DIESTELMEIER, Florence , 82, a resident of Parkview Home who died there Saturday following a short illness, was held 1 p.m. today at Walker Mortuary. (Transcriber’s Note: Her date of death wasn’t given but my source handwrote it in as September 7, 1982.) The Rev, William H. Blomberg, pastor of Embury United Methodist Church officiated. Burial was in Lena Burial Park . A memorial fund has been established for Embury United Methodist Church . She was a retired secretary of the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, a member of Embury United Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Lena Order of the Eastern Star and White Shrine of Jerusalem in Freeport . Born April 12, 1900 in Lena , she was the daughter of August and Marie (Altenbern) Diestelmeier. There are no immediate survivors. She was preceded in death by five sisters and one brother.
Contributed by Alice Horner

BETTY JEAN (GOLDY) DONAHUE , 73, of 1218 W. Staver Street , died Monday, September 23, 1996 at Rockford Memorial Hospital . Daughter of Clarence and Laura (Gilmore) Goldy, she was born December 14, 1922 at Durand. She and Henry C. “Hank” Donahue were married August 31, 1946 at Freeport . For more than 20 years she was an employee of Bee Line Ready Mix, and she held a membership in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. During World War II she served as a WAVE. Surviving family members include her husband; her son, Timothy (Jane) Donahue of Dixon; her daughter, Kelly (Patrick) McCabe of Rockford; three grandchildren, Stacy Donahue, and Katie and Thomas McCabe; and two step-grandchildren, Sean and Sarena McCabe. Survivors also include her mother, Laura Eaton of South Beloit; two brothers, Kenneth Goldy of San Jose , California , and Maurice (Bonnie) Goldy of Beloit; and two sisters, Alice (Allen) Roby of Rockford and Margaret (Don) Meissen of Durand. Her father, one brother, and one sister preceded her in death. The funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Friday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home and then at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Monsignor Thomas Dzielak of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rock Falls , formerly of St. Thomas Catholic Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery . Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, A Scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the St. Thomas Aquinas Church Building Fund.
Contributed by Alice Horner

D. PATRICK DONAHUE , 68, of Rockford , formerly of Freeport , died Tuesday afternoon, January 21, 1997 at his home after a lengthy illness. Son of Henry and Loretta (Carroll) Donahue, he was born July 12, 1928 in Stockton . He and Mary Cramer were married April 30, 1949 in Freeport . He and his wife moved to Rockford from Freeport 44 years ago. He was employed by John Hancock Insurance and Financial Services Company 40 years in various capacities including sales, marketing, public relations, recruiting, training and management. He opened and managed the first general agency in Rockford for the John Hancock Company, and received numerous professional recognitions and outstanding sales awards while employed by the company. In 1981, he opened and managed the first Midwest regional office for the John Hancock Small Group Pension Division in the western suburbs of Chicago . He was a member of numerous professional organizations and was a past president of the Life Underwriters Association. In the 43 years he was an active parishioner of St. James Catholic Church he served on numerous church committees, was a lay lector, was a past president of the St. James PTA, and the parish council, and was active in parish counseling, Pre-Cana and Catholic Family Missions. He also participated in numerous Boylan Central Catholic High School activities, and served as president of the Boylan Home and School Association at one time. In addition to his success in the insurance industry, and his deep religious convictions, he was a devoted family man. Surviving family members include his wife; three daughters, Susan Donahue of Greenbrae, California; Debra Parsons of Chicago, and Mary Christine Donahue of Rockford; three sons, Patrick (Laura) and Michael Donahue of Hinsdale, and Thomas Donahue of San Rafael, California; six grandchildren; five brothers, Henry, Robert (Barbara), and Paul (Nancy), all of Freeport, Richard Donahue of Streator, and Brian (Marty) Donahue of Bartlett; two sisters, Jeanette (Richard) Sullivan and Lorna (John) Marsh, both of Freeport; and numerous nieces and nephews. One brother, Jim Donahue, preceded him in death. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. James Catholic Church with the Revs. David E. Beauvais, William M. McKinstra and Norbert M. Richter officiating, Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery .
Contributed by Alice Horner

HENRY C. DONAHUE , 79, of Freeport died Monday, April 5, 1999 at Freeport Memorial Hospital . He was born July 10, 1919 at Stockton, the son of Henry J. and Loretta M. (Carroll) Donahue. On August 31, 1946 he and Betty J. Goldy were married in Freeport . He graduated from Aquin Central Catholic High School in Freeport in 1936. During World War II, he served in the Army with the 132nd Infantry. He was a member of Amvets and Freeport Veterans of Foreign Wars. He owned and operated Donahue Motor Sales for more than 30 years, and he and his son owned and operated NAPA of Dixon. His memberships included St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church; the Knights of Columbus; 4th Degree, Elks Lodge; and the former Germania Club. He enjoyed attending auto auctions. Surviving are one son, Timothy (Jane) Donahue of Dixon; one daughter, Kelly (Patrick) McCabe of Rockford; three grandchildren, Stacey Donahue and Katie and Thomas McCabe; four brothers, Robert (Barbara) Donahue of Pearl City, Richard Donahue of Streator, Paul (Nancy) Donahue of Freeport, and Brian (Mary) Donahue of Bartlett; and two sisters, Jeannette (Richard) Sullivan and Lorna (John) Marsh, both of Freeport. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife on September 23, 1996 and two brothers, Patrick and James Donahue. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with the Rev. P. William McDonnell officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery .
Contributed by Alice Horner

