JEROME E. SANDS , well known and most highly respected throughout Whiteside County, died at 11:30 o'clock this morning from the effects of a stroke of paralysis which came this morning about ? o'clock. Mr. Sands has not been in poor health and his sudden death is a great shock to all who knew him. He was feeling as well as ever all day Tuesday, and was down town visiting with some of his friends. There was absolutely no warning of the approaching danger. Mr. Sands was born Dec. 23, 1830, in Hornby, Steuben county, N. Y. When he was fourteen years of age his parents moved to Whiteside county and he remained with them during his minority. At the age of twenty-one he entered the employ of Marcus Sperry, a merchant in Lyndon, with whom he remained most of the time for three years. He was married Aug. 23, 1854 to Violetta A. Lathe. She passed away Nov. 16, 1881. At the time of his marriage he bought 120 acres of unimproved land in Lyndon township. Upon this he built a house fourteen by twenty-two feet, in which his family lived until 1876, when they took possession of the elegant new home which is now the homestead. In 1879 Mr. Sands built his fine large barn, and all the buildings on the place are of a valuable, convenient and well-arranged class. The estate of Mr. Sands includes more than 400 acres of the very best land in the county. Mr. Sands was again married Feb 10, 1887, to Mrs. Lucy Marcy at Lyndon. She with three children survive him. They are Frank E., Fred E. and Ellen. He moved to Sterling about four years ago and has resided here since that time. He was a member of the Lyndon Congregational church and afterwards attended the Congregational church in this city. He was a faithful, conscientious Christian, honest in all his dealings and true in all his beliefs. Truly, his lose will be greatly felt, not only in the family circle, but in the entire vicinity. The funeral arrangements will not be made until word is received from Fred E. Sands, who is now in Spokane. Wash
2nd Obit

The deceased was one of the earliest settlers of Whiteside County and was well known and highly respected throughout this section of the state. He was born in Hornby, Steuben county, N.Y., Dec. 23 1830, and when he was fourteen years age his parents moved to Whiteside county, Ill., and he remained with them during his minority. At the age of twenty-one he entered the employ of Marcus Sperry, a merchant of Lyndon, with whom he remained the most of the time for three years. He was married Aug. 23, 1854, to Violetta A. Lathe, who died Nov.16, 1881. At the time of his marriage he bought 120 acres of unimproved land in Lyndon township and at the present time his estate includes more than 400 acres of the best land in the county. Mr. Sands was married a second time, Feb.10, 1887, to Mrs. Lucy Marcy of Lyndon, who with three children survive him. They are Frank E. and Fred L. of this city and Ellen J. Marcy, who resides with her husband on the home farm. About four years ago the deceased purchased a fine residence in Sterling, where he has since resided. He was a man of strong character and had been a consistent member of the Congregational church for many years. His health has been slowly breaking but this sudden death was paralysis, which came about midnight of Tuesday. The funeral services were held from his late home on Monday at two o'clock p.m., and at the Congregational church, of Lyndon, Tuesday morning at eleven o'clock. The Interment was made in the Lyndon cemetery.
Contributed by Linda Criswell

MARY BOYD SANDS - Graveside services for Mrs. Mary Boyd Sands, aged 84, of Springfield, N.J. were held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning in Grove Hill Cemetery at Morrison. The Rev. E. J. Blair, Presbyterian, minister, officiated. Burial was in the Boyd family plot. A son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Boyd R. Sands, of New Providence, N.J. accompanied the body to Morrison for burial. A niece and her husband, the Rev. and Mrs. Andrew Martin of Ottawa, Kans., were present. Mrs. Martin is the former Miss Marjorie Ely of Morrison. The Reynolds funeral home was in charge of arrangements.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois February 14, 1966 - Monday, pg 2

LUCINDA F SARGENT , was born in Knox county, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1839. She came to Morrison, Ill., in April 1863, to teach school. Soon after her arrival she became acquainted with. Rosseel Lewis was married to him October 2, 1864. After their marriage they lived on a farm in Morrison until 1889 when they moved to town, where they resided until their death. Mrs. Lewis outlived her husband by only a few months. To them were born four children; Mrs. Cynthia Knox, deceased; Mrs. Edgar Knox and Mrs. Edward Knox of this city, and Waite Lewis of Chicago. She is also survived by one brother, Warren Sargent of Fredericksburg, Ohio. Mrs. Lewis during her long life was an active and energetic worker in many causes, both in religion end reform work. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, of the W.C.T.U., the W.R.C. and similar organizations, all of which suffer by her death.
Whiteside County Sentinel August 2 1915 - Contributed by Linda Criswell

ETHEL M (MANGERS) SAUER , 88, formerly of 5502 Mills St. Sterling, died Tuesday Sterling Care Center. Funeral services will be 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Melvin-Schilling Funeral Home. Sterling, with the Rev. James Werner, pastor of the Fist Congregational Church, Rock Falls, officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:30 p.m. until the hour of service Thursday at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to the First Christian Church of Sterling. Mrs. Sauer was born on Marc 8, 1903 in Sterling, the daughter of Henry and Viola (Pittman) Mangers. She married Fred Sauer Nov. 15, 1930, in Chicago. He died Oct 30, 1976. Mrs. Sauer was a member of the First Christian Church, Sterling. Surviving is one daughter, Mrs. Patricia Marshall, Medesto, Calif.; one sister, Genieve Hanson, Sterling, and two grandchildren.
Contributed by Margaret (Wilson) Mangers - Dated: April 2, 1991

FRED J. SAUER , 71, of 1805 Ave, Sterling died Saturday evening (Oct 30, 1976) at Community General Hospital. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Melvin-Schilling Funeral Home with the Rev. LeRoy Hershiser pastor of the First Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. A Memorial had been established to the church. He was born Oct. 10, 1905 in Peoria the son of Fred G and Fredericka Rumbold Sauer. He married Ethel Mangers on Nov. 15, 1930 in Chicago and was employed for 30 years at a manufacturing company in Peoria retiring in 1970. He then moved to this area in 1972 from Peoria. He was a member of the first Christian Church of Sterling. Survivors include his wife, Ethel, one daughter Patricia; three grandchildren, four brothers, Roy Sauer of Peoria; Charles of Morton, Ill., Paul of Tuscon, Ariz. and Robert also of Tuscon, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
Contributed by Margaret Mangers

AMELIA ELIZABETH (DROSTE) SCHAUFF , 80, of Rock Falls died Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at CGH Medical Center. Mrs. Schauff was born July 8, 1922, in Tampico, the daughter of Bernard and Catherine (Wirth) Droste. She was an active member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, Rock Falls, the church's the Altar and Rosary Society and Legion of Mary, and served as a past president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary. Survivors include two daughters, Ann (Francis) Phillips and Cheryl (Ted) Persails both of Flint, Mich.; a son, Joseph (Debra) Schauff of Toney, Ala.; a sister, Rose Mary (William) Newell of Sterling; a brother, Brother James Droste, S.M. of Eureka, Mo.; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by threebrothers, John, Anthony and Leo Droste; and a sister in infancy. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 am Saturday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Rock Falls, with Monsignor Thomas Dzielak, celebrant, officiating Burial is at St. Mary Cemetery, Tampico. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., with the rosary recited at 6:45 p.m., today at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls.

HELEN ELIZABETH (HAMBLOCK) SCHAUFF , 67, of Tampico, passed away Thursday morning ( 8 Feb. 1968) in the Sterling Community General Hospital following a short illness. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tampico, preceded by prayer services at the Schmitt Chapel at 10 a.m. The Rev. Robert P. Donavan will officiate, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Tampico. Friends may call at the funeral home this evening (Friday) where the rosary will be recited at 8 p.m Helen Elizabeth Schauff was born Sept. 15, 1900 in Tampico, the daughter of Joseph J. and Nellie Hamblock. She was educated in the Tampico schools and married Hubert Schauff on July 7, 1920 in the St. Mary's Church of Tampico. She lived in the Tampico area all her life. She was a member of the St. Mary's Church, Altar and Rosary Society and Royal Neighbors of America. She is survived by her husband, Deer Grove, one son, Leo of Deer Grove; two daughters, Mrs. William (Marilyn) Shaffer of Peoria; Mrs. Roger (Joyce) Anderson of Madison, Conn.; three brothers, Jean Hamblock of Deer Grove; Neil and Joseph of Tampico; one sister, Mrs. Oliver (Mary) Johnson of Rock Falls, three grandsons and five granddaughters. She was preceded by her parents.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois February 9, 1968 - Friday, pg 6

LEO EUGENE SCHAUFF , 64, 1734 Hoover Road, died Tuesday at his home. Prayer services at Garland Funeral Home in Walnut, followed by Mass of the Christian Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tampico. . Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery in Tampico, will full military rites accorded to the Tampico American Legion Post #574. He was born September 27 1924 in Deer Grove, son of Herbert and Helen Hamblock Schauff. He married Darlene Farwell June 2, 1948 in Tampico. Mr. Schauff was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 47 years, retiring in 1984. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Green River County Club in Walnut, and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. Survived by his wife, two sons, Dr. Michael Schauff of Lauren, MD., Randall Schauff of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, one daughter, Cindy Schauff of Rock Falls, his father of Peoria, 5 grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Roger (Joyce) Anderson of Glastonbury, Connecticut, and Mrs. William (Marilyn) Schaffer of Peoria. He was preceded in death by his mother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois December 27, 1988 - Tuesday, pg A2

JACOB SCHMALTZ died at his home in Clinton, Iowa on Sat., Feb. 6, 1892 aged 77y, 2m, 27d. Born in Baden Germany on Nov. 9, 1814. Served his time in German army, 1834 to 1840. In the year 1846 was married to Anna Fichter. Three children born to them in Germany.Seven years after marriage imigrated to America and at first lived in Butler Co Ohio. Resided there 10 years and moved to Whiteside Co, IL. Left the farm 2 years ago because of health. Leaving wife and 7 children. Funeral held at German Lutheran Church in Clinton. Rev. Hartman officiated. Remains brought to Morrison for burial in beautiful Grove Hill Cemetery.
The Whiteside Sentinel Feb. 11, 1892

