'W' Woodford County Obits
Illinois Genealogy Trails

Louise Whittington
Roanoke - Louise E. Whittington, 91, died at 2:48 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, at the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke. She was born March 15, 1915, in Roanoke, the daughter of August and Emma Winter Schuler. She married Cecil Whittington on March 7, 1935, in Ottawa. He died Feb. 20, 1993. Survivors include one son, Dean (Janet) Whittington, Roanoke; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, five brothers and seven sisters. Whittington was a homemaker. Services will be today at 11 a.m. at Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home, Roanoke, with the Rev. Debbie Horvath officiating. Visitation will be held this morning from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Roanoke Township Cemetery, Roanoke. Memorials may be made to the AC Home of Roanoke.

Ed H. Woltzen, 72, Benson, Is Stricken At Church Meeting
Funeral Tuesday at St Peter's Lutheran Church
contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

Edward Henry Woltzen [born Ede Heinrich], 72, died at 3:30 p.m. last Sunday, at the annual meeting of St Peter's Lutheran church west of Benson.  A doctor said death as caused by coronary thrombosis.

Mr Woltzen was born Sept. 10, 1882, in Roanoke township. the son of Albert and Fanny Saathoff Woltzen.  On March 7, 1912, he married Emma Harms.  She preceded him in death, as did four sisters and two brothers.

Surviving are two brothers, Elick of Benson, and Albert of Wolcott, Ind.; and four sisters, Mrs Sena Moritz of Flanagan, Mrs Harm Tjaden and Mrs Rosena Hinrichs, both of Benson, and Mrs Hemicke Moritz, also of Benson, with whom he had made his home.

He was a member of St Peter's Lutheran church and St Peter's Brotherhood.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 Tuesday afternoon at St Peter's Lutheran church, conducted by Rev. J.H. Prange.  Burial was in the parish cemetery.  The Tallyn-Folkers Memorial Home of Minonk was in charge.

The pallbearers were Wm. Ehlers, Leonard Eckhoff, Ernest Gerdes, Carl Tjaden, Carl Redenius and Edward Eilts.

Relatives attending from a distance were:  Misses Minnie and Mary and Herman Jacobs of Pontiac; Mr and Mrs Henry Harms, Mr and Mrs Clarence Harms of Colfax; Mr and Mrs Roy Kelsey of DeKalf; Andrew Woltzen of Dana; John Uphoff and Mrs Grace Otto of Flanagan; Mr and Mrs H. Frerichs of Bartonville: Mr and Mrs Ben Moritz of Secor; Mr and Mrs John Woltzen of Kankakee; Mrs Dena Schulthes, Mrs Ludeman and Misses Lena and Fanny Oltman of Eureka; Rev R.D. Folkers of Bloomington; Mr and Mrs Harry Peters of El Paso; Mrs John Schuck of Peoria; John Woltzen and Mr and Mrs John Miller of Metamora; Mrs L Janssen and Mrs Kate Harms of Washburn; Mr and Mrs Ervin Hansen of Streator; Mr and Mrs Albert Woltzen of Long Point

Sarah E. Whiffen
Miss Sarah E. Whiffen, a young lady well known in this community, and who made many warm friends during her residence in this city, died yesterday morning at the residence of her aunt, 1115 N. Adams St., after a brief illness. She was the daughter of W. B. Whiffen, editor of the Marshall County Democrat, at Lacon, and was the only child of his first wife. The deceased was born in the city of Indianapolis, Aug. 16, 1855. She came to Peoria several years ago and made her home with her aunt. For a long time she was employed as a clerk in the retail dry goods house of Clark & Co., but more recently has been employed in the reception room at Smith's photograph studio. She has been troubled for some time with rheumatic troubles, but was not thought to be seriously ill until Sunday evening, in fact was at the studio as usual last week. The immediate cause of her death was inflammation of the stomach succeeding a rheumatic attack. The funeral will take place from the residence of her aunt, Mrs. E. Thurlow, 1115 N. Adams St., at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Friends of the family are invited. Mr. Whiffen, father of the deceased, arrived in the city last evening. The Freeman extends him its fraternal sympathy (Peoria Freeman, Feb 21.). Mr. Whiffen has the sympathy of the Journal and his many friends of Woodford county, where the family once lived and are favorably known.

