August 2022

Valerie Anne (Dwire) Rice, age 53, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2022.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 20th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Karen Boglioli, Valerie’s sister, officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Pallbearers will be Naylor Rice, Tony Bentley, James Anderson, Mathew Capsel, Steven Weidel and Paul Callahan.

Valerie was born October 16, 1968 in Ottawa, a daughter of Samuel D. and Judith (Bellante) Dwire. Surviving are her mother, Judith (Paul) Callahan of Denver, CO; children, Casandra Dwire and Naylor Rice of Ottawa; grandchildren, Christian Rice and Carter Dwire; and a sister, Karen (Bernard) Boglioli of Denver, CO. She was preceded in death by her father and a brother, Ricky Nolan.

Valerie enjoyed gardening and travel. She was an avid fan of LasVegas! Valerie’s most treasured time was that spent with her family, particularly her children and grandchildren.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

Forrest “Moose” Dale West, Jr., 65, of Cherokee Village, Arkansas passed away Saturday, August 13, 2022, in Gamaliel, Arkansas.

A visitation will also be held at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, Illinois on Friday, August 19, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 20, 2022, at the Mueller Funeral Home, with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Burial to follow at the Oakwood Memorial Park.

He was born April 12, 1957, in Ottawa, Illinois to Forrest, Sr and Janice (Bayer) West. Moose had many friends that he helped and loved. He taught his sons the love of fishing and hunting. Moose also coached their T-ball, little league, and youth football teams. Moose worked for 34 years for the city of Ottawa Street Department, had a guide service on the Illinois River, member of the Bootkickers Line Dancing Club, Stripers Club of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Meals On Wheels in Cherokee Village. He is also a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church and the River Rescue Squad in Ottawa, Illinois.

Moose is survived by his wife, Beatrice “Penny” West of Cherokee Village; two sons, Timothy (Charlotte) West of Salesville, Arkansas and Corey Joe (Jasimine) West of Flippin, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, Dylan Joseph West, Ethan Thomas West, Madelyn Sue West, Kayden Elizabeth Marie West, Alexander Cole McDaniel, Adelynn Nicole Cartwright, Shaun Austin McDaniel and Paisley Josephine West; two sisters, Connie (Butch) Campbell of North Carolina and Carol (Jerry) Aker of Virginia; five sisters-in-law, Sandra (Dave) Crosiar of Arkansas, Rose Barth of Tennessee, Kathy (Ray) Sibert of Florida, Alice (Marlin) Green of Illinois and Becky Farrell of Florida; many nieces, nephews, family and friends that he loved very much.

Moose is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Todd Martin West; three sisters -in-law and brothers-in-law, Connie (Benny) Armstrong, Anita (Roy) Mason and Ruth (Fred) Schierholz.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Richard “Dick” Thomas Kennedy, 76, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022 in Sebring, Florida. Dick was born on April 5, 1946 in Ottawa to George and Bonnie (Brownfield) Kennedy.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Msgr. Mark Merdian, Pastor of Ottawa Catholic Parishes, 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 be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.

Dick graduated from Ottawa Township High School and served with distinction as a Spec 4 in the Vietnam War. While serving his country, Dick received a badge for marksmanship serving in the armored division on an APC and was awarded a purple heart for injuries sustained on the field of battle.

Mr. Kennedy married Diane Elizabeth Moss in November of 1968 and soon came to work at Libbey Owens Ford. Dick worked in both Plants 5 and 7 and advanced to become a foreman.

Dick was a member of the Knights of Columbus, The Loyal Order of the Moose, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. While a member of the Moose, Dick used to participate in parades as a clown. In addition, he was a founding member of the defunct NamVets organization in Ottawa.

Mr. Kennedy was well loved by all those that were fortunate enough to meet him. Although he worked long hours, he always found time to participate in his kids’ activities and was responsible for starting the Little League Program at Wallace Grade School. It is safe to say his pickup truck was the sole reason Wallace was able to field a team as his players piled in the back in order to hold practice. He was also an avid Cubs and Bears fan.

Dick enjoyed visiting with family and friends and was an accomplished euchre player. He could always be counted on for a trick to help his partner. In addition, he was a bean bag player of note. When the game was on the line, you wanted to have Dick as your partner.

Family was very important to Mr. Kennedy and his loss leaves a hole that is irreplaceable. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Beth as well as his brothers, Everett and David.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diane (Moss) and his brother Ken (Rose) Kennedy of Florida. In addition, he leaves behind 4 children; David of San Antonio, TX, Misty (Jeremy Daniels) of Marseilles, IL, Daniel (Amy Stock) of Ottawa, and Amanda (Jeff Vana) Rockey of Ottawa.

Mr. Kennedy was also blessed with having 5 grandchildren during his lifetime. Kian, Colin and Kayleigh (David) of Shorewood, IL as well as Nolan and Kennedy (Amanda) of Ottawa.

