July 2016

James “Gus” Yasm, 85, of Ottawa passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 Monday, July 25, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. Tony Fevlo officiating. Entombment will be at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be 10:30 – 12:30, two hours prior to service on Monday, at Ottawa Funeral Home.

Jim was born February 6, 1931 in Ottawa, Illinois to Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (Patterson) Yasm. He married Lois Coffey on April 18, 1953 at St. Patrick Church in Ottawa.

He retired from LOF in 1992 after 42 years of service. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, charter member of Shoreline Boat Club, and Glassworkers Local 19.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; one son, Curtis Yasm Sr. of Ottawa; three grandchildren, Jessica Lopez, Brittany Bibbins and Curtis (Kristie) Yasm Jr.; three great grandchildren, Zachary Tunget, Briella and Mira Yasm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his only loving daughter, Paula Jane (Yasm) Bibbins; two sisters, Rosemary Lemke and Josephine Kacjor; three brothers, Thomas, Bernard and Patterson “Pat” Yasm.

Memorials may be directed to his family.

Jim has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Hope.

Joseph Francis Catalanello, 66, of Streator, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family.

A prayer service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Mueller-Pagani Funeral Home in LaSalle followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM in the Queen of Holy Rosary Church in LaSalle with The Very Rev. Antonio Dittmer, pastor of St. Hyacinth’s Church in LaSalle officiating.  Full military rites will be conducted by the LaSalle-Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group.Burial will be private in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa at a later date.  Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a prayer service at 3:45 p.m.

Mr. Catalanello was born on September 13, 1949 in Peru to Anton and Joan (Hoffman) Catalanello. He served during the Vietnam War as a Marine earning the Bronze Star of Valor. He married Patricia Fowler-Whiteaker on June 30, 2000 in Ottawa.  Joe retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation.  He was a member of the VFW, Marine Corps League, American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Streator; his mother, Joan Catalanello of LaSalle; daughters, Jennifer Head and Corrie Catalanello; 8 grandchildren; four brothers, David (Angie) Catalanello, Kenneth Catalanello, Donald Catalanello and Ronald Catalanello all of LaSalle; one step-son, Josh (Tami) Whiteaker of Normal; and his loving companion Alice the Chihuahua and the rest of the pack.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Pallbearers will be David, Ronald, Donald and Dylan Catalanello, Josh Whiteaker, Thomas Fowler and Kevin Fowler.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Pet Project or IVAR.

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

FREEPORT — Greg A. Pearson, 58, of Freeport, died Thursday, March 31, at his home.

Born Jan. 27, 1958, in San Diego, Calif., he was the son of Julius and Audrey (Sjolin) Pearson. He married Dorrie Ann Sarver on April 22, 1978, and she died Oct. 31, 2013.

Greg was honorably discharged from the United States Army on Feb. 26, 1986.

He was a CNC machinist working for Danfoss in Freeport for almost 30 years.

Surviving are his parents of California, his fiancé, Laurel M. Brashaw, of Freeport; his children, Brandy (Jeff) Brown, of Forreston, Mischelle Pearson, of Freeport, and his son, Gregory Pearson, of Forreston; his sister, Shaleen Pearson, of Illinois; his brothers, Tim (Sue) Pearson, Mike (Claire) Pearson, and Chris (Kelly) Pearson, all of California; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife.

Cremations rites will be accorded.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at First United Methodist Church in Forreston. Private services will be held at a later date in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL.

A memorial has been established in his name.

Please leave a message in Greg’s guestbook at walkermortuary.com.

Walker Mortuary

321 W. Main St., Freeport, IL 61032

815-232-2136 walkermortuary.com

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

ROCKY MOUNT, Mo. — William E. “Bill” Green, 72, of Rocky Mount, Mo., formerly of Ottawa, passed away Monday, June 27, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, July 9, in Rocky Mount, Mo. Private burial will be Saturday, July 23, in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Bill was born Jan. 18, 1944, to William and Elaine (Jessen) Green.

He is survived by two daughters, Toni L. Green and Tracy A. Green; two sons, Troy (Jyll) Green and Richard Brian Green; his furry companion, Mikey; five grandchildren, Justin Green, Joshua (Rebecca) Green, Halee (Michael) Hasty, Tony (Sarah) Mckee and Zachary Green; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Terry Green, of Ottawa, and Donald Green (Debbie, deceased), of Ottawa; three sisters, Kathy (Pete) Peterson, of Serena, Susan McMichael, of Columbia, Mo., Debbie (Ron) Schunke, of Ottawa; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill attended Ottawa schools, graduating from Marquette High School in 1962.

Bill worked for Burns Machine Company in Ottawa for many years. He moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. area where he owned and operated “Bills Dock” business.

He was an avid sports fan and especially loved the Chicago Cubs and Bears.

Memorials cards can be directed to his family at 2501 Hartford Road, Columbia, MO. 65203, in care of Tracy Green.

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

Melvin G. Hallett, 95, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday morning, July 16, 2016 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Corey Krengiel, of St. Columba Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mr. Hallett was born March 29, 1921 in Grand Ridge, to George W. and Myrtle (Chalus) Hallett, of Farm Ridge Township. He married Barbara McCormick, of Ottawa on November 15, 1952 in St. Columba Church.

