January 2015

Joan Marie Conrad, 59, of Ottawa passed away Thursday, January 29, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 31, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. Michael Driscoll officiating. Visitation will be 11:00 to 12:30 prior to services at Ottawa Funeral Home. She will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Joan was born December 7, 1955 to Jerry and Evelyn (Eisert) Conrad. Joan loved spending time with her family; especially her great niece and nephews.

She is survived by her parents; two brothers, Steven (Sheila) Conrad and Robert Conrad; one sister, Jane (Matt) Weber; three nieces, Jenny (George) Gaworski, Ashley (Nate) Sorensen, and Melanie; one nephew, Luke Weber; one great niece, Fiona Gaworski; and four great nephews, Georgie Gaworski, Hunter, Hammond, and Hayer Sorensen.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Jeffrey Conrad; maternal grandparents, Paul and Beulah (Johnson) Eisert; her paternal grandparents, William and Beulah (McCullough) Conrad; and her step-paternal grandfather, Ralph Conrad.

Pallbearers will be Steve Conrad, Robert Conrad, Matt Weber, George Gaworski, Luke Weber, Nate Sorensen, Don Link, and Ron Link.

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.

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

Patricia Small, 74, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, January 31, 2015 at St. Columba Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, January 30, 2015 at Ottawa Funeral Home. She will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Patricia was born March 26, 1940 in Ottawa, Illinois to Herbert and Louisa (Seccombe) Potter. She married George Small, former Mayor of Ottawa, September 27, 1958 at St. Columba Church. She was a secretary for Mucci and Kirkpatrick for 20 years. She was a past Court Grand Regent of the Catholic Daughter’s of The Americas and Past President of Jefferson Grade School PTA. She previously taught dance classes at Roseland Hupp Dance Studio. Pat loved to travel and attend her kids and grandchildren’s activities. She was a cross-stitch enthusiast. She won first and second place prizes at the Sandwich Fair many times for her cross-stitch pieces.

She is survived by her loving husband, George; five children, Dawn (Dennis) Ahearn, George H. (Betty) Small, Thomas ( Stacey) Small, Nancy (Mark Duffield) Warrner, Michael (Sara) Small; thirteen grandchildren, Dustin (Wendy) Ahearn, Deanna (Neal) Keuster, Kristi, Joel, Tyler, Jordan, and Shauna Small, Brandi Warrner, Scott Warrner, Hannah, Connor, Claire, and Campbell Small; five great-grandchildren, Reagan Carlson, Kailyn Warrner, Brinley Warrner, Nora Ahearn, and Skyler Small; and one brother, Stan (Pat) Potter.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Sidney Potter and Charles Potter.

Pallbearers will be Connor Small, Joel Small, Dustin Ahearn, Scott Warrner, Dennis Ahearn, Neal Kuester, and Michael Small.

Memorials may be directed to her family to be designated for a charity at a later date.

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

Jean C. (Duncan) Sommerville, 96, of Ottawa, died on Sunday night, January 25, 2015 at Pleasant View.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. Peter Ward, Chaplain of Pleasant View. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Jean was born on March 6, 1918 in LaSalle, to William and Alma (Tobler) Duncan. She married Lee Sommerville on August 11, 1945 in LaSalle. Jean worked at Westclox for 11 years and Luminous for 15 years. She was a lifetime member of the Moose and a member at the First Congregational Church in LaSalle.

Jean is survived by 2 grandsons, William (Judy) O’Connell and Mark (Leslie) O’Connell, of Hayward, WI, 3 great-grandchildren, Brian O’Connell, of Ottawa, Matthew (Melissa) O’Connell, of Ottawa, and Travis (Cyndy) O’Connell, of Newark, 4 great-great-grandchildren, Gwyneth, Madalynn, Vyvienn, and Tanner O’Connell, a brother, Richard (Maggie) Duncan, of Stanwood, MI, and son-in-law Donald O’Connell.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee, a daughter Nancy O’Connell, a brother Mungo Duncan, and sister Ruth Kennedy.

