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DOROTHY E. WATT
Dorothy E. Watt, 87, of Freeport, Ill., died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, at Stephenson Nursing Center.
Born Dec. 22, 1915, in Freeport, she was the daughter of Fred and Edna (Salisbury) James. She married James W. Watt on Oct. 15, 1948; he died April 1, 1975.
She worked for the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C.
Her husband was a well-known professional horse trainer in the Chicago and northern Illinois area for 50 years. She loved animals and at one time was an avid bowler.
She is survived by a stepson, Dr. James Watt.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Walker Mortuary, 321 W. Main in Freeport, with the Rev. Don Jamerson of First Free Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be at Ohio Grove Cemetery in Sycamore. Friends may call from 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Walker Mortuary.
A memorial has been established in her name.
JOHN W. JOSEPHSEN
John William Josephsen, 57, of Paw Paw, Ill., died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Born Dec. 11, 1946, in Dixon, he was the son of Charles William and Blanche Louise (Butterfield) Josephsen.
He started teaching in 1968 as a student teacher at John Marshal High School in Chicago. He taught French, civics, economics, American history and social studies at Paw Paw High School in Paw Paw. He was a former principal of Paw Paw Grade School and Paw Paw High School, interim principal in Hebron, interim superintendent and principal in Steward, and superintendent and principal in Kasbeer for 10 years prior to his retirement in 1991. John also was the director of Facility Development at Marc Center in Bloomington and a tax consultant for Paw Paw Financial Consulting.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dixon and the Paw Paw Lions Club, and was the treasurer for Paw Paw Endowment. John earned his Bachelor of Arts from University of Illinois. He also earned a Master of Science in education administration, a Certificate of Advanced Studies and a Chief School Business Officials Endorsement, all from Northern Illinois University. He was a kind and loving person, generous, good-hearted and always doing things for others.
He is survived by his mother, of Dixon; a brother, Charles David (Tiffany) Josephsen of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; a sister, Diane Lynn (Larry) Boel of Dixon; three nephews, Brandt Boel of Dixon, Eric (Jana) Boel of Urbandale, Iowa, and Chaz He of Manhattan Beach; two great-nephews, Tyler and Nicholas Boel of Urbandale; and two special friends, Cheryl Gaines of Normal and David Larson of Paw Paw.
He was preceded in death by his father and a great-niece, Brittney Boel.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home at 213 Crawford Ave. in Dixon, with the Rev. Kurt Simon, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia, and the Rev. Dr. Anne Hoflen, pastor of Paw Paw Baptist Church, co-officiating. Burial will be at Franklin Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Paw Paw Baptist Church, with the family present from 6-8 p.m. and a prayer service at 8 p.m. Visitation also will be from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the funeral home, with the family present from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
A memorial has been established for the American Cancer Society.
LOUISE (KUBIAN) BELL
Louise (Kubian) Bell, 73, of DeKalb, Ill., died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at her residence surrounded by her family after a difficult four-year battle against cancer.
Born March 28, 1930, in Chicago, she was the daughter of Mae and Charles Kubian.
After living in Kalamazoo, Mich., for many years, Louise and her family moved to DeKalb in 1966. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, as well as a community volunteer, Louise taught in the DeKalb school system for 25 years. Louise was a second- and third-grade teacher at Littlejohn Elementary School and spent her last years in the profession as a learning disabilities specialist at Jefferson Elementary School. She had a master's degree in education from Northern Illinois University. Earlier vocations included working as the secretary to the president of Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo. One of her fondest experiences was working for the head of the Ford Foundation in Burma, during which time she lived and worked in that country for three years. Travel was one of her passions and she traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, England, France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Bali and Kashmir. Louise was an avid reader and she thoroughly enjoyed working in her garden. In recent years, Louise spent rewarding time as a volunteer at DeKalb County Hospice and also with Senior Peer Mentors. Other associations included membership with the University Women's Club.
