Obituaries

Warren

Charles Louis Hammer, 68

Charles Louis Hammer, age 68, Of Warren, Illinois, passed away peacefully, on December 9, 2021, at SSM Health Monroe Hospital.

He was born on December 1, 1953, in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, the son of Clarence and Shirley (Geiger) Hammer. Charles married Alayne Beyer on January 25, 1978, and together, they raised six children. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed caring for his dogs, flying helicopters and drones, and was always working on projects around the house. He also enjoyed building bird houses for friends and family.

Charles is survived by his six children - Amy (Bob) Bell, of East Dubuque, Illinois, Dana (Mike) Dunivan of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, Mica (Amber) Hammer, of Winter Garden, Florida, Chaz (Melody) Hammer, of Stockton, Illinois, Carrie (James) Smith, of Rockford, Illinois, Scott (Kaylie) Hammer, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sister Helen (Joe) Ladow, and sister Janet (Rick) Mueller, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Alayne, and both his parents.

Cremation rites to be accorded. A memorial has been established in his name and may be mailed to 2162 Illinois Route 78 North, Stockton, IL 61085.

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

Lena

Dennis Brown, 77

Dennis Brown, age 77 of Lena, IL, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in Lena, IL.

He was born on February 11, 1944, to Robert and Gertrude (Bergemann) Brown. He attended the University of Missouri in Rolla where he received his Bachelor’s in Engineering. He married Mary Nolan on March 2, 1968, in Lena, IL. He worked around the United States as an engineer for many years until he and his wife moved back to Lena and purchased the Lena Shopper’s Guide in 1976 which they owned and operated for 24 years.

Dennis enjoyed fishing and hunting and took yearly fishing trips to Canada. He and his wife enjoyed going on cruises. He was a member of the Lena Fire Department, longtime member of the Lena Lions Club and the Le-Aqua-Na Sportsman’s Club.

He is survived by his wife Mary of Lena, IL, 2 children- Laura (Ben) Pearson of Geneseo, IL and Steven (Kali) Brown of Stockton, IL; 4 grandchildren- David, Wes, Veronika and Vanessa; mother Gertrude Brown of Lena, IL; sister Diane (Dan) Paulsen of Lena, IL; 2 brothers-in-law- David (Fawn) Nolan, and Dennis Nolan both of Lena, IL.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert, father and mother-in-law Orville and Lucille Nolan, sister-in-law Sally Nolan.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 27, 2021, at 12:00 noon at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Visitation will also be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church from 10:00 AM until time of service. Officiating will be Rev. Rick Bader. Burial will be at Lena Burial Park.

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

Ron Cross, 68

Ron Cross, age 68, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at home. He was born on December 10, 1952, in Monroe WI to Claire T. and Helen (Rupnow) Cross. Ron graduated from Lena-Winslow High School with the Class of 1970 and furthered his education at Highland Community College and Northern Illinois University.

Following college he found employment with Ingersoll Machine Tool in Rockford, IL and remained a loyal employee until the time of his passing. While at Ingersoll he worked on several major projects.

He is survived by several cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robin.

Visitation was held Friday December 17, 2021, from 10:00-11:00 at Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. Funeral Service was held following the visitation on Friday December 17, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. Officiating was Pastor Miho Yasukawa

Internment will be held at Salem-Shippee Cemetery in McConnell.

A memorial has been established for the McConnell Historical Society. Please send all memorials to Leamon Funeral Home: 210 West Main Street Lena, IL 61048. Condolences can be sent to the family at leamonfh.com

Alton F. Owens, 91

Alton F. Owens age 91, passed away on Friday December 10, 2021, at the Lena Living Center. He was born on June 22, 1930, in Cazenovia, NY to Clinton and Amelia (Sandberg) Owens. He married Dorothy A. Scott on October 15, 1955, in Big Rock, IL. He was a member of the Lena United Methodist Church. He enjoyed gardening and sharing all the vegetables with his neighbors. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was always doing things for others. He worked in Rockford for several years, as well as the town of Winslow where he was referred to as “The Town Marshall”. He also spent his time as a courier for the local area banks.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy; 3 daughters- Patti (Jim) Gantt of Winter Springs, FL, Diane (Brad) Kempel of Lena, IL, and Susan (Steve) Bootz of Montgomery, IL; 7 grandchildren- Jason (Jennifer) Kempel of Winslow, Bethany (Teag) Haughan of Tempe AZ, Megan (Stuart) Slyter of Winter Springs FL, Jared Gantt of Jacksonville, FL, Alyssa Gantt (Justin) of Gilbert AZ, Steven Bootz Jr. of Montgomery, IL, Kaylee Bootz of Montgomery IL; 5 great grandchildren- Owen Kempel, Emma Kempel, Luke Kempel, Liam Haughan, Ava Haughan; 2 sisters- Muriel Everets and May Stout.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother Robert Owens and 1 sister Carol Marsh.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established for the Big Brother Big Sisters of Monroe WI, and the Lena Winslow Schools as education was very important to him.

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

Stockton

Ore “Bud” R. Heath, 93

Ore “Bud” R. Heath, age 93, of Stockton, IL passed away Monday, December 13, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. He was born April 11, 1928 in Colesburg, KY to the late William Lively and Mabel (Jackson) Heath. Bud married Virginia Kaney on March 18, 1950. Virginia passed away January 1, 1994. Bud later married Lila (Haeft) Bertholf on August 19, 1995.

Bud was a lifelong farmer, milking cows and taking care of his horses. Bud was a strong man with the independence that is common among farmers. No one told him what to do except for the weather and his livestock. He was also Road Commissioner for 20 years for Berreman Township. His defining characteristic was his sense of humor. He was known to make a joke or smart aleck remark. Bud enjoyed stock car racing, fishing, hunting and woodworking. He built a replica of the Willow Church. He could also fix almost anything.

Bud is survived by his wife, Lila Heath; his daughters, Pam Robb, Pauline (Richard) Craig, Carol (Randy) Stabenow and Kathleen (Keith) Maurer; his sons, Alan (Cynthia) Heath and Dale (Diane) Heath; jis step=daughters, Tina Bertholf, Justine Young and Stephanie (Neal) Johnson; his 19 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and his brother, Jim Heath. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginia; his 2 sisters and 1 brother.

A private family service will be held. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Freeport

Marilyn E. Schlichting, 85

Marilyn E. Schlichting, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, in Freeport, Illinois.

She was born on June 13, 1936, to Ralph and Vivian (Heidenreich) Westaby in Freeport. She married Roger Schlichting on December 4, 1955, in Stockton, Illinois. Together they raised a family while working the family farm. Once the kids were older, Marilyn found employment at The Cove in Apple Canyon Lake as a hostess and waitress. She loved getting together with her friends to play cards, shopping, garage sales, and bowling. She always enjoyed being with others.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Roger Schlichting, from Apple River; 3 children: Renee (Richard) Carmody of Freeport, Andrew (Cindy) Schlichting of Freeburg, IL, Lisa Loeffler of Brunswick, Maryland; brother: Wayne (Carol) Westaby of Lena, IL; Her legacy includes her grandchildren Aidan and Evan Schlichting, and Mason, Harrison, Maggie, and Mary Loeffler; and several nieces and nephews. Marilyn was a friend and mother to many and loved by all.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and daughter, Roxanne Rae, at birth.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, IL with a visitation to be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. A private family burial will be held at Shephard of the Hill Cemetery in Schapville, IL. Officiating the services will be Pastor Roger Bronkema. Cremation rites have been accorded. Social distancing and Covid protocols will be followed.

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