Pallbearers will be Kian and Colin Kennedy, Rob Barla, Brent and Bob Alsvig, Jim Farrell, Jeremy Daniels, and Steve Killilea. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chuck Moss, Gary Lebeau, Rich Alsvig, Art Barth, Willy Rosenkranz, Terry Fischer, and Charlie Johnson.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Kenneth W. Mann 87 of Streator, a loving Husband and Father died Monday afternoon (June 27, 2011) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Streator.
Funeral services will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday at Hagi Funeral Home, Streator with Rev. Jerry Haley, officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00-7:00 PM Thursday at Hagi Funeral Home. Full military rites will be conducted by members of American Legion Post # 214 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 1492 at the funeral home following the services.
Mr. Mann was born Dec. 11, 1923 in McLeansboro Illinois. The son of Robert and Daisy (Thomas) Mann. He married Anna Marie Holm, Dec. 11, 1942 in Missouri . She survives.
Ken had been employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. for many years and had worked for the Town and Country Motel, Streator and the former Janusic Auction Service, Lostant. He attended Ottawa grade schools and was a graduate of Ottawa High School . He was a member of First United Methodist Church , Streator. Ken was a veteran of WWII serving in the US Army in Europe .
He is survived by his wife Anna Marie Mann, Streator, three sons, Dennis (Pat) Mann, Streator, Kent “Mick (Barbara) Mann, Ottawa, and Jeffrey (Gail) Mann, Vista CA, also surviving are eight grandchildren, Melissa (Ken) Bublitz, Michelle, Nancy, Patrick, David (Phat Youen), Elizabeth, Justin and Kyle Mann, and one great grandson, Nolan Kenneth Mann.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Grace Nelson and Fern Hiltabrand and two brothers, John and Dale Mann.

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

Anna Marie Mann, 99 of Streator passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at Heritage Health, Streator.

She was born March 5, 1923 in Lu Verne, Iowa, a daughter of Willars and Sarah (Quinn) Holm.  She married Kenneth W. Mann on December 11, 1942 in Missouri.  He preceded her in death on June 27, 2011.

Surviving are three sons, Dennis (Pat) Mann of Streator, Kent “Mick” (Barbara) Mann of Ottawa, and Jeffrey (Gail) Mann of Vista, CA; eight grandchildren, Melissa (Ken) Bublitz, Michelle Mann, Patrick (Jonna) Mann, Nancy Mann, David Mann, Elizabeth (Jonathan) Christensen, Justin (Hannah) Mann, and Kyle (Delaney) Mann; and eight great grandchildren, Nolan, Inara, and Liana Mann, Adelaide, Parker, Leo, and Daphne Mann, and Theodore Christensen.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Melvin, Harold and Don Holm.

Anna Marie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Streator.

A celebration of Anna Marie’s life will be held at a later date.  Cremation rites will be accorded, and burial of ashes will be in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa.  Hagi & Schultz Funeral Home, Streator is in charge of arrangements.

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

Erma Lee Mitchell Martin, 91, a resident of Ottawa from 1951 until 2018 (10 years in Wedron), who most recently resided in Chatham, Il, passed away on Friday August 5, 2022 at Reflections Memory Care in Chatham, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday August 14, 2022, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Richard Miller, officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Erma was born on April 25, 1931 in Colfax, IL to Alva and Mildred (Messamore) Mitchell. She worked for the Iowa Division of State Farm Insurance. Erma married Dean Ross Martin on January 26, 1951 at her home in Normal, IL. She was a member of the Ottawa Church of Christ, served on the board for Home Extension, was a PADS volunteer, was a Cultural Arts Chairwoman, was a member of Dayton Homemakers for ten years and taught Sunday School for many years.

She is survived by three children, Anthony Lee (Nancy) Martin of Edwardsville, Mary Frances (Larry) Ponser of Chatham, and Marla Faye (Robert) Housby of Andrews, TX; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her by her beloved husband of 57 years, Dean, a son, Allan Ross Martin, her sisters, Verla Fullerton, Sandra Roop-Holt, and Judith Platt, and a brother in infancy.

She was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Faith.

Patricia J. Hilton (nee Kirk), beloved wife of the late Joel Hilton; loving mother of Joseph (Kari) Hilton; devoted grandmother of Ainsley and Collins; dearest sister of Nancy Johnson, Susan (the late Richard) Swaw and Kyrlene (Bill) Rudolph; cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Sunday 1-6 P.M. with prayer service at 5:00 P.M. at Lawn Funeral Home, 17909 S. 94th Ave. Tinley Park, IL 60487. Interment Private.

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

Marian Chamberlain, 72, of Ottawa, IL, passed away Tuesday August 2, 2022 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, in Ottawa.

Visitation will be Monday, August 8, 2022, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Memorial services and Burial will be Private. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Marian was born December 11, 1949, in Peoria, IL, to Robert and Grace (Brady) Bartel . She married Harry “Bud” Chamberlain Jr. on December 10, 1982 in Rock Island, Illinois.

She was a Secretary at Clifford W. Estes Co. In her free time she enjoyed playing Bingo, watching westerns, and shopping on QVC.