JAMES FRANKLIN DONAHUE , 62, of Chicago , formerly of Freeport , died Wednesday September 27, 1995 at his home. Son of Henry and Loretta Donahue, he was born August 7. 1933 in Freeport and graduated from Aquin High School in 1951. He and Darlene Lamm were married May 17. 1958 in Freeport . He was a butcher at A&P Grocery in Freeport prior to his employment with John Hancock Insurance, also in Freeport . After moving to Chicago several years ago, he continued working for the agency until retiring after 35 years of service. He was a member of St. John Fisher Catholic Church in Chicago andd had been a member of the former Germania Club. An Army veteran, he served during the Korean War in the early 1950s. Surviving family members include his wife; his children, John (Ellen) Donahue of Chicago and Laura (John) Pytlewski of Lockport; and his grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Pytlewski. Also surviving are six brothers and two sisters, Henry (Betty) Donahue, Jeannette (Richard) Sullivan and Robert (Barbara) Donahue, all of Freeport, Richard Donahue of Streator, Patrick (Mary) Donahue of Rockford, Paul (Nancy) Donahue, and Lorna (John) Marsh, both of Freeport, and Brian (Mary Lou) Donahue of Bartlett. Survivors also include 32 nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 10234 S. Washtenow, Chicago. Burial will be in Holy Sepulcher at Chicago . Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Donnellan Funeral Home, 10525 S. Western Avenue , Chicago and from 9:15 a.m. Monday to time of service at the church.
Contributed by Alice Horner

RICHARD DONAHUE , 74, of Streator, a former Freeport resident, died Monday, June 21, 1999 at St. Mary Hospital in Streator. He was born December 3, 1924 to Henry J. and Loretta (Carroll) Donahue in Detroit , Michigan . After graduating from Aquin High School in 1942, he continued his education at the University of Iowa , earning a degree in journalism in 1946. He was a journalist for the Chicago Tribune for 23 years, and was editor of the National Underwriter for 22 years. Surviving are three brothers, Robert (Barbara) Donahue of Pearl City, Paul (Nancy) Donahue of Freeport and Brian (Mary) Donahue of Bartlett; two sisters, Jeannette (Richard) Sullivan and Lorna (John) Marsh, both of Freeport; and one sister-in-law, Mary Donahue of Rockford. Preceding him in death were his parents and three brothers, Patrick, James, and Henry Donahue. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Freeport with the Rev, Joe Lutz officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery . Visitation will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established for St. Mary Catholic Church.
Contributed by Alice Horner

LESTER DORSEY , 82, of Sarasota , Florida , formerly of Freeport , died February 13, 1985 at his home after a long illness. He was born January 5, 1903 in Florence Township , the son of Michael and Sophia (Luettig) Dorsey. He married Katherine Klinke on December 5, 1930. Mr. Dorsey farmed in Stephenson County and Wisconsin . Later he was employed as custodian of the Union Labor Club, Freeport . He was a Freeport rural volunteer fireman and member of Zion Church . Survivors include his widow; two daughters, Joan, Chicago and Mrs. Darla (Harold) Myers, Sarasota ; one son, Dr. David M. Dorsey, Madison , Wisconsin ; one brother, Kenneth, Lena ; and four grandchildren. Cremation will be in Sarasota . Graveside service will be held at a later date at Oakland Cemetery
Contributer by Alice Horner

SOPHIA DORSEY , 63, widow of the late Michael Dorsey, passed away at a local hospital early today. She resided at 1440 South Float Avenue . Sophia Luettig, daughter of Christopher and Henrietta Luettig, was born in Florence Township . (Transcriber’s Note: No date of birth given, but the 1900 US Federal Census for Florence Township shows her being born in June 1875.) She was united in marriage to Michael Dorsey, who preceded her in death. Two sons also preceded the mother in death. Surviving are the following children: Mrs. John Lubbers, Lester, Benjamin, and Kenneth Dorsey, all of Freeport . Three brothers and a sister survive, August and Edward Luettig, Florence Township ; Fred Luettig and Mrs. Grant Olthoff, Freeport . Funeral services will be conducted at the Eichmeier & Becker Funeral Home, West Stephenson Street at 1:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon with services at Oak Avenue Evangelical Church at 2 o’clock. Rev. William Beuscher will conduct the services and interment will be made in the City cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.
Contributed by Alice Horner

ROBERT L. DOWNS , 81, of Freeport died Sunday, January 2, 2000 at Freeport Manor Nursing Center . He was born January 20, 1918 at Lanark to Frank B, and Amy (Wolfley) Downs . He attended Lanark schools. On July 25, 1937 he and Charlotte E. Wilson were married in Clinton , Iowa . He worked at Servisoft Soft Water and for Freeport Mosquito Abatement District. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Roger D. Downs of Freeport and Kevin R. (Imelda) Downs of Bushnell; two grandchildren, Michelle Burkett of Tulsa , Oklahoma and Kaiser Downs of Bushnell; one great-grandchild, Christina Burkett of Tulsa ; one brother, Max L. (MaryJean) Downs of Norwalk, California; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, and three brothers, Harlan, Donald, and Randall. The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel of Peace at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens . Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Schwarz Funeral Home where the family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the American Cancer Society.
Contributed by Alice Horner