Fredrick Porzelius had family members in Bluffton
Fredrick J. Porzelius, 81, of Chenoa, Ill., died at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, at his residence.
He was born on May 24, 1933, in Secor, Ill., a son of Walter and Catherine Boeringa Porzelius. He married Marilyn Frobish on July 24, 1954, at the Salem Mennonite Church in rural Gridley. She survives.
Bluffton residents, who are survivors are his daughter, Janet (Tim) Schumacher and their children, Hannah, Isaac, Lily, Joseph and Levi.
Ernie Porzelius of Bluffton, his brother, is also a survivor.
Also surviving is one daughter, Jane (Ron) Smaga of Bloomingdale, Ill., and their children, Nick Smaga (Dana Daniels); Jackie (Nate) Schroeder; Jim Smaga; and great granddaughter Zoey Schroeder;
Also surviving is a son, Tom (Kathy Peavler) Porzelius of Gridley, Ill., and their children, Kayla (Keith) Belzer; Aaron Porzelius; Juan Hernandez; and Noah Porzelius (Amy Kuebler); son Paul (Dorothy Orendorff) Porzelius and their children, Becky Maubach (Mike Burns); Brooke Evans, Paige and Staci Porzelius; Natalie and Ben Jenkins; and great grandchildren Ava Evans, Bailey Sollars, Kendall Jenkins, Mikkell Knock, Christian Clark.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mary Augspurger and Dorothy Becker.
He worked as a farmer. He served as a volunteer with the Civilian Public Service during the Korean War for two years. He also served with the Mennonite Relief Sale, Meadows Mennonite Home board, Gridley High School board, and the Mennonite Disaster Services.
He was a member of the Prairieview Mennonite Church in rural Gridley where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 15. Rev. Jane Roeschley will officiate.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday at the Prairieview Mennonite Family Life Center. Burial will be in Waldo Township Cemetery in rural Gridley. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso is handling arrangements for the family.
Memorials may be made to the Prairieview Mennonite Church, Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, or Advocate BroMenn Hospice. The family would like to thank Advocate BroMenn Hospice and Meadows Mennonite for their help and care.
Online condolences may be directed to his family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, May 22, 2025
- Allen C. Burkholder was a farmer
- Pirate baseball sectionals ticket information, May 24
- Are microplastics a potential risk for cardiovascular disease?
- 3 Pirates play at district tennis competition
- Put a little more Bluffton in the Icon: Anniversary announcements
- Students explore vocation through Summer Discovery Grants
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Monday, May 19, 2025
- James Michael Augsburger was a tool and die maker
- Summer Read program invites participants to Color Our World
- Trinity Lutheran graduation ceremonies on May 25
- Bluffton American Legion Post #382 invitation to 2025 Memorial Day activities
- Letter: Navigating Physician Shortages – What This Means to You