July 2020

William A. Strong Jr., age 72, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020, at OSF St. Francis in Peoria.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m.on Thursday, July 2nd at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend David Ufkes officiating. Visitation will be from 12 until 2 p.m. the day of the service. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. In keeping with the guidelines set by the CDC as well as per the family’s request, all friends and family are asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

William was born February 5, 1948, in Sandwich, Illinois, a son of William and Rosalie (Gallagher) Strong. He married Patricia Chase on August 30, 1969, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa. She preceded him in death on July 7, 1996. He married Kathleen Paull on December 27, 1997, at Pontiac Bible Church in Pontiac, Illinois, and she survives. William is survived by his son, William A. Strong III of Ottawa; daughter, Stacy (Christopher) Aubry of Ottawa; brother, Stephen (Judy) Strong of Ottawa; brother, Mark (Christine) Strong of Aurora; brothers-in-law, Jim Paull of Atlanta, Steve Paull of California, and David Paull of Burlington, Iowa; grandchildren Samuel and Benjamin Garland, Chase and Shiloh Strong, and Alexandra Aubry. He is preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law, Mary (Kuntz) Paull, and a sister-in-law, Caroline Feirtag.

William loved other people and enjoyed any chance to be social with others. Bill was friendly, interested, and kind. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a teacher at Ottawa Elementary School and was the Special Education Coordinator. He also worked at Snap-On Tools for a time. He enjoyed his work. William was active in the community serving on the Reddick Library Board, on the LaSalle County Board of Review, and as the Rutland Township Tax Assessor. Bill greeted each day with enthusiasm, optimism, and curiosity. He enjoyed musicals, traveling (he made it to 49 out of 50 states), and learning about Civil War history. Bill developed a love of reading and participated in a book club; his favorite book was Team of Rivals. He volunteered many hours working with The Friends of Dayton Bluffs; his research into the ownership records at the county clerk’s office was helpful for getting state approval to restore the Daniels Cemetery. Bill loved learning for the sake of learning and enjoyed taking classes at Illinois Valley Community College. More than anything, he loved and cherished his time spent with his family. He enjoyed using his time with his grandchildren to teach and learn with them about a variety of topics like birds, nature, weather, and places. Bill was grateful for simple pleasures; his attitude was reflected through his words and actions. We will miss his always-happy-to-see-you smile.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Early morning on June 27, 2020, Heaven gained an angel. Rosemary (Ott) Dettore passed away at her son, Michael’s, home surrounded by her family and great-grand pup, Max. With arms spread wide, Rosemary entered heaven and was reunited with Vincent Angelo Dettore, her loving husband of 60 years! Together they moved to Naplate and raised four children, Vincent, Greg, Dawn and Michael.

Rosemary was born June 3, 1941 and grew up in Marseilles in her early life and later moved to Naplate, which is where she lived nearly her whole life. Rosemary was often known as “Head”, a nickname she developed from her hairstyle that nobody else could rock! Her first job was a welder in Mendota, later on she became a waitress, and her final job was as a photo clerk at Walgreens. She enjoyed getting together as a family and would always try attending all her grandkids’ sporting and school events. Most of all she loved watching the baseball games! Rosemary was a Cubs fan at heart and would always watch every game! She loved spending time with her friends, who quickly became her sisters, Sandy Panko and Carole LeBeau. Together they would all go out on fishing trips and attend a wine festival or a couple of nights out. There wasn’t an adventure they would not do together.

Rosemary was born and raised Catholic and attending St. Mary’s Church. One thing everyone could agree on was that she loved Christmas! Something about bright lights and ornaments always made her heart smile. Although she would have her Christmas decorations almost two months in advance…going to her house and seeing how nicely everything looked decorated was always something to look forward to. Some of the best family parties were hosted at Rosemary’s house whether it was a birthday pool party or a Thanksgiving dinner. Rosemary spent her last few years with her daughter in Florida enjoying the warm sunshine and her good talks with Pat. Her final moments were spent back in Illinois, as she slowly gave her final goodbyes to all her loved ones. Rosemary touched many hearts and lived a long, beautiful life full of happiness and countless adventures.

