May 2016

Selma J. Nelson, 96, of Ottawa died peacefully at home on May 11, 2016. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, in Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor David Ufkes, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.  Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, and one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.

Selma Josephine was born on June 16, 1919 in LaVern, Iowa, the first child of John and Johane Lindanger Nelson Friestad. They moved to Ottawa in 1932. Selma attended Pleasant View Luther High School for two years, then graduated from Ottawa High School. She attended Northern Illinois University to study education. She married Nelford “Bud” Nelson on September 5, 1942. They farmed in Utica. Selma began teaching at Rutland School District in 1963, later transferring to Troy Grove, and finished her teaching career at Wallace School, retiring in 1984. Selma loved to read, do crossword puzzles, and answer the geography question from The Chicago Tribune, until her eyes failed. She was an avid gardener and even more avid Cubs fan. She had an inquisitive mind that was sharp until her death.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters Alma, Verna, Sylvia, and brothers John, and Dick.

She is survived by her children Sonja (Stuart) Bechler of Elgin and Douglas (Janet) Nelson of Champaign. Her beloved granddaughters Shelley (Brad) Hurst of Waukee, Iowa, Stefanie (Brett) Olson of Lake Zurich, and Natalie (Tony) Monterastelli of Chicago and her sweet great granddaughters Mira Monterastelli and Annika Olson. Also surviving are sister Vina Rowe of Ottawa, brothers Edwin Friestad, of DeKalb, Russell Friestad,of Indio, CA, and Leroy (Norma) Friestad, of Leeds, AL, many nieces and nephews, special neighbors, Kathy and Spider Purcell, and friends from teaching and church. Selma was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 84 years and a member of the LaSalle County Retired Teachers Association, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, and the LaSalle County Historical Society.

Pallbearers will be Gary Carlson, Brad Hurst, Mark Kuhlman, Tony Monterastelli, Brett Olson, and Larry Rowe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, 717 Chambers Street, Ottawa, IL 61350, the LaSalle County Historical Society, PO Box 278, Utica, IL 61373, the Reddick Library,1010 Canal Street­­­, Ottawa, IL 61350,  or to the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation (Scholarship Fund), 828 S. Second, 4th floor, Springfield, IL 62704.

Selma has been laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

OTTAWA – Betty Marie Fancher, age 88, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 at the Ottawa Pavilion.

It was Betty’s wish not to have any funeral service.  In keeping with her request there was a private inurnment held at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa.

Betty was born November 3, 1927 in Ottawa, Illinois, a daughter of John and Ethel (Cray) Anweiler.  She married Robert G. Fancher Sr. August 31, 1946 in East Moline.  He preceded her in death August 16, 1996.  Surviving are her children, Jean (Paul) Vandom of Ottawa, Susan Chatterton of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Robert G. Fancher Jr. of Virginia; a sister, Helen Sampson; and several grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by five brothers, three sisters, and a granddaughter.

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

Dorie Van Atta, 98, formerly of Ottawa died April 30, 2016 at the home of her daughter in Darien, Wisconsin. Funeral Services will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 6, in the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with the Rev, Cheri Stewart, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the services.

Dorie was born on July 31, 1917 in Grand Rapids, Michigan a daughter to Roy and Lillian (Ruggles) Foster. She married William F. Loeb on September 26, 1935. William passed away August 15, 1981. She married Max Van Atta on August 25, 1984 in Ottawa. He passed away February 13, 1991. Dorie was a member of the First United Methodist Church for more than 60 years.  She was employed as the manager of the girls department at Value City for over 15 years.

She is survived by one daughter, Myrna (James) Carter of Darien, Wisconsin, one son, William (Karen) Loeb of Addison, one stepdaughter Joyce Van Atta of Montana, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lee and Robert Foster, and one sister, Ardis Overla.

Memorials may be directed to: Pet Project, 2676 E. 2575 Road, Marseilles, IL, 61341.

Pallbearers: Jim S. Carter, Greg Carter, Kohl Boydston, Cameron Boydston, Stavros Georgikos, Ben Johnson, and Terry Boydston.

Dorie has been laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Dorothy Slovinski, 89, of Ottawa, died on Sunday morning, May 1, at the Ottawa Pavilion.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, in St. Patrick Church, with the Rev. Tony Fevlo, Pastor, officiating.  Interment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Mueller Funeral Home.

Dorothy was born on October 1, 1926 in Ottawa to David and Sue (Salvati) Cunningham.

She married John J. Slovinski on July 3, 1948 in Joliet.

She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Slovinski and Karen (Larry) Christensen, both of Ottawa, one grandson, Steven (Michelle) Christensen, and 2 great-granddaughters, Isabella and Quinn.

She was preceded in death by her husband John, on February 25, 2007, her mother and step-father, Sue and Solly Mallace, and her father David Cunningham.

Pallbearers will be:  Larry and Steven Christensen, Jerry Slovinski, Dave Jordan, and Dustin and Wesley Cook.

Memorials may be directed to: St. Patrick Church, Marquette Academy, or the Activities Department at Ottawa Pavilion.

Dorothy has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Peace.

MARSEILLES – Dorothy Caroline Galloway, age 85, of Marseilles, passed away Thursday evening, April 28, 2016, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ottawa with Pastor David Daniel and Pastor William Chormann officiating.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. Wednesday morning at the church.  Gladfelter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dorothy was born November 27, 1930 in Ottawa, the daughter of Peter and Edith (Lenz) Christensen.  She married John Galloway October 19, 1958 in Ottawa.  He preceded her in death December 28, 1977.  Dorothy is survived by her children, Richard (Janet) Galloway of Downers Grove and Susan (Kent) Chalus of Rochelle.  Also surviving are five grandchildren, Amy (Steve) Panich, Kristine (Matt) Zieman, Eric (Jamie) Chalus, Emily (Mitch) French, and Erika Galloway; two great grandchildren, Charlie Chalus and Mason Panich as well as several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by three brothers, Russell, Robert, and Henry Christensen.

