Whiteside Co IL Obituaries

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FRIEDA J. (WOLTERS) HAGENOW , 74, of Rock Falls , died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, at her home. Frieda was born March 22, 1933, in Boyden , Iowa , the daughter of John and Tillie (Jans) Wolters. She married Harold J. Hagenow on March 3, 1950, in Denver , Iowa . Frieda enjoyed sewing, embroidery, baking, playing the organ and horses. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Jan Metz of Dixon ; two sons, Bruce Allen Hagenow, not of the area, and Darrell Ray (Lisa) Hagenow of Dixon; a sister, Jane (LeVerne) Weber of Waterloo, Iowa; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce in 1950. The funeral is at 10 a.m. Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls , with the Rev. Dalmus Meeks officiating. Burial is at Oak Knoll Memorial Park , Sterling . There is no visitation. A memorial has been established to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Contributed by Pat Easterday - Taken from: The Dixon Telegraph, Tuesday, August 7, 2007, Page A2 – Col. 3-4

MEDA (HILL) HALE , 78, of Tulsa, Okla., passed away Saturday Aug. 31, at the home of her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Erickson of Morrison. She was visiting relatives and friends here and had attended the wedding of her niece, Rita Hill Anderson, the night before. Meda A. (Lella) Hill was born June 13, 1890 in Nebraska, the daughter of Chester Grant and Ella Amanda Shinkle Hill. She moved to Prophetstown as a child and lived in Prophetstown until her marriage to Henry Hale of Sheffield on Feb. 16, 1909. She lived in Tulsa, Okla., until her recent passing. Her husband preceded her on Dec. 20, 1961. Her survivors include one daugher, Mrs. Jack Jacobson of Tulsa; three grandchildren, Mrs. Steve Shalla, Raymond and Janet Jacobson; one great grandson, Timothy Kent Shalla; one half-sister, Mrs. Clarence Erickson of Morrison; one-half brother, Clifford Hill of Prophetstown. Ellis Hill, another half-brother preceded her in death on June 10, 1961.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois September 3, 1968 - Tuesday, pg

ROY L. HALE , 46, Dies In Melrose Park Hospital. Roy L. Hale, 46, of Oak Park, Ill., died suddenly Monday following an attack of double pneumonia at Westlake hospital, Melrose Park. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at the Senne funeral home in Maywood. He is survived by his wife, the former Helen Tyne, a daughter of the late Mrs. Mary Tyne, a son, Robert of Mammouth Springs, Ark., a daughter, Frances, at home, his mother Mrs. Wilma Hale of Peoria, a sister, Mrs. Edna Curll of Indianapolis, Ind., a brother, Clarence of California and one grandson.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois April 3, 1951 - Tuesday, pg 2

WILLIAM A. HALL , a resident of Sterling most of his life, died suddenly Friday at 7 a.m. (18 March 1951) in the Rockford tuberculosis sanitarium. Services are to be conducted Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the Fitzgerald Funeral Home at Rockford. The body is to be returned to Sterling for burial in Riverside Cemetery. The Veterans of Foreign Wars will participate in graveside rites. Mr. Hall was born in Macomb in 1904, the son of William F. and Jessie Hall, both of whom preceded him in death a number of years ago. He was reared in Sterling and attended the local schools. He had served in the army two different periods, enlisting first in 1920. After having been employed in a Rockford furniture factory for a time, Mr. Hall re-enlisted and was discharged only six weeks ago. He had been in a Denver sanitarium while in the army. Surviving are his wife, Anne, Rockford; two brothers, Harold E. Hall, Rock Falls, and Russell W. Hall, Inglewood, Cal.; and a sister, Mrs. Paul Landis, Sterling.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette May 19, 1951 - Saturday, pg 2

BERTHA MAE (HENDERSON) HANSON , 88, formerly of Thomson, died February 4, 1976 at Resthave Nursing Home, Morrison. Bertha was born Dec. 16, 1887, in Camanche, Iowa to William and Naomi Courtney Henderson. She married Leroy (Roy) Hanson Dec. 1, 1907 in Albany, Il. They farmed in the Albany, Newton, area before moving to Lanark where they retired and moved to Thomson. They never had any children of their own; but always said, "These are our kids"; Clair Scudder of Morrison,; Barney Scudder, and Jerry Scudder of Fulton; and Beulah Fletchic of Morrison which are nephews and niec. She is survived by her husband, Roy and a sister, Lucia (George) Saltow of Thomson. She was preceded by a sister, Pearl Thomson of Geneseo and two brothers, Bert Henderson and Ed Courtney. The funeral was held at Fay-Seesser Funeral Home, Fulton and burial was at the Lusk Cemetery, Albany, Il. Pallbearers were William Blair, Bernard Scudder, Gene Scudder, Gerald Scudder, James Smith,and John Tiesman.
Contributed by Judy Hook

