RUTH E. RAISBECK , 77, of 920 Meadows Drive, died Friday, Oct. 14, 1994 at Freeport Memorial Hospital. She attended Browns Business College in Freeport and was a world traveler. She had worked for the Henney Motor Company and at the time of her retirement was an executive secretary at Bank of Denver in Colorado. Born Sept. 27, 1917 in New Diggings, Wis., she was the daughter of Aaron and Annie (March) Raisbeck. Surviving are three nephews, Ronald (Duane) Cox of Cedarville, Dr. Wendell (Marsha) Cox of Freeport and Rufus Erwin of Dexter, Mich.; and one niece, Salle Erwin of Orchard Lake, Michigan. She was preceded in death by three sisters. There will be no funeral service. Cremation rites have been accorded. Walker Mortuary completed the arrangements.
Contributed by Alice Horner

SARAH (HUGHES) REES , a lifelong resident of this vicinity, passed away Sunday evening at 7:30 at her home, after a year's illness. Mrs. Rees' maiden name was Sarah Hughes. She was a daughter of James A. and Mary McGurk Hughes and was born in Kent township, Dec 5, 1872. Her marriage to Grant Rees took place Sept. 23, 1896. She is survived by her husband, one son, Clifford Rees, of Lena, a sister Mrs. Mary Wieneke, of Freeport, three brothers, Richard Hughes of Kirkland, Wash., William Hughes of Sumner, Ia., Michael Hughes in Stockton and three grandchildren. One brother and one sister preceded her to death. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock at the home at and 9:30 at St. Joseph's church, Rev. J. M. Blitsch officiating
Contributed by Julie Rosales

CHARLES HENRY REYNOLDS - After an illness of four months’ duration Charles H. Reynolds, residing at 25 Harrison street, died at 9:00 p. m. Saturday, death being due to a complication of diseases in which dropsy and heart trouble were prominent. The funeral has been arranged for 10:00 a. m. Tuesday and will be held from the home. Rev. W. C. Millikan, of the first Methodist Episcopal church, of which the deceased was a member, will officiate, assisted by Rev. Mr. Gilbert, a retired Baptist minister and a neighbor. Members of the choir of the First Methodist Episcopal church will sing during the service. The pallbearers will be Harvey Mogle, G. W. Wright, C. C. Cannon, L. A. Bingham, O. R. Zipf and Fred Wessel. Interment will not be made until the spring, the body being placed temporarily in a vault at the city cemetery immediately after the service. Charles H. Reynolds was born in Roxton, province of Quebec, Canada, September 29, 1846, where the early years of his life were spent. From Roxton he moved to Hartland, Vermont, where he resided until 1878. In 1877 he was married to Ruth E. Kingsbury, the following year coming to Illinois. In 1893, together with his wife and family, Mr. Reynolds moved to Freeport, where he has since made his home. He is survived by a wife and six children, as follows: Burton Reynolds, Della Reynolds and Mrs. Roy [Henrietta] Wessel of Freeport, Howard Reynolds, [Della Reynolds] and Mrs. [Roy Leven (Pearl)] Mertz of Washington, D. C., and Leslie Reynolds, of Detroit, Mich. In addition eight grandchildren survive. The deceased was seventy-one years of age.
Contributed by Larry Reynolds

RUTH ELECTA (KINGSBURY) REYNOLDS widow of the late Charles Reynolds, passed away at 9:45 o’clock Sunday morning at her home at 1236 West Harrison Street. She had been ill for several months and was improving, when she suffered the shock of paralysis which caused her demise. She leaves to morn her passing six children: Burton F. and Miss Della Reynolds, at home; Mrs. Roy Wessel, 1212 West Harrison street; Mrs. L. G. Mertz, Washington, D. C.; H. L. Reynolds, Detroit, Mich., and H. W. Reynolds, of Sterling, Ill. She is also survived by one brother, Sidney Kingsbury, of Canada. Ruth Electa Kingsbury was born in Canada on December 18, 1858. She was married to Charles Reynolds in Vermont, in May, 1876, and eight children were born to them, two of them passing away in infancy. They removed to Freeport in 1879, and Mr. Reynolds became employed as a teamster. Mrs. Reynolds was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and her death is mourned by many friends. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Tempel’s Funeral Chapel, Rev. M. D. Obenshain, pastor of the First M. E. church, officiating. Interment will be made in Oakland. Mrs. Mertz, of Washington, D. C., has arrived to attend the funeral.
Contributed by Larry Reynolds

