May 2014

Dorothy Mueller, 86, of Ottawa, died Thursday morning, May 1, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Arrangements are through the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Inurnment is at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum.

Dorothy was born on April 27, 1928, in Peru to Leo and Mabel Damm. She married John T. Mueller, on December 27, 1951, at St. Patrick Church in LaSalle. John died on April 20, 2002.

Dorothy is survived by two daughters, Nancy (Thomas) Schaefer, and Elizabeth “Liz” (Doug) Alms, one grandson, Andrew Schaefer.

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

Frankie C. Cross, 88, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 29, 2014 at La Salle County Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 3014 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Johnson of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.Frankie was born March 13, 1926 in Brevard, NC, the daughter of Samuel L. and Catherine (Lanning) Mason.  She married Bernard P. Cross July 7, 1946 at the First Presbyterian Parsonage in Ottawa.  He preceded her in death February 21, 1984.  Frankie is survived by her daughter, Cathy Ryg of Ottawa; two grandchildren, Christi Lockhart of Chicago and Megan Ryg of Coal City; and a nephew, Terry (Eleanore) Cross of Wagram, NC.  She was preceded in death by two brothers; four sisters, one of whom was Mamie Cross of Ottawa; and a nephew, Gerry Cross.Frankie was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Ottawa.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

Frankie is laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.

Geraldine L. “Jerri” Meade, age 91, of Ottawa, passed away 8:00 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2014 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center following a short illness.

Funeral services honoring her life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with the Reverend Charles Maney of the Spring Valley United Church of Christ officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Kim Holloway, Amy Stevenson, Leigh Ann Tedford, Tyler Hagenbuch, Travis Hagenbuch, Tahnee Hagenbuch, and Cullen Meade.

Jerri was born May 20, 1922 at Morris, Illinois, a daughter of Timothy and Ruth (Dean) Peterson.  She married Milan Meade at Ottawa in 1948.  He preceded her in death in March of 1985.  Jerri is survived by her children, Larry (Jackie) Stevenson of Cape Coral, Florida, Cyndi (Dave) Hagenbuch of Ottawa, and Mark (Margaret) Meade of Ridgeway, Wisconsin.  She also leaves grandchildren, Kim (Jeff) Holloway of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Amy Stevenson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Leigh Ann Tedford of Lowell, Arkansas, Tyler Hagenbuch of Washington, D.C., Travis Hagenbuch of Los Angeles, California, Tahnee Hagenbuch of Fairview Heights, Illinois and Cullen Meade of Phoenix, Arizona; and her great-grandchildren, Tucker and Alaska Holloway, and Jackson and Tracy Tedford.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Harold Peterson and a sister, Dorothy Hermann.

Geraldine was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Ottawa.  She had been employed as a dental assistant at the office of Dr. Otto Lynn Miller.  Jerri belonged to various Bridge Clubs.  She enjoyed playing golf and tennis until she was well into her 80’s.  Jerri LOVED to dance and eagerly looked forward to watching Dancing with the Stars each week.  She was also an avid Bulls fan.  Jerri had a particular affection for animals, especially dogs.  She was known since childhood to bring home stray dogs and find loving homes for them.  Jerri’s most valued time was that spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to Pet Project or to a charity of the donor’s choice

Jerri is laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.

Donald Holcomb, 72, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Friday, April 25, 2014 at St. Francis Medical Center.

Funeral Ceremony will be held at 12:00 noon Thursday, May 1, 2014 at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Dave Davies and Pastor Emanuel Gonzalez of Christ Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 pm with Masonic services at 7:00 pm Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home. He will also have a visitation Thursday prior to services from 11:00 to 12:00 at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Donald was born July 24, 1941 in Morris, Illinois to Joel and Francis (Slone) Holcomb. He married Blanca Jimenez/Ramires June 24, 2000 at First United Methodist Church.

Don is laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.

Phillip Ahearn, 53, of Grand Ridge, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at University of Chicago Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at St. Columba Church with Rev. Daniel Wilder officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home. He will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Phillip was born August 26, 1960 in Ottawa, Illinois to Murry and Elsie (Hoffman) Ahearn. He married Beverly Flores on May 4, 2004 in Cebu, Philippines.

He was a member of St. Columba Church, Streator Knights of Columbus, and a Board member for the Village of Grand Ridge. Phil graduated from Grand Ridge Grade School, Ottawa Township High School and Rockford Business College. He was the owner of Ahearn Realty and Auctioneering. He previously worked for a variety of local radio and television stations as a salesman. He was the past owner of Phil’s Mailboxes in Streator. He served as a charter member of the Grand Ridge Jaycee’s. He also coached many Little League teams and umpired area baseball games after attending the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in Florida. Most recently, Phil enjoyed traveling with his family. His fun loving smile and joyful laugh will always be remembered.

Phillip is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.