Florence Mae (Sowards) Wolpert - contributed by Jane Foster
Mrs. Florence Wolpert, former resident of Partridge township near Spring Bay, died Saturday morning at 10:55 at her home in Peoria, where she had resided the last ten years.

She was a daughter of Andrew F. and Margaret Baker Sowards and was born in Woodford county Jan. 3, 1874.  She was united in marriage to Andrew Wolpert in Peoria Dec. 8, 1892, and the family home was near Spring Bay for many years.  Mr. Wolpert died June 25, 1921, after a long illness and a few years later Mrs. Wolpert with her children moved to Peoria.  She was a member of the Mennonite Church of Washington.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Cecil DeGuibert, Miss Vera Mae Wolpert and Mrs. Grace Keene, all of Peoria.  She is also survived by four sisters, Mrs. Jennie Rehner, Omaha, Neb.; Mrs. Mary Baechler, East Peoria; Mrs. Hattie Shafter, Beloit, Wis.; and Mrs. Mae Bunting, Hershey, Neb., and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 1:30 at the Wilton chapel in Peoria, conducted by Rev. J. F. Unger.  The body was then taken to the Spring Bay Cemetery for interment.

Minnie A. Wilcox
Mrs. Minnie A. Wilcox, 80, a lifelong resident of Minonk and one of this community's leading citizens, passed away at 4:30 a.m. Friday, April 23, at the St. Francis hospital in Peoria. Death came as a result of pneumonia, which struck eight days before her passing.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the Wilcox Funeral Home in this city, with the Rev. E. V. Young, pastor of the Minonk Methodist church officiating. Burial was in the Minonk cemetery. Pallbearers were: Wade and Frederick Wrenn, Robert M. Wilcox, Arthur Young and Aaron and Harrison Parks. Mrs. Harrison Parks rendered piano music. The Rev. James W. Turner of North Henderson, a former personal friend of the family, who had planned to conduct the funeral, was unable to be present because of illness.

Mrs. Wilcox was born three miles west of Minonk on Aug. 9, 1867, the daughter of Daniel H. and Louisa Davison. From earliest childhood she was very much interested in music, and as a young woman she went to New York City, where she took special studies, returning later to teach music in Minonk. She was especially proficient as a pianist and organist and was outstanding as a director of choir and choral music in Minonk churches.

On Aug. 22, 1888, she was united in marriage with Dr. Frederick W. Wilcox, and to this union were born two children: A son, George Edward Wilcox, who died while in military service, on shipboard (part of the obit is missing).

??munity. She was a member of the Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter DAR and on March 17, represented that organization as a delegate at the state convention held in Peoria.

She was a world traveler, having made one trip around the world and numerous other trips to foreign lands. Her lectures, accompanied by pictures were in great demand. The deceased was a charter member of the Minonk Women's club and the 20th Century club and was the last surviving charter member of the former organization.

Among the relatives and friends from out of town who attended the final rites were: Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Poston of Springfield; Mr. and Mrs. Dave Off, Charles Off, Mrs. Dave Cummings, Mrs. Julia Birks, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Heidrich, Mrs. Robert Topping, Mrs. George Wheelock, Mr. and Mrs. John Welch, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Sutherland, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Osborn, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Young, all of Peoria; Mrs. Marie Webster and Miss Eleanor Webster of Washington.Dr. and Mrs. Dave Morton, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Armstrong, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith of Elmwood; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Burke of Chicago; Miss Margaret Hall of Streator; Mrs. Louis Colehow (rest of obit is missing).

Harold W. Wragge
Minonk - Harold W. Wragge, 87, Minonk, died at 2:35 a.m. Wednesday (March 8, 2006) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk, with the Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe. Burial will follow in Minonk Township Cemetery, with full military rites provided by the Benson American Legion Post 454 and Minonk VFW Post 7185. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk, or Benson American Legion.

Harold was born Aug. 22, 1918, in rural Benson, the son of William G. and Marie Miller Wragge. He was educated in the Logan School in rural Benson. He married Darlene A. Matter on June 9, 1946, in Minonk. She survives.

Also surviving is a son, Daryle W. Wragge, Wenona; and three grandchildren, Gretchen (Bryan) Hsu, Samual Wragge and Christopher Wragge. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Doris Harms; and two brothers, Clarence Wragge and Edward Wragge.

