May 2022

Charles Thomas Blackmon, age 69, died unexpectedly at his home. Thomas was born November 2, 1951. He is survived by his daughter, Adrianne, his mother, Anna Newkirk Kistenfeger, his sister, Sandra Nagel, six step-brothers & sister, grandchildren, nieces & nephews. He was a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University. He was a free-lance artist, loved fishing & woodworking. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles M Blackmon.

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

Helen Fay, 81, of Ottawa, IL, passed away Friday April 22, 2022 at her home .

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be later at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Helen was born December 6, 1940, in , Canton, Il., to Delbert and Bernice (Gulick) Irwin .

She had a green thumb and was always working in her yard .

She is survived by; her children

Helen was preceded in death by her parents a daughter Patty Anderson.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Born in Ottawa, IL to Daisy O. (Reynolds) Beguin and Claudius J. Beguin, Sr. She served in the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years, receiving many commendations and awards, and retiring with the rank of Technical Sergeant. She was married to Frank McDonald for 27 years.

Elizabeth was a kind-hearted person who loved doing things for others, sometimes through her favorite hobbies of cake decorating, cooking and crafting.

She is survived by her husband, Frank, her son, Brian Moore with daughter-in-law Star Frost Moore, her grandchildren Draven (Jennifer) Moore, Olivia (Sean) O’Connor, Marcus Moore and Orion Moore, along with 2 great-grandchildren, Skyus and Ezra Moore. She is further survived by one brother, Claudius J. Beguin, Jr., one half-sister, numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, 1 brother, 5 sisters and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10AM-11AM at Grace Baptist Church, 601 E. McKinley Rd., Ottawa, Illinois on Monday, May 16, 2022 followed by a service at 11AM at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park following the service. The family is being assisted by Ottawa Funeral Home.

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

Albert “Randy” Meyers, 89 of Streator passed away Saturday (May 7, 2022) at his home.

Visitation will be held Friday from 10Am until 12noon at the Winterrowd Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12noon at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Ottawa.

Randy was born on December 24, 1932, in Verona to Albert and Helen (Ward) Meyers. He married Shirley M. Stehl on August 11, 1956. She preceded him in death on June 27, 2014.

Surviving are children, Yvonne Meyers of Streator, Sam (Rosie) Meyers of Indianapolis, IN, Kay Meyers of Streator, and Paul (Jacqleene) Meyers of Minonk, grandchildren, Janette Marie, Lynette Washington, Buddy Ahlstrom, Luke (Haley) Meyers, Rebekah Meyers, Hannah (Brad) Kress, Leah (Bobby) Anderson and Abigail Meyers, 2 great grandchildren, Milah Anderson and Sebastian Kress and a sister, Carole Meyers of Krebes, OK.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley, grandson Philip Meyers, sister Barb Ewing and brother William Meyers.

Randy graduated from Zion Lutheran grade school and Ottawa high School in 1950. He served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict and was stationed on the USS Siapan (CVL-48). Randy retired from Meyers Piano and Organ Service in Streator and Meyers Music. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the Streator American Legion and VFW. He played in the Moodmasters Band for many years. He enjoyed playing cards, golf, the guitar and riding his motorcycle

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

Robert E. Batistini, age 86, of Earlville, passed away on May 6, 2022 at LaSalle County Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 P.M. Noon Friday, May 13th at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Oakwood Memorial Park with Pastor Del Kielman officiating. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Brayden Batistini, Jeff Riley, Jenny Riley, Kathryn Rosene and Laura Blatnik, and friends Thomas Myers and Steven Lenertz. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Robert was born on November 2, 1935 in Standard, Illinois on the Ignacio and Josephine Bernardi Farm. He was the son of Raymond “Busty” and Mary B. (Bernardi) Batistini. He married Dorothy Hendrix on August 11, 1956 at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate. Surviving Robert are his wife, Dorothy Joan Batistini; a son, Donald Ray (Pamela) Batistini; a daughter, Kathleen Jo (Bradley) Riley; grandchildren, Jeffrey(Serena) Riley, Jennifer (Kyle Brighton) Riley, Laura (George) Blatnik, Kathryn (Zachary) Rosene; step grandchildren, Shaun (Julie) DeFore, Shannon (Andrew) Nanouski, 11 great grandchildren, and sisters in law, Sandra Batistini and Helen (Dave) Michelsen. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Gary Allen Batistini, and a brother, Dennis Batistini.

