Obituaries of Rock Island County, IL - History of Rock Island County, IL

Phil Mitchell was born in Georgetown, Scott County,Kentucky, on November 30, 1846, the son of Philemon Libby and Catherine Norris(Hall) Mitchell. Having come to Rock Island with his parents in the autumn of 1856, when he was less than 10 years old, he attended the public schools of the city. Later, going abroad, he studied at Dresden, Germany.

In 1877, Phil Mitchell married Miss Ella Judd, a daughter of Dr. F. H. and Harriet J. Judd, pioneer residents of Rock Island. Their marriage took place at the residence of the bride’s father,then in Janesville, Wisconsin. Six sons were born to this union, namely, Philemon Leon, who died in infancy, and Ben J., Leon W., Ardo W., Robert C. and Frederick L., who survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home on October 24, 1927, with an open house in the afternoon and a family dinner in the evening.

At the age of 80 years Mr. Mitchell retired from the presidency of the State bank of Rock Island, his resignation going before the Board of Directors of the bank, January 12, 1927. At that time he had served longer than any bank president or cashier in Illinois who was still in active service, having been president of the State bank since 1905.

Always interested in historical collections and facts, Mr. Mitchell was for many years active in the Rock Island County Historical Society, at one time serving as president of the organization. He was also a prominent member of the Illinois State Historical Society.

One of his fondest recollections was while he was still a boy, of seeing Abraham Lincoln and hearing him speak when the latter paid a visit to Rock Island and was at the County court house.
Funeral services for Mr. Mitchell were held at 3 o’clock, November 8, at his home, 720 Twentieth street, Rock Island. They were in charge of Rev. Edward Williams, pastor of Broadway Presbyterian church. Interment was in the family lot in Chippiannock Cemetery.

The following is an editorial from the Rock Island Argus of November 7, 1928:

PHIL MITCHELL

In the death of Phil Mitchell Rock Island loses one of its grand old men.
His residence here dates back to the late “fifties,” before the outbreak of the Civil war. His life in this community has been honorably lived from the time of his advent, a Kentucky youth entering upon a new environment.

His career has been devoted to banking, and the bakers of this community and indeed of this state looked upon him as the “dean” of their calling and paid him the honor that was his due.
Perhaps his outstanding characteristic was his whole hearted devotion and loyalty to Rock Island. As a financier, associated for a long period of years with Rock Island’s oldest banking institution, his connection being traceable to the days of his boyhood when he swept the counting room and performed other humble tasks, he was intimately acquainted with actual business conditions here, and it is greatly to his credit that on many occasions when the future of some important Rock Island mercantile or industrial enterprise was at stake, he would go as far as a conservative baker could in extending financial help in time of need. There was never any question where Mr. Mitchell stood in such times of crisis.

Many a Rock Island merchant and manufacturer has had cause to be grateful to Mr. Mitchell for carrying them through difficult situations. In his capacity as a banker Phil Mitchell possessed the entire confidence of the people. They had a genuine respect not only for his high character, but for his judgment, and frequently had resort to him advice and guidance in the conduct of their business affairs. His knowledge of banking was acquired in the school of experience like his father before him,and what he thus came to know was at the disposal of all who consulted him.
Ardently attached to Rock Island,he made himself familiar with its rich historical background. In this field of investigation he was supreme, and as the years passed he assembled the most valuable collection of historical data having to do with Rock Island’s pioneer period. He was fond of discussing the event and personages of a by-gone day and was recognized as an authority on this domain. He experienced much pleasure in attending the annual gatherings of the Old Settlers’ association of this county, an organization which he served as president. He was instrumental in restoring the home of Colonel George Davenport, noted pioneer of this locality,located on the Rock Island arsenal island, and did much to encourage and assist those who interested themselves in preserving for the benefit of posterity the facts about Rock Island’s past.

Before old age descended upon him,Mr. Mitchell was a lover of such sport as hunting and fishing, and he was directly responsible for the provision in the law creating a game refuge on the upper Mississippi extending to the north as far as Wabasha, Minn., that the southern terminus of this stretch of river should be established at Rock Island.

To the end Mr. Mitchell displayed those qualities of optimism and fortitude which had always distinguished him.He ever faced life bravely, and faltered not as his steps drew near the goal of mortal existence. He had risen by his own exertions from boy of all work around a bank to be the honored head of the institution, and to fill executive posts also in other business concerns of considerable magnitude. His sound commonsense and his habit of industry and attention to the details of his business made him what he was in the world of finance.

