Obituaries

Freeport

Dave Swift, 69

Dave Swift, age 69, of Freeport, IL, formerly of, Lena, IL passed away at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. He was born on July 22, 1955 in Freeport, IL to Bill and Verla (Broege) Swift. Dave met the love of his life, Jan Folgate, at the Lena Q in 1972. From that point on, they were inseparable and were married on June 26, 1976 in Lena, IL at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Dave graduated from Warren High School in 1973. His love for music started early. To his mother’s dismay, he chose to play the drums at age 13. He played in the marching band throughout high school and was in many local rock bands including Zoid, Rage, Damian, Mason Brother’s Band, Neighborhood, Flashback and Rockitt. With his best show opening for REO Speedwagon.

He started working at 13 years old, riding his bike to the Warren Drive Inn where he was a cook and found his love for a good cheeseburger. He was a salesman from day one and started his professional career working at the Warren Gamble store at the age of 15. He then worked at Warren Auto, Hoy Ford, Leamon’s Furniture and McNett Chevrolet until he branched out on his own with wife, Jan, and partner Jeff Opie to open Lena Auto Mart in 1981.

Throughout the years, Dave was very active and held leadership roles in several organizations in the Lena and Freeport communities. This includes but is not limited to the Lena Business and Professional Association, Lena Lions Club, Freeport Chamber of Commerce, the Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and many other boards.

After over 25 years in the car business and with the love and support of his wife, Jan, they established Swift Hospitality Group. Through his leadership of Swift Hospitality, and in partnership with his team and investors, he cultivated the development and acquisition of 32 properties over twenty years. The property he had the most pride in, which was also his last, was when his vision for a local senior living community became a reality in WinnPraire Assisted Living and Memory Care. Dave was also a sponsor and developer of the Highland Community College Hospitality Program. His legacy will live on in those he mentored and provided opportunities for both in business and his personal life. Dave was proud of his accomplishments, but he was the proudest of the family he and Jan built. In his free time, he enjoyed his Corvettes, music, cheering on his grandchildren in their many activities, traveling, a good meal with fine wine.

Dave is survived by his wife of 48 years Jan, of Freeport, daughter; Amy (Shane) Johnson of Lodi, WI, son; Brice (Danielle) Swift of Lena, IL, three grandchildren; Alexandria (Brandon) Taylor, Zoe (fiancée Andre Minnaert) Johnson, and Jaxson Swift all 3 of Lena, brother; Jon Swift of Warren, brothers-in-law; Bob (Marcy) Folgate of Freeport, and Jeff (Veronica) Folgate of Albuquerque, NM, his recently found family; Helen, Jay, Julyn, Jason, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law; John and Irene Folgate, brothers-in-law; Jim and Ron Folgate, and recently found family Jerry and Jolene.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 18, 2024 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. A visitation was from 1:00 PM-4:00PM on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. Pastor Jim Parish and Hospice Chaplain Jeremy Heller co-officiated the services. Burial will take place at Lena Burial Park in Lena. Cremation rites have been accorded.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Alice Marie (Fischer) Schwichtenberg, 78

Alice Marie (Fischer) Schwichtenberg was born on November 21, 1945, in Owatonna, MN, to Reuben and Luella (Krenke) Fischer. She was the oldest of four daughters. She grew up on a dairy farm in rural Ellendale, MN and was a member of the local 4-H club and had a variety of 4-H projects, including raising a pig.

She enrolled at Mankato State College in Mankato, MN and graduated cum laude in 1968 with a Bachelor’s Degree in special education and teaching. She married Willis Schwichtenberg on September 2, 1967, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Meridan, Minnesota. Their 57-year marriage was blessed with four children—Jonathan, Jennifer, Jason and Jodee. Alice taught special education for two years in Springfield, Illinois and a year in Danville, Illinois, while her husband was training for pastoral ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. He was ordained in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1972.

