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Suzanne (Althoff) Collins
Suzanne (Althoff) Collins, 66, of Elgin, passed away October 6, 2003 at Provena St. Joseph Hospital. She was born March 27, 1937 in Kankakee, IL, the daughter of Carl and Nell Althoff. Suzanne graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in education and went on to teach second grade fro several years.
Suzanne was an active community volunteer. She was a former member and past president of Elgin Junior Service Board, a long time member of Elgin Garden Club, Chapter DY of P.E.O., Current History Forum and Sherman Hospital Auxiliary.
Surviving are her three children, Wendy (Richard) Smith of Lilburn, GA, Christopher (Gretchen) Collins of Elgin, IL, and Jennifer (Stephen) Frantz of Powell, OH. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Colin and Carl Smith, Justin and Colby Collins, and Samantha Frantz, and a sister, Diane Love of Naples, FL.
Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 43 years, Richard Collins.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Elgin. The family will be receiving friends at the church at a reception immediately following the service. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greater Chicago Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation in memory of Suzanne Collins.
Shirl Firehammer
Shirl Firehammer, 75, of the Gilberts and Dundee area, passed away October 3, 2003 in the Asta Care Center, Elgin. He was born April 16, 1928.
Shirl had worked as a Truck Driver for Meyer Material many years prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Local Tempsters Union.
Shirl enjoyed putting up tents for his tent service and going deer hunting with his three buddies, Hoyt "Rabbit" Morrison, Henry "Lucky" Loftus and Chris "Jako" Morrison. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, October 10, 2003 in the Laird Funeral Home, 120 S. Third St., (corner of Third and Oregon), West Dundee, IL. 60118 from 4:00-7:00 PM. 847-741-8800
Stephen Martinez
Stephen Martinez, 36, of Elgin, died Friday, October 3, 2003.
Stephen is survived by two daughters, Vanessa and Vianca; his mother, Maria D. Aguilera of Elgin; his father, Dimas Martinez of Abilene, Texas; three sisters, Theresa Martinez and Monica Cruz of Elgin and Rhonda Martinez of Houston, Texas; his grandmother, Rita Ruiz; many nieces and nephews; and his girl friend, Virginia Almestica.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 9, 2003 from 4-8 PM with services being held Friday, October 10, 2003 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Timothy Kowalski officiating. Burial will be at the Bluff City cemetery.
Arrangements handled by O'Connor & Leetz Funeral Home, 364 Division St. Elgin. (847)741-1400.
Silas S. Austby
Silas S. Austby, 89, of West Dundee, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at Sherman Hospital, Elgin.
He was born October 7, 1913 on the family farm in Ostrander, MN, the son of Swen and Cecelia Swenson Austby.
After the death of his parents, Silas worked as a hired hand on farms and truck driver. He worked building roads for the government CC Camps and was Constable for the town of Ostrander. Silas moved to Illinois and worked for a furniture company. Silas served in the U.S. Army during WW II and returned to Illinois after being wounded in France. He then was employed in the Iron and Bolt Works, Haeger Pottery and retired from school district 300 as a custodian in 1975.
He married
Betty Louise Kamp on August 4, 1949.
He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Elgin and was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2298 in West Dundee.
Survivors include his daughter, Linda (Joseph) Mason of Elgin; grandchildren, Gregory and Christine Mason of Elgin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty on August 25, 1993; three sisters, Lillian Fessenden, Ella Christopherson and Judith Austby; and two brothers, Ervin and Joseph Austby.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday at 11:00 AM at Laird Funeral Home, 120 S. Third St., (Corner of S. Third and Oregon) West Dundee, with Rev. Harvey Feustel officiating. Burial will be in River Valley Memorial Gardens, West Dundee.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to the West Dundee Paramedics or VFW Post 2298 in West Dundee.
Joyce G. Ayres
Joyce G. Ayres, 61 of Elgin passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2002 at Delnor-Community Hospital, Geneva. She was born November 30, 1940 in Harlan, Kentucky the daughter of Floyd and Rena Miracle Hensley.
She had been a resident of Elgin since 1976. She had been employed by Walgreens Inc., Chicago, Sherman Home Health Care, Elgin and was a Crossing Guard in Elgin at the corner of May St., and Liberty St.
Surviving are 1 daughter - Rebecca (Scott) Curce of Sycamore; 2 sons - Robert Ayres of Elgin; James Ayres of Elgin; 1 granddaughter - Camryn Curce; 3 sisters - Lucille Miller of Galston, Kentucky; Mildred (Bill) Hutchison of Memphis, Tenn.; Nola Baker of Memphis, TN.
