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RUTH V. HEALEY
STERLING - Ruth V. Healey, 87, died Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at CGH Medical Center. Mrs. Healey was born July 21, 1915 in Polo, the daughter of Charles and Minnie (Steinhagen) Ferris. She graduated from Chadwick High School in the class of 1932. She married Frank Healey on September 17, 1934 in Chadwick. He preceded her in death on February 4, 1987. She was an active member and taught Sunday School at East Jordan United Methodist Church. She described herself as a “bird clubber and a rock hound” and had a large collection of fossils from Illinois. Survivors include a son, Neil Healey and special friend, Laura Mueller of St. Louis, MO; a brother, Lloyd (Violet) Ferris of Lena; and a sister, Edna Brandenburg of Chadwick; many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were three sisters, and two brothers. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 1, 2003 at East Jordan United Methodist Church with the Reverend Russell F. Coats, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9-10:30 AM at the church. A memorial has been established to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
LUCILE C. MCNINCH
ROCK FALLS - Lucile C. McNinch, 96. died Thursday, January 30, 2003 at CGH Medical Center. Mrs. McNinch was born October 20, 1906 in Brookville, the daughter of Loyd and Gertrude (Beck) Shipman. She married Elmer E. McNinch on May 1, 1933 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death on November 18, 1995.
She was a member of Rock River Christian Center, Outaga Camping Club and loved doing crafts and crocheting. Survivors include a son, Merle McNinch of Rock Falls; two daughters, Karen (Warren) Maseman of Rockford, Barbara (Jim) Whitlock of Cherry Valley; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were five brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at the Rock River Christian Center with the Reverend Don George, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM, Monday at the Schilling Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established to Rock River Christian Center Video Outreach.
HELEN M. LAPP
Helen M. Lapp, 95, of Sterling died Monday, February 3, 2003 at CGH Medical Center. Mrs. Lapp was born January 12, 1908 in Ayr, NE, the daughter of Charles and Kathryn (Schuster) Schulz. She married Paul Lapp on October 3, 1931 in Hastings, NE. He preceded her in death on October 13, 1975. She was a member of Science Ridge Mennonite Church where she taught Sunday School. She was active in the school system when her children were in school. She was a seamstress in the Sterling-Rock Falls area for a number of years and enjoyed gardening.
Survivors include a son Wayne (Susan) Lapp of Sterling; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Lapp Nerstheimer of Sterling; four grandchildren, Tammie (Gary) Fenn of East Bloomfield, MI, Melissa Razo of Sterling, James Nerstheimer of DeKalb, Neidi Kitzmiller of Rock Falls and ten great-grandchildren, John Stenson, Matthew Razo, Stephen Razo, Samantha Raso, Lauren Fenn, Adam Fenn, Feffery Fenn, Andrew Snow, Vanessa Kitzmiller, and Emily Kitzmiller.
Preceding her in death were a son, Gene Lapp and one sister, Irma Grabill.
LESTER "Lee" L. HINRICHS
STERLING - Lester "Lee" L. Hinrichs, 90, of 1801 Avenue G, formerly of Round Grove, died Saturday, February 8, 2003, at CGH Medical Center. He was employed by Austin Brothers Manufacturing as a tool and die maker for over fifty years.
Lester was born May 17, 1912 in Mt. Pleasant Township, the son of Martin and Alida (Gerken) Hinrichs. He married Grace M. Dirks on September 14, 1941 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sterling. She preceded him in death on February 4, 1999. He was a member of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues and a left-handed minor league baseball pitcher on various teams during the 1930's. He enjoyed developing his inventive skills while working at Austin Brothers. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling.
Survivors include two daughters, Nancy (J.D.) Proehl of Manito and Judith (Nicholas) Miglino of Whitestone, NY; one son Jerry (Sandra) Hinrichs of Oregon; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Ethel Cassens and Hazel Souder and one brother, William Hinrichs. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, with the Reverend Philip Gronbach, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Round Grove Cemetery, Morrison. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12 - 2 PM at the church.
A memorial has been established to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling, IL. Funeral arrangements were completed by the Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling.
RONALD W. DACE
ROCK FALLS - Ronald W. Dace, 57, of 601 Louis Lane, died Thursday, February
27, 2003 at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Ron was born December 26, 1945 in Sterling, the son of Dwight and Mary Eileen (Conboy) Dace who preceded him in death. Survivors include his three brothers, Dale Dace of Galt, Dean Dace of Sterling, Gary (Kathy) Dace of Greensboro, NC, sister, Mary Jo Dace (Gilmore) of Carterville; three nieces; six nephews; his stepmother, Ann Dace; his aunt, Marion Dace; and his longtime companion, Joanne Spotts of Sterling and Melisa Spotts of Bettendorf, IA whom he thought of as a daughter. Ron was employed in the optical field all his life, and enjoyed sports, cars, and had a unique ability to bring laughter to people. He was a member of the Illinois National Guard and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He will be missed dearly. Celebration of mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 3, 2003 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM, Sunday, March 2, 2003 at the Schilling Funeral Home. A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Rock River Valley.