GARRY SCHOL , 86, of Resthave Nursing Home, Morrison died Tuesday August 26, 1987 at the home. Funeral services were Saturday August 29, at 10:30 at St. Peter's Lutheran church, Rev. Robert Backhus officiated. Burial was in Grove Hill. Casket bearers were Jerry Hoeckel, Larry Fransen, Arthur Schroeder, Marc Schol, Elwyn McKenna, and Alan Dykstra. Honorary casket bearers were Hippe Hippen, Eric Schol, Kermit Schol adn James Schol. Mrs. Eloise Stone was the organist. Mrs. Bertha Beveroth and Mrs. Millie Landheer were in charge of flowers. Mr. Schol was born March 2, 1901 in Holland to Martin and Teresa Van Wieren Schol. He was reared and educated in the Morrison area. He married Anna Louise Bierman on March 23, 1922 in Mt. Pleasant Township. She died June 10, 1985. Following their marriage except for nine years spent in Milledgeville, he had lived his life in Morrison. He worked for the Milledgeville and Morrison Elevators before becoming a life insurance salesman for Aid Association for Lutherans for 17 years before retiring. He was a member of Toastmasters International, past member of the Morrison Lions Club, past member of Resthave Nursing Home board, and a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Morrison where he had been Superintendent of the Sunday Schools form any years. He is survived by two daughters, MRs. William (Helen) Fransen of Sterling and Mrs. Donald (Ruth) Morthland of Morrison; two sons, Henry of Pine Bluff Ark. and Herbert of Stevens Point WI; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Grace Geerts and Mrs. Jacoba Boelkins of Morrison and Mrs. George (Pauline) VanKampen of Fulton. He was preceded by his wife and a sister, Gertrude.

VERNON L. SCHRADER , 71, R.R. 2, Sterling, died Tuesday evening at Community General Hospital following a short illness. He was born May 11, 1896 at Sterling the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Schrader and was educated in Sterling Schools. He was married on April 22, 1920 to Ruby E. Hanssen. Mr. Schrader was engaged in the sand and gravel business for many years and was a life long resident of this community. Survivors include his wife; one brother Carl of Rock Island and one sister Mrs. Wilma Tifft, Sterling. He was preceded by his parents and two brothers. Burial was at Oak Knoll Cemetery.

BELLE SEARS , formerly of this city, died at ther home in Dixon last Saturday morning. The Star of Saturday contained the following: Miss Belle Sears died early this morning at her home on West Second Street, aged nineteen years. She had been seriously ill for a long while and in a low typhoid condition during the last six weeks. It was known among her friends that her sickness was serious, but the announcement of her death was a severe shock. No one expected it. That one should be so cut off in youth is peculiarly sad and the bereaved family are assured of the kindliest sympathy from everyone. Wilson Sears, an ncle of the deceased, from Milledgeville, and Claude Sears, a brother living in Rockford, have arrived to be present at the funeral, which will occur at the house tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, Rev. S. Earngey officiating.

LAWRENCE J. SEARS , 61, 209 5th Ave., Rock Falls, passed awy in his home early this morning ( 18 July 1968 ) after an extended illness. He was born Oct. 5, 1906, in Bynumbille, Mo., the son of Flavous and Laura Wilson Sears. He received his education in the Bynumbille schools and later moved to this area where he was united in marriage to Eula S. Walter in Sterling on December 21, 1935. The couple had resided in Rock Falls since that time, operating the Sears Catering Service. He was a member of the Rock Falls Christian Church and a member of the Rock Falls Masonic Lodge 936 A.F. & A.M. At one time he was a justice of the peacce in Rock Falls. Survivors include his wife, Eula, one son, Larry Sears, Galena; one daughter, Mrs. Gerald (Judy) Pack, Rock Falls, three brothers, Sylvan Sears, Huntsville, Mo.; Lowell Searls, Moberly, Mo., and Frank Sears, Fremont, Calif. His parents preceded in death. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Melvin Funeral Home, the Donald C. Ward officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Knoll Memorial Park Cemetery.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois July 18, 1968 - Thursday, pg 2

RAYMOND SEIDEL , 82, of Sterling died Saturday, May 24, 2003, at CGH Medical Center, Sterling. He was employed by L.L. Morgan Construction and Norm Eakle Construction as a carpenter and then by the American Red Cross Mr. Seidel was born Jan. 4, 1921, near Rock Falls, the son of Earl and Erna (Schlueter) Seidel. He married Dorothy Hunsberger on May 19, 1982. She died Jan. 18, 2003. He served in the Army during World War 11. Mr. Seidel was a member of Rock Falls American Legion Post 902 and the Sterling Moose. He enjoyed woodworking Survivors include three sons, Michael (Jan) Seidel and Bill (Donna) Seidel, both of Rock Falls, and Gary (Marilyn) Seidel of Rochester, Minn.; a daughter, Gayla (Mike) McGrail of Burnsville Minn.; a stepson, Craig (Tammy) Hunsberger of Sterling; three stepdaughters, Donna (Elwyn) Vogel of Fulton, Priscilla `Penny" (Michael) Linden of Clinton, Iowa, and Pam Wolf of Sterling; five sisters, Ruth (Bill) Becker of Rock Falls and Delores (Salvadore) Garcia, Evelyn Celestino, Kathryn Gorena and Elsie Celestino all of Sterling; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers and a granddaughter. The funeral is at 2 pm Wednesday at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls, with the Rev. Dennis Glew, officiating. Burial with military rites is at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has een established to the CGH Health Foundation

HARVEY F. SEIM , 67, a retired farmer of Morrison, passed away at 11:50 a.m. Monday (24 July 1967) at the Morrison Community Hospital after being in failing health for one year. Harvey Seim was born May 9, 1900 in Thomson, the son of Fred M. and Ida Weber Seim. He was educated in the rural Thoomson schools and High School. He married Grace Saffer Dec. 15, 1920 and they farmed in Thomson until 1956 when they moved to Morrison. He was a member of EUB Church and was a schoolboard member for a number of years in Argo Fa District. He is survived by his widow Grace; one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Blanche Ludwig of Rochester MI; one sister, Mrs. Earl (Ruby) Green of Maquoketa Iowa. He was preceded by his parents and one sister, Blanche. Burial was in Grove Hill Cemetery.
The Daily Gazette July 25, 1967

EMILIE J. (STERN) SELOOVER , 49, wife of Wilbur E. Seloover, died at the family home, 902 West Seventh street, Wednesday at 10 p.m. (October 1, 1941), following a serious illness. The body was removed to the Trouth funeral home. Mrs. Seloover was born August 8, 1892 in Hopkins Twp., a daughter of Edgar and Katharina Raithel Stern. She was baptized and confirmed in the Hopkins Lutheran church. On Feb. 11, 1913 she was married to Wilbur Seloover in the Hopkins Lutheran church. The couple came to Sterling tomake their home. Children born to their union are Edgar, Kenneth, Robert, Donald, Keith, James, Mary and Patricia. Edgar is in the US army; Kenneth and Donald in the US coast guard and Keith is in the navy, and recently came home on furlough to see his parents and family. Besides the husband there survive three brother, Herbert of Sterling and George and Elmer of Hopkins. There are two sisters living, Mrs. Seibert Janssen of Polo and MRs. Margaret Sauer of Sterling; also her mother, Mrs. Katharina Stern of this city; and one grandson, Robert Ross Seloover son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Seloover of Astoria Ore. Her father died 10 years ago; also one brother, Lorenze in 1918 and a sister in infancy. Mrs. Seloover was a member of the Second Avenue Lutheran church.

ROBERT DEAN SELOOVER , 87, of Sterling, died Monday, October 17, 2005 at his home. He was employed as a Labor Foreman for Ringland-Johnson Construction Company. Mr. Seloover was born March 22, 1918 in Sterling, the son of Wilbur Dean and Emilie (Stern) Seloover. He was in the 1st Division of the US Army during WW II serving in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theatres of operations, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He married Olive Maxey on November 8, 1941. He was a member of the Sterling American Legion. Survivors are two daughters, Sharon (Dave) Boyles of Morrison, Kathy (Jim) Kozar of Burlington, IL; two sons, R. Richard (Jan) Seloover of Elgin, Gale Seloover of Rock Falls; two sisters, Mary (Herman) Rosenow of Morrison, Pat Seloover of Muncie, IN; one brother, Keith (Mary) Seloover of Sterling; 12 grandchildren, Ryan, Shayna, Eric, Marisa, Ellen, Becky, Jamie, Stephanie, Jim, Benjamin, Justin, Taylor; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Kenneth, Edgar, Donald, and James. Services will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, October 22, 2005 at the ScHilling Funeral Home with Reverend Donald Lewis officiating. Burial will be at the Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation will be from 5-8, Friday and 9-10, Saturday at the Funeral Home, Sterling, IL.

