Obituaries

Robert F. Marten, 81 of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 4th at Brio of Johnston Senior Living Community in Johnston, IA.

Visitation will be held from 4pm to 6pm on Sunday, September 10th at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 9am on Monday, September 11th at Mueller Funeral Home concluding at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Robert was born in Ottawa on Friday, July 17th 1942 to Robert N. Marten and Elizabeth Marten. He is proceeded in death by his parents, wife Dianne and sisters, Sally Schmitz and Joan Aicher.

On Friday, August 24, 1963 he married Dianne Bosbon at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Edgerton, WI. They were together for 45 years until Dianne’s passing in 2008. They have two sons, Robert O. (wife Kendall) of East Petersburg, PA and Steven Marten (wife Kelly) of Ankeny, IA.

He has five grandchildren: Robert H., Sawyer and Parker Marten of East Petersburg, PA, Taylor Marten (wife Megan) of Ankeny, IA and Allie Marten of Nashville, TN. He has two great grandchildren, John William and Grace Marie Marten of Ankeny, IA.

For the last three years Bob lived at Edencrest Senior Living in Ankeny, IA. During this time Steve and Bob were able to play endless games of cribbage and enjoy watching sports together. Bob was still a sharp cribbage player and enjoyed this very much.

As a lifelong Ottawa resident, Bob was very involved with the community and his family. He coached Ottawa Youth Football, YMCA basketball and Little League. Bob took great pride in his membership with the Ottawa Lions Club. He was a board member of the Ottawa School Board and South Ottawa Township as well. Bob and Dianne enjoyed many years together in the Ottawa community making countless memories with family and many friends that they adored.

Memorials may be directed to the Dementia Society of America.

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

Sharon Leone Morgan Stuepfert, age 77, of Buchler Road, died at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital on August 12, 2023. She has resided in Vermont since 2015.

Sharon was born in Ottawa, IL, on January 15, 1946, daughter to the late David John and Mildred (Wilkenson) Morgan.  She grew up in Ottawa and graduated from Ottawa Township High School in the Class of 1964. She owned and ran Morgan’s Jewelry there in Ottawa, IL.   She liked Tootsie Rolls, coffee and watching the news and loved playing pinball at Indiana Beach while on vacation. She used her talents as a pianist to worship her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her son, Eric Stuepfert and his wife, Tessie, and their children: Abraham, John, Zoe and Owen, all of Wheelock, her 2 sisters: Joan Blythe (Jack) of Ottawa, IL, Sandra McIntosh of Bourbonnais, IL and many cherished nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 16  years, David G. Stuepfert in 2002, her brother: David “Buddy” Morgan in 2013 and her brother-in-law: Jerry McIntosh in 2016.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, with an hour of Visitation at 9AM followed by a Memorial Service at 10AM at the Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa, IL.  Burial of the urn will immediately follow the services.

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

Margaret Hess, 93, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday night, August 24, 2023 at The Pavilion of Ottawa.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at St. Patrick Church in Ottawa. Visitation will be at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Burial will take place at Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Marge was born on October 3, 1929 in Ottawa to Frank and Marian (Smith) Biecker. She was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1947. Marge married Donald Hess on March 10 1951 in Ottawa. She worked as a dental assistant in Ottawa for several years, at Pleasant View for four years, and as a secretary for various banks for over 30 years. Marge was a member of St. Patrick Church.

She is survived by her husband, Don; three children, Donna (Darrell) Thompson of Sheridan, Nancy Hess of Ottawa, and Brian (Patty) Hess of Ottawa; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a sister Mary Bradish of Peru.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother George Biecker, and a sister, Frances Jobst

Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick Church.

