December 2019

Dennis Eugene Smallbone, 79, passed away on December 2nd, 2019. Born June 23rd, 1940 in Ottawa, Illinois. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was an honorary Green Beret. He worked as a facility manager for animal imports for many years. He also was an adult education teacher for autobody detailing. He was preceded in death by his father Clifford, his mother Helene, daughters Kayla Smallbone & Katherine Smallbone, and nephew Kenneth Bertucci. He is survived by his sisters Judith Smallbone-Bertucci & Janice Smallbone-Woody, daughters Carla Southcott & Gina Smallbone-Tompkins, six grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Dennis was laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.

Jean E. Nelson, 88, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Pleasant View Luther Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am, Monday, December 2, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Pastor Sherry Stevenson officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 am, prior to services, at the funeral home. She will be entombed at Oakwood Memorial Park Shrine of Rest Mausoleum.

Jean was born June 4, 1931 in Ottawa to Edwin and Mildred (Monroe) Hill. She married the love of her life, Hiram Nelson on January 22, 1949 at Petre Lutheran Church in Baker, Illinois; he passed away November 30, 2018. Jean met Hiram when she worked at Owens in Streator, and they carpooled to and from work together. Hiram and Jean enjoyed camping and spending many winters in Florida. Jean loved word searches, playing cards, and animals, especially horses.

She is survived by one son, Barry (Pam) Nelson of Ottawa; one daughter, Jodi (Curt) Woodall of Tennessee; grandchildren, Colby (Amy) Zellers, Courtnye (Matt) Miller, Travis (Hannah) Cowan, Kellan Cowan, Slater Woodall, Tristan (Ben) Johnson, Jesse (Jenna) Nelson, Josh Thompson, Noah Nelson, and Madi Nelson; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Luke, Carson, Alyssa, Zoe, Ryder, Lily, Rylee, and Kaden; and her special family friends, Sandi Bivens and Mary Niemann.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hiram; one son, Douglas Nelson; and her brother, Robert “Bob” Hill.

Pallbearers will be Pat Mino, Gary Auen, Matt Miller, Colby Zellers, Jim Hill, and Robert Hill.

Jean was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Peace.

Patricia Ann Owsley, age 88, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2019 with her loving family by her side.

Funeral services will be held Noon Monday, November 25th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor France Marcott officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. till service time Monday.

Patricia was born August 27, 1931 in Chicago, the only daughter of Fern and Zylpha (Crye) Fox.  She married Reverend Eugene E. Owsley, September 21, 1949 in Franklin Park, IL.  She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Reverend Eugene Owsley; children, Pam (Ralph) Malec of Minooka, Kathy Lattimore and Ruth Anne Lloyd of Ottawa and Cyndi (Cletis) Poitra of Palatine.  She also leaves grandchildren, Bob Woodrum, Staci Woodrum, Sasa Musikiwamba, Dan Lloyd, Aire Poitra and Dakota Poitra; great-grandchildren, Henry and Audrey Woodrum, Drew Stephens and Idris Musikiwamba.  She was preceded in death by her only brother, Jim Fox.

Patricia was a member of the National Honor Society at the time of her high school graduation.  She had been employed as an Executive Secretary.  Patricia was an accomplished pianist and organist and played in church services since the age of twelve.  She dearly loved her family and treasured the time spent with them.

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

Stephen Ryan Ahern, 32, of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly, on November 18, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2019 at Crossbridge Community Church, with Rev. John Pickens, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Veteran’s Group Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Stephen was born on August 22, 1987 in Ottawa, to R. Kevin Ahern and Rhonda (Stephens) Ahern. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 2006. After high school he joined the US Air Force and served from 2007 to 2011. He was a Senior Airman, served at the Osan AFB in South Korea, and was deployed with Operation Iraqi Freedom. Stephen was currently employed at Sabic Plastics. He grew up attending Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, and was currently attending Crossbridge Community Church in Ottawa. Steve had a kind heart and gentle spirit. He will be forever missed by his family.

He is survived by his parents, his grandmothers, Ruth Stephens and Lucille Ahern, two brothers, Brent (Jessica Friede) Ahern and Alex Ahern, both of Ottawa, one uncle Rob Stephens, and his beloved niece. Briella Ahern.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Robert Ahern and Ray Stephens.

Pallbearers will be John Haerle, TJ Renner, Josh Roach, Chad Walker, Brent Ahern, Alex Ahern, and Brandon Breedlove. Honorary Pallbearers will be his Osan AFB flight members.

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.

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

Phyllis Brooks, 83, of Ottawa passed away Friday, November 15, 2019 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 Saturday, November 23, 2019at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 Friday, November 22, 2019 at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Phyllis was born June 18, 1936, in Harlingen, Texas to Howard Patterson and Lois (Patterson) Johnson. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Ottawa Moose Club. In her free time she enjoyed reading, gardening and working in her flower beds. She also enjoyed cooking, canning, and playing the scratch off lottery cards. She worked at Walmart for 28 years. Most of all she enjoyed her family; especially her grandchildren, she had a magic touch when it came to them.

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Gerald) Wold, Nicole Vanda, Susie (Dave) Abernathy, Brent (Cindy) Brooks, Scott (Eve) Brooks, and Noel (Sheri) Brooks; fifteen grandchildren; several great grandchildren; three siblings, Dennis Johnson, Donald (Susan) Johnson, and James (Mary) Johnson; and her beloved cat, Cootie.