MARIA (HAYES) SETH , 86, passed away Sunday evening at Big Rapids, Mich. According to work received by relatives. She was the widow of Jacob Seth. The family lived in the Rock Falls vicinity for several years. Funeral services will be held at Big Rapids and burial will take place in the family lot in the Odd Fellows cemetery, Rock Falls. The only services here will be brief graveside rites at 10 a.m. Thursday, conducted by the Rev. Harry E Shiffer of the Rock Falls Christian church. The body will be forwarded to the Wheelock funeral home. Mrs. Seth had been an invalid for several years following a stroke, and recently suffered a fracture of her knee. The shock of this injury was the immediate causes of her death. Marie Hayes was born in Oil City, PA., in 1860. There she was married to Jacob Seth. They came to Illinois soon after their marriage and resided first in Hume township. More than 40 years ago the family moved to a farm near Woodville, Mich. Where Mrs. Seth had since lived. Her husband and a son Allen, both passed away a number of years ago. Surviving Mrs. Seth are two daughters, Mrs. Lena Swanson of Lowell, Mich., and Mrs. Myrtle Maddsen of Woodville, Mich., and one sister, Mrs. Alice Sherman of Sterling. Mrs. LeRoy Powers of Sterling is a niece. There are several grandchildren and great grandchildren surviving.
From cemetery record she died April 28, 1947 - Contributed by Margaret (Wilson) Mangers

CHARLES SEYMOUR , for a number of years engaged in business in this city, passed away suddenly about 3:30 o'clock Thursday morning. Mr. Seymour had been suffering from dropsy for some time, but his condition was not considered serious. He spent the entire day Wednesday at his shoe repair shop and so far as is known had not complained of feeling any worse than he had for some weeks. Mr. Seymour was taken seriously ill about 3 o'clock and his wife notified his brother, Fred, who also resides in Tampico. A physician was immediately summoned, but his condition was beyond medical aid. He passed away at 3:30 o'clock, just a half hour after his sudden attack. The dropsical condition had affected his heart, causing his death. Mr. Seymour had been a resident of Tampico since boyhood and during his many years in business here had made many friends, who were saddened and shocked by news of his death. He was 69 years of age and besides the widow, is survived by one brother, Fred, in Tampico and a sister, who resides in Chicago. Pending word from relatives, arrangements for the funeral have not been made. (Buried in Tampico Cemetery)
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette December 9, 1926 - Thursday, pg 12

EMMA ALICE (BOWMAN) SEYMOUR , 66, died at 4:15 o'clock Tuesday afternoon in her home following an illness of five months. For the past few weeks her condition had been serious. The Funeral will be held at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon in the home with Rev. L.E. Conner of Dixon officiatiing. Interment will be made in the Tampico cemetery. Mrs. Seymour was born June 13, 1868 in Foreston and moved with her parents when a child to Lewis, IA. She received her education there. On December 9, 1886 she was united in marriage to Fred Seymour, at Sterling. Their married life had been spent in Tampico. Besides her husband Mrs. Seymour leaves three daughters, Mrs. Daisy Nokes of Culver City, Calif., Mrs. Ethel Whitmer of Madison, Wis., and Mrs. Vera Lewis of Tampico. There are five grandchildren surviving.

Obit #2 - Probably in the Tampico Tornado

Funeral services for Mrs. Fred H. Seymour were held at the home Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The rites were conducted by Rev. L.E. Conner, pastor of the Church of God in Dixon. Three selected hymns, "Sometime We'll Understand," "In The Garden" and "God Will Take Care of You ," were sung by Mrs. J.M. Conroy and Mrs. Hattie Russell. They were accompanied by Mrs. R.F. Woods at the piano. The home was filled to capacity with relatives and neighbors and friends. Many others were accomodated on the porch and lawn. There were many in attendance from surrounding communities. The Royal Neighbors of America, of which Mrs. Seymour was a member, attended in a body, and accompanied the family to the cemetery for the final rites. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. They expressed in part the love and esteem of the community for a dear friend and neighbor. Friends acting as pall bearers were Fred Klobes, Elmer Jones, Guy Elmendorf, George Oetzel, T.F. Dillon, Jr., and Mike Shaheen. Emma Alice Bowman was born near Forreston, Ill., June 13, 1868. Leaving Illinois in 1870 she resided at Creston, Union county, Iowa, Wheeler's Grove, Iowa, and Lewis, Iowa. Her early girlhood as spent in this vicinity. was united in marriage at Sterling, Ill., to Fred H. Seymour of Tampico, Dec. 9, 1886. All her married life was spent here. To this union was born Daisy Nokes of Culver City, Calif., Ethel Whitmer of Wadison, Wis., and Vera Lewis of Tampico. She was baptized Sept. 26, 1920, into His all saving name and clung closely to the faith to the end, with a firm belief that all her loved ones and many dear friends, and neighbors will meet again where there will be no more suffering and sorrow. Even in her last moments she rallied and said, "I have many, many dear friends. Don't forget to put a little piece in the paper thanking them all for the kind things they have done. Every call and service was appreciated." She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Fred H. Seymour; three children, Daisy, Ethel and Vera, and their husbands, Leo Nokes, Carroll Whitmer and Olaf Lewis, who were as near as sons to her; five grandchildren, Fred and Elseleone Nokes, Eloise Lewis, and Denice and Evelyn Whitmer; an only brother, Samuel Bowman of Carson, Ia.; and sister, Mrs. Anna Smith of Wahpeton, N.D.

FERRIS J. SHAHEEN , 82, of Erie, IL died Monday, January 14, 2002 at Illini Hospital, Silvis. Services were held Thursday, January 17, 2002 at the Erie Christian Church, where he was a member. Burial was in Erie Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Whiteside County Home Health Care or the Erie Fire Department. Mr. Shaheen was born June 24, 1919, near Tampico, IL, the son of Malham and Sadie Saad Shaheen. He married Phyllis Spellman April 12, 1948, in Lamed, Kan. She died April 18, 1990. He served in the U.S. Army during World War IL. He and his brother founded the Shaheen Grocery, Erie, IL in 1946, and they operated it as partners until his brother's death in 1976. He then operated the store until his retirement in 2001. Ferris was a member of the Denton Schreiner American Legion, Erie, Erie Masonic Lodge, Moline Consistory where he was a 32nd degree Mason. He served on the Erie Fire Department for many years, was active in the Erie Little League, had served on the Erie School Board and had served as an elder of the church. He enjoyed baseball, especially the Cubs and fishing, but he most of all enjoyed his children and grandchildren. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jim Steele, Tonica, IL; sons and daughter-in-law, Robin Shaheen, Erie, James Shaheen, Bettendorf and Mark and Leslie Shaheen, Erie; six grandchildren; and sisters, Mealia Twing, Erie, Nezema, Dorothy Kaleel, Oswego, IL. He was preceded in death by a son, Dale, three brothers and two sisters.

LEATHE (JOHNSON) SHAW , 95, of Lyndon died Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at her home. Mrs. Shaw was born Feb. 2, 1908, in Chillicothe, the daughter of Samuel E. and Esther E. (Barnhart) Johnson She attended Thomson schools. She married Ernest W. Johnson in 1925 in Indiana. He died in 1966. She then married Arthur Shaw in 1972. He died in 1988. She was a member of Lyndon United Methodist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Frances Maynard of Rock Falls and June Matuszewich of Lyndon; four sons, Ernest J. Johnson of Moline, Kenneth E. Johnson of Lyndon. Calvin J. Johnson of Bradenton, Fla.. and Dale E. Johnson of Fairfield; lo grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers. Graveside service is at 1:30 p.m. today at Lyndon Cemetery. There is no visitation. Arrangements were completed by Gibson and Son Funeral Home, Prophetstown. A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Rock River Valley.

BERNICE (STRALOW) SHELDON died Friday in Los Gatos, Calif., after a lengthy illness. Bernice Sheldon was born on April 25, 1913 the daughter of Herman Stralow and Elise Hayen. Funeral services were held in Los Gatos, Calif. Local services will be held at the Bethesda Lutheran Church, Morrison. Burial will be in the Grove Hill Cemetery. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Rhesa (Joan) Wolton, Dover, Delaware and Mrs. Robert (Audrey) Johnson, Los Gatos, Calif.; and several brothers and sisters. Preceding her in death were her parents, one sister, her first husband Edward Rounds in 1955 and second husband, Warren Shelon, 1982.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette August 24, 1983 - Wednesdy, pg A6

LORENZO D. SHELDON was found dead in bed Friday morning at his home on summit avenue. He was as well as usual when he retired he night before and appearances indicated that death took place as he slept. His eyes were closed, his face wore a peaceful expression and there was not a single evidence of pain or struggle. Mr. Sheldon was in his eighty-seventh year and his death was doubtless due to age with its attending enfeeblement. Two years ago he suffered a quite severe paralytic shock, from the effects of which he never fully recovered, although he regained a very comfortable degree of health. About a year later he sustained a lighter shock, but an uncommonly strong constitution enabled him to withstand it and up to the day before his death, when he walked downtown and back, he was unusually spry and active for a man of his years. Mr. Sheldon was a native of this town, being the youngest of the four children of Mrs. and Mrs. Nathan Sheldon. He learned the blacksmith trade and worked at it here, and early in life married Miss Wilbu of this town. Shortly afterwards he went west and lived there for 14 years. Mr. Sheldon's first wife, who died in the west, bore him four children, tow of whom, Mrs. Sylvia Clegg, with whom he made his home during his last days, and Ira Sheldon of this town are still living. After Mr. Sheldon returned from the west he was employed as a tin peddler by Billings Bros, for some time, and later he engaged in the tin business with his son Charles in a store on Center street. The son died and 13 years ago and not long afterwards, Mr. Sheldon soldout to S. Woodhead and retired. Mr. Sheldon's second wife was Miss Electa Parker of this town whom he married some 35 years ago. She survives him with a son and daughter, John and Mary Sheldon.
From the Odell Library Collectin.. there was more to this obit - but it was lost.

ROSE (THOMPSON) SHELKEY , aged 72 years, a former resident of Sterling and Rock Falls, passed away at 11:30 o'clock Monday evening in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Walter Mitchell of Chicago, following an illness of six weeks. The body will be brought to Sterling Wednesday night. Funeral services are to be held at 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon in the Woods funeral chapel, Rev. H. E. Shiffer of Rock Falls officiating. Burial will be made in Riverside cemetery. The deceased had been a resident of this community for a number of years. She went to Chicago about two years ago to live with her daughter. Her husband, Oscar Shelkey, died a number of years ago and is buried in the family lot at Riverside cemetery. Mrs. Shelkey is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Walter Mitchell and Mrs. Ray Moats, both of Chicago; four grandchildren, the two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Moats and Pauline and Beatrice Shelkey of Rock Falls, whose parents are dead. She also leaves a niece, Mrs. Orpha Staton of this city.
Contributed by Sandi Moates Smith Obituary dated 31 January 1931

ALVA E. SHILLING - Funeral services for Alva E. Shilling of 1103 W. 5th St., Sterling, were conducted by the Allen Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Monday with Rev. Harry Lutz, pastor of the Rock Falls Assembly of God church, officiating. Burial was in in Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Mrs. Roscoe Eades was organist and flowers were cared for by Swartley's. Pallbearers were Dick Camps, Ray Heath, Harry Reitzel, Bert Satterfield, William Peterson and Grdady Thompson. Out of town relatives attended from Milledgeville, Coleta, Dixon, Tampico, Prophetstown, Ill., and Alexandria, Va.; Belvidere, Ill., and Greenfield, Iowa.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 3, 1961 - Tuesday pg 2 col 2

EVELYN (FORDER) SHILLING , 90, of Sterling died Saturday March 26, 2005 at Prophets Riverview Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Prophetstown. Mrs. Shilling was born April 29, 1914, in Sterling, the daughter of James & Rilla (Cramer) Forder. She married Denver Shilling on Oct. 9, 1937, in Sterling. He died Oct. 17, 1987. Survivors include two sisters, Nell Turner of Sebastian FL, and Mary Turner of Sterling. She was preceded by two brothers, four sisters and two nephews, The funeral is at Schilling Funeral Home, burial in Riverside.