FLOYD MATERA
STERLING - Floyd Matera, 52, died early Friday morning February 21, 2003 in his home after an illness. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Schilling Funeral Home.
DONALD K. DUKELOW, JR.
STERLING - Donald K. Dukelow, Jr. 73, died Tuesday, February 11, 2003. He was employed as a letter carrier in Morton Grove for the United States Postal Service.
Donald was born November 23, 1929 in Evanston, the son of Donald K. and Cora (Wendel) Dukelow Sr. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He married JoAnn Schwartz on August 29, 1953 in Chicago. He enjoyed music, writing, and playing songs on his guitar. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, JoAnn; two daughters, Carol King of Waukegan and Wendy (Dan) Wells of Sterling; one son, James (Kathleen) Dukelow of Sterling; one sister, Louise (Anthony) Serritella of Algonquin; and three grandchildren.
Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00 P.M. Saturday, February 15, 2003 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Reverend Paul White, pastor officiating. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM Friday at the Schilling Funeral Home. Rosary will be recited at 7:45PM.
Memorials have been established to Hospice of the Rock River Valley and Hospice of
OPAL M. FARRAN
STERLING — Opal M. Farran, 95, died Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at Sterling Pavilion.
Mrs. Farran was born July 14, 1907 in Tea, SD, the daughter of Charles and Jennie (Jaquet) Kicksey. She married George Farran on July 30, 1954 in Cannon City, CO. He preceded her in death on March 27, 1988. She was a member of Rock River Christian Center. She loved fishing and to crochet and enjoyed her flower garden.
Survivors include a son, Edward (Betty) Dahlberg of Galt; three daughters, Orla Jean (Warren) Planthaber of Sterling, Ruth Ramage (Homer Osborn) of Rock Falls, and Audrey (Donald) Podkulski of Sterling; several grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; two nephews and one niece.
Also preceding her in death was a daughter, Dorothy Garrett, one granddaughter, one brother and two sisters.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, February 28, 2003 at the Schilling Funeral Home with Reverend Don George, Pastor of Rock River Christian Center, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM Thursday at the Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established.
EDNA E. SCHWITTERS
STERLING - Edna E. Schwitters, 89, of Sterling, died Saturday February 15, 2003 at CGH Medical Center.
Edna E. Schwitters was born November 30, 1913 in Lyndon, daughter of Thieman and Henrietta Mennenga. She married Edward G. Schwitters on February 17, 1937 in Sterling. He preceded her in death on June 21, 2001.
Mrs. Schwitters was a member of the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sterling and Ladies Aide.
She is survived by two sons, Edward (Cynthia) Schwitters of Lockport and Leon (Connie) Schwitters of Stillman Valley; one brother, Albert Mennenga of Lyndon; one sister, Minnie Gerdes of Princeton; four grandchildren, Sherry (Jim) Engelbert of Ottawa, KS, Diana (Rick) Frank of Bartlett, Jeff Schwitters of Moweaqua and Jim Schwitters of Mukwonago, WS; three step-grandchildren, Laurie Batchley of Wisconsin Dells, WS, Lisa Schultz and Kevin Schultz of Roselle; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by one grandson, two brothers, and three sisters.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday at the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sterling with Reverend Daniel Behmlander officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Tuesday evening at the Schilling Funeral Home. Burial will be at Our Savior Lutheran Cemetery in Sterling.
A memorial has been established to the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church.
MILDRED BRESSLER
Mildred Bressler, 86, formerly of Sterling, died Sunday, March 9, 2003 at I.H.S. Nursing Center, Clearwater, FL.
Mrs. Bressler was born April 14, 1916 in Sterling, the daughter of Bernard and Caroline (Eilers) Helms. She married Clarence Bressler on December 18, 1936 at West Jordan Lutheran Church. She was a member of Lutheran Church of the Palms, Palm Harbor, FL.
Survivors include her husband, Clarence of Palm Harbor, FL; two sons, Neal (Mary Jo) Bressler of Palm Harbor, FL, Lyle (Bette) Bressler of Silvis; one brother, Russell (Helen) Helms of Sterling; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death was a son, William Bressler.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 PM Saturday, March 15, 2003 at the Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling with the Reverend Herbert Reed, officiating. Burial will be in West Jordan Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:30 - 8PM Friday at the funeral home.
