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Alta M. Becke
ST. ELMO -- Alta Mae Becke, 78, of St. Elmo, formerly of Warren, a resident of Friendship Manor in St. Elmo, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham.
She was born Jan. 31, 1926, in Lena, the daughter of Oscar and Marie (Stadel) Schubert.
On March 12, 1946, Alta and Donald E. Hutmacher were married. Mr. Hutmacher passed away Dec. 23, 1970. On July 23, 1980, Alto and Vernon H. Becke were married.
Alta was a homemaker all her life. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting and cake decorating, as well as being with her family.
Mrs. Becke was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She also was a 4-H leader for many years.
Survivors include her husband, Vernon of Warren; two children, Marianne (Gary) Fier of Clinton, Iowa, and Marjorie (Tod) Lancaster of Effingham; three stepchildren, Jack (Joyce) Becke of Freeport, Marilyn (Randy) Diddens of Winslow and Craig (Kelly) Becke of Freeport; four grandchildren; 13 stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; five brothers, Dale (Bernice) Schubert of Warren, Roger (Orpha) Schubert of Weaverville, N.C., Gary (Lorraine) Schubert, Randy (Cindy) Schubert and Richard (Robbie) Schubert, all of Lena; three sisters, Betty (Harold) Mecker of Lena, Nancy (J.D.) Clemmons of South Bend, Ind. and Sally (Ron) Buchenau of Lena; and two sisters-in-law, Irene Schubert of Stockton and Neva Schubert of Kent.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her first husband, Donald E. Hutmacher; two brothers, Oscar Jr. and James; one grandson; and one stepson.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Warren with Pastor Margo Peterson officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren.
Visitation time is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home, 519 Tisdell Ave., Warren.
Memorial funds have been established for St. Paul Lutheran Church and Alzheimer's Association.
Mary R. Borchardt
FREEPORT -- Mary Ruth Borchardt, 81, of Freeport died at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at Freeport Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, where she had resided since April 13, 2001.
She was born Oct. 24, 1922, in Dakota, the daughter of John B. and Mamie G. (Moss) Harnish Sr. She attended Dakota High School. On Aug. 31, 1944, Mary Ruth and George L. Borchardt were married in McConnell.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed at Fairbanks-Morse Co. and W.T. Rawleigh Co. in Freeport.
Her memberships included First Church of the Open Bible in Freeport and Rock Grove Rebekah Lodge.
She enjoyed collecting Teddy bears and going to the cottage in McFarland, Wis.
Surviving are her husband, George of Freeport; five nieces, Paulette (Lester) Pfile, Pamela Wise, Patricia (Allan) Fransen, Diane (Lamoine) Despain and Donna (Bennett) Bratley; one nephew, Michael Harnish, all of Freeport; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, an infant child, one brother and one sister.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, 115 S. West St., Dakota, with the Rev. Randal Bush of First Church of the Open Bible, Freeport, officiating. Burial will be at Dakota Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in her name.
Joan C. Kempel
LORAN -- Joan C. Kempel, 67, of Loran died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport.
She was born Nov. 29, 1936, in Winslow, the daughter of Roy and Helen (Campbell) Nelson. On Nov. 29, 1953, Joan and Melvin Kempel were married in Loran.
Joan attended Pearl City schools, and in 1978, was a graduate of the LPN program at Highland Community College in Freeport.
The Kempels farmed in Loran for 50 years. She and her husband recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Kempel was a former member of the Pearl City Lioness Club, and was a member of the Loran Mothers Club and Salem United Church of Christ in Loran.
She loved the outdoors, fishing, dancing, cooking and being with her family. She enjoyed being with family and friends, boating on the Mississippi and Sundays at Block's pond.
Survivors include her husband, Melvin Kempel of Loran; four sons, Jeffrey (Alice) Kempel of Freeport, Joel (Lori) Kempel of Pearl City, Jack (Chris) Kempel of Loran and Jay (Karlyn) Kempel of Lena; 11 grandchildren, Josh (Mara), Jennifer, Jed, Coe, Jace, Jacob, Lucas, Logan, Jared, Justin and Jason; one great-granddaughter, Natalie; one sister, Rachel (Keith) Wise of Cedarville; one brother, Wayne (Donna) Nelson of Statesville, N.C.; two brothers-in-law, John (Donna) Kempel and Robert Block, both of Pearl City; four sisters-in-law, Marion Jones of Fairfax, Va., Jean Grever of Normal, Dorothy Kempel of Pearl City and Nancy Kempel of Loran; one aunt, Dolly Campbell of Winslow; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding her in death were her parents, and her stepmother, Rachel.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Salem United Church of Christ at Loran with the Rev. Jim Brown and the Rev. Dan Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery in Loran.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Offenheiser-Schwarz Funeral Home in Pearl City.
A memorial fund has been established.
Robert E. Lyness
FREEPORT -- Robert Earl Lyness, 65, of Freeport died Thursday, June 17, 2004, at his home.
He was born May 7, 1939, in Van Dyne, Wis., the son of Gilbert and Mae Nitschke Lyness.
On June 8, 1968, Robert and K. Susan Sander were married in Forreston.
Mr. Lyness farmed in the Freeport and Forreston area.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
His memberships included Faith Lutheran Church in Forreston and Mount Morris Moose Lodge, and he was a fan and follower of the Greg Anderson Band.