Funeral services will be Noon Wednesday, July 1st at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Father Matthew McMorrow officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM till Noon Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Park

She is survived by her children, Vincent Dettore of Tampa, FL, Gregory (Jodee) Dettore of Naplate, Dawn Dettore of Umatilla, FL and Michael (Rosa) Dettore of Montgomery, IL. She also leaves grandchildren, Miranda, Timmy, Briar, Tyler (Shiane), Nadalie, Michael, Brooke, Cassie (Adam) and Cody; and great-grandchildren, Pierce, Collin, Mason, Ethan, D.J., Lisa, Sophia, Vincent, Wynter and Hunter; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Jon David; and four brothers, William, Robert, Jack and Richard Ott.

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

Daniel A. Pomatto, 48, of Ottawa passed away Thursday, September 6, 2018 at his home.

Funeral service will be 7:00 pm Monday, September 10, 2018 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Monday, two hours prior to services, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Following services cremation rites will be accorded. He will be buried at a later date.

Dan was born November 16, 1969, in Ottawa, Illinois. He was a 1987 graduate of Marseilles High School and graduated in 2006 from Western Illinois University with his Bachelor’s Degree. Dan was employed with Fiserv, a financial services technology company in Alpharetta, Georgia as a Senior Systems Engineer. His humor and drive made him a valuable asset to the company he worked for. Prior to his job at Fiserv he consulted for different companies driving across the United States in his convertible with his cat as his traveling companion. He loved going to places and being the ‘Tourist’ to see historical sites. Dan enjoyed cooking, laughing and sharing with friends. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his parents, Darlene and Wayne Davis; two sisters, Jamie A. (Kyle) Dooley and Angie (Jeff) Phelps; one step-brother, Ricky (Melissa Dalton) Davis; nieces and nephews, Austin Vesely, Brandon Ricci, Peyton and Bennett Dooley, Andrea (Grant) Whybark, Ashley Phelps, Brandon Phelps, Coby, Kayla (Luke Wilson), Kinley, and Conner Davis; one great-niece, Stella Kate Wilson; his aunts and uncles, Wanda Probus, Millie (Norm) Lewis, Linda (Rich) Gretencord, Delores Walgren, Betty Kennedy, Jerry (Tina) Carter and Penny Carter; and his beloved cat, Mama.

Dan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Evelyn Carter; six uncles, Kenneth and Robert Carter, Everett Kennedy, Byron Probus, John Cox, and Dave Walgren; and one aunt, Shari Carlson.

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

Francis “Butch” Bohler, Jr., 78, of Ottawa passed away June 19th at Edward Hospital in Naperville.

A memorial service will be held 6 pm, Monday, June 29 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. Antonio Dittmer officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 pm, prior to services, at the funeral home. He will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park. Due to strict Covid guidelines, masks and social distancing are required.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ottawa Soccer Club at www.ottawasc.com.

Butch was born February 9, 1942 in Morris, IL to Francis and Etta (Lavalle) Bohler, Sr. He married his childhood sweetheart Mary Jo Panier on May 4, 1963. Butch proudly served our Country in the United States Army from 1966-1968, with his time in Germany having the biggest life impact and one he often spoke fondly of.

He worked at Libby Owens Ford (LOF), Foster Grant and retired from PCS Phosphate in 2005. He cherished his 47 years as an official in baseball, softball, basketball and football in and around the Ottawa area. He loved to teach, mentor and debate with athletes and never lost his cool. He was a lifetime parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi where he served as an altar boy, was married, coached and spent countless hours fostering lifetime friends. Butch preferred to give than receive, and always put others before himself. He loved travel, history, reading, scrabble and cribbage.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; his son, Brad (Vicky) Bohler of Plainfield, IL; his sister, Helen Tonielli of Quincy, IL; nephews Tim and Jim Bailey of Ottawa; and niece Shelby Wells of Columbia, Missouri.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, William “Bill” Bohler.

Special recognition and gratitude to Curtis and Rosalyn Sesto of Ottawa, Mike Jett of Yorkville, Terry Stubbs of Sugarland Texas, Ray and Paula Bailey of Ottawa and Jim Bailey of Ottawa. Without your unwavering concern, calls, oversight, love and appreciation for Butch things would have been much more difficult.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.