October 2019

William Bremer, 83, of Utica Township died Saturday morning, October 26, at Pleasant View. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Private services will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Michael Driscoll, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Utica, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Bill was born on June 13, 1936 in Chicago to William and Gertrude (Trunk) Bremer. He was a truck driver for Consolidated Freightways for 34 years, retiring in 1993.

He served in the U.S. Army in Germany. He married JoAnne (Preci) Stefenel on August 29, 1992, at St. Mary’s church in Utica.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Teamsters Local 710, and the NRA.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnne, step-children, Peter (Marcia) Stefenel of Peru, and Cheryl (Rory) Newell, of Ottawa 5 grandchildren: Maria Smith, Abigail Stefenel, Rory Newell, Jr. Pete Newell, and Cheri Newell, and 3 great-grandchildren, Sofia Smith, Trey Smith, III, and Charlotte Smith.

He was preceded in death by a sister Charlotte. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Childrens Hospitals.

Pallbearers will be: Pete Stefenel, Rory Newell, Rory Newell, Jr. Pete Newell, Dwayne Smith, and Austin Simundza.

William was laid to rest in The Garden of Prayer.

Evelyn Conrad, 80, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria from complications following a stroke the previous day.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Monday, October 28, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 3:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday, October 27, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 2:45. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park alongside her husband, son, daughter, and great grand-daughter.

Evelyn was born in Ottawa on December 29, 1938 to Paul and Beulah (Johnson) Eisert. She married Jerry Conrad January 8, 1955. Together they were together for over 61 years until he passed away in September of 2016. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, she served on the board at Friendship Village, and in the Jr. Women’s Club. Evelyn wore many hats in her lifetime; grocery store manager, restaurant owner, home rehabber, counselor at Friendship Village, winemaker, pie baker, and glass worker all while raising five children, one of them Joan, a special needs child, whom she cared for until she passed away in 2015 at the age of 59.

She is survived by her children Steven (Sheila) of Aurora, Robert, and Jane (Matt) Weber of Ottawa; four grandchildren, Jenny (George) Gaworski, Ashley Conrad, Luke Weber and Melanie Ellzey; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Hammond, Hayer and Holden Sorensen, Fiona, George, Audriana, baby G 4 arriving soon; and her brothers, Paul (Vickie) and Ron (Michele) Eisert.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister, Caroline Kolatka; her children, Joan and Jeffrey Conrad; and her great grand-daughter, Harper Lee Sorensen.

Pallbearers will be Robert Conrad, Matt Weber, Luke Weber, George Gaworski, Keith Conrad, and John Conrad.

Honorary Pallbearers Paul Eisert and Ron Eisert.

Memorials may be directed to the family for future donations.

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

James Threadgill, 82, of Ottawa, died on Tuesday, October 22, at the Ottawa Pavilion. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 25 in the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Joe Sanders, Senior Minister of the Central Church of Christ in Streator, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the Services on Friday.

Jim was born on Feb. 15, 1937, in Brilliant, Alabama to James and Eva (Addison) Threadgill, Sr. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany. He married Juanita Turner on April 6, 1960 in Harlan, KY. He was an Electrician (IBEW) for 40 years until his retirement. Jim was a member of the Central Church of Christ in Streator, and a 53-year member of IBEW.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita, of Ottawa, one daughter Dannette (Joe) Haywood, two sons, Cleve (Mylinda) Threadgill, and James (Shelley) Threadgill III, all of Ottawa, 13 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Daniel (Brenda) Threadgill, of Columbus, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and 5 siblings, C.W. Threadgill, Carey Owen Threadgill, John Threadgill, Bobby Sue Threadgill, and Mary Threadgill.

Memorials may be directed to the Central Church of Christ in Streator.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

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

Joan Gertrude (Dippel) Kinzer, 92, of Peru passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at Manor Court of Peru surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Peru with Rev. Tom Redig and her nephew, Fr. David Ryan officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Peru.

