- The death of Miss Sarah M. Leekley, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Leekley occured at their residence on Spring Street Sunday morning (10 March 1895) at 8 o'clock. For years she had been an invalid and for the last three years had been a great sufferer. Through many weary years of pain she bore her affliction with a sublime patience and fortitude, ever buoyed up by a strong Christian faith, and when at last her pure young spirit took flight to that better land it was a release from suffering that could never be alleviated, and the end was met with the resignation and the hope which were always characteristic of her. When first stricken by the cruel affliction she was on the threshold of a beautiful womanhood and death claimed her at the early age of 23 years. She was a member of Grace Episcopal church. The family are deeply sympathized with in their bereavement.
Friends paid the last tribute of love to the memory Miss Sarah Leekley last Tuesday afternoon. The funeral services were held at the family residence on Spring Street at 2 o'clock. They were in charge of Rev. S. J. Yundt, rector of Grace church and conformed to the Protestant Episcopal ritual. A selected choir composed of Mr. T. E. Reynolds, Mr. Walter Ford, Miss Clara Reynolds, and Miss Katharine Howard sang the hyms. The selections were "Asleep in Jesus", "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and "Just As I Am." From the residence the funeral cortege proceeded to Greenwood, where interment was made. The pall-bearers were Messrs. Richard Yundt, Gus. Drenning, Ned. Kittoe, Simon Leekley and Wm. Birkbeck.
Submitted by Dori Leekley
JAMES H. LEIFKER
- 70, 225 Homestead Way, Brighton, Colo., formerly of Dubuque, Iowa and Vinegar Hill Township near Menominee, Ill., died suddenly at 1:50 a.m., Friday, March 28, 2008 at The Finley Hospital in Dubuque.
He was born on Oct. 2, 1937 in Vinegar Hill Township, Jo Daviess County, the son of Albertus and Mary (Tranel) Leifker. He married Carol Cook on Jan. 10, 1968 at Asbury, Iowa.
The family moved from Dubuque to Colorado in 1977 where he was an accountant for the automotive industry until his retirement. He loved country music and football, especially the Broncos and Packers. He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Survivors include his wife, Carol; two sons, Brian (Erika) Leifker, Newnan, Ga., and Todd Leifker, Northglenn, Colo.; one daughter, Michele Leifker, Arvada, Colo.; his mother, Mary Mueller, Cuba City, Wis.; two brothers, Merlin (Pat) Leifker, Spring Green, Wis., and Robert (Rita) Leifker, Cuba City; three sisters, Jean (John) Frantzen, Dubuque, Mary Kay Leifker, Chicago, and Marlene (Scott) Derby, Cuba City; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Albertus.
Memorial services were held Sunday, March 30, 2008 at the Miller and Steinke Funeral Home, Galena, with Pastor Phillip Brown officiating.
A special thank you to the Cuba City Area Rescue Squad and the emergency department personnel at The Finley Hospital.
Contributed by Lori Gilbert
NORMA LEONE DORA (ENKE) LEIGHTON
, 89, of Hanover, passed away Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, at the Galena-Stauss Nursing Home, Galena.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at United Methodist Church, Hanover, with the Rev. Lynne Matthews and the Rev. Bonnie Daviess officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17, at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Hanover.
She was born on July 24, 1919, daughter of Edward and Elsie (Kuchenbecker) Enke, in Prairie du Chien, Wis. She graduated from Prairie du Chien High School, class of 1936.
She married Robert B. Leighton on May 3, 1941, in Lancaster, Wis.
Norma worked at the Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital and later worked at Atwood Manufacturing, Stockton, for 10 years and Hanover School District as a cook for 10 years.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Hanover and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Norma enjoyed crocheting and reading. One of her biggest passions were her flowers and flower gardens, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She will be dearly missed by her husband, Robert; a son, Harvey (Lynn) Leighton, of Hanover; three daughters, Doris (Harold) Haggerty, of Mountain Home, Ark., Phyllis (Steve) Schneider, of Gulf Shores, Ala., and Rosemary Haring, of Hanover; 12 grandchildren, Venus (Bill) Hilgart, Roxan (Kevin) Reas, Monica (Bill) Akers, Dena (Jeroen) Spaan, Dereck (Kim) Dillow, Dandy Dillow, Darra Riley, Darcie (Michael) Fuqua, Jody Haring, Brenda (Charles) Carafano, Tommy Haring Jr. and Christopher Haring; 25 great grandchildren; five brothers, Virgil (Eunice) Enke, of Prairie du Chien, Lyle Enke, Gilbert (Rosemary) Enke and Floyd (Violet) Enke, all of Janesville, and Donald Enke, of Belvidere; and a sister, Delma Jean Head, of Whitewater, Wis.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Harold and Phillip Enke; an infant brother and sister; and a son-in-law, Tom Haring.