Harold was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Benson, and was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk. Harold's tour of duty took him overseas to the European Theater for four years. He was a member of the 52nd Armored 9th Armored Infantry Battalion. He had fought at Utah Beach in Normandy, Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Rhine and Battle of Remagen Bridgehead. During the Battle of the Bulge, Harold was part of the armored division that took the Remagen Bridge and held it for 12 days trapping many German soldiers. His service had taken him to France, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Belgium. He had served under General Hage with the 1st Army and General Patton with the 3rd Army. Harold was honorably discharged on Dec. 29, 1945.

After the war, he farmed in Linn Township in Woodford County the rest of his life until retirement. After retirement, Harold took up his hobby of collecting caps, which is the largest in the state of Illinois. He was a charter member of the Benson American Legion Post 454, lifetime member of the Minonk VFW Post 7185, a member of Battle of Bulge Remagen Bridge Society, an active member of the Woodford County Farm Bureau for 55 years and the local FFA Alumni.

Dona Jo Sizemore Woltzen
Port Washington, WI - Dona Jo Sizemore Woltzen died Tuesday morning (Aug. 1, 2006) at St.Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, Wis., after a lengthy illness.

BornJune 12, 1933, in Normal, Dona was the eighth of nine children born toPete F. and Mary Etta Sizemore. She and husband Duane "Moose" Woltzenwere married for nearly 53 years. A longtime Sheboygan Countyresident, Dona was a beloved face on the Lakeland College campus. Sheand Moose made their home among wonderful neighbors in Port Washingtonfor the past 16 years.

Dona is survived by her husband, Moose;mother-in-law, Hazel Woltzen, Minonk; children, Scott (Nancy) Woltzen,Hartland, Wis., and Julie (Mathias) Romacker, Thousand Oaks, Calif.;grandchildren, Krysta, Kevin, Nick and Luke; sisters, Nancy Dittmar andHelen Adams; brother, Pete (Sara) Sizemore Jr.; sisters andbrothers-in-law, Carol Nelson, Alyce Woltzen, Jim (Mary) Woltzen andMilton Underkoffler; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorialservice will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Moose and Dona WoltzenGymnasium at Lakeland College, Sheboygan, by family friend, the Rev.Waymon Stewart. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorialsmay be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. EernisseFuneral Home in Port Washington is assisting the family. Onlinecondolences can be made at www.eernissefuneralhome.com. For furtherinformation, please call (262) 284-2601.

Arthur Whited Jr.
Arthur Whited Jr., 82, of 502 Gloria Drive, Eureka, died at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 17, 2007) at Eureka Community Hospital.

He was born July 12, 1924, in Bureau county, Ill., to Arthur Sr. and Lillian Kipp Whited. He married Jeanie Marshall on Aug. 20, 1950, in Kewarnee. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Timonthy (Patricia) Whited of Nederland, Colo., and Mark (Rebecca) Whited of Evansville, Ind.; two sisters, Marilyn Calvert of Princeton, Ill., and Lauramae Smith of Southern Pines, N.C.; and four granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant sister.

Art farmed in the Kewanee area and proudly served in the Marine Corps. At age 40, he began a new career with Country Companies Insurance, serving the Kewanee area and later Eureka until he was 80. He was inducted into the Country Companies Hall of Fame for agents in 1991. He was an avid bridge player and attended Grace Presbyterian Church. His greaddaughter said it best, "He had the will of a warrior, the wit of a politician and the heart of a man with deep faith."

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday,, Jan 22, at Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka. Mark Whited will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday Jan. 20, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Olio Township Cemetery.
Memorials contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society for Relay for Life of Eureka. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com .

Larry Norman Warnkes

Larry Norman Warnkes, 35, of Washburn, died 3:20 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 17, 2007) in Washington Township. He was born Dec. 26, 1971, in Peoria, to Lorin and Charlene Quiram Warnkes. He married Willa Rolinski on Sept. 9, 1995. She survives. Also surviving are his parents, Washburn; his two children, Rylan and Makenna Warnkes, (who was born on his 30th birthday), both at home; one brother, Brent (Jamie) Warnkes, Pattonsburg; his paternal grandparents, Jim (Jenni) Quiram, Washburn; and mother and father-in-law, Tuny (Phyllis) Rolinski, Washburn. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Norman (Velda) Warnkes.

