October 2019

Donna L. Downey, age 75, of Ottawa, passed away September 30, 2019 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2019 at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday October 6, 2019 and one hour prior to service Monday.  Pallbearers will be Michael Gregory II, Kory and Gary Hall, Justin and Dalton Downey, and Eddie Claar II.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Ron Link, David Hatfill, and Mitch Hanselman.

Donna was born in El Dorado, Illinois on June 23, 1944, the daughter of George William and Dora (Tyler) Hanselman.  She married Edward Downey on May 22, 1963 in Joliet.  He preceded her in death on June 8, 2013.  She is survived by her father, George (Marge) Hanselman; son, Darryn (Sue) Downey, of Ottawa; son, Mickey (Tricia) Downey, of Marseilles; daughter, Susie (Mike) Gregory, of Ottawa; step-daughter, Evelyn Downey, of Sumner, WA; step-son, Edward “Butch” (Becky) Downey, of Cavour, S.D.; step-daughter, Paulette Downey-Hall, of Auburn, KY; brother, George (Judy) Hanselman, of Ottawa; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Dora Hanselman, a son in infancy, Jason Carter Downey, a sister, Norma Hanselman-Day, brother-in-law, Harry Day, and a niece, Velinda Day.

Donna was a wonderful mother and sister who cherished her family.  She was an excellent caretaker raising her family and tending to her husband until he passed away.  She had a heart as big as Texas and loved everyone, especially her grandchildren.  She loved to make people laugh and could be a real jokester.  She enjoyed following her friends and family on Facebook as well as her numerous T.V. shows.  Donna loved to sing and was a huge fan of Elvis.  She was fortunate enough to see Elvis at his last concert in Chicago with her family at her side.  There have been many people who have helped Donna since she was diagnosed with cancer.  A special thank you to her granddaughter, Shasta Downey for her continuous care as her hospice nurse, as well as Ron Link, Jeanne Saager, and Pat Schueler, her neighbors who saw that she and her house were taken care of.  Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, The American Lung Association, or The American Cancer Society.

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

Shirley Conard Boshell, age 97, of Ottawa, Illinois, joined our Heavenly Father Saturday, September 28, 2019.  Shirley was born in Serena Township to Cartha and Maude Gillette on April 30, 1922.  When she was just six years of age, her mother passed away, leaving four young children.  A few years later, her father was killed in an automobile accident.  After her mother passed away, Shirley’s grandmother, Mitylene Williams lived with the family for five years.  She always saw to it that they went to church and Sunday School and were raised to love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Shirley graduated from Serena High School.  She married Wilson R. Conard on March 17, 1942, and they lived for a number of years on a farm in Wallace Township.  Wilson “Bill” passed away July 1, 1985.  They had two daughters, Joan (James) Brooke of Ottawa and Gayle (John) Elliott of Golden, CO.

Shirley had four grandchildren, Jason (Nancy) Brooke of Charleston, SC, Jenel Brooke of Ethiopia, Chris (Suzie) Kolin of Golden, CO and Laura (Jesse) Duplessis  of Lakewood, CO.  She had ten great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Steven and Ben of Charleston; Sarah and Tamarah of Ethiopia; Brenden, Megan and Stefen of Golden; Bailey and Peyton of Lakewood.

Shirley had two sisters and one brother who preceded her in death: Ebal (Elbert) Anderson, Elaine (Walter) Zellmer and Norman “Bub” (Karen) Gillette.

Shirley married Harold Boshell on December 10, 1989, and they lived in Ottawa for sixteen years.  Harold passed away on April 18, 2005.

She was always active in her community.  Shirley led a 4-H Club in Wallace Township for 17 years.  She was a member of the Harding Methodist Church for over 70 years and taught Sunday School for 30 years.  She was one of the chairmen for a few years for the Harding Church’s turkey supper, which they hosted 52 years, serving nearly 1000 people one year.  She was a very generous and loving lady, and she loved to play cards!

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 3rd at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.  The funeral will be held at Harding United Methodist Church on Friday, October 4th at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Rich Fassig officiating.  She will be laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Memorial gifts may be given to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital or to the American Cancer Society.

Our brightest light has passed on.  Patricia Diana Riewaldt (74), of Ottawa, left us September 27^th, 2019 at 10:04am.  Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am Friday, October 4^th, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home; burial to follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, October 3^rd, 2019.

