August 2014

Howard Jameson, 91, of Ottawa, former President of the First National Bank of Ottawa, died Saturday night, August 16, at the Ottawa Pavilion. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Garry Briesacher, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa where veterans will fold and present the flag. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Mueller Funeral Home.

Howard was born on November 2, 1922, in Ottawa, to Merton and Lottie Grace (Rygh) Jameson. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, and the University of Wisconsin School of Banking. He was a Corporal in U. S. Marine Corps and a Veteran of WWII, serving in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. He retired as President of the First National Bank of Ottawa after 48 years of employment, and then worked with the American Bankers Association for five years.

He married Norma Jean Bridwell on January 16, 1949, at the Evangelical Free Church in Ottawa. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served as Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, and a member of the Choir. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, and Served on the Board of Director of a number of Ottawa Organizations, including the First National Bank, the YMCA, Pleasant View, and Community Hospital of Ottawa. He was a member of the VFW, and the American Legion.

Howard is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Eric J. Schueler, 44, of Ottawa died on Wednesday night, August 13, 2014 at the OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, with Rev. David Ufkes, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Eric was born on February 3, 1970, in Britt, Iowa to Robert J. and Patricia A. (Roalson) Schueler. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, enjoyed target shooting , fantasy football, and served as a DUI speaker for the courts, telling his story.

Eric is laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Anna M. (Applebee) Muir, 83, of Ottawa died on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. on Monday August 11, 2014 at Crossbridge Community Church of the Nazarene in Ottawa with Pastor Sherry Stevenson, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Additional visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday at the church.

Anna was born on February 1, 1931 in Ottawa to Guy E. and Etta Mae (Fleetwood) Applebee. She married Alex Muir on March 24, 1954 at the Marseilles United Methodist Church. She worked as an Avon Representative, Owens in Streator, and was a homemaker.

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

Shirley P. Aldrich, 92, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, August 3, 2014, at Ottawa Pavilion.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2014 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Father Tony Fevlo officiating.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. till service time Friday morning at the funeral home.  Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons, Terry E. Wilson, Allen, Chris, and Brian Tunget, and Eric and Christian Santoy.

Shirley was born October 16, 1921, in Ottawa, the daughter of Phillip Gregory and Pauline Pearl (Haage) Marek.  She married Melvin Aldrich on June 6, 1997 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ottawa.  He preceded her in death May 26, 2009.  Surviving are her daughters, Dellania Lorensen of Naplate, Judy (Terry) Wilson and Mary Santoy, both of Ottawa; nine grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and a sister, Marcella Hertzner of Ottawa.  She was preceded in death by two brothers, Tom and Gaylon Marek; and three sisters, Bertha Hertzner, Marian Timm, and Geraldine Alsvig.

Shirley was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church of Ottawa and AARP.  She had been an employee of Ottawa Care and Pleasant View Luther Home.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. 

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

William A. Luther, 83, of Ottawa, died Sunday, August 3, 2014 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Thursday, August 7, 2014 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 627 Gentleman Road, Ottawa with Pastor Nancy Rethford and Pastor Rich Fassig, co-officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa with full military honors. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday at the Ottawa Funeral Home, 1111 LaSalle Street, Ottawa.

Born April 7, 1931 in Collinsville he was the son of Durward B. and Thelma Mae (Laythrop) Luther. He was united in marriage to Linda Jane Murphey on October 21, 1950 at Christ Episcopal Church in Collinsville.

A 1949 graduate of Collinsville High School, Bill enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1948 and served until 1951 when he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Marines during the Korean Conflict and was discharged in 1953. He attended University of Miami where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1956. He later attended and graduated from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville in 1964 where he attained his Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts. He was in the first graduating class of the Edwardsville Campus. He taught English at New Athens High School from 1960-1962. He moved to Ottawa in 1962 and began teaching English at Streator Township High School. Throughout his years at Streator he also taught Speech and Dramatics and served as the Speech Team Coach, Drama coach and auditorium manager until his retirement in 1993.

