March 2017

Michael F. Bauermeister, 61, of Morris, passed away peacefully Friday, November 4, 2016 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Born March 27, 1955 in Hamburg, Germany, Michael was the son of Ursula Klingerman.

Michael was raised and educated in Morris, graduating from Morris High School with the Class of 1973. He was employed with GAC in Braidwood, IL. He enjoyed drawing, gardening, and doing yard work.

He is survived by his mother, Ursula of Morris; one sister, Brigit Lantz of Morris; one nephew Michael Peterson; and two grandsons, Keagin and Hunter Lowe.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Erika Bauermeister in 2008, and father, Don Klingerman.

At the family’s request, no funeral services will be held for Michael. Inurnment will be at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawaat a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted with U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home, 301 W. Washington Street, Morris, IL.

For further information visit the website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com or contact the funeral home at 815-942-0084.

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

Kenneth Johnson, 85, of Ottawa died on Sunday morning, March 19, at Pleasant View in Ottawa. Funeral Services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, in the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with the Rev. Augustin Kassa, of St. Francis of Assisi Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the services.

Ken was born on August 25, 1931 in Morris to Clarence and Ellen (Olson) Johnson. He was a graduate of Hopkins high school in Granville. He married Mary Ann Kunkel on April 16, 1955 at Sacred Heart Church in Granville. He was employed as a timekeeper at LOF until his retirement at 30 years, and was a co-owner of the Video Center for 12 years.

His survived by his wife, Mary Ann, 4 children: Patricia A. Johnson, of Cave Creek, AZ, Bradley A. (Kelley) Johnson, of Ottawa, Carol J. (Jerry Barber) Johnson, of Mineral VA, and Debra L. Tucker, of Ottawa, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Bradley L. Johnson.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Pallbearers will be members of the family.

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

Cora Lewis-Kelly, 76, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, March 19, 2017 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral Ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Garner officiating. Visitation will be 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, prior to services, Thursday at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Cora was born January 17, 1941 in Ottawa, Illinois to Russell and Edna (Daggett) Ham. She married John Lewis Sr June 15, 1957 in Ottawa, Illinois; he passed away April 1, 1971. She upholstered furniture for many years, worked for the power plant for 15 years, and retired from the Handy Foods Deli in October 2014. In her free time she enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her three children, Candy (Mark) Christmann of Streator, Beverly Flatness of Ottawa, and John James Lewis II of Streator; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Ray Ham and Jerry Ham.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one grandson, John Lewis Jr,; and eight siblings.

Memorials may be directed to her family.

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

Lyle A. Robinson, 96, of Ottawa passed away Friday evening, March 17, 2017 at the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. John Walker officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa where full military rites will be conducted.

Lyle was born on April 8, 1920 in DuQuoin, Illinois, to Everett and Katie (Kunkel) Robinson . He married Freda Rodely on June 3, 1939 in Jackson, Missouri. Lyle was an Army Air Corps. veteran of WWII, serving in the Philippines and Japan. He retired from Bakelite in 1984 and helped on Burdette and Grace Hepner on their farm for many years. He was a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Freda, two daughters, Carol Raber, of Northbrook, and Brenda Launius, of Ottawa, 2 granddaughters, Pamela Raber and Chelsea Goldberg, 2 great grandchildren, and one brother, Gilbert Robinson, of Mogadore, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Gerald and Arthur Robinson.

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.

Pallbearers will be: Jim Launius, Adam and Emily Driscoll, Jaycen and Jennifer Burmeister, John Spampanato.

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

Barbara (Miskell) Burress, 75, of Ottawa, died on Friday morning, March 17, 2017 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. William Clark, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, at the funeral home.

Barbara was born on February 13, 1942 in Ottawa to Hulet and Hiddel (Seaborn) Miskell. She married Oatley “Buck” Burress on January 4, 1961 in Ottawa. He died on November 22, 2002. Barbara enjoyed playing Bingo and watching the Chicago Cubs finally win the World Series.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Kathy Burress, of Ottawa, Mary (Dan) Biba, of Marseilles, and Dorothy Dale, of Ottawa, 4 sons, William (Brenda) Burress, of Ottawa, Rick (Kathi) Burress, of Marseilles, David (Gail) Burress, of Marseilles, and Kevin Burress, of Ottawa, 18 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 6 brothers, Jerry (Pat) Miskell, of Marseilles, Donald (Judy) Miskell, of Ottawa, Jim (Verna) Miskell, of Marseilles, John (Pauline) Miskell, of Ottawa, Robert (Teri) Miskell, of Ottawa, and Thomas Miskell, of Ottawa, and 3 sisters, Rita (Fred) Loeffler, of Wabash, IN, Pam (Howard) Sibert, of Ottawa, and Mary Mason, of Ottawa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a great grandson, and a sister, Patricia Orvis.