ROBERT LEE SHILLING , 76, of 501 N. Main St., Milledgeville, died ( 6 Aug 1987) Thursday morning at the Polo Continental Manor, Polo, following a long illness. Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Allen-Woodin Funeral Home in Milledgeville with Rev. Tony Hawkins, pastor of the Milledgeville United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling. Visitation will be today from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established in his memory. Mr. Shilling was born on March 18, 1911 in Carroll County, the son of Frank E. and Celia Strauch Shilling. On Nov. 23, 1940 he was united in marriage to Evelyn C. Johann in Clinton, Iowa. The deceased had been a plumber in the Milledgeville area for many years prior to his retirement. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, one stepson, Richard E. Johann of Stillman Valley; two grandchildren, five brothers, Denver Shilling of Sterling, Loyal Shilling of Lanark, Raymond, Wayne and Lloyd Shilling, all of Milledgeville; four sisters, Mrs. Howard (Beulah) Slifer of Sterling, Mrs. Carroll (Erma) Belin of Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. Daisy Thielen of Morrison and Mrs. Carrie Dampman of Lanark, also many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, one sister and one brother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois August 7, 1987 - Friday, pg A2

HAROLD B. SHOEMAKER , 78, of Casa Grande, Ariz., formerly of Rockford, died Friday, July 4, 2003, at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center, Casa Grande, Ariz. He was employed by Humphrey Cadillac- Olds, Rockford, as a mechanic for 44 years, until retiring. Mr. Shoemaker was born July 27, 1924, in Rock Falls, the son of Bernard and Ethel (Huyett) Shoemaker. He served in the Navy during World War II aboard the destroyer R.K. Huntington. He married Wilma Haenitsch on June 14. 1943, in Dixon. He was a member of Rockford Masonic Lodge 102 Tebala Shrine. He enjoyed trips in the family RV Survivors include his wife; two sons, Robert D. Shoemaker of Rockford and Steven H. Shoemaker of Glendale, Ariz.; a brother, Elmer Shoemaker of Rock Falls; a sister, Lucille (Vernon) Schnitzmeyer of Rock Falls; and a grandson. He was preceded in death by a son, Larry. The funeral is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Fred C. Olson Funeral Chapels Ltd., East Chapel, Rockford, with the Rev. Arthur Halbadier officiating. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to the American Heart Association.
Daily Gazette July 8, 2003

HENRY SHOEMAKER , 62, of 1509 7th Avenue, Sterling, died Sunday morning (November 17, 1985) in Memphis Mo., of an apparent heart attack while deer hunting. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Blair Funeral Home with Rev. Carl J. Zager, pastor of the Rock Falls United Methodist Church, officiating. Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Goring Methodist Church in Goring, Mo., with Rev. Bruce Jeffries officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Missouri. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-7:30 p.m. in the Blair Funeral Home in Sterling. Mr. Shoemaker was born on April 6, 1923 in Vincennes, Ia., the son of Henry E. and Mary Nye Shoemaker. On Feb. 23, 1946 he married Bette J. Schuldt in Keokuk, Ia. Mr. Shoemaker was employed as a pipe fitter at Northwestern Steel and Wire Company in Sterling until retiring on Feb. 1, 1984. He was a life member of the Amateur Trapshooters Association, a member of the Coleta Sportsmen's Club and the Disabled Vets of Rock River 88. The deceased was a veteran of World War II and received a purple heart during his service. Survivors include his wife, Bette; one daughter, Mrs. Dwight A. (Penny) Branch of Goring, Mo.; two grandsons, Sean and Shane; and five sisters, Mrs. Beulah Roth and Mrs. Raymond (Emma) Warrich, both of Keokuk, Ia., Mrs. Etta Kenner of Rock Falls, Mrs. John (Helen) Rupp of Wayland, Mo., and Lucille Pennington of Sterling. He was preceded in death by two brothers and his parents. A memorial has been established in his memory.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 18 1985 - Monday, pg A4

SHORRETTE - Old Mr. Shorrette who went to Panama Iowa a short time ago to spend the winter, died at that place Jan. 26, 1892. Remains interred at Prophetstown Cemetery.
Morrison Library Obituary Collection - Whiteside Sentinel Feb. 11, 1892

FANNIE (ELSON) SIMS , widow of the late Dr. S.C. Sims, formerly of Sterling, passed away March 24, 1965 in a Compton Calif. hospital where she had been since December 1963. Services were held in the Neels Memorial Chapel and interment was in Inglewood Park Cem. in CA. She was born May 2, 1876 in Magnolia Ohio and was united in marriage to Dr. S.C. Sims, a dentist November 3, 1909. They resided in Sterling from that time until 1951 when they moved to Compton to be near their only daughter, MRs. Dale G. papendick. Mrs. Sims was active in the work of the First Presbyterian church while living in Sterling. She leaves to mourn her passing, her daughter and two sons, Elson Sims on the staff of Sheldon Jackson Junior College, Sitka ALaska and William C. Sims, employed in governor's office in Richmond VA. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Ann Papendick, Elnstra, Judy Becky and Eddie Papendick. Patricia Susanne, Wm. Parmenter and Daniel Sims and 2 great grancdhildren Steven and Michelle Leenstra.

EMMA E. (BREUSCH) SIPERLY , 73, Rt. 2, Rock Falls, died at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Community General Hospital after an extended illness. The body rests at the Melvin Funeral Home where visitation will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday. Funeral rites will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Melvin Funeral Home with the Rev. George Boerigter, pastor of Bethel Reformed Church, officiating. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery. Emma E. Breusch was born Aug. 28, 1893 in Chicago, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Breusch. She was educated in the Chicago schools and was united in marriage with Aldis W. Siperly March 17, 1914. He preceded her in death in July 1959. Mrs. Siperly had been a resident of this area for the past 33 years. She is survived by seven sons and two daughters, Aldis W. Jr., and Robert of Sterling, Gerald of Milledgeville, Richard in the US Navy stationed in Norfolk, Va., Norville serving in Vietnam, John and Lawrence of Rock Falls, Mrs. Floyd (Charlotte) Tinkler of Lyndon and Mrs. Don (Betty) Dimmig of Amboy. She also leaves one sister and one brother, Mrs. Esther Marks and Carl Breusch of Los Angeles, Calif. She was preceded in death by one daughter.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois February 4, 1967 - Saturday, pg 2

ROBERT SIPERLY , 84, of Rock Falls died Monday March 14, 2005 at Sterling Pavilion Nursing Home. He was employed by Northwestern Steel and Wire for 35 years before retiring. Mr. Siperly was born Nov. 24, 1920 in Prophetstown, the son of Aldis and emma (Breusch) Siperly Sr. He served in the Navy during WW II aboard the USS Lamons and the USS Green. He married Phyllis Pyse on Aug. 24, 1946 in Morrison. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Mary Kaye (Greg) Kalota of DIxon, Karen (Ed) Fortune of Sterling and Kathy Siperly of Rock Falls; two sons, Mark (Vicki) Siperly of Galt and Eric Siperly of Allegan MI; three brothers, Larry (Shirley) and John (Kathy) both of Rock Falls and Norval of Sterling; a sister Betty Dimmig of Dixon; Six grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and three great grand grandchildren
Photo and obituary from the Sterling Gazette

HATTIE ELIZABETH (TUCKER) SLAYMAKER , the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. N. Tucker, was born in Albany township, Whiteside County, Ill. on Nov. 28, 1887, and died in the morning of Oct. 24, 1918 at her home in Newton. The days of girlhood and young womanhood of the departed were happily spent in the town of Albany. A member of the class of '06 she was graduated from the Albany High School with class honors. In the following year she united with the Albany Methodist church where she served her Master faithfully with her musical ability. On. Feb. 15, 1911, she was married to Mr. George L. Slaymaker of Newton and since then has resided on a farm in that township. About three years ago she tranferred her church membership to the Newton Presbyterian church where she also was a diligent worker in the vineyard of the Lord. Only two weeks ago, Mrs. Slaymaker became one of the epidemic's many victims and in the last four days of her life pnuemonia set in to which she succumbed on the past Wednesday morning. Those of her immediate family who will very keenly feel her temporary departure and the vacancy made thereby are her husband, two children, Delbert H., aged five and Phyllis Ritchie, aged four, her mother, Mrs. Mary J. Tucker, three brothers, Harvey and George of Albany and Henry of Garden Plain. Others who will miss her are her many relatives and a large circle of friends which few are privileged to have. (inserted here was a poem read by Mr. Lou T. Slaymaker.)

