July 2014

Lois Elaine (Pullen) Cechowicz, 87, of Ottawa, died on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Friday July 18, 2014 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Michael Adrie, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with liturgical prayers at 4:45 p.m.

Lois was born on March 10, 1927 in Chicago to Edward and Alice (Hanson) Pullen. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School, class of 1945. She was vice president of Emerick and Mason from 1962 to 1979 and vice president/cashier at First National Bank from 1980 to 1995. She married Robert E. Cechowicz on June 21, 1945 in Benton Harbor, MI. Lois was a member of St. Columba Church, Chicago Conservatory of Music, den mother, AKC member, dog training club and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce. She enjoyed dog training, singing, fashion design and was a sports boosters to her children. Lois greatly loved her grandchildren.

Lois is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Nora Kay (Stehl) Hawk , 67, of Grand Ridge passed away Friday evening, July 11, 2014, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Gladfelter Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, July 15, at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Dan Mason, Tim Turnipseed, Todd Stehl, Larry Johnson, Kevin Naughton, Marty McConville, Louie Saggione III, Patrick Bray, and Bruce Brown.

Nora was born October 29, 1946 in Ottawa, the daughter of Fred (Lloyd) and Lorena Mae (Weygandt) Stehl.  She was previously married to Tom Hawk who preceded her in death.  She is survived by her beloved companion, Gary Naughton, of Grand Ridge; her children, Tonna Jo (Tom) Whitecotton of Sheridan and Thomas R. (Mandy) Hawk of Earlville; one sister, Judith (Tim) Mefford of Rockwall, TX; two brothers, Fred (Ellen) Stehl II of Tacoma, WA and Keith (Susie) Stehl of Ottawa; two grandchildren, Karlee Jo Osborne and Jess Thomas Hawk; and a sister in love, Linda Jones of Utica; as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and one son in infancy, Jesse Andrew Hawk.

Nora attended Norway United Methodist Church.  She was the owner of The Mane Event Hair Salon in Morris for 25 years.  She enjoyed traveling with Gary to the USTPA Team Penning events.  She loved her family and cherished those times spent with her grandchildren.  Nora had a great sense of humor and was the life of the party with her quick wit.  She was also known for her great story telling ability.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Nora is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Bertha D. “Birdie” Murry, 88, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral Services will be at Noon on Thursday July 10, 2014 at the Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the services at noon. Burial will be later at Oakwood Memorial Park. 

Bertha was born September 9, 1925 in Ottawa, Illinois to Alfred and Mary (Connors) Halterman. She married Pearce Murry on June 21, 1974 in Ottawa.

She was a member of St. Columba Church.

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

Elizabeth “Betty” Brimhall, 95, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at her home.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 11, 2014 from 10:30am to 12:30pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 1:00pm at St. Patrick’s Church with Fr. Tony Fevlo officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Betty was born April 29, 1919 in Louisville, KY to Frank and Ida (Wells) Figg. She married Lawrence (Larry) Weidig on June 8, 1940 in Indiana and he passed away December 3, 1980. She then married Robert Brimhall on October 20, 1984 and he passed away December 31, 2006.

In addition to raising her family, she and Larry owned and operated Weidig’s Grocery Store on the corner of Chestnut Street and Norris Drive. Betty then worked at Sears, Ottawa Medical Center and lastly as a dispatcher for the Ottawa police department. Betty was a avid bowler and an inductee into the Ottawa Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame. Betty was a 73 year member of Catholic Daughters of America. Betty enjoyed traveling, family gatherings and watching the Cubs.

Betty is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Norton Stephenson, 89, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2014 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Norton’s wishes were to be cremated and have private family graveside services.

Norton was born September 4, 1924 in Lenox, Iowa to Norton and Gladys (May) Stephenson. He married Ione Reynolds on June 1, 1946 in Ottawa, Illinois; she passed away June 9, 2007.

He proudly served in the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne Division in the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign; earning the rank of 1st Sergeant. He was awarded several medals including the Silver Star. He was a member of American Legion.

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

Joseph, age 70, of Ottawa died Wednesday morning at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Private burial service will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Arrangements are through the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Joey was born August 28, 1943 in the Ottawa Hospital to Joseph and Dorothy (Keay) Myre. He served in the US Army Reserves from 1965 to 1970. Smokin Joe was a District Seed Sales Manager for many years. He enjoyed people and many hobbies including boating, water skiing, musky fishing, and was an avid coin collector. Joe married Elena Norkute on January 22, 2002

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

Mabel J. (Peck) Jackson, 96, of Ottawa, died on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with the Rev. Mark Geisler, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the services on Saturday.

Mabel was born on April 5, 1918 in Farm Ridge Township, to Fred and Bessie (Griffith) Peck. She worked as a nurse at Ryburn King Hospital for a number of years. Mabel married John Evans Jackson on June 26, 1942 at St. Andrews Church in Farm Ridge Township. She was a member of St. Andrews in the Fields Chapel, where she served as the organist for over 25 years. Mabel was also a member of St. Andrews Ladies Guild, American Legion Auxiliary, and Mary E. Chapter O.E.S.

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

Amos R. Finkle

March 2, 1919 – July 4, 2014

Amos Finkle, 95, of Ottawa passed away Friday, July 4, 2014 at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Amos is buried in Oakwood Memorial Park in the Garden of Hymns.

Esther Vignali, age 93, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Evenglow Health Center in Pontiac.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor William Chormann officiating.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Chris, Georgie, and David Centko, and Philip and Amber Briddick.

Esther was born December 11, 1920 in Ottawa, the daughter of William and Katherine Louise (Mohr) Fuchs.  She married Ralph Miller on May 25, 1946.  He preceded her in death October 25, 1967.  She then married Dominic Vignali on August 16, 1972.  He preceded her in death December 25, 2004.  Surviving are her children, Carol (Charles) Hayson of La Salle and Donna (Kent) Briddick of Streator; four grandchildren; five step grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Elmer G. Fox, Herbert Fuchs, and Edward Fox; and three sisters, Edna Hagedorn, Helen Davis, and Harriet Scheifele.

Esther was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ottawa.  She enjoyed gardening, going to plays, playing Bingo and she loved to Polka.  She was active in AARP tours and enjoyed worldwide travel.  Other pastimes included fishing and watching the barges at Allen Park.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ottawa or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Esther is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Shirley M. Meyers, 77 of Streator passed away Friday morning (June 27th) at Heritage Health, Streator.
Visitation will be held Monday from 4 – 7 PM at the Winterrowd Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 AM at the funeral home with Pastor John Gutz officiating.  Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Ottawa.  Serving as pallbearers will be sons, Sam and Paul Meyers, daughter Yvonne Meyers and grandsons Buddy Ahlstrom, Luke Meyers, and Philip Meyers.
Shirley was born on August 27, 1936 in Lostant to Samuel and Edith (Hartzell) Stehl. She married Albert Meyers on August 11, 1956; he survives.
Also surviving are Yvonne Meyers of Streator, Sam (Rosie) Meyers, Indianapolis, IN, Kay Meyers of Streator, Paul (Jacqleene) Meyers of Minonk, grandchildren Janette and Lynette Washington, Buddy Ahlstrom, Philip Meyers, and Luke, Rebekah, Hannah, Leah, and Abigail Meyers.
Shirley taught guitar for many years and was a member of the former Illinois Guitar League.
She graduated from Hopkins High School in Granville, IL in 1954 and L.P.O. Junior College “IVCC” and was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Streator.

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