Obituaries

Stockton

Catherine J. (Boyle) Broshous, 56

Catherine J. (Boyle) Broshous, age 56, of Stockton, IL passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020 at home.

She was born February 10, 1964 in Freeport, IL to Owen and Nola (Mitchell) Boyle. Cathy married Doug Broshous on May 21, 1983.

She was a 1982 graduate of Stockton High School. Cathy had worked at Stockton Elementary School and Saunders Family Citgo in Stockton. She was also owner of Broshous Tire and Auto for 37 years. She loved watching her children and grandchildren play Stockton Blackhawks sports. She was a former member of Blackhawk Run Golf Course and enjoyed golfing on ladies league. Cathy was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton. She loved anything sung by Queen. More than anything, she loved spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren.

Cathy is survived by her husband, Doug Broshous of Stockton; her mother, Nola Hopkins of Stockton; her children, Clint (Amber) Broshous of Stockton, Brittney (Evan) Shockey of Stockton, Christopher (Sara) Broshous of Stockton and Colton Broshous of Stockton; her grandchildren, Brady Broshous, Slayten, Landyn and Blakyn Shockey, Rylee and Collin Broshous; her siblings, Steve and Carol Hollister of Morrison, Connie Larson of Stockton, Pat and Kim Boyle of Pearl City, Colleen Hoefer of Stockton, Chris and Russ Tippett of Lena, and Corky and Mike Luke of Stockton; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Owen Boyle; her step father, Howard Hopkins; her mother-in-law, Sharon Broshous; three nephews, Troy Boyle, Dusty Luke and Jason Larson; brothers-in-law, Dennis Broshous, Richard Larson and Dave Logemann; and her sister-in-law, Tina Boyle.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. There was a visitation Friday, November 27, 2020 also at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Kent

Janice D. (Niemann) McKee, 81

Janice D. McKee, 81, of Kent passed away peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020.

She was born on March 6, 1939 in Scales Mound, IL to Wilbur and Olive (Dittmar) Niemann. Janice graduated from Scales Mound High School and worked at Crum & Forster Insurance in Freeport until her marriage to Robert (Bob) McKee on August 12, 1962. They moved to Pearl City, IL to start farming in 1965 and then moved to Kent in 1968 where they raised their 4 kids and continued to farm until Bob passed, March 8, 2005. Bob and Janice were known around the area for their dancing and joined the Stockton Twirl-A-Ways where they square danced all over northern IL and southern WI for many years. They even were the club president in 1986 and hosted a 25th wedding anniversary square dance party in 1987.

Janice also enjoyed her Stockton bowling league, card club and going to bingo where she made many friends. She was very well known for her cooking, especially her amazing desserts. Janice was very proud of her granddaughters and great-grandson and took every opportunity to spend time with them.

Janice was pre-deceased by her parents, brother Wayne and husband.

She is survived by her sister Linda (Russell) Beyer of Elizabeth, IL, brother Delmar (Joyce) Niemann of Stockton, IL and 3 sons, Michael, Scott and Marlin of Kent, daughter Julie (Mark) Weaver of Byron, IL., granddaughters Karlie (Jessten) Heimer of New Haven, IN, Amanda Weaver of Byron, IL and great-grandson Luke Heimer

A private family service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren, IL.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Freeport

Doris Goodrich, 83

Doris Goodrich, 83, of Freeport, IL, died November 11, at Rock River Health Care in Rockford, IL.

Doris was born April 9, 1937 to Norval Clyde and Bessie M. (Kloepping) Goodrich.

Doris graduated from Elizabeth High School and worked many years before retiring from Micro Switch, in Freeport, IL.

Doris is survived by a sister, Joyce (Bill) Clarkson of Thomson, IL, and brother, Marlo Goodrich of Savanna, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Winonna W. Reed. Arrangement have been made with the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton, IL. Due to Covid-19 there will be no public services. A private burial will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton, IL.

Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Warren

Naomi “Noni” McCool, 98

Naomi “Noni” McCool passed away on Tuesday, November 17th after a vibrant and meaningful 98 years.

She was born to Walter and Anna (Mattheis) Lang on February 17th 1922. She graduated from Freeport High School in 1940 and went on to complete a 2-year business course at Brown’s College of Commerce. Over the years she was a proud employee at Foster Implement and later in advertising at the Galena Gazette. She married Van Dyke McCool in Rock Grove, IL on August 15th 1947.

Noni was an extremely active member of her community in Warren, IL and enjoyed her time with the Women’s Club, Historical Society, Community House Board, Village Board, Fair Board and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, just to name a few. For 20 years, she took great pride in opening her home to others as “Noni’s Bed & Breakfast.”

