Monthly Archives

October 2014

Jack Smith 1958-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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Jack Smith, 55, of LaSalle passed away October 15, 2014.  Cremation rites were accorded and private family services will take place at a later date.  Burgess Funeral Home was entrusted with arr

Jack was born December 20, 1958 in Ottawa to Ronald and Rose (Coleman) Smith.

Jack is laid to rest in Oakwood Memorial Park, Shrine of rest Mausoleum,Sanctuary of Seasons

William Knox 1945-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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William Knox, 69, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Thursday, October 23, 2014 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at Crossbridge Community Church of the Nazarene with Sherry Stevenson officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm Monday, October 27, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home. He will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park.

William was born October 10, 1945 in Ottawa, Illinois to Ralph and Margaret (Walking) Knox. He married Marlene Lambert on August 7, 1965 in St. Columba Church. He is retired after 25 years of service from US Silica. He was a flag football coach for 8 years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene; five children, William “Bill” (Julie) Jr. of Kangley, Deborah (James Jr) Rieuf of Ottawa, Kelly (Chris) Pearson of California, Nicole (William) Trumbo of Marseilles, and Stephanie Knox of Ottawa; and eleven grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas; and one grandson, Justin David Trumbo.

Pallbearers will be Bill Jr., Michael, Jacob, and Mathew Knox, James, Ryan, and Derek Rieuf, and Larry Linn Sr.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jay and AJ Trumbo, Robert Linn, Michael Rix, and Benny Davis.

Memorials may be directed to his family.

Bill is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Phyllis J (Beschorner, Miller) Childers 1926-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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Phyllis Jean (Beschorner, Miller) Childers, 88, of Yuma, AZ, formerly of Ottawa, died on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at the Ryan House in Phoenix, AZ.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. John Best, Jr, a nephew, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday.

Phyllis was born on February 19, 1926 in Beardstown, IL to Paul and Juanita (Robinson) Best. She married Jack Childers on May 1, 1997. Phyllis was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge. Phyllis worked as a waitress for many years at the Ottawa Grill, Carson Pirie Scott, and the Ottawa Elks Lodge.

She is survived by a son, Gary (Diana)Beschorner, of Sarasota, FL, 2 granddaughters, Heather (VanGrevenhof) Kracik and Courtney (VanGrevenhof )Olesen, 3 great-granddaughters Morgan and Cassidy Olesen and Julia Kracik, one brother John (Jewell) Best of Tucson, AZ, numerous step- grandchildren and step-great – grandchildren and10 nieces and nephews; Greg (Marcy) Gjerde, Diane (Dan) Gjerde O’Neil, Doug (Anita) Gjerde, JoAnn (John) Conrad, Kathy, Debbie, Cindy and John (Judy) Best, Sue (Jerry) Hinch, and Becky (Mark) Johnson.

She was preceded death by her husbands, Ted Beschorner, Dale Miller, and Jack Childers and sister Loretta Gjerde.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Bernice B. Hilton 1921-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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Bernice Hilton, 93, of Ottawa, died on Monday morning, October 13, at the Ottawa Pavilion. Pursuant to her wishes, private Services and burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home.

Bernice was born on May 28, 1921, in Streator, to George and Barbara (Bellis) Quaka. She graduated from Streator High School in 1939, and Illinois State University in 1944. She continued her education at Northern Illinois University. She married Donald Hilton at St. Mary’s Church in Streator on August 19, 1944.

Mrs. Hilton taught at rural LaSalle County Schools, Lostant Grade School, Grand Ridge Grade School, and at Washington, Central, and Shepherd Jr. High schools in Ottawa.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Naplate, and the Altar and Rosary Society, LaSalle County Retired Teachers Association, and the Catholic Daughters of America. She was a volunteer at ReRuns, LaSalle County Nursing Home, Easter Seals, and Friendship Village.

She is survived by four daughters; Jeanette (Don) Lewis, of LaSalle, Jean Marie (Ron) Fleming, of Coal City, Beverly (John) Przystup, of Martinton, and Mary Ann (Gene) Hynes, of Albuquerque, NM, two sons, Donald W. (Nina) Hilton, of Beaufort, SC, and Kenneth of Ottawa, 18 Grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren, and 8 great- great-grandchildren.

Bernice is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1999, two sisters, Elsie Hill, and Florence Peterson, and one brother, George Quaka, of Streator.

Memorials may be directed to Friendship Village or Easter Seals of LaSalle and Bureau Counties.

Helen Marks 1937-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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Helen J. (Smith) Marks, 77, of Ottawa, died on Sunday October 19, 2014 at Pleasant View in Ottawa. A gathering to celebrate the life of Helen will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.  Inurnment will be at a later date in Oakwood Memorial Park, Shrine of Rest Mausoleum.

