Monthly Archives

January 2019

Judith A. Quinn, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Judith A. Quinn, 77, of Ottawa passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her family.

Memorial Services will be held at 6 pm, Friday, January 25 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Rev. Corey Krengiel officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 pm, prior to the services, at the funeral home. She will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Judy was born December 9, 1941 in Ottawa to Charles and Mary (Stoudt) Dilley. She married Gale Nelson on February 7, 1958; he passed away May 3, 1976. She married Thomas Quinn December 20, 1985; he passed away July 15, 2014. Judy retired from the South side Kroger in May 2017, after thirteen years. She owned and operated Oak Plus for many years. Judy enjoyed spending time at the river boats playing Flaming 7’s in her spare time. She was a caring and generous person, and she would give anything to anyone.

She is survived by her daughters, Connie (Steven) Callaway and Susan (Curt) Johnson, both of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Abbie, Curtiss, Beth, Rachel, and Becky; five great-grandchildren; many granddogs; her brother, Budd (Becky) Dilley; and her favorite furry friend, Charlie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gale; her husband, Thomas; and her brother, William Dilley.

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

Catherine “Kay” Ball, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Catherine “Kay” Ball, age 82, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, December 27, 2018 in Tavares, Florida.

Kay was born September 6, 1936 in Ottawa, Illinois, the daughter of Matthew and Catherine (Marmion) White.  She married Dale Ball August 1, 1955, in St. Joseph, Michigan.  She is survived by Dale, her husband of 63 years; children, Kathleen (Wayne) Reddick of Round Rock, TX, David (Sharon) Ball of DeKalb, IL, Karen (Jay) Fuller of Ottawa, Darrell (Susan) Ball of Jacksonville, FL, Karla (Tony) Allen of Peoria, IL, Darren (Michelle) Ball of Pekin, IL and Kristy (Dave) Volpe of LaSalle, IL.  She also leaves grandchildren, Cassie Fuller, Faith and Aiden Love, Kendra and Ethan Volpe, Alex and Luke Ball and Anthony and Olivia Allen.  Kay was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Gerald and Eugene White.

Kay was a member of St. Patrick Church in Ottawa and a graduate of Marquette High School.  She enjoyed playing dominos, euchre and attending Bible study and was a lifelong dedicated fan of the Chicago Cubs.  Kay was one who dearly loved her family and was particularly devoted to her grandchildren.

Memorial Mass will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, January 25, 2019 at St. Patrick Church with the Reverend David Kipfer officiating.  Entombment will follow in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.   Pallbearers will be David Ball, Darrell Ball, Darren Ball and Alex Ball.   Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Patrick Church or to the Ottawa Moose Lodge #960 Women of the Moose.

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

Russell E. Buckardt, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Russell E. Buckardt, 93, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, January 17, 2019 at LaSalle County Nursing Home.

Funeral Services will be at 1 pm, Tuesday, January 22 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Pastor Elmer John Buckardt officiating. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm, prior to the services, at the funeral home. He will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park with Military Honors.

Russell was born October 15, 1925, in DeKalb to Elmer and Gladys Marie (Larson) Buckardt. He married Joan Hughes on March 11, 1955 in LaSalle; she passed away May 22, 1996. Russell retired from Rock Island Railroad as a supervisor. He was a past member of the Masonic Temple. Russell was treasurer for the American Legion and received the hightest rank of Pilgrim in the Moose Lodge. Russell enjoyed socializing and never met a stranger; he had friends everywhere he went.

He is survived four children, Brian (Angie) Buckardt of Mulberry, Florida; Tanya (Anthony) De La Garza of Oakland, Arkansas; Valerie Stone of Largo, Florida; and Melanie Buckardt of Ottawa; seven grandchildren, Jared (Allison) Buckardt, Paul (Jennifer) Chadwich, Nicole (Jeff) Lyons, Tara De La Garza, Teresa (Randie) De La Garza, Tina (Tim) Casey, and Kristie (Marco) Leal; eleven great-grandchildren, Makenzie, Blake, Natalie, Zoe, Jacob, Daniel, Joseph, Mathew, Tiara, Abbott, and Henleigh; and his siblings, Everett (Mimi) Buckardt, Elmer John (Karen) Buckardt, and Charlene Seville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 41 years, Joan; and a grandson, Richard Buckardt.

