January 2022

Robert Kruger, 84, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday December 20, 2021 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Philip Potaczek, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard. Visitation will from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, at the funeral home. Due to current State of Illinois guidelines, face coverings will be required.

Robert was born on August 16, 1937 in Streator to Robert and Ruth (Jennings) Kruger. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1955. Robert married Esther Eisert on August 24, 1958 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, in Ottawa. He was a retired from the US Army Reserve, where he had achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Robert was a union carpenter and the Construction Superintendent. He was a member of the Local 166, 195 and 174. Robert was President of the Local Union, and served on the Executive Board and the District Council.

He is survived by his wife, Esther; a son, Dale (Denise) Kruger, of Ottawa; and a sister, Karen Cates, of Morris.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Patsy June Kruger, at birth,
and Sharon Calhoun.

Pallbearers will be Dave Walton, Gary Garbowski, Frank Youmans, Bill Cairns, Norman Perona, and Dave Peterson.

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

Clare Serby, 92, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, December 19, 2021 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on December 22, 2021 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard, following the service. A visitation will take place from noon until the service at the funeral home. Due to current State of Illinois guidelines, face coverings will be required.

Clare was born July 6, 1929 in Ottawa to Newton and Nina (Armstrong) Serby. He farmed in Schaumburg and Rutland Twp. and also worked as a letter carrier. Clare was an Army veteran and served during the Korean War. He married Yvonne Welch on March 28, 1953 in Peru. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 33, and the Letter Carriers Union. Clare loved to travel and visited all 50 states and drove to 49 of them.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; three children, Barbara (William) Ross, of Estero, FL, Jill (Robert) Brokaw, of Hernando, MS, Kay Smith, of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Robert Jones, Grant Brokaw, Valerie Contreras, Marcus Polancic and Jackson Smith; six great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Newton and Nina; one great-grandson, Kyle Jones; three sisters, Ruth Behrens, Lona Mae Stanford and Marie Murdoch; and four brothers, Kenneth, Vernon, Leo and Doyle Serby.

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

Roy W. Reynolds, age 90, of Ottawa, passed gently into the arms of Jesus surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, December 26th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Zehrung officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Sunday prior to the funeral service and from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home prior to interment in Oakwood Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Patrick, Brent and Mark Hirschman, Jason, Jeffrey, Joshua and Jacob Sensiba and Chris Lentz Honorary pallbearers will be Claude Beguin, Jr. and Andrew Carmin. Due to the current Covid situation, masks are required for those attending visitation and services.

Roy was born January 21, 1931 in Ottawa, a son of Charles Orville and Edna Louise (Beguin) Reynolds. He married Ann K. Stohr on February 17, 1951 at the Paul Street Bible Church in Ottawa. Roy is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ann; children, Patricia Ann Sensiba of Tonica, Roy Allen Reynolds of San Antonio, TX, Paul David (Maureen) Reynolds of Bloomington, IL and Marcia Kay Myers of Oglesby; grandchildren, Jamie (George) Brewer, Jason (Nancy) Sensiba, Sunshine Thunderchief and Renae (Chris) Lentz; 12 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves brothers, Terry (Rhonda) Reynolds, Raymond (Sharon) Reynolds and Vernon (Judy) Reynolds; sisters, Donna Simmons and Berdie Caroline (Jerry) Goodchild. Besides his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Reynolds, Eugene Reynolds, Dawson Reynolds, Donald Reynolds, Robert William Reynolds, Theron Dewey Reynolds, Fredrick Reynolds and Dale Reynolds; sisters, Marilyn Rick, Phyllis Caffee and Vera Mae Reynolds; and great-granddaughters, Misty Heather Sensiba and Jennifer Jean Sensiba.

Roy attended Grace Baptist Church and Zion Lutheran Church. He lived a dedicated Christian life by example. He retired from Libby Owens Ford after 40 years of service. Roy enjoyed time spent with his family. His leisure time would find him traveling to bluegrass festivals and spending Winters in Texas. He loved the great outdoors and watching birds. Roy was a very creative man with a passion for building different structures including his home.

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

Eleanor Lewis, 89, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday morning, December 3, 2021 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home.

Private services will be held at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral home in Ottawa.

Eleanor was born on January 7, 1932 in Princeton, IL to Arthur F. and Vivian V. (Jackson) Christiansen. She married Eugene A. “Gene” Lewis on July 13, 1952 in Grand Ridge. They owned and operated Christiansen Insurance Agency. She was a member of the Ottawa Garden Club.

She is survived by two nephews, David (Becky) Carlson of Fort Myers, FL and Gary (Diana) Carlson of Ottawa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene; a brother, Allan Christiansen; a sister Shirley Carlson; and two sons Keith and Mark Lewis.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.