November 2022

John Leach, 86, of Ottawa, IL, passed away on November 11, 2022 at his home.

John was born October 9, 1936, in Elcho, WI, to Gerald Leach and Delsey (Deloy) Leach. John married Patricia Hollenbeck on October 14th, 1961 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ottawa, IL.

John was a veteran of the Korean War, being stationed in Germany.

John worked as an Installer for Lucent Technologies. He also was a cook at the Ottawa Inn and at Prairie Lake Lodge. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and gardening.

John  is survived by his brother Ronald (Linda) Leach of Cudahy, Wisconsin; two daughters Lisa (Randy) Bond of Ottawa, Lauren (Richard) Leach-Steffens of Maryville, Missouri; two grand-daughters, Robyn (Alex) Starleaf of Fargo, North Dakota and Rachel Bond of Ottawa; one great grandchild, Lilly Starleaf of Fargo, North Dakota; his best friend, Cheryl Lamb of Seneca; and his long time cat, Pretty Girl.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; his parents; a brother; and a sister.

Cremation rites have been accorded to Ottawa Funeral Home.

John has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Tressa M. Beers, 56, of Ottawa passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

A celebration of life will be held 1:00 – 7:00 pm Sunday, July 3, 2016 at the VFW in Ottawa. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with her cremation rites.

Tressa was born on March 30, 1960 in Ottawa, Illinois and raised by Donald Wireman and Sharon (St. Albin) Wireman. She married her soul mate William Frank Beers Jr. on October 23, 1992 at First Presbyterian Church in Marseilles. Previously Tressa worked for Value City, Lincoln Grade School in the cafeteria, the Ottawa Shell Oasis, and lastly at Casey’s in Ottawa. The job she loved the most was staying at home taking care of her great nephews and great niece, Thomas, Noah, and Hannah; they will always hold a special place for her in their hearts. In her free time she enjoyed sewing and crocheting. You could be certain that if a thunderstorm were to roll into the area she would be outside listening to it and watching it. She enjoyed making people happy and she always gave more than she took. She could light up a room with her infectious smile and laugh. There’s no better way to say that she loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and grand dogs with all of her heart.

She is survived by her loving husband, William; three children, Jason (Jennifer) Heiser, Steven Rohde, and Billi (Martin) Gonzalez; four grandchildren Alexis, Matthew, Dakota, and Molly and another one being born in October; and three siblings, Sharon (Frank) Terry, Bonnie Phillips, and Donald (Jennifer) Wireman Jr..

She is preceded in death by her parents; one grand daughter, Hope Angel May Heiser; and one nephew, Justin Philips.

Tressa has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Joanne Dyer, 65, a loving mother, grandmother, and friend to everyone she met, passed away Thursday November 10, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria surrounded by her family.

Joanne was born July 30, 1957, in Ottawa, IL, to Walter and Virginia (Voyles) Farrell. Joanne would go on to marry the love of her life, Kim Dyer Sr. on October 18, 1985.  The two of them had an amazing love that they shared for each other. They were blessed to have been able to raise 4 beautiful children, Richard, Vicky, Kim  Jr., and Joey.

Joanne loved being outside her whole life. Whether she was doing yard work, hanging out with friends, sitting by a fire or just sitting on her porch, she naturally gravitated to the outdoors. If you went anywhere with Joanne, you would see countless people that she knew. Her grandchildren would joke that anytime they went with her they would have to stop every 5 minutes to talk to someone. Everybody would tell you about how she had the biggest heart and one of the most contagious laughs. Some of her favorite things were playing bingo, cards, yahtzee or singing and dancing to all kinds of music. Her children and grandchildren were the most precious people in her life.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; Walter and Virginia Farrell; her brother, Eugene Farrell; and her husband, Kim Dyer Sr.

She is survived by her three siblings Garry Farrell, Terry Gaba (Timothy), David Farrell (Valerie); her four children, Richard Farrell (Jonna Price), Vicky Allison (Ryan), Kim Dyer Jr. (Deanna Kennedy), and Joey Dyer; and her twelve grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be at 1:00 pm November 12, 2022 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Rev. Duane Kauffman officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, November 12, 2022, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. 

