All Obituaries

  Leaf River, IL, Theresa L. Zipse, age 69, passed away on Saturday February 20, 2021 in her home with her family by her side.  Theresa was born on June 14, 1951 in Sugarland, TX the daughter of Wilton & Lucille (Lamb) Trahan. Theresa married Kenneth Zipse on July 4, 1968 in St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sugarland, TX.  She graduated from Mt. Morris High School Class of 1969, and she was the first married women to graduate from Mt. Morris.      Theresa...

 Mt. Morris, IL, Marquita Butterbaugh, age 93, passed away at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, Mt. Morris, IL on Wednesday February 10, 2021.   Marquita was born on December 16, 1927 in Tolona, IL, the daughter of Ransom & Violet (Kirby) Munson.  She married her Husband of 73, years, Dwight Butterbaugh, on October 1, 1947 in Dixon, IL; and he preceded her in death on September 26, 2020.   She is survived by her 2 sons: Allen (Carolyn) Butterbaugh, Stone Lake, WI and...

      Leaf River, IL, Barbara Ann Russell, age 71, passed away on Wednesday February 3, 2021 in Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, IL.  Barbara was born on March 25, 1949 in Walnut Ridge, AR the daughter of Jewel & Euthel (Ratliff) Dixon.  She graduated from Leaf River High School class of 1968.  Barbara married Wes Russell on February 21, 1970 in Byron, IL.    Barbara was a punch press operator for Quality Metal Finishing in Byron, IL, and she...

  Mt. Morris, IL, Richard A. Lenz Sr., age 92, passed away on Thursday January 28, 2021 in Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, Mt. Morris, IL.  Richard was born on October 17, 1928 in Oak Park, IL the son of Charles & Bessie (Zajicek) Lenz. He graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School and he attended Michigan State University.  Richard served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  Richard married Joanne B. Davis on February 13, 1954 in Oak Park, IL...

Jane Elizabeth Miller   August 30, 1960 to January 21, 2021   It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jane Miller. Jane was born in Brooklyn, NY and lived in Connecticut before settling in Mt. Morris 28 years ago. She was the daughter of Robert and Edna Miller and loving sister to her siblings Joan, George and Tom. Jane’s life philosophy was that it was always better to give than to receive. She had a heart of gold, a bright smile, and a quick wit and...

Mt. Morris, IL, Ronald Keith Haefner, age 58, passed away on Wednesday January 13, 2021 in the VA Hospital in Madison, WI.  Ron was born on June 21, 1962 in Freeport, IL the son of Paul Frederick & Anne Sharon (Schindler) Haefner.  He graduated from Mt. Carroll High School and he served in the United States Navy.  Ronald married June Carol Haefner and she preceded him in death on April 11, 2012.   Ron worked as a security guard for Goodyear for several...

     Oregon, IL, Mark J. Gruszeczka, age 59, a longtime resident of Oregon, passed away on Wednesday January 13, 2021 in his home.  Born February 23, 1961 in Peoria, IL the only son of John & Phyllis Jean (Middleton) Gruszeczka.   Mark attended school in Kewanee and Walnut, IL before moving to Oregon where he graduated from Oregon High School class of 1979.   He worked out of the Labors Union Local #727 in Dixon for many years until he retired for health...

   Mt. Morris, IL, Richard C. “Dick” Peterson, age 93, passed away on January 5, 2021 in Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, Mt. Morris, IL.  Dick was born on July 1, 1927 in Evanston, IL the son of Carl & Ann (Verboten) Peterson.  Dick married Mary Jo Addis on July 14, 1955 in Evanston, IL and she preceded him in death on May 14, 1997.  Dick was in the Army in the final years of World War II stationed in Texas.  He loved sharing stories of his...

Robert A. (“Mutt”) Ross   Robert (93) passed away peacefully at home, after courageously battling multiple illnesses on Sunday December 27, 2020. Robert was affectionately known as “Mutt” by many. Born April 20, 1927 as the 6th and youngest child of Clarence and Ada (Swanson) Ross in Sycamore, IL. At the age of 3 Robert became the foster child of Wallace and Jesse Sabin after the passing of his mother. He stayed with and was so grateful to the Sabin family. He...

Samantha Rae Gilmour, 27, passed away on Sunday December 27, 2020 at home with her parents by her side.  She was born on June 21, 1993 and her parents were so excited to welcome her into this world.  After enduring over 15 years of gastrointestinal problems she was ultimately diagnosed with Chronic Global Neuromyopathic Gastrointestinal Dysmotility, a rare digestive disorder including malabsorption.        Samantha always had a love for books ever since a young...