October 2016

Russell W. Hill, 85, of Marseilles, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Ottawa Pavilion.

A Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Rev. Anthony Ego officiating. Military honors by the Marseilles Honor Guard will follow services at the church. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at     Seals-Campbell Funeral Home.

Russell was born September 29, 1931 in Marseilles, to Russell and Stella (Cobler) Hill. In 1958, he married Elizabeth Tabor of Ottawa, who preceded him in death in 1993.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He served in the Army in Korea. He was employed by L. O. F. for 35 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Marseilles Lions Club.

Russell is survived by one daughter, Joan McNamara of Ottawa; two grandchildren, Michael (Sierra) McNamara of Ottawa and Casey McNamara of Indiana; one great-granddaughter, Jazmyne; and one brother, Roger (Eloise) Hill of Ottawa.

He was preceded in death by his wife and two sisters, Ruth Hay and Susan.

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

Jimmy A. Watts, 86, of Ottawa, died Wednesday, October 5, at the LaSalle County Nursing Home. Private services have been arranged through the Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory in Ottawa. Interment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Jimmy was born on December 24, 1929, in Robinson, Illinois, to Jimmy and Lorrine (Denton) Watts. He was a graduate of Robinson High School. He served in the U. S. Air Force. He was a sergeant at Sheridan Correctional Center and later at Statesville Penitentiary. He married Hazel Watts, on January 2, 1951 in Robinson.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel, a daughter Brenda (Guy) Rimmele, of Ottawa, a son, Jimmy A. Watts, Jr. of Harding, grandchildren, Adam Rimmele, Austin, Jeffrey, and Ashlynn Watts, a sister Marsha (George) Baker of Robinson, and a brother John (Ruth) Watts, of Robinson.

Memorials May be made to the donor’s choice.

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

Patricia Severson, 76, of Ottawa, died peacefully Friday afternoon, September 30, 2016 at Pleasant View in Ottawa.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Corey Krengiel of St. Columba Church, officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home on Monday. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Patricia was born on April 21, 1940 in Ottawa to John “Garland” and Madeline (Pererdi) Shanley. She married Keith Severson at St. Francis of Assisi in Ottawa on May 5, 1962. Patricia was a graduate of Ottawa Township High school, class of 1958 and Northwestern University School of Nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse for Dr. Jackson Huang, at the Ottawa Medical Center. She attended St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa.

She is survived by her husband Keith of Ottawa, a son, Kevin (Wanda) Severson of Thonotosassa, Florida, four grandchildren, Jacob, Brandie, Lexi, Kris, four great grandchildren and a brother, Mark (Pam) Shanley, of Charleston, SC.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Suanne Smith, and a brother, John “Jack” Shanley.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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

Sharon Kay Valdez, 56, of Ottawa passed away Monday, August 22, 2016 at her home.

Memorial Service will be 6:00 pm Friday, August 26, 2016 at Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 3:00 to 6:00, prior to services, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Sharon was born July 30, 1960 in Ottawa, Illinois to Robert and Evelyn (Kinney) Jackson. She worked for Nell’s Cleaning Service for many years. Sharon enjoyed the taste of fresh tomatoes she grew in her garden and could cook just about anything. She enjoyed Halloween and playing practical jokes on everyone. She loved riding on the back of the motorcycle and playing horseshoes with her sweetie, Dan. Most of all Sharon loved her family; her children, grandkids, and her sweetie meant the world to her.

She is survived by two daughters, Bobbi Jo (Peter) Mayszak and Samantha Meglan, both of Ottawa; one son, Ryan Meglan of Ottawa; two grandchildren, Jackson and Nora; one sister, Leann McDonald; two brothers, Tom Jackson and Jay (Susan) Jackson; and her significant other of 15 years, Daniel Mennie.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Jessica Marie Valdez; and one sister, Lynn Laatz.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Mary Belle Risberg, 95, formerly of Ottawa, died on Tuesday October 4, 2016 at Salem Village Nursing and Rehab Center, in Joliet.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with the Rev. David Jungnickel, Officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home on Friday.

Mary Belle was born May 9, 1921 in McLeansboro, IL to Charles and Lillie (Henderson) Fisher. She was a 1939 Graduate of Morris High School. She married Erving Risberg on November 28, 1946 in DePue. She worked as a secretary in the library at Ottawa Township High School for over 15 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she served on several committees. She and her husband were co-sponsors of the MYF (Methodist youth Fellowship for many years.

Mary Belle is survived by one son, Robert (Kay) Risberg of Pearland, TX; one daughter Denise Risberg of Mokena, IL; two grandchildren, Eric (Molly) Risberg of West Chicago and Jennifer(Brian) Rivas of Houston, TX; five great-grandchildren, Andrew Joseph Risberg, Tyler John Risberg, Maya Elizabeth Risberg, Grayson Lynn Rivas, and Rebecca Rivas, and many nieces and nephews who she dearly loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband on May 24, 2008, two sisters, Betty Neurohr and Velma Loop; three brothers, Roy, Jerry, and Donald Lee Fisher.

Pallbearers will be: Eric Risbert, A. J. Risbert, Ty Risberg, Larry Neurohr, and Ron Neurohr.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church.

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

Malissa “Marie” Holloway, 98, of Ottawa, IL passed away September 27, 2016 at the Ottawa Pavilion. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, October 3 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Marie’s son Pastor Del Holloway conducting the services. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Marie was born July 19, 1918, in Rockwood, IL to John and Lavilla (Rader) Saddler. She married Layman Holloway September 1, 1938 in St Louis, MO; he passed away in 1971.

Marie is survived by one son, Del (Sally) Holloway of Edenton, NC; two grandchildren, Michelle (Chris) Johnston of Texarkana, TX and Danielle (Dan) Ruden of Granite Bay, CA; three great grandchildren, Sophia Johnston, Kiera Johnston, and Zoe Ruden; and one sister, Myrtle Moore of Ottawa.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Richard, and Huston; two sisters, Martha and Augusta; and an infant sibling.

Marie had many friends. She made them laugh, made them look at life with a different eye, made them practice patience and compassion, made them accept others as they are, and made them realize it is so important to live life to the fullest as life is very short.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Turning Points. P.O. Box 3838, San Diego, CA 92163

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