She is survived by her husband, Jerome Bell of DeKalb; two sons, David Bell and Matthew (Judith) Bell, and a grandson, Jonathan, all of Chicago; a sister, Alice (Ted) Gwozdz of Crete, Ill.; and a brother, Julian (Dolores) Kubian of Paw Paw, Mich.; and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Louise Bell will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Hillcrest Covenant Church, 1515 N. First St., DeKalb, with Pastor Todd Anderson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to DeKalb County Hospice, 2727 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, IL 60115.
EDITH (THOMAS) MEEK
Edith (Thomas) Meek, 98, of Elburn, Ill., passed away peacefully, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center in DeKalb, where she had made her home in recent years.
Born Aug. 15, 1905, at the family home in rural Kaneville, she was the daughter of Johnny Francis and Blanche Iona (Wells) Thomas. Following graduation from Kaneville High School, she entered nurse's training at the Geneva Community Hospital. Although she was not able to complete her education, she put her knowledge and heart to work as a home-care nurse for Dr. Norman Marion of Big Rock.
She was united in marriage to Stafford D. Meek Sr. on Feb. 22, 1929, on the family farm on Green Road near Elburn. They farmed neighboring fields for many years until 1986 when they retired and moved to Maple Park. Following Stafford's death in 1992, Edith continued to make her home in Maple Park until 2000, when she moved to Oak Crest in DeKalb.
At her death, she was the oldest and longest standing member of the Kaneville United Methodist Church. She was active in the LaKelvin Club, the United Methodist Women and taught Sunday School for some 20 years. Edith also volunteered at the Geneva Community Hospital and the American Red Cross for many years.
Edith was a hard-working homemaker and a quiet community servant. She loved to cook and bake for her family and shared the fruits of her labor with anyone in need. Although her career in nursing was brief, she spent a lifetime caring for those around her. Edith had a gift for visiting the sick and conversing comfortably with both young and old. Both wise and discerning in her ways, Edith had strong values and a firm faith. Those attributes, together with her determination and resilience, saw her through the length and breadth of her years.
She is survived by three children, Lee (Joanne Lakin) Meek of Windsor, Colo., Blen (Perry) Lakin of Maple Park and Blanche (the Rev. Max) Rigert of Delavan, Wis.; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; her nieces and nephews; and generations of good friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Stafford Meek Jr.; and two siblings, Dorothy Hughes and Francis Thomas.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Kaneville United Methodist Church on Main Street Road in Kaneville with the Rev. Ric Magtanong officiating. Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, and from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, both at the church.
Arrangements are in the care of Conley Funeral Home in Elburn.
Memorials in her name can be made to the Kaneville United Methodist Church and mailed in care of P.O. Box 50, Kaneville, IL 60144.
MILDRED THOMPSON
Mildred Thompson, 89, of Shabbona, Ill., died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at Shabbona Healthcare Center.
Born Aug. 15, 1914, in rural Lee, she was the daughter of Wallace and Charlotte (Follett) Fleming. Mildred married Tony Thompson on Jan. 21, 1933, at the family farm in rural Lee.
Tony and Mildred farmed together for many years in rural Shabbona and Lee. She moved to Shabbona several years after Tony's death and moved to the Shabbona Healthcare Center on June 15, 2002. Mildred was a Sunday School teacher, secretary treasurer of the Sunday School and member of the board of the former Lee Methodist Church. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Shabbona. Mildred had a very sweet disposition and welcomed everyone into her home, where she would bake cookies and many other goods for her guests.
She is survived by three daughters, Phyllis Larsen of Lee, Mary (Larry) Simpson of Earlville and Karen (Lynn) Colby of Valparaiso, Ind.; a sister-in-law, Evelyn "Tootsie" Votaw of Belvidere; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tony, on May 23, 1970; two sons, Howard Leonard, who died at birth, and Richard, who died Aug. 4, 1980; a granddaughter Shelly Thompson Severson; a brother, Howard Fleming; and a son-in-law, Stu Larsen.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the United Church of Christ in Shabbona with Pastor Daniel Penn of Unity Hospice officiating. Burial will be at Old English Cemetery in Shabbona. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Jacobson Funeral Home in Shabbona.
