July 2019

Sharon Koger, 75, of Seneca passed away Friday, July 5, 2019 at University of Chicago Hospital.

Funeral service will be 1:00 Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Seneca Assembly of God Church with Rev. Jason Sprinkle officiating. Visitation will be 11:00 – 1:00, 2 hours prior to services, at Seneca Assembly of God Church. Cremation rites will be accorded following services. She will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Sharon was born November 15, 1943, in Ottawa, Illinois to Arthur and Evelyn (Carver) Smith. She attended Marseilles High School. She married Tommy Koger January 15, 1961 at Seneca Assembly of God Church. Sharon was a member of Seneca Assembly of God Church. She loved her family very much and was much loved by them. She especially loved being with her great-grandchildren and loved working outside in her flowers. She could be counted on to help other people if they needed anything.

She is survived by her husband, Tommy of Seneca; one son, Tom (Cindy) Koger Jr. of Morris; one daughter, Karla Koger of Seneca; two grandchildren, Caleb (Tanya) Koger of Mazon and Candace Koger of Morris; four great-grandchildren, Landon, Karson, Tenley, and Peyton Koger; one sister, Deeann (Don) Gabehart of Ottawa.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister, Janet King.

Memorials may be directed to Seneca Assembly of God Church, 277 E. Shipyard Rd, Seneca, IL. 61360.

Sharon has been laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Faith A. McVay, of Ottawa, passed away July 22, 2019.  She has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa.

Gerhard “Hayna” J. Sine, 83, formerly of Utica, IL, passed away Monday, July 22, 2019 at Cox Medical Center in Branson, Missouri.

Funeral Services will be at 10 am, Friday, July 26 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Reverend Paul Bladen officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, July 25 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

He was the last of the late Sam and Ruth Sine family being born May 5, 1936. He married Betty “Betsy” L. Johnson on July 25, 1964 in Chicago where they met; she passed away February 1, 2018.

He attended the one room schoolhouse in Deer Park. He graduated from OSU with his bachelor’s degree in fine arts. He served in the United States Army from 1959-1961, where he was stationed in Germany. He then worked as an art director for an advertising company in Chicago, and most recently was the graphics director for the Ottawa Friendship House.

He is survived by his daughter, Jebette L. Sine of Blue Eye, Missouri; his son, J. Thorpe “Nes” Sine of Glenpool, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Nicole (Neal) Ponkilla of Oklahoma, Kyle Sine of Oklahoma, and Sampson Sine of Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Ember Sky Primeaux and Nyah Ponkilla of Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 53 years, Betsy; and his sister, Aurelia Ott.

Pallbearers will be his family.

Memorials may be directed to his family.

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

Robert Schinz, 94, of Ottawa died Wednesday evening, July 17, at his home, following a brief illness. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with the Rev. Dave Yim, pastor of Evangelical United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa where Full Military Rights will be conducted by the American Legion Post 33 Veterans Group Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home, with Masonic Services at 6:30 p.m.

Bob was born on November 6, 1924 in Ottawa to Fred E. and Mabel (Hindle) Schinz. He retired as a foreman at Plant 5 at Libbey-Owens Ford. Bob was a veteran of the U. S. Army Air Corps, serving in the Pacific during WWII. He married Elsie I. Tucker on June 27, 1948 at the Evangelical United Methodist Church. Bob was a life-long member of Evangelical United Methodist Church, Occidental Lodge # 40, A.F. and A.M., American Legion Post 33, Loyal Order of the Moose, and the VFW.

He is survived by 2 daughters, Nancy (Thomas) Reed, of Chicago, and Pamela (William Matejka) Kiest, of Ottawa, 5 grandchildren, April Kiest, Emily (Matt) Hilliard, Karla (Jason) Reeve, Thomas (Kristin) Reed, and Brian Reed, and 4 great-grandchildren, David May, Margaret and Claire Hilliard, and Charlotte Reed.

He was preceded in death by his wife on September 18, 2006; 4 sisters: Bernice Begley, Dorothy Thomson, Elvera Bellrose, and Shirley Meade, two brothers, Oliver F. Schinz and Maj. Gen. Albert W. Schinz, and a son-in-law Kenneth Kiest.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Evangelical United Methodist Church.

Pallbearers will be Tom Reed, Brian Reed, Jason Reeve, Matt Hilliard, Tom Meade, and Dan Monroe.

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

Dorothea “Susy” Nelson, 92, of Ottawa passed away Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Pleasant View Luther Home.

Memorial Services will be at noon on Monday, July 22 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Monsignor Philip Halfacre officiating. Visitation will be from 9 am to noon, prior to services, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

She was born Dorothea Evalinn Anderson, April 16, 1927, in Ottawa to Robert and Mary E. “Mayme” (Brady) Anderson. She graduated from St. Xavior’s (Marquette) High School. She worked as Executive Secretary at the New Mental Center, Father Bader’s Secretary at Marquette, and Office Manager at the Pelton Center. She was active in St.Columba and Marquette Parent Clubs and May Merriment. She managed the Mavriks from 1966-1986. She enjoyed music, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She wed Lyle A. “Husky” Nelson on November 30, 1946; Husky passed away February 14, 1993.

