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