Bill was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church for over 50 years. He was an avid Chicago White Sox fan and enjoyed watching professional sports on TV. He took several trips to London, England with his students and toured the theaters there. He enjoyed working in his yard and playing cards with friends. His passion and love for animals didn’t go unnoticed especially with his many canine and feline companions throughout the years. He was honored by his former students on different occasions for his love and dedication to his profession. Even after retirement many of his former students kept in touch with him. During his career as a teacher he was never known so much as Mr. Luther but fondly as “Pops” by many of his students.

William is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Rosemary (Hohlman) Chapman, 90, passed away on Tuesday, July 29 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 Friday, August 1, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. Tony Fevlo officiating. She will be entombed at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Ottawa Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with her services.

Rosemary was born on July 2, 1924 to Joseph and Rose (Jugenitz) Hohlman. Known as “Sis” to five doting brothers, she grew up in Ottawa, graduating from St. Xavier Academy. She worked as a legal secretary for White and Sinon in the Central Life Building, where she met Keith Chapman, who had a office there. They were married on September 22, 1951.

Rosemary was a homemaker on Ottawa’s east side. She was a talented seamstress and baker. Her homemade cherry pie was amazing. She would select thoughtful cards for all occasions, and her beautiful Christmas greeting cards were anticipated. She was wonderful to her animals. Rosemary liked to socialize and would seek out new restaurants within driving distance with Keith and their friends.

Rosemary is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in the Sanctuary of Peace.

Born July 15, 1927, in Ottawa, Illinois, the daughter of Fred and Lucille Cunico, Dorothy married Raymond P. Majcina on September 30, 1950.

Dot and Ray were the owners and operators of Big Ray’s Drive-In on East Lincoln Highway in DeKalb for more than 30 years.

The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb, with Fr. Dean Russell of St. Mary Catholic Church, DeKalb, officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb.

Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Ottawa.

Dorothy is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Ellawyn “Ma” (Bute) Sipula, 96, of Ottawa, died on Friday, July 18, 2014 at the Ottawa Pavilion.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at St. Columba Church in Ottawa, with Rev. David Kipfer, Pastor, and the Rev. Gerald Meyer,officiating. Interment will follow in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with liturgical prayers at 3:45 p.m. with the Catholic Daughters in attendance.

Ellawyn was born on October 5, 1917 in Ottawa to Edward and Ella (Sticklen) Bute. She married Michael “Pro” Sipula on March 19, 1940, in Ottawa, and together they owned and operated the Pine Hills Golf Club until she retired in 2010. Ellawyn was a member of St. Columba Church and Catholic Daughters of America.

Ellawyn is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in the Sanctuary of Hope.

James “JJ” Allen Katrein Jr, 33, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday July 17, 2014 peacefully at home. JJ passed away after a long struggle with brain cancer surrounded by family and friends that loved him.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 am on Monday July 21, 2014 at the Ottawa Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm Sunday July 20, 2014 at the Ottawa Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park.

JJ was born November 23, 1980, in Peoria, Illinois to James and Cindi (Marshall) Katrein and was a 1999 graduate of Ottawa High School. Every since JJ was a little boy his heart was always bigger then his body. He loved as a child to collect dandelions and bring them to his mother; so proud of the flowers that he picked for her. It was the smile that was always on his face that told everyone he would always give you the shirt off of his back. While JJ was beginning high school he developed a NF brain tumor. But that didn’t stop him. He put everything he had into living his life. He was always known for his overwhelming love and support for his family. JJ loved his truck and was always dreaming of new things to have dad put on it. He loved his four-wheeler and giving rides to his nieces and nephews. And he was a complete Garth Brooks fan and county man all the way. JJ had an amazing heart and everyone who knew him knew what an incredible man he was.

JJ was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.