LaVerne Alma Seward, 89 of Champaign formerly of Chatsworth, died at 2:10 p.m. Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the Carle Arbours Nursing Home, Savoy.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 15, 2008 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana, the Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Seward was born on December 1, 1919 in Chicago, the daughter of Roy and Esther Van Valkenburg Hoffman. She married Frank Seward on July 31, 1948 in Argo; he died on April 7, 1999.

Survivors include two sons; Bruce (Robyn) Seward of Mahomet and LeRoy (Diane) Neitzel of Fisher, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.

Mrs. Seward was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Urbana, the Eastern Star, and RSVP. She was a pen pal for grade schools. She loved her cat Sunshine and enjoyed cooking, gardening and was a Chicago White Sox fan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society or to an organization of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.