A private funeral was held at the Newton home at 2 o'clock saturday afternon Oct. 26th, 1918 conducted by the Rev. Adolph Bohn of Gardenpalin. Two songs were sung by her two Albany friends, Mrs. Dimond and Mrs. daw. Internment was made in the Oak Ridge cemetery at Albany, Illinois
Contributed by Cyndie Dennis Greer

HAROLD R. SLICK , of Sterling died suddenly Tuesday evening of a heart ailment. Survivors are his wife Clara Slick, two sons Leroy and Lawrence, one daughter, Mrs. Robert Stouffer and five grandhcildren all of Dixon; two brothers; Fred of Rock Falls and George of Freeport and a sister Mrs. Josie Klitz of Sterling. Funeral services will be at 2:30 Friday at Milledgeville.
Dixon Evening Telegraph Wednesday, 20 August 1947

ROY A. SMALTZ , Morrison- Funeral services for Roy G. Smaltz were held at 1 p.m. March 10, at Tomlinson Funeral Home, Rev. E. J. Blair officiated. Place of interment was Round Grove Cemetery, Round Grove. Pallbearers were Russell Garrett, Louis Abbott, Howard Abbott, George Whitemore, Bernie Kleinschrodt and David Mathew. Ladies in charge of flowers were Mrs. Dewitt Beswick and Mrs. Irvin Workman.
Contributed by Margaret Mangers from the Sterling Daily Gazette March 11, 1966

ROBERT DALE SNITCHLER , 74, of Rock Falls died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at CGH MedicalCenter. There will be no public services, cremation rites have been accorded with arrangements by the McDonald Funeral Home & Crematory, Rock Falls. Robert Dale Snitchier was born on May 24, 1928, in East Lynn, the son of Walter and Alice (Stevenson) Snitchier. He served with the U.S. Army in Japan from 1946-1947. Robert married Doris R. Maynard on April 8, 1950, in Rock Falls. He was retired and had been the owner/operator of Sterling Landscaping since 1955. Surviving is his wife, Doris; his six children, Robert Snitchler of Dixon, Ronald (Pat) Snitchier of Rock Falls, Kathy (Louis) Pignatelli of Rock Falls, Susan (Tory) Willard of Harmon, William Snitchler of Taiwan and Karen (Mickey) Knox of Rock Falls; his brother, Lowell Snitchier; his 12 grandchildren, Kith Snitchier, Kent Snitchier, Jessica Machriicki, Alexis Velazquez, Sarah Machnicki, Audrey Snitchler, Louis Pignatelli, Robert C. Snitchler, Samantha Snitchier, Ben Pignatelli, Rachel Knox and Kady Knox, three great-grandchildren, Michael Xavier Machnicki, Nathanial Velazquez and Keanna Harrington. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marjean Snitchier and Lois Bonardi; arid one granddaughter, Rebecca Knox.
Daily Gazette December 29, 2002

DONALD SPATH : A 28 year old farmer was killed Friday when his head was crushed by a falling tree. He was Donald Spath who was working on Carstensen island in Rock River at the George Neumann farm. Spath was the son of Arthur Spath who has a farm a mile and a half west of Prophetstown. The son had hired out to work on the Neumann farm. Whiteside County Coroner John T. Meyer, Sterling, said Spath died of multiple skull fractures.
Dixon Evening Telegraph 10 February 1951

MRS. HARRY W. SPEARS , lifelong resident of this community, passed away at 3:15 a.m. Friday in the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. John T Meyer, 604 Second avenue. She had been in failing health for some time. The body rests at the Melvin funeral home where friends may call after 7 p.m. this Friday. Funeral rites are to be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Melvin funeral home by the Rev. Paul Bloomquist of Fourth Street Methodist church. Interment will take place in Riverside cemetery. Mrs. Spear was born May 16, 1867, in Rock Falls, the daughter of Emily and Luman Wakeman. She was united in marriage with Harry W. Spear on December 2, 1885, in Rock Falls. He preceded her in death on April 1, 1932, and one daughter, Mrs. DeLisle Buckaloo, passed away February 1, 1922. Mrs. Spear was a member of the Rock Falls Methodist church and of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Hans (Elsie) Andresen of Valparaiso, Ind., Mrs. Edward M (Gladys) Pease of Downers Grove and Mrs. John t. (Elyda) Meyer of Sterling; one brother, Edward Wakeman of Oregon and seven grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. Frank Russell, passed away a number of years ago
Contributed by Margaret Mangers - Dec 21, 1951 Sterling Gazette

OTHO K. SPEARS , 89, of 612 St. Mary's Road, Sterling, formerly of Tampico and Deer Grove died Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at CGH Medical Center. He farmed in the Deer Grove area for 33 years and then was employed by Hahnaman Elevator for more than 15 years. Mr. Spears was born Feb. 16, 1914, in Bingham (Fayette Co), the son of Otis and Ethel Spears. He married Bernice Beardman on March 27, 1937, in Rochelle He was a member of the Farm Bureau and Dixon Winter Florida Group. He volunteered at the Tampico Area Community Building, Tampico Historical Society and Reagan Birthplace He enjoyed square dancing. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Nadine Miller Of Grand Rapids, Mich.; three sons, Ronald N. (Paulette) Spears of West Bend, Wis., DeWayne (Chong Hui) Spears of Rockford and Merwin (Frances) Spears of Fort Meyers, Fla.; two brothers, Raymond Spears of Rockford and Earl Spears of Ohio; two sisters, Violet Masters and Teddie Stevens, both of Taylorville; 10 grandchildren, seven great- grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Carl John; and five brothers and sisters. The funeral is at 11 am. Friday at Garland Funeral Home Tampico with the Rev. Wesley Dickson officiating. Burial is at 3 p.m. Friday at Rochelle Cemetery. Visitation is from 9-11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Daily Gazette July 30, 2003

CHARLES E. SPERRY - At his home in Chicago, on Thursday, October 24, 1895, Charles E. Sperry, in the 44th year of his age. Charles E. Sperry was born in Ansville, Oneide Co., New York, in 1852 and came west with his parents when a child. At the age of 21 years he was married to Zerlina Booth, at Fulton, this county, where he learned the printer's trade. After his marriage he resided in Lyons and Clinton until the winter of 1881, when he removed with his family to this city. He was employed as foreman of the Sentinel until the fall of 1889, when he moved to Chicago where he has since followed his vocation in a job printing office. While a resident of Morrison, Mr. Sperry was a member of the Jackson Hose Co., the Morrison cornet bank, the H. and S. Quartette. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen, and Knights of Pythias and had many friends here who will regret to learn of his death. Mr. Sperry was an excellent workman, one of the best of his craft and could always command a situation. He was kind hearted and generous and was a pleasant, companionable man. Last fall he met with an accident and was seriously injured from which he never fully recovered. His death, however, was caused by cerebral hemorrage of the brain. In the morning he went to his work, but was soon taken seriously ill and was assisted to his home when he soon became unconscious and remained in that condition until death came at 10:30 p.m. He leaves a wife, four sons, mother, four sisters and two brothers to mourn his loss. His brothers John D. Sperry of this city, Wm. R. Sperry of Alpha Iowa; his sisters, Mrs. A.J. Booth and Mrs. A.W. Conners of Chicago, Mrs. Jerome Booth of Lyons Iowa, and many other relatives attended his funeral. His mother, Mrs. L.M. Sperry of Alpha Iowa and sister, MRs. H.E. Chadburn of Kansas City, Kansas were unable to be present. The funeral was held last Sunday at his residence on W. Van Buren St. Chicago. Inerment taking place at Forest Home Cemetery.
The Odell Library Collection - from the Sentinel

PEARL L. (McELRATH) SPERRY , 92, of Morrison, IL, died Friday, April 14, 2006 at Resthave Nursing Home in Morrison. Pearl was born March 5, 1914, to Alonzo and Effie (Mensch) McElrath. She married Fielder "Snooks" Sperry on July 29, 1933 in Morrison. He died on December 9, 1971. Pearl had been employed by various Main Street merchants in Morrison. Most recently, she was employed as a cook for the Morrison High School cafeteria. She was a member of the Morrison United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She belonged to the Morrison Wa-Tan-Ye Club. Survivors include cousin. Her husband, parents, and one sister, Hazel Wright, preceded her in death.

GEORGE L. SPINKA - Funeral services for George L. Spinka were held at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Melvin Funeral Home, Rev. Lloyd O. Coleman, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiated. Burial took place in Riverside cemetery. Mrs. J.H. Linn was the organist and Gerald Pontsler sang "Beyond The Sunset" and "How Great Thou Art". Pallbearers were Joseph McCormick, Stanley Adair, Williard McFalls, joel Harper, Frank McFadden and Percy Domer. VFW Post 326 conducted services at the grave, John J. Connell served as commander and Sherman Brown as chaplain. Swartley's were in charge of flowers
Daily Gazette 29 June 1965

JUDELL (TURNER) STANFIELD , 71, of Rock Falls died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, at Perry Merorial Hospital, Princeton. She was employed by Harper Wyman, Sterling and Princeton, for more than 10 years and then by Lawrence Bros. Mfg. Sterling. Mrs. Stanfield was born April 8, 1933 in Buffalo KY, the daughter of Harvey and Minnie 9Cruse) Turner. She married Joseph Stanfield on Dec. 23, 1947, in Linwood, Ky. She enjoyed working in her gaden and spending time with family and friends. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Joseph Stanfield of Orlando, Fla., and Mike Stanfield of Rock Falls; three sisters, Iva (Jack) Tracy and Imogene (Conway) Sterling, both of Galva, and Martha Knolls of Wyoming; and a brothe Orville (Margaret) Turner of Wyoming. She was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers. Services are at 10:30 Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls with Rev. Edwin Burdell O'Neill of Maranatha Baptist Church, Rock Falls. Burial is at Oak Knoll.
Sterling Gazette 2 November 2004

GILBERT M. STANNERS - At his home in Mt.Pleasant, on Saturday evening, November 22, 1890, Mr. Gilbert M. Stanners, aged 27 years, 7 months 25 days. Gilbert M. Stanners was born in Muirhouse, Linlithgowshire, Scotland, March 27, 1863. He came to America in April 1883. He resided some time in Ustick and a few months ago moved to this township, about a mile north of Morrison. For some time he has been afflicted with that dreaded malady - consumption, which caused his death. He leasves a widow and two children to mourn his death. The funeral services were held at his residence last Monday, Rev. J.W.Skinner officiating. The remains were interred in Grove Hill cemetery.
The Odell Library Obituary Collection

MARY ELLEN STANTON passed away at her home in this city Sunday noon following a few days illness with pneumonia. The body was removed to the Dudley mortuary where it was prepared for burial and was then returned to the late home. Funeral services will be at St. Catherine's Church at 9 o'clock Thursday morning, Rev. A.M. Weitecamp officiating, and interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at Fulton. John Halligan, Paul Roman, John Bauer, Robert Lanphere, Grant Wildman and John Mosher will act as pall bearers. Mary Ellen Stanton, daughter of Michale and Mary S. Stanton, was born November 8, 1865 at Mendota Ill., coming to Portland township with her parents in 1881 and moving to Prophetstown in 1901. She had lived in her home at 607 Jackson Street for 32 years. She passed to her reward March 4, 1934 at the age of 68 years, 3 months and 26 days. She was preceded by one brother, Robert W. Stanton, who died October 19, 1926 and with whom she had mader her home many years. She was a member of St. Catherine's Church and of the Altar and Rosary Society.
Prophetstown Echo March 7, 1934

