Obituaries

Jan 28, 2021

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...

Jan 21, 2021

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...

Jan 13, 2021

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...

Jan 13, 2021

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...

Jan 5, 2021

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...

Dec 27, 2020

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...

Dec 27, 2020

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...

Dec 21, 2020

Mt. Morris, IL, Carole M. Counsil, age 76, lost her multi-year battle with Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy on Monday December 21, 2020 in her home in Mt. Morris, IL.  Carole was born on July 28, 1944 in Baltimore, MD the daughter of Charles & Thelma (Lent) Gummel. Carole married Earl Counsil on October 27, 1962 in Nahunta, GA and...

Dec 14, 2020

Polo, IL, Marvin Lyle Binkley, age 78, passed away on Monday December 14, 2020 in Swedish American Hospital, Rockford, IL.  Marv was born on June 18, 1942 in Freeport, IL the son of Tommy & Florence (Fry) Binkley.  He is a graduate of Polo High School class of 1960.  Marv married Beverly Meier on Friday the 13th, December 1963...

Dec 7, 2020

Leaf River, IL, James J. Cowan, age 71, passed away on Monday December 7, 2020 in Swedish American Hospital, Rockford, IL.  Jim was born on February 18, 1949 in Rockford, IL, the son of Richard & Marge (Barker) Cowan.  Jim graduated from Leaf River High School class of 1967, where he participated in football and basketball.  Jim married Gwen...

Dec 5, 2020

Byron, IL   Tracey LeMae Gobin, age 57, passed away suddenly in her home on December 5, 2020.  Tracey was born on November 21, 1963 in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Melvin & Shelva Ann (Bankes) Gobin.  When she was 3 years old, her parents moved to the country with a Leaf River address but Byron Schools, and she graduated...

Nov 30, 2020

Leaf River – Harold Dietrich, 97, passed away at home on 11/30/20 after a 22 year battle from being injured in his livestock trailer.   Harold was born December 12, 1922, in Green Castle, PA., the son of Russell and Cora (Drury) Dietrich. When he was 5 years old, he moved with his family to Leaf River. He graduated from...

Nov 25, 2020

Melissa Deanne Lamesch, 27, lifelong Mt. Morris resident, died unexpectedly in her home Wednesday, November 25, 2020 with her unborn son. Born May 10, 1993 in Rockford, the daughter of Gustave Lamesch III and Deanna (Shedd) Lamesch. Melissa was a 2011 graduate of Oregon High School, attended Roosevelt University in Chicago, Northern Illinois University, Rock Valley College and Elgin...

Nov 25, 2020

Ryan Andrew Wayne Kekelis was born April 4, 1989 in Painesville, Ohio but lived most his life in Illinois; most recently Oregon, Illinois.

Ryan loved politics, football, and trying new foods.  He also loved to travel; to see new places and meet friends along the way.  He leaves behind many of these friends he met throughout his...

Nov 24, 2020

Mt. Morris, IL, Dolores Stevens, age 95, passed away on Tuesday November 24, 2020 in Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home.  Dolores was born on September 16, 1925 in Potosi, WI the daughter of Fred & Kathryn (Ackerman) Thole.  Dolores married Wilbur Buschbom on April 15, 1942 in Cassville, WI and he preceded her in death in 1976.  Dolores married Wallace...

Nov 21, 2020

Dorothy Mae Borgmann, age 86, passed away Saturday November 21, 2020 In Mercy Hospital Riverside Blvd. after a short illness.

Dorothy was born on September 12, 1934 in Oregon IL, The daughter of Leo and Lillian (Davis) Stout.

Dorothy then married Roy Borgmann October 1, 1954 in Oregon IL. Roy preceded her in death on...

Nov 18, 2020

Leaf River, IL, Glenn E. Reeder, age 73, passed away on Wednesday November 18, 2020 in Liberty Village Manor Court, Freeport, IL.  Glenn was born on August 3, 1947 the son of Harry & Hilda (Reader) Reeder.  Glenn married Leona Heeren 1967 in Forreston, IL.

Glenn worked for Kable Printing Company, Rockford Blacktop, and Casen Transport, Belvidere,...

Nov 17, 2020

Dixon, IL, George Allen “Bub” Bellows, age 62 passed away on Tuesday November 17, 2020 in Select Specialty Hospital, Davenport, Iowa.  Bub was born on February 18, 1958 in Oregon, IL the son of George Henry & Shirley Ann (Mumford) Bellows.  He graduated from Oregon High School class of 1976.  Once he graduated from high school he entered the...

Nov 14, 2020

Mt. Morris, IL, Florence Arlene Bowker, age 93, passed away on Saturday November 14, 2020 in Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, Mt. Morris, IL.   Arlene was born on July 21, 1927 in Norwich, CT; the daughter of Theodore & Florence (Buckley) Calkins.  Arlene married John W. Bowker Jr. on November 11, 1947 in Norwich, CT and he preceded her in...

Oct 25, 2020

Mt. Morris, IL, Marcia (Crawford) Sterenberg, age 86, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2020 in Pinecrest Community.  Marcia was born on December 31, 1933, the daughter of Mark and Margaret (Tazwell) Crawford.  She fought a gallant fight against cancer with grace and dignity, six weeks after the new diagnosis.

Marcia graduated from Mt. Morris High School...