Monthly Archives

April 2014

Charles H Baker, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Charles H. Baker, 79, of Ottawa, died on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 28, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with the Rev. David Kipfer, Pastor of St. Columba Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Charlie was born on September 28, 1934 in Ottawa, to Everett and Helen (Briel) Baker. He was a graduate of Marquette High School, and served in the U. S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He married Elaine Leslie on November 1, 1997. Charles worked for Illinois Bell, AT&T and Lucent. He also owned his own company, Ameri-Tel. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Charles is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Mildred Totel 1915-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Mildred Totel, 98, formerly of Ottawa, passed away to her heavenly home on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur. She has been a resident on the long term care facilities of the hospital for the past five years in order to be near her son, Dr. Greg Totel.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday April 17, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Phil Nybroten, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday April 16, at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Mrs. Totel was born on September 9, 1915 on a farm near Utica, to Nels and Alice (Friestad) Nelson. She attended Ottawa High School. In 1934 she married Daniel T. Totel. Mrs. Totel was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and a volunteer at Pleasant View for over 25 years. Having had a long and full life, she has left a legacy of quiet dignity and inner strength. She loved the Lord and her family, and she could still quote her favorite Bible verse (Proverbs 3:5-6) in spite of her dementia. She will be greatly missed.

Mildred is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Leona M Sorenson 1925-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Leona M. Sorenson, 88, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Salvation Army Worship Center in Ottawa with Captain Quentin Boyle officiating.  Private interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the Salvation Army Worship Center in Ottawa.  Pallbearers will be Melvin, Ron, Duane, Mike and Greg Sorenson and Michael “Mickey” Marshall.  Honorary pallbearer will be Jerry Sorenson.  Gladfelter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Leona was born May 24, 1925 in Utica, Illinois, the daughter of Herman and Ruth (Hamlin) Sibert.  She married Melvin J. Sorenson February 14, 1942 in Palmyra, Missouri.  He preceded her in death November 19, 1990.  Leona is survived by her children, Melvin “Junior” Sorenson and Jerry (Karen) Sorenson all of Ottawa, Janet (Kenny) Sorenson Reger of Mendota, Ron (Kathy) Sorenson of Streator, and Duane (Deb) Sorenson, Mike Sorenson, and Greg (Spring) Sorenson, all of Ottawa.  Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren, and one step great great granddaughter.  She also leaves a brother in-law, Chuck Droston, of Streator and a son in-law, Michael “Mickey” Marshall, of Ottawa.  She was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Marshall.

Leona was a member of the Salvation Army Home League and a volunteer for the Salvation Army.  She had an uncanny knack for bringing dead flowers back to life!  In her spare time she enjoyed working word search puzzles, knitting, crocheting, and quilting.  Her most cherished moments were those spent with her grandchildren and the family dogs.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a charity to be designated at a later date.

Leona is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

 

 

Mary M. Girard 1938-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Mary M. Gerard, 76, of Sandwich, Illinois passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at her home in Sandwich. She was born January 8, 1938 in Ottawa, IL the daughter of Arnold and Lucille (Harold) Whitecotton. She was a member of Sandwich Moose Lodge. She loved her Ma’s Little Bakery and Brenda’s Basket. Mary was an avid Bears fan and enjoyed fishing. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter Brenda (Joe) Walz of Leland, IL, two sons, James (Jean) Gerard of Mendota, IL and Billy (Tina) Gerard of Spring Valley, IL; eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren; three sisters, Shirley Roach of Cleburne, TX, Beverly Malkey and Linda (Alex) Nagy both of Earlville, IL; two brothers, Ralph (Audrey) Whitecotton of Plano, IL and Richard Whitecotton of Tonica, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Robert W. Gerard, one sister, Roberta Whitecotton, three brothers, Robert, Bill and Jack Whitecotton.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, April 6, 2014 at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk, IL, with Father Andrew C. Hougan officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2014 in the funeral home until the time of service at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 7, 2014 in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Memorials may be directed to the family. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com

Mary is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Christine J Tompkins 1947-2014 Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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Christine Jacobs Tompkins, age 66 of Laurinburg passed away on Friday, March 21, 2014 after a brief illness.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements are through Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Christine was born March 29, 1947 in Ottawa, precious daughter to Shirlee (Peterson) Jacobs and the late Abe Jacobs. She joined Pioneer Hi-Bred as an Administrative Assistant soon after moving to Laurinburg in 1987 and remained a dedicated employee until her sudden illness. Christine embraced every day with a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She truly cherished sharing time with family and friends. In addition to being a guardian angel to her aunt and mother, Christine frequently traveled to California and Florida to visit her daughters and grandsons.