Helen was born on February 5, 1937 in LaSalle, to Howard and Selma (Anderson) Smith. She married Donald L. Marks on November 10, 1956 at St. Columba Church in Ottawa. Helen owned her own beauty salon and also worked at the LaSalle County Clerk office. She was a member at the Moose Lodge. Helen enjoyed doing arts and crafts especially painting bird houses.

She is survived by her husband Donald, 3 children, Jill (John) Walenga, of Hanover Park, Tim (Julie) Marks, of Marseilles and Sue (Steve) Carter, of Urbandale, Iowa, 8 grandchildren, Jacob and Michelle Brooks, Megan Simon, Nicole and Michael Marks, Melissa (Ryan) Burke and Christopher and Alyson Downing, 6 great – grandchildren; Tristan, Ashton, Izzy, Gavin, Talon, and Maya and a sister Elaine Thompson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, Donald, Wayne and Bob Fitzgerald and twin brother Howard Smith and a sister Marjorie Strong.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Helen is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Faith.

William Vaughn 1928-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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William “Bill” Vaughn, 86, of Marseilles, Illinois, passed away Friday, August 15, 2014 at Ottawa Pavilion.

In honoring Bill’s request he will not be having any services. Ottawa Funeral Home and Crematory was entrusted with his cremation rites.  Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Bill was born March 6, 1928 in Ashland, Missouri to James and Carrie (Bryant) Vaughn.

He was a member of the Chicagoland Day Lilly Society. Bill graduated from Ottawa High School. He moved to Chicago where he lived and worked until he retired from Northern Trust Bank. He moved back to the Ottawa area in 2009.

He is survived by his brother, Dean (Ann) Vaughn of Ottawa; two nephews, William Vaughn of Streator and Robert Vaughn of Ottawa; three great nieces, Katie, Lanie, and Karri Vaughn all of Streator; and a great-great niece, Lexie Black of Streator.

He is preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Robert and Carrie Webb; and his father, James Vaughn.

Memorials may be directed to Pet Project or donors’ choice.

William is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Gerald Majka 1950-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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Gerald Majka, 64, of Ottawa, died on Sunday, October 12, 2014, at his home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.  Burial is at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Gerald was born on June 28, 1950 in Chicago to Joseph and Wanda (Paradowski) Majka. He worked as the custodian at First United Methodist Church for 9 years. Gerald married Kristine Raskey on November 26, 1983 in Chicago. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa. Gerald loved Fishing, Reading, watching sports and especially spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Kristine, a son Jason (Danielle) Majka, of LaSalle and 2 grandchildren, Alexis and Kalib.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to the ASPCA.

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

John Butterfield, Sr. 1922-2014, Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa IL

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John C. Butterfield, Sr., 92, of rural Sheridan, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Pleasant View.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2014 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Peter Ward, pastor of Pleasant View, officiating.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park with full military rites by the Ottawa Veterans Group.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. with Masonic Rites at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be friends and neighbors, Fred Barber, Randy Rosengren, John Duffy, Jerry Enger, Jim Temple, Wayne Ketcham, Steve Sampson and Greg Hanley.  Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Stinson, Stephen Gates, and Samuel D. Denney.

John was born April 20, 1922 in Ottawa, the son of John Charles and Cora (Wright) Butterfield.  He married Elizabeth “Betty” Story May 17, 1953 in Ottawa.  She preceded him in death December 10, 2011.  John is survived by one brother, Wayne (Jean) Butterfield of Glen Ellyn, IL; his children, John Butterfield Jr. of Madison, TN, Kent (Marsha) Butterfield of Ottawa, David (Nicki) Butterfield of Sheridan, Dr. Mary Butterfield of Nashville, TN, and Dr. Martha Butterfield of Brentwood, TN; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Stephen) Gates, Laura Butterfield, Megan Butterfield, Amanda Butterfield and fiancé, Jake Messer, and Samuel and Katherine Denney; step grandchildren, Steven (Amanda) Rud, Lee Rud, and Jessica Yasm; step great grandchildren, Parker Rud and Zachary Tunget; and many caring friends from Pleasant View.

John graduated in 1940 from Ottawa Township High School and Northwestern University in 1949, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  John proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. John was in sales from 1949 through 1951.  He then took up farming in 1951 until his retirement in 1986.  He was a member of Harding United Methodist Church where he was their organist for over 35 years.  He also played for various Masonic events and school solo and ensemble contests.  John was a member of Occidental Lodge #40 A.F. & A.M. in Ottawa, where he served as Worshipful Master and Lodge Organist, Shabbona Chapter #37, Oriental Council #13, Ottawa Commandery #10, Order of the Eastern Star, Freeport Consistory, and the Ottawa American Legion Post 33.  He served on the Serena Grade School and Community Unit District #2 school boards for 17 years.  He also served on the Serena Township Board for 32 years, serving 11 of those years as supervisor.  John cherished his time spent with his family and grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Pleasant View Chapel Fund or VITAS Hospice.

John is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.