FINNIS D. RICE , 61, of Freeport died Thursday, May 14, 1998 at Freeport Memorial Hospital . Born September 7, 1936 in Eldorado, he was a son of Louis and Nellie (Weatherly) Rice. He married Carolyn A. Ontjes January 26, 1957 in Freeport . He worked at the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company for 20 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the Excelsior Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies, Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. Retirement Club, and H. U. G.S. cancer support group. He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Roxane Rice of Freeport ; two sons, Merle Rice of Rockford and David (Amy) Rice of Bloomington; two brothers, James (Mary) Rice of Marion, Indiana, and Paul Rice of Marion ; and one grandchild, Connor Rice of Freeport. He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Walker Mortuary, with the Rev. E. Eugene deJongh of Cedarville Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens . Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Walker Mortuary. A Masonic service will begin at 4 p.m. A memorial fund has been established.
Contributed by Alice Horner

ELIZABETH (KLANTZ) RICHARD , 65, the foster-mother of Mrs. W.I. Matter residing at 246 Empire street, died at her home in Afolkey at noon today, at the age of sixty-five. Death resulted from a general breakdown and was the result of extended ill health. Mrs. Richards has been a resident of Stephenson county all her life and is well known, both in the city and throughout the northern part of the county. She has been for many years active in church circles and was a member of the Evangelical church of Afolkey. Several brothers and sisters survive here in addition to her adopted daughter. Mrs. Matter, Mrs. Richards survived her husband, who died a year ago last May, less than two years. The funeral arrangements have not been completed but it will probably be held from the Afolkey church Sunday afternoon
Dean McMakin / Find-A-Grave/ Freeport Daily Journal, Friday, 16 February 1917

JOHN HENRY RICHARD , 81, of 730 West Pleasant street, died early this morning at his home. He was born Dec. 17, 1869, in Iowa, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Richard. Mr. Richard married Mary Metz Jan. 17, 1900. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Stout, Freeport, and one grandchild. Funeral services wil be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Main Street Evangelical United Brethren church. Rev. J. Dale Doolen, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Oakland cemetery. Friends may call at Walker mortuary until 10:30 a.m. Friday.
From the World Connect Website of Bill Kniering - Freeport Journal-Standard, Wednesday, 15 August 1951

LEVI RICHARD , living a mile south west of the village of Afolkey, whose sudden death was noted yesterday, was 69 years old and a resident of Stephenson county since his twelth year. The death of Mr. Richard was sudden, coming when he was assisting in the building of a cellar wall for a new dwelling house on his farm. The work was being done by William I. Matter of Freeport and C.W. Cochran, Mr. Matter and Mr. Richard were conversing at 2 o'clock regarding the work, Mr. Matter then turning in another direction. Several minutes afterwards he glanced toward where Mr. Matter was, observing he was leaning over the cellar wall, his position being such that indicated that he might be taking a sight of the line to observe if it was level. When Mr. Richard did not move for several seconds he was approached by Mr. Matter, who observed that Mr. Richard was unconscious. He called Mr. Cochran and by the time they had lifted him from his position he was dead. The sudden death of Mr. Richard is believed to have been due to heart trouble, of which there had been symptoms for several years, although his condition was not regared as being serious. An inquest was conducted by dr. N.C. Phillips of Freeport, deputy coroner. The jurors were William H. Griffin, foreman; Samuel Bordner, Samuel Beals, J.C. Neuschwander, Thomas Boals and Lincoln Pifer. The verdict was that death was due to natural causes. Mr. Richard was born in Pennsylvania, May 21, 1846. His death was on the anniversary of his birth. Coming to Illinois in his twelth year he located in Stephenson county and his residence here has been since been continuous. He was married May 24, 1870, to Miss Mary Klontz, who survives him. There are no children, although Mrs. W.I. Matter of Freeport is an adopted daughter. He is survived by two brothers and a sister, Joseph H. of Lena, Jeriah of Ardale, Ill., and Mrs. Sophia Orth of Humboldt, Kan. Funeral services will be conducted at the house Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock and at 2 o'clock at the Bethel church in Afolkey. The Rev. E.C. Gasser of Freeport, presiding elder of the Evangelical association, will officiate
Dean McMakin / Find A Grave / Freeport Daily Bulletin, Saturday, 22 May 1915