Mrs. Kinzer was born November 13, 1926, in Granville to Frank and Anna (Imparl) Dippel. She married Russell Lawrence Kinzer on February 19, 1949, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dixon. She attended Granville Grade School, was a graduate of Hopkins High School and received her nursing certificate from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in LaSalle.

Mrs. Kinzer was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Peru, and the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed participating in Shrine activities with her husband Russell, who was a member of Mohammed Shrine of Peoria and Northern Illinois Valley Shrine Club.

Mrs. Kinzer’s joys in life were spending time with her family, reading and sewing.

Survivors include her four children, Laura Joan (George) Attaway of Huntley, Lawrence Joseph (Barbara) Kinzer of Ottawa, Lois Anne (Roger) Look of Pekin, Lisa Marie (Robert) Konzelmann of Williamsville; five grandchildren, Justin Attaway, Joseph M. Kinzer, Jennifer L. Sampson, Robert D. and Russell Konzelmann; two great-grandchildren, Rose Kinzer and Mackenzie Sampson and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Russell on August 30, 2005; her brother, Dr. William Dippel and her two sisters, Edna Pletsch and Joyce Ryan.

Pallbearers will be Joseph M. Kinzer, Justin Attaway, Ken Sampson, Robert D. Konzelmann, Russell Konzelmann and Eric Dippel.

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

Irvin “Bud” Roberts, age 82, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, October 20, 2019 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 24th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Reverend Duane Kaufman officiating.  Interment with Military Honors by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 Veterans Group Honor Guard will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 23rd at the funeral home.

Bud was born February 8, 1937 in Ottawa, Illinois, a son of Perry Frank and Mildred Marie (Daggett) Alberry.  He married Judith M. “Judy” Jones October 7, 1961 at St. Patrick Church in Ottawa.  She preceded him in death September 4, 2008.  Surviving are his children, Anthony “Tony” (Susan) Roberts and Erik “Bubba” Roberts all of Ottawa; grandchildren, Joe Roberts of Ottawa, Drake (Miranda) Roberts of Ft. Lewis McChord, Washington, Nate Roberts of Grand Ridge and Eli Roberts of Ottawa.  He also leaves sisters, Georgia Lee Baker and Maureen Schrimsher of Oklahoma.  Bud was preceded in death by two sons, Michael and Kristopher Roberts; two brothers, Frank Alberry and Earl Jones; and two sisters, Marie Unken and Bertha Jones.

Bud proudly served his country in the United States Army.  He enjoyed attending car shows, hunting and fishing.  Oldsmobile automobiles were his car of choice.  He owned two 1950 models and one 1953 model that he restored and entered into car shows.  He enjoyed reading western novels and spending time with his family.

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

Mitchell Brady, 57, of Utica, passed away Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23rd, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. James Swaner, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Mitchell was born on February 17th, 1962, in Ottawa, to Ralph Edward “Ed” and Nancy (Reynolds) Brady, Jr. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, and received his B.S. Degree from the University of Illinois. He married Karen Ahern on Jan. 3, 1981 in Ottawa. She died on March 1, 2010. He worked as a Computer Scientist for Bell Labs and Lucent Technologies. Mitch was an active boater and a member of the Hammond, Indiana Marina.

He is survived a son, Andrew Brady, of Los Angeles, a daughter, Amy Brady, of Utica, a granddaughter, Autumn Gremal, his father, Ed (Ronda) Brady of Sandwich, a sister, Debra (Mark) Ingold, of Plainfield, and two brothers, Michael (Amy) Brady, and Randall (Michele) Brady both of Ottawa.

He was preceded in death by his mother, and his grandparents.

Memorials May be directed to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

Pallbearers will be Andrew, Michael, Randall, Cory and Hallen Brady, and Bryan Page.

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

Barbara Williams, age 90, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Pleasant View.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 21st at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home, with the Reverend Carolyn Lukasick officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. till service time Monday.

