December 2015

Robert Goetsch, 98, of Harding, died Friday night, December 25, at the Ottawa Pavilion. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 29, in St. Theresa Church in Earlville with the Rev. Bowan Schmitt, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Bob was born on Jan. 22, 1917, in Ottawa, to Joseph and Ethel (Aubry) Goetsch. He was a proud veteran of the Civilian Conservation Corps. After discharge from the CCC, he razed the Marshall Field home on Ottawa’s north hill, and then built some of the first homes in the Field’s Hill Subdivision.

He married Evelyn Pool on August 19, 1939, in the St. Columba Rectory. They moved to Harding in 1947, and owned and operated the Harding General Store from 1947 until closing in the 1980’s. He was a home builder and general contractor for more than 40 years. Bob was a long time member of St. Theresa Church and the Knights of Columbus. His favorite pastimes were playing cards, gardening, and being with his grandchildren.

He is survived by three children: Diane Eaton, of Arnold, Maryland, Carole (Jeremiah) Nagle, of Ottawa, and Randy (Susie) Goetsch, of Ottawa; 6 grandchildren, John (Dorothy) Mill, Elizabeth (Mike) Stover, Kelly (George) Shanley, Kerry (Dave) Kistenfeger, Shane (Mollie) Nagle, and Ryan Nagle, many step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, one brother, Louis (Barbara) Goetsch, 2 sisters, Louise Stremlau, of Mendota, and Shirley Argus, of Modesto, California.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn on September 21, 2005, a brother James, 2 sisters, Marjorie Fosse, and Bernice Koker, and grandchildren, Sean Nagle, and Greg Mill.

Pallbearers will be: John Mill, Shane and Ryan Nagle, George Shanley, Dave Kistenfeger, and Mike Stover.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Theresa Church.

Bob is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

John W. Collins, 73, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2015 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m, Monday, December 28 at the Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating.  Visitation will be from 11:00 to 1:00 prior to the services at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be conducted.

John was born November 21, 1942 in Ottawa,  to Jack and Arla (Engle) Collins.

John served in our United States Air Force. He then retired from Libby Owens Ford after many years, where he was the past president of glass and ceramic workers Local 19. He enjoyed golfing, and was a past member of Dayton Ridge, Pine Hills, and Oak Ridge golf courses. John loved playing backgammon with his friends, and he also enjoyed fishing and playing pool at the pool hall in Ottawa. He loved spending time with his family and his friends at the pool hall.

He is survived by two daughters, Regan (Mike) Glassett, and Cassie Collins-Moore; two grandchildren, Landon Glassett, and Kailyn Martin; one sister, Kathy Terech; and his special friends Debbie and Steve Moore.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Karen Ruiz.

Memorials may be directed to the family

John is laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

Scott Lee Gould, 52, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, December 21, 2015 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m on Saturday, December 26, at the Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. David E. Daniel, of Zion Lutheran Church officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 to 1:00 prior to the services at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Scott was born October 2, 1963 in Aurora, to Melvin Gould Jr. and Sandra (Chakib) Smith-Doghmi.

Scott worked as a boilermaker for Chicago Bridge and Iron for 21 years, was a member of Boilermaker Local 60, and a 3rd Degree Master Mason. He graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1981, where he later coached baseball and football for many years. Scott was an avid drummer with a passion for playing with The Coachmen, and with friends and family during jam sessions. He immensely enjoyed boating, riding his Harley Davidson, golfing, and playing softball. He was a big fan of both the beloved Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. Scott loved to laugh and had a huge heart. He was a fun and devoted father, son, and brother, and loved spending the holidays with his family.

He is survived by his mother; his love, Kim Rinker; six children, Andrew, Bryon (Jennie), Kyle (KarLeigh), Jessica, Cody, and Lucas; two grandchildren, Mason and Autumn; and three siblings, Tony, Todd and Wendy (Rick); and one niece, Amanda.

He is preceded in death by his father; his paternal grandparents, Melvin Sr. and Veda Gould; his maternal grandparents, Harold and Dorothy Giese, his step-brother Barry Wayne Smith Jr.; and two uncles, Charles F. Gould Sr and Larry Wayne Gould, Sr.

Pallbearers will be his children. Honorary pallbearers will be Chucky, Richie, and Dewey Gould, Kevin Gwin, Leroy South, and Rick Anderson.

Scott is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Ralph Adrian. Syverson, age 87, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2015 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Funeral services honoring his life will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 23rd at Gladfelter Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park with Military Honors by the Ottawa Veterans Organization.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22nd at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be David Syverson II, Chad Johnson, Dennis McConnaughhay, Bill Entwistle, John Arwood and John Herr.

