which each originally come, included a daughter, Lori, and the family she and her husband, Chris, created.
Dannie will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and Salem United Church of Christ (UCC) in Westphalia, home church, was where he was confirmed. After moving to Vincennes, in 1978 he became a member of St. UCC. Ways Dannie participated in the church included co-coaching its church league softball team, helping operate the sound system, being on the house committee, and serving as a member of the church board. Other memberships included the YMCA of Vincennes, BPO Elks No.
291, Moose Lodge 281, Vincennes Athletic Booster Club, and AARP. Hobbies included all things sports whether participating, watching on TV or, most importantly, watching his grandsons participate. Baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball and golfing (where he proudly achieved a hole-in-one) were all sports he enjoyed playing over the years. He was also an avid IU fan, especially basketball, and had been a Bobby Knight fan. As a young child, Dannie became a Mickey Mantle fan and continued to root for the New York Yankees, despite their many detractors.
It was very dif ficult for Dannie, after moving to Vincennes, to become a Lincoln Alices fan, having been a North Knox graduate. However, once Lori began playing volleyball and basketball, he was hooked! Then came the grandchildren and he became among their top fans (along with their teammates.) The dance lessons came late in the game for Dannie, but he would undoubtedly have supported her in that as well. Surviving Dannie are his wife, Brenda; daughter, Lori Sanders (Chris); and grandchildren, Joel, Carson, and Avery Sanders, all of Vincennes; and brother, Ronnie Roark (Sue Walkup) of Kendallville. Extended family includes brother-in law, John Spanger (Jan); and sister-in- law, Deb Spanger; along with nieces, nephews, an aunt, cousins and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Barbara; parents-in-law, Walter and Dorothy Spanger; and beloved shelter dogs, Jody and Sophie.
Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the service begins at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at St. United Church of Christ, 606 N. Fifth St.
Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Vincennes. For those who cannot attend but wish to view the service, go to St. United Church of Christ Vincennes and watch on Facebook Live (or when posted there later). The family greatly valued the compassion, humor, and skill of those who cared for Dannie these past few months at Gentlecare and through St. Croix Hospice.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests that you consider a donation in name to any of the following: St. UCC, 606 N. Fifth Vincennes, IN 47591; Vincennes Animal Shelter, 1128 River Road, Vincennes, IN 47591; YMCA of Vincennes, 2010 College Vincennes, IN 47591. Online condolences are welcomed by the family at www. fredrickandson.com.
Fredrick and Son McClure-Utt Funeral Homes, Vincennes chapel, is honored to assist the Roark family with arrangements. Vicki Lynn (Walker) Zanetis OLNEY, Illinois Vicki Lynn (Walker) Zanetis, born Dec. 29, 1957, in Olney, to Jean and Emory Walker, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, at Carle RMH. Vicki was a lover of children, animals, art and any of beings who needed help.
She was an artist, an equestrian and a wife to her husband, Steve. Their relationship spanned 45 years of ups and downs in the oil business world while always being a constant supporter for each other. Vicki loved her horses, her pets, her home, her friends and her husband full stop. She had your back whether you endorsed it or not. God took Vicki to rest with the angels on Dec.
13, 2023. Vicki leaves a void in her home that can only be filled by the knowledge that while gone in body, her spirit and unwavering devotion to all things and people God exposed her to. She will be long remembered by many. Vicki is survived by her husband and best friend, Steve; brothers- in-law, Charles Zanetis, William Zanetis and Joseph Zanetis; sisters-in-law, Mary Ella, Martha and Cathy Zanetis; nephews, Joey (Rebecca) Zanetis and Nick Walker; nieces, Angie Zanetis, Britt Zanetis and Maria (Carl) Bennett; great-nephews, Beau, Luke and Kyle; great-nieces, Margeaux and Theo. Cremation rites will be accorded, no services are planned at this time.
Donald E. Arney Donald E. Arney, 84, of Vincennes, passed away on Dec. 12, 2023. He was born March 23, 1939, in Bruceville, to the late E.
Wade and Genevieve (Banks) Arney. He attended Lincoln High School and was a graduate of the 1958 class. Don proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He married the love of his life, Patricia Tolle, on Feb. 27, 1960.