Pallbearers will be Bill, Mark, Brian, Matthew, and Travis O’Connell, and David Roth.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Judith Poutre Trempalla, age 75, of Peru, formerly of Sandusky and Akron, Ohio, passed away Friday, January 23, 2015 at her home.

Private graveside services will be held Monday at Oakwood Memorial Park with Pastor David Daniel officiating.  Gladfelter Funeral Home is honored to assist with arrangements.

Judith was born January 4, 1940 in Ottawa, the daughter of Lester and Lucile (Streul) Poutre.  She married Donald Trempalla in Ottawa.  He preceded her in death in 1992. Judith is survived by her brothers, William C. (Marilyn) Poutre of Utica and Kenneth (Susan) Poutre of Ottawa; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Judith was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Ottawa.  She was a former elementary school teacher.  Her pastimes included gardening and she had a love for animals.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church of Ottawa.

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

Esther Hauppa, 100, of Ottawa, died on Thursday morning, January 15, at the home of her daughter in Ottawa. Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, in the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with the Rev. Nancy Rethford, pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Esther was born on January 2, 1915, in North English, Iowa, to Frank and Hazel (Moore) Barnes. She moved to the Ottawa/Marseilles area in the 1930’s. She was a graduate of Peacock Business School, and worked for a law office in Ottawa, and later, the Illinois Dept. of Transportation. She married David Hauppa on January 23, 1947 at the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa. She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church. She loved Sewing, Gardening, Baking, and spending time with her Grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter, Phyllis Vickers, of Ottawa, 4 grandchildren: Jami (Andy) Spinnelli, of Woodstock, IL, Jennifer (J. J. Morrissey) Loving of Lake Tahoe, Michael Vickers of Ottawa, and Daniel Vickers, of Ottawa, and two great grandchildren, David and Mary Esther Spinnelli, her former son-in-law, John f. Vickers, one sister, Shirley Lyle of Alabama, and one brother, Robert Barnes, of Chenoa, and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband on Nov. 12, 2002, two brothers, Jack and George Barnes, and two sisters, Helen Brady, and Phyllis Christian.

Memorials may be directed to: Alzheimer’s Association.

Esther is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Love.

John H. Huber, 79, of rural Marseilles, died on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 201, at the First Baptist Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Eugene Owsley, officiating. Interment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service, at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

John was born on November 18, 1935, in Mt. Carmel, IL to Harold and Mary (Webber) Huber. He married Juliann Cronin on August 11, 1957, at the First Baptist Church in Herrin, IL. John received his Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University and his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois. John was a teacher, counselor, and coach Marseilles High School and Ottawa Township High School, for 35 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ottawa, Midstates Jeepster Association SIU Alumni, U of I Alumni and NEA Teachers. He enjoyed mowing any yard with his Kubota and loved taking friends and loved ones for a ride in his 1949 Willys Jeepster.

He is survived by his wife, Juliann, his children, Jane (Jim) Belajac, of Pittsburgh, PA, Jennifer (Greg) Stock, of Marseilles, and Jo Ellen (Amin) Yaghmour, of Norridge, IL, 5 grandchildren, Ashley Belajac Levine, Branden Belajac, Kyle and Cory Bruggeman and Adam Yaghmour, 2 great grandchildren, a brother Mike Huber of Oregon and a sister Toni Lynn Cooper, of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Pat.

Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Marvin Stone, and Larry Cain.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the First Baptist Memorial Fund.

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

LA SALLE – Henry “Hank” Fassett, age 76, of La Salle, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2015 at home.