ELLEN (WIPPLE) HANSEN , 86, of Tampico, died Friday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Donna Davenport of Moline. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Monday at the First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown with the Rev. L.S. Anderson, officiating. Burial will be in the Tampico Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call at the Schmitt Chapel in Tampico from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday evening. A memorial has been established. Mrs. Hansen was born Aug. 19, 1889 in Greenville Township, Ill., the daughter of Walter Delos and Rachel Ida Wipple. She received her education in the Bureau County Schools. She was married to James F. Hansen on Feb. 15, 1911 in Princeton and they farmed in the Tampico area most of their lives, retiring in 1957. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown.Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Herman (Aldien) Hinton of Tampico, Mrs. Amiel (Lucille) Roseling of Manlius, Mrs. Howard (Donna) Davenport of Moline, and Mrs. Dean (Doris) Verdick of Tampico; 19 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; two sisters, Mrs. August Carlson of Prophetstown and Mrs. Ed Carlson of Chadwick; and one brother, Frank Whipple of Princeton. She was preceded by her parents, five sisters, four brothers, two great granddaughters and her husband in 1975.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 6, 1976 - Saturday, pg

LEROY HANSON , 95,Thomson, died Jan. 18, 1979 at Resthave Nursing Home, Morrison. Mr. Hanson was born Aug. 30, 1884 in Newton Township, to Frank and Rebeccah Jordan Hanson. He married Bertha Mae Henderson Dec. 1, 1907 in Albany, Il. They farmed in the Albany, Newton area many years before moving to Lanark, Il. where they retired from farming and moved to Thomson, Il. Survivors are nephews and nieces; which include; Clair (Dorothy) Scudder of Morrison; Barney (Mahala) Scudder and Jerry (Marguerite) Scudder both of Fulton, and Beulah (Kenny) Fletchic of Morrison.They always said; " These are our kids" as they never had any of their own. He was preceded by his wife, Berthie, and several brothers and sisters. The Rev. Al Streyffeler, Albany United Methodist Church pastor, officiating. Visitation was Tues. at the Reedy Funeral Home. Burial was in Lusk Memorial Cemetery, Albany, Il.
Contributed by Judy Hook

LYLE HANSEN , 61, a resident of the Jack Mabley Center, Dixon, IL, formerly of Prophetstown, died Sunday, November 20, 2005 at KSB Hospital, Dixon. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the Gibson & Son Funeral Home, Prophetstown. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Prophetstown. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.m. until the time of the services. A memorial fund has been established for the Jack Mabley Center. Lyle was born July 30, 1944 in Prophetstown, the son of Burdette and Mary (Conery) Hansen. He is survived by sisters, Mary Kay Smothers, Prophetstown, Claudette (Mrs. Arthur) Klavenga, Morrison, and a brother William (Arlene) Hansen, Erie, IL. His parents, a sister, Barbara DeReu, and a brother, Robert preceded him.
Contributed by Debbie Thormahlen from The Prophetstown Echo – November 22, 2005

GENIEVE IRENE (MANGERS) HANSON , 84, of 105 E 23rd St, Sterling, (formerly of Emerson) died at Sterling Pavilion on Friday, Nov 19. Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling with Rev. Frank Berman pastor of Wesley Methodist Church. There will be no visitation, arrangements were completed by the Melvin-Schilling Funeral Home. A memorial has been established to Wesley Methodist Church. Mrs. Hanson was born in Sterling on Nov. 27, 1909, the daughter of Henry and Viola Mangers. She married Howard Hanson on February 23, 1946 in Peoria Heights. He preceded her in death in 1956. Mrs. Hanson was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sterling. She attended Browns Business Collage and graduated in 1931. She is survived by three great nieces; Lenita Kupel of San Jose, CA, Dee Kupel of Paso Robles, CA; and Pat Marshall of Modesto, CA; one great nephew (should be nephew) Harold Kupel of San Jose, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, and one great nephew.
No date on obit. Died Nov 19, 1993 - Contributed by Margaret (Wilson) Mangers

HELEN HARVEY HANSON , 74, of Albany died Sunday, June 12, 2005, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Albany United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Lusk Cemetery, Albany. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Gibson Funeral Home, Erie. Memorials may be made to the Tri Township Heritage Society, Albany. The former Helen Marie Harvey was born March 18, 1931, in Albany, the daughter of Harper and Josephine Drury Harvey. She married Melvin Hanson on Sept. 2, 1950, in Albany. Mrs. Hanson was employed at Eclipse Lumber Co., Clinton, Iowa,from 1948 to 1950, was employed at Nielsen's Clearing House for two winters, and retired from the Quad City Times as a reporter in 1995. She had also been a writer for The Dispatch, the Clinton Herald, the Fulton Journal, the Erie Review, the Whiteside County Sentinel and the Sauk Valley West newspapers. She was an author of the book "Trailways to Albany." She was a member of Albany United Methodist Church, the Depression Glass Roundtable, the Whiteside County Farm Bureau and the Tri Township Heritage Society, and was a member of the Whiteside County Tourism Board for 14 years. Survivors include daughters and son-in-law Barbara and Henry Skoog, Powder Spring, Ga., and Mary Hanson, Rockford; sons and daughters-in-law Norman Hanson, Albany, Dale and Evelyn Hanson, Morrison, and Jeff and Angie Hanson, Morrison; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Lois Vos, Albany, and Genevieve Walker, Fort Myers, Fla.; and a brother, Harper Harvey, Phoenix, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a sister, Beverly Spets.