MARY (METZ) RICHARD , 730 W. Pleasant St., a lifelong resident of Stephenson County, died Friday evening at the summer home of her daughter after a short illness. The former Mary Metz was born July 27, 1877, in Harlem Twp., the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Metz. She married John Richard Jan. 17, 1900 in Freeport. He died Aug. 15, 1951. Survivors include her daughter, Mrs. Mifred (Helen) Stout, two brothers, Edmund Metz, and Ruben Metz, one granddaughter, all of Freeport. Mrs. Richard was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers and one sister. She was a lifelong member of Main Street Evangelical United Brethren Church. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the church with Rev. E. A. Lieske officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Friends may call at Birke-Tubbs Funeral Home after 1 p.m. Sunday until 10 a.m. Monday, then at the church.
From the World Connect Website of Bill Kniering - Freeport Journal-Standard, Saturday 25 July 1964

EVA MARIE (BLEM) RICHTER - Funeral services for the late Eva Richter, widow of Charles Richter will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 9:30 Tuesday morning. Rev. N.J. Berg will celebrate a Requiem mass and internment will be made in Irish Grove cemetery. Mrs. Richter was 85 years old and a native of Stephenson County. She was a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Blem and was twice married. Surviving is one son Daniel M. Hall. (Freeport Journal 18 March 1940).

RUTH ROBERTSON , 66, of 2046 N. Blumendahl Road, Freeport will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Schwarz Funeral Home. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery . Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. She died Friday morning, November 27, 1987 at her home after a brief illness. A 1949 graduate of Mount Carroll High School , she was head cashier at Lee’s Market for many years. She was a member of Embury United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. Alice Horner's note: She was born January 21, 1931 in Carroll County, Illinois, the daughter of Francis and Helen (Fulrath) Gillespie. Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Cheryl (Mrs. Wayne) Scofield; and three sons, William Jeff Robertson, Donald E. Robertson, Jr., and Terry Lynn Robertson, all of Freeport; two brothers, Lyle Gillespie of Freeport, and Richard A. Gillespie of Gainsville, Florida; and 11 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter.
Contributed by Alice Horner

DOLORES A. (HIGLEY) ROTTA , 56, of Wauwatosa , Wisconsin , niece of Alice Rutledge McCulloch of Freeport , who raised her after the death of her mother, died Friday, July 22, 1994 at her home. She was employed by Micro Switch and Economy Insurance Company in Freeport , prior to her work at the Milwaukee Journal in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . A graduate of Freeport High School , she attended Lincoln College in Lincoln . She was a member of the Mother of good Council Congregation in Wauwatosa . Born February 19, 1938, in Freeport , she was the daughter of Albert and Cora (Kampmeier) Higley. She married Richard M. Rotta April 25, 1959 in Freeport . Surviving are her husband of Wauwatosa ; two aunts, Alice (Mac) McCulloch and Edna Crockett, both of Freeport . She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Walker Mortuary with the Rev. Richard Barbour of St. John United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens . There will be no visitation.
Contributed by Alice Horner

RICHARD M. ROTTA , of Wauwatosa , Wisconsin died Wednesday July 27, 1994 while in Freeport for his wife’s funeral. Born October 24, 1925 in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , he was the son of Michael and Theresa (Dambeck) Rotta. On April 25, 1959 he married Dolores Ann Higley. She preceded him in death July 22, 1994. Cremation rites were accorded. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Milwaukee .
Contributed by Alice Horner

