Obituaries

Lanark

E. Robert “Bob” Michael, 89

E. Robert “Bob” Michael, age 89 and life-long farmer of Lanark, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside of Rockford.

A funeral service was held 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2021 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark with Pastor Tim Swigart officiating. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. Visitation was held 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2021 at the Church. A memorial fund has been established in his honor.

Robert was born December 23, 1931 near Lanark on the family farm, the son of Ernest and Lizzie (Baer) Michael. He attended Good Country School and graduated from Lanark High School with the Class of 1949. Bob always remembered the Steam Threshing Rig that his father operated for many neighbors, along with the 120 pound, 10 cent hay bales that helped support the family. High School is where Bob began to enjoy music, learning to play the clarinet and tuba.

On October 10, 1954, Bob married Sue Carol Reynolds at the Polo Presbyterian Church. They raised two children, Debra and Philip, and celebrated 66 years of marriage. When Bob asked Sue to marry, he turned a city gal into a farmer’s wife. They enjoyed farming together and specialized in conservation farming and raising hogs. He was a member of various farm organizations. In 2003, Bob and Sue were honored to be awarded the Carroll County Conservation Farm Family.

Bob was generous to others and you could always count on his word. Most important to him was family and he enjoyed getting together with the grandchildren to play games and spend time together.

Bob was an active member of the First Brethren Church of Lanark where he sang in the choir and served various boards. He also sang in the group, Brethren 4-Plus One Quartet.

Bob will be dearly missed by his wife, Sue of Lanark; his daughter, Debra (Paul) Ritchey of Ashland, Ohio; his son, Philip (Joyce) Michael of Lanark; three grandchildren, Keturah Michael, Josiah Michael and Daniel (fiancé Hannah) Ritchey; and a great granddaughter, Alyia Ritchey. He is preceded in death by both parents; two older brothers, Emerson and Oliver; a sister at the age of two, Velda Michael; and twin grandsons at birth, Jacob and Zechariah Michael.

Stockton

Roger R. Behrens, 76

Roger R. Behrens, age 76 of Stockton, IL passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021 at home. He was born September 28, 1944 in Madison, WI to the late Edwin and Ethel (Flornes) Behrens. Roger married Janet McPeek in August of 1994.

He served in the U.S. Airforce during the Vietnam War. After the war, Roger served on the Arlington Heights Fire Department for over 25 years before retiring. He had also worked at the Stockton Blackhawk Golf Course and the Woodbine Bend Golf Course. Roger loved the outdoors, he was an avid fisherman and hunter, especially with his buddies from the Fire Department. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Behrens; his step children, Bobby, Andy, Rachel and Patrick; numerous step grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Earl and Edward; and his sister, Dolores.

He will always be remembered for his dry sense of humor and his huge heart, he was always willing to lend a helping hand. Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Corner Tap in Stockton on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Jean O. Logemann, 95

Jean O. Logemann, 95, of Monroe, WI, formerly of Stockton, IL, passed away on May 19, 2021 at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Monroe. Jean was born in Stephenson County, IL on February 4, 1926, to Eli and Clara (LaDue) Chapin.

Jean attended her early school years in Lena, IL. After the deaths of her parents, 16-year-old Jean lived with Lois and Hans Bingert in Freeport, IL, to serve as a nanny to their daughters Barbara and Jacqueline. The Bingert’s quickly became Jean’s “adopted” family and remained life-long friends.

She was a graduate of Freeport High School in 1943 during WWII and St. Francis School of Nursing in 1947. One of her first professional experiences was working as a nurse for a year in a New York City hospital.

She married Stanley E. Logemann on July 15, 1951, and the couple farmed in the rural Stockton, IL area. They had five children: William, Lynne, Elaine, Carl and Clark.

Jean relocated to Monroe, WI in the early 1970s where she was employed at St. Clare Hospital as a surgical nurse until her retirement in the 1980s. She was a member of St. Francis Hospital Alumni Association, Lafayette Count Genealogy Society, Stockton Unitarian-Universalist Church and the Albion Community Club.

An avid reader and gardener, Jean enjoyed playing bridge with friends and besting her grandchildren at euchre. She was an excellent cook and loved sharing culinary creations at family meals, especially her sourdough bread. Her children and grandchildren have carried on the sourdough tradition, still using her starter from 1994. Her grandchildren brought light to her life and her time with them was cherished by all.

Jean was predeceased by her son, Carl Chapin Logemann, in 2008; daughter-in-law Martha Pulido Logemann in 2019; her parents; her brother, Wendell Chapin; and sisters Geraldine Winters, Roberta Fager and June Rakowska.

Her survivors include: William Logemann, Monroe, WI; Lynne (Kerry) George, Ankeny, IA; Elaine Enriquez, Freeport, IL; Mary Kay Klarer Logemann, Platteville, WI; and Clark Logemann, Rockford, IL. Jean has seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to the Stockton Unitarian Universalist Church or Wisconsin Public Radio.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Stockton Unitarian Universalist Church in Stockton, IL. A visitation will be from 1:00 PM until time of services on Saturday. Rev. Armida Alexander will officiate the services. A luncheon will follow the services at Stella's Café & Catering in Stockton, IL.

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