January 2022

Mary Baker, age 74, of Ottawa passed away January 8, 2022 at Lightways Hospice in Joliet.

Private services were held and burial took place at Oakwood Memorial Park. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.

Mary was born October 2, 1947 in Ottawa, the daughter of Edwin and Mary (Peppler) Baker. She married Don Morris on August 8, 1987 at the Congregational Church in Ottawa. She is survived by her husband and partner of 37 years, Don Morris; brother, Stan (Judy) Baker of Iowa; two nieces, and numerous Baker Cousins.

Mary owned and operated Design Interiors by Mary Baker in Palatine for over 20 years. She was very active and productive in the communities she lived in. She was the Regent for the Daughters of the American Revolution Illini Chapter, she was a member of Starved Rock Yacht Club and Past President of Starved Rock Yacht Club Charities, She was the Past President of Palatine Women’s Club and Palatine Chamber of Commerce and she was the first woman President of the Palatine Rotary Club. In her free time, Mary enjoyed boating and traveling in her R.V. She enjoyed international travel and has been all over the world. She especially loved shopping. Mary will be missed by her many friends and family, especially her four-legged friends, Ziggy and Moon.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

Michael P. Maskel, 60, of Marseilles passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at 10 am, Tuesday, January 11 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Pastor Randy Mortenson officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 pm, Monday, January 10 at Ottawa Funeral Home. He will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Mike was born September 11, 1961 in Ottawa to Patrick and Joyce (Hogue) Maskel. He attended Marseilles Elementary School and Graduated from Marseilles High School with the class of 1979. He married Lori Williams on September 17, 1983 in Ottawa, and together they have spent 38 wonderful years.

Mike worked as a security supervisor at Exelon for over 30 years. He was a Chicago Bears and White Sox fan, and also enjoyed watching NASCAR. He had a love for muscle cars and trains, whether it was model trains or taking pictures of trains. Mike was a loving husband and father who always put his family first.

He is survived by his wife, Lori and their two children, Jeff Maskel and Kelly (Richard Taylor) Maskel; his mother, Joyce Cobler; his siblings, Janet (David) Meyer of Marseilles, Julie (Mark) Lacke of Florida, and William (Melanie) Maskel of LaSalle; his furry companions, Lexi and Pickles; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his lifelong friends, Jeff Johnson and Jeff Fenoglio.

He was preceded in death by his father, Patrick; his stepfather, Jim Cobler; and his close friend, Jimmy Wright.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Syble L. Hindmon, 92, of Marseilles passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Private family services will be held. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Syble was born May 19, 1929 in Selmer, Tennessee to Oscar and Burchie (Holmes) Hopkins. She married Otis Hindmon on April 10, 1947; they were married for 41 years before his passing on May 1, 1988.

Syble loved to cook and try new recipes. She enjoyed sewing and refinishing furniture. She was a handy and hard-working woman, and together with her husband and children, they built their family home in Marseilles. She was a loving mother and grandmother, and enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters, Judy (Dominic) Cristelli of Chicago Heights and Lisa Hindmon of Marseilles; two grandchildren, Ashton and Mollie Collins; and her great-granddaughter, Emma who was the star of Syble’s eyes.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Rodney; her three brothers and her sister.

She was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park, in the Garden of the Last Supper.

Gary Tuftie, 77, of Ottawa passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 am on Monday, January 10 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with a prayer service following. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park with military honors.

Gary was born February 10, 1944, in Freedom Township, IL, to Fremont and Gladys (Thorsen) Tuftie. He was a proud member of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War. He married Kathleen Kennedy on November 29, 1969 in Kansas City, Missouri; they were married for 48 years before her passing on August 25, 2017.

He was a Farmer in Freedom and Serena Townships. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, and the Loyal Order of the Moose. Gary enjoyed life on the farm, traveling with his wife before her passing, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his son, Scott (Nicole) Tuftie; and a daughter, Kara (James) Ericzon; two grandchildren, Caden and Chloe Ericzon; and his sisters, Marcia Wooldridge, and Marlene Tuftie along with many nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Kathy, and two brothers, Keith Tuftie and Curt Tuftie.

Pallbearers will be James Ericzon, Caden Ericzon, Brad Tuftie, Kevin Tuftie, Billy Walsh, and Steve Tuftie.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Norma (Jean) Myer, 84, of Ottawa, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 27, 2021 at the Ottawa Pavilion and joined her husband of 63 years, Dale, who passed away earlier this year.

Private services will be held at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Pastor Nicholas Sandeno officiating. Burial will take place at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Norma was born on March 18, 1937 in Ottawa to Delmar and Nora (Cain) Marsden. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School. Norma married Dale D. Myer on March 18, 1958 in Ottawa. She was a Sunday School teacher for years and also did work with Youth Groups. Norma loved spending time with her family and friends, always enjoyed shopping and eating out, and also working in her home. Her life was never the same after Dale was gone. They enjoyed doing so many things together. She had a group of lady friends that were very close and enjoyed doing things together. She also enjoyed being around her grandchildren. She will be missed by everyone but we are happy that her and dad are together.

She is survived by three children, Katherine McGarvey of Streator, Connie (Mark) Sandeno of Verona, IL, and Steven (Lesley) Myer of Highland, IL. She also had nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale; two brothers, Edward Revele and Richard Marsden; and two granddaughters Meghan and Sarah Sandeno.

Pallbearers; Steven Myer, Mark Sandeno, Nicholas Sandeno, Brad Sandeno, Jacob Cook, and Gary Nelson.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Herman Eutis, 85, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, December 6, 2021 at his home.

Private family services will be held. Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation rites.

Herman was born December 28, 1935, in Ottawa to Herman and Marie (Scerini) Eutis. He married Beverly Harmston; she passed away in 1998. He then married Mary Ann Travi on February 23, 2000 in Joliet. Herman retired from LOF in 2018 after 64 years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his children, Kay Liebhart, Crystal Royse, Karen White, Stan Eutis, Bryon Eutis, Carol Hanquier, and Kevin Mattingly; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, Melvin, Bobby (Shirley) Eutis; two sisters, Nellie Potts and Sharon Pufall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Barbara Hudson and Gladys Bernardini;, one brother, Gary Eutis, and three Grandchildren.

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

Dolores Mabel Brooks, 83, of Ottawa passed away Friday, December 10, 2021 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Tuesday, December 14 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Pastor Cheri Stewart officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 am, prior to services, at the funeral home. She will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Dolores was born February 14, 1938 in Ottawa to Alfred and Louise (Godwin) Midnight. She married Robert Hornbeck on June 29, 1955 in Ottawa, and together they had two children. They were married for 42 years before his passing on February 11, 1998. She met Dennis Brooks, and they were married on March 3, 2001 in Ottawa; he passed away on June 1, 2007.

As a teenager, Dolores enjoyed singing at the old Roy Stan Roller Rink in Ottawa. She loved painting with her first husband, Robert, who made beautiful woodworking crafts. Dolores was a member of the Ottawa 5 Watters CB Club, and she enjoyed embroidering and playing BINGO. Dolores and her husband, Dennis enjoyed singing karaoke and taking trips.

She is survived by her children, Bob (Karen) Hornbeck of Marseilles and Cheryl (Terry) Bell of Ottawa; six grandchildren, Kelly (Chris) Scurti, Shaun (Tiffany) Hornbeck, Jody (David) Ricci, Christy (Emanuel) Colon, Beth DeBernardi, and Sara Bell; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Robert; her second husband, Dennis; and four sisters, Lucille Marek, Verna Miller, Pat Alvarado, and Geraldine Schomas.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.