She was a seamstress for years, loved sports, especially watching her family and grandchildren throughout the years. She was such a proud and active grandmother – always present at countless games, musicals/performances and loved spending time cooking, hiking and playing royal rummy with her grandchildren. She was a wonderful person who was loved by so many and showed her strength and perseverance time and time again.

She is survived by her son, John (Anne) McCool of Warren; daughter-in-law Mary McCool of Glenview; five grandchildren, Molly (Dave) Jones, Katie (Ryan) Nichols, Betsy Wallace, Ryan McCool, Meghan (Alec) Gatziolis; 6 great grandchildren; and one sister-in-law Nancy Tilkemeier.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dyke, beloved sons Tom and James and brother-in-law Robert Tilkemeier.

A private family ceremony will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Lanark

R. Dean Lower, 89

R. Dean Lower, 89, of Lanark, IL, passed away November 22, at Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Remembered as a "forever farmer", Dean grew corn, soybeans and raised livestock on land that has been in the family for six generations and more than 150 years.

The only child of Joe and Ruth (Eckerle) Lower, Dean was an honors student and graduate of Lanark High School. He married Barbara Isenberger on February 24, 1951. The couple had six children. Barbara died December 12, 1998. Dean married Connie on December 23, 1999 and welcomed her three daughters and families into his clan.

Dean loved and was proud of his entire family. He was a well-known collector of antiques and insisted on having the largest tree the house could hold at Christmas, his favorite holiday. He could often be found in his woodworking shop creating gifts and heirlooms. Dean was fun loving, had a zest for life, and was always on the move. He was curious and enjoyed discovering better ways to do things. He was a good friend and a "father figure" to many outside the family.

Dean is survived by his wife, Connie, of Lanark; children Denise Myers (Tom), Rockford; Chris (Mindy), Lanark; Mark (Cherie), Lanark; Marti Palmer (Rich), Naperville; Laura Morey (Stephen), Peoria; and Sarah Bates (Ernie), Lanark; step daughters Meri Boyer (Jeff), Overland Park, KS; Lori (Tom), Fort Collins, CO; and Keri Heeren (Kevin), Lanark; 27 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. Dean was a long time and active member of the Lanark United Methodist Church.

Due to COVID restrictions, a private family funeral will be held at the Church on Saturday, December 5, 2020. You may watch from home at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 5, on the Law-Jones FB livestream group. Burial is to follow at the Lanark Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lanark Volunteer Fire Department or the Lanark United Methodist Church. Condolences and memories may also be shared on lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Austin Assen Fritz, 20

Austin Assen Fritz, age 20, a thoughtful, loving, polite son, died Friday, November 20, 2020 at home.

A private family Funeral Mass will be held at SS. John & Catherine Catholic Church, Mt. Carroll. Public visitation was held prior to the Mass from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2020. Inurnment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. A memorial has been established for YMCA Camp Benson, Mt. Carroll. Friends and family are invited to share in Austin’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Austin was born February 17, 2000 in Targovishte, Bulgaria and was welcomed into his new family by Stanley and Linda (Ritchie) Fritz in May 2002. He graduated from Eastland High School in 2018.

Austin was an accomplished dancer and an exceptional cook with new recipes in the kitchen. He had a great love and talent for music. He especially loved Celtic Woman songs and knew them all by heart. He enjoyed his many summers attending Camp Benson, making new friends and also participating in the local church groups, most recently Young Life in Mt. Carroll.

Austin will be dearly missed by his father, Stanley Fritz of Mt. Carroll; maternal grandmother, Margaret Ritchie of Boscobel, Wisconsin; Uncle and Aunt Rod and Cheri Fritz, of Lanark, Illinois; Aunt and Uncle Roxann and Jerry Specht of Evanston, Illinois; Aunt and Uncle Kathy and Bob Everson, Barb and Rick Ritter, Bonnie and Todd Stenner, Jean and Chris Wolff, Mike and Jeannie Ritchie, Jerry and Kathy Ritchie, and Ron and Christy Ritchie all from Wisconsin. He is also survived by many cousins located around the country.

Austin is preceded in death by his mother, Linda Lou Fritz in 2012; his paternal grandparents, Helen and Ronald Fritz, and his maternal grandfather, Ronald Ritchie.

Lena

Faith K. Bookman, 78

Faith K. Brookman, 78, of Lena, IL passed away on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at home surrounded by her family.

