Central Illinois

Colonel Albert "Matt" Hutmacher of 2030 SE Wilmar Drive, Quincy, died June 27, 2017, at the age of 76. He was born December 21, 1940 in Quincy, a son to Paul and Evelyn (Hollenstine) Hutmacher. He married Mary Heidbreder on December 29, 1967. They were blessed with two children, Matthew and Gretchen, whom Matt was very proud of. 

Matt was a 1958 graduate of Quincy Notre Dame, attended Quincy University from 1958 to 1960, a 1962 graduate with honors of St. Louis University, and he received a J.D. from Northwestern University in 1965. He valued his education and was most fond of his time at SLU. 

Matt served in the United States Army and Illinois Army National Guard. During the Vietnam War, he served 19 months in the United States and South Vietnam. He was stationed at Long Binh and Saigon with the 1st Signal Brigade and subsequently with the 126th Supply & Service Company (DS) National Guard Company at Chu Lai. Matt retired as Colonel after 26 years of service. In the spring of 2016, with his secretary as his Guardian, the 126th (also known as "The Hallmark Unit") traveled together on the Great River Honor Flight. 

Clyde B. “Sandy” Hendricks, known by his family and friends as “Butch”, 65, of Peoria, IL, passed away on June 15, at home in Peoria. He was born on June 22, 1951, in Peoria, IL, to Clyde and Sarah Hendricks.

Sandy loved spending time with his fiancée and her family, particularly having a special soft spot for the grandkids. He also adored his three canine companions. He will also be missed by his law office family.

A proud Peorian, Sandy was a Peoria Central High School and Illinois Central College graduate, going on to graduate from Bradley University in 1976 and later earn his juris doctor from the University of Illinois in 1992. An attorney in private practice, Sandy most recently served as counsel for Trademark Title Services, LLC in Peoria. Prior to that, he was employed as Central Illinois regional counsel for First American Title Insurance Company, and also worked for 12 years at the Peoria County Supervisor of Assessments where he received the distinction of “Certified Illinois Assessing Official”. In his early years, Sandy worked as a radio disc jockey.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving during the Vietnam War.

The Honorable Max B. Stewart, 95, of Galesburg, formerly of Hamilton, died at 7:54 a.m. Friday, June 9, 2017 in Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

He was born Aug. 31, 1921, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Robert and Mildred (Foelker) Stewart. He married Dolores R. Dulak in December 1946, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She preceded him in death in October 1983. He later married Martha Schrage Kirchner on May 18, 1985, in Carthage. She preceded him in death April 2, 2013.

Max graduated from Hamilton High School in 1939 and from Carthage College in 1943. In 1941, typical of his generation, he answered the call to service and enlisted in the United States Navy following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His enlistment was deferred until his graduation from college, at which time he was commissioned an officer. He served until being discharged in 1946. He served with the Amphibious Navy as a skipper on flat bottomed vessels. He and his crew navigated the Pacific Ocean, some 6,000 miles, from Hawaii to Okinawa, Japan.

After the war, he attended Case Western Reserve Law School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1948. He returned to Illinois and practiced law in Hancock County. He was elected State's Attorney in 1956. He was a career prosecutor until being elected a Circuit Judge in 1974. In 1981, he was elected Chief Judge of the Circuit. He served until retiring in 1988.

Ross Erskine Canterbury, 75, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by his family, at 7:07 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

Born on February 24, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to Dr. John Ross Canterbury, M.D., and Audrey Bunting Canterbury, the family moved to Peoria, where Ross attended Whittier Grade School and Peoria High School. Ross attended college at Yale University, where he was President of Zeta Psi fraternity and graduated with honors. He then continued his education at Yale Law School, where he was active in Scroll and Key, as well as many volunteer roles.

Upon graduation from law school, Ross commenced practice with the Chicago law firm of Isham, Lincoln and Beale. Thereafter, he became a partner in the Peoria firm of Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll and Keller, where he practiced for 45 years. He concentrated his practice in labor relations and employment law, where he was a respected confidant and advisor to many businesses, municipalities and corporations, including Caterpillar.

Ross generously gave of his time in his specialized field as a lecturer. For many years, he was rated as a preeminent attorney by Martindale Hubbell, the highest classification by America's most respected evaluator of attorneys. As an AV-rated attorney, he was recognized as having both the highest professional integrity and ability in his profession.