Surviving are her husband, Ray Tompkins of their home in Laurinburg; daughters, Suzanne Tompkins and husband David Goetz of San Francisco, CA, Kalah Fanning and husband John Fanning of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; her mother, Shirlee P. Jacobs of Laurinburg; brothers, Ronald Jacobs of Phoenix, AZ and Robert Jacobs of Grand Junction, CO; her grandchildren, John Fanning, Ryan Fanning and Charlie Goetz.

Christine is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Richard McKnight 1937-2014 Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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Richard McKnight, 76, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10:00 to 12:00 noon Saturday, April 5, 2014 prior to services at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Richard was born June 19, 1937 in Ottawa, Illinois to James McKnight and Mildred (Harte) Lyle. He married Janet Heather February 1, 1958 in Ottawa; she passed away April 22, 2003.

In April 1957 he joined Laborers Local #911 in Ottawa. He was a member of and worked through Labors’ International Union of North America Local #393. He received recognition for 50 years of continuous membership in 2007. After retiring he did small engine repair work on lawnmowers and snow blowers for friends and family. He never found a motor he couldn’t fix. The only pay he wanted was some good friendly conversation over an Old Style.

He is survived by two children, Debbie (Mike Zachary) McKnight, Randy (Wendee) Kavinsky; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Penney Yedinak and Phyllis (David) Olle; and one brother-in-law, Richard (Cheryl) Hertzner.

Richard is laid to rest in the Garden of  Devotion.

Sandra L McEmery 1937-2014 Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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Sandra L. McEmery, 77, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, March 30, 2014 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, April 3, 2014 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm prior to services at Ottawa Funeral Home. Cremation rites will be accorded. She will be inurned at Oakwood Memorial Park Shrine of Rest Mausoleum. 

Mrs. McEmery was born March 14, 1937 in Piatt County, Illinois to Lester Thomas and Helen Marie (Browning) Fleming.

She worked several places over the years, the old Ryburn King Hospital, Western Electric, Silverfrost Drive in, and Borg Warner Echlin for sixteen years. She was a member of AARP, Retired State Employee’s Association, AFSCME, and USBC for twenty years. She bowled at Dettore’s West holding the offices of President and Vice President of her league along with being the caption of her team.

She is survived by one son, John Martin (Angie) Womack; one daughter, Linda Marie (Rick) Harrison both of Ottawa; two step-sons, Kary (Leesa) McEmery and Michael (Dawn) McEmery of Marseilles; one step-daughter-in-law, Becky McEmery of Marseilles; three step-daughters, Kathy (Roi) Delegarza, Karen (Ron) Lieteritz and Krista (Mike) Casey; four grandchildren, Thomas (Stacy) Tucker, Jennifer (Aaron) Reding, Pamela (Daniel) Rogers, and Concetta Sandra Womack; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Zanna Walcker, Patricia Riewaldt, Connie (Randy) Baxter of Springfield; two brothers, Lester W. (Barb) Fleming of Dayton and Robert (Janis) Fleming of Marseilles; a sister-in-law, Joanne Fleming of Utica, and several step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

Sandra is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum Sanctuary of Seasons.

Wade C Bland 1965-2014 Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Wade C. Bland, 48, of Marseilles, passed away Monday, March 31, 2014 at his home.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 3 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Marseilles with Rev. Kris Zierke officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

He was born September 17, 1965 in Ottawa to Edwin “Brent” and Patricia (Kennedy) Bland. In 1999, he married Suzanne Repko of Grand Ridge.

Wade was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a proud member of Operating Engineers Local 150. He loved playing softball and watching his daughters play softball.

Wade is survived by his wife, Suzanne; two daughters, Eleanor and Addison; his parents, Brent and Pat Bland of Marseilles; two brothers, Steve (Stefani) of Seneca and Doug of Missouri; and his faithful buddy, Brady Boy.

Wade is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.