GLENN EVERETT RUNKLE , 16, son of Mr. & Mrs. Guy Runkle of 316 W. Spring Street passed away late Saturday afternoon (May 11, 1940) following an illness of scarlet fever. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Grand View Cemetery and will be private. Rev. John Bruce will conduct the service. Glenn was born at Orangeville July 14, 1923. He attended Freeport schools. Besides his parents he leaves five brothers and a sister - William, Charles, Robert, Raymond, Merle and Alice May. His maternal grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Will Klein reside at Pine River Minn.

ALBERT RODEMEYER , Death came suddenly last evening to Albert Rodemeyer, 49, who passed away at his home, 1014 South Oak Avenue about 6:30 o’clock. He suffered a stroke late yesterday afternoon, having had two previous strokes during the past several months. Earlier in the afternoon he had attended novena services at St. Thomas Church with his wife and son. He was taken ill shortly after returning home. Funeral services will be conducted at the home at 9 o’clock Monday morning, with a requiem mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 9:30 o’clock. Interment will be made in St. Joseph’s cemetery. Knights of Columbus will meet at the home at 7:30 o’clock Sunday night to recite the rosary. Albert Rodemeyer was born in Freeport August 14, 1889, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rodemeyer. He was educated at St. Joseph’s parochial school and following his graduation learned the trade of a printer. He was employed for several years by the Wagner Printing company and later in the printing department of the Furst-McNess company. He also worked for a time at the Kable Bros. plant, Mt. Morris. His marriage to Miss Mary Sauer took place June 26, 1913. Surviving are his wife and one son, Florian Rodemeyer, Freeport. Four sisters and two brothers also survive, Sister Mary Ivon, O. S. F., Sister Mary Amadeus, O. S. F., both of St. Francis convent, Milwaukee; Mrs. George Gastel, Freeport; Mrs. Dorothy Schneider, Chicago; Rev. Fr. Charles Rodemeyer, O. S. B., Peoria; Fred Rodemeyer, Freeport. Mr. Rodemeyer was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Freeport council Knights of Columbus, St. Pius society, Loyal Order of Moose, Western Catholic Union. A man of gracious disposition he was held in esteem by all who knew him. His chief interests were in his family and his church, he having been active in affairs of St. Joseph’s parish for many years. He was also interested in athletics, having acted as official timer for Aquin high school contests for the past several years.
Contributed by Alice Horner from the Saturday July 9, 1938 Edition of the Freeport Journal Standard

ETHEL (KEIM) RODEMEYER , 88, of Freeport died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport. She was born July 3, 1916, in Mount Carroll, the daughter of Earl and Grace (Garman) Keim. In 1938, Ethel and Florian F. Rodemeyer were married in Freeport. Ethel was a graduate of Mount Carroll High School and attended Brown's Business College. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Surviving are her children, Stephen (Risa) Rodemeyer of Fresno, Calif., Peggy Hughes of New Berlin, Wis., and Jane (Jim) Bicksler of Dakota; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Bob Keim of Lena; and two sisters, Doris Rinehart of Rockford and Betty Birely of Morrison. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband on March 4, 1996; one sister, Lucille Lovett; and a son-in-law, Ed Hughes. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father John Cahill officiating. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Schwarz Funeral Home, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m.
Contributd by Alice Horner

MARIE (WELSH) RUNKLE , 57, wife of Oscar J. Runkle and for a number of years proprietor of the Clifton Hotel in Freeport, died suddenly at her home in Stoughton Wisc. yesterday. Her death resulted from a heart affliction. Funeral services will be conducted at the Schwarz Funeral home at 2 p.m, Rev. John F. Reagor assistant pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church will conduct the services and interment will be made at Oakland. Marie Welsh was born April 9, 1883 at South Wayne Wisc. the daughter of Edward and Bea Welsh. She was educated there and united in marriage to Oscar J. Runkle who survices. There is also one son, Glen H. Runkle, Freeport. Two brothers and a sister also survive, Edward Welsh of Pettibone N.D.; Stephen Welsh of Hingham Mont; Mrs. Merrill Rubendall of Orangeville; a brother Morris Welsh preceded her in death. Mrs. Runkle conducted the Clifton Hotel for a period of 17 years moving to Stoughton with her husband two years ago. (Freeport Journal 31 Jan. 1941)