She was preceded in death by her parents: husband - Phillip L. Ayers on Nov. 30, 2002; 3 sisters and 2 brothers.
Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Laird Funeral Home, Elgin. Burial will be in Resthaven cemetery, Keith, Kentucky.
Sammye Jane Blischke
Sammye Jane Blischke, 59, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, formerly of South Elgin, died Sunday, October 6, 2002 at her home. She was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on June 10, 1943, the daughter of Dee L. and Chesley Sutton.
Mrs. Blischke was a resident of Florida for the past 4 years and a former many year resident of South Elgin.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen A.; two children, Timothy of Sleepy Hollow and Laura (John) Spence of Kirkland; two grandsons, Samuel and Griffin Spence; two brothers, Darryl Louviere of CO. and Raymond Scherz of MS.; two sisters, Raymie (Jim) Cox of TX. and Linda (Mike) Welling of Chicago. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday October 12, 2002 at 1:00 PM in the Miller Funeral Home, West Dundee.
Visitation will be on Saturday from Noon until the time of services.
Arrangements were made by The Miller Funeral Home, West Dundee, (847)426-3436.
Helen F. Hansing (nee Moeller)
Helen F. Hansing (nee Moeller), age 85, Formerly of Roselle, passed away October 8, 2002 in Crown Point, IN.
She was born on February 8, 1917 in Chicago to the late John and Marie Moeller (nee Gunther). She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Senior Citizen Group. She enjoyed flowers and playing cards.
She is survived by a daughter, Joyce (Robert) McCann of Crown Point, IN.: grandchildren, Cheryl and Matthew, and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Melvin.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at Martin now a Countryside Funeral Home, 333 S. Roselle Rd., Roselle, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 11, 2002 from 3 - 9 p.m. at Martin now a Countryside Funeral Home, 333 S. Roselle Rd., Roselle, IL. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial in Elgin. Donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. For information (630)529-5751.
Barbara Ellen Shannon
Barbara Ellen Shannon (nee Walters), age 69, of Carpentersville, passed away on Monday October 7, 2002. She was born May 23, 1933 in Three Lakes, WI, the daughter of Vernon T. and Agnes M. (nee Budney) Walters.
Mrs. Shannon graduated from Elgin High School in 1951. She worked for the Tru-Ade Soft Drink Company, Elgin, IL. as a bookkeeper/secretary in the 1950's. Barbara was co-owner/manager of Robert Shannon Builder to the present. She was a former Brownie Scout Leader and P.T.O. Board Member of Parkview School in Carpentersville, IL. She was an avid reader and loved to travel. She truly will be missed.
Barbara was the beloved wife for 51 years of Robert B. Shannon; devoted mother of son, Robert (Lori) Shannon of Crystal Lake, IL.; and daughter, Christine (Gary) Reymann of East Dundee, IL.; and cherished grandmother of Shannon and Garrett Reymann and Wesley and Dana Shannon.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Duane Walters.
Burial will be private. Interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.
Arrangements were made by the Wait Ross Allanson Funeral Chapel in Elgin. (847)742-2100.
Mildred N. Decker
Mildred N. Decker (nee Kalbow), 80, of Elgin died October 8, 2003 at Sherman West Court Nursing Home, Elgin. She was born March 23, 1923 in Union, IL.
Mrs. Decker graduated from Marengo High School and attended Ellis Business College.
Survivors include one son, Gordon (Valerie) Eppley of Chetek, WI; three daughters, Denise Gottschalk of Elgin, Georgia (Patrick) Sweet of Carpentersville, Julie (John) Collis of Moline, IL; six stepchildren; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenford.
Funeral services will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at Windridge Memorial Park Chapel, 7014 Rawson Bridge Rd., Cary, IL. Interment will follow at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary, IL. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service in Windridge Memorial Park Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials to American Cancer Society would be appreciated.
Arrangements made by Windridge Funeral Home. For information call (847)639-2191.
Shirl Firehammer
Shirl Firehammer, 75, of the Gilberts and Dundee area, passed away October 3, 2003 in the Asta Care Center, Elgin. He was born April 16, 1928.
Shirl had worked as a Truck Driver for Meyer Material many years prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Local Tempsters Union.