Pallbearers will be William, Blake, Bryce, Sam, and Nick Burress, Dan Biba, and Kevin and Troy Dale. Honorary pallbearers will be Brenden, Bret, and Brody Burress.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Edna Elizabeth Hiles, age 95, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Friendship Village in Schaumburg.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18th at Gladfelter Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Charles Warger officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park with Military Honors by the Ottawa Veterans Organization. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Edna was born September 7, 1921 in Streator, Illinois, a daughter of Coda and Cora (Humphrey) Miller. She married Harold E. Hiles July 21, 1945 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. They met while both were serving in the U.S. Navy. He preceded her in death November 2, 2003. Edna is survived by her children, Sharon (Ron) Huddleston of Fort Myers, FL, Steven (Sandy) Hiles of Decatur, IL, Susan (Dave) McGurn of Schaumburg, IL and Tracey (Jim) Schwartz of Huntley, IL. She also leaves grandchildren, Jennifer Snider, Carrie Trevenen, Robert Huddleston, Brian and Sommer Hiles, Shawn and Kelsey McGurn, Lauren VanDyke, Destiny, Cody and Tyler Schwartz; and great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Nash Parker, Tristan, Sydney and Shadow Hiles and Samuel McGurn, Sadie Huddleston, Addie VanDyke and Desmond and Sebastian Snider; and one great-great-grandson, Camden Bass. Edna was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur and Bill Miller and John Halterman and two sisters, Margaret Grady and Cora Leal.

Edna was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Ottawa, where she taught Sunday School, VBS and enjoyed Bible studies. She proudly served her country in the United States Navy and was a former member of the VFW Auxiliary. Edna enjoyed reading which led her to volunteer in the library at Jefferson School. She also could be found working on a craft project in her leisure time. Most importantly, Edna dearly loved her family who will miss her deeply. Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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

VERO BEACH, Fla. — Sara “Grams” Elizabeth Littlehale, born March 19, 1925, in Milford, Del., to the late Harry and Mildred McCullough, passed away Friday, March 10, in Vero Beach, Fla.

Sara was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Robert; brothers, Harry McCullough, P. Irving McCullough, William McCullough; sisters, Laura May McCullough, Jean Swain; and brother-in-law, Arthur Dickerson.

Sara is survived by her daughter, Rogene Weihman (Michael); son, Robert Littlehale (Margo); grandsons, Michael Weihman, Robert Weihman (Michelle), Robert Littlehale, (Kathryn) and Brett Littlehale; great-grandchildren, Amanda, Jordan, and John Weihman, Emmy and Maisie Littlehale; sisters, Anne Dickerson, Irma Prettyman (William); brother, James (Edi) McCullough; sisters-in-law, June McCullough and Doris Littlehale; brother-in-law, Nelson Swain; also many nieces and nephews.

Sara’s passion in life was her family. She married Robert in 1946 and moved to Illinois, living in Christopher, Ottawa, and Franklin Park, where they raised their family. Robert and Sara retired to Avon Park, Fla., in 1977.

She loved cooking and baking, especially around the holidays. She had a great fondness for her boxer dog pals! Sara also enjoyed the 10 years that she spent working in the offices at Motorola/Quasar. Sara always had a strong sense of her civic responsibility. She gave to others through candy striping, hospital volunteering, Scouting, Habitat for Humanity and various commitments through her church. Her desire in life was not to do things her way, but to help others do things their way. Those who knew her well, and those who met her for a short time, called her Grams. Grams will forever be remembered for her kindness, her helping hand, her warm smile and her twinkling eyes.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Oakwood Memorial Park, 2405 Champlain St., Ottawa, IL 61350.

