O B I T U A R I E S
For
Whiteside County Illinois


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RICHARD D. WALLINGFORD - Funeral rites were conducted at 3 p.m. Friday in the Melvin Funeral Home by the Rev. Harry W. Lutz, pastor of the Asembly of God Church in Rock Falls. Mrs. J. H. Kinn was organist. The burial was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rock Falls. Pallbearers were Jack Pew, Marion Franks, Al Melville, Sgt. William H Strueber II, Staff Sgt. Glynn E Adcok and Sgt Gerald Back. Honorary pallbearers were Larry Palmer, Robert Newman, Robert Snitchler, Ron Spencer, Steve Allen and Perry Cushing. Lundstrom Florists had charge of flowers. Military rites were held at graveside with Jeff Wire bugler.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois April 25, 1970 - Saturday, pg 2

EARL S. WALTER , 85, of Albany, IL, died Friday April 26, 2002 at Knoxville Community Hospital, Knoxville, Iowa. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Wright Chapel of Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Services, Geneseo. Burial will be in North Cemetery, Geneseo with military rites by Geneseo American Legion. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at WrightChapel. Memorials may be madeto Mooseheart. Earl Walter was born Jun 29, 1916 in rural Geneseo, son of Clarence E. and Emma K. Giebel Walter. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mr. Walter worked as an assembler at John Deere Harvester, East Moline, for 31 years. He was a 50-year member of the Geneseo Moose Lodge 990, and a member of theShearer Post 350, American Legion Geneseo. He is survived by his brother, Clyde Walter, Geneseo. His parents; brother, Leland and half brother, Mortie preceded him in death
Contributed by Katherine Minder

JEANETTE WALTERS , 75, of 222 Emmons Avenue, Rock Falls, died this morning (Novemer 18, 1985) at the Sterling Care Center following an extended illness. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Grennan Funeral Home in Sterling with Rev. Dalmus Meeks, pastor of Harvest Time Bible Church officiating. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery in Rock Falls. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12 noon until the time of service. Survivors include her husband, Ralph; one son, Jack of San Diego, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Glenn (Geraldine) Martin of Rock Falls and one brother, Eugene Dobson of Fontana, Calif.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 18 1985 - Monday, pg A4

MARK DOUGLAS WALTERS , 38, of Exceptional Care and Training Center in Sterling, IL, died Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at the center. Mark was born June 16, 1969, in Morrison, IL. He was educated with Bi-County Special Education. He enjoyed his time at school, family trips out to eat and shopping at the mall. He especially enjoyed feeding the ducks at Lawrence Park in Sterling. Survivors include his mother and step-father, Marie and Rex Winget, of Fulton, IL; his father, Harlan Walters, of Texas; two brothers, Terry Walters of Texas and David (Alexandra) Walters of Great Falls, MT; one step-sister, Joy (Dan) Doughrty of Salem, OR; two step brothers, John (Pam) Winget of Washington, IA and Ray Winget of Kingman, AZ; maternal grandparents, Gerald and Evelyn Sharer of Fulton, IL; paternal grandmother, Ruth Walters of Morrison, IL; step grandmother, Katherine Winget of Sedona, AZ. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Harold Walters; step-grandfather, James Winget.

STEPHEN H. WEIDEL - age 93, RR2, Sterling, one of the Sterling area's oldest residents, died Friday morning (20 March 1970) in Community General Hospital after a short illness. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Allen Funeral Home, with the Rev. Richard Hanson, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Freinds may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mr. Weidel was born in Landis Valley, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the son of Henry and Sally Hiestand Weidel. He came to Illinois on Jan. 1, 1901, where he has lived since, with the exception of three and one half years in Pennsylvania. He was united in marriage to Ida Susan Landis July 17, 1907, in Dixon and they have farmed together in the Sterling and Milledgeville area all these years. Mr. Weidel was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Sterling and Jordan Grange. He is survived by his wife Ida; three sons, Howard, Frank and Edward, all of Sterling; four daughters, Mrs. Viola Hansen of Prophetstown, Mrs. Raymond (Mary) Hanabarger and Mrs. Curtis (Alice) Poppenhouse, both of Sterling, and Mrs. Richard (Bernice) Larson of Las Vegas, Nev.; 21 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, one brother and one great grandchild. A memorial has been established in his memory.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 20, 1970 - Friday, pg 2