She is survived by three children, Vicki (James) Pelton of Ottawa, Lyle A. (Charlene) Nelson of Marseilles, and John (Diane) Nelson of Ottawa; seven grandchildren, Dan (Molly) Lowery, Rob (Teresa) Lowery, Jesse (Jaclyn) Nelson, John (Katie) Nelson, Mandy (Paul) Durdan, Matt Nelson, and Sonja (Josh) Novotney; sixteen great-grandchildren, Jacob and Madison Lowery, Sophie and Stone Strobel, Kamryn Lowery, Hallie and Logan Nelson, Alec, Noah, and Griffin Novotney, Drew, Nate, Keely, and Morgan Nelson, and Avery and Caden Durdan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Nelson; her dear friend, Joseph Sagi; brothers, Donald, Robert “Ike/Buddy”, Abe “Jake”, and George “Knute”; and sisters, Bonnie and Roxie (Mickey).

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Dan and Rob Lowery, Matt Nelson, Jesse and John Nelson, Josh Novotney, and Paul Durdan; and great nephew, Dan Mulinazzi.

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

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

Doyle E. Medley, 96, of San Diego Ca passed away June 26, 2019.  Doyle was born in 1923 in Missouri and grew up in Ottawa IL.

Doyle proudly served in the US Navy before retiring in 1983 as Captain.

Doyle has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper next to his brothers Bernard and Connell, a sister Cleo, and his mother Etta.

Medley, Connell C., DDS died peacefully at home on June 17, 2019 at the age of 93.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Della (2004) whom he wed in September, 1952.

Connell was born on the Fifth of November in Crystal City, MO. He grew up in Ottawa, IL and graduated Class of 1943. He joined the US Navy on December 6, 1943 and served on LCS#32 as a Quartermaster First Class. He served during World War II and saw conflict on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged on May 6, 1946. He returned home and pursued his education. Connell attended University of Illinois Dental School; graduating in 1953. He returned to service in the US Air Force from 1953 to 1985 and retired as a Lt. Colonel. It was during this time that he pursued graduate school at University of Iowa for Orthodontics; graduating in 1957.He had an established practice in Waukegan, IL until 1985. He began his second career traveling to orthodontic offices that he established in Islamabad, Pakistan, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong. His final journey was to Richmond, VA with his daughter, Priscilla Kaufmann, and his granddaughters, Alison (Brian Rice) and Charlotte. He is also survived by his daughter, Tamar (Frank) Eversole and their children, Daniel and Lindsay.

Connell’s eternal resting place will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa, IL with his mother, Etta; brother, Bernard (casualty of World War II) ; and sister, Cleo.

Grandpa loved his country and was forever grateful for the opportunities the US Navy and the USAF awarded him.

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

Rodney G. “Pa” Juergensen, 78, of Marseilles, passed away Sunday, July 14, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Entombment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. 

He was born on July 13, 1941, in Marseilles, to Henry and Lottie (Norem) Juergensen. On July 31, 1960, he married Carol Gage of Marseilles who survives.

Rodney was employed by Libbey Owens Ford for over 30 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Ottawa Moose, and brother of the Ottawa VFW and American Legion.  He enjoyed riding his Goldwing, going to yard sales, and traveling.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; two daughters, Twila Benckendorf of Marseilles and Kathy (Roger) Brewster of Seneca; five grandchildren; Tausha Benckendorf, Ty Rodney (Cierra) Benckendorf, Carolynn (Jon) Soots, Caleb (Brianna) Brewster, and Cheyenne Brewster; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Ball of Streator and JoAnn (James) Gideon of Blue Springs, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Lester J., Donald L., Walter R., and Gerald D.; and one sister, Marjorie M. Stellhorn.

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

Charles R. Rice, 67, long time member of the Ottawa Police Department, died Friday afternoon, May 30, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, in the Mueller Funeral Home, in Ottawa, with the Rev. Mark Geisler, Pastor of Christ Episcopal Church, officiating. Military rites will follow the service. Burial will be on a later date in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Chuck was born on February 27, 1947, in South Bend, Indiana, to Charles and Delores (Miller) Rice. He was a graduate of Adams High School in South Bend. Chuck served in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1974, when he joined the Ottawa Police Department. He married Elizabeth Jackson on December 12, 1979, in Ottawa. He was a member of the Illinois Police Association, Police Benevolent and Protective Assn., American Legion Post 33 and the Harley Owners Group. His service and commitment to the Air Force and as a police officer were very important to him. Chuck was most proud of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Beth; children: JoAnne (Eric) Cattell, of Williamstown, NJ, Daniel Rice, of West Deptford, NJ, and Amy Rice, of Ottawa, 3 grandchildren, his father Charles (Elaine) Rice, of South Bend, IN, and one brother Richard (Teresa) Rice, of Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Delores, 2 granddaughters, a son Robert “Robb” and a nephew.

Memorials may be directed to the family or the donor’s choice.

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

Leonard E. Lock, 83, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, January 24, at Aperion Care Nursing Home in Marseilles. Memorial services will be held at 2 pm on Friday July 19, at Christ Episcopal Church with Rev. John Crist, officiating. Burial was at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements are through the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Leonard was born in Ottawa to Leonard and Louise (Haupt) Lock on November 15, 1935. He received his B. S. Degree from the University of Iowa worked in the insurance business. Leonard was in the Army Reserves and later served in the U. S. Army. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, and the LaSalle County Historical Society.

He is survived by his sister Norma Willy of Ottawa and a brother Vernon Lock of Glendale, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to LaSalle County Historical Society.

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