HENRY S. HANSON , 78, of 15405 Lincoln Road, Morrison, died Sunday, July 20, 2003, at his home. He was employed by General Electric Co., Morrison, for 29 years, retiring in 1978. Mr. Hansen was born March 12, 1925, in Sterling, the son of Peter W. and Catherine (Sinclair) Hansen. He attended Morrison High School. He served in the Army during World War II and was a charter member of Morrison Veterans Foreign Wars Post 8281. Survivors include two brothers, Russell Hansen of Morrison and Stanley Hansen of Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by a sister, Vivian M. Riedel. Graveside service, with military honors accorded by Morrison American Legion and VFW Post 8281, is at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. There is no visitation. Arrangements were completed by the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral home.
Daily Gazette July 28, 2003

HOWARD R. HANSON , 45, an employe of the Chicago and North Western railroad died suddenly at 5:30 p.m. Monday at his home in Emerson. A Sterling fire department inhalator squad and a physician failed to revive him. Death was attributed to a heart attack. Funeral services will be Thursday a 2 p.m. in the Melvin Funeral Hone with the Rev. Lawrence R Axelson, pastor of the Fourth Street Methodist Church, officiating Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. A member of the Methodist Church, he had been employed by the railroad for 15 years. He was born Aug. 16, 1910 at Prophetstown, son of Alma Pense Lengdon and Mark Lengdon. He married Genevieve Mangers on Feb. 21, 1946, at Peoria. She was his second wife. Surviving are his widow; three daughters, Mrs. Dean Pitts, Sterling, and Adrinne and Paulette Hanson, both of Rock Falls; a brother Hugh Pense, Sterling; two sisters, Mrs. Ross Berger, Minneapolis, Minn., and Mrs. S. W. Bowman, Sterling; his mother Mrs. Wern Link, Davenport, and several nieces and nephews.
May 20, 1956 Contributed by Margaret (Wilson) Mangers

WILLIAM RUSSELL HANSEN , 81, of Pleasant View Nursing Home, Morrison, IL, died Monday, January 14, 2008 at the nursing home. Russ was born June 13, 1926 in Sterling, IL to Peter W. and Catherine (Sinclair) Hansen. He attended Morrison grade and high schools. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Russ was employed with the former Herman Nelson Manufacturing Company in Morrison and Penberthy in Prophetstown, IL, retiring in 1988. Survivors include his cousin, Neal Patterson of Morrison. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Vivian M. Riedel; two brothers, Henry S. Hansen and Stanley Hansen.

ELLEN MALISSA HARTING , 86, died at 9:30 Tuesday Night (January 25, 1938) in her home at 709 Avenue I. The body was removed to the Wheelock funeral home in Rock Falls and will be taken back to the home Thursday morning. Funeral rites are to be held Thursday afternoon at 2 in the home and 2:30 in the Christian church. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Mrs. Harting was born in Fort Wayne Indiana. Her husband, Cyrus Harting, preceded her in death. Mrs. Harting had made her home with her daughter, Mrs. William Sitter at 709 Avenue I.
Sterling Daily Gazette January 26, 1938

HARRY "LLOYD" HARTING , 704 Locust St. , Sterling , has received word from Washington D.C. , of the passing of his brother, Harry “Lloyd” Harting. Death occurred Saturday evening at Yacunde , Cameroon , Africa . Mr. Harting has been a resident of Africa for the past 20 years where he was employed by the U.S. government. Mr. Harting was born in Sterling , the son of Harry J. and Elizabeth Underhill Harting. He attended the local public schools and was a graduate of Sterling Township High School and Brown’s Business College . He left Sterling in the mid 20s. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; two daughters and one son, two brothers, Bert Harding of Sterling and Donald Harting of Rock Island . The body is being returned to the United States and will be forwarded to Sterling for services and burial. Mrs. Harting will accompany the body. Local arrangements are being completed by the Melvin Funeral Home. The body will arrive about Nov 17.
Contributed by Suzy Wert - Daily Gazette Sterling-Rock Falls , Illinois Saturday, 13 Nov 1965

HELDA MARIE (HAWKINSON) HAWKINSON , 83, passed away Friday night, Dec. 23, 1966 in the Sterling Community General Hospital. She was born Dec. 30, 1882, in Plattsmouth, Neb., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Hawkinson. She was educated in the Plattsmouth schools and the Omaha Business School. She married G. W. Hawkinson of Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 20, 1903. The couple moved to Prophetstown in 1908. She attended the Prophetstown Methodist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Mr. Charles (Alice) Buyers of Sterling, and Mrs. Clayton (Agnes) Weber of Prophetstown, one sister, Mrs. Anna Rogers of Chice, Calif. She is also survived by five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, husband and three brothers. Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 26, at 1 p.m. at the First Methodist Church in Prophetstown with the Rev. Paul Olson officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Kennth Hansen, Kennth Fenn, J. B. Reichard Sr., Warren Weber, George Klockenga and Robert Herald. Organist was Mrs. V. R. Olmstead and Mrs. Frank Lanphere was solist. A memorial for the Methodist Church has been established. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette December 28, 1966 - Wednesday, pg 2