She is survived by her partner, Scott Richmond, siblings Zanna Walcker, Robert Fleming, Wayne Fleming, and Connie Baxter; her children, Derek (Susan) Ellis, Tracy (Steve) Brewer, Michelle (Jimmy) Goings, Julie Truesdale, Paula Auckland, Christy (Weston) Peek, and Art (Katrina) Riewaldt II; her 13 grandchildren, Brittney, Skylar, Michael, Daniel, Sara, Ema, Doug, Mandi, Collin, Preston, Brianna, Audrey, and Rachel; and her three great-grandchildren, Malachi, Marlee, and Tyler; all of whom she deeply loved.

She follows her parents, Lester and Helen Fleming, siblings Gary Fleming and Sandra McEmery, and her husband Artillery Riewaldt.  Pallbearers will be Derek Ellis, Art Riewaldt, Robert Fleming, Michael Brewer, Daniel Brewer, Douglas Johnson, Weston Peek, and Scott Richmond.

She lived a splendid life, growing up on a farm in Fillmore, IL where she built unshakeable friendships with her siblings that lasted a lifetime.  She created the most beautiful of homes, and made it always open and warm to her family and loved ones, and a constant source of joy and fun for her grandchildren.

She is remembered as a tireless and constant giver to all around her, and taught us to live life fully and always appreciate what makes us smile.  Selfless and full of grace, she filled her world with kindness and beauty; the gifts of her love and life’s work remain always as an example and inspiration to her loved ones of a life well-lived.

Memorials will be directed to Mooseheart and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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

Early in the morning, on Monday, August 12, 2019, Rose Elizabeth “Betty” (Duffield) Johnson, age 101, was taken home to rest in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead. She was given life by her creator and was born on May 18, 1918, in Hunter, North Dakota. She is the daughter of Albert Ray and Eva Lydia (Fiske) Duffield. On June 14, 1925, she was baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit at First United Methodist Church of Ottawa and became a child of God. On February 17, 1941, she was united in holy matrimony to Julius “Jules” David Monterastelli, who preceded her in death. On June 20, 1970, she was united in holy matrimony to Robert “Bob” Edwin Johnson, who also preceded her in death. She lived the last several years of this life enjoying the Ozark Mountains in Springfield, Missouri. God blessed Betty with many special people as she served God in her vocations as daughter, sister, English student, choir member, wife, mother, catechist for her boys, grandmother, widow, restaurateur (at Monte’s Riverside Inn, Ottawa), citizen, and great-grandmother. For now, her bodily presence will be missed by all who know and love her. She was preceded in death by her sisters: Rae (Duffield) Lunn and Lucille (Duffield) Willey; their parents; her husbands; her sons: Steve, Larry, and Jerry; her step-daughter, Penny (Johnson) Rebholz; and niece, Lori (Willey) Thomas. Betty is survived by her daughter-in-law, June (Foster) Monterastelli of Springfield, Missouri; her grandsons: Michael Monterastelli of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Shawn Monterastelli and wife Lynsey of Tustin, California; her great-granddaughters: Kate, Tessa, and Emily; her stepson, R.C. Johnson and wife Melba of Destin, Florida; her step-grandsons: Jeff, Jay, and Josh; her niece, Terry; nephew, Walt Willey; grand-niece, Merit; and grand-nephew, Chance.

A graveside committal is being planned for the inurnment of both her and her son, Jerry’s, cremains at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa, Illinois, on September 27, 2019. A reception will follow. Please check the website for current details: www.walnutlawnfuneralhome.comorinfo@walnutlawnfuneralhome.com

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through His servant Betty.

Her care has been entrusted to Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ltd. DeGraffenreid-Wood-Crematory.

