Obituaries

Lena

Richard Allen Heinkel, 71

Richard Allen Heinkel, age 71 of Lena, IL went to his heavenly home on January 13, 2020.

He was born on May 8, 1948 in Freeport, IL to Allen and Verena Heinkel. He was a graduate of Lena-Winslow High School in 1966. He then went to the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in Business Agriculture in 1970 and was a member of the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity. He farmed with his Dad for a couple years and then started his career in the Insurance industry. He became one of the first seven Certified Insurance Counselor’s (CIC) in the state of Illinois and was very proud of that. He worked at a few insurance companies in the area before becoming co-owner of Taylor Heinkel Enterprises in Lena. He did that until retirement. He loved talking with people in his office, even if they just stopped by for a visit.

Richard was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Lena. He was very strong in his faith and loved his church home and all the friends made throughout the years. He served on many committees and boards over the years and was also Church President.

Richard was involved in many clubs and associations throughout the years. He was a member of the Lena Lions Club, where he served many positions and also served as District Cabinet Secretary. He was a member of the Lena Business Association to help make Lena a great place to live. He served as the Village Trustee from 1991-1995 and then Village President from 1997-2005.

He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Fighting Illini – good or bad. In his younger years he played basketball, softball, bowling, football and volleyball. He passed along his love of basketball to both his children, especially his son. He missed very few of his college games, traveling across Iowa even in blizzard conditions. He was also an avid collector of Planters Peanuts, Orange Crush and Crayola. He enjoyed photography and even won a local photography contest with the beautiful pictures he took. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with this family and friends going on adventures and playing cards.

He is survived by the love of his life Kathy Becke and they were happily married for 44 years. They raised two children: daughter Jennifer (Erik) Bennett of Sun Prairie, WI and son Lon (Candice) of Dubuque, IA. He adored and loved his three grandsons Alexander, Maxwell and Blake. He was so proud of everything they did and would start conversations with friends by telling stories about them. He is also survived by siblings VeAnn (Greg) Klipstein, Kay Heid (Stephen Hauser), Dale (Linda) and Lyle, Sister-in-law Barb Pinnow and Brother-in-law Daylon (Beth) Becke as well many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, parent in-laws Milford and Helen Becke, Uncle Elmer Wyss, Uncle and Aunt Harold and Margaret Heinkel and cousin Elizabeth Heinkel.

Celebration of life services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Visitation prior to the service from 9:00 am – 10:30 am. Reverend Rick Bader will officiate the services. A luncheon will follow the service in the fellowship hall.

Cremation rites to be accorded. The family wishes to extend a thank you to Monroe Clinic Hospital, Lena Living Center and FHN Hospice for all the care that they gave Richard. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Lanark

Mildred I. Diehl, 99

Mildred I Diehl, age 99, of rural Lanark, Illinois passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Allure Nursing Center, Mt. Carroll, Illinois.

A funeral service was held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark with burial in the Lanark Cemetery. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Church. Memorials may be made for The First Brethren Church, FHN Hospice, or Allure Nursing Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at http://www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com

Mildred was born August 16, 1920 in Rock Creek Township, rural Lanark, the daughter of Milton and Lottie (Diehl) Traum. She grew up on a family farm, one of six children and attended country school, then graduated from the Lanark High School. On October 5, 1946, Mildred married Bernard L. Diehl in Lanark. They raised two sons and celebrated fifty-eight years of marriage until Bernard’s passing in 2004.

In early years, Mildred worked at George Rogers Clark Insurance in Rockford before returning to Lanark to marry Bernard. Like many farming wives, Mildred made life on the farm happen. Her family could always count on being well taken-care-of, as Mildred was a great cook and well-known for her potato salad at family events. She worked alongside Bernard, often driving the tractor, helping to plow the fields. Mildred and Bernie appreciated the simple things in life and handed-down the values of honesty and hard-work. She always loved Sundays when everyone was wearing their best and attending Church together.

In later years, Mildred and Bernie traveled to many places, visiting Hawaii, New Zealand, Paris and Alaska. They retired in 1982 and lived in the country near Lanark. Mildred would often drive to town and participated in many community events up to age of ninety, when she moved into the nursing center in Mt. Carroll. Mildred was a life-long member of the First Brethren Church of Lanark. She always rooted for the Cubs and Bulls and never missed Lawrence Welk. Mildred had fond memories of dancing with Bernard wherever they could find a good band, and playing Euchre and Dominos with family and friends.

Mildred will be dearly missed by her two sons, Ronald (JoBeth) Diehl of Effingham, Illinois and Duane (Kathy) Diehl of Lanark; five grandchildren, Matt (Nicole) Diehl, Heidi (Jeff) Ruettiger, Andrea (Eric) Ihnen, Tally (Nathan) Hollin and Trenton (Chelsea) Diehl; thirteen great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Alice Peugh of Morrison. Mildred is preceded in death by two brothers, Randall and Melvin Traum; and two sisters, Thelma Frederick and Belva Buss.