Friday, November 27, 2015

Former IHHA President and longtime harness driver and trainer Bill McEnery has passed away.

Loving father of William “Billy” McEnery. Former owner of Gas City. Stepfather of Jennifer (David) Christopher and T.J. Geary. Dear grandfather of Grace Christopher, and Makena Geary. Dear son of the late Thomas and Legoria (nee Flannery). Dear brother of Legoria (the late Robert) Hynes, the late Thomas (Jean), Daniel (Noreen), Jack (Eugene Pustovoy), Maureen (James) Dillon, Leonard (Lyn), Kevin (Beth), Marguerite (James) White, Patty (Brian) Maher, and Jeanette (Thomas) Ryan. Kind uncle and great uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Sunday 2-8 p.m. Funeral Monday 9 a.m. from the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st Street, Orland Park, IL to St. Mary Church, Mokena, Mass 10 a.m. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Legoria and Thomas McEnery Scholarship Fund, c/o Mt. Carmel High School, 6410 Dante, Chicago, IL 60637 or Providence Catholic High School, 1800 W. Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox, IL 60451. www.sheehyfh.com 708-857-7878.



Friday, October 16, 2015

James “Jim” Fox Passes

James C. Fox, age 83, of Paducah, KY, passed away at 11:08 a.m. on Saturday, October, 3, 2015 at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah.

Mr. Fox, known as Jim, started his career with horses training American Saddlebreds but joined the U.S. Trotting Association in 1972 and began to raise, train and race Standardbreds.  Several of his horses were noted stars in the IL racing program including HERE I COME AGAIN, 3, 2:02.3m ($85,876), ANOTHER DIAMOND 2,2:03.3f; 3,2:01f; 4,1:59.4h ($210,148) and SHOBOY 2,2:02.4; 3,2:00.1 ($331,355).

Mr. Fox was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church, owner of Paducah Collection Agency, past President of Carson Park Riding Club, a member of Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and a Mason.

Mr. Fox is survived by his wife, Dr. Bambi Lynn Fox; three daughters, Shan Embry of Leitchfield, KY, Caryn Price of Lexington, KY and Jena Sweeney of Smyrna, TN; eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, David C. Fox.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. John Smithmier and J.W. Cleary officiating. Entombment followed at Benton City Cemetery.

Friday, Sept. 19, 2015

Peter Bridges, Program Director for Chicago racetracks, passed away earlier this week. Peter was always helpful and had a kind word every time you met him, took over when the late John Tinsley retired in 1993. Peter was a tireless worker that went about his job quietly but extremely efficiently. He will be truly missed. There will be a memorial service in the future and we will let everyone know when those details become available.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Robert Knox – Obituary

Dearly Beloved Son Of Denise Nee Ippolito and the late Robert D. Knox. Loving Brother of Deanna (Fiancee’ Marcin Markiewicz) Dear Grandson of Carmen Ippolito. Cherished Boyfriend of Nicole Zucchero. Fond Nephew, Cousin and Friend of Many. Funeral Saturday 8:30 A.M., from CARBONARA FUNERAL HOME, 1515 NO. 25TH AVE. Melrose Park, to Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Mass 9:30 a.m.. Int. Mt. Carmel Cem. In lieu of flowers, donations to help the family would be appreciated. Visitation Friday 3-9. Visit Robert’s memorial at carbonarafuneralhome.net or 708-343-6161

Thursday, April 9, 2015

WARRENSBURG — Larry Wright Barnett, 77, of Warrensburg, IL passed away Sunday April 5, 2015 at Decatur Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.

At Larry’s request, there will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, April 11th at Warrensburg Sportsmen’s Club from 1 to 4 p.m. Casual attire is suggested, St. Louis Cardinals or Missouri Tigers colors would be Larry’s preference. Private graveside services will be in Boling Springs Cemetery, Decatur IL. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, is assisting the family.

Larry was born August 16, 1937 in Hindsboro, IL, the son of Bennie and Vera (Wright) Barnett. After graduating from Virginia H.S. class of 1955, Larry continued his education graduating from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1959. Larry married Jennifer Suzanne Ross in 1995 in Reno Nevada.

Larry retired from Adolf Meyer Center in 1988. He retired from St. Mary’s Hospital in 2003. Throughout his career, Larry continued to provide help whenever needed in multiple hospital (and occasional retail) pharmacy’s in central Illinois including Pana Community Hospital, Shelby Memorial Hospital, John Warner Hospital. He was an active member of the Illinois Pharmaceutical Association, The Illinois Harness Horsemen Association, Warrensburg Sportsmen’s Club, and Da’ Burg “Liars Club.”

Larry was a passionate sports fan. He enjoyed watching the season change, from basketball to baseball to football. He was a diehard St. Louis Cardinal and Missouri Tigers fan. Locally, he truly enjoyed attending sporting events especially the Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals, however, his St. Teresa Bulldogs could do no wrong. Larry loved the time he spent coaching for St. Teresa boys’ and girls’ basketball teams.