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

David Lee Meling, 75, of Ottawa, passed away on Tuesday evening, June 13, 2023 at Pleasant View.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Harold Flach, of Crossbridge Community Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

David was born on August 18, 1947 in Ottawa to Truman and Betty (Breitenkamp) Meling. He was a graduate from Ottawa Township High School and University of Illinois Dental College. Dave married Judith Iverson on September 7, 1968 in Ottawa. Dave loved being a dentist and helping anyone in any way he could. He received a Fellowship to the Academy of General Dentistry. He was past President of the Illinois Valley Dental Society. Dave was also active in the Boy Scouts with his son Eric. He was a soft-spoken introvert and a gentle soul with an iron will. Dave loved hiking and wore a path between the timber near his home to the Illinois Canyon. He enjoyed reading, feeding the birds, hunting, gardening, nature, archery, woodworking, refinishing old furniture, and most recently, making monkeys out of peach pits with his dental engine.

He is survived by his wife, Judith; three children, Anne Marie (Donald) Meling Wick, Kristen Lee Meling, and Eric David (Katie Adelsberger) Meling; three granddaughters, Torino Olivia Wick, Josephine Eleanor Wick, and Linnea Adelsberger Meling; two brothers, Gary (Joyce) Meling and Robert (Ann) Meling; and a brother-in-law Gerald Lubshina.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Gloria Meling Mason and Merrilee Meling Lubshina; and a brother-in-law Arthur Mason.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.

Alta Ringer, 76, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, June 9, 2023 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 14, from 9:00 until 11:00am at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 11:00am with Dion Ringer officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Alta was born January 3, 1947, in Ottawa, IL, to Charles and Laura (Kruft) Conner. She married Paul Ringer Sr. on January 6, 1966 in Ottawa.

Alta worked many years for One Hour Martinizing and then Blackley Cleaners. Most recently, she worked for the Ottawa Dental Lab. When she wasn’t working, she loved to read a good book, do a jigsaw puzzle, and spend time with her grandchildren. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Ringer Sr.; her two kids, Dion (Audrey) Ringer and Paul (Cheryl) Ringer; her grandchildren, Tyler, Cameron, Jobe, and Lindsey Chavez; her great grandchildren, Miley, Stryder, Willow, Ezra, and one on the way, Amos; and her siblings, Fredrick Conner, Bruce (MaryJo) Conner, Barbara (Bruce) Ramsey, and DeAnn “Tiny” Thomas.

Alta was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, Cody, and her siblings, Coleen (Doug) Perkins, Claire (Richard) Morris, and Loren “Butch” (Theresa) Conner.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Rose M. Smith, 81, of Ottawa passed away peacefully with her sons at her side on September 7, 2022.  A graveside service will be September 17 at 12:30, at Oakwood Memorial Park Shrine of Rest Mausoleum.

Rose has been laid to rest in the Sanctuary of Seasons.

Keith D. Lowe, 70, of Streator passed away Sunday, August 21, 2022 at O.S.F. St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 P.M. Monday, August 29, 2022 at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. Rev. Rodney Kreier will officiate.

Visitation will be from 10:30 A.M. until the time of services at the funeral home.

Private family Entombment will be at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Born September 4, 1951 in Ottawa he was the son of Clarence and Blanche (Vezain) Lowe.

He married Ruby “Missy” Fleming on November 28, 1970 at Grace United Methodist Church in Streator.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby “Missy” Lowe of Streator; a son, Craig (Kammy) Lowe of Streator; daughters, Michelle Lowe of Streator and Marcy Lowe-Essman (Brad Austin) of Streator; grandchildren, Kalynn (Cristian) Martinez of Washington, Iowa, Aaron Pletsch of Streator, Dylan Lowe of Urbana, Abby Essman of Long Point, Melissa Pletsch of Streator, Delana Essman of Long Point, Lacee Essman of Streator and Theron Essman of Long Point; great grandchildren, Tristen Martinez, Lyoto Martinez and Theodore Martinez all of Washington, Iowa; one great grandchild on the way; step grandchildren, Cale Adams, Jacob Adams, Nicholas Adams and Abbey Adams all of Streator; a sister, Cynthia Durando of Pekin; brothers, Darryl Lowe of Dayton and Jon (Nancy) Lowe of Ottawa; a ½ sister, Marcella (Wally) Rooney of Corry, Pennsylvania; many nieces and nephews are also surviving.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Cheryl Sherwood.

