March 2021

Joseph Neurohr, 91, of Marseilles passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am, Monday, March 8 at St. Joseph Church in Marseilles, with Rev. Alexander Millar and Deacon Ron Wackerlin officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 am, prior to services, at the church. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Joe was born August 13, 1929, in Ottawa to Frank and Barbara (Stupridge) Neurohr. He married Wanda DeHart on June 14, 1953 at St. Francis Church; she passed away November 3, 2019.

Joe served in the US Army during the Korean War. He worked for Union Carbide, the UAW Center in Ottawa, and retired from Ritchie Bros. in Morris. Joe was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed sunny days filled with fishing, hunting, and gardening. He had a special passion training his hunting beagles. Joe was a member of the American Legion and St. Joseph Church in Marseilles.

He is survived by two sons, Gary (Jane) Neurohr of KY and Tim (Jody Riebe) Neurohr of Ottawa; one daughter, Julie (Barry) Bykowski of Ottawa; eight grandchildren, Traci, Jodi, Cheri, Tammy, Kelli, Miranda, Nicholas, and David; and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Pete, Nick, Frank, Tony, John, and Marty Neurohr: his sister, Barbara Rexroat; and two sisters in infancy.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

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

Madonna “Darlene” (Fast) Walker, 90, of Ottawa, entered the gates of Heaven on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at LaSalle County Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021 at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, Ottawa with Rev. Randy Mortenson, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa. Due to current State of Illinois guidelines social distancing and face coverings will be required.

Mrs. Walker was born on November 1, 1930 in Ottawa to Raymond and Elizabeth (Boyer) Fast. She was employed as a technician at the Ottawa Dental Lab for many years. Darlene married Leon C. Walker II on August 19, 1950 at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa. She loved arts and crafts and was amazing at them. Darlene gave generously to her church, community, friends and family. Her heart was always open to anyone in need.

To all of those who knew our family, we celebrate the life and passing of our loved one. A woman who loved God first, and always led her family with the same unconditional love he gave us. She truly was an angel on earth, and the Lord made her extra special. We were lucky to be able to call her ours.

She is survived by her three children, Marian (Randy) Watland of Ottawa, Leon C. Walker III of Marseilles, and Lori Funfsinn of Ottawa; 13 grandchildren, Madonna, Debra, Jessica, Jacob, Tara, Nick, Matt, Abby, David, Laci, Neil, Ian and Kim; 16 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leon on April 13, 2004; four sisters, Bonnie Sexton, Catherine Sibert, Betty Carrier and Norma McNamara; and one brother, Raymond Fast.

Pallbearers will be David Johnson, Neil Johnson, Ian McConnaughay, Gavin Watland, Mike Perona, and Kyle Madden.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

James “Pecky” L. Lozier, 87, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, February 21, 2021 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Public visitation will be held from 10 to 11 am, Saturday, March 6, in the mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Memorial services will follow, with Rev. Gary Caster officiating. Due to COVID guidelines, masks and social distancing will be mandatory. He will be entombed at Oakwood Memorial Park’s Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, with military honors. Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation rites.

Pecky was born November 25, 1933 in Ottawa to Luke and Anna (Ottosen) Lozier. He was a proud member of the United States Navy, serving during the Korean War. He worked at Libby Owens Ford for over 31 years before his retirement in 1986. Pecky was a member of the VFW and St. Patrick’s Church. He was known to his family as Uncle Lou, and he loved playing cribbage, euchre, and pinochle.

He is survived by his two nephews, Ken “Pinky” (Pamela) Cummings of Hillsboro, OR and Ted Cummings of Kona, HI. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Dorothy Cummings; and his nephew, Ron Cummings.

Honorary pallbearers will be Austin, Connor, Nathan, and Kevin Cummings, Jay, John, and Jimmy Quinn.

He was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Life.

Nadene I. Nelson, age 85, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, March 5th, 2021 at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Cheri Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM till 11:00 AM Friday morning at the funeral home.

Nadene was born April 27, 1935 in Selah, Washington, a daughter of Manuel and Mildred Stone Lyon. She married the love of her life, Richard Nelson on February 7, 1955 in Yakima, Washington. He preceded her in death December 2, 2018. She is survived by five children, Debra Kathryn Nelson of Ottawa, IL, Terry Lee Nelson (Audrey) of Kokomo, IN, David Keith Nelson of Walnut, IL, Kenneth E. Nelson of Ottawa, IL, and Brian Douglas Nelson (Della) of San Francisco, CA; nine grandchildren, Charles Nelson, Jennifer, Jason, and Amanda Barth, Autumn, Ashley, Amy, Zachary, and Ryan Nelson; nine great-grandchildren; and three siblings. She is preceded in death by one grandson, Charles Nelson, and two brothers.

Nadene was a member of First United Methodist Church and had been employed at Yorkville Elementary School for many years. She enjoyed biking with her husband, Richard. The two were inseparable. She also volunteered at the YMCA and served as a Cub Scout den mother. Nadene dearly loved her family and will be deeply missed.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Rita Arlene Wood, age 98, of Ottawa passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at LaSalle County Nursing Home.

There will be no visitation as per Rita’s wishes. Her ashes will be entombed in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Rita was born on August 29, 1922, in Wedron, Illinois, to Arleigh and Elizabeth (Fahy) Mason. She married Daniel Wood on March 11, 1943.

She is survived by her son, Craig (Holly) Wood; three granddaughters; Stephanie (Steve) Balynas, Tracy Wood (Kim Kotov), and Elizabeth Litalien; and six great-grandchildren; Anthony, Michael, Cassie, Shiandra, Khiandra, Brenner; and her sister Sharon (Robert) Friestad.

She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel, her parents; her daughter Sandra Pommier, an infant son; one brother, George Mason; two sisters, Leona Gaul and Elizabeth Doris Besse; and one granddaughter, Chandra Pommier.

She was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Seasons.

Michael Clyde Bridwell, 75, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.

Private services will be held at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. Cheri Stewart, of First United Methodist Church in Ottawa, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Michael was born on April 23, 1945 in Ottawa, to Clyde and Opal (Waggner) Bridwell. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School and Northern Illinois University, where he earned his B.A. Degree. Michael married Paula Jo Olson on October 5, 1963 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Ottawa. He was a field engineer for Exelon, in Byron, IL. Michael liked fishing and gardening. He loved his family and was the family storyteller.

He is survived by his wife, Jo; two children, David Michael (Delphine) Bridwell and John Nathan Bridwell; four grandchildren, Jessica L. Bridwell, Savannah R. Brody, Jerome Bridwell and Grace Opal Bridwell; and a brother, Jack McGill of Surprise, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Suzanne Sobkowiak and Jeannine Turnquist.

Pallbearers will be John Bridwell, Paul and Jeremiah Pike, John and James Gulbronson, Leroy Adelphia, and Dave Standly and Honorary Pallbearer will be Ron Eisert.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.