Contributed by LeRoy / Find-A-Grave /
WENDELL R. LEWIS
, age 82, of Elizabeth, Illinois, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at the Midwest Medical Center in Galena, Illinois. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2009, at the St. Marys Catholic Church in Elizabeth. Burial will follow in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery, Elizabeth. Memorials may be given to the Elizabeth Historical Society in Wendells name.
Wendell was born November 21, 1926, in Elizabeth, Illinois, the son of Charles and Rose (Wand) Lewis. He graduated from Elizabeth High School with the Class of 1944. Wendell served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He married Elsie Mae Huttenlocker on April 24, 1960, in Elizabeth.
Wendell worked as a Quality Assurance Specialist as a civilian with the Department of the Army. He was a member of the St. Marys Catholic Church in Elizabeth, the Knights of Columbus, and the Elizabeth Historical Society. Wendell also enjoyed model railroads and spent many hours building the model railroads at the Elizabeth Depot.
Wendell is survived by his wife Elsie Mae Lewis of Elizabeth; three sons, Kenneth Lewis of Elizabeth, Richard Lewis of Elizabeth, and Daniel Lewis of Glendale Heights, Illinois; two sisters, Rita Dittmar of Elizabeth and Pat Brown of Elizabeth.
Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, one brother - in - law Delmar Dittmar, and his parents - in - law, Emil and Emily Huttenlocker.
Contributed by Lori Gilbert
JAMES BERTON LISK
Last rites for James Berton Lisk, 82, were held Friday at 2 p.m. from Nadig funeral home, Elizabeth, with William A. Rail, student pastor of First Presbyterian church, officiating. William Bishop, accompanied by Mrs. Arthur Albrecht, sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "I am A Stranger Here".
Casket attendants were William Heid, John Allen, Robert Hitt, William Plosch, Louis Koehn and Wes Holland. Mrs. Charles Youtzy, Mrs. William Plosch and Mrs. Charles Lewis were in charge of floral offerings. Interment was in Elizabeth cemetery.
Mr. Lisk died February 15 at Savanna City hospital where he had been a patient for a week. He was born May 19, 1873 in Peoria, a son of Joseph and Josephine Kiman Lisk. He was educated in Peoria public school. In 1892 he and the former Emma Perrago were married in Tipton, Ia. They spent their entire married life in Elizabeth where they farmed.
Preceded by his wife, two daughters and his parents, Mr. Lisk has 86 survivors. They include five sons, John of Marion, Ia., Clarence and Milo of Elizabeth, Vern of Galena and James of Clinton, Ia.; four daughters, Mrs. Clara Koehn and Mrs. Melvin (Josephine) Carr of Mechanicsville, Ia., Mrs. Charles (Etta) Hubb of Savanna and Mrs. Clyde (Dora) Brashaw of Massbach. A brother, William of Elizabeth, 40 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren also survive
Contributed by Pam Brotzman - Elizabeth Weekly News Wednesday, 22 February 1956 Pg. 1, Col. 5
EMMA L. (BURKE) LISK
- Friends in the community were saddened Tuesday evening to hear of the death of Mrs. William Lisk who passed away at 6:50 o'clock in a Freeport hospital following an illness of about a month's duration.
The deceased will rest at the Banwarth Memorial Chapel until Thursday noon and then will be taken to the Lisk country home from where the services will be held Friday.
The last rites will be conducted at 1:30 o'clock at the home Friday afternoon and at 2:00 o'clock from the Presbyterian church. The pastor, Rev. Morton Merrell, will officiate and burial will be made in the Elizabeth cemetery.
