January 2024

Leslie Roberta Streadwick, 66, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024 at The Pavilion of Ottawa.

Private burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.

Roberta was born March 1, 1957, in Ottawa, IL, to Robert and Martha (Kinkade) Westcott.

Roberta worked at the Comfort Inn and her coworkers became like her second family. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed taking care of her plants and flowers as well as spending as much time as she could with her granddaughter, Zoey. She loved music and had a great singing voice. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting scarves and blankets for her friends and family.

She is survived by her children, Jason Wicks and Jessie Streadwick; her granddaughter, Zoey Streadwick; and her sister, Darla Brady. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Bobby Gail Johnson.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Betty Warren, 84, formerly of Seneca, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at OSF St. Claire Medical Center in Princeton.

Visitation will be on Monday January 8, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 6:00pm with Pastor Kris Zierke officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded.

Betty was born August 25, 1939, in Ottawa, IL, to Herbert and Virginia (Lee) Peek. She married Robert Warren on February 18, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa. He passed away October 28, 2013.

Betty worked for over 20 years as a CNA. In her free time, she enjoyed doing puzzles and word searches. She liked to read the Inquirer and loved collecting bells. At one point she had over 500 of them.

She is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Brian) Hassler; nine grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and her brother, Arnold Peek. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her children, Robert Warren Jr. and Betty Libner; her granddaughter, Jasmine Rose; her eight brothers and two sisters.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Doris Jean (Foster) Carr, 89, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and teacher, passed away at her home on Friday, January 12, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Mueller Funeral Home with Rev. Satya Sudhakar, Pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the funeral home before the service.

Doris was born to Kenneth and Jean (Tucker) Foster on December 8, 1934 in Merrimac, Kentucky. She grew up on a farm in Brookfield twp. She attended Marseilles High School where she was an excellent student and Cheerleader. She then attended Northern Illinois University and obtained a master’s degree in education. She taught in many local communities and even a year in Panama City, Panama. She taught for 36 years. The majority of years were in the Ottawa Elementary School District. She had a heart for children and celebrated their accomplishments with them. She met the love of her life, Raymond Carr, at the Ottawa Roller Rink. They married June 25, 1955 at the Brookfield Township Presbyterian Church. They were faithful by each other’s side for 68 years. They have two daughters, Tammy and Rhonda. Doris was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, National Education Association, LaSalle County Retired Teachers Association, and Illinois Retired Teachers Association. Doris could be found at Pine Hills golfing with her wonderful golfing friends. She golfed up until age 87. She enjoyed golfing in Minnesota where she spent the summer at the cabin, she and Ray built on Baby Lake. You could also find her at the Cocoa Beach Florida Golf Course. She and Ray spent winters in Cocoa Beach for 27 years. She was a talented seamstress and made beautiful clothing for her girls. What she enjoyed the most was spending time with family. She attended sporting events, grandparent days, and dance performances for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You could find her cheering them on. She loved and was loved deeply.

She is survived by her husband, Raymond Carr, daughters Tammy (Dave) Thieme, and Rhonda Carr, grandchildren Joseph (Lauren) Fiesel, Katie Martin, Nick (Stevie) Thieme, Michelle (Erik) Sterner, and Jonathan Thieme. She also has twelve great-grandchildren, her sister Mary Wallens, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Anna Wicks; and a brother, Kenneth I. Foster.

Pallbearers will be Joseph Fiesel, Nick Thieme, David Thieme, Larry Bayer, Erik Sterner, and Max Gourley. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Fiesel and Maverick Fiesel.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

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

Margaret Gaffney, 97, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023 at The Pavilion of Ottawa.

Visitation will be Monday, January 15, 2024 from 10:00am until 12:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at 12:00pm at the funeral home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.

Margaret was born August 6, 1926, in Robinson, IL, to Sanders and Sadie Brashear. She married Robert Gaffney on January 25, 1947 at St. Columba Church in Ottawa. He preceded her in death on January 14, 1999.