HUGO M. HECHT , 79, passed away Wednesday evening at the Sterling Community General Hospital, after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held in the First Methodist Church, Prophetstown, Saturday at 1:30 p.m., the Rev. Paul Olson officiating with burial in Riverside Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gardner Funeral Chapel Friday evening from 7 to 9. Masonic services will be held at the funeral home Friday at 8 p.m. A memorial has been established for the First Methodist Church. Hugo M. Hect was born June 17, 1887 in Dueben, Germany, the son of Max and Maria Kaiser Hecht. He attended the Rock Island Schools and moved to Prophetstown from Moline in 1932. He married Ida M. Daft of Prophetstown on April 17, 1937 in Dixon. He began work at the Eclipse Lawnmower in 1932 and retired in May 1959. He was a member of the First Methodist Church, Prophetstown, Minerva Chapter OES. He is survived by his widow, four sons, Edward of Moline; Waldemon, of Burlington, Iowa; Verne of Fort Collins, Colo.; Raymond of Rock Island; one daughter, Mrs. Arthur (Elaine) Studt of Rock Island; one brother, Walter, of Rock Island; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded by his parents, one stepson and one daughter.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IllinoisJanuary 5, 1967 - Thursday, pg 6

JOHN HEFFELFINGER , 67, of 1113 5th Avenue, Rock Falls died suddenly Friday afternoon at Community General Hospital in Sterling. Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Melvin-Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling with Rev. Charles Steinke, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Oak Knoll. Visitation will be Sunday 2-4 and 6-8 at the funeral home. Mr. Heffelfinger was born Oct. 4, 1918 in Milledgeville, the son of John and Caroline (North) Heffelfinger. He was united in marriage to Ruth Barclay and she preceded him in 1969. He was employed at Emerald Hill Country Club in Sterling for several years as a desk clerk in the bowling lanes and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Sterling. Survivors include a son, Dr. Lynn Heffelfinger, Sterling; two daughters Mrs. Robert (Penny) Goerks, Speer, and Julie Heffelfinger, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; two brothers, Percy Heffelfinger, Rock Falls and Tom Heffelinger, Savanna; three sisters, Helen Hinrichs, Milledgeville, Harriet Pruatt, Boise Idaho and Mary Dunn, Lanark and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Edgar; one sisters, Lena and his wife Ruth in 1969.
Contributed by Denise McLoughlin

RUTH (BARCLAY) HEFFELFINGER - Funneral services for Mrs. John Robert (Ruth) Heffelfinger, 50, of 912 7th Ave., Sterling who died in Mercy Hospital, Dubuque, Iowa, early Thursday morning after a short illness will be held Saturday. The Rev. Luther Cooperrider, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, will officiate at 3 p.m. in the Melvin Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Oak Knoll Cemetery. There will be visitation at the Melvin Funeral Home from 6 to 9 Friday and until the services Saturday. Mrs. Heffelfinger was born in Sterling April 17, 1919 the daughter of Martin and Johanna Wessels Barclay. She received her education in the Sterling schools. She was united in marriage to John R. Heffelfinger in Davenport, Iowa on Nov. 30, 1938. For the past 18 years Mrs. Heffelfinger has been employed by Northwestern Steel and Wire as a traffic clerk. She was member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Sterling. Survivors include her husband John and a son Lynn Heffelfinger, Dubuque Iowa nd two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Penny) Goerks of Sublette, and Miss Julie Heffelfinger at home; her mother Mrs. Johanna Barclay of Sterling and five sisters, Mrs. Robert (Hazel) McMillan of Yelm WA; Mrs. John (Mabel) Lank of Rockford, Mrs. Gordon (Myrtle) Smith of Como, Mrs. Leroy (Dorothy) Dohlens of Mt. Morris and Mrs. John (Helen) DeFabis of Berwyn. There are two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Contributed by Denise McLoughlin - 17 Apr 1919 - Oct 9, 1969 Burial Oak Knoll Sect. D Lot 825 Grave 2

WILLIAM G. HELGASON , 75 of 310 Park Avenue, Prophetstown died Satruday, June 28, 2008. He was born on July 20, 1932 in Clarion, IA the son of Charles and Elsie M. (Anderson) Helgason. He served in the US Army Aircorps during the Korean War. He married the former Bonnie G. Griffin on March 16, 1963. Surviving is his wife, Bonnie; two sons, William Hegason III of Port Byron and brad Helgason of Milan; two sisters, Karen Brei of Geneseo and Evelyn Merkel of Chicago; a half brother John Helgason of Moline; three grandchildren and his faithful companion Hannah. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Charles. At his request there will be no funeral services and cremation has taken place. Arrangements were completed by the McDonald Funeral Home in Prophetstown, IL.
Contributed by Debbie Thormahlen - The Prophetstown Echo July 1, 2008

EUGENE F. HEFLEBOWER , native of Sterling, passed away suddenly Friday at his home, 2901 Sunnyside Ave., Chicago, after suffering a heart attack. Funeral services were conducted Saturday in the Lain and Son Funeral Home in Chicago, and burial was in Acacia Cemetery. He was born April 26, 1910 in Sterling, a son of the late Frank H. Heflebower and Mrs. Frank Heflebower, who resides at 202 W. 4th St., Sterling. He graduated from Sterling Township High School, and at the time of this death was associated with the Wayne Hummer Investment firm in Chicago as securities analyst. He was a former president of the American Beauty Products Co. His father, who was a Sterling banker for many years, passed away about 20 years ago, and a brother, Robert, died about five years ago. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anita Heflebower; three children, Dolores, Linda and John, at home; his mother in Sterling, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Lois deBevec of Evanston. Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois September 23, 1961 - Saturday, pg 2

