Obituaries

Raymond Edward Bailey passed away peacefully surrounded by family at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center on Monday, October 23, 2023.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. Sherry Stevenson, of Crossbridge Community Church officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, in Ottawa, IL. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, at the funeral home.

Ray was born on August 15, 1944, in Ottawa, to Raymond L. and Rose (Dubach) Bailey. Raymond grew up in Naplate and graduated from Marquette High School. He was a Glassworker at LOF/Pilkington in Naplate for 38 years. Raymond was married to the love of his life, Paula Rockey for 54 years. They were married at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate on February 1, 1969. They were blessed with his pride and joy, a son, Raymond (Niki) Bailey.

Raymond was survived by his wife, Paula; son Raymond (Niki) Bailey; brothers John (Sue) Bailey and Albert Bailey both of Ottawa, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond L. and Rose, and brothers Eddie and Danny.

Ray was an avid sports fan and loved cheering on his beloved Kanas Jayhawks, Atlanta Braves, and Buffalo Bills. He also enjoyed riding his John Deere tractor, but loved his Corvettes. He was blessed along his journey with support and love from family, friends and the OSF St. Elizabeth staff.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.

Ellen Louise (Peterson) Myre, 77, passed away in Ottawa, IL on September 9, 2023. She was born January 4, 1946 in Morris, IL to Robert and Lovina (Sutton) Peterson.

Ellen married her Seneca High School sweetheart, Art Myre, Jr., on August 23, 1963.  The couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Ellen graduated in 1987 from Saint Joseph College of Nursing, Joliet, IL.  She worked 24 years as an RN at Morris Hospital.

Ellen is survived by her husband; children, Greg (Heather) Myre of Janesville, WI & Laura “Lauri” Myre of Ottawa, IL; her beloved grandchildren, Dane (Crystal) Myre of Kewanee, IL; Alexa Myre (Bryan Quinn) of St. Paul, MN; Morgan L. Myre of Denver, CO; Jack Myre of Janesville, WI; cherished great-grandchildren, Liam & Storm Myre; sisters Priscilla “Cib” Johnson of Ottawa, IL & Eileen Blackwell of Hendersonville, NC; and brother Roger Peterson of Albemarle, NC.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Deborah Sutton & Merilee Diller.

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

Michael R. Whitney, Sr., 69, of Ottawa, died on Sunday evening, May 15, 2016 at Heritage Health in Peru.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2016 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Duane Kaufman, officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm. on Friday at the funeral home.

Michael was born on July 9, 1946, in Ottawa, to Vernon and Bertha (Bagley) Whitney. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1964. He married Linda Richardson on January 9, 1965, in Ottawa. Michael was an Ottawa Firefighter – EMT and later worked at The Times in Ottawa, until his retirement. He enjoyed woodcarving and painting and was a member of the Valley Carvers Club, the Red Cross, and he owned and operated Whitney Signs for over 50 years.

Michael is survived by 2 sons Michael R. (Leann) Whitney, Jr., of Ottawa and William E. Whitney, of Sarasota, FL, 2 grandsons, Matthew and Drew Whitney, and step granddaughter, Katelyn Hays.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Linda, and a brother, Ed Whitney.

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

Lois J. (Breyer) Rowe, 94, of Ottawa, passed away on October 6, 2023 at her home.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on October 14, 2023 at Grace Baptist Church in Ottawa. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Lois was born on March 25, 1929 in Ottawa to John and Lucille (Duffield) Breyer. She married John R. Rowe on November 5, 1961 in Ottawa. Lois was a member at Grace Baptist Church. She was active serving with Christian Women’s Club and Stonecroft Ministries.

She is survived by her two children, James (Tamara) Rowe, Jerri (Steve) Churchill, both of Ottawa; two step-children, Debra (Rick) Monske, of Ottawa, Curtis Rowe, of Sun City, AZ; ten grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lucille; and her husband, John.

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

Marcella Weygand, 88, of Naplate, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at La Salle County Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 6, from 10:00am until 12:00noon at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at 12noon, at the funeral home. She will be entombed in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Marcella was born December 18, 1934, in Streator, IL, to Raymond and Florence Fick.

She worked for many years at Libby Owens Ford. She enjoyed playing bingo, reading, doing puzzles with her daughter in law, and playing Sudoku. She liked to travel, especially her trips to Bull Head City, AZ. She was very active and enjoyed being outdoors and going to her grandchildren’s archery shoots, and participating in them in her younger years. Family was extremely important to her. She always babysat the grandchildren and great grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to be with them. She loved when they would get together for their family picnics. She was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Ottawa.

She is survived by her children, Debbie (George) De La Garza, Bill (Chris) Weygand, Bob (Theresa) Weygand, and Danna (Tom) Stillwell; her 11 grandchildren; her 21 great grandchildren; her siblings Luella Onofrey and Butch Herzog; and her dog, Charcoal.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving companion, John Collins; her son, Tommy Weygand Jr.; her great grandsons, Logan and Cole Weygand; and her siblings, Jim and Ralph Fick and Dianne Wilkins.

She was laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Life.