It was inevitable that such a man would bind himself many sincere friends. Those who were his intimates valued their privileges very highly.

The name of Phil Mitchell is indelibly impressed upon the City of Rock Island, and that name is the synonym for a character that was unsullied, and for qualities which entitled him to eminent standing as a citizen and as a leader in the business life of Rock Island for many years.
He had now become a party of the history of this community to which he was always so much attached, and the example of loyalty to the interests of his home city which he set will be long remembered by the people of Rock Island.

WALTER A. GREMONPREZ

East Moline __ Funeral services for Walter A. Gremonprez, 81, of East Moline , will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline . Entombment will be in St. Mary’s Mausoleum, East Moline . Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline , where a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Mr. Gremonprez died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, at his home, surrounded by his family. Memorials may be made to Trinity Pathway Hospice or for Masses. Walt was born Dec. 30, 1925, in Moline , the son of Adolph and Clara (Schatteman) Gremonprez. He was a graduate of United Township High School class of 1943. He served in the U.S. Air Forces during World War II. He enlisted as an aviation cadet in 1944 and graduated navigation school in 1945 as a second lieutenant. He served in the Air Force Reserves from 1946 to 1951. He married Mary Alice Collins on June 19, 1948, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, East Moline . He worked at John Deere Harvester Works, East Moline , for 37 years, retiring in 1983. He was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, East Moline , and UAW Local 865. Walt loved woodworking and built the house that he and Mary Alice lived in for more than 50 years. He loved traveling with family. He was to Europe and Mexico many times. He enjoyed playing rolle-bolle and was a member of Hand in Hand Rolle-Bolle League. He was happy in his yard and garden. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary Alice Gremonprez of East Moline; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Greg Wegner of Grand Detour, Annette and Steve Wilson of Moline, Joan and Jim Kramer of Fulton and Amy and Darren Hart of Hampton; son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Laurie Gremonprez of West Bend, Wis.; grandchildren, Katie, Joe and Kimi Wegner, Sarah, Eric and Andrea Fremonprez, Nick DeVolder, Megan Wilson, Joshua and Bridget Gooch and Lauren Hart; eight step-grandchildren; one great-granddaughter "on the way." sisters and brother-in-law, Elaine and Earl Hunt of East Moline, JoAnn (late Larry) Burns and Karen and Larry Dellitt of Moline. He was preceded in death by his parents.
[Taken from: The Dixon Telegraph, Wednesday, August 8, 2007, Page A2 – Col. 3-4 - Contributed by Pat Esterday]

SOPHIE B. WELSHHONS (nee Belman)
Silvis __ Sophie B. Welshhons, 82, of Silvis, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, at her home. She was employed by John Deere as a payroll clerk before retiring. Mrs. Welshhons was born July11, 1925, in Topeka , Kan. , the daughter of Ynes and Luisa (Hernandez) Belman. She married Harley Welshhons in 1966 in Silvis. He preceded her in death on Nov. 21, 2003. Survivors include a daughter, Rene Morris of East Moline; a son, Ron Welshhons of Silvis; a sister, Ester Perez of Moline; two brothers, Louis Belman of Silvis and David Belman of Dixon; and three grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by a sister, Lucy Contreras; and two brothers, Julian and Jess Belman. The funeral is at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Silvis. Burial is at St. Mary’s Cemetery, East Moline . Visitation is from 2 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m., with the rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Schroder Mortuary, Silvis. [Taken from: The Dixon Telegraph, Friday, August 31, 2007, Page A2 – Col. 1-2 - Contributed by Pat Esterday]

