Heath & Vaughn Funeral Directors, Champaign, Illinois

Celebration of Life services for Florence Edith VanDenBerg, 86, of Champaign, will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 23, 2008, at Heath and Vaughn Funeral

Home, 201 N. Elm, Champaign.

Mrs. VanDenBerg, died at 3:40 a.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at Meadowbrook Healthcare Center, Urbana.

She was born Dec. 12, 1921, in Lansing, Mich., the daughter of Alvin and Amelia (Schwartz) Schalow. She married Jacob VanDenBerg in Lansing. He preceded her in death in March, 2000.

Mrs. VanDenBerg was a member of the University of Illinois Women’s Club, where she held the office of secretary, and a member of the U of I Women’s Garden Club. She played piano for the YMCA Women’s Exercise Club. She and her husband were active in the PTA.

She is survived by two sons, Garry VanDenBerg, Champaign, and David VanDenBerg, of Greer, South Carolina; one brother, Carl Schalow, in Florida; and two grandchildren, Kyle Jacob VanDenBerg and Staci Nicole VanDenBerg, both of Greer, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

Condolences

Extending to you our deepest sympathy, love, and prayers on the loss of your Mother. Just last week, I was thinking that I hadn’t seen her in quite a long time, wondered how she was, and thought that I should call. So, we were very surprised to see her obituary in the paper this week.

I was born in Portland Michigan. Your Mom graduated from High School with my brother, Dick Beard. She was a good friend with my sister, June. Remember Garry and David, the times that you all came to visit us on the farm near Gibson City? We have been in town Gibson City for about the past 18 years. The years really fly by.

How is Uncle Carl? He was a class behind me in school. I guess Uncle Hanley died many years ago.

We would like to be there for visitation, but will be unable to. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss being able to talk with your Mom.

Blessings on you all,

Wayne and Betty (Beard) Birky

Dear Gary:

I have been out of town—Tim told of the sad news. We had fun together in our backyard after some of those golf matches. Your mom will be missed, she was fun.

Chip

It’s been decades since I moved to the piano of Florence in the Y but she has remained in my memory as fresh and wonderful as she was then. Her skill was surpassed only by her spirit of joy and encouragement and charm.

Nan Ehrlich