Pallbearers will be Garry Farrell, David Farrell, Richard Farrell, Kim Dyer Jr, Joey Dyer and Austin Thomas.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Joanne has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Melita (Klesath) Stone, 84, of Ottawa passed away on Thursday October 27, 2022 at home, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Alex Cross, of First Baptist Church, Ottawa and Rev. Jason Stone, Immaculate Conception Parish, Morris officiating. Burial will follow at the Shirine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.

Melita was born on July 6, 1938 in Ottawa to Lloyd and Melia (Zarka) Klesath. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School. Melita married Marvin Stone on February 2, 1958 at the First Baptist Church in Ottawa. She was a member of First Baptist Church for over 60 years, where she served on many committees and held many offices. She also served as the church treasurer for over 40 years. Melita was also a member of the Oledine Wood Circle, served as an election judge, volunteered at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Member of the Ottawa Elks Lodge, the LaSalle County Farm Bureau, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Ottawa Jr Woman’s Club, and the Prime Timers. Before her retirement she had worked as a secretary with home health at the Ottawa Regional Hospital. Melita enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge, reading, cooking, and baking.

She is survived by her husband, Marvin; two sons, Stephen (Patricia) Stone of Appomattox, VA and Randall (Kristen) Stone of Neosho, WI; three grandchildren; four step grandchildren; and seven step great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Kenneth Stone.

Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church, Pet Project or to the Ottawa Salvation Army.

Melita has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in the Sanctuary of Prayer at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Janet L. Okon passed away on December 26, 2017.

Janet has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Gloria A. Highland passed away on October 23, 2022.

Gloria has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration at Oakwood Memorial Park.

John E. Highland passed away on July 20th, 2020.

John has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Ethel Rose “Rosie” (Stortz) Flaa, 94, of Ottawa, IL, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa.

A private service will be held at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. David Ufkes, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa.

Ethel was born on November 24, 1927 in Roanoke, IL, the daughter of Isaac and Susie (Onnen) Stortz. She was a graduate of El Paso High School and was employed by the local newspaper as a reporter and lineotype operator. Rosie married William N. “Bill” Flaa of Ishpeming, MI on May 5, 1951 and they moved to Ottawa shortly thereafter where her husband was employed by the Illinois Dept. of Transportation. She worked briefly at the J.C. Penny in Ottawa and the McKinley Elementary School playground and cafeteria. For the last eight years, she has resided at Pleasant View Assisted Living apartments. She became known as the Puzzle Lady, and enjoyed participating in all the activities offered. She was dedicated to her family and friends. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her daily joy.

She is survived by her two daughters, Judith (Frank) Fichera, of Scottsdale, AZ, Carol (John) Craig, of Ottawa, IL, a son David (Janet) Flaa, of Morris, IL; seven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and ten step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Isaac and Susie; her husband, Bill; four sisters, and one brother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Pleasant View Lutheran Home, 505 College Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350.

Rosie has been laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Bernice Marshall was born on May 2nd, 1931 and passed away on February 2nd, 2011.

Bernice has been laid to rest in the Garden of Tranquility at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Kenneth Teausant, 39, of Peru, IL, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded to Ottawa Funeral Home.

Kenneth was born February 12, 1983, in Englewood, Colorado, to Terry Teausant and Denise Grant. He married Karen Pangilinan on December 18, 2012 in Lakewood, Colorado.

Kenny was a retired Marine Corp Veteran, serving two tours of duty in Iraq. He was very outdoorsy and loved to fish, hike, bike, and just enjoyed nature. Though he and Karen didn’t have children, he loved his dog Rylee as his child.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Teausant; his parents, Terry Teausant and Denise Grant; his sister, Andrea (Joshua) Smith; as well as his nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Kenneth has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest in the Sanctuary of Seasons at Oakwood Memorial Park.