Sara has been laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Margaret Ann (Deeter) Formhals, 81, of Ottawa passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Christ Episcopal Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Mark Geisler, Pastor, officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Margaret was a lifelong resident of Ottawa, born on April 3, 1935 to Milton J. and Mary (Kincheloe) Formhals, and great niece of Alice Rigden, family of Ottawa’s Rigden Park. She graduated Ottawa Township High School in 1953, and was Homecoming Queen in 1952, pictured in the Bee Hive Mural. Margaret was awarded the Pearl Ring Award for scholastics in 1953. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1957, and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority for 4 years. Margaret was a retired Ottawa Elementary School Teacher, where she worked for 30 years. She also taught in Downers Grove for 4 years. Margaret was also employed by Jordan Hardware and an Ottawa Kids Club Assistant.

She is survived by her nephew and Godson, James M. Poggi, and loving twin great nieces, Megan Elizabeth Poggi and Mackenzie Ann Poggi, both of whom lovingly called Margaret their “grandma.” She is also survived by nephews, Robert and John Poggi, many more nephews, great nephews, great nieces, and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Milton J. Formhals, and her loving sister, Caroline E. (Formhals) Poggi.

She was loved by all who knew her. “God Bless you Honey.”

Memorials may be directed to her estate.

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

Timothy C. Tershowski, 48, of Ottawa passed away Saturday, March 4, 2017 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.

Ottawa Funeral Home have been entrusted with arrangements. Private entombment services were held in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.

A celebration of life will be held in June.

Tim was born March 16, 1968 in Ottawa, Illinois to John and June (Johnson) Tershowski. He was a member of Evangelical United Methodist Church. Tim was a graduate of Ottawa High School & IVCC. He also had his State of Illinois Insurance License for life,casualty, fire, and health. He was also the Evangelical United Methodist Church Treasurer.

He is survived by his loving sister Kathy Tershowski of Tempe, AZ; one niece, Kaia Anna Tershowski; one nephew, Chad Eugene Willis; and his sister-in-law, Margaret A Tershowski.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, John Tershowski Jr.

Memorials may be directed to Evangelical United Methodist Church.

Tim has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Prayer.

Robert Thomas O’Leary, age 84, of Fountain Valley, California, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11th at St. Columba Church in Ottawa, with Reverend David Kipfer celebrating. Pallbearers will be Chris Schwemlein, David and Douglas Dodson, Sanchez, P.J. and Jasmine O’Leary. Honorary Pallbearer will be Liam O’Leary. Entombment with Military Honors by the Ottawa Veterans Organization will follow in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 3:45 p.m. Friday March 10th at Gladfelter Funeral Home.

Robert was born February 1, 1933 in Ottawa, Illinois, the son of Clarence Jerome and Mary Elizabeth (Tabor) O’Leary. He married Lupe Suniga January 3, 1955 at St. Columba Church in Ottawa. Robert is survived by Lupe, his wife of sixty-two years; three sons, Robert Thomas O’Leary, Jr. of Fountain Valley, CA, Peter (Michele) O’Leary and their son Liam O’Leary of San Francisco, CA, and Paul (Beth) O’Leary and their children Sanchez, P.J. and Jasmine O’Leary of San Francisco, CA. He also leaves a sister, Doris (John) Corrigan of Schaumburg, IL; a sister-in-law, Victoria (Manuel) Mata of Ottawa, IL; nephews, Douglas (June) Dodson of Belvidere, IL, David (Emily) Dodson of Fox River Grove, IL; nieces, Leigh Ann Dodson (Jeff) Phillips of Arlington, TX, Kathleen Dodson (James) Walker of Schaumburg, IL, Carol Ann Mata and Teresa Barron of Ottawa, IL; a great-nephew, Zachary Barron of Ottawa, IL; and a cousin, Ronald (Cathy) Williams of Huntley, IL.

Robert attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fountain Valley. He retired as senior project manager from the Fluor Daniel Corporation in Irvine California. His work involved several international refinery projects, and as such, Bob and Lupe lived in Taiwan, China, Holland, Europe and Canada. They greatly enjoyed their lives and the ability to travel to and live in various places overseas. In later years, Bob enjoyed playing Bridge and Tennis and Golf. A devoted family man, Bob was always involved in each of his son’s various athletic activities and was extremely proud of his grandchildren.

Robert has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Prayer.