Larry was a graduate of Low-Point Washburn High School. He graduated from the heating and Air Conditioning program at I.C.C. He was of the Lutheran faith and attended St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church with his family. He was previously employed at Diamond Star Motors for 11 years. Later, with his wife, they owned and operated Ace in the Hole for the past two years. With the help of his family and friends, they will continue to operate his business.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Calvert-Johnson & McKitrick Memorial Home, Washburn. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the memorial home. The Rev. Tim Barber and Father Gary Caster will officiate. Burial will follow at Bell Plain Cemetery, Pattonsburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the education fund for his children.

The following obits contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

Albert J. Woltzen Dies Friday Night
Passes Away at Daughter's Home at Benson, Aged More Than 86 Years
Is Former Roanoke Resident
Born in Germany, He Comes to America at Age of 16 Years, Residing in This Country 65 Years

Albert J. Woltzen, for many years one of the most prominent citizens of the vicinity of Benson and Roanoke, died at Benson on last Friday night at 10 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs D.G. Moritz, aged 86 years, 3 months and 27 days. He had been sick for eight days, mainly due to the infirmities of age, but before that had been about in good health. Ten years ago he had a sick spell, when he was afflicted for about a year. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at St Peter's church two miles west of Benson and burial took place at the church cemetery there. The services were conducted by Rev Fred Seifert, who spoke in English, and by Rev J. Hafferman, who spoke in the German language. Those who acted as pallbearers were the five sons and D.G. Moritz. Among those from out of town who attended the funeral were A.G. Jacobs and daughter, Mary, Mr and Mrs Herman Jacobs and Mr and Mrs Albert Saathoff, of Pontiac; Adolph Woltzen, of Washburn; Jurgen Harms, of Minonk; Mrs Ede E. Woltzen, Harm and John E. Woltzen, Mr and Mrs Albert DeWilde, Mr and Mrs W. Brown and Mr and Mrs Carl Klumpe, of Roanoke. Albert J. Woltzen was born at Riepe, Ostfriesland, Germany, on Jan. 8, 1836, coming to America with his parents at the age of 16 years. The trip was made in a sailboat, requiring eight weeks, and they landed at New Orleans, La. They came to St Louis and then to Peoria, where they lived on a farm east of that city for five years. On March 4, 1862, the deceased was married to Miss Tenna (should be Fenna) B. Saathoff and the young couple moved at once on a farm in Roanoke township, in this county. They lived there until 1910, when they went to Benson to (next four words are illegible) and where the wife died on January 14, 1911. Since that time Mr Woltzen had made his home with his daughter there, Mrs D.G. Moritz. Thirteen children were born to Mr and Mrs Woltzen, of who one is dead, Mrs Cassie Manninga passing away in 1912. Those who survive are John, Albert, Heye and Edward Woltzen and Mrs John J. Moritz, of Roanoke; E.A. Woltzen, Mrs George Hinrichs, Mrs Jacob Schroeder, Mrs D.G. Mortiz and Mrs Harm Tjaden, of Benson; Mrs Hallie Oltman, of Hoxie, Kan., and Mrs Kate Oltman, of Eureka. There also survive one brother, S.J. Woltzen, of Benson, fifty grandchildren and twenty-six greatgrandchildren. The deceased came to Roanoke in its pioneer days and saw the country develop from raw prairie to beautiful farms. He was public spirited, taking an active part in public affairs, on the board of supervisors for several years, was on the building committee when the present courthouse was built and was treasurer of St Peter's Lutheran church for forty years. There are but few lived blessed with such fulfillment of an average man's desitny as featured the life of Albert J. Woltzen.

Delmar C. Warnke
Peoria - Delmar C. Warnke, 88, of 923 E. Norwood Ave. died at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at Methodist Medical Center. Born Jan. 14, 1914, in Benson to William and Anna Collmann Warnke, he married Ruth Peard on Sept. 3, 1938, in Peoria. She died March 6, 1999, in Peoria. He married Dorothy Smith on Dec. 30, 2000, in Livingston, Texas. She survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs James (Janet) Goldsworth and Pat Proksch, both of Peoria, and Mrs Dale (Lois) Craig of Havana; two sons, Dr Roger (and Joan) of Stanford, Calif, and Dean (and Vicki) of Peoria; one brother, Leroy of Davis, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by four brothers and one grandson. A member of WABCO Retirees, he was a manager of facilities at WABCO for 42 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member of First United Methodist Church for 61 years, where he was a member of the Sanctuary Choir for 50 years, the CHC Sunday School Class, the 55 Plus Class and the Triple M Class. He was past president of the Peoria Score Chapter 90. He was also a member of the Orpheus Club for more than 25 years; Schiller Masonic Lodge 335, AF&AM; Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria; Mohammed Temple, Shrine; and Senior Nobles Club. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at his church. The Rev Sigurd Bjorklund will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cumerford-Endsley-Diggle Funeral Home, 428 W. McClure Ave. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens. Richard S. Wilton, funeral dirctor through Cumerford-Endsley-Diggle Funeral Home, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to his church.