Robert was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Naplate. He worked at Libby Owens and retired after 30 years. After his retirement he worked at Highway 13 Boat Dock in Kimberling City, Missouri for 16 years. Robert enjoyed fishing, gardening, and golf. He was a craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and would make wooden spoons, knives and crafts, some of which he entered in the Sandwich Fair. He was an avid collector of arrowheads, salt dips, cruets and cut glass. More than anything, Robert enjoyed spending time with his family and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

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

Donald Ray Comer, Jr., 46, of Marseilles, passed away Monday, May 9, 2022.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Donnie was born September 25, 1975, in Streator to Donald Ray and Jaquelin (Wawczak) Comer.

He was an avid pool player, he played in many leagues and tournaments in many states. Donnie had a huge heart, he would do anything for anyone, and didn’t know a stranger.

He is survived by his father, Don (Debbie) Comer; his mother, Jackie Robinson; a son in Missouri; and four sisters, Dena Comer, Mary (Dave) Zamarripa, Amanda Robinson, and Emily Robinson.

Donnie was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby; his grandparents, Louis and Lela Comer, Mary Michael, and Walter Wawczak.

Pallbearers will be Shawn Thompson, Mike Linn, Jake Boswell, Ronnie Martin, and Ray Wawczak.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Betty Wyatt, 90, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022 at Pleasant View in Ottawa.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. Tim Stanek, Pastor of the Southside Christian Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park following the services.

Betty was born on December 5, 1931, in Athens, IL to Ernest and Marie Eden. She was a graduate of Athens High school. Betty married Thomas D. Wyatt on December 11, 1949.

Betty was a very accomplished career woman. She spent many years at GE as the plant manager’s secretary before eventually retiring. While working at GE, she helped run her daughter’s dance school, Jeanne Marie’s School of Dance. She touched many lives in the front office while being the backbone of the operation. Betty was happiest when spending time with her children and grandchildren at the pool, cheering on her Chicago Bulls with her husband Tom, and reading a good book. Betty was a lot of things, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, but most importantly a woman of God. She is home with her Lord and Savior.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Wyatt; her daughter, Jeanne (John) Armstrong, of Ottawa; three grandchildren, John (Christine) Armstrong, Brad (Megan) Armstrong, and Carlie (Theran) Hitchins; five great grandchildren, JC, Grady, Sophia, Levi, Wyatt, and a sixth on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Thomas and James Wyatt; and three brothers, Emory, Bill and Jim Eden.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Susan Louise Seversike was born August 5, 1950 and departed for Heaven May 1, 2022. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 at Oakwood Memorial Park with Rev. John Walker, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Susan, a lifelong resident of Ottawa, IL, graduated from Ottawa High School. She made many friends at Ottawa Friendship house during the forty years she spent there. She was a keen bowler and enjoyed many evenings at Dettore’s Town Lanes with friends. Skilled in the art of crochet, she made several baby blankets for friends over the years. Susan loved life and cared about people. She was a joyful person full of kindness and empathy. Her strength was her ability to make other people feel good, a capacity that exuded from her infectious laugh.