Don worked for National Can as a foreman for 30 years before retiring. In his free time, he enjoyed walking his beloved basset hound, Spanky, at Gregg Park, deer hunting with his brother and Babs Grove, and golfing. Don will be deeply missed. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Samantha Arney; granddaughter, Sheila Tipton; brother, Wayne (Marizo and Ginger Arney) Arney; nephew, Ray Crane. Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia Arney; granddaughters, Joy (Seth) Hughes and Jessie (Kevin) Missey; great-grandchildren, Christian Munroe, Jeremiah Slaughter, Kaliea Slaughter, Morgiana Hoffman; nieces, Becky (Jeff) Weber and Janice Crane; cousins, Les Mincey and Lacey Mincey.
Goodwin-Sievers is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Arney. Services will be held at a later date. The family wanted to share favorite quote. early on time.
If on time late. If late fired. FUNERALS Kahre, Frank Joseph, died Dec. 9. Visitation: 4-7 p.m.
on Sunday at Fredrick and Son McClure-Utt Funeral Home, Vincennes chapel. Services: 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Catholic Church. Burial: St.
Vincent Cemetery with full military honors by the All Weather Firing Squad. Condolences: www.fredrickandson. com. Gray, Ella, died Dec. 10.
Services: 2 p.m. CST today at Emmons-Macey and Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Burial: Petty Cemetery. Visitation: Noon-2 p.m. CST today at the funeral home.
Memorials: Lawrence County Senior Citizens. Condolences: www. emmonsmaceysteffey. com. Kincaid, Sandra Ellen, died Dec.
9. Services: Noon CST today at Lawrenceville Free Methodist Church, 1008 Maple St. Visitation: 11 a.m.-noon CST today at the church. Burial: Lawrenceville City Cemetery. Memorials: Lawrenceville Free Methodist Church.
Condolences: www. emmonsmaceysteffey. com. Ault, Marilyn died Nov. 27.
Services: Dec. 20 at Graceland Cemetery in Claypool. The Sun-Commercial offers both a free and paid obituary option. Free obituaries are published for current residents of Knox County and Lawrence County, Illinois, and include the following information: Name, age, city or town of residence and date of death. Occupation or last place of employment if retired.
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OBITUARY POLICY CARD SHOWER WORLAND A card shower is planned for Debbie Worland, who will celebrate her 70th birthday on Dec. 25. Cards may be sent to: 303 W. Seventh Bicknell, IN, 47512. BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The United Method- ist Church has been undergoing a major a a a than 7,000 congrega- tions across the coun- try, one quarter of the total, decided whether to leave the denomina- tion or remain United Methodist.
This splin- tering resulted from a long-simmering debate over theological dif fer- ences and the role of LGBTQ people in the church. WHY IS THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SPLINTERING? a denomination has been mired in intractable debates over theology and the role of LGBTQ people in the church. The UMC bans same- sex marriage and open- ly LGBTQ clergy. But amid increased defiance of those bans in many U.S. churches, several conser vatives decided to launch the separate Global Meth- odist Church.
Progres- sives who remain in the UMC are expected to advocate for removing the bans at the denom- next Gener- al Conference, in the spring of 2024. WHEN DID CONGREGATIONS START LEAVING? The departures began in 2019 but ramped up during this just-completed round of regular and special meetings of the denom- annual confer- ences, or regional gov- erning bodies. WHAT TRIGGERED THE START OF THE CHURCH DEPARTURES? In 2019, a special leg- islative General Confer- ence voted to tighten United Methodist rules banning same-sex mar- riage and ordaining LGBTQ clergy. It also gave a five-year window for churches to leave with their property after making some payments. Conservative churches ended up departing in large numbers because they saw the UMC as not enforcing its own rules.
WHICH CHURCHES ARE LEAVING? Some regional con- a hundreds of churches, including large ones. The issue only dividing conferences. In some cases, the divi- sions go right through the pews of individu- al churches, separat- ing Methodists who have long worshipped together. WHERE ARE THEY GOING? Many departing con- gregations are joining the Global Methodist Church, a conser va- tive denomination that launched more than a year ago. Others are joining smaller denomi- nations, going indepen- dent or weighing their options.
Other church- es in Europe and Afri- ca are also joining the GMC. why many United Methodist churches quit denomination.
