February 2016

Francis M. “Frank” Wielgopolan, 86, of Naplate, Illinois passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 23 at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate with Rev. Tony Fevlo officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 22 at Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory, with prayers at 3:45 p.m.  Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park with full military rites.

Frank was born September 16, 1929 in Naplate,  to Stanley and Catherine (Siminski) Wielgopolan.  He married Patricia Sheahan on July 27, 1957; she passed away on November 14, 2010.

Frank was a member and honorary member of the Naplate Fire Department. He retired from Pilkington after 42 years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Naplate and the American Legion. Frank served in the United States Army second armored division during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany.

He is survived by three sons, Steven (Vicki), Michael, and Timothy (Eddie), all of Ottawa; one daughter, Patricia (Ray) Ortiz of Germantown Hills; twelve grandchildren, Dane, Nina, Brennan, Kylie, Luke, Alyssa, Chloe, Noah, Baylee, Harper, Greer, and Phoebe; five great grandchildren; one sister, Florence Dammann of Ottawa; and two brothers, Edward (Jane) and Ray (Lois) Wielgopolan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a daughter-in-law, Kate; seven sisters, Anastasia Wielgopolan, Mary Malik, Helen Geiger, Sophie Micklos, Louise Washko, Henrietta Ohlendorf, and Josephine O’Berto; and two brothers, Stanley and Steven Wielgopolan.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to Naplate Fire Department.

Frank is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

OTTAWA — Wilbur Walter Pike, age 96, of Ottawa passed away peacefully Friday, January 15, 2016 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 18th at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Weakley of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Jason and Jerrett Pate, John and Matt Battles, Rick Smith and Caleb Johnson.

Mr. Pike was born July 11, 1919 in Ottawa to Walter William and Vernal (Hagaboon) Pike. He married Rose Amy Jett in Ottawa on December 21, 1937. She preceded him in death May 17, 2005.   He is survived by three daughters, Ginny (Allen) Wawak, Pam Pate, and Carolyn (Ron) Battles all of Ottawa; a son, Wayne (Dawn) Pike of Ottawa; grandchildren, Susan Abbott, Jennifer Smith, Allison VanDerstyuf, Jason and Jerrett Pate, Janeé Johnson, John and Matt Battles, Brittany Hrvatin, and Paisley Pike-Pratt; and 25 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Adrian.

Wilbur retired from farming at age 68 and then enjoyed his garden and flowers.  He was a member to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church where he served on the church board, was a head deacon, and a smiling greeter for many years.  He was also a long time member of the LaSalle County Farm Bureau.

Memorials may be directed to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Wilbur is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.