ROBERT STANTON - The funeral of Robert Stanton was held at 10 o'clock Friday morning from the St. Catherine's Church, Rev. Father Frank Keenan having charge of the rites, paying tribute to a man who lived Christianity. After the ceremonies at the church the remains were taken to Fulton, where burial was made in the Catholic cemetery. The pall bearers were Grant Wildman, Gus Berge Paul Roman, Charles Riley, Kahler Meyers and John Halligan.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette October 23, 1926 - Saturday, pg 7

MARY (HESS) STAUFFER - Native of Lancaster Was 90 years old - A beautiful life was called to its reward yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock in the passing of Mrs. Mary Hess Stauffer at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Susie Franklin of Penrose. Mrs. Stauffer suffered a fractured hip in a fall in October 1932, and since that time had been bedfast. Despite the fact that she had been invalided she was bright and cheerful at all times and enjoyed the visits of friends and relatives. She had lived in the home where she died for 65 years, and she and her husband were among the early settlers from Pennsylvania in the Penrose community. She was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania on March 18, 1843. As Mary A. Hess, she was united in marriage to Ripley Stauffer in Lancaster county on October 16, 1862, to whom were born three children, Mrs. Susie Franklin of Penrose and William Stauffer of Steward. A daughter, Lizzie Hess Bennett, passed away about 1885. Mr. Stauffer passed away February 3, 1925. Other survivors are : Jeremiah Hess, a twin brother of Zachariah Hess who passed away last fall at the age of 88 years; and Theodore Hess who lives in Elgin. There are four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren surviving. Funeral services will be held at the home at 1:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon and from the West Science Ridge Mennonite church at 2:00 o’clock, with the Rev. A.D. Schaeffer of the Dixon Evangelical church officiating. If Rev. A.C. Good returns from a visit with his daughter at Hopedale tomorrow he will assist in the services. Burial will be in the Mennonite cemetery beside the body of her husband.
Contributed by Tom Hess - Death occurred February 13, 1934

FREDERICK STEPHENSON , 74, of Morrison, died Thursday at the Bluff Terrace Nursing Facility, Clinton. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Morrison, with the Rev. Leo Bartel, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home with a vigil service and a Knights of Columbus service. Interment will be in the Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. He was born July 30, 1929, in Burlington to Frederick E. and Margaret Kissinger Stephenson Sr. He married Janice M. Decker on Jan. 5, 1962, in Wisconsin. He was educated in the Burlington grade schools and was a graduate of Burlington High School. He attended Clinton Community College. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during the Korean War. He was employed as a counselor with New Directions. He later was employed for more than 25 years in sales and management in the automotive industry with various auto dealerships. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Morrison, Knights of Columbus Council 3916, 4th Degree/Boland Assembly, a lifetime member and leader of the Boy Scouts of America and served in various capacities, former member of the Clinton Kiwanis Club, past president of Burlington Trades and Labor, counselor for the Alcoholic Guidance Commission in Clinton, was active with the Morrison D.A.R.E. Committee and a 34-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Renee (Buck) Brockway of Greenville, Texas, Terri Stephenson of DeWitt and Mari Stephenson of Beaumont, Calif.; seven sons, Jeff (Mary) Stephenson of Clinton, Scott (Karen) Stephenson of Memphis, Tenn., Bill (Kristi) Lyon-Stephenson of Davenport, Steven (Dianna) Kutcher-Stephenson of Westminister, Colo., Kevin (Holly) Stephenson of Rockford, Ill., Robert (Mary) Stephenson of Rockford, Ill., and Brian (Dianne) Stephenson of Morrison; 23 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Mary (William) Ells of Burlington and Mrs. Martha (Don) Sparrow of Cedar Rapids. He was preceded in death by one son. Memorials may be made to Masses, the Morrison D.A.R.E. Program and Morrison Boy Scouts.
Clinton Herald 27 February 2004

TOM STEPHENSON , formerly of Rock Falls, passed away December 14, 1952 in Sacramento, Calif., according to word from Mrs. Stephenson. He had been quite ill for two months and for two weeks before his death was hospitalized. Funeral rites were held in Sacramento and burial was made in East Lawn Cemetery at Sacramento. Surviving are his wife, Maude; one daughter, Mrs. Gayle Nevin and two grandchildren. He also leaves four sisters. Mr. Stephenson's parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Stephenson of Rock Falls. The family was well known in this community.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois December 27, 1952 - Saturday, pg 2

MARION STERENBERG - The funeral of Marion Robert Sterenberg, 15, who met death by drowning (22 July 1945) in a creek on the Joe Brooks farm northeast of Brookville Sunday afternoon, will be held at the home of his parents Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Sterenberg in Brookville at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical church in Polo with burial at Freemont (or Fairmount) cemetery. Marion was born Oct. 24, 1929 and is survived by his parents, three brothers Pvt. Gerland Sterenberg of Fort Lyons Colo. and Lauren and Harold at home; and four sisters, Mrs. Lawrence Hinrichs of Edinburg Ind., Mrs. Stewart King of Sterling, and Mrs. Merrill Noakes and Mrs. John Ditzler of Polo.
Dixon Evening Telegraph 24 July 1945

PAUL G. STERENBERG - 84, of Fulton, IL, died Saturday, April 30, 2005 at Mercy Medical Center North in Clinton, IA. Paul was born Dec. 26, 1920 in Fulton to Jacob G. and Janet (Haan) Sterenberg. He was a 1938 graduate of Fulton High School and a 1940 graduate of Scovill Business College in Clinton, IA. He married Evelyn W. Wiersema on Oct. 22, 1946 in Fulton. Paul was first employed at the Rock Island Arsenal. He then served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theater in France, Belgium and Austria. After military service, he was employed at the former Fulton State Bank until retiring in 1983 as Director and Executive Vice President. He then worked as a real estate broker until 1993. He also performed real estate appraisals and clerked auctions for many years. Paul was a member of Second Reformed Church in Fulton where he served as deacon, elder, Sunday School superintendent and treasurer. He was a member of the Men's Brotherhood, former member of the Fulton Kiwanis Club, Fulton Business Men's Association, Board of Education for Fulton Grade School, Whiteside County Banker's Federation, Board of Benevolence Hope College-Holland, MI, Board of Trustees Northwestern College- Orange City, IA, and the Whiteside County Zoning Board of Appeals. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, a daughter, Sharon (Mrs. Vince) Stevenson of Lost Nation, IA; two grandchildren, Jason (Sarah) Barlow and Rachel Barlow; two step grandchildren, Bobbie Jo Sullivan and Amanda Savage; eight great grandchildren, Lexi Barlow, Angie Galant, Molly Galant, Sammy Riedmann, Ty Barlow, Layla Barlow, Dallas Barlow, and Kaitlin Flagel. He was preceded in death by his parents

RICHARD J. STERENBERG - A telegram, an emergency furlough, and a flying trip from Germany, enabled a Polo soldier to have a final five days with his father, Richard J. Sterenberg, 65, who died yesterday (February 28, 1952) at KSB hospital. The Soldier, PFC Lauren, 26, had not seen his father since April 1951 just before he left for Germany. Last Tuesday in Ludwigsburg Germany he received a telegram from his family telling him his father did not have long to live. Obtaining an emergency furlough, PFC Sterenberg boarded an Army plane flying to the US and Sunday he arrived in Polo. Yesterday, after five days with his son Richard Sterenberg died of a heart ailment. PFC Sterenberg has until March 26 before he must report back to Camp Kilmer NJ. Mr. Sterenberg was born in Whiteside county, the son of Jacob and Stella (Buis) Sterenberg, Feb. 19, 1914 (actually born in 1887) at Fulton. He was married to Katie Wiersema. He had farmed most of his life southwest of Polo. Besides his wife and Pfc. Lauren, two sons, Gerald and Harold, both of Polo, four daughters; Mrs. Lawrence Hendricks, Coleta; Mrs. Stewart King, Sterling; Mrs. Merril Knoakes (Noakes), Waco TX; and Mrs. John Ditzler, Polo. Four brothers, Fred, Sterling; Garrett, Morrison; Clarence, Erie; and Gene, Aurora. Three sisters, Mrs. Wm. Stegena, Morrison; Mrs. Claus Voss, Coleta and Mrs. John Bielema, Fulton. A son Marion, and a brother preceded him in death. Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. and the Immanuel Evangelical-United Brethren Church, Polo, Rev. Ira Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery in Polo.
Dixon Evening Telegraph 29 February 1952

EOLA STEVENS , 1203 6th Ave., Sterling, passed away at 1 a.m. (Tuesday 22 November 1966) at Colonial Acres Rest Home. She was born Oct. 8, 1882 in Sterling Township the daughter of Maulby C. and Caroline Mangan Stevens. A resident of Sterling her entire life, Miss Stevens was a member of the First Congregational Church of Sterling, also a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, the Rebekah Lodge and the American Legion Auxiliary to Post 296. For a number of years she was employed by the Nick Gaulrapp Wholesale House and S. E. Wheelock Company, as a bookkeeper. She attended the local public schools and Brown's Business College. Surviving are one nephew, John R. Stevens of Sterling; one niece, Mrs. Elizabeth Burnstine of Davenport, Iowa; and two cousins, Mrs. Oscar Strock of Sterling and Bert Coe of Mapleton, Ore.; one sister and four brothers preceded her in death. The body was moved to the Melvin Funeral Home. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Melvin Funeral Home, The Rev. Loyal M. Wilkinson, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Sterling will conduct services, burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 22, 1966 - Tuesday, pg 2

