August 2023

Stephanie Orejel was born on August 3rd, 1984 and passed away on August 14, 2023.

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

Marie Ellen Atkinson, 92, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home, surrounded by her family.

Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2023 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Ottawa with Rev. David E. Daniel, pastor officiating. Entombment will follow at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be from 12 noon. to 1:50 p.m. on Monday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa.

Marie was born on August 26, 1930 in Ottawa to Oscar and Flora (Strobel) Boness. Marie attended Zion Lutheran Church throughout her life in Ottawa, graduating from Zion’s grade school, being confirmed and married there, and raising her two daughters in the Lutheran faith. Zion remained dear to her heart until the end. Marie was also a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1948. She married Willis “Bill” Atkinson on July 10, 1949 at the Zion Evangelical Church in Ottawa. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Altar Guild and American Legion Women’s Auxiliary.

Marie operated a beauty shop out of her home for over 25 years. She enjoyed an early retirement moving to Winter Haven, FL in July 1985, where she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She played golf and was a member of the Cypresswood Women’s Golf League. She was a Chicago White Sox fan and enjoyed watching sports, particularly golf.

Marie lived a long and happy life, always smiling and kind to everyone. Her motto for her children and grandchildren was “be nice.”

She is survived by two daughters, Denise DuPage of East Moline, IL and Diane (Kevin) Duggan of Ottawa; seven grandchildren, Dan (Katie) Duggan of Ottawa, Melanie (Tom) Hart of Ottawa, Brittany (David) Ross of Ottawa, Andy (Kim) DuPage of Tremont, IL, Amy DuPage of Peoria, IL, Joe (Jaimee) DuPage of Clive, IA, and Jim (Crystal) DuPage of Silvis, IL, 21 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and lifelong friends, Betty Pandolfi and Jean Peterson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill; two sisters, Mildred Serby and Blanche Lavender; and her son-in-law, Dale DuPage.

Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church, Ottawa.

Pallbearers will be Dan Duggan, Tom Hart, David Ross, Andy DuPage, Joe DuPage and Jim DuPage.

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

James Ostrem, 84, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at his home.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 20, 2023 from 1:00 until 3:00pm. A funeral ceremony will follow at 3:00pm. Private family burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

James was born February 11, 1939, in Harding, IL, to Elmer and Virginia (Stover) Ostrem. He married Bonita “Bonnie” Woosley on May 28, 1976 in East Peoria, IL. She passed away July 6, 2005.

He loved to farm and was very proud of his families’ farm. He worked the ground until he was almost 80 years old. He was extremely proud of his Norwegian heritage and had an extreme love for his family. He enjoyed traveling with Bonnie. The two of them would just get in the car and choose a direction to travel. He loved his car and would frequently stop at various car shows. He was also an extremely skilled craftsman and woodworker. He was a member of Shoreline Boat Club, Ottawa Elks, Lions, and Moose Club, the Ottawa Airmen Club, as well as the Oldsmobile Club.

He is survived by his step son, David (Leslie) Woosley; his granddaughter, Bailey (Luke) McConville; his great granddaughter, Ruby McConville; and his cousin, Elaine Ostrem. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and his step son, Timothy Woosley.

Memorials may be directed to the Lions Club.

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

Faith McNamara, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and Emergency Department nurse, passed away at home on August 10th, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. She spent her last days surrounded by friends and family.

Faith was born to LeRoy and Arnette Lowman on the day after Christmas in 1958 and was the baby of a large family. Arnette quickly decided that Faith had the dancing gene and enrolled her in dance classes at the age of 3. She danced and taught dance for more than 25 years.

She attended Ottawa Township High School where she was a cheerleader and ended up falling for the star basketball player, Dan (a cheerleader and the basketball player-what a cliche!). They started dating in September of 1974, started going steady in February of 1975, and then, to everyone’s surprise, she said yes when Dan asked her to marry him. They married on May 19th, 1979, and were faithfully by each other’s side for 44 years, 2 months, and 22 days. They had three children, Matthew, Jacob, and Meghan.