John “Mogs” Carroll, 71, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, November 7, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Funeral services will be at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home on Saturday, November 13th, at 7 p.m. with Reverend John Nordstrom Sr. officiating.  Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until the time of service. Cremation rites will be accorded following services.

John was born December 12, 1949, the son of Warren and Bertha (Brown) Carroll, in Ottawa. He married Joan (Arwood) Carroll on April 7, 2004, in Las Vegas.  He is survived by his wife, Joan Carroll; daughters, Michelle (R.J.) Temp, Kandi (Dan) Scifers, and Nikki (Dann) Okel; a brother, Arnie Carroll; sisters, Dorothy Carroll and Pam (Matt) Mettille; grandchildren, Lindsay (Austin) Tuftie, Justin Scifers, James South, Leah Scifers and Jesimae Okel; and five great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Warren Carroll.

John, better known as Mogs, was retired from Local 393.  He was an avid softball player until 2009.  He enjoyed many trips to Vegas along with countless trips to Minnesota and Wisconsin to go fishing.  He liked watching sports, especially the Atlanta Braves and was an exceptional unofficial sports commentator, whether it was at home or his second home the Bears Den where he also enjoyed pinball.  John loved his family and will be dearly missed.

He was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Garden of Devotion.

Ronald Slafer, 79, passed away on September 26, 2023 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center with his family and friends at his side.

Visitation will be Monday, October 2 from 10:00am until 1:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at 1:00pm, at Ottawa Funeral Home, with Rev. David Daniel officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Ron was born September 2, 1944 in Ottawa, IL to Burton and Evelyn (Heminover) Slafer. He was married to Margaret Jarigese Godínez for 51 years.

Ron worked for Borg Warner/GE Plastics for 35 years.

Ron was a proud US Navy veteran serving from 65-68. He was dedicated to the American Legion Post 33 where he served as Finance Officer for 15 years. He loved his gambling especially playing blackjack in Vegas. Ron was gentle, funny and kind, and always had his beloved cats by his side. He loved watching the Chicago Bears, playing dominoes with his kids, and giving pats to his cat Samson.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; a daughter, Rhonda (Tim) Moncrieff of Australia; a son, Jason Slafer of Springfield, IL; and one sister, Rozella Slafer of Bentonville, AR.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his cats, Sly and Brutus.

Pallbearers will be Dave Bogren, Raymond Heminover, Joe Hert, Jim Jarigese, Brian Merkle, Pete Merkle, Tim Moncrieff and Jim Nanouski.

Memorials may be directed to the American Legion Honor Guard.

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

Frances Susan Bowen Johnson, 78, of Sheridan, IL, died Monday, September 18, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

She was born February 19, 1945 in Ottawa, IL, the daughter of Wallace Francis and Pearl Helene Bowen.

A graduate of Serena High School, Susan received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Illinois Chicago and proudly served her country in the U.S. Army as a nurse during the Vietnam War. After her honorable discharge from the military as a captain, Susan continued her career at Copley Memorial Hospital in Aurora, IL, where she worked as an ICU nurse for more than 30 years.

Susan was an active member of the Sheridan United Methodist Church, volunteering in several church leadership roles. She was instrumental in establishing Jennings-Lyon Day Home in Sheridan. Susan loved the outdoors, from the Boundary Waters of Canada and the mountains of the American West to the bubbling creek and the rolling fields of her family farm.

She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years Donald “Don” Johnson, son Shawn (Katie) Johnson, and granddaughters Everly and Meredith Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Nancy Ann and Marilee Elizabeth.

A visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 25 from 9:00 a.m. until a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Gabel-Dunn Funeral Home, 333 W. Church Street, Sheridan, IL 60551.

An additional ceremony with military honors will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Ottawa, IL following the funeral.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at Sheridan United Methodist Church immediately afterward.

Memorials may be made to the Sheridan United Methodist Church.

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

Philip Lloyd “Phil” Carr, 90, of Ottawa, passed away September 5th, 2023 at the Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Duane Kaufman, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, at the funeral home.

Born and raised on a farm in Brookfield Township, Phil attended Marseilles High School, then was later drafted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany from 1954-1956. After serving in the military, he worked at Libby-Owns Ford for 30 years and retired in 1996. He was a member of the Glass Workers Local 19 and the Two River Riders Motorcycle Club. Phil married Judy Gamons, of Ottawa, on November 29th, 1959.

Every morning, Phil would ride his motorcycle to meet friends for coffee. He enjoyed spending time with family, doing word searches, and even insisted on mowing the grass up until he passed. He was a dedicated Chicago sports fan, avid photographer, and long-time pilot. Phil was a man of few words and never had a negative thing to say about anyone. A kind soul with a young spirit that will truly be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Judith; two children, Phil (Nancy) Carr and Curt (Hixie) Carr, grandchildren; Dr. Colby (Kensie) Carr, Matthew (Katie) Carr, Jordan Carr, Alexis Carr, Yameira Church, Zaire Church, and Jibril Church, great-grandchildren; Leo Carr, Remy Carr, and Stella Church and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Mariam (Fleming) Carr and his sisters Bernice (Dubach) Carr and Gladys (Chrest) Carr.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Sean Mettille, 42, of Marseilles, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Aperion Care in Marseilles.

Private burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.