INGRID (SUNBURG) STEVENS - The remains of Mrs. Leroy Stevens of Chicago, a former resident of this vicinity for some time, were brought here Saturday evening for interment in the Tampico Cemetery. The funeral service was held at the home of the deceased's aunt, Mrs. Karna Peterson, on East Market St., and interment made in the Tampico Cemetery. The funeral services were in charge of Reverened C. D. McCammon, pastor of the Methodist church, and appropriate songs were sung by Mrs. R. E. McKenzie and Miss Hazel Meredith, Kathleen France as accompanist. The pall bearers were Messrs Arthur Aldrich, W. F. Harris, Ed Peterson, Peter Peterson, J. M. Olson and A. J. Glassburn. A large number of friends of the family were present and many beautiful floral tributes were in evidence. Ingrid C. Sundburg was born in Sweden, March 19th, 1874, and died in St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago, Ill., Mar. 26th, 1915, aged forty-one years and seven days. Miss Sundburg was married to Leroy Stevens and enjoyed a happy married life until her husband's death January 4th, 1915. Mrs. Stevens leaves to mourn her death her only child, Edward, her brothers, Albert Sundburg of Nebraska and Carl Sundburg of Prophetstown, and a brother, Helge, and two sisters, Anna and Alma, living in Sweden. Besides these members of the immediate family, other relatives are Mrs. Karna Peterson, an aunt, and Miss Carrie Peterson, a cousin, whose home was the home of Mrs. Stevens in America. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens moved to Canada some years ago where her husband contracted a lingering disease from which he died three years later in Nova Scotia. Mrs. Stevens was a talented and thoroughly conscientious Christian lady, whose ernest and helpful assistance in church life in Tampico is happily recalled by many persons. She has gone to a well earned rest and her good works follow her while Goid takes her into his presence.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette March 31, 1915 - Wednesday, pg 3

MADOLYN J. STEVENS of 607 W. 11th St. Sterling, died today at the age of 51. She was born June 26, 1916 in Sterling, the daughter of Howard E. and Alice Ray Stevens. Miss Stevens was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, attended local schools and lived heer entire life in Sterling. She is survived by one sister Miss Pauline Stevens of Sterling with whom she made her home and one brother, Robert of Silver Springs MD. A memorial to the Mental Health Society has been started in her memory. Burial will be in Riveside.
The Daily Gazette July 25, 1967

ALMA G. (HART) STICKEL , 69, died Thursday afternoon (30 Jun 1960) at her home in Tampico. She had been ill for several months with a heart condition. The body was removed to the Parent Funeral Chapel, where funeral rites will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with the Rev. Henry J. Holverson, pastor of the Tampico Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Tampico Memorial Cemetery. She was born in Mendon, Mo., July 24, 1890, a daughter of Lewis and Rhoda Hart. She was educated in Missouri schools and was married to George W. Stickel Jan. 3, 1914, at Mendon. She had been a resident of this area for the last 43 years and was a member of the Tampico Methodist Church and the Legion Auxiliary of Tampico. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Harold (Elizabeth) Crandall and Mrs. John (Mary) Bohm of Tampico, and Mrs. Laverne (Ruth) Bock; four sons, Ronald of Moline, Arthur, Harold and James, at home; 10 grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters. She was preceded by her husband, George, her parents, one son, two brothers and two sisters.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois July 1, 1960 - Friday, pg 2

GEORGE L. STICKLE , 74, Route 1, Tampico, died Sunday evening (28 August 1983) in the Sterling Care Center, following a long illness. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday morning at 10;30 a.m. at the Tampico Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. William H. Leitch, pastor of the Tampico Baptist Church, officiating. Friends may call at the Allen-Schmitt-Garland Funeral Chapel on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. only. A memorial has been established to the Whiteside County Cancer Fund. George Stickle was born on Dec. 15, 1908 near Deer Grove, the son of A.L. and Elijah Willstead Stickle. On Sept. 13, 1933 he was united in marriage to Vivienne Lutyens in Crown Point, Ind. He farmed for over 40 years in the Tampico area. He was a bus driver and custodian for Tampico Unit District for many years. He attended Walnut Schools and Eureka College and was a Teke Fraternity member at Eureka Collge. Surviving are his wife, Vivienne; one daughter, Mrs. Ronald (Rita) Mulnix, Tampico; one son, Lee Stickle, New Bedford; four grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Joe (Ruth) Hopkins, Walnut and Mrs. Ethel Renner, Rock Falls. Preceding him in death were his parents, one sister and three brothers.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette August 29, 1983 - Monday, pg A6

VIVIENNE (LUTYENS) STICKLE , 93, of Walnut Manor Nursing Home, Walnut, Ill., died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004, at the manor. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Tampico Memorial Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are by Garland Funeral Home, Tampico. Mrs. Stickle was born Jan. 29, 1911, in Tampico, daughter of Levi and Celia Anderson Luutyens. She married George Stickle Sept. 13, 1933, in Crown Point, Ind. He preceded her in death Aug. 27, 1983. She was a 1983 graduate of Western Illinois University. She was an avid reader and loved animals. She entered contests and sweepstakes. Survivors (and spouses) are her son, Leland (Gail), Tampico; daughter, Rita (Gene) Peltier, Tampico; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a niece.

ISAAC STILL , a resident of Fulton for many years, died Friday forenoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. F Rhinehart, in Rock Island, after an illness of several months. The deceased was born in 1836 in Dayton, Ohio, and came to Fulton in 1852, where he lived until 1893, when he moved to DeSoto, Wis, where he resided until about two years ago, when he returned to this county and resided with his children either at Morrison or Rock Island. Mr. Still was a veteran of the civil war and was a private in Company F, Ninety third regiment, llinois infantry. He was also a member of Robert Hall post, G.A.R. He is survived by his wife and one daughter and two sons, viz. Mrs. Rhinehart of Rock Island, Alex of Morrison, and Fred of St. Paul. His remains were brought to Fulton and the funeral held at M.E. church Sunday at 3 p.m., with interment in Fulton cemetery.

Contributed by Dawn Everling

FRED R. STODDARD 86, father of Mrs. C.F. Andrews, Dixon, died Saturday afternoon at a Sterling hospital. Mr. Stoddard was a former commissioner of Sterling. He had been confined to his home with arthritis since March 8 and was taken to the hospital last Tuesday. Mr. Stoddard was born in Sterling Dec. 15, 1863. In the fall of 1891 he bought the circulation of the Sterling Evening Gazette and later was bookeeper, cashier and business office manager, having been connected with the Gazette more than 18 years, until March 10, 1910 when he retired to engage in the grocery business. For nine years of that time he was town clerk of Sterling Township from 1895 until 1904. He was elected commissioner ot the city of Sterling and served in that capacity from May 1, 1935 to May 1, 1939. He was for over 40 years a member of Sterling Congregational Church; later uniting with the First Baptist church of Sterling where he had attended Sunday School in boyhood. For 20 years he was a member of the Sterling YMCA board of directors. Mr. Stoddard was one of the original members Company E IL National Guard and served six years. He was united in marriage March 2, 1893 with Edna L. Heinen of Iowa Falls IA and they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1943. She passed away March 8, 1950. Five children, all born in Sterling survive; Mrs. H.E. (Lorene) Whaley; Mrs. Guy (Betty) Coats, Sterling; Lucille, teacher in Aurora; Mrs. C.F. (Cleora) Andrews, Dixon; also Robert O. Cincinnati OH. There are six grandhchildren. Burial in Riverside Cemetery.
Dixon Evening Telegraph 31 Oct 1950

IDA M. (PETTY) STRIMBLE , formerly of 1106 W. 5th St., in Sterling, died this morning at Clinton Manor Nursing Home at the age of 85. Mrs.Strimble was born June 29, 1882 in Emerson the daughter of Alfred and Celia Odell Petty. She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church of Sterling and had worked at National Mfg. for 33 years until retiring. Mrs. Strimble is survived by one son, Walter of RR 1 Rock Falls; one sister Mrs. Minnie Dudley of Princeton and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John and three sisters, Mrs. Cora Bensinger, Mrs. Edith Allen Summers and Mrs. Jessie Kyger. Services will be held Thursday at 1:30 pm in the Allen Funeral Home with pastor Luther Cooperride of St. John's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery.
Contributed by Mike Hosler

MARY M. (FONTENOY) STROBBE , 90, of the Resthave Nursing Home in Morrison, died Tuesday at the nursing home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Morrison, with a family prayer service at 9:45 a.m. at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes funeral Home. The Rev. Leo Bartel, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, will be officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. There also will be a visitation from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. Pallbearers will be Ryan Garcia, Jason and Scott Strobbe, Robert Fontenoy, James Redwanski and Kenneth Anderson. She was born Nov. 5, 1913, in East Moline, Ill., to Camiel and Irma Loncke Fontenoy. She married Maurice A. Strobbe on June 10, 1944, in Rock Island, Ill. He died in 1975. She was educated in Cordova, Ill., and the rural Whiteside County, Ill., schools. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Morrison, where she was involved with the Altar and Rosary Society group. She volunteered with the NICAA senior citizen services, Golden Meals and the Whiteside Home Extension. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Marty (Jacob) Newsome of Clinton; two sons, Raymond (Janis) Strobbe of Hickman, Neb., and Richard (Jeanne) Strobbe of Morrison. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters and two brothers. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church.

ABE H. STUART - Funeral services for Abe H. Stuart of Morrison, who died Friday in the Eveningside Nursing Home, were held Monday afternoon in the Reynolds Funeral Home at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Harry Buis, pastor of the Ebenezer Reformed church, officiated and burial was in Grove Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers were Cornelius Akker, Henry Smith, Harvey Stuart and Raymond Snyder, all of Morrison; John Balk of Fulton and James Snyder of Clinton, Ia.
Contributed by Melva L. taylor - Sterling Gazette September 25, 1969 - Thursday, pg 2

DAVID STUART , 88, Morrison, died (Oct. 4. 1984) Thursday evening in Morrison Community Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Renkes-Reynolds Funeral Home, Morrison, with the Rev. Wayne Lemmen of the Ebenezer Reformed Church, officiating. Burial will be in Grove Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the Ebenezer Reformed Church Radio Fund. David Stuart was born on April 23, 1896 in Whiteside County, the son of Henry and Catherine Osterhof Stuart. He was raised in the Morrison area and farmed with his brothers and sisters in Ustick Township all of his life until moving to Pleasant View four years ago. He was a member of the Ebenezer Reformed Church and was a State Champion Horse Shoe pitcher in the 1920's. Preceding him in death were four sisters and five brothers.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois October 5, 1984 - Friday, pg A4

GEORGE STUART , 85, of Morrison, died Tuesday afternoon (29 March 1977) at Morrison Community Hospital. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Renkes -Reynolds Funeral Home with the Rev. James Box officiating. Burial will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. Visitation will be Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established. He was born May 27, 1892 in Morrison the son of Henry and Katherine Osterhof Stuart. He was reared and educated in the Morrison area. He farmed in the UIstick Townshnip all his life. Survivors include one brother, Dave and one sister, both of Morrison. He was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 30, 1977 - Wednesday, pg 4

JAMES K. STUART , 88 of Resthave Nursing Home, Morrison, IL, died Friday, November 25, 2005 at the nursing home. James was born June 6, 1917, in Morrison, IL, to Fred and Tina (Wiersema) Stuart. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County schools. He married Ida May Boelkens on March 1, 1941 in Morrison. James engaged in farming in the rural Morrison area. He also was employed as an insurance broker in Morrison until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison where he served as an usher. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Ida May; one daughter, Mrs. Janice Tiesman of Morrison, IL; one son, Thermon (Sara) Stuart of Fulton, IL; six grandchildren, Julie (Brett) Nicklaus, Kurt Tiesman, Brian (Dawn) Tiesman, Dan (Cheryl) Stuart, Michael (Maureen) Stuart, Lisa Stuart; six great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Walters and Mrs. Mildred "Millie" Schaver, both of Morrison; two brothers, Ervin (Delores) Stuart of Morrison and Robert G. (Arlene) Stuart of Fulton, IL. He was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Balk, three brothers, Arthur, Donald and Marion Stuart.