She worked at Hornsby’s as a clerk for over 20 years and later retired from Value City. In her free time, she loved to read. She would read a book a week for many years. She loved to travel and took many trips with her husband to Florida and Wisconsin and with her friends. She enjoyed going to the State Parks and admired the beauty of nature. Above all, she loved her family and would spend as much time as she could with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Thomas (Jody) Gaffney of Sheridan; her daughter, Kathryn (Steven) Phelps of Wisconsin; five grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; her daughter in law, Adrien Gaffney; her nieces, Carolyn (Craig) Hendricks and Jan Roberts; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 51 years, Robert; her son, Steve Gaffney; and her sister in Law, Louise Harmon.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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

Lee A. Hougas passed away Thursday, January 11th, 2024 at Ottawa Pavilion Nursing Home. She was 99 years old. Born on January 9, 1925 in Ottawa to Joseph and Josephine (Vittorio) Datti.

She was married to Wallace J. (Bud) Hougas on September 3,1976, who preceded her in death on March 18, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother’s, Wayne A. Datti, Edward J, Datti and Dominic P. Datti, along with a stepson, David Hougas.

She is survived by two stepdaughters, Cheryl (Jim) O’Brien and Cathy Hetelle, along with nephews Eugene W. (Janice) Datti, and Gordon J. (Carol) Datti and a niece Laurie A. Miller.

She worked for over 30 years and retired from Luminous Processes in Ottawa. She loved working around her home and collecting many things. She always was willing to help others who needed it. She will be sadly missed by all.

Ottawa Funeral Home is in charge of private family services.  She will be laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, in the Sanctuary of Memory next to her husband Wallace J. (Bud) Hougas.

Charlene A. Olle, 95, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024 at The Pavilion of Ottawa.

Private services will be held with entombment at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Charlene was born April 7, 1928, in Utica, IL, to William and Jane Fitzgerald. She married Martin Olle on April 24, 1948 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Utica. He passed away May 30, 2006.

Charlene was a stay at home mother until her children grew up and later worked for Snap On Tools. She was an extremely talented singer and sang with The Sweet Adelines for several years. She enjoyed taking care of her flower garden and always had the most beautiful flowers. She was a member of St. Columba Church.

She is survived by her children, Martin Jay (Marge Smith) Olle, Peter (Laura) Olle, and Jule Ann (Dennis) Leamy; her grandchildren, Jay Patrick Olle, Sarah Olle, Lisa (Ryan) Myers, Alexandra (Mark) Berger, and Doug Leamy; as well as her great grandchildren, Kellen and Beckett Myers and Jack and Olivia Berger.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 58 years; a son in infancy, Paul Martin; her two sisters, Margaret Chapman and Mary Patricia McAuliff; and her three brothers, James Fitzgerald, Paul Fitzgerald, and her twin Eugene Fitzgerald.

Memorials may be directed to St. Columba Church.  Ottawa Funeral Home is in charge of funeral services.

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

Edward Joseph Keating passed away at his home in Richmond, Virginia, on June 4, 2023. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Born in Ottawa, Illinois, on December 8, 1948 to James Edward and Mildred Eileen (nee Marten) Keating, Ed was the last of three sons born to his parents. Even after the untimely death of his brother, Patrick Hale Keating, he and his oldest brother, James Franklin Keating thought of themselves and Pat as “The Three Amigos.”

With his gentle, playful spirit and unflagging kindness and generosity, Ed was a hero to his children and a light to everyone whose life he touched.

Ed spent most of his career as a programmer for Dominion Energy. What meant most to him about that work were the friendships he formed, especially with Joyce Parkey and Victoria Alexander, who became his lifelong friends.

Ed had a gift for creating beautiful things and nurturing those lucky enough to be in his life. He was an accomplished trombonist, playing with the award-winning Ottawa Township High School Band under Raymond McKeever and with the marching and concert bands at the University of Illinois. He sang in the choir of St. Giles Presbyterian Church, composed music and wrote plays. His work “Job’s Unbridled Faith,” a cantata of song and narration, was performed by a choir of nearly 50 voices and an 18-piece orchestra in 2013. Ed was always creating for his children, from a paper mache R2-D2 Halloween costume to a backyard jungle gym with zipline. And he spent his last years building with and for his beloved grandson, Luke, even converting his bedroom into a huge model train platform. Playing with Luke was the joy of Ed’s later life.