Memorials may be directed to Moose Heart for Kids Charities, at www.moosecharities.org

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

Barbara A. Thurow, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Barbara A. Thurow, 86, of Sandwich, IL and formerly of Big Rock and Hinckley, IL, passed away on January 16, 2019. She was born on April 9, 1932 to Arthur and Laura Thorson in Ottawa, Illinois. She married Harlow E. Thurow in Hinckley, IL by her Uncle Rev. Jesse Thorson.

She is survived by her husband and children, Susan Metcalf of Sycamore, Dale (Donna) Thurow of California, Ann (Brian) Scofield of Serena, Keith Thurow of Tennessee; 7 grandchildren, Darrick (Lisa), Dawn (Russ), Julie (Ken) Hillary, Ryan, Kevin, Kelly and 6 great grandchildren, 2 sisters, Mary and Laura Jean and a sister-in-law Gin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters and 1 brother.

Visitation will be on January 22, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Beverage Family Funeral Home, 104 Terry Street, Sandwich, IL. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa, IL.

Arrangements entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 104 Terry Street, Sandwich, IL 60548. For more information, please call 815-786-6715 or www.beveragefamilyfh.com

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

Elaine Lane, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Elaine Lane, 87, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, January 6, 2019 at Aperion Care in Marseilles.

Funeral service will be at 12:00 noon Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Rev. Paul Bladen officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 – 12:00, two hours prior to services on Thursday at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later day.

Elaine was born December 11, 1931, in Sycamore, Illinois to Ruben Craft and Mildred Warren . She married Donald Lane in Sycamore, Illinois in 1947; passed away July 2, 1993. Elaine loved to play Bingo at the Knights of Columbus Hall and also cooked for 18 years for the bingo players.

She is survived by her daughter, Penny Lane; her son, Jerry (Pat) Lane; three grandchildren: Shawn (Scott) Moore, Pam (Roger) Nelson, and Cynthia Key; seven great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; sister, Kathy Sandusky; and two brothers, Orville Fant and Rodney Fant.

Elaine was preceded in death by her father, Ruben Craft; her mother, Mildred Warren; two brothers, Harold Fant and LaVerne Fant; and two sisters, Eleanor Daniels and Joyce Fant.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

George E. “Ole” Olesen, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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George E. “Ole” Olesen, 71, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral service will be 10:30 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. His visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 Monday, January 14, 2019  with prayers at 3:45 at Ottawa Funeral Home. He will be entombed at Oakwood Memorial Park.

George was born November 5, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Phyllis (Jozwiak) Olesen. He is a member of St. Columba Church.

George was an accomplished snooker player who loved nothing more than to “clock in” at the pool hall and enjoy time amongst friends. He enjoyed coaching Ottawa Pony League and was a lifelong Chicago Sports fan. Later in life he was an avid member of Dayton and Pine Hills Golf Clubs enjoying his time on the courses with his children.

Before retiring George was a dedicated worker with both Ottawa Canteen and Alumax in Morris. Eventually George retired in West Helena working with Amerimax. He continued to remain in touch years later with several of his former co-workers.

George loved his family above all things. From yearly trips to Vegas to just sitting around the table listening to his family’s laughter, George truly loved life and his own laughter will be missed by all.

He is survived by six children, Dave “Doc” (Annette Roth) Olesen of Plainfield, Matthew “Boo” Olesen of Coal City, John (Kelly) Olesen of Ottawa, Chris (Melissa) Olesen of Ottawa, Ashley (Darren) Carlson of Morris, and Adam Olesen of Ottawa; eleven grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and one on the way; and three siblings, Marilyn (Dale) Sugg of Streator, John “Butch” (Annette) Olesen of Streator, and Cheryl Higbie of Long Point.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Bryanna Mae Olesen; and one step brother, Michael Donahue.

