November 2023

Donna L. (Hill) Fisher, 84, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at her home in Bloomington with her daughters at her side.

Funeral services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Donna was born on February 10, 1939 in Ottawa to Alfred and Evelyn (Armstrong) Hill. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High school, class of 1957. Donna married Richard E. Fisher on May 27, 1960 at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Ottawa. He passed away on February 17, 2014. She loved being a wife, a mother, and spending time with her grandchildren. Donna was a woman of faith and it remained strong until the end. She loved the Lord Jesus, God’s word and singing along with the Gaither Vocal Band which brought her immense peace and joy.

She is survived by two daughters, Cynthia (Phillip) Rodgers and Christine (Mike) Bathe, both of Normal; 3 grandchildren, Samantha and Jacob Rodgers and Courtney Bathe; a great grandson, Jamir; and a brother-in-law, Fred Kummer, Jr. of Ottawa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard, and a sister, Judy Kummer.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

She was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Seasons.

Joetta Roseland of Morris passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Arcadia Care of Morris at the age of 83. She was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky on August 14, 1939, the daughter of the late Joe and Edith Bruce.

Joetta’s life started in Kentucky. She and her family moved to Illinois when she was young, relocating to Ottawa where she attended school. Joetta worked in the factories in the Morris area such as Metro Rubber, Bimet, S and F Appliances and ITW from which she retired. After retirement, Joetta was able to spend her time with her family enjoying the spoils of being a grandma. She loved attending her grandkids sporting events and just being with her family. Being a mom and grandma was her greatest gift and she truly doted on everyone.

Joetta is survived by her loving children Dawn (Bob) Greiff, Dane (Karen) Roseland and Tricia (Dan) Koren; her grandchildren Stephanie (Zac) Wiles, Josh (Audrey) Greiff, Donald Comeau, Chris Comeau, Tony (Kayla) Ely and Tanner (Ally) Ely; great grandchildren Jonah Wiles, Haley Galvan, Dixie Greiff, Brynlee Greiff, Sutton Greiff, Waylon Ely, Weslee Ely, Walker Ely, Claire Ely, Nolen Ely and Reid Ely; her sister-in-law, JoAnn Bruce. She is also survived by her close friend Jennie Chenoweth and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded by her parents, her brother Orville Bruce and her sister Rosalie Maass and brother-in-law, Donald Maass.

A celebration of Joetta’s life will be held at a later date.

An online guestbook has been created for the family, where you may sign the guestbook, share memories and photographs. You may visit our website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com. Arrangements have been entrusted with the U. C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home located at 301 West Washington Street, Morris, Illinois 60450.

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

Norma (Bridwell) Jameson, 96, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday morning, November 12, 2023 at her home, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday November 16, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Philip Potaczek, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Norma was born on September 1, 1927 in Ottawa to Clifton and Dorothy (Foster) Bridwell. She married Howard E. Jameson on January 16, 1949. Norma was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she sang in the church choir. She was also a member of the Lydia Circle, Jr. Matrons, Delta Theta Tau Sorority, and the Ottawa Book Club. She volunteered with the Red Cross where she worked cancer drives, March of Dimes, Easter Seals, and volunteered at the hospital. Norma enjoyed sewing, knitting, reading, singing, and spending time with her family.

The family would like to give a special thanks to OSF Hospice and Norma’s two caregivers, Terri and Alyssa.

She is survived by four children, Mark (Joan) Jameson of Oglesby, Susan Jameson of Ottawa, Jody (Steven) Gray of Ottawa, and Joel (Shelley) Jameson of Blauvelt, NY; four grandchildren Jennifer (Ron) Ward, Rachel Hadley, Alexander Gray, and Andrew Gray; three great grandchildren, Megan (Zack) Miller, Kelsey (Isaac Jewett) Ward, and Macey Hadley; two great-great grandchildren, Reese Ward and Royce Jewett; and her beloved cat Kiki.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Howard, and a sister Nancy Bowen.

Memorial may be directed to the Pet Project or PADS.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Melanie Anne Bryan, 65, of La Salle, passed away peacefully with her sister, Rebecca, by her side on October 29, 2023 at Aperion Care in Spring Valley.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday at Faith Church in Peru with Rev. Steve Adamson officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 4-6:00 PM at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle. Additional visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services.

Melanie was born in Ottawa on September 22, 1958 to Joseph and Juanita (Nale) Bryan. She worked as a housekeeper at Fairmount Hotel in Peru. She also delivered papers to the residents at the La Salle High Rise. Melanie enjoyed crafts and was an avid movies watcher. She loved music. She loved spending time with her family.

Melanie is survived by one sister Rebecca (Richard) Smith of Oglesby, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Joseph Bryan; and sisters Charlene Roberts, Aletha Steinbach, and Mary Mecagni.