Once all the children were born, Faith followed her calling to become a nurse. She went back to school at night, worked during the day, and raised three children all at once-no easy feat. Upon graduation, she took a job at what was then known as Community Hospital of Ottawa (now St. Elizabeth). She worked on the Medical/Surgical floor for a short time before knowing that she needed the fast-paced environment of the Emergency Department. She worked in the St. Elizabeth ED for over 25 years. She may have cared for you or a member of your family. Faith was the perfect combination for an ED nurse of extremely loving, comforting, and supportive, while also taking no nonsense. The number of lives she cared for, impacted, saved, and worked with during some of the most stressful moments of the patient’s lives can not be counted.

Faith loved Jesus with all her heart. She was an active member of Praise Center Assembly of God church. In her many years at the church, she taught Sunday School classes, worked with the youth group, and participated with the praise and worship team. Faith was often seen in the back of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings with her long-time friend and partner in crime, Sandy, giggling and generally causing a ruckus.

She loved and was loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by her father, LeRoy, and her mother, Arnette. She is survived by her husband Dan, her children, Matthew (Michelle), Jacob (Andrea), and Meghan along with the light of her life, her grandchildren, Matthew, Max, Molly, Nora, Tessa, and Emmett.

And, in a stroke of grace, she went to heaven after having a last meal of Bianchi’s pizza and while her beloved Chicago Cubs were on a hot streak.

All services will be held at Praise Center Assembly of God, 3040 E 18th Rd, Ottawa, IL, 61350. Visitation will be Friday, August 18th from 4-6:30pm. Funeral Service will be at 11am on Saturday, August 19th. A meal will be provided at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a memorial fund that will be given to the St. Elizabeth Medical Center’s Emergency Department-Faith’s home away from home. Donations will be accepted at the services and there is also a GoFundMe set up under Faith’s name.

Faith will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa after a small, family graveside service.

Faith has been laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Robert “Bob” Cupples, 85, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at his home.

Visitation will be on Friday, August 18, from 10:00am until 1:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will be held at 1:00pm at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Bob was born June 4, 1938, in Ottawa, IL, to William and Francis (Conkle) Cupples. He married Joan Strange on April 18, 1959 in Ottawa. She passed away December 19, 2004.

Bob served in the United States Marine Corp from 1956 until 1962. When he returned, he worked for Union Carbide, Hoechst Celanese, and Illinois laundry. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing, landscaping, singing karaoke, and taking trips to Mexico. He was an avid Chicago Bears and White Sox Fan. He could also be found cooking tenderloins at the legion, “the right way” he would say or enjoying the music in the park. He was a lifetime member of the Ottawa River Rescue Squad and the Amvets post 30; he was a member of the American Legion Post 33, the Marine Corps League, as well as the Amvets Color Guard and the Legion Honor Guard.

He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie (Parker) Enlow; his grandchildren, Jaiden Wheeler, Heidi Johnson, Sarah Cupples, Kelli Cupples, Kim Cupples, Emma Enlow and Austin Enlow;his 12 great grandchildren; his 2 great great grandchildren; his daughter in law, Deanna Cupples; his siblings, Beverly Smith and Judy (Bob) Armstrong; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his children, Robert Cupples Jr. and Jacqueline Cupples; and his siblings, Rita Schaibley, William Cupples, and Sherrie McKinley.

Pallbearers will be the members of the Amvets Color Guard.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Jimmie Arthur Watts

( January 09, 1952 – August 12, 2023 )

Warren L. Varland, 85, of Marseilles, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Ottawa with Pastor David E. Daniel, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. A visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa.