Shirl enjoyed putting up tents for his tent service and going deer hunting with his three buddies, Hoyt "Rabbit" Morrison, Henry "Lucky" Loftus and Chris "Jako" Morrison. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, October 10, 2003 in the Laird Funeral Home, 120 S. Third St., (corner of Third and Oregon), West Dundee, IL. 60118 from 4:00-7:00 PM. 847-741-8800
Wayne B. Hudgens
Wayne B. Hudgens, 91, of Marion, IL died at 8:25 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 at Parkway Manor. Wayne was born April 12, 1912, to William T. and Rose "Benedict" Hudgens in Union County.
He married
Vera L. Ferrell on December 7, 1935 in Union County and she preceded him in death on December 20, 1973. Wayne owned an auto body shop in Johnston City, a member of the Mt. Hebron Cumberland Presbyterian Church; 32nd Degree Mason-Scottish Rites Bodies of Southern Illinois, Belleville; Blue Lodge #89 Marion; Eastern Star #57 (past Worthy Patron) Marion; Sword of Bunker Hill, Little Egypt Order #63 Centralia. Wayne was an avid sports follower of Elgin High School football and basketball teams during the 50's and 60's, president EHS Sports Booster Club, attended and played football at Elgin High School, graduated from Dundee High School in 1928.
Survivors include three sons, Dr. Gerald A. and wife Joan Hudgens of Churchville, MD, Bruce R. Hudgens of Flagstaff, AZ and Leonard W. and wife Betty Hudgens of Wildwood, MO; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Preceded by: Parents, 12 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be Saturday, October 11, 2003 at 1:00 P.M. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, Marion, IL with Fred Edwards officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home. Masonic Services will be at 1:00 P.M. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park in Elgin following a visitation at Laird Funeral Home in Elgin on Monday from 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M.
Elizabeth C. Keeley
Elizabeth C. Keeley, 86, of East Dundee, died Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at Sherman Hospital in Elgin. She was born in Chicago on Nov. 3, 1916, the daughter of Thomas O. and Molisa S. (nee Beaven) McCarty.
Mrs. Keeley was a resident of the Dundee area for the last 12 years. She was a former employee of Sears Roebuck and retired as Head Housekeeper of Mary Margaret Manor in Elgin. She was a member of the St. Catherine of Siena Church, West Dundee. Mrs. Keeley had a kind heart and loved all animals especially her two cats, Billy and Simba. While living in California, she was involved in the Ladies Auxilary of the Knights of Columbus.
She is survived by her five children: James (Barbara) Churchill of South Elgin, Elmira Hicks of Hampshire, Linda Burden of Union City, Tennessee, Melissa Ashley of Manteno, IL and Leona "Noni" (Ignacio "Joe") Pena of East Dundee. Grandmother of 18; great-grandmother of 34; great-great grandmother of one.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Elmer Churchill; her second husband, William Keeley; two granddaughters; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Louise and Theresa; one brother, Thomas, Jr.
Family and friends will meet for a funeral Mass on Monday at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Catherine of Siena Church, West Dundee. The Rev. David Austin will officiate. Burial will follow in the River Valley Memorial Gardens, West Dundee. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. in the Miller Funeral Home, West Dundee and on Monday in church from 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass.
Please omit flowers. Memorials may be made to the ASTA Care Center Resident Activities Fund.
Helen M. Neville
Helen M. Neville, 97, of Elgin, passed away October 8, 2003 peacefully in her home. She was born November 17, 1905 in Chicago, IL and was the daughter of Matthew and Philomena (Bauer) Schloesser. On July 15, 1931, she married
Aubrey M. Neville in Arlington Heights, and then moved to Elgin in 1951. Helen served as a board member for the Salvation Army and was a Cub Scout leader. She was a member of the Auxiliary of the Bethel Commandery, the Eastern Stars, and traveled extensively with the Wally Byamm Airstream Club.
She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Elgin.
Survivors include her three children, Aubrey (Rachel) Neville of Elgin, Nancy J. Neville of Elgin and Robert (Sue) Neville; her eight grandchildren, Eric Neville of Oak Park, IL, Andy Neville of Chicago, IL, Jon Neville of Carpentersville, IL, Stacey O'Rourke of Greeley, CO, Patricia O'Rourke of Gunnison, CO, Heather Neville of Manassas, VA, and Christopher Neville of Scottsdale, AZ; ten great-grandchildren; her caregiver, Maria Nowicki.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2000; her sister, Bernice Baumler.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the Laird Funeral Home, Elgin, with Rev. Lois Bucher officiating. Burial will be private in the Bluff City cemetery, Elgin. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club or the Hospice of Northeastern IL., Barrington, IL.
