December 2023

Donald Van Hoozer Obituary

Jean M. Myer, 86, of Marseilles, passed away on December 10, 2023 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Reverend Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Dan Hall, Reece Storey, Casey Burrows, Trevor Milam, Nelson Seaborn and Luke Underhill.
Jean was born on January 12, 1937, the daughter of Albert and Mildred (Mooney) Budach. She grew up on a farm in rural Marseilles and later graduated from Ottawa Township High School. In her younger years, Jean worked in the office at Libbey-Owens Ford. She married the love of her life, Maynard Myer, in 1958, started a family and dedicated her time to raising her two children, David and Cindy, while working on the family farm. If you stopped out at the farm at noon any day of the week, you would find a full home cooked meal ready to feed a crowd or lunches packed up and ready to be taken out to the field. Jean was always ready to lend a hand wherever she was needed, no matter the task. In her later years, she was also a meter reader for Corn Belt Energy for 15 years. She loved gardening, mowing the grass, and tending to all of her pets. Jean also enjoyed a good crossword puzzle and reading in her down time. Most of all, she loved spending quality time with her family, especially her grandkids and great grandkids.
Jean is survived by her son, David Myer; grandchildren, Samantha (Dan) Hall, Jacqueline Bell, Khari (Reece) Storey, Casey (Brittany) Burrows, Trevor Milam, Kassandra (Nelson) Seaborn, Shea Burrows; great grandchildren, Alyssa & Collin Bell, Jayton & Adelyn Hall, Oakley & Asher Storey, and Jasper & Rowyn Seaborn. She was preceded in death by her husband Maynard; a daughter, Cindy Burrows; and a brother, Donald Budach.
To share a memory please visit www.gladfelter-roetker.com or Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home on Facebook.

Jean was laid to rest in the Oakwood Memorial Park, Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Hope.

We celebrate the life of our dear Dorothy Beverly Marten born March 31, 1927, in Ottawa, Illinois, to Alice (Frost) and William Milligan where she joined her big brother Bill whom she adored. Dorothy met and fell in love with Edward J. Marten in Ottawa for whom she was a continual support after he was conscripted to war. They were married on September 1, 1946, and had four children together.

Dorothy loved her family with all her heart. They were her greatest joy. She was generous and always made sure everyone’s gifts were even. No one was left out. No one was favored. We all knew we were the favorite. Her encouragement, wisdom, and shoulders were freely available to family, friends, and all in need of them. She thought of everyone first, herself last, and gave the best hugs.

She loved to watch all the best television. Dynasty, Love Boat, and I Love Lucy were favorites. When the grandchildren stayed at Gramma’s and Grampa’s, together they got to watch the shows banned by their parents.

Dorothy loved to bake, cook, and eat. And especially loved to eat out at Denny’s. Some of our favorite memories with her are of food. It wasn’t a surprise when she would go into the kitchen and begin baking in the evening. She always had cookies and sweets and loved to share. She loved caramel macchiatos with extra caramel and would nurse that all day long. She contributed to and helped compile the recipe book “The Cherished Recipes of Glendale Heights.”

One of her true passions was shopping. She gifted us with toys, books, and the trendiest clothes. She was always glamorous when the occasion called for it, even if that occasion meant lounging on the couch in pastel pajamas. Her earrings were always on. Her nails were always polished. There was always a hidden tissue tucked in her sleeve.

She had the most beautiful soprano voice and was always singing. As she walked and breathed, she sang. Her fondness was the songs of her childhood including That’s Amore, Eye Winky Brow Brinky, Mares Eat Oats, and Row, Row, Row Your Boat, after which she always said, “Life certainly is but a dream, isn’t it?”

Dorothy worked at Anchor Products for 45 years. She loved to work. She welcomed the challenge of the computer as its implementation rose in prominence over the decades. She also worked at Fannie May Chocolate, and it was always a treat when she brought “work” home to us. In her early years, she was a church secretary at Zion Evangelical Lutheran, Ottawa, Illinois.

Dorothy loved Jesus with her whole heart. She talked to Him about us, and she reminded us regularly that she prayed specifically for us. She showed us how to love each other and taught us to live in peace. She loved because He first loved her. She is in heaven having run her race and is celebrating with her Savior.