Elnora Irene Abbott Lang

Elnora Irene Lang, 81, of Moline, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001, at home. Services were Tuesday at Grace Community Church of the Nazarene, Colona, where she was a member. Burial was in Greenview Memorial Gardens in East Moline.
Family Funeral Services of Colona was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the church.
She was born July 14, 1920, in Rushville, the daughter of Howard and Addie Green Abbott. She married Burton Lang May 27, 1939, in Pleasant Plains, Iowa.
She was formerly employed at ARA Vending and Fresh Pak Candies, retiring in 1981. She enjoyed embroidering, quilting, cooking, and writing poetry.
Survivors (and spouses) include her daughters, Sandra (Amby) Canty of Davenport, Iowa, Nancy (Dennis) Chamberlain of Denver City, Texas, and Virginia (Jerry) Thomas of Pueblo West, Colo.; sons, David (Lea) Lang of Olathe, Kan., and Ed (Kathy) Heck of Vandalia, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Chamberlain of Roseville, Ruth Roberts of Bradley, and Dorothy Miller of Yuma, Ariz.; and son-in-law, Ron Davis of Amarillo, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Burton, in 1997, daughter, Barbara, in 2000, one grandchild, one great-grandchild, and a sister, Helen Cunningham. [The Rushville Times, Wednesday, September 5, 2001, page 15, column 2 - submitted by Sara Hemp]

GRANT J. FRANKS, 7_ , Hillsdale, died (22 Sep 1984) Saturday at the Veterans Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at the Dailey-Gibson Funeral Home, Port Byron. Burial will be in the Bethesday Cemetery, Hillsdale. Visitation today will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to the Hillsdale American Legion which he was a member. In 1963 he married Mary Lesher at Port Byron. He was the first Villalge Marshall of Hillsdale and was a carpenter. He served in the army during World War II. Surviving are his wife; one stepson, John Steven Lesser, Rock Island, step grandchildren and one brother, Charles, Geneseo. [Submitted by Melva L. Taylor]

F J Davis, an old and well known farmer of Rock Island County, Illinois, committed suicide by means of poison at his home in Carlin Cliff, a few miles above Rock Island, and his body was found in his vineyard.
The circumstances surrounding the case are such that it has created considerable of a sensation in the county. A week ago Davis was arrested and bound over in $1500. houds for forging the name of Deputy Sheriff Sharp Selvis, who operates a coal mine, has for years been supplying the Argillo Tile Works at Carlin Cliff with fuel. Of that institution Mylo Lee is president and to injure the business relationship between Mr. Lee and Mr. Selvis, whom he had a grudge against. Davis wrote the following note and mailed it in such a manner that it would fall into Mr. Lee's hands: "The business of the court keeps me here, but you still and we'll give Mr. Mylo Lee hell, you bet." Selvis soon traced the note to Davis and had him arrested. Public indignation against Davis was aroused, and in a fit of remorse he committed suicide. [Alton Democrat, November 20, 1885 - Submitted by Janice Rice]

NEVA M. SCHATTI, 57, 3905 Morton Drive, East Moline, died Saturday at Illini Hosptal in Silvis. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Schroder Mortuary in Silvis with Rev. Byron Black of Erie Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in National Cemetery in Rock Island. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today.

Neva Rosene was born Sept. 15, 1927 in Tampico. She was united in marriage to William Schatti on Jan. 12, 1956 in Tampico. He died in 1973. She worked in the office at Aertex Means Services in East Moline. She was a member of the American Business Women's Association and the Tampico Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Joni Schatti of East Moline and Betsy Schatti of Cantonment, Fla., one son, William L. Bollinbrook, one stepson, Dennis Schatti of Moline, two stepgrandchildren; and four sisters, Mrs. Mildred Beydler of Cantonment, Fla., Blanche Rosene of DeKalb, Etta Mae Tufte of Genoa and Mrs. Helen Rank of Wheeling. She was preceded in death by one sister. [The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois, April 22 1985 - Monday, pg A4 - Submitted by Melva Taylor]

SUSAN M. FULLER - 25, of 425 16th Ave., Apt. 2, Moline, died Wednesday morning. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Anne's Catholic Church in East Moline. Burial will be in Hampton Cemetery in Hampton. Visitation will be from 7-9 tonight at the Sullivan Estherdahl Mortuary in East Moline. Eulogy will be given at 7:30 p.m.

She was born in Syrcuse, N.Y. and had been employed at Desaulniers Printing Company in Moline at the time of her death. Surviving are her mother, Elizabeth Fuller of East Moline; her father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Fuller of Lyndon; two sisters, Mrs. Richard Polk of Moline and Annette at home; one brother, Thomas at home; two step-sisters, Polly Goggins of Rock Island and Diane Rangel of Sterling; one step-brother, John Goggins of Loguna Hills, Calif., her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle R. Fuller of Sterling and stepgrandmother, Betty Bullock of Cherry Valley, Ark. [The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois July 18, 1985 - Thursday, pg A6 - Submitted by Melva L. Taylor]