EDWARD C. HELT - Funeral services are complete at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home in Rock Falls for Edward C. Helt of 511 East 7th St., Rock Falls, who died suddenly yesterday (22 Sep 1961) while at work at the National Manufacturing Co., where he had been employed for the past 12 years. Coroner John Ardapple conducted an inquiry into the death. Mr. Helt was born Sept. 9, 1905 in Bridgeport, Ohio, the son of John and Mary Helt. He moved to Rock Falls 34 years ago. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Warren (Phyllis) Franks, Mrs. Richard (Doletta) Garrett, both of Chicago and Mrs. Arthur (Caroline) Gray of Rock Falls; three sons, Emil E. of Rock Falls, and John and Edwin, both of Chicago; three sisters, Mrs. Edward (Eva) Cusick of Wilimington, Ill., Mrs. Hiram (Dellal) Roe of Lewiston, Ill., Mrs. Alvin (Loretta) Naffziger of Dixon; one brother, Harry, of Rock Falls; 22 grandchildren ; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann in 1946, his parents, three brothers, Robert, John and William Helt on July 22, 1961, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral home with Rev. Harry E. Shiffer, pastor emeritus of the First Christian Church of Rock Falls, officiating, with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Sterling. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Saturday. Contributed by Melva L. Taylor

HAZEL MARIE (CARD) HELT , 77, of 611 Grace Ave., Rock Falls, died Jan. 14, 1993, at CGH Medical Center, Sterling. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home, Rock Falls, with the Rev. Gary R. Crowe, pastor of the First Christian Church, Rock Falls, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. A memorial has been established. Mrs. Helt was born May 8, 1915 in Vandalia, the daughter of Roy and Sue (Frailey) Card. She married Harry F. Helt, June 25, 1932 in Rock Falls, He died Nov. 27, 1983. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Rock Falls, various organizations in the Church, and the Kings Daughters. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Richard (Darlene) Condiff of Rock Falls and Mrs. Louis G. (Betty) Hummel of Prophetstown, five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; three brothers, LeRoy Card of Folleta, Iowa; Donald and Lloyd Card, both of Rock Falls, one stepbrother, Frank Klocke, Rock Falls; several step-sisters, not of this areaa; and many nieces and nephews.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IllinoisJanuary 15, 1993 - Friday, pg A2

DELBERT E. HEPNER - 71, of 5911 Yager Rd., Prophetstown, died Monday, Nov. 24, 1997, at his home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, Prophetstown, with the Rev. Carson Daniel Lauffer, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Prophetstown. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at Gardner Funeral Home, Prophetstown. A memorial has been established for the American Cancer Society. Mr. Hepner was born May 14, 1926, in Kewanee, the son of George and Marie (Egert) Hepner. He married Alice Winchell on June 2, 1963, at the United Methodist Church, Prophetstown. He farmed in the Prophetstown area for several years and was employed at Rock River Lumber and Grain, Prophetstown, prior to retiring, and was a campground host at Prophetstown State Park for over six years. Survivors include his wife, Alice; one daughter, Kara (Edward) Dornbush of Prophetstown; three grandchildren, Jonathan Dornbush, Jeffrey Dornbush, and Elizabeth Dornbush; two sisters Elaine (Robert) Willetts and Jeanette Hepner, both of Prophetstown; and one brother, Wendell (Gloria) Hepner of Hot Springs, Ark. He was preceded in death by several aunts and uncles.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 25, 1997 - Tuesday, pg A2

AGNES W. HERMES - Funeral services for Mrs. Agnes H. Hermes, 711 Locust street, were held Saturday morning at nine o'clock in St. Mary Catholic church, Sterling, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Mullen of St. Mary's seminary, Cleveland, Ohio, sang the solemn requiem mass. The Rev. David Murphy of Harmon served as deacon, and the Rev. Burwell E. Beddoes of Rock Falls was sub-deacon. The Rev. Kenneth Shuman of Cincinnati, O., was masteer of ceremonies. Present in the sanctuary for the mass were Arch Bishop Leo Binz, arch bishop of Dubuque, Ia., Rt. Rev. Msgr. A. J. Burns, Father Driscoll of Dubuque, Ia., Rev. T. L. Walsh of St. Charles and Rev. John Vaughn of Prophetstown. Arch Bishop Binz delivered the sermon and Monsignor Mullen conducted the gravesite rites in St. Mary's cemetery, Tampico. The pallbearers were John Ryan, Joseph Ward, O. L. McGinn, John Drew, William McKeown and Clarence Bauer. Many beautiful floral tributes were taken care of by Lawrence Burke, James Ryan and Miss Mary Ryan, T. J. O'Brien was usher at the church. Out of town attendants at the rites were Sister Rita Rose, Sisters of Loretto, Lebanan, Ky., sister Mary Mathilda, Sisters of Loretto, Loretto, Ky., Sister Mary Sacred Heart and Sister Mary Rita, Sisters of St. Joseph, LaGrange, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Brennan of Sioux City, Ia., Misses Frances and Elizabeth Savage and Mrs. Hugh Savage of Chicago, Miss Esther Smith, Mrs. George McFadden, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carmody and Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Mullen of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Butterfield and daughter of Pecatonica, Miss Helen Grobens of Freeport, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Grobens of Rockford, Eugene Currans of Joliet, and Miss Margaret Doherty of Lincoln.
Contributed by Melva Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois August 11, 1952 - Monday, pg 2 col 4