Betty has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. We remember with thanksgiving what God has done through His servant Jerry. Julius Jerry Monterastelli was given life by his creator and was born on April 24, 1943, the child of Julius and Rose (nee Duffield) Monterastelli Johnson. On May 16, 1943, he was born again through water and the Spirit by the gracious power of God’s Word in Holy Baptism and became a child of God. On May 20, 1972, he received the gift of his life-long companion and wife, June (nee Foster). He was blessed with the gift of sons, Michael and Shawn, of a daughter-in-law, Lynsey (nee Webber, Shawn’s wife), and granddaughters, Kate, Tessa, and baby Monterastelli. On May 10, 1981, he publicly confirmed the Lutheran confession of the Christian faith at Timothy Lutheran Church in Blue Springs where he received the precious gift of our Lord’s body and blood for 32 years. God
blessed Jerry’s life with many special people as he served God in his vocations as son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He served as an urban forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation. He retired to Springfield in 2003 and used his forestry skills to serve part-time with Greene County Parks and Recreation and then with Springfield Public Works. Most importantly he recently and regularly received the good gifts of God with the congregation at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Springfield. He was preceded in death by his father, Julius, and his younger brothers, Steven and Lawrence. Finally, in the year of our Lord 2012, on the Fifth Sunday after Trinity (July 8), God blessed Jerry with a holy death and took him home to rest in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead. A service will be held in Springfield at 1:00 P.M., July 21, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2852 S. Dayton Ave. (RedeemerSpringfield.org) with visitation and
reception to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jerry’s name may be left for Redeemer Lutheran Church of Springfield, Timothy Lutheran Church of Blue Springs, The Community Foundation of the Ozarks (note: The Tree City USA Fund), or the American Cancer Society. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the Name of the Lord. We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our brother, Jerry Monterastelli.

Jerry has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

Howard G. Sibert, age 71, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Funeral services will be held Noon Friday, September 27th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Reverend Duane Kaufman officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to Noon Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be grandsons; Austin Farrell, Briar and Cole Flores, Nephews; BJ and Joe Sibert, and like a son; Jason Kennedy.  Honorary pallbearers will be Carroll Price, Catfish Stevens, Jack “Morty Pie” Rice, Roger Jameson, Steve “Half-wit” Loughridge and Dennis Duffy.

Howard was born August 24, 1948 in Ottawa, a son of Howard and Helen (Moore) Sibert.  He married Pam Miskell August 30, 1969 at the First Baptist Church of Ottawa.  Surviving are Pam, his wife of 50 years; 3 children, Howard (Lucrezia) Sibert, Jr., Andy (Danielle) Sibert and Heidi (Cory) Lundy all of Ottawa; 10 grandchildren, Amanda, Josh, Austin, Chloe, Ella, Gabby, Grace, Briar, Cole and Baylee; and one great grandchild, Mary.  Howard also leaves siblings, Luella McGeorge, James Sibert, Betty Hardy, Raymond (Kathy) Sibert, Pam (Larry) Morey and Tim (Donna) Sibert all of Ottawa.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, four sisters and many of his furry friends.

Howard began working for Tufty Farms at the age of thirteen and farmed on the Jameson Farm.  He worked at Marquette Academy and retired from Boilermakers Local 60 in Morton, IL. His passion for farming, gardening, fishing, and feeding the birds and squirrels was evident to anyone who knew him.  He was always busy working, whether it be in his garden, helping Pam make salsa and zucchini bread, tinkering around the house, or just helping anyone, friend or family. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved his Chicago Bears.

Howard loved his family.  He was the best Pa to his grandkids and his wife was his everything. He was a great man and will be deeply missed.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

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

George J. Johnson, 87, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Pleasant View. Funeral Services will be at 12:00 noon on Saturday, September 21 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. David Yim, pastor of Evangelical United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the services. Interment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park where full military rites will be conducted by the American Legions Post 33 Veteran’s Group Honor Guard.

George was born on February 5, 1932 in Ottawa, Illinois, to George and Lillian (Crear) Johnson. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1950. George served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He married Darlene M. Friestad on October 6, 1957 at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Ottawa. George worked at Libby-Owens-Ford for 42 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church, Glassworkers Local 19, Ottawa VFW, American Legion Post 33, and the Ottawa Moose Lodge. George created Johnson Subdivision in Ottawa that in turn became a neighborhood of 50+ single family residences.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene, his four children, Michael (Janet) Johnson, of Inverness, IL, Brenda (Steve) Van Fleet, of Southport, CT, John (Kelly) Johnson, of Chicago, George W. Johnson, of Summerfield, FL; ten grandchildren: Katie, Kelsey, Kelly, Sarah, Anna, Taylor, Sydney, Jack, Joe and Georgie, four great-grandchildren: Lilly, Ava, Colton, and Mia, and two brothers Richard (Sharon) Johnson, of Utica, and Kenneth (Mary) Johnson, of Chillicothe, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Edith Hastings, Janet Newell, and three brothers, Gary, Robert, and James Johnson.

Pallbearers will be his sons, Mike, Johnny, and George, and grandsons, Jack, Joe, and Georgie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Evangelical United Methodist Church, 1116 Illinois Ave, Ottawa, IL 61350.

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