Emma Burke, youngest daughter of Charles and Mary Burke, was born in Derinda township on December 6, 1885. She was united in marriage with William Lisk of this community in 1907 and they had always made their home in the vicinity. She was ill but a short time and had just observed her 56th birthday this month.
She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Mrs. Raymond Posey of Dodgeville, Wisconsin; three grandchildren, Ruth, Elvin and Neil Posey, all of Dodgeville; and two sisters, Mrs. Wallace Long, of Woodbine, and Mrs. George Lindsay, of Centerpoint, Iowa
Contributed by Pam Brotzman - The Elizabeth Times Wednesday, 10 December 1941 Pg. 1
EMMA BELLE (PERRIGO) LISK
- Funeral services were held Saturday at [10 November] 2 p. m. at Banwarth Memorial funeral chapel for Mrs. Bert Lisk, 77, who died in a Freeport hospital Thursday [8 November] morning where she had been a patient since suffering a paralytic stroke on October 20.
Robert Duncan, student pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Elizabeth, officiated. William Bishop, accompanied by Mrs. C. O. Daniel, sang "God's Tomorrow" and "The Old Rugged Cross". Burial was in Elizabeth cemetery.
Casket bearers were Clyde Brashaw, Harold Hubb, Henry Koehn, Melvin Carr, Danny Taup and Clayton Koehn.
Mrs. Lisk, the former Emma Belle Perrigo, was born in Cedar Rapids, Ia., June 5, 1874, the daughter of Abraham and Mary (Lee) Perrigo. She was united in marriage to Bert Lisk at Tipton, Ia., on May 20, 1892. In 1901 the couple came to Elizabeth and have resided here since then with the exception of a five year period when they returned to Cedar Rapids.
Besides her husband, she leaves ten children, John E. of Marion, Ia., Clarence of Elizabeth, Vernon of Galena, Milo of Stockton, James of Clinton, Ia.,, Mrs. Clara Koehn of Elizabeth, Mrs. Josephine Carr of Mechanicsville, Ia., Mrs. Etta Hubb of Savanna and Mrs. Dora Brashaw of Blackhawk. Thirty-six grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and a brother, William Perrigo, also survive. A son and a daughter preceded her in death.
Contributed by Pam Brotzman - Elizabeth Weekly News November 1951 Pg. 1, Co. 8
ISA MAE (MORRIS) LISK
,37, and the wife of Vernon Lisk of Elizabeth, died at the family home here about 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon only a few hours after giving birth to a son.
Mrs. Lisk, the former Isa Mae Morris, was born at Fort Dgdoe, Iowa, on Feb. 21, 1909. She later moved to Galena with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James V. Morris, and while a resident of that city was united in marriage to Vernon Lisk of Elizabeth. This village has been her home most of the time since her marriage.
She leaves her husband, three daughters, Mrs. Lloyd (LaVonne) Brautaman of Galena, Misses Eldora and Ruth Lisk of Elizabeth, and two sons, Melvin and the child born just prior to her death. She also leaves her mother, Mrs. Mac Morris, and one sister, Miss Elizabeth Morris, both of Galena, and three brothers, Vern of Arvada, Colo., Donald of DeKalb, Ill., and Raymond of Galena.
One brother, James Edward Morris, was the victim of a motorcycle-automobile crash in Dubuque June 29 and his funeral was held in Galena only a week ago. Her father also preceded her in death.
The body was removed to the Banwarth Memorial chapel where funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in the Elizabeth cemetery.
Contributed by Pam Brotzman - Elizabeth Weekly News Wednesday, 10 July 1946 Pg. 1, Col. 5
LAVERE LISK
, 63, of Galena, formerly of Elizabeth, died suddenly at his home Sunday night.
Services were held this (Wednesday) afternoon at 1 o'clock in a Galena funeral home with the Rev. Robert Larsen, pastor of First Presbyterian church, Warren, officiating. Burial was in Elizabeth cemetery.
