February 2021

William “Bill” Zellers, 90, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at his home, surrounded by loved ones.

Private services will be held at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. David Ufkes, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Bill was born on November 4, 1930, in Ottawa to Terrance and Ann (Richie) Zellers. He married Helen (Osman) Wilkinson on August 27, 1977. Bill served in the US Army in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. He was part of the 82nd Airborne Division, where he was an instructor in a Guided Missile Company. Bill was a lifetime resident of Ottawa and retired after 43 years at Libbey- Owens Ford. He loved hunting, fishing, and nature. Bill was a long-time volunteer at the Community Hospital as a Care-A-Van driver. He also enjoyed many hours in his workshop. Bill was a member of the Elks and the American Legion Post 33.

He is survived by one son, Thomas J. (Pat) Zellers; three step children, Rhonda Wilkinson, Scott Wilkinson, and Tamara Wilkinson. He is also survived by a sister Anna Mae Sommer and six grandchildren; Kimberly (Brian) Shute, Shawn (Cayla Tinney) Zellers, Nicholas Zellers, Kyle and Marc Wilkinson and Rebecca (Austin) Martinovich, the mother of his children, the former Julie Vancena, three great grandchildren, Abbie and Alivia Shute and Cole Zellers, special caregiver, Teresa McCullough, and his faithful furry friend, Domino.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen, sons, Jerry and William, Jr., two brothers, George and Ted Zellers, a sister Mary Zellers, and brother-in-law Hank Sommer.

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

Nicholas Dale Parrott, 24, of Marseilles, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

Funeral services will be private at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home with Rev. Wendy Zach officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa with military honors.

Nicholas was born November 15, 1996, in Streator, to Dale and Shelly Parrott.

He attended Milton Pope Grade School and graduated from Ottawa Township High School. He served as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist in the U.S. Army.

Nick is survived by his mother, Shelly (Shaun) Flanery; his father, Dale (Kerry Jolly) Parrott; his brother, Michael Parrott; his nephew, Hunter; his sister, Bryanna Parrott; his grandparents, Papa Jack and Grandma Joan Blythe and Papa Bill and Nana Josephine Parrott; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

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

Andrew Berkland, 76, of Marseilles, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021 at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley.

Many a man have gone by the moniker “Big Daddy”, but for those of us who knew him, there will always be only one. Big Daddy of Marseilles, IL was born on March 11, 1944 in New London, CT to Donald and Margaret Berkland, and grew up in a very humble family with five brothers and sisters.

Big Daddy was a story teller and loved to tell of the fateful day in the mid 1960’s when he and his twin brother Russ decided to travel from Seneca to the big town of Marseilles to eat at the Club Almar. As soon as they were seated, he noticed a sparkling young lady working at the restaurant and looked to his brother immediately telling him he was going to marry her someday. Sure enough, his word came true when he married Elaine Christine Svoboda on August 30, 1969. They remained together until “Big Mama’s” untimely passing on January 28, 2018.

There were many other stories Big Daddy loved to tell, especially when his good buddy, David Combs (whom he affectionately referred to as A.H. #1) was around so they could reminisce about their many snowmobile trips to Wisconsin including getting stuck in the middle of a half frozen lake, having their trailer literally break in half on the way home, and accidentally driving through barb wire fences.

Big Daddy served in the US Navy and could often be seen adorning either his USS Randolph or Proud Veteran hat. He always complained that he requested to serve on a battleship on the East Coast but he got stuck on an aircraft carrier on the West Coast. He often told stories of his service time such as having too many cocktails one night and diving into shark infested waters with a knife in his mouth on a dare or water skiing and getting dumped into a school of thousands of poisonous jellyfish causing him to spend a week in sick bay.

Besides telling stories, Big Daddy was a constant instigator. You had to have your head on a swivel if he was ever behind you or you’d end up with a “wet willy”, and if you ever sat down at the table without checking your chair first you would normally end up with a wet bottom because of the water he would pour on it when you weren’t looking. He loved golfing, fishing, and playing cards, especially when couples would get together for men vs women spades games and would just laugh when Big Mama could never figure out why the men would always win. Along with Big Mama, he never missed a Buffett concert and insisted upon getting a tequilla bottle costume to wear in the parking lot for tailgating before shows because he was jealous of all the attention his son would get with his palm tree outfit.

Big Daddy was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and Lions Club where he previously served as Club President and loved to bartend and help on bingo nights as well as all of the other events throughout the year.

He is survived by his children, Kristi Schmidt and Duane (Jessica) Berkland, both of Marseilles, IL; his grandchildren who were the love of his life, Brayden and Conner Schmidt and Killian and Marina Berkland; his sister, Doreen (Lloyd) Maglone, many nieces and nephews, and hundreds of other great friends who would put up with his antics.

Along with his wife and parents, Big Daddy was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Berkland Jr., Russ Berkland, and Walt Berkland; and sister, Valerie Ator.

Big Daddy always told people he never got even, he always got ahead, so for your last chance to try and get even with him, visitation services will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Marseilles from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, February 12th with a short prayer service immediately following, with Deacon Ron Wackerlin officiating. Entombment will be private in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

He was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Love.

Patricia “Trish” A. Bramel passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family February 1st, 2021 in Seneca, IL. She was born January 13th, 1938 in Seneca, Illinois to Leif and Arlene (Logan) Myre. She graduated from Ottawa Township High School, Class of 1956.

Trish married her beloved husband Lewis Bramel January 13th, 1984 in Ottawa, IL. After retirement, they dedicated time to traveling and planning road trips coast to coast. They especially enjoyed summer with family and friends making unforgettable memories at the family cabin on Eagle Lake, Ontario, Canada.

Trish was blessed with the gift to gab, and her hobbies included socializing, shopping, gardening, sewing, playing cards, slot machines, photography and video recording family get togethers.

She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Trish was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Trish is survived by her three children; James (Sue Bemis) Bretag, Tim (Kelli) Bretag, Kim (Jay) Bretag-Reardon; nine grandchildren; Dallas Bemis, Kaci Bemis, Justin Bretag, Kara Krueger, Kassi Bretag, Kilene (Alex) Spicer, Paige Thuente, Matt Reardon, Kaylee Reardon; and seven great-grandchildren; Killian Bemis, Jaxon and Kayden Krueger, Yves and Ever Bretag, Onyx and Slate Spicer.

Trish was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis, in 2005 and her parents.

The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for her during her final days.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, family and friends will have a celebration of life at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

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

Marc Andrew Armstrong, age 42, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, January 27th at his residence.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 2nd at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor David Daniel officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1:30 till service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Michael Rehor, Brian Rehor, Mike Zachary, Jordan Gutierrez, Jake Yacko and Steve Jensen. In observance of CDC guidelines, masks and social distancing will be required and the number of visitors in the building will be monitored.

Marc was born February 13, 1978 in Ottawa, a son of Mark and Jill (Weber Denbo) Armstrong. He is survived by his father; his fiancé, Nancy Rehor; a step-son, Michael Rehor; a sister, Kristine Armstrong; several nieces and nephews and two great-nieces and one great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his mother.

Marc was employed as a master grill cook at Lone Buffalo. He had a deep appreciation for music and art. He was a very generous and caring man who would do anything for anyone. He dearly loved his fiancé, Nancy and her son Michael who he considered his son.

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