In re Estate of Frederick

── In re Estate of Frederick ── Court: Appellate Court of Illinois Date: April 14, 2026 Category: General 2026 IL App (4th) 250638-U NOTICE FILED This Order was filed under April 13, 2026 Supreme Court Rule 23 and is NO. 4-25-0638 Carla Bender not precedent except in the 4th District Appellate limited circumstances allowed IN THE APPELLATE COURT under Rule 23(e)(1). Court, IL OF ILLINOIS FOURTH DISTRICT In re ESTATE OF FREDERICK STEGALL, ) Appeal from the Deceased, ) Circuit Court of ) Knox County (F&M Bank, Galesburg Rifle Club, an Illinois Not-for- ) No. 21MR21 Profit, and The Catholic Diocese of Peoria, an Illinois ) Religious Corporation, ) Plaintiffs-Appellees, ) v. ) Tonny J. Williamson and Penny J. ) Honorable Williamson, ) Curtis S. Lane, Defendants-Appellants). ) Judge Presiding. JUSTICE KNECHT delivered the judgment of the court. Justices Doherty and Cavanagh concurred in the judgment. ORDER ¶1 Held: The appellate court affirmed the trial court’s entry of judgment against defendants, holding: (1) the court had personal and subject-matter jurisdiction; (2) defendants forfeited multiple issues; (3) plaintiffs were properly allowed to file a third amended complaint; (4) the court properly denied defendants’ motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict; (5) the jury’s punitive damage award was proper and not excessive; (6) the court did not err in instructing the jury; (7) the court properly denied motions to substitute judge, and the record does not establish bias against defendants; (8) the court properly excluded evidence of a settlement offer; (9) the court properly denied defendants’ motion for a mistrial; and (10) the court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Frederick Stegall’s July 6, 2020, will into evidence. ¶2 In 2019, decedent, Frederick Stegall, had a will devising his property to plaintiffs, the Galesburg Rifle Club (Rifle Club) and the Catholic Diocese of Peoria (Diocese). In June and early July 2020, defendants, Tonny J. Williamson and Penny J. Williamson, took Stegall to visit multiple attorneys. During that time, Stegall executed a healthcare power of attorney in favor of Penny, a power of attorney for property in favor of Tonny, an irrevocable trust over Stegall’s real property naming defendants as trustees and beneficiaries, and a pour-over will devising any remaining property to the trust (collectively, the trust documents). A deed placing Stegall’s real estate in the trust was also prepared but was not recorded at that time. ¶3 On July 6, 2020, friends and family members of Stegall, who were unaware of the trust documents and deed, but who believed Stegall might have been influenced to sign documents that did not reflect his intent, took Stegall to an attorney, James Blake, and a new power of attorney was signed in favor of Stegall’s friend and neighbor, John Hess