She was born on October 16,1942 to Elmer and Aleatha (Diestelmeier) Klaas. Faith graduated from Lena High School. She married Rodney Brookman on June 30,1963 at Salem United Church of Christ in Lena. Faith was a current member of the Salem UCC and a past member of Grace Valley Church. She enjoyed sewing, farming, baking, raising her family, going on car rides that stopped for ice cream, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Faith is survived by her four children; Todd Brookman of Pearl City, Christina (Tom) Parkinson of Freeport, Louise (Scott) Lameyer of Lena, and Johnathan (Krissy) Brookman of Lena, eleven grandchildren; Brandy Brookman, Hailey (Cameron) Reuter, Katelin Parkinson, Timothy Lameyer, Parker Brookman, Zach Parkinson, Andrew Lameyer, Brooke Parkinson, Rodney Brookman, Lexi Brookman, and Sami Brookman, six great grandchildren; Abigail, Ashton, Mason, Luke, Leonardo, and Sophia, one sister; Helaine (Clyde) Price of San Antonio, TX, many nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband Rodney on May 25,1997, parents and three sisters; Mona (Merlin) Fernstaedt, Diane (Jesse) McIlvanie, and Zondra (Jim) Bailey.

A visitation was held from 3:00 PM- 6:00 PM on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. A private family funeral was held on Sunday.

Interment will be at the Grace Valley Church Cemetery, German Valley, IL.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Shannon

Joseph W. Hammer, Sr. 60

Joseph W. Hammer, Sr. 60, of Shannon, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, November 19, 2020.

He was born March 29, 1960 in Oak Park, Il to William and Marilyn (Lanphier) Hammer. He graduated from Glenbard East High School in Lombard, IL in 1978.

He spent most of his life working and running the family business, Process Screw Products. He loved traveling and spending time with family, summers at the river on his houseboat, and midnight runs to McDonalds with the kids and grandkids. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and shooting. He loved coaching his children in baseball and softball for 20 years and volunteering and helping out in the community. He was an active and very grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous with over 41 years of sobriety, only achieved by sharing his story and helping numerous others, valuing all of the friendships he made along the way.

He is survived by his wife, Mary “Kristi” Rieger, of nearly 40 years, married on December 6, 1980. They had 5 sons and 3 daughters: Joseph W. Jr. (Teresa), Leslie (Tim) Wenzel, Mitchell (Charity), Jami, BilliJo (Kenny) Myers, Walker, Wyatt, and Jack. Nine grandchildren: Kaylee, Abbey, and Brayden Hammer; Mitchell Jr., Mathew, Michael, and Madison Hammer; Kalen and Karson Myers; and 13 foster grandchildren. Eleven siblings: Bill (Christine) Hammer, Gayle (Mike) Hall, Marlene (Brett) Monigold, Mary (Ken) Royal, Michelle (Dan) McSweeney, Nancy (Dave) Skerik, Annie (Jeff) Shulfer, Brenda (Chris) Szczypta, Erin (Jeff) Ameiss, Patricia Kinunen, and Susan Photopulos.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marilyn, brother Jeff (Denise), Uncle Bill Lanphier, nephew, Tommy Dapkus, niece, Sarah and baby Oliver Johnson, and son-in-law, Oswald Bracero Jr.

Visitation was held on Sunday, November 22, at Hermann Funeral Home in Pearl City, from 12 to 3 p.m., with the funeral immediately following. A private burial was held at Prairie Dell Presbyterian cemetery on Monday, November 23.

Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Edward W. Haring, 82

Edward W. Haring, age 82, of Shannon, IL, passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at University of Wisconsin Hospital, in Madison, WI.

A visitation was held Monday, November 23, 2020 from 10am to 11am at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Savanna, IL. Burial, with a graveside service followed at Savanna City Cemetery. Family and friends are encouraged to share in Ed’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Ed was born May 19, 1938, in Derinda Township, the son of Wilbert and Caroline (Stricker) Haring. Ed attended Derinda Country School, then went to work farming in the area, eventually making his way to Woessner Farms. He contributed more than 40 years of hard work on that farm, before his retirement. In 1960, Ed married Elsie Thulen. The couple went on to raise four children.

Ed, or “Farmer” as he was affectionately called by his boys, grew up in the hills of the Derinda Valley, trapping and varmint hunting throughout his childhood; something he later shared with his children as they came of age. He loved attending local County Fairs with his family, and was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. As he settled into his retirement years, Ed found enjoyment tending to his flowers and watching and feeding the birds and squirrels.

Ed will be dearly missed by his four children, Al (Tammy) Haring, of Monroe, WI, Ronald (Carlene) Haring, of Elizabeth, IL, Dale Haring, of Shannon, IL, and Steve (April) Haring, of Rochelle, IL; six grandchildren, Jarod, Brady, Isabella, Noah, Owen, and Molly; one great-grandchild, Aalayah; six siblings, Leona Meehan, of Victorville, CA, Harvey (Pat) Haring, of Fulton, IL, Donna Christen, of Lena, IL, Maxine Grauf, of Salem, MO, Robert (Barbara) Haring, of Lena, IL, and Marvin Haring, of Freeport, IL; brother-in-law, David (Brenda) Thulen, of Savanna, IL; sister-in-law, Linda Eley, of Mosinee, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert and Caroline; wife, Elsie; and sisters, Wilma Knapp and Virginia Haring.