May 2020

James Hayson, Jr., 89, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday night, May 21, 2020 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in LaSalle.

Given current circumstances, private funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Sherry Stevenson, of Crossbridge Community Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, at the funeral home.

James was born on July 21, 1930 in Ottawa to James Howard and Dorothy (Holloway) Hayson, Sr. He was a maintenance engineer and worked for Libbey-Owens Ford. James was a veteran of the US Army, and served during the Korean War. He married Ruth Rice on April 30, 1967. James was a member of Crossbridge Community Church and the American Legion Post 33. He enjoyed target shooting at the range and motorcycles. James always had a pet dog.

He is survived by a son Randel (Elizabeth) Hayson, of Grayslake, two grandchildren, Cormac James, and Norah Elise Hayson, and a brother, Charles (Carol) Hayson of LaSalle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth, on April 10, 1990, and four siblings, Virginia Hite, Geraldine Kurth, Donna Hayson, and David Hayson.

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

Sharon M. Marco, 75, of Serena passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love and prayers of her family on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am, Friday, February 7 at St. Joseph Church in Wedron, with Rev. John Waugh officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 3:45pm with the Catholic Daughters of America. A private family interment will take place at Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Sharon was born May 25, 1944, in Ottawa to Larry and Betty Weidig. She married Edmund Marco on August 18, 1962. (He died August 6, 2019.) Sharon was a graduate of St. Francis Grade School, Marquette High School, and Illinois Valley Community College School of Nursing. She retired from Community Hospital of Ottawa in 2009.

Sharon was a home health and hospice nurse for a good part of her 20+ year career helping hundreds throughout that time. She was known for her compassion and attention to detail, often working beyond “scheduled hours” to ensure that her patients and their families were taken care of.

Sharon enjoyed bowling with the Ottawa Women’s Bowling League on the Moonlighters team for 50+ years, sharing some of that time with her mother, Betty, and daughters, Amy and Lisa. Sharon enjoyed playing in card club and participating in the Catholic Daughters of America.

Sharon could be found weekly getting her hair done and therefore never had a bad hair day! Sharon also had a passion for shopping and had hit every mall practically within the Tri-State area. Kids and grandkids were not immune to her shopping adventures.

Family was very important to Sharon. She loved being a grandmother and was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader. She and Ed were often seen at numerous sporting events cheering from the sidelines. They toured the local livestock shows enjoying family time with their children and grandchildren while also visiting with neighbors that crossed their path along the way. Many times Sharon, Ed, and Bree traveled to Minnesota to visit Amy’s family. Her family will always cherish the memories they made together.

She is survived by one son, Jeff (Patty) Marco; two daughters, Amy (Dale) Hoyd and Lisa (Gary) McNelis; ten grandchildren, Nick and Jackie Marco, Ella, Madeline, Luke, and Julia Hoyd, and Garett, Lauren, Hannah, and Keira McNelis; her brother Lawrence ”Butch” (Jan) Weidig; brother-in-law Mike Cully and her sister-in-law Judy Norris, and many nieces and nephews and her faithful companion Shih Tzu, Bree.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sisters, Rose Marie, in infancy, Sandra Cully and Debra Hertzner.

Pallbearers will be Dale Hoyd, Gary McNelis, Nick Marco, Luke Hoyd, Garett McNelis, Kirk Jacklovich, and Larry Weidig.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Lisa, Nancy, and Brittany from Compassus Hospice and especially to her devoted caregiver, Bo, for the loving care that was given to her during her illness.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.

Edmund J. Marco, 78, of Serena passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love and prayers of his family on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am, Friday, August 16 at St. Joseph Church in Wedron, with Rev. John Waugh officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, at Ottawa Funeral Home. A private family interment will take place at Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Ed was born May 14, 1941, in Ottawa to Edmund L. and Stevonia B. (Blecich) Marco. He married Sharon Weidig on August 18, 1962. Ed was a graduate of St. Patrick’s Grade School and Marquette High School. He retired from Advanced Asphalt and was a life-long farmer. He was a member of St. Joseph Church in Wedron, Serena Lions Club, Retired Teamsters Local 722, the Serena Volunteer Fire Department, and was a member of the Serena FFA Alumni Association.

Ed will be remembered throughout the countryside for his love of family, kind heart, generosity, humorous “one-liners” that his family loved to hear, and for perfecting the art of conversation.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; one son, Jeff (Patty) Marco; two daughters, Amy (Dale) Hoyd and Lisa (Gary) McNelis; ten grandchildren, Nick and Jackie Marco, Ella, Madeline, Luke, and Julia Hoyd, and Garett, Lauren, Hannah, and Keira McNelis; his sister, Judy Norris; his brother-in-laws­­ Lawrence Weidig and Mike Cully; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Marco.