Surviving are two sons, Melvin of Galena and James of Cedar Rapids, Ia.; three daughters, Mrs. Donald (Eldora) Rury, Galena, Mrs. Lloyd (Laverne) Brotzman, Whitewater, Wis., and Mrs. Carl (Ruthie) Carlson of Savanna; 26 grandchildren; a brother, Milo of Elizabeth; four sisters, Mrs. Josephine Carr, Maquoketa, Ia., Mrs. Clare Koehn, Mechanicsville, Ia., Mrs. Edda [Etta] Hubb, Freeport and Mrs. Clyde Bradshaw, Mt. Carroll. His wife preceded him in death
Contributed by Pam Brotzman - Elizabeth Weekly News
Wednesday, 20 December 1967 Pg. 11, Cols. 1 & 2
DORA (BURKE) LONG
, 83, died early Monday morning at Daters Nursing Home, Warren, Ill., after an extended illness. The former Dora Burke was born June 26, 1883 in Massbach, Ill., a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Burke. She married Wallace Long Dec. 11, 1907. He preceded her in death in 1964. There are no immediate survivors. Services were held this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in First Methodist church with Rev. Raymond Rhoads officiating. Mrs. Raymond L. Thom was organist. Pallbearers were Henry Albrecht, Joe Haas, Gus Haas, Roy Dittmar, Fred Holland and Eugene Miller. Burial was in Elizabeth cemetery. Nadig Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Source: Newspaper Clipping
JOHN LUPTON JR
- Deceased was born in England, December 15, 1824, and came to this country in 1846, first settling in Council Hill Township. He removed to Thompson Township in 1849, and located in East Galena in 1868 on the handsome farm owned by him at the time of his death. He was married in 1845 to Miss Mary A. Jackson, also a native of England, who still survives him and by whom he had two children, a son and a daughter, one of whom, the former, died in 1847. He held the office of School Director in Thompson (Township) for nine years, and at one time, County Supervisor from Thompson, and at the time of his death and for several years previous was a class leader in the Union M.E. Church of his town. He was also a member in good standing of Miner's Lodge A.F. and A.M; Galena Commandery no. 40, Knights Templar and Galena Lodge no. 47, I.O.O.F..
Among the bereaved ones are three brothers of the deceased and one sister--William and Joseph Lupton of Council Hill, Samuel Lupton of Grundy County, Iowa, and Mrs. Simeon Spencer (Mary) of Old Council Hill. The deceased was a plain, though remarkably well informed man, pure and blameless in Character and the very soul of honor. Everybody who knew him intimately can testify to his goodness of heart, and his memory will be fondly cherished in hundreds of breasts as long as life lasts. His death was a happy release from the most intense suffering which he was compelled to undergo during the latter part of his illness, yet no man faced the inevitable with a greater self reliance upon his Maker than he, or more perfect resignation to His divine will. He has gone to that reward which awaits the righteousness.
Contributed by K. Giblin Galena Gazette Date: September 1881
WILLIAM LUPTON
- Brief mention was made in these columns Saturday Evening of the sudden and unexpected death of William Lupton at the family residence on Dewey Avenue. In his demise this county has lost one of its oldest citizens. His death is sincerely mourned not only by this community, but still more pronouncedly by that of Council Hill, where the greater part of his long and useful life was spent. A good husband, father, and citizen is gone forever and his loss is keenly felt.
William Lupton was a native of Yorkshire, England, where he first saw the light of day, April 11, 1827. There his earlier life was spent at the family home until he had grown to be an active and intelligent youth, when he secured a position in a leading hotel in Barnsley, which in those days was considered to be a piece of very good fortune.
In the year 1846, his parents decided to move to America, with the hope of bettering their fortunes, and as a member of that family came the subject of this sketch. They had heard of Galena through friends who had preceded them, and on leaving their native shores it was in a ship bound for New Orleans. On reaching that fair southern city they made their way up the Mississippi River by steamer until they finally landed on the levee along lower Main Street. The total finances of the family at that time consisted of just one English Sovereign. After spending about two months with a friend in Galena, they located on some land in Council Hill Township. The few old settlers yet living will quickly appreciate the hardships and difficulties which necessarily attended the first few years of their lives on American soil. The elder Lupton was a determined and energetic man, and his sons partook of his spirit, hence it was not long before their prospects in life began to brighten materially.