Barbara was born June 16, 1929 in Ottawa, Illinois, a daughter of George F. and Mary (Barry) Baker.  She married Gerald Williams October 17, 1954 in Ottawa.  He preceded her in death May 23, 2014.  Surviving are her children, Tom Williams of Ottawa, Kathy (Robert) Vilven of Royal, IL, and Dan Williams of Ottawa; and grandchildren, Kim, Becky, Emily, Meggan, Corbin, Aoibheann, Katy, Alec and Sam; and eight great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a son, John Williams and a brother, Paul Baker.

Barbara was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed puzzles.  The time most precious to her was that spent with family.

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

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

Thelma M. (Briner) Jensen, 89, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, October 12th, 2019 at the La Salle County Nursing Home in Ottawa. Private Graveside Services were held at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Arrangements are through the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Thelma was born on January 13th, 1930 in Streator to Robert and Anna Pearl (Linn) Briner. She was a graduate of Streator High School, class of 1948. She worked for the LaSalle County Superintendent of Schools for over 22 years, as a bookkeeper and then for the Truant Office for over 3 years. She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, Epworth Village Board Member, Share Food Coordinator, Southside Neighborhood Watch Captain, AFSCME Retirees Executive Board, where she served terms as President, Secretary, and Treasurer, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Red Cross Volunteer, and AARP. She loved the companionship of her dog, Opie.

She is survived by her three children, Judith (Fred) Wiebe, of Black Canyon City, AZ, David (Kathy) Brickert, and Deborah (Kent) Paul, both of Marseilles, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, A.R. Brickert, her second husband Roy Jensen, a brother, Robert Briner, three sisters, Gladys Burkett, Delores Bethard, and Roberta Bethard, a great-grandson, Mark Wiebe, and a special companion, Jack Painter.

Memorials may be directed to the Epworth United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

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

Irene Donahue, 67, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, October 7,2019, at Aperion Care Marseilles.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 15th at 3pm at Oakwood Memorial Park. A celebration of life will follow in Naplate, Illinois.

Irene was born June 21, 1952, in Ottawa, IL, to Ralph Anderson and Emma Anderson .

Irene worked at the Oasis and worked at Western Electric.  She enjoyed camping, fishing, sewing and meeting new people. She worked as a Homemaker.

She is survived by her two daughters, Rene (Bryon Eutis) Daniele and Betty (Nick) Clegg; seven grandchildren; one great grandson; three sisters, Mary Olson, Lori Effert, Patti Anderson; and her brother, Ronnie Anderson and many neices and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, one granddaughter, Kristina, brothers Marty Anderson, Fred Anderson, Mike Anderson, and  Ralph Jr. Anderson, sisters Sharon Fessler, Roxie Scerini, and Joanne Hughes.

Memorials may be directed to her family.

Irene was laid to rest in The Garden of Psalms.

Debra Adams, 61, of Ottawa passed away Thursday, October 3, 2019 at her home.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 pm Monday October 7, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Pastor Tricia Jackson officiating. Visitation will be noon to 2:00 PM, prior to the service, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Debra was born March 13, 1958, in Ottawa, Illinois to Donald and Kathleen (Nicholson) Lucus. She married Anthony Adams on August 14, 1980 in Ottawa, he passed away January 14, 2001. She worked for the US Postal Service for 30 years in Mendota.

She is survived by her two daughters, Amy Adams Peterson and Julia Valdez of Ottawa; one son, Alexander Adams of Ottawa; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her two sisters, Judith Frazier and Nancy Fassett both of Mauston, Wisconsin

Debra was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Aaron Adams; two sisters, Donna Quinn and Sue Adams; and one brother George Lucus.

Pallbearers will be Lamar Bowen, Matthew Brow, Robert Lewis, Nicholson Stock, Keinan Fassett and Jonah Ludkowski. Honorary Pallbearers will be Michael Stock and Jonathan Frazier.

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