A memorial has been established.
CHRISTIAN KILGUS
MORRISON - Christian Kilgus, 93, of Morrison, died Thursday, March 13, 2003 at Morrison Hospital Skilled Care Unit. He was employed by National Standard Company, formerly Reynolds Wire Company, Dixon.
Christian was born July 15, 1909 in Alpirsbach, Germany, the son of Christian and Christine (Woessner) Kilgus. He immigrated to the United States in 1928 and settled in Sterling. He married Ruth Schlough on July 3, 1935 in Sterling. She preceded him in death on July 5, 1997. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and a charter member of the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society.
Survivors include one daughter, Ruth (Fred) Overdier of West Bloomfield, MI; two sons, Walter (Joann) Kilgus of Morrison and Lowell (Margaret) Kilgus of Zionsville, IN; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and nieces and nephew in Austria and Germany.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, one in Germany and one in Austria.
Funeral services will be at 3 PM Saturday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sterling, with the Reverend David Beckstrom, Pastor, officiating and Pastors Fred and Ruth Overdier co-officiating. Burial will be in Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 2-3 PM Saturday, prior to the funeral at the church.
A memorial has been established to Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Appeal, through St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Arrangements were completed by the Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling.
WILLIAM F. GUMM
STERLING - William F. Gumm, 83 of 1808 Avenue K, died Monday, March 17, 2003, at his home. He retired as a foreman from the former Northwestern Steel & Wire Company in 1983 after being employed there for 25 years.
Mr. Gumm was born February 8, 1920 in Centerville, IA, the son of Laurence and Ruth (Murdy) Gumm. He married Maxine Boyd January 16, 1945. She preceded him in death on February 4, 1999. He served as a bombardier in the Army Air Corps during WW II. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Sterling.
Survivors include a son, Bradley (Debra) Gumm of Sterling; a brother, John (Charlotte) Gumm of Des Moines, IA; five grandchildren, Michelle Greene of Cookville, TN, Christina (William) Goolsby of Madison, TN, Angela McCormick, of Grandville, TN, Brandi McCormick of Heyworth, James (Kim) McCormick of Bloomington; nine great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Also preceding him in death were two sisters, Doris and Pauline Funeral services will be at 10 AM, Saturday, March 22, 2003 at the First Christian Church of Sterling with the Reverend Jack Koehler, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM, Friday, March 21, 2003 at the Schilling Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established to the First Christian Church of Sterling.
JEAN E. ATWOOD
STERLING - Jean E. Atwood, 85, died Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at Coventry Village.
Mrs. Atwood was born January 11, 1918 in Lucky Strike, Manitoba, Canada, the daughter of Harry M. and Mamie (McCullagh) Hillis. She grew up in Clinton, IA and graduated from Clinton High School. She attended college for two years in North Park and enjoyed vocational classes. She lived and worked in Chicago and Santa Monica, CA. She married G. Walter Atwood on November 1, 1947 in Santa Monica, CA. She was a member of the Christian Science Church in Madison and Mother Church in Boston, MA.
Mrs. Atwood was an honorary life member of Blackhawk CC, Daughters of the Nile (nosanc), and the Civics Club. She was a Green Bay Packer fan and a member of the Badger Boosters. She was also a basketball and hockey fan. She followed her husband, who was a championship golfer, in city, state and regional tournaments and loved watching golf at home. She enjoyed attending the theater for plays and musicals and loved opera music. She traveled extensively in the U.S. and the world and enjoyed five cruises.
Mrs. Atwood was famous for her positive attitude, loving spirit, generosity, and hugs that she loved to give at Coventry Friday coffees. She loved being with her family, many who called her Christmas Jean. She loved her cottage at Coventry Village and all her caring neighbors and friends.
Survivors include a daughter, Linda (Glen) Weatherwax of Sterling; a son, John W. Atwood of Panama City Beach, FL; grandsons, Dustin Winchell of Rock Falls, Dale Winchell of Sterling; two great-grandchildren, Keegan Winchell and Trinity Winchell of Rock Falls; a step-granddaughter, Michelle Weatherwax of Fairfield IA; a step great-grandchild, Reilly Harbison of Fairfield, IA; three sisters, Dorothy (Charles) Green of Malibu, CA, Joan (Ray) Cooper of Los Angeles, CA, Ruth Hoffman of Alton; a sister-in-law, Betty Hillis of Newport, VA and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death was her husband and two brothers, Jerry Hillis and Robert Hillis.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 22, 2003 at the Schilling Funeral Home. Visitation will be from noon to 1:00 PM.
A memorial has been established.