Larry’s absolute favorite sport was Harness Racing. Following in his fathers’ footsteps he was a respected competitor within the horseracing community. He owned, trained, and raised standard bred racehorses with exceptional skill and patience.

Most amazing is Larry’s network of family, friends, and loved ones. From attending spring training for the St. Louis Cardinals in Florida, to vacationing in Alaska, Larry always managed to come across an old friend or acquaintance. But, no matter how far he traveled, he always looked forward to returning home to the gang of local rednecks, farmers and tall tale tellers.

Larry is survived by his wife, Jennifer of Warrensburg, IL; children Bryan Barnett of Tampa, FL., Derek Schrishuhn of Decatur, Chris (Sarah) Schrishuhn of Decatur, Brittany (Chris) Wentworth of Warrensburg, IL., grandchildren Lillian of Calhan, CO., Avery (‘Lil A) and Aspen of Warrensburg, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to express their most sincere gratitude to Dr. Kumar, Dr. Liu, Dr. Minnaganti, and Dr. Hasnain and the nurses from ICU Cari and Sara and from CVU, Rebecca and Sarah. Sarah, we cannot say enough of what your compassion, dedication, and honesty means to our family.

Memorials may be made to St Teresa High School, or the Warrensburg Volunteer Fire Department.

Condolences may be left to the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home at www.brintlingerandearl.com

Monday, February 23, 2015

Mitch Wayne Finn, 33, of Greenup, IL and formerly of Newton, IL passed away on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 5:01 p.m., at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 25th at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton with Pastor Stephen Willis in charge of services. Burial will follow in the Aten Cemetery, Hidalgo, IL. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday. In loving memory of Mitch, memorials may be made to the Finn family for his children’s scholarship fund. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.

Mitch was born on June 5, 1981 in Toledo, the son of Eddie W. Finn and Vicki L. Miller Finn. Mitch taught Jr. High Math in the Oakland school system and was a member of the Illinois Teachers Association, N.E.A. and U.S.T.A. (United States Trotting Association). He married Lyndsey Lewis on June 12, 2010, and she survives. Also surviving are his parents; his son, Mason Wayne Finn; his daughter, Kallie Grace Finn; his brother Clinton and his friend Raeonna of Toledo, IL; his sister, Shelley and her husband Brandon Williams of Rosedale, IN; his paternal grandfather, Ed Finn of Hidalgo; his maternal grandparents, James and Mart Miller of Monee, IL; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Mitch was preceded in death by his brother Eddie Wayne Finn, Jr.; his paternal grandmother, Minnie Belle Finn; his cousin Danny Finn, Jr.; and his aunt, Cheryl Hendrickson.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Ronnie Dale Guhy, 65, of Wickliffe, Ky., died Jan. 16, 2015, in LaCenter, Ky.

Mr. Guhy was born Oct. 21, 1949, in Mayfield, Ky. He spent a lifetime in the harness racing industry. Although in recent years he mainly competed in Illinois and Kentucky, he raced successfully at tracks throughout the country. Over the years, horses from his stables could be found decked out in red and winning at venues from county fairs to major stakes at the pari-mutuel racetracks.

Mr. Guhy drove his last race on Sept. 11, 2014, at Hoosier Park in Indiana. He won 654 races and amassed $1,389,272 in purse earnings. In recent years, he was one of the top drivers on the Kentucky Fair Circuit each season.

Known for his quiet disposition and patience, he could be credited with giving many horses their early lessons on the track. Many of those horses went on to become quality racehorses around the country and in Canada after graduating from the Kentucky events.

On the training side, he sent 171 winners to the track, earning $1,489,791 in purses. Always carrying a decent training percentage, Mr. Guhy was the private trainer for Clyde Stevens of LaCenter, Ky., for a number of years.

An auto dealership owner, the Stevens owned horses bore the “Chevie” brand in their name. Some of the duo’s top performers were Chevie Cash p,2,1:50.4 ($265,078), Chevie Nitrous p,3,1:52.4 ($116,852) and former 2-year-old world champion Chevie Duramax p,2,1:50.3 ($116,342).

Mr. Guhy was a devoted uncle to his nieces and nephews. His passion for harness racing was passed on to his nephew, Bobby Brower, who is a successful trainer based in Indiana.

He is survived by his sisters, Debra Hoskins and Emma Franklin; and his brother, Gary. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Thelma Tharp Guhy; sisters, Betty Brower, Linda Bobbett, Janet Burgess and Brenda Tucker; and brothers, Claude Jr. and Glendle.

A memorial service will be held at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Wickliffe on Wednesday (Jan. 21) at 1 p.m. Friends may call at the funeral home after 12 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronnie Guhy Memorial Fund, c/o Burlin Brower, 2396 Stone Corner Rd., Kevil, KY 42053.

You may leave a message, light a candle, or share a song tribute for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.