In the year 1849 William Lupton, the subject of this sketch, became imbued with the gold fever which had drifted over the country from California, and at once determined to try his fortune in the newly discovered Eldorado. Along with a few others from this locality, he took his departure for the Pacific Coast, and such men as John Fiddick, perhaps the only living man in this city who crossed the plains in that year, can form an adequate idea of the difficulties and dangers encountered during the trip. However, it was safely made and eighteen months later, Mr. Lupton returned to the old homestead in Council Hill with a quantity of shining gold that in those days was considered. He invested his money in land and made comfortable his aged parents until death called them hence.
(On September 9, 1852) he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Redfearn, a young lady of many noble qualities, who has accompanied her husband through a happy and prosperous matrimonial life for nearly half a century, and was alone with him when death snatched him so suddenly and cruelly from her. After their marriage, they spent the intervening years on their large farm in Council Hill until about four years ago when they moved into a pleasant home on Dewey Avenue, where Mr. Lupton's death occurred last Saturday morning.
The decedent was a man of sterling worth and one who will be greatly missed by his family and the community. He was an honest, Christian gentleman, having a friend in everyone with whom he became associated. He is survived by his deeply sorrowing wife and the following children: Mrs. William Atkinson of Scales Mound, John T. Lupton, Mrs. (William H.) Trevarthen of Council Hill, Mrs. Thomas Napper of Norfolk, Nebraska, and George S. Lupton of Council Hill. Two children, William and Mrs. James Knuckey are dead. He is also survived by two brothers, Samuel Lupton of Toledo, Iowa and Joseph Lupton of Council Hill and one sister, Mrs. Simeon Spencer, also of Council Hill.
The funeral obsequies to the memory of the late William Lupton were begun at the family residence on Dewey Avenue at noon, Tuesday (July 31) with brief but impressive services being conducted by Rev. J.T. Le Gear of the First Methodist E. Church of this city. The assemblages of friends and relatives from Scales Mound, Council Hill, and this city was large, attesting to the high esteem and regard in which the deceased was held throughout the northwestern part of the county.
At the conclusion of the services here, the immensely large funeral cortege took its departure for Council Hill, where more extensive services were observed in the M.E. church of that place, conducted by Rev. O.J. Simmons, assisted by Rev. Le Gear. The edifice of worship was filled to its utmost capacity with sorrowing friends and neighbors. From there the remains were conveyed to the little cemetery near by where interment was made. The following old time friends of the deceased acted as pallbearers: John Williams, John Eckstine, R.M. Spensley, James Hicks, R.H. Bachelor, and John Bastian.
Mrs. Thomas Napper, a daughter of the deceased, arrived here on Monday from her home in Norfolk, Nebraska. She had been here some weeks ago, and had seen her father in the best of health, apparently, and when the yellow telegraph envelope was placed in her hand containing the news of her father's demise, she supposed it was from her husband, who has been spending a week here. When her eyes fell upon the contents of the envelope the shock was so terrible that she was almost prostrated. Mr. Lupton is greatly beloved by members of his family and their grief is very profound. They have the heartfelt sympathy and commiseration of a multitude of friends in their dark hours of bereavement.
Submitted by K. Gibler
WAYNE A. LYONS
, age 74, of Freeport, Illinois, previously of Elizabeth, Illinois died Saturday, July 15, 2006 at Monroe Clinic Hospital, Monroe, Wisconsin. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Derinda, rural Elizabeth, Illinois. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, Derinda. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Memorials may be given in Wayne’s name for the Trinity Lutheran Church, Derinda. Wayne was born February 29, 1932, rural Stockton, Illinois, the son of Ray and Mabel (Davis) Lyons. He served in the United States Army from 1954-1956, stationed in Germany. Wayne married Ruth Heer on November 23, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Derinda. Wayne was a lifelong farmer. He enjoyed working outdoors and spending time with family. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Derinda and served as the sexton of the church cemetery. Wayne will be dearly missed by his wife, Ruth Lyons of Freeport, Illinois; two daughters, Barbara Lyons of Stockton, Illinois and Sandra (Kent) Welling of Freeport, Illinois; and one granddaughter, Jessica Welling. Wayne is preceded in death by a brother, Robert; a sister in-law, Rita; and both parents.
Contributed by Lori Gilbert