Surviving him are his wife; two stepsons, Charles P. (Robin) Hill of Brownsburg, Ind., and John M. Hill (Alisa Zendejas) of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Nancy A. (Gregory) Crofton of Pleasanton, Calif.; one brother, Arthur Lyness of Van Dyne, Wis.; and two grandchildren, Amanda and David Crofton.
His parents preceded him in death.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church in Forreston with Pastor Keith Boyer officiating. Burial will be at White Oak Cemetery in Forreston.
Visitation hours are from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name.
Paula J. Pravidica
FREEPORT -- Paula J. Pravidica, 46, of Freeport died Thursday, June 17, 2004, at home.
She was born Feb. 27, 1958, in Mendota, the daughter of James J. and Phyllis A. Murphy Bergagna. On July 8, 1989, Paula and Dennis Pravidica were married in Freeport.
After graduating from Freeport High School in 1976, Paula continued her education at Highland Community College, Illinois State University and Rockford College.
She was a school psychologist for Ogle County, Dakota Community School District, Oregon Community School District, Carl Sandburg Middle School for six years, then accepted the position as school counselor at Carl Sandburg Middle School.
Mrs. Pravidica was a member of Grace Episcopal Church.
Paula acted and sang in many stage productions in high school, at HCC and Winneshiek Playhouse and choirs at school and church. She was PADS coordinator, a Sunday school teacher and youth advisor.
She enjoyed exercising, walking, creating memory books, gardening, reading, fishing, playing golf, traveling, painting, skiing and knitting.
Survivors include her husband, Dennis Pravidica; her parents, James and Phyllis Bergagna; two sons, Tyler and Christopher Soukup; two stepdaughters, Denise Higgins and Danette Pravidica; two grandchildren, Nora and Eamon Higgins; one brother, James Bergagna; two sisters, Jo Ellen Bergagna and Maria Best; six nieces and two nephews, Andrea and Kelsey Bergagna, Allison Pitterle, Anne and Heidi Regez, Julia Best and Michael and Samuel Best.
One nephew, Jimmy Bergagna, preceded her in death.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Mary Ann Hill officiating. Burial will be at City Cemetery in Freeport.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Grace Episcopal Church, and from 11 a.m. Saturday to time of service at the church.
A memorial fund has been established in her memory.
Ethel B. Richtemyer
PEARL CITY -- Ethel B. Richtemyer, 98, of Pearl City died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport.
She was born Dec. 26, 1905, the daughter of Henry and Maggie (Dorsey) Brady. On Jan. 18, 1927, Ethel and Emmert Richtemyer were married.
Mr. and Mrs. Richtemyer farmed near Pearl City for many years.
She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Pearl City.
Survivors include one son, Verlin of Pearl City; two sisters, Eleanor Brandt of Freeport and Violet (Ray) Klatt of Freeport; one brother, Allen Brady of Pearl City; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Emmert Richtemyer; a daughter, Bernice; three sisters, Ruth Roberts, Hazel Brady and Mildred Rees; and two brothers, Emmerson Brady and Ira Brady.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Offenheiser-Schwarz Funeral Home in Pearl City with the Rev. Milton L. Whitney officiating. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Pearl City.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
A memorial fund has been established for St. John Lutheran Church.
Austin S. Weeks
FREEPORT -- Austin S. Weeks, 89, of Freeport died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport.
He was born March 24, 1915, in Big Grove Township near Newark, the son of William and Edna (Enger) Weeks. On April 7, 1948, Austin and Florence Brickert were married.
He was a graduate of Yorkville High School in 1934, American Technical Institute in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1937, and Hemphill Diesel School in 1938.
During World War II, he served in the Civil Air Patrol.
For 40 years, he was regional service manager for J.I. Case Co.
In 1929, he was confirmed at Helmar Lutheran Church. He was a charter member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Freeport and a former member of Elks and Germania clubs.
He also was a member of Stephenson County Antique Engine Club.
Mr. Weeks enjoyed fishing, collecting Case tractors and working at his church. Austin was always willing to help others. He was a very special person and will be sadly missed by many. For many years, he volunteered at Freeport Memorial Hospital, installing hundreds of Lifelines.
Surviving are his daughter, Barbara Weeks of Freeport; one brother, Lawrence Weeks of Seneca; his sisters-in-law, Lois Weeks of Newark and Edna Gabrielsen of Ottawa; several nieces and nephews; and neighbor and good friend, Sandi Tyrell.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife on April 29, 2004; and a brother, William Weeks.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Luepke officiating. Burial will be at Helmar Lutheran Cemetery in Helmar.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Schwarz Funeral Home in Freeport and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.
A memorial fund has been established for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Delbert H. Dean
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. -- Delbert H. Dean, age 77, of Fayetteville, Ga., died June 21, 2004.
He was born Oct. 21, 1927, in Freeport to John and Laura Jaeger Dean.
After graduating from Freeport High School in 1944, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later with the Merchant Marine.
Mr. Dean was a retiree of Eastern Airlines as assistant southern regional director in Atlanta.
Survivors include his wife, Mary; sons, David (Sandra) Dean of Fayetteville and John (Donna) Dean of Mary Esther, Fla.; brothers, George Dean of Mary Esther and Ted (Carol) Dean of Freeport; and sister, Laura (Robert) O'Neill of Beaumont, Texas.
His parents and brother, Col. John Dean, preceded him in death.
Burial will be held at Westlawn Cemetery in New Orleans.
John W. Kitzmiller
FORRESTON -- John W. Kitzmiller, 59, of Forreston died Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at home.
A memorial lunch will be held at noon Saturday at the family home. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Benson Funeral Home in Polo.
A memorial fund has been established.
