May 2019

Mary L. Pleskovitch, 91, passed away at Manor Court in Peru surrounded by her loving family on April 22, 2019.

Funeral services will be Noon Friday, April 26th at Gladfelter – Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Nathan Feig officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. till Noon before the service at the funeral home.

Mary was born October 27, 1927, in Dayton Illinois, the daughter of Arthur and Laura (Larson) Thorson. She married Francis Pleskovitch Jr. on August 1, 1948. He preceded her in death on January 12, 1992. Mary is survived by a daughter, Sherry Kerber of Sibley, IL; a son, Dan (Loretta) Pleskovitch of Eden Prairie, MN; a son, Mark Pleskovitch of Earlville, IL; a daughter, Linda (Steve) Cooke of Marseilles, IL; a sister, Laura Jean Brandt of Dekalb, IL; a sister-in-law, Gen Thorson; grandkids, Shannon, Stacie, Amanda, William, Elizabeth, Andrea, Steve Jr., Kacie and Kellie; and ten great grandchildren with one on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband, a brother, Arthur Thorson, four sisters, Margaret Price, Loretta Birtwhistle, and Arlene Sebby, and Barbara Thurow, a granddaughter Katie Cooke, a son-in-law, Tom Kerber, and a daughter-in-law, Mary Jane Pleskovitch.

Mary was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She belonged to the Moose, Red Hat Ladies, and the LaSalle County Home Extension. In her spare time, Mary liked to sew, play golf, garden and dance. She was also a volunteer at the hospital for over five years. More than anything, Mary loved her family and will be deeply missed.

Mary was laid to rest in The Garden of the Last Supper.

John R. Grieves, 81, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019 at Pleasant View.

Funeral Services will be at 2 pm, Wednesday, April 24 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Rev. William Clark officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, prior to services, Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park with military honors.

John was born May 3, 1937, in Ottawa to Christopher and Grace (Woodward) Grieves. He worked as a union welder in Florida and Ottawa. He served in the United States Army from 1965 – 1967. He was a member of the American Legion.

He is survived by three sons, John (Cheryl) Grieves, Jr. of Ottawa, Terry Grieves of Ottawa, and Bob Grieves of Marseilles; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and his caregiver, Katie Heft. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David; two brothers, Ed and Sonny; three sisters, Gerri Lucas, Lucille Knott, and Anne Reynolds.

Memorials may be directed to his family.

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

Arthur L. Rowney, 87, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 25th at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 3 – 6 p. m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

He was born May 7, 1931, in Ottawa to Robert Sr. and Elizabeth (Pommier) Rowney. In 1950, he married Marjorie Stoneburner of Marseilles, who preceded him in death in 2010.

Arthur Rowney was a union carpenter, who started his career working for Charles Eichelkraut and Sons in Ottawa, IL. He later started his own concrete business with his father, Robert Rowney Sr. He also trained and raced harness horses in Illinois.

He is survived by his children, Pamela (Terry) Green of Ottawa, Jim (Joan) Rowney of Marseilles, and Julie (Jim) Watts of Harding; eight grandchildren, Edward, Quentin, and Rebekah Green, Sara Hritz, David Rowney, Austin and Jeffery Watts, and Ashlynn Pinnell; twelve great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; one sister, Mary Lou Rascal; and one brother, Robert Rowney Jr.

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

Elizabeth M. “Betty” Vignali, age 87, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home.

Elizabeth was born February 9, 1932 in Galesburg, Illinois.  She married Joseph Vignali, Sr. at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate.  She is survived by her sons, Joseph (Laura Shelton) Vignali of Rochester, MN and Michael Vignali of Ottawa; grandchildren, Drake and Robert Vignali of Ottawa and Christy (Ryan) Woodey of Seattle, WA; and three great-granddaughters.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Arthur Durham.

Private family services will be held.  There will be no visitation.  Gladfelter – Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Burial is at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Betty was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Church in Naplate.  She retired from Libbey Owens Ford.  Betty enjoyed bowling, knitting and doing crochet.  The most treasured time for Betty was that spent with her loving family.  Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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