June 2019

E. Earl Murphy, age 94, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, June 21, 2019, at Pleasantview.

Funeral services will be Noon Wednesday, June 26th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Yim officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be 10:00 A.M. till service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Earl was born May 9, 1925 in Golconda, Illinois, a son of Lewis and Sarah (Harper) Murphy.  He married Beverly J. Cilla December 21, 1974 in North Aurora, Illinois.  She preceded him in death September 19, 2016.  He is survived by a daughter, Cheryl (Jerry) Mettille of Ottawa; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by 4 brothers, 4 sisters and two daughters, Cynthia Jonnassen and Judy Breuer.

Earl had been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Plano and most recently attended Evangelical United Methodist Church in Ottawa.  He was known to spend his spare time woodworking and enjoying time spent with family and friends.  Memorial contributions may be directed to Pet Project.

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

Edna Dixon, 96, of Ottawa, died on Wednesday, June 19, at OSF St. Elizabeth in Ottawa. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with the Rev. France Marcott, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Ottawa, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, at the funeral home.

Edna was born on April 30, 1923 in Yuma, KY to Jesse and Celia (Osborne) Campbell. She married Hughie R. Dixon on September 22, 1947 in Knifley, KY. Edna worked in packing and shipping for Snap-On Tools. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ottawa.

She is survived by 2 sons, Larry (Juanita) Dixon, of Ottawa and Timothy (Tracy) Dixon, of Louisville, KY, 4 grandchildren, Rev. Jeremy Dixon, Sommer Churchill, Hunter Dixon, and Katy Altman, 4 great grandchildren, Samuel Churchill, Abigail Churchill, Ayden Altman, and Isabella Altman, and 3 brothers, Clarence Campbell, of Wytheville, Virginia, Earl (Louise) Campbell, of Campbellsville, KY, and Willard Campbell, of Springfield, MA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Hughie, on November 9, 2014, three brothers, and five sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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

Aric R. Gerald, 47, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019, after his long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Aric was born on June 20, 1971, to James and the late Pamela (Beutler) Gerald.  Aric was a 1989 graduate of Ottawa High School and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois (UC) College of Engineering (1993).  He then went on to become a well respected, dual-licensed Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor in the State of Illinois where he has been practicing ever since.

Aric is survived by his father, his sister, Jamie (Ed) Terry and his two nieces Sydney and Savannah Strobel.  He is also survived by his children Brook and Blake Henry, a grand daughter Greenlea Harwick, as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, and very special friends, too numerous to name.

Private services will be held on a later date at Oakwood Memorial Park with Ottawa Funeral Home handling the cremation.  A celebration of Aric’s life will be held on Saturday, February 9, at the Knights of Columbus from 2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.  Honorary pallbearers are Roger Miskell, Larry Johnson, Kevin Maier, Blake Penoyer, Darren Poundstone, Ed Terry, Scott Sesto, Joe Gama, Mike Hanson, Ray Daniels, Derren Geiger, Jeff Wallace, Rod Rosencrans, Ron Moran, Mike Jett, Matt Rollings, Brian Larson, Brad Bohler and Andrzej Bednarczyk.

Donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or OSF Hospice, or to the charity of your choice.

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

Gordon H. Parker, 92, of  Ottawa passed away March 4, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM on Friday March 8, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Reverend William Clark officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of service at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Gordon was born November 28, 1926 in Streator, Illinois to Elmer Parker and Ada (McAllister) Parker. He married Janice Parker on September 16, 1950 in Ottawa; she passed away August 31, 2012. Gordon loved watching WWE wrestling on Monday and Tuesday nights. He enjoyed stopping for coffee and a meal with the “counter critters” at the HiWay. Gordon enjoyed carving and building custom furniture.

Gordon is survived by his son, Jon (Judy) Parker of Ottawa; and daughters: Diane (Bill) Rogers of Ottawa, Gay (Richard) Manella of Westlake, Ohio, and Eva (Ken) Anderson of Oglesby; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Edith Escher.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Parker; his daughter in infancy, Jill Parker; his parents; and two siblings: William Parker and Margaret Luke.

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

Roberta A. Hall, 77, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 am, Thursday, June 13 at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa with Monsignor Halfacre officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Wednesday, June 12 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with prayers at 3:45 pm with Rev. David Kipfer. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Roberta was born February 20, 1942 in Ottawa to Charles Robert “Bob” and Anna (Sundal) Johnson. She married Michael J. Hall I on August 6, 1977 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa; he passed away July 28, 2012.

Roberta graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1960 and attended Olivet Nazarene University. She purchased Charles O. Finley & Company in the 90’s after working as his assistant in the company’s Chicago office for many years. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church. Roberta enjoyed watching sports, especially the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bulls. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend; family meant everything to her.