Dorothy was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ottawa where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years.  She also served as a Walther League Counselor.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Pre-School or Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Dorothy has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.

Victoria L. Johnson, Ottawa, passed away.  Private services were held.  Internment is in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Victoria has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.

OTTAWA – Jeanne Marie Hampson, age 94, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 26, 2016 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Reverend David M. Kipfer officiating.  Entombment will follow at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. till service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Jeanne was born July 7, 1921 in Ottawa, the daughter of Major General Joseph Clifford and Ann R. (Shea) Hodgin.  She married Harlan Bruce Hampson September 20, 1947 in St. Charles, Illinois.  He preceded her in death December 29, 2002.  Surviving are a sister, Carol Brownless of Omaha, Nebraska; a brother in-law, Dale Hampson of Streator; nieces and nephews, Catherine Leach of Ottawa, Deborah Noon of Lee Center, Illinois, Julie Hampson of Gurnee, Kenneth Hampson of Tiskilwa, Christopher Boettcher of Burlingame, California, Timothy Boettcher of Los Angeles, California, Thomas Boettcher of Cottage Grove, Oregon, Jeanne Marie “Missy” McBride of Golden, Colorado, David Brownless of Omaha, Nebraska, and Stephen Brownless of London, England.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Martha Boettcher, and one nephew, Michael Boettcher.

Jeanne was a member of St. Columba Church.  She was formerly employed as a teller and secretary at Ottawa Savings and Loan.  She was also an avid bridge player.  Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Columba Church or Marquette Academy.

Jeanne has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Love.

Marjory M. Lysland, of Ottawa, Illinois, entered her eternal rest on Sunday, January 3, 2016, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, after a brief illness.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016, (The day after what would have been Marge’s 94th Birthday.) with visitation at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, IL, where she regularly attended when she was physically able. She trusted in Jesus Christ for her eternal salvation. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Private services were held in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Marge was born to Frank and Edna (Kent) Dabbert on April 29, 1922, in Ottawa. She married Nelfred Lysland on December 27, 1940. He preceded her in death in November 1995.

Marge worked for 24 years as a Nurse’s Aide at the Ottawa Arthritis Sanitarium & Diagnostic Clinic. She resided in recent years at Heritage Woods, and, most recently, at Ottawa Pavilion. She was a friendly and loving person who enjoyed visits from her family and friends. Her sense of humor and smile were always a part of the visits.

She is survived by her neighbor, James Feely, her caregiver and friend, who Marge treated as her own son. She is also survived by nephew, Richard (June) Erickson, Lynnwood, WA; niece, Virginia (Dwain) Dial, Davenport, FL; nephews, Keith (Gene) Erickson of Port Byron, IL; Joel (Marian) Erickson of Moline, IL; and Dean (Marcia) Erickson of Port Ludlow, WA; niece-in-law, Sharlene Lysland, Paw Paw, IL, and many other great-nieces and nephews who loved her. Nephews, Wayne and Ronald Lysland of Paw Paw, IL, preceded her in death.

Marge has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.

OTTAWA – Martha Trosper, age 83, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday morning, April 26, 2016 at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m Friday April 29, 2016 at Gladfelter Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. till service time on Friday at the funeral home.

Martha was born February 3, 1933 in Ottawa, Illinois, a daughter of Edward and Emma (Seibert) Schomas.  She married Bob Trosper April 23, 1950 in Hot Springs, North Carolina.  Surviving are her husband, Bob Trosper of Ottawa; children, Kay (Charles) Magistro of Ottawa and David (Deb) Trosper of Superior, Colorado; grandchildren, Adam (Melissa) Brate of McHenry, Brian (Boo) Brate of Nashville, Tennessee, Tara (Bob) Donahue of Denver, Colorado and David (Shana) Trosper of Greeley, Colorado; four great grandchildren; a brother, Ronald (Mary Lou) Schomas of Ottawa; and a sister, Ann (Wright) Rasmusson of London Ontario, Canada; and a sister in-law, Mary Lou Schomas of Ottawa  She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward C. Schomas Jr. and a granddaughter, Tiffany Trosper.

Martha attended First United Methodist Church in Ottawa.  She spent her life raising her family and working around the house.  She enjoyed gardening.  In her spare time she collected an impressive amount of duck figurines as well as Anri figurines.  Martha and Bob also enjoyed their times at the gambling boats.  But most of all, Martha loved her family and cherished the time she spent with them.  She will be dearly missed by all.  Memorial contributions may be made to Starved Rock Regional Center, formerly Easter Seals of Ottawa.

Martha has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Debra Green, 64, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at her home.

A Celebration of Deb’s life will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at the Lion’s Club of Ottawa from noon to 4:00 p.m., with a prayer session at noon. Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation rites.

Debra was born March 25, 1952 in Ottawa to James S. and Joanne E. (Mahnke) Underwood. She married Donald Green in 1969 in Ottawa.

Debra and her husband Don owned Cap’n Jacks for 22 years. After that, she had worked at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital in human resources for eight years. She was a member of Streator RC Flyers and Christ Episcopal Church in Ottawa. She enjoyed knitting and reading, and she loved going to work.

She is survived by her husband, Don; her son, Jamey Green of Ottawa; two brothers, Jim L. (Linda) Underwood and Dennis (Joyce) Underwood, both of Ottawa; and her furry companion, Mr. Pickles Green.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Debra has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Seasons, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL.