March 2023

Rosalie “Noni” Knudson, 92, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023 at her home.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 25, from 2:00 until 3:00pm at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. A funeral ceremony will follow at 3:00pm with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Entombment will take place in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum.

Noni was born May 10, 1930, in Ottawa, IL, to John and Frona (Caffee) Brunetto. She married Russell Knudson on November 20, 1948 in Marseilles, IL. He passed away June 3, 2003.

She enjoyed crafting, coloring, and doing crossword puzzles. She was an excellent cook and always hosted the weekly family meal. At times, she could be a bit feisty or stubborn, but she loved her family with her whole heart; they were her everything.

She is survived by her children, Pamela (Bob) Muzzarelli, James Knudson, Peggy (Jim) Waddell, and her daughter in law, Jeanne Knudson; her grandchildren, Robert (Jill) Knudson, Richard (Jen) Knudson, Rustin (Jenny) Knudson, Emily (Nick) Betts, David (Amanda) Waddell, Natalie (Evan) Young and Jenna Borowicz; and her 15 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 56 years, Russell Knudson; and her son, John Knudson.

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

Lorene Weber, 81, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at LaSalle County Nursing Home.

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Lorene was born November 16, 1941, in Ottawa, to Merle and Mellisa (Stevens) Malaise. She married Robert Weber on January 28, 1962 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora, IL. He passed away May 15, 2014.

Lorene attended Aurora University and Copley School of Nursing. She went on to work for Community Hospital of Ottawa, St. Mary’s Hospital of Streator, and Morris Hospital. She was extremely dedicated and worked full time from graduation until her retirement. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed gardening and crafting, including sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She loved her family and never missed an opportunity to spend time with her children or grandchildren. After she retired, she and Robert traveled to Arizona, where they spent the winter.

She is survived by her children, Bob (Michelle) Weber, Kathy (Rich) Rosengren, and Mary Adams; her grandchildren, Elizabeth, David, and Christopher Weber, Krystal (Josh) Johnson, Kalah (Bobby Schmelter) Rosengren, Beau (CJ) Rosengren, and Kylie and Peyton Adams; her great grandchildren, Jack and Tucker Johnson and Wesley and Chase Rosengren; and her sister, Merleen Long.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 52 years, Robert Weber; and her brother, Curtis Malaise.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made in Lorene’s honor to the Psycho-Social Department at LaSalle County Nursing Home, 1380 N 27th Rd., Ottawa, IL 61350.

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

Robert Weber, 75, of Marseilles, Illinois, passed away Thursday, May 15, 2014 at his home. Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 pm Monday, May 19, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 3:30. Robert was born November 18, 1938 in LaSalle, Illinois to Edward and Mary (Vogel) Weber. He married Lorene Malasie on January 28, 1962 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora, Illinois. He served in the United States Navy. Bob worked as a real estate developer for many years. Bob enjoyed traveling in the RV to Arizona where he and Lorene spent the winter. He loved to play poker but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by loving wife, Lorene; three children, Robert (Michelle) Weber Jr. of Colorado Springs, CO, Kathryn (Rich) Rosengren of Marseilles, and MaryAnn Adams, of Ottawa; five siblings, James Weber, Lyle Weber, Edward (Doreen) Weber, Regina (Roger) Myerson, Loretta (Robert) Cooney; eight grandchildren, Krystal (Josh) Johnson, Kalah (Bobby Schmelter) Rosengren, Beau Rosengren, Elizabeth, David, and Christopher Weber, Kylie and Peyton Adams; and two great-grandchildren, Jack and Tucker Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be directed to Vitas Hospice or Pancreatic Cancer Research.

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

James R. Bann, 85, of Earlville, IL passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at his home in Earlville, IL, surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 5, 1937 in New Baden, IL the son of James W. and Dolores (Kassebaum) Bann. He married Geri L. Pagakis on October 17, 1970 in Ottawa, IL. He was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Earlville. Jim came to Earlville in 1959 to teach Chemistry and Physics at Earlville High School. In 1964 he joined the National Bank of Earlville and in 1976 he became President. Jim was also Chairman of the Board thru 2019. He was a longtime member of the Earlville Lion’s Club, former President, and founder of The Helping Hands Committee, and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for service in the Lion’s Club. Jim also served the community by serving on the Earlville Library Board and Earlville School Board. He was also a member of the IL Bankers Association.

He is survived by his wife Geri; his son James John of Earlville, IL; his daughter Susan Maria (Penny) of La Crosse, WI, and his son Ryan Fitzpatrick (Jennifer) of Missoula, MT; four grandchildren, Evan, Owen, Ella and Clare; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Bill, Paul, Ralph, Bob and Carl; four sisters, Gloria, Marilyn, Susan and Corrine.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2023 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Earlville, IL with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa, IL. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2023 at St. Theresa Catholic Church 221 W. Union St. Earlville, IL. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Earlville Lions Club Helping Hands, Earlville Library or St. Theresa Catholic Church.

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

Wayne Edward Riebe, 90, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday evening, February 24, 2023 with his family by his side and the song “Oh How I Love Jesus” playing.

Visitation will be at 1:00 pm followed by a Memorial Service at 2:30 pm on Sunday, March, 12, 2023, at Fox River Lutheran Church, Norway, IL with Pastor Kevin Garner, officiating. Full Military Rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #0033 following the Service. Burial will be private at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Wayne was born July 26, 1932 to Alfred Otto and Delphine (Hill) Riebe. He was also dearly loved and cared for by Tom and Frieda Navins.

Wayne attended Zion Lutheran Parochial Grade School and was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army serving in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri where he married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Rena Galletti. Wayne was a member of the Ottawa American Legion Post #0033. Wayne was pleased to participate in the 2016 Honor Flight to Washington DC accompanied by his son, Daron and dear friend, John Boe.

He went to electrical school in Chicago, made his home in Ottawa, worked at Libbey Owens Ford, and Union Carbide/American Hoechst until his retirement. Through the years, he served his community; cub-scout leader, little league coach, union representative and 10 years LaSalle County Health Board member. He played for Farm Bureau fastpitch softball teams, and was the last surviving member of the acclaimed 35r’s team.

Wayne started his Christian walk at Zion Lutheran Church serving as Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, and Elder. Wayne continued his Christian worship at Faith Lutheran and Fox Lutheran Churches, participating in vacation bible schools as he found joy in seeing children walk with the Lord. He was blessed to travel to Estonia on a mission trip.

Following his retirement, Wayne and Rena wintered in Florida, and traveled extensively, including anywhere the family wanted to go! A die-hard Cub fan and Pittsburgh Steeler fan forever!

“Bumpa Wayne” loved attending and traveling to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s school functions, sport events, dance and music productions, and anything else he could do to support these beloved children as they were his pride.

If you knew Wayne, you knew he had a gift of gab, a great sense of humor, a wonderful smile and a very hot cup of coffee in hand!

Wayne is survived by his wife of 69+ years Rena; his children, Darcy (Mark) Varland, Ottawa, Daron Riebe, Tampa, FL, Michelle (Tom) Hale, Waikoloa, HI, and Wayne (Melissa) Riebe, Mercer, WI; Grandchildren, Adrianna (Ben) Cockrel, Alyssa (Jared) Mundt, Claire Riebe, Ian Riebe, Danielle (Michael) Mroczek, Devin (Kelsey) Hale, Wayne Riebe Jr, Marisa Riebe, Brittany Riebe; and nine great grandchildren. One brother, James (Linda) Riebe.

He will join in heaven his parents, brothers Alfred and Ernest “Buddy,” sister Sheila Sarver, and honorary parents Tom and Frieda Navins.

Memorials may be directed to the Ottawa PADs Shelter and Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child.

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

Patricia George, 80, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, February 24, 2023 at The Pavilion of Ottawa.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 4, at 1:00 pm, at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Msgr. Mark Merdian officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm Saturday at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will take place at a later date at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Patricia was born September 26, 1942, in Ottawa, IL, to Frances and Esther (Capello) Meagher. She married James “Jim” George on April 6, 1963.

She worked for many years as a clerk at Polancic’s Meat Market. In her free time, she enjoyed fishing, boating, and snowmobiling in Wisconsin and was an avid Bears fan.

She is survived by her husband, Jim George, her daughter, Jennifer (Steve) Oslanzi; her grandchildren, McKenzie and Jack Oslanzi; her brothers Fran Meagher and Mike (Linda) Meagher; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Diane “Dee” Bayer and Maureen Farmer.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Billie M. Dippel, 95, of Ottawa, passed away February 28, 2023 at OSF St. Elizabeth.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 6th at noon at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Reverend Duane Kaufman officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. Pallbearers will be Bob, Alex, and Adam Spencer, Tiffany Dippel, Bob Huss, and Steve Honer.

Billie was born May 21, 1927 in Granville, Illinois, the son of Albert and Evelyn (Wallin) Dippel. He married Evelyn Wicks on September 25, 1949 in Ottawa and she preceded him in death on September 26, 1995. Billie worked as a butcher for National Tea in Ottawa and then worked for DNS in Morris until his retirement in 1994. Billie enjoyed hunting and fishing and just being at home. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.

Billie is survived by his children, Daniel (Patricia) Dippel and Kim (Bob) Spencer; a sister, Rita Honer; grandchildren, Tiffany (Kyle Mucci) Dippel, Adam and Alex Spencer; and a great grandchild, Vincent Mucci. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lee Dippel; sister in law, Fern Dippel; and a brother in law, Joe Honer.

Memorial contributions may be directed to American Cancer Society and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Billie has been laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns at Oakwood Memorial Park.

MICHAEL J. MONKEN

Age 83, passed away on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 at his home in Bloomington.

Michael is survived by his loving family, wife, Nancy Monken (Johnson), children, Jeff (Beth) Monken, Susan (Evan) Mahan, Tom (Ann) Monken, grandchildren, Isabelle Monken, Amelia Monken, Evie Monken, Cade Mahan, Calla Mahan, Emilee (Erich) Lieser, Abigail Monken, Reid Monken, great grandson, Jack Lieser, siblings, Glenn Monken, Bob (Jo Ellen) Monken, Bill (Janet) Monken, Julie (Art) Abegg, sister in-law, Barb Monken and numerous nieces and nephews.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Omer & Louise Monken (Steinkoenig) and brother Jim Monken.

Michael was a longtime member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Joliet; former High School Teacher and Coach in Morton and Joliet IL. He was a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame and the Illinois State University Alumni Association.

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox, IL 60451 on Sunday, February 26th, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral service, Monday, February 27th, 2023 with prayers at the funeral home at 9:15 AM and then to St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 127 South Briggs Street, Joliet IL 604233 for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL. Donations to Mission 22, 694 Larch Street, Unit 910, Sisters, OR 97759 www.mission22.com or Legacies Alive, PO Box 382, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 www.legaciesAlive.com would be greatly appreciated.

Michael has been laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Alexandria “Lexi” Davis, 20, of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

Funeral Ceremony will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 25, at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Greg Davis officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm, on Saturday, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Lexi was born in Ottawa, IL, to Adrian and Kristina (Epley) Davis. Lexi graduated in 2020 from Ottawa High School and then attended Illinois Valley Community College where she graduated with a degree as a dental assistant. Art and painting were her passion and she won several awards for her work. She loved to spend time with her friends, go shopping, and travel. She will be remembered as being loving, caring, having a great sense of humor, and occasionally stubborn.

She is survived by her parents, Adrian and Kristina Davis; her siblings, Marissa (Ryan) Rieuf and Austin Davis; her maternal grandma, Sabina Epley; her cat, Dempsey; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandpa, Robin Epley; her paternal grandparents, Donald Sr. and June Davis; and her uncles, David, Brian, and Jack Davis.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Lexi has been laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Edna L. Blasius (nee Callahan), 95, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Marseilles, IL.

A private Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park, with Pastor Sherry Stevenson officiating.  Cremation rites have been accorded to Ottawa Funeral Home.

Edna was born on December 31, 1927, in Marseilles, IL, to Edward and Viola (Green) Callahan. She married Charles Bivens and together they raised six children.  Edna worked for Dan-Jac in Marseilles cutting and sewing men’s clothing for many years.  She was a very active member in the Moose both in Illinois and Arizona where she served as Senior Regent of the Phoenix Chapter 453.  She was also an active member of the Elks in Phoenix, being one of the first women accepted as a member.  In 1980, she left Illinois to go to Arizona to the nice warm climate.  There she met and married John Blasius, who preceded her in death in 1991.  She continued to live in Arizona until 2022, when she came back to live with her daughter until the time of her passing.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandi Bivens of Marseilles; her sons, Charles (Cheryl) Bivens of Streator and Roger Bivens of Deer Lodge, MT; her daughter-in-law, Mary Beth Bivens of Streator; her grandchildren, Kathy (Pete) Berry, Jack Carr, Michelle Brooke, Jim (Angel) DeMoss, Chad (Shelby) Bivens, Krista Meier, Jeff (Linda) Mueller, Melissa Hallam, Jon Mueller, Chelynne Clark, and Taylor Bivens; her eighteen great grandchildren; her nine great great grandchildren and one due in May; her brother, Ronald Callahan; and her sister, Evelyn Damm.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Blasius; her daughter Sue Carr; her son, Wayne Bivens; her daughter, Linda Mueller; her sons-in-law, Jack Carr and Dale Mueller; her granddaughter, Sheila Thomas; her granddaughter, Beth Carr; her great granddaughter, Dani Bivens; her brothers, James and Jerry Callahan; and her sister, June Schultheis.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the OSF Hospice team for the care they showed Edna during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

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