Ralph was born January 3, 1928 at Ottawa, Illinois, a son of Ralph Thomas and Evelyn Charlotte (Johnston) Syverson.  He married Hazel Bernice Arwood on February 14, 1953 at the First Baptist Church in Ottawa.  She preceded him in death November 11, 2013.  Surviving are his children, David Syverson of Utica, Ralph H. Syverson of Ottawa and Dianne (Dennis) Johnson of Littleton, Illinois.  Also surviving are grandchildren, David Syverson, Jr., Elisa Herr, Stacy Syverson, Robin and Chad Johnson and Amber Macfarland.; great-grandchildren, Richard and Jade Syverson, Hunter Downey, Strawberry Rockford, Sierra and Shania Johnson, Bailey Herr and Annastasia Macfarland; and a sister, Charlene Marie (Syverson) Gaglirdo.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Bernard Syverson and Raymond Thomas Syverson; and one sister, Mary Josephine Syverson..

Ralph was a member of the First Baptist Church.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in which he earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with 1 bronze star, United Nations Service Medal and the Army Occupation Medal (Japan).  Ralph was a retired employee of Libbey Owens Ford.  He was a member of the American Legion, and Local 19.  In his leisure time, Ralph enjoyed gardening, attending auctions and garage sales, collecting clocks, watching Wheel of Fortune and watching river activity at Allen Park.  Memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church would be most appreciated.

Armida R. James, 93, of Princeton passed away at 4:56 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at Cabin Livin Senior Care in Hennepin.

Born Dec. 31 1921, in Fillmore County, Preston, Minn., to Charles and Maude (TerBeest) Mathison, she married Guy R. James Sept. 29, 1941, in Kirksville, Mo.

She was a homemaker. She had worked as a secretary at Chicago Trade and clerked at numerous retail stores. She was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton.

She loved to sew, quilt, knit and garden. She made many quilts, winning local and national awards.

Surviving are one daughter, Beth (Cary) Rosene; three sons, Roger (Kathy) James, Dave (Virginia) James and Steve (Karen) James; two brothers, Paul Mathison and Curtis Mathison; 11 grandchildren, Kirsti James, Angela Rudolph, Brian James, Tim James, Heather Rosene Dzioba, Nathan Rosene, Hannah Rosene, Peter James, Adam James, Mark James and Sarah James; 12 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Logan, Noah, Trent, Dane, Gavin, Owen, Hartlee, Bergen, Caleb, Micah and Naomi; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters and one brother.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec 21, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton with Pastor Derek Boggs officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton.

Memorials may be directed to the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton.

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

June A. Buckingham, 87, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at Pleasant View Luther Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 19 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. John Walker officiating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be held in Oakwood Memorial Park.

June was born on June 8, 1928 in Ottawa, to Allan and Mae (Marselle) Pray. She married Bill Buckingham on February 16, 1952 in Columbus, Georgia.

June was a bookkeeper and retired from Ottawa High School. She was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church. June enjoyed spending time gardening and was an avid camper. She spent many winters camping in Texas with her husband, and together they traveled to 49 states. June was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; two sons, David (Carolyn Chapman) and Daniel Buckingham; three grandchildren, Tiffany Buckingham, Ashley (Jake) McCullough, and Justin Buckingham; six great-grandchildren, Avery Buckingham, Kylin Buckingham, Mara and Luke McCullough, Madison Canty, and Heather Chapman; and her sister, Carol (Don) Jugenitz.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Pallbearers will be Mike Weygand, Dwayne Davis, Dana Ferracuti, Drew Ferracuti, Kevin McCalpine, Jake McCullough, Dave Erwin, Justin Buckingham, Avery Buckingham, Donald L. Renz, John Orr, and James Macono.

Memorials may be directed to Pet Project or the First Presbyterian Church.

June is laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

Gino Biffany, 77, of Ottawa, died on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Kevin Donoho, Pastor of Crossbridge Community Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be accorded. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Liturgical prayers will be at 3:45 pm.

Gino was born on October 27, 1938 in Ottawa to Charles and Mary (Vallero) Biffany. Gino served in the US Army from 1958 to 1963. He married Kay Chevalier on October 30, 1965 in Ottawa. Gino worked for AT&T for over 40 years. Gino attended the Crossbridge Community Church. He was a founding member of the Illinois Valley Carvers Association and an avid lifelong Peltier Marble collector. His love of nature led him to be a dedicated fisherman and gardener, a member of the American Sportsman Show Hall of Fame, and an expert woodworker.

He is survived by his wife Kay, 3 children, Charles (Nancy) Biffany, Amy (Michael) Soenksen, and Randall Biffany, all of Ottawa, 5 grandchildren, Lindsey (Tom) Anderson, Michael (Elizabeth) Soenksen, Danielle Soenksen, Jessica (Brenden McCormick) Biffany, and Brittany (Joshua Robbins) Biffany, 3 great grandchildren, Benjamin and Madelyn Anderson and Lily Robbins, 3 sisters, Mary Wright and Lucille (Bob) Cunningham, both of Ottawa, and Rose (Tom) Varney, of Utica, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Thomas Biffany, 3 brothers John, Julian and Felix, and 5 sisters, Lucille Biffany, Catherine Johnson, Josephine Botkins, Ann Cilla, and Dina Whitney.