SAMUEL RUNKLE , was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania August 20, 1811 and died in Oneco, Stephenson county, Illinois, February 21, 1904, aged 92 years and 6 months. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Keen, of Berks county, Pennsylvania, in A. D. 1834. To this union were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, one son dying in infancy. In the year 1845 he, with his family, emigrated to Illinois and located on a farm in Rock Grove township, Stephenson county, Illinois. Here they resided for fifteen years, then moved to what is known at present as Laborde Mill. Later on he resided in the village of Oneco and finally moved onto a farm near Oneco, where the rest of his life was spent. In this home his companion died May the 31st., 1884. He married a second time, in the year 1885 to Mrs. Cornelia Davis, who proceded him to the sprit world four years ago.

Mr. Runkle spent about two years with his son Cyrus, and on the 20th of last August came to live with his daughter, Mary J. Keister, of Oneco. He leaves to morn his departure the following children: Wm. Runkle, of Lakefield, Minnesota; John H., James P. and Amelia Hartman, of Spencer, Iowa; Cyrus J. and Mrs. Mary Kiester, of Oneco, Illinois, and Mrs. Sarah Faust, of Meeteesee, Wyoming, also forty grand children, fifty-two grandchildren, great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, two brothers and two sisters- Hugh Runkle, of Orangeville, Illinois; James Runkle and two sisters, of Pennsylvania, and a host of other relatives. Mr. Runkle was converted at Rock Grove in the year 1858, and united with the Reformed church. For the past eight or ten years he spent much of his time reading God's word. His daughter Mary J. Kiester procured for him a German bible nearly 100 years old. This he used of late years. His body rests in the Oneco cemetery. J. Groff --- newspaper clipping
contributed by Dave Runkle

MARY FRANCES (SCHAUER) RUSSELL , 67,of 1304 Grandview blvd., died last night at Waukesha Memorial hospital after a short illness.

Survivors include her husband, Elmer; one daughter, Mrs. Richard Boyes of Waukesha; two sons, Charles and Albert Jr. of La Mesa, Calif.; one brother, Albert Schauer of Freeport, Ill.; and two sisters, Mrs. Anna Kerch of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Mrs. Alice Jackson of Freeport. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Erling Larsen Funeral home. The Rev Howard Kusler will officiate. Burial will be in a family lot at Prairie Homes cemetery. Friends may call after 4 p.m. today.
Contributed by Vineta Lynch Shaw - Waukesha Daily Freeman July 30, 1963

AUGUST RUTHE , 73, died suddenly about 9 o'clock this morning (30 April 1938) at his home, 657 West Avon St. following a heart attack. He had suffered from heart trouble for several years but his condition had not been considered serious. Shortly before he passed away he had been out out of doors for a walk and appeared to be in his usual condition. Mr. Ruthe was born in Germany August 30, 1864 and came to the U.S. when a young man. He was united in marriage in Freeport to Martha Birkner who survives together with 10 children; August Jr. Edward and Roswell of Freeport; William and Mrs. George Buckley of Monmouth; Miss Helen Ruthe of Youngstown OH; Mrs. Alfred Washburn, Mrs. Arthur Klosa and Mrs. William Richter of Freeport; two brothers Frederick of Freeport and Henry of Baileyville and one sister in Germany. For many years Mr. Ruthe had been employed at the Woodmanse Mfg. Co. here. Services will be 2:30 Monday at the Walker Mortuary, burial will be in the City Cemetery. Friends may view the body at home. (Freeport Journal 30 April 1938)

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