Susan is survived by her son, Michael Vernoy and her sister Adelia Reid along with a niece and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Esther Seversike; her brother, Michael Seversike; her brother, Ronald Seversike; and her sister, Lynne Brilley.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Marjorie Grieves, 80, of Ottawa, IL, passed away Thursday May 5, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM Monday at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Rev. Gary Caster officiating. Visitation will be 10 to 11 am Monday at Ottawa Funeral Home. Entombment will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Marjorie was born April 6, 1942, in Ottawa, IL, to Christopher and Shirley (Westcott) Grieves. She worked at Borg Warner, Ottawa Greenhouse and the Ottawa Courthouse.

She is survived by her brothers, Tim (Marcia) Grieves of Morris and Dale (Carol) Grieves of Marseilles; many nieces and nephews; and her very special friends, Katie and Vern Heft of Ottawa and Zuk from California.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Ida, Gale, Evelyn, and Christine Bump; her brothers, Larry, Ron, and Patrick Grieves.

Pallbearers will be her nephews.

She was laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in the Sanctuary of Peace.

When Richard F. Taylor passed away on January 28, 2022 in Muncie, Indiana, his four children and their families shared the grief of his loss, of course, but were also so deeply grateful for his 95 years of an incredible life.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 27, 1926 as the youngest of the ten children of Andrew and Kate Taylor. Once a sports ball found it’s way into young Richard’s hands, he joined in the endless competitions of his siblings & neighborhood friends. His love of baseball led to his lifelong devotion to the St. Louis Cardinals.

A star athlete in his own right throughout his high school days, it was merely a preview of what was to come. To stay active and up on the rules, Richard began officiating football, basketball and baseball for several different leagues and ages. This is something that continued on for nearly 5 decades; he was a coaches/team favorite due to his fairness and knowledge of ever-changing rules.

After honoring a stint in the Navy, Richard returned to the midwest to attend Illinois Wesleyan University. He excelled in every aspect of college life, especially earning an advanced degree in education, receiving his Masters in Education from the University of Illinois. While at Wesleyan, Richard fully participated in the many social & charitable activities as a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, and he held the rare distinction of being selected as Captain for both the Titans football & baseball teams.

Not long after he began living out his dream of preparing his students for their own life goals, Richard was fortunate to meet and marry an authentic beauty queen, also noted for her elegantly casual style, a popular co-ed at Joliet’s St. Francis: the lovely Marilyn Hessling of Ottawa, Illinois. Together they set off on their great adventure, which has proven to be raising a beautiful family.

In 1952, Richard began his Illinois teaching career at Ottawa Marquette, also coaching football. He rose up thru the teaching ranks in LaSalle, being tabbed Principal in at Matthiessen Elementary in 1977, finally retiring in 1981. In relocating to Champaign, he committed once more to young people pursuing education in his administrative positions at both the University of Illinois and Parkland College. He filled his spare time swinging away with his old-timer’s softball team.

After hanging up his cleats once again, Richard & his forever bride, settled in Southern California to be near family that now also called it home. With the exception of his last few years, Richard enjoyed traveling from his home in Southern California to visit family in various midwestern cities. The highlight was always a day trip to Busch Stadium to cheer on his Redbirds joined by his sons, Rick and Randy, his daughter, Sandra, grandchildren & great grandsons, as well as various cousins, nieces & nephews still residing in the St. Louis area.

Richard is preceded in death by his cherished wife of nearly 60 years, Marilyn in 2007; as well as his parents, siblings Raymond, Catherine, Mary, Andrew Jr., Florence, Francis, Roselle, Martin and Virginia, and grandson Todd Taylor.

His surviving family includes his devoted children Richard F. (Pam) Taylor, Jr., of Muncie, Indiana; Victoria Taylor, Randall (Kristine) Taylor and Sandra Taylor Henson, all of Southern California. His beloved grandchildren are Brett Flaherty, Richard F. (Lauren) Taylor, Trisha (Joseph) Chapman and Chloe Henson; great grandchildren are Justyce Chapman, Ryker and Brooke Taylor, Hunter, Carter and Grayson Taylor.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, May 7th at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa with Reverend David Kipfer officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.