Pallbearers will be Jamie Kummer, Marty Ruhland, Bob Hutchinson, Al Faull, Judge Michael Jansz, and Doug Pastirik.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Cunningham, Tom Varney, and Karl Lengfelder.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Gino is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

OTTAWA – Harold K. “Jack” Fassett, age 75, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, November 29, 2015 surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Gladfelter Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park with full military rites accorded by the Ottawa Veterans Group.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. till service time Saturday morning at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Dustin Detert, Darryn Downey, Don and Luke Fassett, Darrell Keller, and Jack Spinazola.

Harold was born October 31, 1940 in Barre, Vermont, the son of Hayden and Eleanor (Friot) Fassett.  He married Colette Juliette “Coco” Verdier April 8, 1961 in Vouillion, France, Indre.  She preceded him in death December 11, 1990.  Harold is survived by his children, Karen Linda (Darrell) Keller and Christine Cecilia Dovin and companion, Dustin Detert, all of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Tyler Keller of La Salle, Breanne and Bethany Dovin of Grand Ridge, and Brooke and Brittany Dovin, both of Ottawa; two brothers, Steve and Frank Fassett, both of South Carolina; and five sisters, Carol Perry of New Mexico, Diane Fassett, Patty Chowning, and Jodi Kerwin, all of South Carolina, and Heidi Putvain of Vermont.  He was preceded in death by his wife, four brothers, and two sisters.

Harold proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, earning the rank of Aircraft Crash Rescue.  He graciously gave up his career in the Air Force to help his family in their time of need.  He was a member of the American Legion in Ottawa.  Harold was owner/operator of J&J Auto Repair where he spent 40 years turning wrenches.  As well as playing cards, he enjoyed many years at the race track as a participant and sponsor.  In addition to his family, Harold cherished his beloved pets.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Jack is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Elizabeth Ruth “Betty” (Sarti) Foltynewicz, 85, of Marseilles passed away Sunday, November 29 at home with her loving family by her side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am Saturday, December 5, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marseilles with Rev. Tony Ego officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 Friday, December 4, 2015 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 3:45. She will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Mrs. Foltynewicz was born July 12, 1930 to Joseph and Ruth (Midnight) Sarti. She married Eugene “Fuzzy” Foltynewicz June 17, 1950 at St. Mary’s in Naplate.   Betty graduated from Ottawa High School in 1949, and played the Hawaiian Steel Guitar for the Evelyn Islander’s Band.  She was also a member of the TOPS Organization where she held many positions.

She is survived by four daughters, Pamela (Daniel) Luban of ElPaso, Deborah (Walter) Woodyer of Marseilles, Carole (Charles) Brown of Verona, and Peggy Foltynewicz of Naplate. As well as her seven grandchildren, Christie (Kevin) Kiper, Gena, Zach, and Daniel (LeAnn) Luban, Aaron (Jen) and Curtis (Amanda) Woodyer, and Samantha (Wayne) Munks-Harris. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Faith, Hannah, and Ella Luban, Cayden, Payton, and Shaye Woodyer, and Enrika and Shawn Harris.

She was preceded into death by her husband, her parents, stepfather, Thomas Elwell, and her stepsister, Cheryle Elwell Munks.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Katherine “Kay” (Carroll) Stein, 94, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, November 29, 2015 at her home.

Private graveside services were held Tuesday, December 1, 2015 in the chapel at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottawa Funeral Home.

Kay was born October 9, 1921 in Marseilles, Illinois  to Walter and Anna (Decker) Carroll. She married Donald Stein on January 20, 1957 in First Baptist Church in Ottawa; he passed away April 9, 1991.

Kay was a member of Cloud 9, All Season, First Baptist Church in Ottawa, the Moose Lodge, and square dance club’s Falk Valley, and Las N Eighter’s.

She is survived by three daughter; Sandra J. Carroll, Deneise (Timothy) Trowbridge, and Noella Stein; three son, Douglas (Sue) Carroll, Gregory Stein, and Keith (Elizabeth) Stein; four grandchildren, Alex and Chris Trowbridge, Jeremy and Nathaniel Stein; one sister, Louise (Gary) Harmon; sister-in-law Marge (Robert) Gaffney.

She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Kenneth (Helen), William Carroll, and Robert Gaffney.

Memorials may be directed to Friendship Village 1718 N. 2525 Road · Ottawa, IL 61350.

Kay is laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.