Merriam E. Swearingen
(January 1, 1936 - July 31, 2012)
KEWANEE - Merriam E. "Memoe" Swearingen, 76, of Kewanee, died at 12:00 AM, Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at the Hillcrest Home in rural Geneseo.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 4 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee.
Rev. Martin Gutzmer will officiate.
Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Friday, August 3 at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Evergreen Memory Gardens.
She was born January 1, 1936 in Kewanee, the daughter of Melvin and Edna (Lewis) Piester.
She married Lonnie Swearingen on June 4, 1955 in Leonore, IL.
He survives, as do three daughters, Rose (Jim) Peed of Kewanee, Robin (Bruce) Allen of Lexington, IN, and Kay (Chuck) Desmond of Plainfield, IL, three brothers, Donnie (Cathy) Piester and Gary (Brenda) Piester, both of Kewanee, and Francis (Debbie) Piester of LaFayette, a sister, Janet Quanstrom of Kewanee, seven grandchildren, Jason (Holly) Peed, Timothy Peed and Eric (Jessica) Peed, all of Kewanee, Shelley Shriey of Manhattan, IL, Elisha (Eric) Foster and Michael Desmond, both of Plainfield, IL, and Elizabeth Allen of Lexington, IN, and thirteen great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, James Piester and Charles Piester in infancy and two sisters, Kay Marie Piester and Ruth Ann Vandemark and a son, Robert Shane Swearingen.
Merriam graduated from Kewanee High School in 1954.
She was a homemaker who took care of everybody.
Her door was always open and many people considered her mom.
She was a die-hard Cubs fan and enjoyed playing bingo.
She especially enjoyed her family.
William C. "Bill" Frisby
(September 8, 1930 - February 17, 2015)
U.S. Veteran
GALVA - William C. “Bill” Frisby, 84, of Galva, died at 12:45 AM, Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 21 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva.
Pastor Don Reul will officiate.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Galva Cemetery.
Military rites will be accorded by the Galva Fusiliers.
Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.
He was born September 8, 1930 in Wyoming, IL, the son of Timothy and Lavina (Belle) Frisby.
He married Wanda Strong on September 8, 1956 in Galva.
She survives, as do two sons, Robert (Laurel) Frisby of Phoenix, AZ, and Jonathon (Carol) Frisby of Fishers, IN, a daughter, Carrie (Lonnie) Howard of Galva, five brothers, two sisters, ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren with two on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, four sisters, a son, William P. “Billy” Frisby and a son in infancy, Leslie D. Frisby.
Bill served his country in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany.
He worked as a grinder for John Deere Plow and Planter in Moline, retiring in 1992.
He also owned and operated B&W; Ceramics in Galva.
He was a member of the Galva American Legion and the First Baptist Church in Galva, where he had been a Trustee.
He also helped with the food pantry.
In his early years, he enjoyed line dancing, bowling, hunting, fishing and following his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting activities.
Ella E. Hoopes
(October 18, 1946 - February 11, 2015)
GENESEO - Ella E. Hoopes, 68, of Geneseo, passed away at 8:02 PM, Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the home of her daughter in Wyoming, IL, surrounded by her family.
She is now at home with her Savior and no longer battling cancer.
Cremation has been accorded and a memorial visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 PM, Saturday, February 21 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
She was born October 18, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of George Sentman.
Surviving are two daughters, Kathy McCollough of Geneseo, and Carla (Joe) Dunbar of Wyoming, and several step-children, that always had a special place in her heart, including, Missy (Ron) Saal of Princeville.
Also surviving are many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the apples of her eye.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Ella had worked as a cook at Mother Hubbard's in Geneseo, until her retirement.
Nancy L. Craig
(August 27, 1945 - February 25, 2015)
GALVA - Nancy L. Craig, 69, of Galva, died at 7:11 AM, Wednesday, February 25, 2015 in the emergency room at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 28 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva.
Pastor Russell Collister will officiate.
Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Friday, February 27 at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Galva Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Maxey Chapel in Dahinda.
She was born August 27, 1945 in Galesburg, the daughter of Earl and Martha (Dunham) Plummer.
She married William Craig on May 15, 1976 in Galva.
He survives, as do a son, Chris (Kelly) Craig of Galva, a daughter, Carrie (Monte) Lowderman of Macomb, IL, a brother, Mac (Annella) Plummer of Galesburg, and foster brother, Randy Edwards of Orem, UT, four sisters, Earleen Farrell, Carabeth Benson, Dorothy (Ray) Pickrel and Susan (Paul) Perschnick, all of Galesburg, three grandchildren, Branden (Chantele) Craig, Ryan Craig and his special friend, Casey Crow and Rhett Lowderman and four great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Victoria, Henry and George.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a nephew and three brothers-in-law.
Nancy was a homemaker and had worked at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.
She was a member of Maxey Chapel.
Kayla Halsall
(September 6, 1991 - August 7, 2012)
Galva - Kayla J. Halsall, 20, of Galva, was pronounced dead at 6:50 AM Tuesday, August 7, 2012 on Hwy 17, 3 miles east of Woodhull, from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle auto accident.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 11 from 3-8 PM at Rux Funeral Home, Galva.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday at 2 PM at the First Baptist Church in Galva.
Pastor Don Reul will officiate.
Burial will be in the Galva Cemetery.
Memorials can be directed to the Kayla Halsall Memorial Fund.
Kayla was born on September 6, 1991 in Kewanee, the daughter of Jay D. And Lisa A. Robinson Halsall.
She is survived by her mother and step-father, Lisa (Wally) Bass of Woodhull, a brother, Dane Halsall of Peoria, IL, her maternal grandmother Carole (Doug) Knighton of Galva, her maternal step-grandmother, Sharon Lappin of Kewanee, her paternal step-grandmother, Linda Halsall of Rock Island, Il, an aunt, Pam (Steve) King and their children, Conner and Olivia and uncles, David (Rose) Robinson and their children, Justin and Ashley, Mike Robinson (and partner, Martin Thompson) and Joe (April) Fjeld and their children, Kyla, Tristen and MaKenna.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jay, maternal grandfather, Bill Lappin and paternal grandparents, Roger Halsall and JoAnn Dierdorff.
She was a 2010 graduate of Galva High School, where she was active\ in softball and basketball.
In her senior year, she was the Homecoming Queen.
As a Junior at Southern Illinois University, she majored in Psychology.
Through that program, she was engaged in doing community work in the Carbondale area.
She had also been working as a hostess at Lone Star Steakhouse.
Kayla was a free spirit and she thoroughly enjoyed life.
She was a pet lover and was truly committed to her family and friends and will be deeply missed by all who were touched by her life.
