May 2015

Loyce Beyer, 85, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday morning, May 3, 2015, at her home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. John Walker, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.

Loyce was born on April 22, 1930 in Ottawa to Alfred Robert and Bessie (White) Cross. She married Charles E. Beyer, Sr. on November 2, 1952 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Loyce was a homemaker and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She was a Chicago sports fan, especially for the Cubs.

She is survived by 2 sons, Charles Jr. (Patty) Beyer of Plano and Joseph Beyer of Ottawa, daughter-in-law Jill Beyer, her brother Cecil Cross, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Loyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles, her son James, 5 brothers, and 2 sisters.

Pallbearers will be David, Brian, and Tim Stillmunkes, Sam Beyer, Damon Hopkins, and Ray Mattes.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or the Arthritis Foundation.

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

Cheryl (Sarles) Swartz, of Ottawa, passed at home with peace and grace on April 28, in the arms of her loving husband with her family at her side. She was 61 years old.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the funeral home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Cheryl’s life.

Cheryl is survived by her husband, William (Bill); her son, Todd Swartz of Ottawa, and his children with Kendra – Kylie Swartz and Mia Swartz; her daughter, Carrie Kovarik of Yorkville, and her children with Ryan – Lainey Kovarik, River Kovarik, and Ryan Kovarik, Jr.; her mother June Clements of Ottawa; her siblings Michele Cioni and Scott Sarles, both of Ottawa. She is also survived by many special friends, whom she held close to her heart. She is preceded in death by her father, Ronald Sarles and sister Rhonda Anderson, both of Ottawa.

Cheryl was born on May 28, 1953 in Quantico, VA. Her family returned to Ottawa in 1953, where she was raised on the west side of town. She graduated from Ottawa High School in 1971. She took great pride in the comradery of her graduating class. After marrying Bill on April 11, 1973 she devoted herself to raising their children. She set about teaching them the importance of kindness, honesty, empathy, and ambition that would provide the foundation for their friendships and roles as parents. She will be always remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, whose greatest passion was caring for others. In addition to her caring nature, Cheryl had a passion for gardening, sewing, cleaning, cooking, and traveling.

Pallbearers will be: Andy Hubbard, Scott Siebert, Jon (Heavy) Maier, Tom Miller, John Price, and Bob Emanuelson.

The family wishes to thank the staff at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center and OSF Hospice, particularly Amber Robertson, for their care. Memorial contributions may be directed to the donor’s choice.

She leaves us rich in memories.

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

Merlyn Ahrens, age 86, passed away Wednesday afternoon April 22, 2015 at Liberty Village of Princeton. A Funeral Service for Merlyn will be on Tuesday April 28, 2015 at 10:30 AM at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Princeton. Pastor Scott Schmidt will officiate. Burial will follow the luncheon at Oakwood Memorial Park, ‘Shrine of Rest’ Mausoleum in Ottawa, IL. The family will receive friends during a visitation Monday April 27, 2015 from 5-7 PM at Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton.

Merlyn was born on December 13, 1928, in Owatonna, MN to Fred and Ella (Jackel) Ahrens. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Claremont, MN in 1942. He was a graduate of Owatonna High School, class of 1949. Merlyn married Fran Vollentine on September 4, 1964 in Peru, IL. They were married for 50 years.

Merlyn served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1953. He was an Airman First Class while stationed in North Africa. He was employed by Josten’s in Owatonna, MN and Princeton, IL for 41 years. He retired in 1991 and began driving a van for Gateway Services in Princeton and then for the Senior Service Center also in Princeton. Merlyn was a Gold Coat Volunteer at Perry Memorial Hospital for many years. He was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, the Princeton MOOSE Lodge, and a lifetime member of the Gallery of the Ageless Achievers.

Merlyn is survived by his wife Fran, his two step-sons William (Fela) Morell, Orby Morell and a step-daughter Dorothy (the late Jerry) Cioni, and four grandchildren, Bryan (Cindy) Cioni of Florida, Lori
(Jim) Horvath of Texas, Christina (Joe) Bolelli of Spring Valley and Nancy (Scott) Kmetz of Peru. Also surviving are great- grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and one sister-in-law Lorraine Ahrens of Owatonna, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Ramah Johnson and Viola Harmening, one brother Martin Ahrens, a step-son John Morell and a step-grandson Rockey Cioni.

Merlyn is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Memory.