Dorothy is survived by her children Carole Sullivan, Mary (George) Toben, and Dorothy Sue (Joe) Stewarts; grandchildren Donna (Corby) Blem, D. Michael Sullivan, Stephanie Sullivan, Christine (David Finkle) Laadimi, George “Teg” (Katie) Toben, John (Deena) Toben, Edward (Veronica) Toben, Paul (Katie) Toben, Sarah (Tony Hernandez) Stewarts, Kelly (Lance) Conway, Tyler Stewarts, Amy Stewarts, Jacob Stewarts, and Maggie Stewarts; Great Grandchildren Andrew (Angel) Messersmith, Benjamin Messersmith, Logan Duclos, Zoe Duclos, Jocelyn Toben, Elaina Toben, Lily Toben, Hannah Toben, Nathan Toben, Elijah Toben, Isabella Toben, Sophia Toben, Lalito Toben, Abby Conway, Joel Conway, Kate Conway, Collin Conway, and Gwen Conway.

Proceeding her in death were her husband Edward J. Marten, son Edward William (Jay) Marten, mother and father Alice Elizabeth and William Randolph Milligan, brother William Milligan, sister-in-law Alvis Marten, niece Gail Milligan, son-in-law Donald Sullivan, and granddaughter Cheryle Messersmith.

And as she often said, now we get to say, “Mom, Gramma, and Nana, we love you more.”

Dorothy’s Memorial Service in celebration of her life will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Highland, Indiana, on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 10:40 a.m.

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

Jenni Lynn (Keith) Harsted, 34, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, December 11, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria after suffering complications from an autoimmune disease and pneumonia.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 14, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A visitation will also be held from 10:00am until the time of service on Friday. A funeral ceremony will be held on Friday, December 15, at 11:00am, with Msgr. Halfacre and Chaplain Dave Van Laar officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Jenni was born October 13, 1989, in Morris, IL, to Virgil and Janet (Spandet) Keith. She married Alex Harsted on August 1, 2020 in Ottawa.

She started working in a daycare with her cousin for many years. She then became a parapro at Lincoln Elementary School, and eventually became an administrative assistant at the LaSalle County Sheriff’s office. She absolutely loved this job and all the people she met there.

Jenni was a fun loving Green Bay Packers fan and loved their yearly trips to the game. She loved the outdoors, and was always running, whether that be on pavement or to the mall. She spent many miles on the road traveling all across the country with her family or taking her kids to games, dance, or school activities. She had a special morning routine taking her niece, Ray, to school everyday and bumping Nicki or Eminem on the way. She was extremely devoted to her children, her nieces, and her nephew. She was inseparable from her twin sister, Lauren, they could be found together morning, noon, or night. She was always at her family’s sporting events, and was often the loudest, and sometimes the most irritating fan in the stands, but everyone knew she loved them. She was the strongest person you could meet, from climbing mountains in Hawaii to lending a helping hand, you knew you could count on her. She had the brightest smile and the most infectious laugh.

She is survived by her parents, Virgil and Dea Keith; her husband, Alex Harsted; her children, Chloe Jo and Maddox Hatala and Charley “Chuck” Harsted; her bonus children, Mason Hatala and Kiersten and Caleb Harsted; her brothers, Scott (Lacey) Monterastelli and Ryan (Alaina Martillaro) Keith; her twin sister, Lauren (David) Grumieaux; her grandmother, Jerri Lynn Spandet; her nieces and nephew, Raygan, Lillee, Reese, and Luca; her Aunt Shari and Uncle Darryll; her special cousin Sasha; as well as other aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.

Jenni was preceded in death by her mother, Janet Spandet; Maternal grandfather, Ron Spandet; her paternal grandparents, Virgil and Rosemary Keith; her maternal grandparents, Don and Donna Tedford; her uncles John, Bob, and Chris Keith; and a very special aunt, Bonnie.

Pallbearers will be her brothers, Scott Monterastelli and Ryan Keith; her brother in law, David Grumieaux; her uncle, Darryll Tedford; her cousins Bo and Lee Mays and Matt Lucas; as well as her dear friend, Brandon Wade.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be used for her children.

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

Reverend Eugene E. Owsley, 94, of Ottawa passed away on December 10, 2023, at the LaSalle County Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday December 15th at noon with Pastor Alex Cross officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon on Friday at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park with military honors presented by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard.