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

Zelpha (Scott) Grobe, 95, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Phillip Potaczek, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa and at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Zelpha was born on November 29, 1927 in Peru, to Harry and Edith (Hocking) Dwornik. She was a graduate of L-P High School class of 1945. Zelpha married Richard E. Scott on June 14, 1947 and he passed in September of 1981. She later married William Grobe on December 26, 1987 and he passed away on July 19, 2021. Zelpha had many jobs and had worked at Sears, Spiegel, Handy Foods, and the LaSalle County Farm Bureau. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

She is survived by a daughter, Pamela Wanken of Ottawa; a son Richard (Linda) Scott, Jr., of Ottawa; her step children, Michael (Kelly) Grobe, Jeff (Julie) Grobe, Jennifer (Jeff) Carretto, and Holly Grobe; three grandchildren, Bryan Scott of Baton Rouge, LA, Matthew (Bridget) Wanken of Northfield, MN, and Lindsey (Nick) Spence of Ottawa; seven great grandchildren; and a brother Ralph Dwornik.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Richard, and her second husband, William.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Darlene Kay Burke, age 72, of Marseilles, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023 at her home with her loving family by her side.

Darlene was born July 10, 1951 in Ottawa, Illinois to Delbert and Inez (Hatland) Johnson. She married Lawrence Burke on May 2, 1990 in Ottawa. Surviving are her loving husband, Larry; her son Lee (Bonnie) Clark; a grandson; step-children, Sheila, Angel, Larry, Jr., and Tammy Burke; step-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Rebecca Provencher and Aleasha Miller and brothers, Ronald (Jackie) Johnson and David (Cindy) Johnson. She also leaves a brother-in-law, Tim Burke; a sister-in-law Sylvia Burke and several nieces and nephews. Darlene’s parents preceded in death.

Darlene was a faithful member of the Stavanger Lutheran Church. She was a retired shipping clerk for Illinois Office Supply. Darlene dearly loved her family and will be greatly missed and remembered.

Funeral services will be held Noon Friday, November 10th at Stavanger Lutheran Church, Seneca with Pastor Phil Peterson officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to service time Friday at the church. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Aurelio Peña, 86, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 9, from 11:00am until 1:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Aurelio was born August 7,1937, in Mexico City to Alfonzo and Rufina Peña. He married Rosemary Padilla on April 29, 1962 in Geneva, Illinois. She passed away September 30, 2020.

He worked for many years as a union laborer as a concrete finisher. When he wasn’t working, he loved to spend time with his family. His grandchildren and great grandchildren meant everything to him. He also liked to tend to his garden and work on fixing up his house where he passed on his skills to his sons.

He is survived by two sons, Marco (Jennifer) Peña and Michael (Loreli) Peña; grandchildren, Alexander (Jessica), Andrew (Shelby), and Jonathan (Cordelia) Peña; and his great-grandchildren, Paul, Jude, and Jack.

Aurelio was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary Padilla Peña and his parents.

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

Lawrence Ott, 68, of Cherry, IL, passed away Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

Private burial will take place in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Lawrence was born October 23, 1955, in Utica, IL, to Harold and Carol (Schafer) Ott.

He worked for 43 years as an electrician at US Silica. In his free time, he loved to go mushroom hunting, fishing, and going on walks through Matthiessen State Park and along the I&M Canal. He enjoyed TV Shows from the 50’s including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Have Gun – Will Travel, and Andy Griffith. He also liked any movie that was made before 1960 and music from the 60’s and 70’s. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and a huge St. Louis Cardinals Fan.

He was always wanting to learn new things. He taught himself several languages and skills. He was extremely talented working with his hands and remodeled many parts of his home. He was an excellent griller and enjoyed playing board games. He always loved his weekly lunch with his son, Chris, at Buffalo Wild Wings.

He is survived by his son, Christopher (Jenny) Earhart; his brother, Steven Ott; his sister in law, Christi Ott; his brother in law, Paul Gurnig; his grandsons, RJ Masterson and Matt Kiss; his great grandchildren, Zander and Zayla Kiss; and a loving uncle to, Saralyn Fletcher, Kelly Ott, Christopher Ott, and Carey Ott.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Lanny and Dennis Ott; his sister Dee Gurnig;his wife, Aurelia; and his niece, Courtney Ott.

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

Rosemary Thorson, 60, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Richard Owens Hospice Home, in Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Randy Mortenson, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa and at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.

Rosemary was born on November 23, 1962 in Ottawa to Richard and Thelma (Brue) Thorson. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School class of 1981. She worked in customer service at Farm and Fleet for 30 years. Rosemary was a member of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church and Crossbridge Community Church. She enjoyed crocheting, needle point, traveling, listening to the radio, and spending time with her friends and family.

Rosemary is survived by her son, Jacob of Ottawa; a sister, Martha Jacobs of Seatonville; a brother, Paul (Teresa) Thorson of Sugar Grove; nieces and nephews, Ellen Jacobs of Seatonville, Brittney (Justin) Wegener of Yorkville, and Amanda Pope of Wheaton; three great nieces and one great nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Bruce Thorson, and brother-in-law Joseph Jacobs.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Harper, Chuck Brue, Larry Parisot, Jim Thomas, Bob Cavanaugh, and Ed Brown. Honorary Pallbearers will be Thomas Thorson, Dave Martin, Howard Bolf, Bob Angell, and Milt Edmonds.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.