Obituaries

Pearl City

John J. Kempel, 98

John J Kempel Passed away April 3, 2024 at the Lena Living Center, where he was a resident since January, 2022. John was born June 26, 1925 to Fred and Alma (Althoff) Kempel. John married Donna Kehr on January 11, 1947 at the first English Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois. He was a lifetime member of Salem United Church of Christ at Loran, Illinois.

After working as a cheesemaker for four years he farmed and worked at the carpenter trade being employed with Ray Stamm Inc. for thirty years, retiring in 1990. He served as town clerk and supervisor of Jefferson Township, 15 years on the Pearl City School Board, and was a member of the Stephenson County Schoolboard and Planning Commission.

His memberships included 67 plus years in the Masonic Lodge #823 in Pearl City, being a three-time Post Master and fifty years as secretary. John was a member of Freeport Consistory of which he received the Double Headed Eagle and M5A award, also a member of Tebala Shrine of Rockford and a member of the T Ten and Shrine club. John was a 58-year member and past president of the Pearl City Lions at which he enjoyed doing many service projects and was a Melvin Jones Fellow. Being a member of the Freeport Elks Lodge #617 of Freeport, he was a past Exalted Ruler and served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the North West District 2000-2001. He held a membership in the Moose #1095 @ Savanna. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and looking for mushrooms and helping others with service work.

He is survived by his Daughter Cathleen (Gary) Dambman - grandchildren Jason (Jacqueline) Kuhlemeier, Amanda (Tim) Hackbarth, Jarrod(Michelle) Kuhlemeier, Holli(Brian)Sanders and Brant(Colleen)Dambman. Daughter Susan Koehn - grandchildren Chad(Tara)Koehn, Angela(Ryan)Pierce, Kimberly (Matt) Haverland and Brittney (David) Ademeso. Son John (Tim Bruneau) Kempel. Great-Grandchildren Samantha, Jackson and Sophia Kuhlemeier - Adelaide and Ellis Hackbarth - Adelynn, Graham, Lucille and Hudson Kuhlemeier - Aubrey, Blake Taylor and Kristian Sanders, Wade and Tucker Dumbman. Hunter and Hayley Koehn, Jayden and Bayley Pierce, Brighton (Eden) Haverland, Quince and Zyacn Haverland. Great-Grandson Bex Haverland. Sister Jean Greyer along with many nieces and nephews.

Proceeded in death by his wife of 62 years Donna (Kehr)Kempel, Son-in-law Donald Koehn, Parents Fred and Alma (Althoff) Kempel, Mother and Father-in-law Lenard and Ruth(Eberle)Kehr. Brother and Sister-in Laws. AIden (Dorothy), Melvin (Joan). Warren(Helen) and Ralph Kempel. Sister and Brother-in-laws, Ruth (Robert) Block, Marian (Robert) Jones, Brother-in-laws Richard Murphy and Glen Greyer.

Visitation was held on Monday April 15, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Schwarz Chapel located at 608 S. Park Blvd. Freeport. There was an Elks Service and a Masonic Service at the end of the visitation. Funeral was held Tuesday April 16, at Salem United Church of Christ in Loran at 11:00 a.m with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorials have been established for Leonard Ferguson Cancer Center 1163 W. Stephenson St. Freeport, Illinois 61032 and Northwest Hospice 773 W. Lincoln Blvd. Suite 402 Freeport.

Warren

Bernice A. Schubert, 91

Bernice A. Schubert, age 91, of Warren, IL, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Galena-Stauss Hospice Center. She was born in Freeport, IL on August 14, 1932, to Elmer and Leona (Meinert) Lohmeier.

She married Dale Schubert on January, 28, 1955 at the Pearl City United Methodist Church. Dale and Bernice farmed outside of Warren from 1961-1975. She then went on to work at Hartzell’s IGA in Warren for 33 years. Bernice was a proud member of the Warren Fire Department Auxiliary. She enjoyed teaching ceramics classes, as well as painting, quilting, sewing, and crocheting. Bernice was an excellent cook who loved to spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her four children- Gary Schubert of Warren, Gene Schubert of Warren, Jan (Randy) Long of Warren, and Greg Schubert of Warren; eight grandchildren- Mike (Amy) Schubert, Lucas (Annie) Schubert, Terry (Sarah) Long, Jenna (Cory) Fleege, Brad (Lindsey Ludtke) Schubert, Robby Risser, Tony (Bobbie) Schubert, Jeremy (Maggie) Schubert; 16 great-grandchildren; brother Wayne (Kathy) Lohmeier.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale, sister Neva, brother Roy and Chester.

A visitation took place from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 10, 2024 at the Martintown Community Church. Funeral Service followed beginning at 11:00 a.m. Officiating was Pastor Kevin Cernek. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.

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

Stockton

Thomas Lee Schuldt, 79

Thomas Lee Schuldt, age 79, of Stockton, IL passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford, IL. He was born in Freeport, IL on November 21, 1944 to the late Vearl and Mary (Bogue) Schuldt. Tom married Judith Dittmar on June 27, 1970 at Christ Lutheran Church in Stockton.

Tom was a 1962 graduate of Stockton High School and went on to UW Madison Farm and Industry Short Course. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Stockton and served on Church Council. Tom farmed his whole life. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii, Florida, Europe, and Louisville to the Farm Show.

Tom is survived by his wife, Judy Schuldt of Stockton; his daughters, Terry (Scott) Haas of Elizabeth and Chris (James) Blanton of Duluth, GA; his son, Jeff (Heidi) Schuldt of Stockton; his grandchildren, Alex, Jenna and Kyle Haas and Lydia and Max Schuldt; his sister, Ruth (Steve) Ullestad; and his brother, Bill (Nancy) Schuldt. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Schuldt.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Christ Lutheran Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. A visitation was held on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Hermann Funeral Home 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.