Born and raised in Ottawa he attended Ottawa Grade Schools and Ottawa High School.

He worked for Vactor Manufacturing for 40 years in the Clean and Paint Department retiring in 2013.

Keith and his family enjoyed many vacations at the Lake of Ozarks. He loved boating and fishing. He liked buying new cars and very rarely would keep one for over 2 years. He was a Corvette enthusiast and loved muscle cars and motorcycles. Family was the most important to him and treasured the time spent with his family and grandchildren who affectionately referred to him as Papa. He will be dearly missed by his loving family.

He was laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, in the Sanctuary of Peace.

Judith R. Brown, 73, of Marseilles, passed away on August 10, 2022 at her home.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday August 24 at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. A celebration of Judy’s life will follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa at a later date.

She was born on March 18, 1949, in Ottawa, to Carl and Jane (Applebee) Wise. On March 18, 2016 she married Ernest Brown of Marseilles who preceded her in death in 2017.

Judy worked as a waitress and enjoyed serving her customers. She loved her animals and cooking for people.

She is survived by her sister, Jeanne (Ron) Chismarick of Ottawa; a stepdaughter, Vicki Hurley of TX; two grandsons, Charlie and Eddie Whitney; and her uncle, Nate Applebee.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest and her sister, Janet Steele.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Valerie Anne (Dwire) Rice, age 53, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2022.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 20th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Karen Boglioli, Valerie’s sister, officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Pallbearers will be Naylor Rice, Tony Bentley, James Anderson, Mathew Capsel, Steven Weidel and Paul Callahan.

Valerie was born October 16, 1968 in Ottawa, a daughter of Samuel D. and Judith (Bellante) Dwire. Surviving are her mother, Judith (Paul) Callahan of Denver, CO; children, Casandra Dwire and Naylor Rice of Ottawa; grandchildren, Christian Rice and Carter Dwire; and a sister, Karen (Bernard) Boglioli of Denver, CO. She was preceded in death by her father and a brother, Ricky Nolan.

Valerie enjoyed gardening and travel. She was an avid fan of LasVegas! Valerie’s most treasured time was that spent with her family, particularly her children and grandchildren.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.

Forrest “Moose” Dale West, Jr., 65, of Cherokee Village, Arkansas passed away Saturday, August 13, 2022, in Gamaliel, Arkansas.

A visitation will also be held at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, Illinois on Friday, August 19, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 20, 2022, at the Mueller Funeral Home, with Rev. Duane Kaufman officiating. Burial to follow at the Oakwood Memorial Park.

He was born April 12, 1957, in Ottawa, Illinois to Forrest, Sr and Janice (Bayer) West. Moose had many friends that he helped and loved. He taught his sons the love of fishing and hunting. Moose also coached their T-ball, little league, and youth football teams. Moose worked for 34 years for the city of Ottawa Street Department, had a guide service on the Illinois River, member of the Bootkickers Line Dancing Club, Stripers Club of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Meals On Wheels in Cherokee Village. He is also a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church and the River Rescue Squad in Ottawa, Illinois.

Moose is survived by his wife, Beatrice “Penny” West of Cherokee Village; two sons, Timothy (Charlotte) West of Salesville, Arkansas and Corey Joe (Jasimine) West of Flippin, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, Dylan Joseph West, Ethan Thomas West, Madelyn Sue West, Kayden Elizabeth Marie West, Alexander Cole McDaniel, Adelynn Nicole Cartwright, Shaun Austin McDaniel and Paisley Josephine West; two sisters, Connie (Butch) Campbell of North Carolina and Carol (Jerry) Aker of Virginia; five sisters-in-law, Sandra (Dave) Crosiar of Arkansas, Rose Barth of Tennessee, Kathy (Ray) Sibert of Florida, Alice (Marlin) Green of Illinois and Becky Farrell of Florida; many nieces, nephews, family and friends that he loved very much.

Moose is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Todd Martin West; three sisters -in-law and brothers-in-law, Connie (Benny) Armstrong, Anita (Roy) Mason and Ruth (Fred) Schierholz.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.