Funeral services will be held at noon Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Zion United Church of Christ in Peru with Pastor Katherine Harding officiating.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa with full military rites accorded by the Ottawa Veterans Group.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. till time of service on Thursday morning at the church.  Pallbearers will be Ron, Matthew, and Michael Hudkins, Brad Duff-Hudkins, and Doug and Dan Johnson.  Gladfelter Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Henry was born December 28, 1938 in Barre, Vermont, the son of Hayden and Eleanor (Friot) Fassett.  He married Ellen Haff in Ottawa on June 17, 1962.  She preceded him in death August 1, 2005.  Henry is survived by his daughter, Terri (David) Jacobson of La Salle; his grandson, Matthew Wayne Jacobson; three brothers, Harold “Jack” Fassett of Ottawa, and Frank and Steven Fassett, both of South Carolina; and five sisters, Carol Perry of Massachusetts, Heidi Putvain of Vermont, Jodi Kerwin, Patty Chowning, and Diane Fassett, all of South Carolina.  He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Henry attended the Zion United Church of Christ in Peru.  He was an automotive mechanic and was the owner of Magic Muffler for 25 years.  Henry proudly served his country in the United States Army.  Henry loved playing cards at the Adult Day Care Center and cherished his beloved cats.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Hank is laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Kay P. Schmitt, 78, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at her son Donnie’s home.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, January 19, 2015 at Ottawa Funeral Home with her close friend Carl Hardie officiating her service. Visitation will be 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday, January 18, 2015, with Moose services at 4:30 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Kay was born September 15, 1936 in Rural Ottawa , Illinois to Howard and Sarah (Piercy) Nelson. She married Donald Schmitt Sr. on July 18, 1964 in Ottawa; he passed away May 4, 1982. She worked most of her life at local restaurants and at one time owned Kay’s Cafe in Ottawa. Kay was a member of Women of the Moose, and Ottawa Bowling Association. She never had idle hands; she loved baking, cooking, and reading. Kay was the best mom, grandma, great-grandma, mother-in-law, and friend anyone could ask for.

She is survived by six children, Debra (Albert) Baker of Bull Shoals, AR, Howard Tuttle of Oglesby, William (Tressa) Beers, Jr of Ottawa, Colleen (Randall) Hoar of Reynoldsburg, OH, Donald (Kim) Schmitt, Jr. of Ottawa, Penny Schmitt of Ottawa; a sister, Betty Haage of Ottawa; a brother, Delbert Nelson of Ottawa; sixteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; her best friend, Sharon Damyen; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband; two sisters, SeDell Eirhart and Dorothy Duncan; and two brothers, Howard “Sonny” Nelson and Gale Nelson.

Pallbearers will be Howard Tuttle, Donnie Schmitt, Bill Beers, Jesse Schmitt, Albert Baker, Terry Hoar, and Randall Hoar II.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Kayla Baker, Albert Baker II, Dana Jennings, Hailee Schmitt, and Ashlee Schmitt.

Memorials may be directed to her family.

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

James S. Bowden,of Ottawa, passed away January 6, 2015 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria.

Jim was born February 5, 1926 in Shreveport La.  He served in the US Navy during World War II.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce, a son Richard (Brenda) of Channahon, a daughter Susan Bowden of Ottawa.

Military services and a private memorial service took place in Oakwood Memorial Park, Saturday, January 17, 2015 in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum.

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

Lloyd Ludwick, 58, of Ottawa, died on Thursday night, December 25, 2014 at his home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2014 at the Central Church of Christ in Streator, with Dr. Chuck Richardson, officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Oakwood Memorial Park Ottawa. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Lloyd was born on March 23, 1956 in Omaha, NE to Harland and Lillibelle (Cleaver) Ludwick. He married Pamela (Holt) Ludwick on May 23, 1981 in Streator. Lloyd was the Pastor of the Southside Christian Church, in Ottawa. Lloyd received his Bachelor of Arts in 1978 from Manhattan Christian College, his Master of Divinity in 1987 and his Master of Arts in 1988 both from Lincoln Christian Seminary and his Master of Theology in 1990 and Doctor of Ministry in 2006 both from the Covenant Theological Seminary. He enjoyed Nebraska Cornhusker football, writing for theological publications and preaching and teaching the word of God.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela, his father Harland and step mother Joan, of Omaha, NE, 3 children, Erin Ludwick, of Savoy, IL, Bruce (Cara) Ludwick, of Tonica and Rachelle Ludwick, of Ottawa, a brother, Leroy Ludwick, of Baltimore, MD and 3 sisters, Linda (Jerry) Miles, of Omaha, Lorie (Dave) Lammle, of Great Bend, KS and Lilith (Rusty) Quebedeaux, of Omaha.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillibelle.

Memorials may be directed to the Southside Christian Church or the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Lloyd is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.