October 2018

OTTAWA – William “Bill” G. Spicer, age 95, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Ottawa Pavilion.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Noon on Monday, October 8, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church of Ottawa with Pastor Cheri Stewart officiating.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. till service time Monday at the church.  Private interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bill was born March 5, 1923 in Ottawa, a son of Glenn and Elisabeth (Bourns) Spicer.  He married Nancy J. Wallace on June 19, 1948.  She preceded him in death June 14, 1968.  He later married Patricia (Nier) Weed March 19, 1971, merging the two families in Ottawa.  He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Patricia, of Ottawa; his children, Janet (Dan) Way of Plano, TX, Robert Spicer of Lisle, IL, Laurie (Larry) Whitmore of Hanna City, IL, Jack (Becky) Spicer of Atlanta, GA, Laura Weed of Dallas, TX, and Scott (Lori) Weed of Ottawa; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by one daughter, Martha Spicer Olson.

Bill graduated from Marseilles High School.  He studied two years at LPO Junior College, later attended the University of Illinois in Urbana, Wharton College, and Harvard Graduate School.  He later attended Wooster College, graduating in 1947.

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, was commissioned as an Ensign in 1943, and served two years of duty in Pearl Harbor during World War II.

Bill worked at Union National Bank in Marseilles until 1953.  In 1949 he started with Northwest Mutual Life Insurance Company, where he earned many honorary awards, then retired in 2012 after 63 years.

Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ottawa, was a founding director of the Ivy Racket Club of Ottawa, was a member of the Ottawa Community Concert Association Board, had served on the board of the Community Hospital of Ottawa, and served on the board of First of America Bank.  He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, where he served as an ambassador.  He thoroughly enjoyed volunteering his time with various organizations.  He enjoyed playing tennis, gardening, and was known as an excellent bridge player.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Ottawa or Friendship Village.

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

Russell Latino, 97, of Ottawa passed away Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at his home.

Private services were held. Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Russell was born April 9, 1921 in Ottawa to Jerry and Marie (Bayer) Latino. He married Josephine Mcklyk on October 5, 1941 in Delaware; she preceded him in death February 9, 1994. He then married Lorraine Giocinto on December 9, 2005 in Streator.

Russell retired from the Ottawa Police Department after 25 years of service, and then he retired from LOF after 12 years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was a member of the Moose.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; two children, Jerry Latino and Laurie Bradish; one daughter-in-law, Nanette Latino of Arizona; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Latino of Benton, OR; Chrissy Latino, Bob Bradish, and Russell Bradish, all of Ottawa; several great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Anna Pufhal and Geraldine Kapich.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Josephine; one son, Russell “Ponch” Latino; and his son-in-law, Bob Bradish.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Russell has been laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Richard W. Stoner, 36, of Spring Lake Park, MN passed away Dec 15, 1999.  He was the son of Richard and Helen Stoner born in Evanston, IL.

Richard has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

Helen Diane Stoner, age 81, of Spring Lake Park, MN passed away September 8, 2018. She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Bertha Engberg; son, Rick Stoner. Helen was survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Alec Charais; former husband and his wife, Dick and Barb Stoner.

Helen has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Love in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

Jean Adele Sawicki, 95, of Ottawa, entered into eternal life on Tuesday evening, September 25, 2018 at Mendota Lutheran Home.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 29, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa with Rev. David Daniel, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Jean was born on December 19, 1922 in Ottawa, to Henry and Anna (Rossman) Elzer. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1940. Jean married Aloysious Sawicki on January 9, 1944 at Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa. She worked at Radium Dial and also worked at Woolworths and Walgreens. Jean was a life-long, and active member of Zion Lutheran Church, volunteered at Reruns for many years, and volunteered as a caregiver for many friends.

She is survived by two daughters, Cheryl (Dave) Hill, of Denver, CO and Dianne (Michael) Lacke, of Texas, a daughter-in-law, Betty Sawicki, of Earlville, 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and a brother, Robert (Melva) Elzer, of Woodale. She was preceded in death by her husband, Al, a son Don, a sister Marion Tylk, 5 brothers: Norman, Joseph, Henry, William, and Arnold Elzer, and a great-grandson, Dalton Ambler.

Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church, the Mendota Lutheran Home, or Pet Project.

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

Edward L. McAlpine, 93, of Ottawa passed away Friday, September 14, 2018. Cremation rites have been accorded.