Eugene was born on October 15, 1929, the son of Roy and Nellie (Coleman) Owsley, in Chicago. He married Patricia Ann Fox on September 27, 1949, in Franklin Park, Illinois. Eugene proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy before being called to a life of ministry. He graduated from the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and was the pastor of Mannheim Baptist church in Melrose Park before retiring after 26 years. He was a member of the American Baptist Convention USA. Eugene had several hobbies of interest which included woodworking, coin collecting, ink drawing, model trains, and slot cars. He enjoyed being outside and going camping and fishing. More than anything, Eugene loved his family and cherished his time spent with them.

Eugene is survived by his children, Pam (Ralph) Malec, Kathy Lattimore, Ruth Anne Lloyd and Cyndi Poitra; grandchildren, Bob and Staci Woodrum, Sasa Musikiwamba, Dan Lloyd, Aire and Dakota Poitra; great grandchildren, Henry and Audrey Woodrum, Drew Stephens, and Idris Musikiwamba. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Owsley, four siblings, and a son in law, Cletis Poitra.

Rev. Eugene was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Garden of Inspiration.

Suzanne L. (Meiners) Sorenson, 65 of Streator passed away Tuesday afternoon (December 12, 2023) at her home.

Following cremation, a visitation will be held Monday from 10am until 12noon at the Winterrowd Funeral Home, Streator IL, with services following at noon and entombment in Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Ottawa, IL.

Suzanne was born on April 13, 1958, in Ottawa to Robert and Mary (Losey) Meiners.

Surviving are daughters, Jennifer (Glen) Barry of Streator, Lisa (Matt) Braner of Jacksonville and Amy (Adam) Cave of Grand Ridge, son Robert (Kimberly) Blue of Spring, TX, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, brothers, Owen (Tammy) Meiners of Ransom and Bill (Kristine) Meiners of Green, OH and sister Debbie (Bob) Pommerening of Minnesota and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother James P. Meiners.

Suzanne graduated from Streator High School in 1976 and attended IVCC receiving her certificates in the Certified Nurses Aide and Food Service programs.  She retired from Parker Nursing Home as a CNA.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation or the Susan G. Komen Breast Foundation.

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

Dale H. Hampson, age 88, of Grand Ridge, Illinois passed away Thursday, December 14, 2023 at his home.

Dale was born February 25, 1935, to Guy and Clara(Anderson)Hampson. He married Judith Pierce on June 16, 1957 in Plano, Illinois. They were married almost fifty years, when Judy passed away May 7, 2007.

Dale grew up on a farm west of Grand Ridge, Illinois. His parents had farmland, horses, milk cows, beef cows, sheep and pigs! Dale’s Dad used draft horses to farm the land. All the farmers did at that time. Dale went to a country school west of Grand Ridge. In grades 7th and 8th, he then went to Grand Ridge Grade School. He graduated from Ottawa High School. After graduation, he immediately got a job at Libbey-Owen Ford in Ottawa Illinois. He drove a semi- truck and farmed with his Dad! Dale met Judy at the Midget races in Joliet, Illinois. His life was never the same, they married and had 5 kids. Dale and Judy started their own trucking business. Dale hauled bottles from Thatcher Glass Co. to Chicago. At one time Dale had 5 semi-trucks and 22 trailers. Dale also hauled cattle in his livestock trailer. When the glass industry slowed down, Dale did road construction, hauled gravel and blacktop. Dale raced Midget racecars. They had race cars and horses for many years! At age 55, Dale had a career change. He gained employment with the Illinois Department of Transportation. After 20 years of being Lead Foreman, he retired at the age of 75. He then farmed with his very good friend Bill Boyd, till age 85.

Dale never stopped being on the go! He traveled, had been to every state! Even Hawaii, he took Judy there on their 4Oth wedding anniversary! He would follow the Midget, Sprint Car, Stock car, Indy 500 and Nascar races! He was good friends with A.J Foyt, and Al Unser. He met Sonny Bono, from Sonny and Cher!! Dale was a natural born leader, when he spoke, people listened!

He is survived by his son, Kenneth(Janet) Hampson of Tiskilwa, Illinois; two daughters, Deborah(Tom)Noon of Lee Center, Illinois; Julie Hampson of Waukegan, Illinois; His eleven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. His brother-in-law, John Pierce of Sandwich, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Clara, his wife Judy, daughters Catherine Leach and Linda Huss, brother Harlan(Jeanne Hodgin)Hampson, sister Dorothy(John)Labagh, grandson Casey and great- grandson Kayden.