TIMOTHY RALPH WEIDEL - Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Allen Funeral home in Sterling for Timothy Ralph Weidel of RFD 2, Sterling. Rev. Howard Schaar, pastor of the First Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Rev. Cralles Borden, pastor of the General Baptist Church of Sterling , officiated at the services with burial in Oak Knoll Memorial Park . Mrs. Roscoe Eaders was at the organ during the services with Lyle dirks singing Jesus Loves Me. Pallbearers were Richard Hacker, Don Weidel, Ronald Fulton and William Van Horne. Flowers were cared for by Mrs. Don Weidel, Mrs. Richard Hacker, Mrs. Larry Wolf and Swartleys.
Contributed by Margaret Mangers - Apr 29, 1966 Sterling Gazette

LOUISE WENK - Funeral services for Mrs. Louise Wenk will be conducted Monday afternoon. The body will be taken from the Behrens Mortuary at 12:30 p.m. Monday to lie in state in the Messiah Lutheran Church, where servies will be held at 2 p.m. with the pastor, the Rev. Eldor Mueller, officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Saturday.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette July 18, 1959 - Saturday, pg 2

HARRIET ELIZABETH (MILLER) WESCOTT , who has been ill for the past few weeks, passed away at her home on Fifteenth avenue Thursday morning. Mrs. Harriet Elizabeth Miller Wescott was born September 1, 1843 at Cander, N.Y. and came to Fulton in about 1856, with her parents where she has since resided. She was united in marriage to Frank Wescott about two years ago, who she leaves to mourn her death. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at two o'clock from the Methodist church in this city, Rev. Hoover officiating. Interment will be made in the Fulton cemetery. The following will act as pallbearers; John Keil, S.H. Wilson, E. W. Isenhart, Asher Cupp, Omar Morrow adn W.H. Tremayne
Odell Library Obituary Collection - Morrison IL

IDA A. (CHARLESTON) WHITLEY - Of 1212 Ave. K, Sterling, was pronounced dead on arrival at Community General hospital Sunday afternoon. (21 May 1972) Mrs. Whitley had been in poor health for some time. The body was moved to the Melvin Funeral Home where friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. The Rev. Jean W. Saltzman, pastor of the Fourth Street United Methodist Church, will officiate and burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Mrs. Whitley was born March 12, 1909 at Tampico, the daughter of Frederick and Alice Wescott Charleston. She had resided in this are her entire life and was married to Charles William Whitley, March 14, 1928. Mr. Whitley preceded June 9, 1957. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Arthur D. (Alice L.) Pope of Rock Falls; one son, William Whitley of Sterling; one sister, Mrs. Herbert (Lucille) Schick of Loves Park, Ill.; three brothers, Quinton Rogers of Pittsburg, Calif. (Half brother); Gus Charleston of Sterling and Ralph Charleston of Rock Falls. There are seven grandchildren. Four brothers and one grandson preceded.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette May 22, 1972 - Monday, pg 2

WILLIAM E. WESCOTT - Funeral rites for William E. Wescott were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Fourth Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Fouts of First United Methodist Church officiating. Mrs. Mabel Rubright was at the organ and Kenneth Hines sang "The Lord's Prayer" and "In the Garden." Pallbearers were members of the Rock Falls Police and Fire Service, Dante Masini, William A Wike, Roland Gillette, Gerald Bristle, John Bohms and Peter Johnson. Burial was at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Members of the Sterling-Rock Falls Police and Fire Services attended in a body. Lundstrom Florist took care of flowers. The body was moved from the Melvin Funeral Home to the church at 11 a.m. to lie in state until the funeral hour. Richard Gehring was usher.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois May 17, 1972 - Wednesday, pg 2

ARNOLD G. WIEBENGA , 69, of Morrison, died Monday, May 29, 2006, at his home. Services are 1:30 p.m. today at Bosma-Renkes, Morrison. Burial is in Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. He was born Nov. 20, 1936, in Morrison, to Jordan T. and Anna Kuehl Wiebenga. Survivors are his wife, Betty; daughters, Janet Bergstresser, Statesville, N.C., and Karen Burmester, Clinton, Iowa; grandchildren, Jennifer Zimmer and Konnie Burmester; one great-grandson; siblings, Rena Zuidema, Morrison, Robert and Gerald, both Morrison, and Loren, Clinton.