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

Calvin “Cal” Rasmussen, age 65, of Standard, formerly of Marseilles, passed away Friday, September 21, 2018 at Unity Point Health Proctor Hospital in Peoria.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 26th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home in Ottawa with Reverend Bruno Byomuhangi officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from Noon till service on Wednesday.  Pallbearers will be Jon Massutti, Joe and Timothy Rasmussen, Dennis Partridge, Chris Andrews and Brian Smith.  Honorary pallbearer will be Mike Tinker.

Cal was born October 3, 1952 in Ottawa, Illinois, a son of Curtis Joseph and Margaret (Coleman) Rasmussen.  He was married to Mary Spradling.  Survivors include his parents, Curtis and Margaret Rasmussen; his children, Jennifer (Chris) Lopez, Lori Ann Rasmussen, Joseph (Michelle) Rasmussen and Timothy (Amanda) Rasmussen; a sister, Debra Doll; grandchildren, Lacy, Shannon, Jason, Katrina, Jameson and Sara; and great-granddaughter Cali.

Cal was of the Catholic faith.  He was a retired riverboat pilot.  In his leisure, Cal enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing and taxidermy.  He loved time spent with family and will be deeply missed.

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

Doreen E. Savage, 96, of St. Charles, formerly of Marseilles and Earlville, passed away Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Delnor Hospital in Geneva.

Visitation will be from 11a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, September 20, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Marseilles. Funeral services will be at 12 noon Thursday at the church, with Rev. William Chormann officiating. Entombment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Seals-Campbell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She was born July 8, 1922, in Polo, IL, to Orville and Ruth (Book) Landis. On June 25, 1950, she married James R. Savage of Kankakee, IL who preceded her in death in 2005.

Doreen was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Marseilles, where she taught Sunday school for sixteen years. She was a graduate of Milledgeville High School, Northern Illinois University, and did graduate work at Colorado State College. She taught home economics for Sterling, Serena, and Marseilles schools for twelve years. She was a life member of the AAUW and Illinois Retired Teachers Association.

Doreen is survived by one son, Randee (Susan) Savage of Geneva; two grandsons, Benjamin (Alaine) Savage of New Haven, CT and Matthew Savage of Naperville, IL.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; one sister, Lois Dennis; and one grandson, Nicholas Savage.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Marseilles.

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

Nora “Bonnie” (Donnelly) Wagner, 86, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2018 surrounded by family and friends in the home of her daughter where she had resided the past two years. Her celebration of life memorial service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, September 15,2018 at the Ottawa funeral home. The Reverend Kathy Rolenc will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday September 14, 2018 from 4-7 at the Ottawa Funeral Home. The Women of the Moose will conduct a short ceremony honoring a departed member at 6pm during the visitation. Interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Bonnie was born on August 25, 1931 in Ottawa to Carl and Rosella (Sibert) Donnelly.

She is survived by 2 children: Mary Jo Parker Donnelly and Barbara (Joe) Sptizer both of Chillicothe, Illinois. 3 Grandsons: Mathias, Donovan and Gavin Spitzer. Also surviving are 5 brothers: Carl and Gary (Diane) Donnelly of Ottawa, Gerald (Joyce) Donnelly of Ohio, Kenneth Donnelly of LaSalle and Raymond Donnelly of Springfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Helen Howell and one brother Donald (Marge) Donnelly.

Bonnie was the City of Ottawa’s first mini-bus driver and remained in that position until her retirement (1974-1996). She was an avid bowler for many years often earning high series. She was inducted into the Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1994. She was a lifelong member of the Women of the Moose rising to the level of Academy and received special recognition for over 50 years of service. She was also a member of the VFW where she served in leadership as the Sergeant of Arms. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Bonnie had a deep faith and loved spending time with family and friends. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life. She loved to travel and took several trips to Vegas and Branson with groups from Ottawa. She had a special passion for the quarter slots. She considered a trip to Ireland with family as one of her lifelong dreams. She was an avid Cub fan never losing faith they would win the World Series in her lifetime and enjoyed the celebration accompanying their 2016 win. She leaves those who loved her with memories of her kindness and compassion for others, warm smile, good stories and laughter. She will remain always in our hearts.

Memorials may be directed to Mooseheart, Moosehaven or the family.

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