August 2021

Attaullah Bhurgri, age 89, passed away August 19, 2021 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held on August 28, 2021 at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Sherry Stevenson of Crossbridge Community Church officiating. Visitation will be from 10am-Noon, followed by funeral service at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Atta was born January 12, 1932, in Pakistan, the son of Qadir Bukhsh and Amina Bhurgri. He married Zohra Violet Bhurgri on January 10, 1958, in Pakistan. She preceded him in death on January 2nd, 2011. Atta is survived by his children, Sydney Bhurgri, Stan Bhurgri, and Sheba Howell; and nine grandchildren of eight boys and one girl.

Atta grew up learning to farm from his father and continued farming his entire life in Jamesabad, Pakistan. He farmed crops of sugar cane, wheat, and cotton, as well as fruits such as chikoo (sapodilla/naseberry) and mangos. He moved to America in 2014 to live with his son, Stan, and his family Naila, Rohail, Sarah, Shaun, and Asher.

While living in America, his farming roots were evident. He enjoyed going to the market to pick out produce, relished seeing deer in the backyard, as well as admired the crops on the many drives to the suburbs. He always kept up with Pakistani news on his iPad and satellite TV. Atta found the most joy spending time with his family and grandkids, laughing at their broken Urdu. He, and his contagious smile, will be dearly missed.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

Philip John Rentz, age 69, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2021.

Cremation rites were accorded. There will be no services. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Philip was born in Peoria, Illinois August 12, 1952 to Bernard and Marie Rentz. He was a graduate of Ottawa High School and Illinois State University. Philip was an avid history buff and collector of model trains and cars. He was a member of the Civil War Club, Oldsmobile Club and several train and car collector clubs. Philip retired from Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

Survivors include his sister, Susan Barlow; brother-in-law, Martin Less; nieces and nephews, Christine (Samuel) Allen, Charles (Niamh Potter) Barlow, Jordan (Vetha Foley) Less and Jessica Less; and one great-nephew, Maverick Less. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Marie Rentz; a sister Jane Less; and brother-in-law, Charles Barlow.

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

Russell Kent Briddick, age 71, of Princeton, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2021 at OSF St. Clare Medical Center in Princeton.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 17th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Jacobsen officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:00 to service time Tuesday. Pallbearers will be Zachary and Jeremy Wood, Austyn and Bradyn Briddick, Nolan Kaufman and William Dile

Russell was born November 10, 1949 in Spring Valley, Illinois, a son of Russell Laverne and Helen Elizabeth (Floyd) Briddick. He married Donna (Miller) Centko August 24, 2006 in Sevierville, TN. She preceded him in death February 5, 2019. He is survived by a daughter Amber (Jess Judd) Briddick of Wilmington; grandchildren, Austyn, Bradyn and Neveah Briddick, Liam and Nakailah Jones, Dominic, Mathew, Jacob and Tyler Centko. He also leaves a sister, Mary Jere Wood of Seatonville. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Philip Briddick; and brother-in-law George Wood.

Russell was a member of the Seatonville Community Church. He was an avid Chicago White Sox fan and enjoyed playing golf and driving his Corvette. He enjoyed collecting antiques and woodworking. He could build anything! He will be dearly missed by his loving family and many friends.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Lois (Pollack) DeFore, 94, of Ottawa passed away on Monday, June 14, 2021 at Pleasant View in Ottawa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, with Rev. David Ufkes, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral home in Ottawa.

Lois was born on November 25, 1926 in Kangley, IL to Theodore and Gladys (Reeder) Pollack. She married Gordon DeFore on October 12, 1947, in Streator. He passed away on March 11, 2006. Lois worked as a clerk at the courthouse and as a consignor at ReRuns for 15 years. Se was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Moose Lodge, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also loved to play bridge as part of the Elks Bridge Club, and was a Master Bridge Player.

She is survived by four children; Robert (Angela Woelpern) DeFore of Floodwood, MN, Brent DeFore of Ottawa, Dawn (Mark) Kolotka of Ottawa, and Heather (Jerry) Carlton of Mantua, OH; nine grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Harriet Roberts and Grace Mallonee; and a brother Robert Pollack.

She was laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest mausoleum in the Sanctuary of Seasons.

Robert “Jake” Henry Garcia, age 92, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, August 6, 2021.

Funeral services with military rites by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard will be 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 10th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Reverend Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Private entombment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Jake was born June 9, 1929 in Ottawa, Illinois. He was raised by his mother Elisa and step-father Michael Aguayo. Jake married Mary (Gage) Sweet March 26, 1965 in Marseilles. They were married fifty years when she passed away October 4, 2015. He is survived by his children, Lisa (Bob) Landis, Mark (Norma) Sweet and Rhonda (Dale) Roketa all of Ottawa; grandchildren, Alexis (Mal) Landis of Indianapolis, Travis (Erica) Donovan and Katie and Taylor all of Marseilles, Shane (Anna) Donovan of Ottawa, Benjamin Sweet of Channahon and Drake Roketa of Joliet. He also leaves sisters, Eva Castillo and Mary Jane (George) Hernandez, and several nephews. His parents, wife and a daughter, Cherie (Donovan) Sweet preceded him in death.

