April 2015

Betty J. (Bixler) Feely, 79, of Ottawa, died on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Dave Davies, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Following cremation interment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Betty was born on January 11, 1935 in Louisville, OH to Lester and Ruth (Blandford) Bixler. She graduated from Ottawa Township High School class of 1953. Betty married Eugene Feely on June 5, 1955, at the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa. She was employed at Maries Clothing Store, and retired from First National Bank, where she was the Teller Supervisor. Betty was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Eugene, 3 children, Eugene Feely, Nancy (Scott) Stevenson, and James Feely, all of Ottawa, 4 grandchildren, Jennifer, Joshua, and Justine Stevenson and Kilene Feely, 1 great granddaughter, Korie Brust, a brother, Gary (Marilyn) Bixler, of Maricopa, AZ and one sister, Beverly (Eugene) Zuccarini, of Des Plaines.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Shirley Bradish and 2 brothers Robert and Lester Bixler.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church.

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

Ruth Alleman, 78, of Ottawa died on Monday March 30, 2015 at Rivershores Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Marseilles.

Funeral services will at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 3, 2015 at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Nancy Rethford, Pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, at the Funeral Home.

Ruth was born on November 9, 1936 in Ottawa, to Lawrence and Ruth (Mathes) Mattes. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1954. She was the Drum Majorette in the Ottawa Township High School Band. Ruth was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.

Ruth is survived by 3 daughters, Julie (Gary) Pitts, of Ottawa, Jill (Rick) Johnson, of Ottawa and Jynel (Steve) Overocker, of Harding, 5 grandchildren, Abbey Wright, Caitlyn Moersch, Marissa Johnson, and Kyle and Hayley Overocker, and a sister, Janice (Tom) Hickey, of Grand Ridge.

She was preceded in death by her parents, twin daughters at birth, and 3 sisters, Eleanor Nodland, Helen Simonson, and Marilyn Callahan.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Ruth is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Mary Jo Hill, 84, of Marseilles passed away Friday, March 27, 2015 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at St. Columba Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, March 31, 2015 with prayers at 3:45 at Ottawa Funeral Home. She will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Mary Jo was born October 28, 1930 in Ottawa, Illinois to Everett and Helen (Briel) Baker. She married Archie “Buck” Hill April 15, 1950 at St. Patrick’s Church; he passed away February 14, 2010. Mary Jo was a loving wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma. She was famous for her cookies and candy. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by three sons, Dan (Jan) of Grand Ridge, Greg (Kellee) of Streator, and Steve (Dot) of Pheonix, AZ; one daughter, Beth (Ken) Capponi of Tonica; eleven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren with one on the way; two brothers, Paul Baker and Jim Baker both of Ottawa; and one sister, Marcia Burke of Ottawa.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Buck; and two brothers, Emmett and Charles Baker.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to St. Columba Masses or Grand Ridge Fire Department.

Mary Jo is laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Janice R. DeWalt, 83, of Ottawa passed away Friday, March 27, 2015 at Cabin Livin’.

Funeral Ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm Monday, March 30, 2015 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Ann Dumyahn officiating. Visitation will be 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm Monday prior to services at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Janice was born October 22, 1931 in LaSalle, Illinois to John and Bertha (Smudzinski) Quick. She married Warren “Jake” DeWalt August 25, 1951 in Oglesby; he passed away May 27, 1991. Janice loved music and was an accomplished piano player.

She is survived by one daughter, Carol (Chris) Gronwold of Oak Park; four sons, Dave (Nancy) DeWalt, Daniel (Sue) DeWalt, Jon (Jackie) DeWalt all of Ottawa, and Douglas (Marsha) DeWalt of Grand Ridge; eleven grandchildren, Jeff, Jake, Brian, Kyle, Kelsey, Casey, Andrew, and Abby DeWalt, Corey DeWalt McTaggart, Ben and Josh Gronwold; 7 great-grandchildren; and her friend for life, Heidi.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Jackie Quick; and one sister, Marilyn Quick McCanna.

Pallbearers will be her four sons, Dave, Daniel, Jon, and Douglas DeWalt.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to Cabin Livin’.

Janice is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Mary Jane Damman, 97, of Ottawa, died on Thursday, March 26, at Pleasant View. Private services were arranged through the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Mary Jane was born on March 14, 1918 in Watertown, SD to R.G. and Mary Ann (Heckathorn) Meisel. She attended schools in South Dakota and Santa Barbara, CA. Mary Jane moved to Ottawa in 1933 and graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1935. She also attended the St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing, where she became a registered nurse. Mary Jane married LaVern H. Damman on October 12, 1941 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. She retired from nursing in the late 1960’s. She and her husband owned and operated Springwood Mink Ranch in rural South Ottawa Township for many years. In 1974 they retired and moved to Streator. They split their time between Streator and their cottage on Dunn Lake in Spooner, WI. They returned to Ottawa in 1996.

She is survived by a sister-in-law Beverly Melland, of Ottawa and very good friends Paul and Julie Pike and all of the Pike family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a step-father, Carlyle Wilson.

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

Richard Spenny, 84, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at his home.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, June 6, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Garry Briesacher officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm prior to services Friday, June 6, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Military Services.

Richard was born October 29, 1929 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Aaron and Ruby (McMillan)Spenny. He married Mary Ann Weaver on October 14, 1956.

He worked as a chemist at Eckrich. He enjoyed working with and giving advice about cars and guns. He was a people person; he could talk to anyone. He loved animals; especially dogs but most of all he loved his family. He was a good Christian man.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann; two children, Linda Kalis and David (Nancy) Spenny; four grandchildren, Lindsey, Joanna, and Elsa Kalis, and April Spenny.

He is preceded in death by his son, Phillip Spenny.

Memorials may be directed to his family.

Richard is laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

Mary Ann Spenny, 79, of Ottawa passed away Friday, March 13, 2015 at Pleasant View.

Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Garry Briesacher officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 – 2:00 one hour prior to services on Tuesday at Ottawa Funeral Home.

Mary Ann was born in 1935 on Christmas day in Mendon, Ohio to Peter and Elsie (Gierhart) Weaver. She married Richard Spenny on October 14, 1956; he passed away June 3, 2014.

She is survived by two children, Linda Kalis and David (Nancy) Spenny; four grandchildren, Lindsey, Joanna, and Elsa Kalis, and April Spenny.

She is preceded in death by her, parents; her loving husband; and one son Phillip Spenny.

Memorials may be directed to her family.

Mary Ann is laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.