Visitation will be at the Ottawa Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 from 10:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m.

Pallbearers are family members.

“We are you. You are us Dad!” You spent your whole life working and taking care of your family!! You protected your family with every being in your body! Thank you for being our Dad!! We are so proud that Dale Hampson is our father!! We couldn’t be more proud! We love you Dad!!

Dale was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park, Garden of the Last Supper.

James Dale Blanton, 48, of Rochelle, went to be with Jesus Christ on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at the Generation At Neighbors Home in Byron, after battling chronic renal disease for 20 years. He was born in Ottawa, the son of Willian Monroe Blanton and brother to Cathy Blanton-Belmonte and William Noah Blanton.

James’ laugh and smile were pleasant to witness. Everyone within the family had a good time when they seen him cheerful. The strength James had was powerful and it was seen during his final days with his battle. James now reunites with his father and grandparents in Heaven, The family he leaves behind will forever look to the sky in remembrance of him until they are with him again.

James is survived by his sister, Cathy Blanton-Belmonte; brother-in-law Neftali Belmonte Sr., niece, Kelly Ann Belmonte, great nephew Noah Bryan Osborne, nephew Neftali Belmonte Jr., great niece Milla Ruth Belmonte, brother William Noah Blanton, sister-in-law Marge Smith Blanton, nephew Zachary Russell Smith, niece Anna Marie Blanton, niece Shyanne Autumn Blanton and many others.

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

Joanne “Jo” Olson, 91, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at OSF St. Anthony in Rockford.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, IL with Rev. Seamus Enright, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.

Jo was born on September 12, 1932 in Ottawa to Oney and Irene (Wilkinson) Gorbett. She married Stan Olson on June 12, 1953 at the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa. She worked part time at US Title in Ottawa for several years. When her husband got sick, she devoted her time to be at Pleasant View to help care for him. Jo and Stan were avid bowlers and were in a league for several years. She also volunteered at OSF Hospital in Ottawa in the gift shop, where she loved making up packages, sometimes too pretty to open. Jo and Stan were big basketball fans as well and had season tickets to OTHS Basketball and even followed them to State. Those were the “Fun Times” for her. When warmer weather came, she always loved planting flowers in her yard and around the house. Her daughter told her that she missed her calling, and she should have worked at a flower shop. She always made such pretty arrangements. Jo will be deeply missed by her daughter and her three furry friends, cats; Mags, Marcus, and Max.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy, sister-in-law, Mary Ann Olson, broth-in-law, Glenn Bornemann, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Stan; sister Gloria Duchala; nephews, John, Michael, Stephen, and Pat Duchala; sisters-in-law, Beryl Bornemann, Mildred Tripp Follmer, and Sara Olson; and brothers-in-law Herb Tripp, Jim Follmer, Don Olson, and Howard Olson.

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

Marjorie (Marge) Gross, 65 of Oswego died Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Accent Care Hospice Center in Naperville, after a long battle with Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS).
Marge was born January 20, 1958 in Ottawa, Illinois to Joseph A. and Roberta M. (Kilgore) Halm. She married John Gross on October 20 1989.

She was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Marge loved art and was very creative. She was very active in the Girl Scouts, worked in the Activities department and was a care giver at local nursing homes, subsequently as assistant to the school nurse at Smith Elementary. She spent much time making quilts, wall hangings, center pieces, adorning items for celebration, making memories for many in her life. Her loving devotion for all pets especially her many dogs and cats. Many thanks to Sue Chollet, Sue Riebe, and Gwen Alexander for being there during her battle.

Special thanks to Oswego Fire Department 1, 2, and 3 Ridge Ambulance Service for everything you have done for her.

She is survived by her husband, John; her daughter, Jacqueline (Josh) Senft; her grandson, Theodore E. Senft of Cedar Rapids, IA; two sisters, Christine Abu-Sara of Valparaiso, IN., Mary Jo (David) Fisher of Manistique, MI.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Steven J Halm; and infant daughter, Kaylee Michele Gross.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 11:00 AM at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa, IL.

Arrangements are entrusted to THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 North Lake Street, Aurora, Illinois 60506. 630 631-5500.

She was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park, Garden of the Last Supper.