Mrs Albert J. Woltzen
A Pioneer Called - Mrs Albert J. Woltzen, aged 67 years, died her home in Benson Saturday night, the 14th inst., at 11 o'clock, after a few days illness of pneumonia. Owing to her advanged age it was hard to give her the right medical aid. The family realized that the case was serious and might prove fatal. Late Saturday afternoon all the children were notified to hasten to her bedside. She gradually failed till eleven o'clock when the end came. Mr and Mrs Woltzen had, six weeks before, moved to Benson, where they intended to live and enjoy life at leisure. Sickness came, interfered and cut short their plans.

Fenna B. Saathoff was born, May, 10th, 1843 in Ostfriesland, Germany. She came to America with her parents in 1857 and settled in Woodford county. In 1862 she was united in marriage to Albert J. Woltzen. In the demise of Mrs Woltzen, Woodford county loses one of its oldest citizens, as she settled within its bounds 53 years ago. They landed at New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria. Gradually they moved eastward until they reached Roanoke. They lived near here for over half a century.

Mrs Woltzen was survived by her husband and twelve children, seven daughters: Mrs Hallie Altman, Hokey, Kan., Mrs H. Altman, of Olio township, Mrs Geo. Hendricks, of Green township, Mrs Jacob Schroder, Green township, Mrs Jacob Moritz, Clayton township, Mrs John Moritz of Green township, Mrs Wm. Manninga, Mrs Harm Tjaden, Linn township. And five sons, John, Albert, Hye, Alex and Edward, all of this localis. There are also 46 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral was held from the residence in Benson, Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment was made at the Lutheran cemetery in Linn township.

Fenna B. Woltzen
The following obituary was published in the 20 Feburary 1911 edition of the Ostfriesische Nachrichten, a newspaper in Breda, Iowa:
With a sad and heavy heart we bring the news to our friends and relatives that the Lord over life and death has taken from our side my dear wife and our good mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Fenna B. Woltzen (Saathoff). She was born on March 10, 1843, at Katharinenfeld, near Aurich, in Ostfriesland. She died on January 14, 1911 near Benson, Illinois. She reached the age of 67 years, 8 months and 1 day. She is survived by her husband, 13 children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Her burial took place on the 18th with many in attendance at the St. Peter's Cemetery. Pastor T.M. Ficken lead the funeral service. The sorrowing relatives bring this notice. Albert Woltzen, children and grand children.
Benson, Illinois

Daughter of Manson (Iowa) woman dies at home in Benson, Illinois - Death Takes Mrs Wm. Warnke After Illness of Many Months

Mrs. Anna H. Warnke of Benson, IL, daughter of Mrs. Minnie Collman, of Manson passed away last Thursday at her home, following an illness of several months' duration. Mrs. Warnke was born December 15, 1889 on a farm near Benson. Later the family came to Manson, Anna living here with her parents until her marriage to Wm. Warnke April 14, 1910. As a girl Mrs. Warnke was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. After their marriage Mr and Mrs Warnke moved to Benson, IL to make their home. Her husband and six sons, Melvin, Harvey, Delmar, Eldon, LeRoy and Wesley mourn her departure. She also leaves her mother, Mrs Minnie Collman, of Manson; and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs Theresa Reiter, Mrs Elsina Vanhoff and Mrs Amelia Folkerts, of Palmer; Mrs Sarah Leith, Spooner, Wis.; Mrs Emma Steckelbert, Mora, Minn.; Mrs Marie Kenning, Mrs Jennie Warnke, Walter, Will and Lawrence, of Manson; Mrs Minnie Martins, Detroit, Mich.; Mrs Martha Jensen, Filer, Ida., and Mrs Helen Hunt, of Bradgate, Iowa.
Funeral service(s) were held Monday afternoon in St Peter's church at Benson.