HELEN (KOBBEMAN) BURKE HERMES , 96, a resident of Prophets River View Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Prophetstown, died Friday Jan. 28, 2005. Helen Burke Hermes was born Jan. 13, 1909 in Tampico the daughter of Henry and Emma (Schwamberger) Kobbeman. She married Lawrence E. Burke at St. Mary's Church, Tampico, on Sept. 19, 1936. Mr. Burke died in 1958. She then married Ambrose A. Hermes on Nov. 26, 1966. Mr. Hermes died in 1987. She graduated from Tampico High School and the Scovill Business College in Sterling in 1929. She accepted a secretarial position with Westinghouse Co., Calgary, Alberta Canada. She was a homemaker and legal secretary for more than 40 years, working in the law offices of Cantlin, Blodgett and Reese the last 25 years of her career until 1976, when she retired. She was an active member of St. Marys Church Sterling, St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society, Blue Army, Society of Forresters and Whiteside County Home Extension. She enjoyed traveling both in this country and abroad and had many opportunities to do so, including trips to Europe, Japan, Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska and many of the other United States. Survivors include her children, Lawrence H. (Jeanie) Burke of Oregon, Mary Kathleen (John) Knowles of Kirkwood Mo., Marta Vasquez of Sterling, Jean (George) Ransom of Lyndon, Barbara (Joseph) Hermes of Morrison and David K. (Elizabeth) Burke of Eagle River Ark., her stepchildren, Thad Hermes of San Diego, Joseph (Barbara) Hermes of Morrison, Mary McNamara of Arvada, Colo., Agnes (Koh) Sera of Bellevue, Wash., Maureen (Michael) Knox of Peoria and Marilyn (Ron) Mitchell of Sterling, 16 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Harry Kobbeman and Francis Kobbeman, her sister, Bernadine Steffen; one grandson, Scott Hermes; and one great grandson David May. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery Sterling.

JOSEPH H. HERMES - The funeral of Joseph H. Hermes, 71, of rural route 1 (Rock Falls) who passed away Tuesday morning (January 13, 1948) at the Home hospital in Sterling after an illness of 10 days will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic church in Sterling at 9 o'clock Friday morning with burial in Sacred Heart cemetery. The Rosary will be resited at the Meyer funeral home in Sterling at 8 o'clock Thursday evening. Mr. Hermes was born near Harmon Aug. 8, 1876, and has operated a farm in South Dakota until 1944 when he came here. Surviving are his widow Margaret; a daughter, Mrs. J.A. McDowell, Fort Collins, Colo., five sons, Joseph, at home, Robert, Trail City S.D., and Francis and Phillip, Rock Falls, and six sisters, Mrs. Mary Graf, Mrs. Anna Lauff, Mrs. Henry Williams, Mrs. Elizabeth O'Neal, Mrs. ALlen Darnell all of Sterling, and Mrs.Margaret Huggins of Dixon.
Dixon Evening Telegraph 14 January 1948

MARY ELIZABETH (O'NEIL) HERMES , 85, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 21, 1997, at CGH Medical Center, Sterling, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 1997, at the Grennan Funeral Home in Sterling, with a Rosary prayer service being held at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 24, 1997, the body will be taken to St. Mary's Church in Sterling, Illinois, where it will lie in state from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. when a Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated. The Rev. Thomas E. Bales, pastor, will officiate and deliver the homily. Concelebrating will be her nephew, Rev. Monsignor Daniel J. Hermes, Rev. Carlos Hofner and Rev. Francis P. McDonnell. St. Mary's Sanctuary Choir will sing the liturgy. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Tampico, Illinois at 1:30 p.m. A memorial has been established to St. Mary's School Building Fund. Mary Elizabeth Hermes was born on February 12, 1912, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Burden) O'Neil. After her mother's death when she was seven years old, she attended grade schools in Sterling, Walnut and Deer Grove. She was graduated from Community High School, Sterling, in 1930 and from Normal Teacher's College in DeKalb, Illinois. She then taught in the elementary schools of Lee and Whiteside Counties. On December 31, 1938, she married Hugh J. Hermes, who preceded her in death on July 14, 1996. She was a member of St. Mary's Church, the Altar and Rosary Society and for many years served as an election judge in Whiteside County. Survivors include four sons, Edward, James (Ann), Dixon, IL., Dr. Steve (Joan), Bourbonnais, IL., and William (Victoria), Knoxville, TN., and three daughters, LaRita Wright, River Forest, IL., Rosemary (Frank) Mason, Jacksonville, FL., and Jeanne (Peter) Warner, Marietta, GA., twenty-seven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, one son, Hugh Robert, in infancy, her parents, three brothers, Howard, Gordon and Thomas O'Neil, and one sister, Ann Damon.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IllinoisMay 22, 1997 - Thursday, pg. A2

RUTH (SIGMAN) HERRINGTON , 91, of 2403 E. 19th St., Sterling, died Thursday morning 08 January 1987, at Community General Hospital in Sterling. Funeral services will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Grennan Funeral Home in Sterling with Rev. Charles E. Steinke, pastor of St. John's Lutheeran Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation is Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Herrington was born Oct. 14, 1895 in Sterling, the daughter of Lucian and Bertha (Greenman) Sigman. Survivors include one brother, Arlie Sigman of Stelring; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Daily Gazette January 8, 1987 - Thursday, pg A2, col. 1