Pallbearers will be his children.

Memorials may be directed to the account of Melissa Olesen Ottawa Savings Bank 925 La Salle St, Ottawa, IL 61350,  The funds will be used for his granddaughters, Raine Olesen, fight against pulmonary hypertension.

George has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Memory.

MaryLou Kathleen Stevens, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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MaryLou Kathleen Stevens, age 82, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Pleasant View.

MaryLou was born March 1, 1936 in Ottawa, a daughter of Arthur and Mae (Johnson) Bruck.  She married William Stevens October 17, 1953 in Nashville, Illinois.  He preceded in death November 5, 2009.  Surviving are her children, Michael (Maeanne) Stevens and Lori (Karl) Lengfelder all of Ottawa; grandchildren, Shannon (Steve) Doerrer of Naperville, Erica (Bill) Zeman of Urbana, Lauren (Jerry) Myers, Drew Lengfelder and Grant (Olivia) Lengfelder all of Ottawa; great-grandchildren Ryan and Luke Doerrer of Naperville, Kai Zeman of Urbana, Preston and Paige Myers, Sophia and Brody Lengfelder all of Ottawa.  MaryLou was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son, Craig Stevens and a brother, Larry Bruck.

MaryLou attended Grace Baptist Church in Ottawa.  A devoted homemaker, she enjoyed caring for her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  MaryLou generously volunteered her time in the Pleasant View Luther Home Store, served as an election judge and was a “Pink Lady” at the Community Hospital of Ottawa.  She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, January 13th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with the Reverend William Clark officiating.  Interment will be private in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Drew and Grant Lengfelder, Bill Zeman, Steve, Ryan and Luke Doerrer and Jerry Myers.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

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

Donald J. Talty, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Donald J. Talty, 90, of rural Streator passed away Monday, January 7, 2019 at his residence.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. Msgr. Philip Halfacre will officiate.

Visitation will be from 9-11 A.M. Thursday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa.  Family members will serve as pallbearers.

Born March 11, 1928 in Streator he was the son of Edward and Leticia (McCloskey) Talty.  He married Lucille LeRette on August 14, 1952 at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa.  She preceded him in death on March 10, 2009.

He is survived by a son, Dennis Talty of Streator; grandsons, Dale and Ronald Talty of Ottawa; his faithful companion rescue dog, Coco; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Don lived his lifetime in the rural Streator and Ransom areas.

He attended country grade schools and graduated from Streator High School.

He farmed in the rural Streator area his lifetime.

He was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church and currently belonged to St. Michael the Archangel Church.  He was also a member of the Farm Bureau.

Don loved golfing and participated in the City Tournament through the years.  He won the City Championship in the Senior Division.  He also enjoyed traveling and snow skiing.

Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Jo Ann Barrett, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

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Jo Ann Barrett, 58, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Memorial Services will be held at 3 pm, Monday, December 31 at Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 pm, prior to services, at the funeral home.

Jo Ann was born August 28, 1960, in Ottawa to James and Roberta (Vandervort) Orsini. She enjoyed doing puzzles and crossword puzzles, watching the Chicago Bears. She also loved flowers, nature, and music, as well as star gazing. Jo Ann was a hardworking and caring person, who always put everyone before herself. She was selfless and loving, and unconditionally kind. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her son, Richard (Todd Spaulding) Barrett; and her siblings, Linda (Les) Staton of Sheridan, Jim Orsini of La Salle, Nina (Ray) Lawson of Serena, Kathy Dode of Ottawa, and Frank (Kim) Orsini of Ottawa. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Johnny Orsini in infancy.

Jo Ann has been laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion, at Oakwood Memorial Park.