August 2015

Jeanne C. McNamara, 81, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Pleasant View.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Saturday August 15, 2015 at St. Patrick Church with Rev. Tony Fevlo officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday with Prayers at 3:45 pm at the Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Jeanne was born January 23, 1934 in Ottawa, to John “Hans” and Mary Catherine “Doll” (Nagle) Dekreon. She married the “love of her life”, Robert J. McNamara on August 20, 1955 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ottawa with the Reverand Norbert Tibesar officiating.

Jeanne was a homemaker and loved to bake cookies, pies and cakes. She also made bracelets which she designed to give family and friends. For the Holiday seasons she made beautiful ornaments from sequins and beads. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church.

She was blessed with two children, Robert John McNamara of Olive Branch, MS and Kathryn (David) Lock of Utica, IL and had two children that died in infancy. She is survived by four grandchildren: Laura (Nick) Sorabella MD of Watertown, MA, Brian Lock and Ashley of Oglesby, IL, Jamie (Chris) Hawk of Atlanta, GA and Robert John (Ada) McNamara, Jr. of Bristol, CT. She will forever be remembered by her loving husband of 59 years, “Mac”, her children and grandchildren and sister, Mrs. Joseph E. O’Brien (Marge) of Peoria, IL.

She touched the lives of many people, always with a smile and a cheerful greeting. She treasured her time with her precious family most. She was a very caring, giving and beautiful person.

Pallbearers will be the grandchildren and their spouses.

Memorials may be directed to the family for distribution to her favorite charities.

Jeanne is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Angela Nicole Steele, 37, of Ottawa, died on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Pleasant View in Ottawa.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 14, in the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa . Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Angela was born on August 26, 1977 in Morris, a daughter to Rick and Becky (Davis) Steele. Angela attended St. Bede Academy, a member of the class of 1995. She had worked for Office Max.

She is survived by her parents of Ottawa, three daughters, Hali, Ella, and Addison, of Ottawa; and two sisters, Kristal Ragan and Ashley Steele, both of Ottawa.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and one son in infancy.

Pallbearers will be Dean Nodland, Kurt Davis, Blake Davis, Barry Mason, Larry Hurd, and Chad Provost, Honorary Pallbearers will be Shawn and Ethan Ragan.

Memorials may be directed to the family for a fund to be established for her daughter’s education.

Angela is laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

Sonja M. Gromm, 46, of Ottawa, died on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Garry Briesacher, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at the Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11 at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa and one hour prior to services on Wednesday, at the church.

Sonja was born on September 4, 1968 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota a daughter to William and Aase Schulz and grew up in St. Louis and Bloomington. She married Brad Gromm on July 27, 1996 in Bloomington.

She was a graduate of Normal Community High School, class of 1986, and Ronningen Folkehogskole High School in Oslo Norway, class of 1987. Sonja was a graduate of Texas Christian University, class of 1991, and Northern Illinois University Graduate School, class of 1993. She moved to Ottawa following college and started work as a Speech Language Pathologist in the Ottawa Elementary School District, and currently at Wallace Grade School. Sonja was a member of the Sons of Norway and several book clubs. She was a Sunday school teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa and she enjoyed reading, crocheting, and traveling.

She is survived by her husband, Brad Gromm, of Ottawa, two daughters Kiersten and Julia Gromm, of Ottawa, father, William (Karen) Schulz, of Bloomington, one sister, Kristine Schulz, of Scottsdale, AZ, one aunt, Tordis Strand-Hansen, of Norway, one uncle, Roy Bakland, of Norway, two stepsisters, Teri(Ron) Spratt, of Chanhassen, MN, Becki (Rick) Wahls, of Lewis Center, OH, a step grandmother, Estella Hensley, of Bloomington, a mother and father in law, Jim and Evelyn Gromm, of Ottawa, sister-in-law, Kayla (Brian) Lindow, of Montgomery, IL, brother-in-law, Jason (Jennifer) Gromm, of Ottawa and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Aase Schulz; one uncle, Ole Havard Strand- Hansen, maternal grandfather, Georg Hansen; maternal grandmother Luise Strand-Hansen; and paternal grandmother, Miriam Schulz.

Memorials may be made to support research of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at METavivor, Inc. 1783 Forest Drive #184, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401, or Trinity Lutheran Church.

Sonya is laid to rest in the Garden of  Prayer.

Melva Myre, 99, of rural Seneca, died on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at her home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Tim Johnson, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2015 at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Melva was born on June 25, 1916 in South Ottawa Township, to Ole and Matilda (Oftedahl) Anderson. She married Marshall S. Myre on November 22, 1935 in Yorkville. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School. Melva worked as a cook at Milton Pope School, had a dry cleaning business in Seneca, and a General Store and Antique Shop in Stavanger.

She was a longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church and Sons of Norway. Melva and her husband, Marshall, farmed in the Stavanger Area for many years, and were active in the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association and National Tractor Pulling Association.

She is survived by one son, William Martin Myre of Morris; one daughter, Marsha Timmons of Seneca, and one sister in law, Magdeline Anderson of Ottawa, 6 grandchildren: Cathy Page, Angie Woodin, William Myre, Jr., Richard Timmons, Patty Jo Morris, and Michele Timmons, 14 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Melva was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall Myre on September 1, 1983; two sisters, Evelyn Skartveit and Delores Krug; three brothers, Orion Anderson, Marshall Anderson, and Norman Anderson, her son in law, Raymond Timmons; her daughter in law, Lynda Myre; one granddaughter, Karyn Timmons and one great grandson, Jonathon Claggett.