ALICE (SCOTT) HOLLIS : The funeral over the remains of Mrs. Charles Hollis will be held in the Methodist church Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Re. W.H. Pierce officiating. The internment will be in Riverside cemetery. Alice Scott was born in Hume, Feb. 17, 1860. She received her education in the country schools and the Rock Falls school after which she was a successful teacher in Hume and in this city fora few years. She came to this city with her parents in 1883 and was married to Charles Hollis AUg. 16, 1885. To them were born two sons, Earl and Harold who are now fifteen and six years old respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis lived near Penora Ia., for four years and since returning they have resided in this city with the exceptionof one year spent in Mississippi. She leaves to mourn her death besides the bereaved husband and sons, her aged father J.S. Scott and four brothers, W.H. Scott of Montmorency, Professor H.B. Scott of Wichita Kan., Dr. J.F. Scott of this city, and O.M. Scott of Emmittsburg Ia. Also four sisters, Mrs. Celestia Richardson of Fitzgerald, Ga., Mrs. b.F. Miller of Rock Falls, Mrs. Bertha L. Jenkins of Penora, Ia., and Hattie scott who lives with her father in this city. Mrs. Hollis was a kind and loving wife and mother and a good neighbor. she was loved by all who knew her. In her long illness caused by a cancer, she was very patient and never complained of her hard lot. she was a faithful member of the Methodist church, having joined the church in Iowa and being transferred by letter to the Rock Falls Church.
Contributed by Jean Portner

CHARLES HOLLIS - The remains of charles Hollis arrived on the 5:55 o'clock train this morning from Yale, Ia., where Mr. Hollis died saturday. A funeral service was held at Yale yesterday afternoon and the remains were accompanied here by two sons Earl and Harold Hollis. The remains wer taken at once to Geyer's undertaking parlors where they remained until the time of the funeral this afternoon. The only service held here was at the grave in Riverside cemetery. Rev. C.A. Gage conducted the service at the grave. The following friends of the deceased were the pall bearers; Luman Ramsay, Henry Partridge, A. L. Coe, J.S. Schutt, Henry Longfellow, and R.H. Sheldon. Mr. Hollis was born in Como about thirty-five years ago and has made Hume township and Rock Falls his home during his entire life until about a year ago when he went to Iowa to reside with his sister who survives him. He is also survived by two brothers, Wesley of morrison and Fletcher of Council Bluffs, Ia., as well as two sons, Earl and Harold. His wife died in 1901 and was interred in the Riverside cemetery. Mr. Hollis was quite well known in this city and was a man of modest ways and good habits. He worked in the factories and also clerked in some of the stores of the city during his residence here and was known to be a pleasant and well doing man. His many friends extend their sympathy to the bereaved family.
Contributed by Jean Portner

GERTRUDE AILENE (SCOUGHTON) HOLLIS - Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Rock Falls Evangelical Congregational Church with the Rev. Robert Zetterberg, pastor officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at McDonald Funeral home, Rock Falls. A memorial has been established for the church. Mrs. Hollis was born Nov. 15, 1912, in Ohio, the daughter of Roy B. and Ruth (Wallace) Scoughton. She married Lester Hollis on Feb. 23, 1933 in Rock Falls. He died April 19, 1978. She was employed as a scale attendant at the A.S.C.S., Morrison. She was a member of the Rock Falls Evangelical Congregational Church, and a past member of the Rock Falls Womens Club. She enjoyed gardening and flowers. Survivors include one daughter, Bette (Lawrence) Deets of Rock Falls; three grandsons, Michal (Barb) Deets, Mark (Teri) Deets, and Marshall Deets; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gerald Scoughton of Texas, and Richard Scoughton of Missouri; and two sisters, Viola Deem of Wisconsin, and Merle Christman of Ohio. She was preceded in death by two brothers and one foster brother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IllinoisMay 10, 1997 - Sunday, pg. A2