A memorial fund is being established.
DONNA M. HARRISON
Donna M. Harrison, 64, of Fort Worth, Texas, formerly of Shabbona, Ill., died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at the home she shared with her sister in DeKalb.
Born July 9, 1939, in Francisville, Ind., she was the daughter of Harold and Ethel (Eden) Griepentrog. Donna was a 1957 graduate of Shabbona High School.
She was the owner of Donna's China Shop for more than 25 years and was an active member of the China Painters' Guild, Eastern Star and the Moose. She was formerly employed at Swift & Co. in Rochelle for 20 years and worked at Federal Express in Fort Worth until her retirement.
She is survived by her sister, Sandra Maki of DeKalb, and four nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A private family service will be held.
The family would like to especially thank DeKalb County Home Care for its compassion and care.
Arrangements were completed by Jacobson Funeral Home in Shabbona.
PAUL F. JOHNSON
Paul F. Johnson, 81, of Shabbona, Ill., died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.
Born July 27, 1922, in rural Shabbona, he was the son of Frank F. and Alice E. (Houghtby) Johnson. He married Mary Wise on April 25, 1943, in Paw Paw.
Paul was a farmer in the Shabbona area for many years. He was an avid bowler and horseshoe pitcher. He enjoyed working at the Sandwich Fair, where he worked for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Mary W. Johnson; two sons, David W. (Carolyn) Johnson of Rockford and Denny (Janis) Johnson of Knob Noster, Mo.; a daughter, Barbara (Terry) Goodin of Roscoe; a brother, Richard (Mary) Johnson of DeKalb; a sister, Claretta Suppeland of Cortland; seven grandchildren, Roger W. Johnson, Paul E. (Dionne) Johnson, DeLynn R. Johnson, Kevin Paul (Amy) Johnson, Jennie Johnson, Michael Goodin and Jonathan (Nancy) Goodin; five great-grandchildren, Noah Paul Johnson, Anna S. Johnson, Elaine Johnson, Griffin Paul Johnson and Anna G. Johnson; and a special friend and neighbor, Thomas Malohn.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Chet, Howard, Ernest and Clarence, who died in infancy; and a sister, Viola Strand.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Shabbona United Church of Christ with the Rev. Irene P. Pouliot, church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Wyoming Cemetery in Paw Paw. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.
A memorial fund is being established.
Arrangements were completed by Jacobson Funeral Home in Shabbona.
LILLIAN A. DANIEL
Lillian A. Daniel, 90, of DeKalb, Ill., died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center in DeKalb.
Born March 10, 1913, in Chicago, she was the daughter of Anton and Marie (Malina) Wier. Lillian married Lawrence Daniel on Aug. 31, 1935, in Cicero.
Lillian was a devoted wife and mother, and especially a helping hand on the family farm in Caledonia, Ill. Lillian lived in the DeKalb community since 1999, moving here from Belvidere. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb, the Boone County Farm Bureau and the Home Makers Extension Association of Boone County.
She is survived by her husband, Lawrence, of DeKalb; two sons, Robert (Linda) Daniel of Waterman and Arthur (Mary Ann) Daniel of Warren, Mich.; four grandchildren, David (Sara) Daniel, Karen (Frank) Rannie III, Paul Daniel, Susan (Wade) Charnesky; two great-grandchildren, Alex Daniel and Natalie Daniel; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Elsie Piefer and Mae Chalupnik; and two brothers, Charles and Joseph.
The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb with Father Kenneth Anderson officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in DeKalb. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb.
Memorials can be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Oak Crest.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St., DeKalb, IL 60115.