Memorials may be made Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church or Grundy County Volunteer Hospice.

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

Jeri Linn May, 48, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, August 2, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 Friday, August 7, 2015 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 Friday prior to services at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Jeri Linn was born January 14, 1967 in Spring Valley, Illinois to Norbert and Sandra (Kesler) May. She was a 1985 graduate of Seneca High School and was employed at Teleperformance USA.

She is survived by her daughter, Addison May; her mother, Sandra; one brother, Joseph A. (Lynn) May; her grandmother, Laura Harris; two nephews; three nieces; two great nephews; two aunts; and many cousins.

She is preceded in death by her father, Norbert; one sister, Donna Jean; paternal grandmother, Addie May; grandfather, Cleveland Joseph Kesler; and one uncle, Arthur B. Kesler.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to her daughter Addison’s education fund.

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

Darlene Thomas, 72, of Ottawa, died on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. Cremation Rites have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Darlene is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Seasons in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Betty Lieske, 88, of Ottawa, died on Wednesday, July 29, at the LaSalle County Nursing Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa with the Rev. Anthony Fevlo, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Liturgical Prayers recited at 3:45 p.m.

Betty was born on April 22, 1927, in Ottawa to Christian and Mabel (Cavanaugh) Bayer. She married Clarence Lieske on June 1, 1946 at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate. She was the Cafeteria Manager at Ottawa Township High School for many years. Betty was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, and the Catholic Daughters of America.

She is survived by 4 daughters, Sharon (Richard) Kuhn, of Oswego, Chris (Steve) McLaughlin, of Hillsboro, IL, Penny (Bill) Brawley, of Granger, IN, and Pattie (Ron) Smick, of Ottawa, 9 grandchildren: LeAnne Trovero, Nikki Blocker, Beth Koenen, Nick McLaughlin, Drew McLaughlin, Matt Godfrey, Brandi Graves, Adam Smick, and Amy Smick; 15 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her husband on July 25, 1999; four sisters, Gertrude Varney, Donna Conlin, Gloria Jones, and Janice West, and two brothers, Gerald Bayer, and Joseph “Hap” Bayer.

Memorials may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Church, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Pallbearers will be Matt Godfrey, Nick McLaughlin, Drew McLaughlin, Adam Smick, Zack Peed, and Luke Blocker.

Betty is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Elizabeth K. O’Farrell, 93, passed away March 18, 2013 in Florida.  She was buried July 23, 2015 in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Elizabeth is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

John J. O’Farrell Jr., 90,  passed away May 27, 2014 in Florida.  He was buried in Oakwood Memorial Park on July 23, 2015.

He is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Vertie Mae (Thomas) Carlson, 94, of Ottawa, died on Sunday evening, June 28, 2015 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, in Ottawa.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015 in Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. David Ufkes, and Rev. Garry Briesacher, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, in the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Vertie was born on December 2, 1920, in Garden Prairie, IL to John and Grace (Entwhistle) Thomas. She earned the degree of Registered Nurse at St. Anthony’s in Rockford and then worked as a registered nurse for 50 years. She married Raymond Burdette Carlson on November 22, 1947 in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvard. Vertie loved to travel, visit friends and relatives, knit dance, cook, and quilt. She was a terrific baker, and was a friend to everyone she met.

Vertie was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, a past president of the Lincoln School PTA, a life member of PTA, and a life member of the Moose. She was a nurse for 70 years and volunteered for OSF Ottawa Hospice for nearly 30 years and was the Director of Nursing at Pleasant View for 5 years. Vertie was also a member of the Auxiliary of the American Legion, University of Illinois Home Extension, and Rebecca’s I.O.O.F. She was a member of a women’s circle at the church. Vertie and her husband, Ray used to travel the state making and selling apple butter at the different fairs. They were even invited to the State Fair by the governor in 1988.

She is survived by her husband, Raymond Burdette Carlson of Ottawa; 5 children, Lynn Carlson of Scottsdale, AZ, Paul (Sandy) Carlson of Ottawa, Gene (Jayne) Carlson of Marseilles, John M. (Gail) Carlson of Ottawa, and Nancy (Dennis) Murry of Ottawa; 10 grandchildren, Chanda (Ron) Marti of Ottawa, Tony (Lisa) Carlson, of Ottawa, Arik Carlson, of Champaign, Andrew Carlson, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Michelle (Eric) Peterson, of Brookings, SD Krista (Steve) Blatt of Chicago, Mike Carlson, of Ottawa, Christy (Al) Gray, of Austin, TX, Chad Murry of Chicago, and Stacey (Alex) Burke of Evanston; and 13 great-grandchildren, Dakota Marti, Kenny, Tyler, and Bryce Carlson, Noah Smith, Libby Blatt, Mikayla, Trevor and Thomas Carlson, Anna and James Burke, and Brynn and Alexander Gray.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Walter Thomas.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren

Memorials can be directed to OSF St. Elizabeth’s Hospice or Trinity Lutheran Church.

Vertie is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.