She is survived by three children, Michael (Holly) Hall, Laura Hall, and Michelle Hall, all of Ottawa; four grandchildren, Lillian, Gannon, Garrett, and Griffin; two sisters, Kathy Hartman of Troy Grove and Nancy (Wayne) Valentinsen of Ottawa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister, Norma (Joe) Pray.

Memorials may be directed to her family.

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

Robert E. Miller, 90, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday morning, June 6, 2019 at the Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 10, 2019 at the Mueller Funeral home in Ottawa, with Rev. Carolyn Lukasick, Pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, in the funeral home.

Bob was born on November 16, 1928 in Grand Ridge, to Garrett and Lois (Wollenhaup) Miller. He married his high school sweet heart Geraldine Anderson on May 28, 1946 in Ottawa. They recently celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary. Bob enjoyed fishing and loved trucking with his brothers at MWM Trucking. He loved a cup of coffee and conversation at the oasis. Bob was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and the Ottawa Moose Lodge 960.

He is survived by his wife, Gerry, 2 daughters, Donna Temple, of Princeton, TX and Karen (James) Brown, of Ottawa, 9 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and a brother, Roger (Joyce) Miller, of Grand Ridge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and 3 brothers, Richard, Harold, and George Miller.

Pallbearers will be Tadd Varney, Rich Jovanovich, Jim Temple, Jay Temple, Brad Miller, and Scott Miller.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Colleen S. Hoar, 58, passed away on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019.

Her funeral service will be 1:30 Monday, June 3, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home. Her visitation will be 11:00 – 1:30 Monday prior to services. She will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park.

She was an avid Pokemon Go Player, video gamer, gardener, and enjoyed fishing and antiquing. She loved spending time with her grand kids, dogs and traveling.

Preceded in death by her husband, Randall Hoar Sr.; and her parents, Donald and Kay Schmitt.

Survived by daughter, Sarah (Seth) Coey; sons, Terry (Christina) Hoar, Randall Hoar II, Christopher (Paige) Hoar; grandchildren, Zander, Vivian, Delilah-Ann, Emma; sisters, Debbie (Al) Baker, Penny Schmitt; brothers, Howard Tuttle, Billy Beers, Don (Kim) Schmitt Jr.; parents-in-law, Terry and Leora Hoar; four legged friends, Daisy, Tizzy, Smokey; many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Terry Hoar, Randall Hoar II, Sarah Coey, Christopher Hoar, Howard Tuttle, Billy Beers, Don Schmitt and Terry Hoar. Honorary pallbearers, Zander Neike and Al Baker.

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

OTTAWA – Robert Edward Lee Thompson, Jr., age 48, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at his residence.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 3rd at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Tommy Miller officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.  The family suggests casual attire and Harley shirts for those attending the service and visitation.

Robert was born December 21, 1970 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a son of Robert and Beverly (Wilson) Thompson.  He is survived by a daughter, Liz (Steven) Kirkreit of Ottawa; a grandson, Aiden Kirkreit of Ottawa; sisters, Kim Neathery of Sarasota, FL, Amanda Rexroat and Mariana Thompson of Ottawa.  He also leaves nieces, Blake Neathery and Larkin Rexroat; and a great-niece, Kyla Davenport.  He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and twin siblings, David and Dawn Thompson.

Bobby was a very spiritual man.  He had a taste for Harley Davidson motorcycles, enjoyed a variety of music and collecting guns.  Bobby enjoyed traveling to tropical places and spending time on the beach.  The time he enjoyed most was that spent with his family, particularly his grandson.

Sheldon Karl Cox, 82, of Ottawa passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Joliet Community Hospice.

A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday May 31, 2019 at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be accorded, by the American Legion Post 33 Veteran’s Group Honor Guard.

Sheldon was born on October 10, 1936 in Grand Ridge to John and Nellie (Moss) Cox. He served in the US Army, United Nations Command Military Armistices Commission, Korea-Hawaii. He retired from Teamsters Local #722 in 1980. Retired from LaSalle County in 1990. He worked for the State of Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs. He married Irene Shapcott in 1963. She passed away September 1976.

Sheldon is survived by one sister, Doris Dressen, of Fort Myers, FL, a daughter Kathy (McNeeley) Dickison, his son-in-law, Gary Dickison. A nephew David Brewer, nieces Debbie (Brewer) Valdez and Tammy (Brewer) Peterson. He has 4 grandchildren Rhonda VanZuiden, Chris Hart, Leah (Alderman) Thompson, and Charles Alderman, Jr., and 6 great grandchildren. Special friend Robin Cox.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Irene, daughter Patricia (McNeeley) Hart, 2 sisters Charlotte Brewer and Beverly Anne Winders, 2 brothers, William and John, and 2 nephews Danny and Larry Brewer.

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.