CORNELIA WIEBENGA , Funeral Monday At Morrison Chapter For Cornelia Wiebenga. Cornelia Wiebenga, 38, native of Morrison, passed away at Pine Rest Home, Grand Rapids, Mich., Wednesday afternoon (16 May 1951). She had been bedfast many years and had resided at the rest home several months. Funeral services will be held in Chicago Satruday afternoon and the body will be forwarded to Morrison, arriving Saturday night. Services will be held at the Reynolds Chapel Monday at 1:30 p.m. (CST) and committal will be in Grove Hill Cemetery. She was born Sept. 12, 1912 at Morrison where she grew to young womanhood. Her parents were Thomas and Rena Kooi Wiebenga. Her mother passed away in 1918 and later went with her father and step-mother to live in Chicago. Surviving are her father; stepmother; one brother Jordan of Morrison; two sisters, Mrs. Jake Engelkens, Coleta, and Mrs. Alfred Riley, Michigan City, Ind.; three step-brothers, George, Peter and Jacob Beukema, Chicago. Besides her mother she was preceded in death by a brother William; three sisters, Theresa and Minnie and one in infancy. A step-brother, John Beukema, passed away at Morrison last week.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois May 18, 1951 - Friday pg 2

DAVID M. WIEBENGA , 54, of Fulton, died Wednesday at his home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home with the Rev. E. C. Clair Lathrop officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Rock Island (Ill.) National Cemetery with miliary honors. Pallbearers will be co-workers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was born Oct. 19, 1949, in Morrison to Howard and Dorothy E. Badtke Wiebenga. He attended Fulton Grade School and High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 35 years at the Lock and Dam Maintenance System. Survivors include one brother, Dan (Patti) Wiebenga of Albany, Ill.; four nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Clinton Herald 19 March 2004

LAURETTA (VALK) VIEBENGA , 90, of Harbor Crest Nursing Home in Fulton, IL died Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the nursing home. Lauretta was born on July 1, 1918 in Ustick Township, IL to John and Johanna (VanderSchaaf) Valk. She was educated in the rural Whiteside County Grade School. She married George A. Wiebenga on June 30, 1939 in Morrison, IL. He preceded her in death on August 21, 2001. Lauretta was a homemaker. She was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Fulton, IL and the church's Mary & Martha Society and Lydia Society. She enjoyed doing needlework and crafts. Lauretta was an exceptional cook and baker. She was a volunteer baker for Unity Christian School Fair Stand. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening. Survivors include two sons, Robert Wiebenga of Rock Island, IL and Lee Wiebenga of Clinton, IA; two grandchildren, Amber and Kyle McDonnell; one great grandchild, Kiefer McDonnell. She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Larry in infancy; one daughter, Patricia in infancy; two sisters, Helen Valk and Frances Geerts.

MINNIE E. (BIELEMA) WIEBENGA , 87, of Harbor Crest Nursing Home, Fulton, died Monday, April 8 2002 at the nursing home. Mrs. Wiebenga was born Oct 4 1914 in Fulton, the daughter of John J and Grace (Vander Schaaf) Bielema. She attended Spring Valley Schook, rural Whiteside County. She married Claude A Wiebenga on Sept 19 1934 in Fulton. He died Jan 14, 1998. She was a member of Second Reformed Church in Fulton, its Ladies Aid Society and Mission Society. Survivors include a daughter, Janice (Howard) Van Zuiden of Fulton; three sons, Robert (Darlene) Wiebenga, Arnold (Sally) Wiebenga, and Harlan (Betty) Wiebenga , all of Fulton; a sister Mary (Corneil) Pessman of Fulton; a brother, Jay Bielema of Fulton; 14 grandchldren; and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters Alta Pessman and Christine Miller and a brother, George in infancy. Family prayer service is at 10:15 am Friday at Second Reformed Church Fulton, followed by a 10:30 am funeral, with the Rev. David Landegent, pastor of Second Reformed Church officiating. Burial is at Fulton Township Cemetery.
Daily Gazette April 10, 2002