Family members remembering Ed include his three children, Thomas Edward, Katherine Anne, and Laura Jacqueline; his brother, James Franklin; his nieces, Dawn Marie Hinton and Darcy Hoffman; his stepgrandchildren, Margaret Ocoro, Andrew Vargas, Nicholas Ocoro and Jacob Vargas; and his grandson, Luke Alexander.

Ed’s family will hold a private memorial service.

Ed was laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Faith at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa, IL.

Birdie Caroline (Reynolds) Goodchild, 81, of rural Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 18, 2023 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. David Loveless, Pastor of River of Life Pentecostal Church in Ottawa, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service, on Monday.

Birdie was born on May 10, 1942 in Ottawa to Charles and Edna (Beguin) Reynolds. She married Gerald A. Goodchild on June 16, 1975 in Ottawa. Birdie retired after 25 years as a CNA at Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa. She enjoyed crocheting doilies, watching game shows, reading her bible, and listening to country music. She once was a contestant on the Illinois Instant Riches TV game show that aired on August 20, 1994. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her large family.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald; five children: Joe Husted, Jerry (Bobbie) Husted, Terri Lynn Husted; Kevin (Melanie) Goodchild, and Wayne Goodchild, all of Ottawa; seven grandchildren: Joe (Katie) Husted, Jr., Kristen (Joshua) Jordan, Gary McClain, Danny (Mary) Husted, David (Jessica) Husted, Mindy (Luke) Matson, Duncan (Jacqui) Goodchild, and Kali Goodchild; several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond (Sharon) Reynolds and Vernon (Judy) Reynolds; and a sister, Donna Simmons.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 10 brothers, 3 sisters, and a daughter in infancy.

Pallbearers will be Duncan Goodchild, Joe Husted, Jr., Gary McClain, Shannon Ristau, Tom Contreras, Dan Husted, Luke Matson and David Galvan.

Memorials may be directed to Friendship House.

Birdie was laid to rest in the Garden of The Last Supper at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa, IL

Brent Schueler. 60, of Ottawa, passed away on December 18, 2023 at OSF St Elizabeth.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11a.m. at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor David Ufkes officiating.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park with military rites accorded by the American Legion Post 33 honor guard.  Visitation will be on Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 4-7pm at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Chuck Leason, Dave Achenbach, Jared Achenbach, Donnie Wort, Bob “Ole” Olson, and Kory Schueler.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tom O’Shea and Ron Wilson.

Brent was born on September 15, 1963 in Fairmont, Minnesota, the son of Robert and Pat (Roalson) Schueler  He attended school in Titanka, Iowa up to the 7th grade before moving to Ottawa and graduated high school in 1982.  He proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1983-1986 and attained the rank of Specialist.  He went on to work at Value City, F.E. Wheaton, and was currently employed at Costco Depot as a forklift driver.  Brent married Toni Leason on August 13, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa and together they made a perfect team.  He was an outstanding cook who enjoyed baking and grilling most anything.  He proudly supported his Minnesota Vikings and Twins.  Brent was a proud veteran and was a member of the American Legion Post 33 and the VFW Auxiliary.  Brent will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

Brent is survived by his wife, Toni; mother, Pat Schueler; brothers, Kory (Tess) Schueler and Randy (Kathy) Schueler; father in law, Calvin Leason; brother in law, Chuck (Sue) Leason; sisters in law, Peggy (Dave) Achenbach and Terry (Ron) Wilson; and many nieces, nephews, great niece and great nephew.  He was preceded in death by his dad, Robert Schueler; brother, Eric Schueler; grandparents, John Schueler, Margarie Schwartz, and Harold and Lorraine Roalson; and mother in law, Ruth Ann Leason.

Brent was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa, IL