Velma (Christian County, IL)

Notable Births & Deaths for Velma ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Velma. Please note that while we are collecting data on an ongoing basis, it's a big task and it's unlikely that our list will ever be more than a sample.

Ollie Josephine Prescott Baird Bennett (Medical pioneer)
- She was born in Decatur (IL) on March 27, 1874 (a Friday) and died in Alexandria (VA) on February 4, 1957 (a Monday).
- Decatur is located in Macon County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Alexandria is located in , Virginia.
- At the time of her death, she was 82.
- She is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, which is located in Arlington County, Virginia.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Ollie Josephine Prescott Baird Bennett<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Arlington National Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Arlington National Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Arlington National Cemetery
William H. Clothier (Cinematographer)
- He was born in Decatur (IL) on February 21, 1903 (a Saturday) and died in North Hollywood (CA) on January 7, 1996 (a Sunday).
- Decatur is located in Macon County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- North Hollywood is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 92.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for William H. Clothier<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills
Edwin Lemar 'Buddy' Cole (Composer, musician, actor)
- He was born in Irving (IL) on December 15, 1916 (a Friday) and died in Hollywood (CA) on November 5, 1964 (a Thursday).
- Irving is located in Montgomery County and is 23 miles [37 km] to the southwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Hollywood is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 47.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Edwin Lemar 'Buddy' Cole<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills
Chuck Dressen (Major League Baseball, manager)
- Full name: Charles Walter Dressen
- He was born in Decatur (IL) on September 20, 1898 (a Tuesday) and died in Detroit (MI) on August 10, 1966 (a Wednesday).
- Decatur is located in Macon County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Detroit is located in Wayne County, Michigan.
- At the time of his death, he was 67.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Chuck Dressen<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
Helen Ferguson (Actress)
- She was born in Decatur (IL) on July 23, 1901 (a Tuesday) and died in Clearwater (FL) on March 14, 1977 (a Monday).
- Decatur is located in Macon County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Clearwater is located in Pinellas County, Florida.
- At the time of her death, she was 75.
- She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Helen Ferguson<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
Geraldine Hall (Actress)
- She was born in Springfield (IL) on January 31, 1905 (a Tuesday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on September 18, 1970 (a Friday).
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of her death, she was 65.
- She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Geraldine Hall<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills
Eliza Poor Donner Houghton (Author)
- She was born in Springfield (IL) on March 8, 1843 (a Wednesday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on February 19, 1922 (a Sunday).
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of her death, she was 78.
- She is buried at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Eliza Poor Donner Houghton<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Angelus Rosedale Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Angelus Rosedale Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Angelus Rosedale Cemetery
Theodore A. 'Ted' Lapka (Professional football)
- He was born in Hawthorne Place (IL) on April 20, 1920 (a Tuesday) and died in Naperville (IL) on December 1, 2011 (a Thursday).
- Hawthorne Place is located in Sangamon County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Naperville is located in DuPage County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 91.
- He is buried at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Theodore A. 'Ted' Lapka<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Resurrection Catholic Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Resurrection Catholic Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Resurrection Catholic Cemetery
Emil 'Dutch' Leonard (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Auburn (IL) on March 25, 1909 (a Thursday) and died in Springfield (IL) on April 17, 1983 (a Sunday).
- Auburn is located in Sangamon County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- At the time of his death, he was 74.
- He is buried at Auburn Cemetery, located 27 miles [43.5 km] to the west of Velma. The cemetery is located in Sangamon County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Emil 'Dutch' Leonard<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Auburn Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Auburn Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Auburn Cemetery
Mary Lincoln (Wife and First Lady to the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln (1861 - 1865))
- Born: Mary Ann Todd
- She was born in Lexington (KY) on December 13, 1818 (a Sunday) and died in Springfield (IL) on July 16, 1882 (a Sunday).
- Lexington is located in Fayette County, Kentucky.
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- At the time of her death, she was 63.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Mary Lincoln<1>
Lindsay Vachel Lindsay (Poet)
- He was born in Springfield (IL) on November 10, 1879 (a Monday) and died in Springfield (IL) on December 5, 1931 (a Saturday).
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- At the time of his death, he was 52.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Lindsay Vachel Lindsay<1>
Al Papai (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Divernon (IL) on May 7, 1917 (a Monday) and died in Springfield (IL) on September 7, 1995 (a Thursday).
- Divernon is located in Sangamon County and is 22 miles [35.4 km] to the west of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- At the time of his death, he was 78.
- He is buried at Brush Creek Cemetery, located 23 miles [37 km] to the west of Velma. The cemetery is located in Sangamon County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Al Papai<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Brush Creek Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Brush Creek Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Brush Creek Cemetery
Richard Peck (Author)
- He was born in Decatur (IL) on April 5, 1934 (a Thursday) and died in New York (NY) on May 23, 2018 (a Wednesday).
- Decatur is located in Macon County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- New York is located in Kings County, New York.
- At the time of his death, he was 84.
- He is buried at Graceland Cemetery, located 27 miles [43.5 km] to the north northeast of Velma. The cemetery is located in Macon County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Richard Peck<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Graceland Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Graceland Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Graceland Cemetery
William G. 'Billy' Rogell (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Springfield (IL) on November 24, 1904 (a Thursday) and died in Sterling Heights (MI) on August 9, 2003 (a Saturday).
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Sterling Heights is located in Macomb County, Michigan.
- At the time of his death, he was 98.
- He is buried at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, which is located in Oakland County, Michigan.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for William G. 'Billy' Rogell<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery
Dwain Clifford 'Lefty' Sloat (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Nokomis (IL) on December 1, 1918 (a Sunday) and died in Saint Paul (MN) on April 18, 2003 (a Friday).
- Nokomis is located in Montgomery County and is 15 miles [24.1 km] to the south of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Saint Paul is located in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
- At the time of his death, he was 84.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Dwain Clifford 'Lefty' Sloat<1>
Benjamin Platt Thomas (Historian, author)
- He was born in Pemberton (NJ) on February 22, 1902 (a Saturday) and died in Springfield (IL) on November 29, 1956 (a Thursday).
- Pemberton is located in Burlington County, New Jersey.
- Springfield is located in Sangamon County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- At the time of his death, he was 54.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Benjamin Platt Thomas<1>
Tex Williams (Actor, singer, songwriter)
- Born: Sollie Paul Williams
- He was born in Ramsey (IL) on August 23, 1917 (a Thursday) and died in Newhall (CA) on October 11, 1985 (a Friday).
- Ramsey is located in Fayette County and is 26 miles [41.8 km] to the south of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Newhall is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 68.
- He is buried at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Tex Williams<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Eternal Valley Memorial Park
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Eternal Valley Memorial Park (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Eternal Valley Memorial Park
Arthur Earl 'Dutch' Wilson (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Macon (IL) on December 11, 1885 (a Friday) and died in Chicago (IL) on June 12, 1960 (a Sunday).
- Macon is located in Macon County and is 18 miles [29 km] to the northeast of Velma (which is located in Christian County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 74.
- He is buried at Graceland Cemetery, located 27 miles [43.5 km] to the north northeast of Velma. The cemetery is located in Macon County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Arthur Earl 'Dutch' Wilson<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Graceland Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Graceland Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Velma to Graceland Cemetery

Footnotes ...

<1>	The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.