She is survived by Sons Jason Chamberlain (Brooke), Frank Miller (Connie), and Robert Miller ( Maureen) Grandchildren: Andrew (Janelle), Audrey, and Ryan Chamberlain, Tyler Hellman, Avery and Colton Siembab, Taylor Wilkinson, Jordan and Kaleb Stewart, Tiffany Jersey, and Nina Parotto. great-grandchildren Ayana and Saige Parotto, Josephine and Sophia Jersey, and a sister Barb Farnsworth, nieces Renee Stone and Valerie Lair and nephew Jeremy Farnsworth.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Grace Bartel, her brother John Bartel, and her husband Harry “Bud” Chamberlain Jr.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

“Robbie” Martin was born Robert George Martin on March 29, 1945 in Elk City, OK where his father, Paul Martin, was stationed in the Navy. As a newborn he travelled home to Ottawa, IL with his mother, Nina Lu Armstrong Martin, on a troop transit train where he received special attention from everyone on board. Robbie spent his early childhood in the “war homes.” Later the family lived on Prairie Street. Growing up Robbie hated school but loved being a Boy Scout. He was especially proud of earning the Order of the Arrow by camping alone overnight in Deer Park and playing in the State Little League Finals in 1957. Robbie credited his sister, Gay Anne (Henderson), with motivating him to become a serious reader, a passion he continued all his life. Robbie graduated from OHS in 1963 and lived on Cape Cod and Treasure Island, FL before serving in the army. After discharge Robbie moved to the Berkeley/Oakland area of California. He worked at a variety of trades and became a master of many, especially of motorcycle and car mechanics. Robbie crisscrossed the continent on his 1937 Harley Davidson dozens of times, being a fixture at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for many years. He also spent many winters camping in his trailer on beaches in Baja California, Mexico. Once he canoed down the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers from central Illinois to St. Martinsville, LA, where he learned woodworking from a master craftsman. Robbie was known as a master brewer and BBQ expert. “Pork Butt Robbie” often held popup restaurants in his yard which were eagerly anticipated and heavily attended. He was a gifted short order cook at a local bar. Robbie lived the final 16 years of his life in Trona, CA where his distilling expertise, 4 times filtered using his own homemade still, had an avid regional market. Robbie Martin always lived life on his own terms and with a style that was uniquely his. He was a “renaissance man” in a giant sort of way, surviving 3 high speed motorcycle accidents and a rollover in his 1960s Chevy truck. After such a momentous life, Robbie died unexpectedly at 76 years of age on September 12, 2021 subsequent to enduring declining health for several years. Robbie was predeceased by his mother, father, and sister. He is very missed by his many friends and cousin Julie Ahern Wild and family of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Robbie’s cremains will be interred at Oakwood Memorial Park.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.

Vernon Edward Cates, age 87, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, July 29, surrounded by his loving family.

Family and friends are warmly invited to a visitation at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home on Thursday, August 4, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A celebration to honor Vernon’s life will be held on Friday, August 5, at 10:30 a.m. at Crossbridge Community Church before being laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park with Military Honors by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard.

Vernon was born June 12, 1935, in Plummerville, AR, the eldest son of Emil and Ruby (Thomas) Cates. After graduating from high school in Bragg City, AR, his family moved to Wedron, IL. Vernon enlisted in the Air Force and proudly served for five years, including memorable time in Spain. Upon his honorable discharge, he began his career at Caterpillar Tractor Company. In the summer of 1960, his sister Mae Ruth introduced him to her friend and co-worker, Sharon Parisot. Vernon and Sharon fell in love, married on New Year’s Eve 1960 at St. Joseph’s Church in Marseilles, and spent the next 61 years together. They rarely spent a night apart, and their partnership centered on family and service to others.

In addition to working every overtime shift offered, Vern’s life revolved around his children, Daniel, Barry, and Bethany. Throwing the ball to his five-year-old son in the backyard soon led to Vern coaching Little League, a calling that he savored for many years. His dedication to kids in Ottawa led to years of service to the Ottawa Youth Football League. If you knew Vern, he likely sold you a fundraising raffle ticket to ensure youth football in Ottawa could continue providing opportunities.

After retiring from Caterpillar, Vern drove kids to and from school and countless activities as a bus driver for the Ottawa Elementary School District for many years. His boundless love and commitment to children and young people eventually included his grandchildren and great-grandson. From the start of their marriage, Vernon and Sharon’s home was always open to any family member, and many benefitted from their unconditional welcome over the years.

Continuing Vern’s legacy of generosity and service are his loving wife, Sharon; children, Daniel (Susan) Cates of Bloomington, IN, Barry (Michele) Cates of Leesburg, VA, and Bethany (Pat) Henry of Ottawa; grandchildren, Jeffrey and Christopher Cates, Nicolas and Nathan Reynolds; and great-grandson, Karsen Reynolds. He will be greatly missed by his brother, Bill (Linda) Cates of Carol Stream, IL; and sisters, Mae Ruth Rygh of Spanaway, WA, and Helen Finch of Troy, MO.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.