September 2018

John Robert Timmons, 88, of Ottawa, died on Tuesday morning, August 28, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family. Private services will be held at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

John was born on October 1, 1929 in Princeville, IL to John M. and Irene (Ogburn) Timmons. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School. John married Joyce Seibert on August 2, 1954 at Epworth United Methodist Church in Ottawa. He served in the Army National Guard. John worked at Libbey-Owens Ford for 40 years.  He was a member of Crossbridge Community Church, Glassworkers Local 19, and a founding member of the Starved Rock Model A Club.

John is survived by his wife, Joyce, his daughters, Tamara (Randal) Gregor, of Ottawa, and Karen (John) Winter, of Laguna Niguel, CA, 2 granddaughters, Britta (Damian) Krabill, of DeKalb, and Hannah Gregor, of Ottawa, and a great grandson, Henry Gregor Krabill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Martha Timmons Stover.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Valerie Ann Gross, 58, of Nashville, formerly of Ottawa, died on Monday August 13, 2018 at the TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville. Private burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park on a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home.

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

Gregory Allen Stayton, 58, of Princeton and formerly of Mendota died August 20, 2018 in St. Margaret’s Hospital, Spring Valley.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Ottawa Moose Lodge at a later date. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is handling the arrangements.

Gregory was born August 4, 1960 in Ottawa to Arland C. and Rita Mae (Shapcott) Stayton, Sr.

He is survived by three sisters, Phyllis (Bill) Hopkins of Seneca, Sandy (Jerry) Tapp of Ransom, and Brenda (Tom) McCague of Ottawa; three brothers, Arland “Jr.” (Janice) Stayton of Port Orchard, WA, David Stayton and Ricky (Mary) Stayton of Streator; two special friends, Emma Kasperski and Daniel Raya and his dogs, Hoxie and Lil Dee.

He was preceded by his grandparents, parents, one son, Andrew, one daughter, June Stayton, and his companion, Kenneth McClard.

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.

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