Phyllis was preceded in death by two children, Rory (Ike) Brooks and Dennis Duane Brooks in infancy; two grandchildren, Tammi Rideout and Jeremy Abernathy; and her previous husband, Dennis Brooks.

Pallbearers will be Zachary Abernathy, Jordan Abernathy, Jacob Vanda, Kyle Vanda, Travis Dougherty and Cody Fleming.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jordan Robb, Chrystal Johann, Summer Hoagland-Abernathy, Jennifer Abush, Stephanie Brooks, Heidi Brooks, Jeffery Brooks and Brandon Brooks.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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

Joyce Rabe, 87, of Ottawa, died on Friday night, November 15, at the Ottawa Pavilion. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. Cheri Stewart, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 12 Noon, until the services at 2:30 p.m.

Joyce was born on June 30, 1932 in Ottawa to Art and Emma (Morris) Morgan. She was a clerk at Jordan Hardware in Ottawa and later employed as a respite worker. She married Dale Rabe in 1949 in Dixon.

She is survived by two daughters, Pamela (Richard) Simione, of Cheshire, Ct., and Peggy (Charles) Jacobs of Deerfield Beach, Fl, one son, James (Maureen) Rabe, of Elk Grove Village, IL, five grandchildren, Emilee Kasik Brown, Eddie Kasik, Julie Jordan Lane, Emma and Grace Rabe, six great-grandchildren, Ian Brown, Ethan Jordan Lane, Lola Brown, Celia Lane, Helena Kasik, and Markus Kasik, and a sister, Margie Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, on Oct. 5, 2013, a granddaughter, Kristin Michelle Rabe, a brother, David “Bill” Morgan, and a baby brother at birth.

Pallbearers will be: Julie Lane, Emilee Brown, Edward Lane, Ethan Lane, Aaron Brown, Chuck Jacobs.

Memorials may be directed Pet Project.

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

Barbara Rexroat, 92, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00 Friday, November 22, 2019, at St. Francis of Assisi Church with Rev. Gary Caster officiating. Visitation will be 9:30 – 11:30 Friday, two hours prior to her funeral, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Barbara was born April 23, 1927, in Ottawa, Illinois to Frank and Barbara (Stuprich) Neurohr. She married Donald Rexroat April 24, 1947 at St. Francis of Assisi Church; he passed away May 14, 1997. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church and their Altar and Rosary Society.

She is survived by two children, Chris (Glenn) Corrie and Mary (Al) Way; ten grandchildren, James Rexroat, Sharon (Ryan) Kiefel, Trysha (Mike) Nichols, Joseph Rexroat, Brian (Chantel) Corrie, Michelle (Jay) Sarver, Matthew (Sarah) McAlpine, Keith (Abby) McAlpine, Casey (Brittani) McAlpine, and Alex Way; twenty three great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; her brother, Joseph Neurohr; her sister-in-law and best friend, Frances Neurohr; her special friend, Charles “Choppy” Aussem; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; two sons, James Rexroat and Richard Rexroat; and her siblings, Peter, Frank, John, Nicholas, Martin, and Anthony Neurohr; and two sisters in infancy.

Pallbearers will be James Rexroat, Joseph Rexroat, Brian Corrie, Matthew McAlpine, Keith McAlpine, Casey McAlpine, Alex Way, and Jay Sarver.

Honorary Pallbears will be Sharon Keifel, Trysha Nichols, Michelle Sarver, Chantel Corrie, Abby McAlpine, Brittani McCorkle, and Sarah McAlpine, and Charles “Choppy” Aussem.

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

Billie Hunt, 94, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at St. Columba Church, with Rev. David Kipfer, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Billie was born on November 30, 1924 in LaSalle to William and Augusta (Kleefield) Noll. She was a graduate of L-P High School, class of 1942. Billie married Eugene A. Hunt on November 24, 1943 in LaSalle. She was a member of St. Columba Church, LaSalle County Home Extension, Dayton Women’s Club, Illinois Valley Quilters Guild, Catholic Daughters of America, Altar and Rosary Society, Red Cross, Prime Timers, Fun Timers, Pleasant View Luther Home, and Advantage Travel Services.

She is survived by 2 children, Sharon Jean Hundt, of Ottawa and Larry D. (Sharon) Hunt of Peru, 8 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Eugene, in 1975, 4 sisters, Thelma Noll, Dorothy Pacetti, Pauline Burns, and Margaret Hillis, and 2 brothers, Louis and William Noll.

Pallbearers will be Matthew, Samuel, and Adam Hunt, Timothy and Anthony Hundt, and Kevin Ainsworth.

Memorials may be directed to St. Columba Church.

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

Charles Holtzman, 94, of Ottawa, died Thursday morning, Nov. 14, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, in the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Pastor Dave Zehrung, of Grace Baptist Church, Ottawa, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa where full military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 33Veteran’s Group Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Chuck was born on Dec. 27, 1924 in Chicago. He was employed as a sheet metal worker at Ottawa Heating and Vent, later as a custodian at Shepherd Middle School until his retirement. He married Helen Rubenaker on July 11, 1947, at the Paul Street Bible Church in Ottawa. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII, and piloted a Landing Craft onto the beaches of Normandy at Juno Beach during the D-day invasion. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church.

He is survived two sons, Lynn (Ellen) Holtzman, of Louisville, KY, and Chris (Kathy) Holtzman, of Grand Ridge, and 4 grandchildren: Heidi, Luke, Sam, and Hannah.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, on Oct. 15, 2013, a daughter, Debi, and his parents. Ira and Rose (Crompton) Holtzman.

Memorials may be directed to Bethesdaoutreach.org.

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