Mr. Hallett was a farmer and farmed in Farm Ridge and Deer Park Townships until his retirement. He raised Hereford cattle and was a member of the Illinois Hereford and American Hereford Associations. He was a past president and served on the board of Deer Park School and the Farm Ridge / Deer Park Insurance Companies. He was a member of the LaSalle County Farm Bureau. He was a lifelong Cubs fan. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, a son Robert (Carolyn) Hallett, of Belvidere, and grandchildren Brian and Emmy, of Belvidere.

Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers, Hubert, Willis, and Benoit, and his sisters Myrtle Hallett, Edna Walter, Della Finch, and Marilyn Bunn.

Pallbearers will be Brian Hallett, Ray Walter, Jerry Finch, John Bunn, Tom Baker, and Mark Armstrong.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

Melvin has been laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

OTTAWA – Thomas R. Knutson, age 81, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday morning, July 10, 2016, at Pleasant View with his loving family at his side.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Chaplain Linda Weidenbach officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be his grandson, Thomas Ryan Knutson, and nephews Tim, Jay, Jim, Bob, and John Fuller, Jeremy Lehman, and Chad Donath.  Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughter, Katie Lynn Knutson and loving nieces Judy Wisneski, Teresa Donath, Debra Mucci, and Cassie and Maya Fuller.

Tom was born June 5, 1935 in Rochester, Minnesota, a son of Thomas Rueben and Grace (Rognstad) Knutson.  He married Carol Ann Fuller September 18, 1955 in Ottawa.  He is survived by Carol, his wife of 60 years; his son, Thomas Robert (Nancyee) Knutson of Apple Valley, Minnesota; grandchildren, Katie Lynn and Thomas Ryan Knutson.  He also leaves a sister, Kathi (Dan) Vicini of Charlotte, North Carolina; and several caring and loving nieces and nephews.

Tom was a member of Evangelical United Methodist Church, the Glassworkers Local, and the Moose Lodge.  He had been employed at Libbey Owens Ford for 44 years, retiring in 1998.  Tom was a family man who treasured the time spent with his wife, son, daughter in-law, grandchildren, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews.  A lover of the outdoors, his spare time would often find him enjoying a game of golf, biking, or swimming.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pleasant View Memory Support Unit Activity Department or a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

MARSEILLES – Robert (Bob) Barnes, age 90, formerly of Marseilles, died July 9, 2016 at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community in Chenoa with family at his side.

A private service will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016 at Gladfelter Funeral Home in Ottawa.  Entombment with Military Rites by the Ottawa Veterans Group will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Bob was born May 1, 1926 in North English, Iowa to Frank S. and Hazel (Moore) Barnes.  He served in the United States Navy during World War II.  He was employed at Dupont in Seneca until his retirement.

Bob married the love of his life, Dolores Fessler on March 24, 1973.  He is survived by his wife; daughters, Bobbi (Jack) Brandt of Bloomington, Cheri McKigney of Anderson, IN, Rhonda (Ken) Wynn of Wapella, and Marlene Diedrich of Bonita Springs, FL; a son, Kenny (Debi) Fessler of Marseilles; four grandsons, David (Tamme) Crater, Kurt (Jenny) Crater, Jeff (Jenni) Crater. and Steve Wynn; six granddaughters, Stephanie (Darrin) Glass, Kim (Kevin) Hager, Michelle (Cory) Billie, Kendra Fessler, Shannon (Joe) Jackson, and Cheri Ann Aikin; sixteen great grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Lyle, of Alabama; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jack and George Barnes; and sisters, Helen Brady, Phyllis Christian, and Esther Hauppa and a grandson John Aikin.

Bob was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Ottawa, the American Legion, and the Ottawa Moose Lodge. Bob was a model train enthusiast, he loved to camp, and he enjoyed woodworking and traveling.  He also enjoyed Western movies and listening to audio books.   Most of all he loved spending time with his family.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Lung Association.

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

Ronald “Scott” Sarles, 57, of Ottawa passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at his home.

Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 pm Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating.  Visitation will be 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Wednesday, 2 hours prior to services, at Ottawa Funeral Home. He will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park. Cremation rites recorded.

Scott was born February 4, 1959 in Ottawa, Illinois to Ronald and June (Staats) Sarles. He drove trucks for Waste Management and then Mayflower for many years. He was a member of the Ottawa Moose Lodge. Scott had a never-ending passion for NASCAR and had quite an extensive collection of NASCAR memorabilia. He enjoyed traveling and even hiked the US with a good friend. Besides being passionate about NASCAR Scott enjoyed being outdoors which included gardening, feeding the birds, and sitting in his yard watching the wildlife.

He is survived by his mother, June Clements; one sister, Michele Cioni; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Ronald Sarles; and two sisters, Rhonda Anderson and Cheryl Swartz.

Memorials may be directed to Pet Projects, 2676 E 2575th Rd, Marseilles, IL 61341.

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

Nelson J. Norem passed away February 8, 2014 in Vermont.  He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret.  A private memorial service was held in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa IL. Green Mountain Cremation Service of Middlebury VT handled the arrangements.

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

Frank H. Dilley formerly of Ottawa passed away June 28, 2016 in Bradenton, Fl.  Inurnment has taken place in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa IL.  Brown and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Bradenton, Fl. was in charge of arrangements.

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