Warren was born on August 23, 1937 in Ottawa to Merrille and Cora (Heinly) Varland. He was a farmer for 63 years. Warren married Nancy L. Laugaland on February 15, 1964 at Bethany Lutheran Church Leland. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He was active in 4-H, showing Guernsey Cattle until 1967 and was also a 4-H leader.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Varland, of Marseilles; his two sons, Mark A. (Amanda) Varland, of Marseilles, Kurt E. (Mary) Varland, of Atkinson; six grandchildren, Andrew, Rebekah, Kathryn, Matthew, Rachael, Cora Varland; a brother-in-law, Bill (Chris) Laugaland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrille and Cora.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Laugaland, Bill Swenhaugen, Mike Weiss and Rob Angus.

Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church, Ottawa, OSF St. Elizabeth’s Hospice or to the Grand Ridge Fire Department.

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

Janice Kauzlarich, 92, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, July 24, 2023 at Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 1, from 10:00 until 11:30am at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will be held at 11:30am at the funeral home with Pastor David Ufkes officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Janice was born January 23, 1931, in Sheridan, IL, to George and Mabel (Risk) Williams. She married Earl Kauzlarich on July 30, 1977 in Ottawa. He passed away November 15, 2014.

She worked for several years at CTS and later retired from Snap-On Tools in 1978. She enjoyed sewing and baking in her free time. Family was incredibly important to her. She loved their Norwegian family history and looking at old family photos. She and Earl enjoyed traveling, especially their trips to Florida and Hawaii. She attended Sheridan Methodist Church and Epworth Methodist Church for many years.

She is survived by her two daughters, Judy (John) Franz and Pam Kauzlarich-Bernardini; her grandchildren, Jen (Eric) Stratton, Julie (Frank) Funk, Tom (Katie) Mettile, Carley Bernardini, Joel Bernardini, and Zack Bernardini; as well as several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl and his children, Karen Kauzlarich-Mettile and Ed Kauzlarich; her brother and sister in law, Jerry and Barbara Williams; and her nephew John Williams.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to OSF Hospice or Pleasant View Lutheran Home.

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

Carol Ann (Peddicord) Ruff, 73, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at Woodridge Supportive Living in Geneseo surrounded by her family.

A small graveside service for family and close friends will be held on Friday, July 28 at 9 a.m. at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa, IL, with Rev. Terry Lancaster, officiating and a private dinner to follow. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Carol was born on September 6, 1949 in Ottawa to Clarence and Charlotte (Diest) Peddicord. She worked at the American Legion. She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her two sons, Jason (Edna) Ruff of Mineral, Michael (Shondra) Ruff of Geneseo; two grandchildren, Mikaylee and Kierra; two brothers, Richard (Carol) Peddicord of Marseilles, and John (Susan) Peddicord of Montgomery, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Charlotte; and a sister, Donna Peddicord.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Woodridge Assisted Living in Geneseo.

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

Daniel “Danny” Apperson, 50, of Ottawa, formerly of Las Vegas, NV, went to be with the lord on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

A gathering of friends will be held on Saturday, July 23, at Heritage Christian Center, 900 Hitt St, Ottawa, IL 61350, from 2:00 until 3:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, with Rev. Jon Wenger officiating. A fellowship dinner will follow. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Danny was born April 2, 1972, in Southfield, MI, to Daniel Clyde and Elizabeth “Penny” Mae (Demirjian) Apperson. He married Victoria “Vicki” Aldrich on October 10, 2010 while living in Las Vegas.

Danny worked for many years for Local 465 as a union painter. He also served for many years as the sound engineer for Heritage Christian Center. When he wasn’t working, he and Vicki enjoyed hiking, biking, antiquing, and hunting for Morel Mushrooms. Danny and his brother also loved to target shoot and spend time outdoors. Danny loved these things, but above all, he was dedicated to his faith in Jesus Christ and to his family. Danny had a favorite bible verse that he emulated in his life, Galations 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria “Vicki”; his mother, Elizabeth “Penny” Apperson; his step children, Raven (Mitch) Cox and Joshua Beardsley; his step grandson, Jensen Cox; his brother, Justin (Sonja) Apperson; his nieces, Rhea and Eleanor Apperson; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousin.

Daniel was preceded in death by his father and his grandparents.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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