Pallbearers will be Dale Hoyd, Gary McNelis, Nick Marco, Luke Hoyd, Garett McNelis, Larry Weidig, and Randy Rosengren.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Candace, Stephanie and Patricia from Compassus Hospice and to his devoted caregiver, Bo, for the loving care that was given to him during his illness.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.

Edna M. Gabrielsen, 95, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday morning, May 18, at her home surrounded by her family.

Private services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. David Yim, Pastor of Evangelical United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Mrs. Gabrielsen was born on June 18, 1924 in Ottawa, to Rudolph and Margaret (Vallero) Brickert. She married Arthur Gabrielsen on June 5, 1946 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Ottawa. He preceded her in death on October 6, 1974. She was employed at Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company for many years and later at Sweet Dreams in Ottawa. After her retirement she worked at ReRuns as a volunteer. Edna was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Ottawa.

Edna is survived by two daughters, Carol (David) Costello, of Westchester, IL and Jane (Tom) Waldron, of Ottawa; four grandchildren, Deanna (Steve) Hendrey, Devon (Stephanie) Larsen, Brad (Lindsay) Waldron, and Janelle Waldron; seven great-grandchildren, Carson and Kendall Hendrey, Hannah and Hailey Larsen, and Grant Taylor, and Meredith Waldron, and one niece, Barbara Weeks, of Freeport, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Arthur, a sister, Florence Weeks, and her brother-in-law, Austin Weeks.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and their spouses.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Virginia Mary Johnson, 92, of Ottawa passed away Thursday, May 14, 2020 at her home.

Private family services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Virginia was born December 21, 1927 in Ottawa to Lawrence J. “Dick” and Francis (Siolz) Stoudt. She married S. Milford Johnson on November 28, 1946; he passed away October 7, 1994.

Virginia graduated from St. Xavier’s Academy as class President in 1945. Her biggest endeavor in life was saving the Lincoln-Douglas Park and softball diamonds. As an honorary Ottawa City Council member, it was important to her to have a space for the children of the community to have a place to play. She never missed a City Council meeting.

Virginia was a caring and hardworking mother to her seven children. She stood behind them during every aspect of life. She took them to every sporting event, extracurricular, and baseball all-star game in the big Buick. She loved her children and grandchildren, they were her life. Virginia never met a stranger, and she had a smile and hello for everyone she saw.

She is survived by four children, Larry (Gayla) Johnson, Leo (Sheryl) Johnson, Mary Lynn “Gert” Deyo, and Stanley (Theresa) Johnson, all of Ottawa; daughter-in-law, Dianna Johnson; grandchildren, Eric Johnson, Andrew, Kelly (Chase Hill), Leo Jr. (Nikki Thrush), and Brett Johnson, Jason Phillips, Jeremy (Gayle) Johnson, Ashley (Mike) Cheatham, Justin Johnson, David (Kim) Johnson, Laci (Ian) McConnaughay, Neil Johnson, and Jaclyn (Chris) Hanly; 16 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Margaret Donnelly and Lorraine Gayan; her close friend, Helene Kossaris; many loving nieces and nephews; and many great friends from The Club and Virginia’s Round Table Coffee Group.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sons, Keith, Kenneth, and Les Johnson; her son-in-law, Steve Deyo; and two brothers, LJ Stoudt and J. Richard “Shiek” Stoudt.

She was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Garden of Devotion.

Doris Jean Corrigan, age 88, of Oswego, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2020 with her loving family at her side.

Private services will be held at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with interment to follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. A public celebration of her life will be held at a later date upon lifting of social gathering restrictions. Please feel free to leave condolences on our website in the meantime.

Doris was born December 13, 1931 in Ottawa, Illinois, a daughter of Clarence Jerome and Mary (Tabor) O’Leary. She married Wayne Dodson in 1952 in Hanover Park. Together they raised six children, Douglas (June) Dodson of Belvedere, IL, David (Emily) Dodson of Cary Grove, IL, Janine Kendal of Schaumburg, IL, Leigh Ann (Jeffery) Phillips of Arlington, TX and Kathleen (James) Walker of Schaumburg, IL. She later married John J. Corrigan June 25, 1988 in Streamwood, Illinois. Doris became step-mother to Paige (Eric) Lathrop, Brad (Debi) Corrigan and Brooke (Rob) Conner. She leaves her loving husband, John, 20 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Doris was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Youngburg and a brother, Robert O’Leary.