JOSEPH MARVIN HOLLIS , 73, was found dead from a shotgun wound at 5:15 p.m. Monday at the farm home of his son, Lester Hollis, Route one, Rock Falls. Coroner John T. Meyer conducted an inquest at three o'clock this Tuesday afternoon in the Melvin funeral home. Funeral rites will be held at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Melvin funeral home, the Rev. Hollis Wharton of the Walnut Methodist church officiating. Interment will be in Riverside cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after seven o'clock this Tuesday evening. Joseph M. Hollis was born September 27, 1876 in Rock Falls, the son of Wesley and Sarah Hollis. He retired from farming in 1941 and moved to the home of his son, Lester Hollis, where he had since resided. His wife, Ida, precded him in death in 1946. Mr. Hollis was a member of the First Methodist church of Tampico and of the Rock Falls Masonic lodge. He is survived by a son, Lester; one daughter, Mrs. Cecil Fritsch of Tampico; two sisters, Mrs. Pearl Kensinger of Detroit, Mich.,and Mrs. Dolly Nielson of Miami, Fla., and six grandchildren. His parents, wife and one sister, Mrs. Mary Martin, preceded him in death. (December 6, 1949 - Tuesday, pg 2, col. 2 ) Funeral services for Joseph Marvin Hollis, 73, who came to his death Monday morning, Dec. 5 at the home of his son, were held Wednesday afternoon at the Melvin funeral home in Sterling. Rev. Hollis Wharton of Walnut, former pastor of the Tampico Methodist church officiated and was assisted by Rev. Henry Austin of the Tampico Methodist church. Mrs. Archie Yarde, Sr., and Mrs. Vesta Anderson sang "In the Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Burial was in the Riverside cemetery with Ray Scott Sr., Herbert Plautz, Robert Eller, Harry Butler, Bliss Loudenburg and Lue Beachler serving as pallbearers. Those having charge of floral tribute were Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Pierce, Mrs. Raymond Cordes and Mrs. Robert Eller. Friends and relatives attended the service from Woodhull, Osco, Kewanee, Prophetstown, Tampico, Walnut, Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls. Joseph Marvin Hollis was born Sept. 27, 1876 on a farm south of Prophetstown, the son of Wesley and Sarah Francis Hollis. When a small boy the family moved to Iowa returning in a few years by covered wagon. He received his education in various Whiteside county schools and Brown's Business college at Sterling. He was a member of the Tampico Methodist church and Masonic lodge 936, Rock Falls. Oct. 17, 1901 he was united in marriage to Ida May Lane at the home of her parents south of Rock Falls by the Rev. Fred Stone. They farmed in the vicinity of Rock Falls all of their active years with the exception of a few years in Minnesota. In 1941 they quit farming and moved to Tampico where they resided until her death in 1946, after which he made his home for the winter with his daughter, then moved his trailer home out to his son's home where he was living at the time of his death. He is survived by his son Lester and daughter, Mrs. Cecil (Mayme) Fritsch; six grandchildren, Bette Hollis, Elden, Billy, Donna, Gary and Nyla Fritsch and two sisters, Mrs. Nane (Pearl) Kensinger of Detroit, Mich., and Mrs. Fred (Dollie) Nielsen of Miami. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and one sister. Mr. Hollis was a faithful and loving husband and father and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Contributed by Melva Taylor - The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois December 10, 1949 - Saturday, pg. 2

LESTER LANE HOLLIS , 69, of 1711 14th Ave., Rock Falls, died Tuesday afternoon at Sterling Care Center following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the Wheelock Allen Funeral Home in Rock Falls with Rev. Dennis Buss, pastor of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Rock Falls officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. He was born May 17, 1908, in Montmorency Twp., the son of Joseph Martin and Ida May Lane Hollis. He married G. (Gertrude) Ailene Scoughton on Feb. 23, 1933 in Rock Falls. He had farmed in Montmorency until 1960 and was then employed by ASCS of Morrison until retiring in 1971. Survivors include his widow, one daughter, Mrs. Larry (Bette) Deets of Rock Falls; one sister, Mrs. Gordon (Mayme) Buchanan of Rock Falls; three grandsons, Michael Lane Deets of Dixon, Mark Deets of Rockton and Marhsall Deets of Rock Falls; and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents.
Contributed by Melva Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois April 19, 1978 - Wednesday, pg. 4, col. 1
Funeral services were held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Wheelock funeral home for Lester L. Hollis. The Rev. Dennis Buss, pastor of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Rock Falls officiated and burial was in Riverside cemetery. Mr. Roscoe Eades was organist and Rev. Ray Rebuck soloist. Pallbearers were: Tom Pierce, Dan Pierce, Ray Cordes, Ray Scott, Robert Behrens and Robert Eller. Flowers were cared for by Behrens. (The Daily Gazette April 26, 1978 - Wednesday, pg. 4, col. l )

BERTHA F. HULTQUIST , 84, died Monday afternoon at the Franklin Grove Nursing Home after a brief illness. The body was cremated. A memorial mass will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sterling, with the Rev. Francis McDonald, officiating. The Grennan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. James (Carol) Greenup, Sterling; one son, Robert of Baltimore Md., four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her husband, Leo.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 22, 1983 - Tuesday, pg A6

NARA W. HUNTER , 92, of the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Morrison died Sunday. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednes-day at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home with the Rev. Polly Klimson, pastor of the Coleta (Ill.) United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. He was born Jan. 14, 1912, in Morrison to John and Effie Mae Goff Hunter. He married Goldie E. Hockman on Nov. 24, 1938, in Morrison. She died in 2000. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County schools. He first worked with the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps. He then owned and operated Hunters Body Shop, Morrison, until 1957. He was then employed as a carpenter and later as a supervisor with Erdman Associates in Madison, Wis., before retiring in 1974. He was a member of I.O.O.F. in Morrison. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Nola (Vernon) Tervelt of Morrison and Nira Thornton of Cedar Hill, Texas; one son, Bruce (Vicki) Hunter of Morrison; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, a daughter, a son-in-law, two grandsons, one sister and three brothers. Memorials may be made to the Pleasant View Nursing Home, Morrison.
Clinton Herald January 19, 2004

RAY DeWAYNE HUNTER - Graveside services were conducted at the Tampico Memorial Cemetery at 10 a.m. Monday, for Ray DeWayne Hunter, infant son of Danny and Vicki Hand Hunter, 211 Martin Road, Roack Falls, who died Friday morning in Community General Hospital. The Rev. Fred Anderson, pastor of the Rock Falls Methodist Church officiated at the services. Included in the list of survivors was his paternal great great grandfather, William Schultz of Rock Falls. Ray's father is serving in the armed forces in Vietnam at the present time. The Allen Funeral Home was in charge of services.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois October 1, 1968 - Tuesday