** K ** JOHN KAZAKOS , 1525 W. Harrison, Freeport, owner and operator of the only shoe shine stand in Freeport, died this morning in Freeport Memorial Hospital following a short illness. (Transcriber’s Note: This newspaper clipping isn’t dated, but the Social Security Death Index gives his date of death as April 1977.) A native of Greece, Kazakos came to the United States in 1910 and began his shoe shine operation in a small wooden structure near the corner of E. Stephenson St. and S. State Ave. in 1924 and continued to operate it until his recent illness. A news story on Kazakos a few years ago quotes him as saying that a customer once asked him if he knew everybody in Freeport and he answered “No, I only know 90 per cent of the people.” He often told how he made one modest fortune, lost it and then was able to make a comeback that allowed him to make several return trips to Greece. He told how he lost several thousands of dollars in the depression along with rental property. The money, he was quoted as saying, came from the days when the shoeshine business was a booming business. “It was a live town years ago...,” he said. “I used to have four kids shine shoes; we charge 10 cents then and took in maybe $50 a day.” Even in later years he admitted that shining shoes was a hobby where he could make $2 or $3 a day to cover expenses. He was also employed as a molder at the Arcade Manufacturing factory for 13 years. He told the story last year of how another employee made a bet with him that he could make more molds in a day than Kazakos. “By noon I’d made 300 and he made 250,” he said. “Next day he quit.” City Inspector Ed Brooks said that Kazakos “was famous for his moldings. He could make more molds than anyone in Freeport.” He was also active in politics. “He was a great guy,” Freeport Mayor Mark McLeRoy said this morning. “He was a legend in our community. Even with a limited education, he was a very intelligent person.” McLeRoy said Kazakos served in an unofficial capacity as assistant campaign manager for the mayor for many years. “He would often stop at our home and was not only loved by me but by my whole family,” McLeRoy said. “John was never bashful about telling his opinion whether you agreed with it or not.” Politicians went to him, the mayor said, who called Kazakos, “very honest but very blunt.” McLeroy said that probably Kazakos was most remembered for his speech during the controversy over construction of a new courthouse when he received a standing ovation during the public meeting. Kazakos told how he donated money to his boyhood home of Mitilinoi on the Greek island of Samos for a renovation project on the Mitilinoi City Hall building. He repeated the story there and at other times about how the citizens wanted to keep him there and make him mayor. “I told them no,” he said. “I’ve got to get back to my country. I’m an American.” Everybody talks about John’s speech there,” McLeRoy said. Kazakos was a member of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Freeport and the American Hellenic Society. John Kazakos was born April 29, 1892, on the island of Samos, the son of Demetrios and Penelope (Moshonas) Kazakos. Surviving are two daughters, Katina Papazahariou of Canada and Mrs. Paul (Alicia) Kazakos of Freeport; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Philoctitis and Kospantinos, both of Greece; and two sisters, Dorothea Panourakis and Despina Mayrantzotou, both of Greece. Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Holy Cross Creek Orthodox Church of Freeport. The Rev. Theoharis Theoharis of Rockford will officiate with burial in Oakland Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home where a prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday. A memorial fund has been established for the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Freeport. Contributed by Alice Horner LENA (HAHN KEEHN , 61, wife of John G. Keehn, 727 East Center street, passed away at 8:30 o'clock last night. A complication of diseases caused her death. She had been seriously ill two weeks. Decedent was born in Freeport on Dec. 15, 1874, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hahn, and was united in marriage to John G. Keehn on May 10, 1894. Surviving, besides the husband, are seven children and eighteen grandchildren. Her parents and two brothers preceded her in death. Children surviving are: Otto Keehn, East Moline; Edwin and MIss Florence Keehn, at home; Mrs. Howard Keith, Mrs. Henry Brown, Mrs. Robert Kutzke, Mrs. Walter Kutzke, Freeport. Also surviving are three brothers, Henry Hahn and Fred Hahn, Freeport, William Hahn, Dubuque, Ia., and a sister, Mrs. John Siems, Freeport. Mrs. Keehn was a faithful member of Zion Reformed church and of Zion Ladies' Aid society. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon, at 2 o'clock at the home and at 2:30 at Zion church, Rev. C. M. Grahl, pastor, officiating. Burial will be made in Oakland cemetery, Six nephews will act as pallbearers. J Contributed by Karen Fyock - July 11, 1936 ARCHER B. KERCHNER , 50, passed away about 6:30 o'clock this morning at his home in Harlem township. He had been ill about two years. He was born in Harlem township on Jan. 30, 1895, the son of George and Eva T. Kerchner, and on Sept. 1, 1915, was united in marriage to Daisy M. Richards. He is survived by his widow; three children, Harry Myrnice, of Ridott, Mrs. Roger (Merle) Shippee, of McConnell, and Marvin, at home; his mother; two sisters, Anna, of Chicago, Georgene, of New York; three brothers, Emil and Charles, of Chicago; Delbert, of Blue Field, Ind., and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 1:30 at the Walker mortuary. Friends may call at the home until Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Contributed by Dean McMakin - Find-A-Grave - Freeport Journal 11 May 1945 DAISY MAE (RICHARDS) KERCHNER , 95, a resident of Freeport Manor Nursing Center and formerly of 140 N. Park Blvd., died Tuesday morning, Sept. 13, 1988 at the manor following an extended illness. She was born Nov. 1, 1893, at Lena, the daughter of William and Mary (Diestelmeier) Richards. She married Archer B. Kerchner on Sept. 1, 1915, in Freeport. He died May 11, 1945. She was employed for many years in the kitchen at Freeport Memorial Hospital. She attended Park Hills Evangelical Free Church. Surviving are one daughter, Merle (Mrs. Matthew) Ludwig, Freeport; one son, Marvin P., Dakota; one daughter-in-law, Bethel Kerchner, Freeport; one brother, Roy Richards, Albuquerque, N.M.; one sister, Jennie Helsinger, Freeport; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one son, one brother, two sisters and one grandson. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home. The Rev. Cliff Gilleland, associate pastor of Park Hills Evangelical Free Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Contributed by Dean McMakin - Find-A-Grave - Freeport Journal-Standard, Tuesday, 13 September 1988 RICHARD F. KINSELLA - Funeral services will be held today for Richard F. Kinsella, 76, widely known Democratic political figure and former major league base ball scout who died Saturday night following a heart attack. Long a leader in the Sangamon County Democratic organization, Kinsella supported Governor Horner's first campaign in 1932 and was appointed by the governor as superintendent of the state's oil inspection division, a position he held at his death. For 20 years prior to 1932 Kinsella scouted baseball talent for the New Giants and was credited with the discovery of such players as Heinie Groh, Larry Doyle, Arthur Fletcher and Ferdie Schupp. Friends said it was Kinsella who recommended the Giants acquire Pitcher Carl Hubbell. Monsignor M.A. Tallent will officiate at a requiem mass at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow in St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Rev. Patrick Romayne of Chicago, will deliver the sermon. A half hour earlier there will be services at the residence. Freeport Journal 16 Oct 1939 ELI KLINE , age 74 years 4 months 27days; farmer; died January 25, 1883 at 5pm; Rock Grove, Stephenson County, Illinois; American, born in Ohio; resident of the state for 12 years; cause of death: disability; buried at Frankenberger Cemetery; ISAAC J. KLINE , at his home in Spring Grove at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 1, 1894 in 53rd year. born in Spring Grove in Dec. 1841 and spent most of life in the county. Married Miss Rebecca Zimmerman of Davis, IL. 12 children 6 survive. His aged mother, Mrs. Eli Kline, also though in feeble health. Last Saturday afternoon came to Brodhead in apparent health. In the evening, start home with son Mr. Wilbur Kline and Wil's wife of Brodhead. When near Eli Frisbie's place, about a mile from home taken very sick. Got home, nearly helpless. Left side paralyzed and lost power of speech. Soldier of the late war. Member of Ben Davis Post G.A.R. Funeral on Tuesday afternoon at B. Chapel. Inter in the adjoining cemetery." July 12, 1894 pg. 5 "In last week's obit of Isaac Kline- said died Sunday July 1 should have been Monday, the 2nd." Source: Bonnie Pehrson at Find-A-grave CAROL ANN KLOPF , 62, of Rochelle, died Monday May 11, 2009 at her home. She was born on May 30, 1946, in Freeport, the daughter of Aubrey and Helen (Marth) Davis. Carol was a nurse for more than 20 years at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford and then was an industrial nurse for Rochelle Foods for 17 years, prior to retiring in 2005. Her father preceded her in death. Survivors include her daughter, Lisa (Daniel) Sutton, of Rochelle; granddaughter, Baylie Sutton, of Rochelle; mother, Helen Davis, of Eden Prairie, Minn.; two sisters, Mary Beth (Dennis) Nelson, of Redwood Falls, Minn., and Barbara (Brom) Johnson, of Edina, Minn. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15 at Unger-Horner Funeral Home with Rev. Ryan Sutton officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday prior to the service. Cremation rites were arranged by Unger-Horner Funeral Home and burial will be at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeport. Contributed by Alice Horner - Unger-Horner Funeral Home VERA (YODER) KOBOLDT , a former Freeport resident, died Saturday in St. Mary's Hospital, Streator, following a long illness. Mrs. Koboldt formerly lived at 615 S. Float Ave., before making her home in Streator with her daughter, Mrs. Karl (Lois) McNutt a year ago. She was a seamstress, a member of First Methodist Church, Eagles and Germania clubs. Mrs. Koboldt was born Sept. 2, 1892 in Freeport, the daughter of Eff and Minnie (Place) Yoder. She was married to William Koboldt Oct 17, 1930. He died Dec. 20, 1946. Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. McNutt, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be Tuesday at 3 p.m. in Walker Mortuary. Rev. Webster Hobb of First Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Contributed by Dean McMakin - Find-A-Grave HOMER KUHLEMEYER , 85, 107 N, Sunset Ave., Freeport, died Wednesday August 20, 1986 at Freeport Memorial Hospital. He was a machinist at Fairbanks Morse before retiring in 1963. Service will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Ernest R. Francis of Embury United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic service at 8 p.m. A memorial has been established for Embury Methodist Church and Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Homer Kuhlemeyer was born March 5, 1901 in Freeport, the son of August and Minnie (Noth) Kuhlemeyer. On June 30, 1928 he married Laura M. Artis in Valley City, North Dakota. He was a veteran of the Navy serving in World War I and a 50-year member of Embury Methodist Church. Other memberships included Excelsior Lodge, AF & AM, Freeport Scottish Rite, Freeport York Rite, Eastern Star and Capernaum Shrine. In 1981 he received the meritorious service award of the Masonic Council of Deliberation. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Jane (H. E.) Gilliatt or Richardson, Texas, and Nancy Hockey of Venice, Calif.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Six brothers and three sisters preceded him in death. Contributed by Alice Horner LAURA (ARTIS) KUHLEMEYER , 81, of 107 N. Sunset Avenue, Freeport, died Saturday, May 21, 1988 at Freeport Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Embury United Methodist Church, and was a past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a past worthy high priestess of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. The daughter of William H. and Jennie (Bennett) Artis, she was born December 5, 1906 in Augusta, Wis. On June 30, 1928 she married Homer H. Kuhlemeyer in North Dakota. He died August 20, 1986 in Freeport. Surviving are two daughters, Jane (Mrs. Harold E.) Gilliatt of Richardson, Texas and Nancy Hockey of Venice, Calif.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Four brothers and two sisters preceded her in death, in addition to her husband. Service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Walker Mortuary. The Rev. Elmer A. Dickson, pastor of Embury United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the mortuary, where a memorial service will be conducted by the Freeport Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, at 7 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the church. Contributed by Alice Horner Surnames A Surnames B Surnames C Surnames D Surnames E Surnames F Surnames G Surnames H Surnames I Surnames J Surnames K Surnames L Surnames M Surnames N Surnames O Surnames P Surnames Q Surnames R Surnames S Surnames T Surnames U Surnames V Surnames W Surnames X Surnames Y Surnames Z