JANICE M. (EDLUND) STUART , 58 of 1229 Ninth Ave. Fulton, died Saturday April 6, 2002 at her home. She was employed by General Electric, Morrison as a billing clerk and by Old Kent Bank, Grand Rapids MI as a secretary for many years. Mrs. Stuart was born June 11 1943, in Morrison the daughter of Fay N & Una (Dykema) Edlund. She was a 1961 graduate of Morrison High School. She married Robert K MITCHELL on Aug 10 1962. She then married John W Stuart Nov 10 1973 in Morrison. She was a member of Fulton Presbyterian Church where she served as a elder, trustee, financial secretary, Sunday school teacher and choir member, Whiteside County Association for Home and Community Education treasurer, and was a leader of TOPS IL 896. Survivors include her husband, a daughter, Susan (Robert) Gregory of St Augustine FL; two sons, Stephen (Sue Ann) Mitchell of Lenoir NC and William (Amy) Mitchell of Clemmons NC; two sisters, Mary (Jim) Poulter of Prophetstown and Mardelle (Larry) Bielema of Washington; a brother, Norman (Linda) Edlund of Morrison and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Family prayer service is at 10:15 am Wednesday at Fulton Presbyterian Church, followed by the funeral at 10:30 am at the church with the Rev. Cathy Allen adn the Rev. Al Noakes , former interim pastors officiating. Burial is at Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Tuesday at the Fulton Chapel fo the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. A memorial has been established to the Fulton Presbytherian Church building fund.

Daily Gazette April 8, 2002

KATHERINE STURTZ , passed away at her home, 501 First Ave., this morning at 2:30 being in her ninety-fourth year. The funeral will be held at 1:30 o'clock at the late home and 2:00 o'clock at St. John's Lutheran church Wednesday afternoon, Rev. E.C. Harris officiating. Interment will be in Riverside. Katherine Long was born in the state of Pennsylvania, August 11, 1827, and celebrated her ninety-third birthday last August. She had always been hale and hearty and was downtown a short time ago. She had been ill but for about the past week. She was united in marriage Oct. 9, 1851 to Herman Sturtz who passed away about 4 years ago. She was the last of her family. They came west and settled near Stones Station before the Civil war, and made their residence in this city for a number of years past.
Dailey Gazette 27 December 1920

LOUISE (BITTORF) SULLIVAN , 91 of Sterling died Wednesday January 4, 2006 at her home following an extended illness. Louise was born on February 27, 1914 in Sterling, IL the daughter of Louis A. and Anna (Hansen) Bittorf. She was a graduate of St. Mary Grade School, Community Catholic High School and St. Mary College, South Bend, IN. She married Dr. Timothy Sullivan Sr. on February 11, 1939 in Sterling. He died June 13, 1995. Louise enjoyed playing and listening to music from an early age. As violinist and organizer of the Singing Strings, she performed at countless weddings, receptions and other celebrations. Even as she battled cancer this Fall, she managed to appear in one last engagement. She had a strong faith in God and was always active in the Catholic Church, locally and nationally. She was enthused about education, supporting community schools on all levels. She worked tirelessly on the original board of Sauk Valley College. Her family was amazed by the variety of workshops and courses she enrolled in, including drumming, haiku, computers and her beloved Spanish classes. But first and foremost, Louise was a loving wife and mother who encouraged the uniqueness of her children. She will be missed by her large family and many friends. Surviving are her children: Dr. Tim (Jeanie) Sullivan Jr of Sterling, IL, Susan (Chris) Lane of Denver, CO, Mary Sullivan of Denver, CO, Michael (Tina) Sullivan of Santa Fe, NM, Tom (Catherine) Sullivan of Prairie DuSac, WI, and Ann (Barry) Cousins of Richmond, VT; 19 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; one sister Rita Albert of Racine, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband; one brother Joseph H. Bittorf; one sister Virginia M. Bittorf and one grandchild Gretchen Roth. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday January 7, 2006 at 10 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sterling with the Reverend Paul C. White, Pastor and Celebrant officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 2-7 PM at the McDonald-Allen-Grennan Funeral Home, 505 1st Avenue, Sterling. The Rosary will be recited on Friday at 2:00 PM and the Christian Wake service will be held at 6:45 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the scholarship fund at Sauk Valley Community College, to St. Mary Grade School or to Sacred Heart Parish.

MARGIE (HICKS) SULLIVAN , 74, of Morrison, died Friday at CGH Medical Center, Sterling, Ill. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Sandytown Cemetery, Portland Township, Ill. The Gibson Funeral Home, Erie, Ill., is in charge of arrangements. She was born Dec. 12, 1929, in Sikeston, Mo., to Fred and Mary Sadler Hicks. She married August Sullivan on July 17, 1950, in Milan, Ill. He died in 1982. She retired from General Electric, Morrison, in April 1991 after 28 years of service. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Sally (Larry) Spinka of Rock Falls, Ill.; a son Terry (Cindy) Sullivan of Erie; a daughter-in-law, Linda Sullivan of Erie; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Lou Seibert of Coal Valley, Ill. She was preceded in death by two sons, one brother and a sister.

ROBERT J. SULLIVAN , 36, of Fulton, IL, died Friday, September 24, 2004 at his home. Bob was born June 25, 1968, in Clinton, IA, to Joseph F. and Jenneth E. (Ylitalo) Sullivan. He was educated in the Riverbend Schools of Fulton, IL. He was employed by Wildwood Farms of Fulton, IL; International Paper of Clinton, IA, and most recently at Gateway Marble in Fulton. Bob was an avid Cubs and Bears Fan. Survivors include one daughter, Kristina Sullivan of Clinton, IA; mother and step-father, Jan and Ron Stage of Fulton; three sisters, Tina (Mrs. Bob) Hook, Dottie (Mrs. Steve) Dornbush and Lora (Mrs. Dave) Toureene – all of Fulton; on brother, Mark (Teressa Doran) Sullivan of Fulton. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

KENNETH SWARTLEY , 81 of 1712 E. 5th Street died Thursday, December 21, 1995 at Prophets Riverview Good Samaritan Center in Prophetstown. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at Melvin-Schilling Funeral Home with Reverend Debbie Ohrtman of St. John's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Swartley was born August 23, 1914 in Sterling, the son of Ernest P. and Caroline Brandt Swartley. He married Frances E. Cross July 15, 1941 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sterling. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was partners with his brother, Lyle, at Swartleys Florist and Greenhouses for many years until his retirement in 1978. Mr. Swartley was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Lifetime member of Sterling Noon Lions, Charter member of Evening Lions Club, member of the American Legion Post 276 in Sterling, and member of Clinton-Sterling Power Squadron. Mr. Swartley is survived by his wife, Frances(Cross) of Sterling; and one son, Roger (Jane) Swartley of Boulder, Colorado. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lyle and Donald Swartley.

Contributed by Amy Anderson

CORA ALBERTA (SCOTT) SWIFT , 81, of 102 W. South St., Galt, died Tuesday at CGH. Funeral services will be Thursday at te Behrens-Blair Funeral Home with Rev. david beebe of Rock Falls Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Riverside. She was born June 23, 1896 in Morrison the daughter of Asa and Grace Scott Scott. She married Paul Swift on July 11, 1955 in Reno, NEv. and was employed as a seamstress at Lawrence Bros. Mfg. for many years. She was a member of the Galt Grange. Survivors include her husband and several nieces and nephews.
Contributed by Jean Portner

FRANCIS C. SWIFT - Funeral arrangements are being completed by Schwarz Funeral Home for Francis C. Swift, 54, 309 E. Winslow St., who died Friday in St. Francis Hospital after a short illness. Mr. Swift was an inspector at Structo Manufacturing Co. Surviving are his widow, Agnes; his mother, Mrs. Mary Swift, Benton, Wis.; three sons, Arthur, Joliet; Philip, Muskegon, Mich.; and Francis A., Sterling; a daughter, Mrs. Roger Recoy, Ridott; two stepchildren, Robert Burcheli and Mrs. Merrill Loring, Freeport; six sisters, including Mrs. Frankie Hudson, Beloit, Wis.; Mrs. Laverne Walter, Rockford; and Mrs. Eugene McCarthy, Benton; a brother, Ray, Benton; and 13 grandchildren.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette February 23, 1963

PAUL B. SWIFT , 82, W. South St. Galt, died Thursday at the Sterling Care Center following a long illness. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Behrens-Blair funeral home. Rev. David Beebe, pastor of the Rock Falls christian Church officiating.Burial will be in Riverside. Swift was born Oct. 15, 1895, Sterling son of R.K. and Jessie Ross Swift. He served in WW I and belonged to the WW I Vets and the Galt grange and was a member of the ELks Club. He married Cora Scott Buzzard who died Oct 18, 1977. Swift was a foreman at Northwestern steel and Wire for a number of years. There are no survivors.
Contributed by Jean Portner