Mrs Simon Woltzen Dies on Wednesday - Benson Woman, 83, Succumbs at Her Home After a Long Sickness

Mrs Simon Woltzen, 83, passed away yesterday morning at 7 o'clock after a lingering illness, from the ailments of old age. Funeral services will be held from the late residence at 2 o'clock this afternoon, conducted by Rev O. A. Braunschweig, and burial will be made in the Benson cemetery.

Elizabeth Barbara Sommers was born in Worth township, Woodford county, on June 25, 1848, and resided here until April 13, 1867, when she became the wife of Simon J. Woltzen at a ceremony performed in Peoria. The young couple at once started housekeeping in Secor, where Mr Woltzen was a harnessmaker. They moved to Minonk about 1875 and in 1880 moved to Benson, which had since been their home.

The couple was blessed with three children: Dr. Simon W. Woltzen of Clinton, Mo., Adolph Woltzen, Washburn banker and former county clerk, and Louis D. Woltzen, who died in Kansas City, Mo., about four years ago. Besides the husband, who is over 91 years old, she is survived by one sister, Mrs Eva Miller of Jacksonville.

Mrs Woltzen spent her entire life in this county and had a host of friends. She was a loving wife and a kind mother. Years ago she affiliated with the Baptist church. She was a daughter of Martin and Mary Sommers, pioneers of this county.

Miss Williams Rites Sunday

El Paso - Services for Miss Reba L. Williams, 78, formerly of El Paso, who died Thursday at Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington, will be at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Vincent Memorial Home, El Paso. Rev. G. A. Morehead will officiate and burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at the memorial home 6 to 9 tonight. Active in the American Legion Auxiliary 50 years, Miss Williams was an official delegate to a causus that organized the statewide auxiliary in 1920. She read the call to order of the first American Legion Auxiliary state department convention in 1921 in Decatur and was state financial secretary two years. Miss Williams was president of the El Paso chapter and the 17th District director of the auxiliary in 1927. She was a cashier at State Farm Fire Insurance Co. in Bloomington from 1928 until her retirement in 1966, and was a member of the Christian Church. She was born in LaMarr, Mo., Nov. 6, 1892, a daughter of Abraham S. and Maria Crowl Williams. Surviving are one brother, Ivan of El Paso, and two sisters, Mrs Ramona Blair of Peoria and Mrs Carrie Gioldi of Planada, Calif. One brother preceded her in death.

Gerhard Wragge

Benson Citizen Dies After Long Sickness - Gerhard Wragge, Old Time Citizen, Passes Away Sunday Morning

Gerhard Wragge, for many years a well-known and beloved citizen of Benson and vicinity, passed away at this home in Benson Sunday morning at 9:30 o'clock. He had been sick since last March and since that time he had gradually become weaker, although he suffered no pain at any time during his long sickness.
Services were conducted at St Peter's Lutheran church yesterday afternoon, with the pastor, Rev O. H. Behrens, officiating. Burial was in the Lutheran cemetery. Pallbearers were Frank Gommels, Meint Fischer, George Haase, U. B. Gastmann, E. A. Woltzen and William Kolb.
Gerhard Wragge was born near the city of Oldenburg, Germany, on June 20, 1851. As a boy of 16 years, he came to America and had since lived in and near Benson. In 1879 he was married to Miss Gesche Mennen and the young couple settled in Linn township. They had been residents of Benson the past 20 years.
With his wife there survive five children; Mrs Kate Flohr, who lives in Minnesota, and Mrs Ella Tjaden, William Wragge, Mrs Anna Moritz and Mrs Maggie Reiner, all of the vicinity of Benson and Roanoke. There are 26 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Mr Wragge was a man of sterling character and was beloved and honored by the entire community.
Mrs A. Crawford of El Paso Dies at 85

Gladys Hazel Dabler Watson

EUREKA Gladys Hazel Dabler Watson, 101, of 610 W. Cruger St., Eureka, formerly of Manlius, died at 5:12 p.m. Friday (Oct. 26, 2007) at Apostolic Christian Home, Eureka, where she was a resident. Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, Goodfield. The Rev. Roger Strunk will officiate. Burial: Manlius Baptist Cemetery. Visitation: One hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Eureka. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in Goodfield, Apostolic Christian Home in Eureka, or Relay for Life. Online Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com Survivor: One nephew of Georgia and many cousins also survive.