Jake proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was employed at LOF for thirty-eight years, and was a member of the Elks, Moose Lodge and VFW in Ottawa. He enjoyed traveling, music, dancing and telling jokes. He especially loved a cold one after a long day. Later in life he returned to guitar lessons with his former teacher, Evelyn Brue. The family would also like to give their utmost appreciation to his caregivers, Joni, Jodie, Shane and Anna. Joni and Jake had a very special bond for the past 7 ½ years.

He was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Love.

Maryellen Stevenson, 82, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, August 5, 2021 at her home following a short illness, peacefully surrounded by her children.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa with Rev. Satya Sudhakar, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow the service at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at the funeral home.

Maryellen was born August 10, 1938 in Ottawa to Howard and Irene (Nelson) Christopher. She married Richard Dale “Steve” Stevenson on February 17, 1957 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ottawa.

She is survived by two sons, Keith (Jackie) Stevenson and Kurt (Diane) Stevenson; five grandchildren, Ashley (Marcus) DiSandro, Ryan Stevenson, Jake Stevenson, Hayley Stevenson, and Nicole Stevenson; two great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Henry DiSandro; and two brothers, Jerry Christopher of Massachusetts and Barry Christopher of Aurora, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; brother, Roger Christopher; and one granddaughter, Alexandria “Ali” Stevenson.

Pallbearers will be Jake Stevenson, Marcus DiSandro, Ralph Agosto, Gary Stevenson, Tom Stevenson, Chuck Lucas, David Manigold, and Jerry Roesler.

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

Beatrice C. (Danner) Risvold, 95, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at Pleasant View.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Abraham Moller, Pastor of Leland United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Beatrice was born on August 24, 1925 in LaSalle, to Benjamin and Henrietta (Frischauf) Danner. She graduated from Ottawa Township High School, class of 1942. She held several secretarial positions in Chicago and Danville, before retiring. She married John I. Risvold on September 19, 1957 in Ottawa. He passed away in December of 2005. She has resided in Ottawa again since 2007.

She is survived by a step-daughter, Pamela (Robert) Ruskey of Lake in the Hills, IL; a brother, Russell (Gloria) Danner of Sanford, MI; a sister, Margery Danner of Ottawa; a niece and several nephews; and her brother in-law, James Schaive of Ottawa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; a brother, William Danner; and a sister, Joyce Schaive.

She was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in the Sanctuary of Seasons.

Joseph Jay Damyen, age 55, of Vista, California, passed away July 1, 2021 in Vista.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 6th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Joe was born January 21, 1966 in Ottawa, Illinois, a son of John N. “Jack” and Sharon Lee (Meyer) Damyen. Surviving are his mother, Sharon of Ottawa; siblings, Kayla (Brent) Zaccagnini, Karla Hellman and David (Sue) Damyen and John (Sue) Damyen all of Ottawa; several nieces and nephews; and his canine companion, Ginger. He was preceded in death by his father.

Joe graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1984 and moved to California where he was employed as a production supervisor for a metal fabrication company. He loved camping and anything to do with the ocean such as scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. He dearly loved his family and had a love for the many rescue dogs he adopted.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Beatrice Marie Callahan, infant daughter of Daniel and Brittanee Callahan was born silent into this world on July 30, 2021. Surviving are her parents, grandparents Donald Callahan, Christopher and LeAnne Reding, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was proceeded in death by her grandmother, Kathleen Callahan.

Graveside services will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Ottawa Funeral Home.

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

Marzellia “Marie” Cooper, 80, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at her home.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, August 1, 2021 at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Pastor Jon Wenger from Heritage Christian Center officiating. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

She was born June 18, 1941, in Paris, IL to John and Alice (Conner) Newton. On October 30, 1962 she married Albert Cooper of Paris who preceded her in death in 2010.

Marie was a member of the Heritage Christian Center. She was a volunteer at the Ottawa Hospital. Her passion was her faith and she enjoyed sewing, but most of all she liked spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Candy Frandin of Ottawa, John of Ottawa, and Joshua (Aimee) Cooper of Oglesby; five grandchildren, Nicole and Taylor (Jessica Hanson) Frandin and Joseph, Bryce, and Braydon Cooper; and her special niece, Debbie Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert; one sister, Nettie Cope; and her brother, Harold Newton.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.