Doris was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa. A 1949 graduate of Ottawa High School, she also attended Northern Illinois University and College of DuPage. She had been employed as librarian of Anne Fox Elementary School in Hanover Park from 1971 to 1993. Doris and John moved to Oswego in 2000. Doris dearly loved her family and will be deeply missed.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Betty Ann Eutis, 87 of Grand Ridge passed away Thursday (April 30, 2020) at her home.

A public walk thru visitation with no family present will be held Monday from 5 – 7 PM at the Grand Ridge Funeral Home with a limited number of no more than 10 people at one given time. A private graveside service will be held at the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Ottawa.

Grand Ridge Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements

Betty was born on April 15, 1933 in Ottawa to George D. and Fern (Waggner) Kennedy Sr. She married Mervin Eutis in August of 1952. He survives.

Also surviving are son; Mark (Kathleen) Eutis of Sebring, FL, Larry Eutis of Grand Ridge, daughter; Vicky (Dave) Larson of Ottawa, grandchildren; Terry (April) Eutis, Erica Swartzmiller, Stephanie Eutis, Krista Wind and Jessica Larson, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, sisters; Juanita Garrett of Decatur and Penelope (Gerard) Besenhard of Utica and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Tracy Harden, brother George Kennedy Jr, sisters Donna Kennedy and Patricia Forsyth.

Betty graduated from the Ottawa Township High School in 1952 and she enjoyed baking, cooking and sewing.

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

Margaret Louise Lair, 93, of Mendota died April 29, 2020, at her residence.

Private funeral services for the family will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4, at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, with her son, James R. Lair, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa.

Margaret was born May 18, 1926, in Jacksonville to Valentine and Maude (Brown) Sevier. She married James Grant Lair, her high school sweetheart, on March 13, 1946, in Rhode Island. They shared 72 years of marriage until James’ death on May 28, 2018.

Survivors include three sons, James (Sharon) Lair of Sacramento, Calif., William (Cheryl) Lair of Charleston and John (MaryEllen) Lair of Streator; two daughters, Barbara (Mike) Bokus of Mendota and Judy Lair of Mansfield; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles Sevier, and a grandson, Ben Bokus on March 10, 2019.

Margaret was a graduate of Jacksonville High School and attended MacMurray College. In addition to raising five children, she was employed by Hentrich Music Store and the Illinois Department of Employment Security, both in Ottawa. She was a member of Mendota First United Methodist Church. She had been active in the Order of Eastern Star and Job’s Daughters. An avid bridge player, she also taught bridge classes in Ottawa at the YMCA.

But Margaret’s first love was her family. She was a caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. “Grandma and Grandpa” attended .many of their family’s birthday parties, graduations, weddings and other special events all over the country.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Vickie Lynn (Lyle) Bernardini, 64, of Ottawa passed away on Monday, April 13, 2020 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Private services are through the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Vickie was born on December 21, 1955 in Ottawa, to Paul and Margaret (Goetz) Lyle. She married Vince Bernardini, Jr. in December of 1976 at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School. Vickie worked at Dr. Libby Kristal at Illinois Valley Eye Institute, and later at Gailey Eye Center in Ottawa.

She is survived by her husband, Vince, a son, Nicholas Ryan Bernardini, of Ottawa, two sisters, Susan (David) Damyen, of Ottawa, and Lori Lyle Kueteman, of Ottawa, 10 nieces and nephews and many good friends.

She was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Garden of Devotion.

Doris Lucille (Freeman) O’Berto, 99, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at Pleasant View.

Due to the worldwide pandemic, a private entombment will take place at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Doris was born on February 11, 1921, in Chicago to Albert and Louise (Sundt) Freeman. She married Dr. Albert L. O’Berto on December 28, 1940, in Cedar Point, IL. Doris attended the University of Illinois where she studied commercial artistry. She was a commercial artist and owner of the Doralon Shop in Ottawa. Doris was also a commercial artist for the Art Institute in Chicago and Marshall Field & Co. in Chicago.

She is survived by two children, Gerald N. O’Berto, of Colorado Springs, CO, and Susan L. Baker, of Colorado Springs, CO, 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a brother Ralph L. Freeman, of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Albert L. O’Berto, and a daughter, Sharon D. O’Berto Morad.

She was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Memory in the O’Berto room.