Mrs. DuNois Wilder
El Paso - Burial services for Mrs. DuNois Wilder, who died Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Grace Ryden, Chicago, after an extended illness, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Evergreen cemetery. Mrs. Wilder had been a cChicago resident for some 40 years. Previously she lived northeast of El Paso. Funeral services will be held in Chicago Monday morning.

Mary Jenkins Wilson
El Paso - Mrs. Wilson Hart, 75, died at La Junta, Colo., Aug. 11, after an illness of several months with heart trouble. Burial will be in La Junta. Mary Jenkins, daughter of Isaac and Caroline Jenkins, was born at El Paso March 16, 1867. She was married to Wilson Hart of Kappa, Oct. 4, 1898. He died in 1939. A daughter died at the age of 6. She is survived by a son, Robert Hart, of Bloomington, and a sister, Miss Katherine Jenkins, of El Paso. Miss Jenkins left Wednesday for La Junta to attend the funeral services.

Helen A. Heighway Wirth
EUREKA - Helen A. Wirth, 100, the first downstate visiting county nurse in Illinois and a resident of 700 N. Main St., Eureka, died at 11:45 a.m. yesterday (Dec. 20, 1991) at Maple Lawn Nursing Home, where she had been a resident since 1980.
Her funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. today in the Assembly Room of the nursing home, the Revs. Robert Harnish and Marvin Cheney officiating. Burial will be in Linn-Mount Vernon Cemetery, Washburn.
Visitation will be an hour before the service at the assembly room. Otto-Argo Funeral Home, Eureka, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born April 26, 1891, in Pattonsburg, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Adelaine E. Patterson Highway. She married Dr. Henry J. Wirth Nov. 27, 1952, in Chicago. He died Aug. 7, 1979.
Surviving are a brother, F. Eldon Highway, Phoenix, Ariz.; two stepsons, John Wirth, Yellville, Ark., and Dennis Wirth, Elk Grove; and a stepdaughter, Virginia Yocherer, Pomona, Calif. She was preceded in death by a brother.
Mrs. Wirth was a member of Eureka Christian Church. She had been a Eureka resident since 1960. She was a 1914 graduate of Proctor Hospital School of Nursing, Peoria, and was an Army corps nurse during World War I. Mrs. Wirth was the first downstate visiting county nurse in Illinois, serving as a county nurse in Madison County from 1919 until her retirement in 1952.
She was a member of Eureka Woman's Club and a charter member of the American Legion Post of Edwardsville. Memorials may be made to Maple Lawn Residents' Assistance Fund. 

Joyce "Lorene" Wiley Whisler
LOWPOINT - Joyce "Lorene" Wiley Whisler, 89, Lowpoint, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday (Sept. 19, 2007) at the Apostolic Christian Home in Roanoke.  She was born May 27, 1918, in Roanoke, daughter of Harold T. and Erma G. Switzer Wiley.  She married Ralph L. Whisler–on Dec. 21, 1940, in Udell, Iowa. He died Sept. 12, 1985.   Surviving are one son, Les (Kathy) Whisler, Washburn; three daughters, Dorothy (Dick) Murphy and Anne Nowak, both–of Washburn, and Mary (Gerald) Maxwell, Metamora; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Halmar (Lenore Shafer) Wiley, Phoenix, Ariz., and Harold (Fumie) Wiley, Santa Maria, Calif.   She was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.  

Joyce received her bachelor's degree from Blackburn College in 1938. In 1939, she started teaching in a one-room school house. Later, she taught for Riverview and Lowpoint-Washburn school districts. She received her master's degree from Illinois State University in 1972 and retired from teaching in 1985. She was a member of the Blackburn College and ISU Alumni. –She was also a member of Woodford County retired teachers, past president of Woodford County Historical Society, and the Woodford County Home Extension. She was a 4-H leader for 10 years. She was also a member of Lowpoint Methodist Church.  

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Mason Funeral Home in Metamora, with the Rev. Robert DeBolt officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, and for one hour before the service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, Lowpoint. Memorials may be made to Lowpoint Washburn School District. 
 

back to obit index

This is a FREE website. If you were directed here through a link for which you paid $ for, you can access much more FREE data via our Woodford County index page at http://genealogytrails.com/ill/woodford/
Also make sure to visit our main Genealogy Trails History Group website at http://genealogytrails.com for much more nationwide historical/genealogical data and access to our other state/county websites.