SARAH (NEWENDYKE) WIEBENGA ,75, of Fulton died today (11 Jan 1971) at the Harborcrest Nursing Home. There will be visitation Tuesday afternoon after two o'clock at the Bosma Funeral Home in Fulton. Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the First Reformed Church of Fuilton with a prayer service for the family preceding the formal service. The Rev. William Hoffman will officiate and burial will follow in the Fulton Cemetery. Mrs. Wiebenga was born Sarah Hoogheem Newendyke in Garden Plain Township on Nov. 5, 1895, the daughter of John and Anna Newendyke. She married Jordan Wiebenga on Jan. 11, 1913. She had all her life been a member of the First Reformed Church and an association member of the Helping Hand Society. Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Mrs. John Hazel Maring of Fulton; three sons, David of Galesburg, John of rural Morrison and Jerry of Fulton; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Peter J. Vogel and Mrs. Jascob Gertrude Norman, both of Fulton; and four brothers, Jay, Henry, John and Harry, all of Fulton. Preceding Mrs. Wiebenga in death were her parents, two daughters and a brother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 11, 1971 - Monday, pg 2

DOROTHY E. (PILGRIM) WIERENGA - 86, of Silvis, IL, died Wednesday, August 8, 2007 in her home. Dorothy was born May 20, 1921, in Fenton, IL, to John C. and Etta Marie (Gerdes) Pilgrim. She was educated in the Lyndon Grade School and graduated from Lyndon High School in Lyndon, IL. She received three years of nurses training in Freeport, IL and graduated as a registered nurse. She married Edward Wierenga on October 15, 1946 in Sterling, IL. He died December 5, 2000. Dorothy was employed as a registered nurse for many years in several area hospitals, including her position as head nurse of labor and delivery at Illini Hospital in Silvis, IL, retiring in 1981. She also taught prenatal classes. She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Moline, IL. She was listed in "Who's Who of Women in America" in 1978. She was also a contributing author of a nursing textbook. Survivors include one daughter, Shirley J. Otts of Silvis, IL; one son, Dale E. (Judy) Wierenga of Poolesville, MD; four grandchildren, Louis J. (Alanna) Wierenga, Anna Wierenga, Jacquelyn Wynes, and Chad Wynes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; one brother, Donald Pilgrim.

CAMMILLE LOUISE WILLHITE - infant daughter of Frank and Louise McCallister Willhite of 504 W. 19th St., Rock Falls, was dead at birth early Thursday morning at Community General Hospital. Graveside services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday at Oak Knoll Memorial Park with Rev. David Beebe, pastor of the First Christian Church of Rock Falls, officiating. She is survived by her parents; one sister, Laurie and two brothers, Mark and Dale all at home; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McCallister, Rock Falls; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Willhite, Rock Falls; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois April 30, 1970 - Thursday pg 2

MILES J. WOOSTER - Funeral services for Miles J. Wooster, prominent Sterling resident who passed away Sunday, (16 January 1966) were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Behrens Mortuary, with the Rev. James Odom, pastor of the Fourth Street Methodist Church, officiating. Mrs. Roscoe Eades was organist for the services. Burial was in the Lyndon Cemetery. Pallbearers were William Zaagman, Edward Brant, D. J. Kennel, Wayne Van Dusen, Chester Behrens and Donald Hames. Honorary pallbearers were Philip Ward Sr., Roscoe Eades, Elbert Lathe, Ralph Allen, Edward Block, Larry Wooster, Preston F. Grandon and R. I. Hults. The many floral tributes were cared for by Mrs. William Azzgmn, Mrs. Edward Brant, Mrs. Donald Hames, Mrs. Wayne Van Dusen and Lundstrom's.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 19, 1966 - Wednesday