She and Willis lived in Springfield, Illinois, Danville, Illinois, Sheldon, Wisconsin and Milford, Illinois, before moving to Freeport, Illinois in 1982 where she and her husband both worked at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport. Their children all graduated from Immanuel Lutheran School and Alice taught special education at the school for 25 years. At Immanuel Church in Freeport Alice was a member of the Fideles Circle and taught Sunday School and a special needs Sunday School class and was the adult membership instructor for more than 30 years. She also was a part-time teacher for homebound students for the Freeport School District for more than 15 years.

She and Willis became members of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Freeport as he served there as part-time pastor since February of 2020.

Alice’s interests included Amish culture, angel figurines, lighthouses, and Christian music. Since the mid-1990’s she has been involved in prison ministry and since 1999 has published a monthly 8-page self-published newsletter which is mailed to about 850 incarcerated individuals. She and Willis also enjoyed dozens of trips to various prisons as well as trips to Germany, Florida, Mexico and Cancun, in addition to regular trips to see family and friends in South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, North Carolina and California.

She passed from this life at the Stephenson Nursing Center (Walnut Acres) two days prior to her 79th birthday on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, after about a year of debilitating illness.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, the Rev. Willis Schwichtenberg, four children, Jonathan (and Roselyn) Schwichtenberg of San Pedro, California, Jennifer Slechta (and Kimberly Greenwood) of Carrollton, Georgia, Jason (and Michelle) Schwichtenberg of Bolingbrook, Illinois, and Jodee (and Matthew) Lewis of Garner, North Carolina. Also surviving are Alice’s three sisters, Shirley (and Bobbie) Yocopis of Phoenix, AZ, Roselyn Imani of Sioux Falls, SD, and Delaine Fischer of Owatonna, MN. Also, surviving are five grandchildren, Daniel Slechta of Buchanan, Georgia, Ethan and Noah Schwichtenberg of San Pedro, California, and Emily and Nathaniel Lewis of Garner, North Carolina, plus other relatives and friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, December 6 from 4:00-7:00 at Walker Mortuary, 321 West Main, Freeport, IL and from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the church on Saturday, December 7 until the time of the worship service. The funeral/memorial service will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 1320 South Blackhawk, Freeport, with the Rev. Rick L. Bader officiating. Committal will be at Oakland Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in her memory in the name of Alice Schwichtenberg. Arrangements were made through Walker Mortuary, Freeport, Illinois. Condolences may be shared at http://www.walkermortuary.com.

Winslow

Wayne Albrecht, 85

Wayne Albrecht, 85, of Winslow, IL passed away peacefully on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Lena Living Center in Lena, IL. He was born to Walter and Emma (Zink) Albrecht on May 21, 1939, in rural Stephenson County. He graduated from Lena-Winslow High School and upon graduating he attended DeVry Technical Institute for radio operation and repair. He took that knowledge to the Illinois State Police where he worked as a Dispatcher and did radio repair and instillation as a lead tech for over 30 years. Wayne married Karen Lowe on October 24, 1970, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa and together they had 1 child Geoffrey Wayne.

Wayne loved traveling, he often took trips to places like the Wisconsin Dells, Branson, Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge area, and Kentucky. He also attended a few boat shows yearly where he got to visit with many friends he had made throughout the years. He was very active in his community; he was a volunteer fireman for many years and was also active in the Winslow Historical Society. Also, if you knew Wayne, you knew he loved his Chicago Cubs.

He is survived by his Son Geoffrey, Sister-in-Law, Nancy Albrecht and 3 nephews and 2 nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Karen in 2003, brothers Jim and Gary.

A funeral service took place at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Winslow Grace Bible Church in Winslow. A visitation took place from 1:00 pm until time of service. Pastor Bob Patin officiated the service. Burial will take place at Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Sheridan Marvin Watson, 81

Sheridan Marvin Watson, 81 of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, formerly of Winslow, IL, passed away with his family by his side on Friday, November 15, 2024. He was born on October 6, 1943, to Margery Watson in Green County, WI.

He graduated from Lena-Winslow and went to work at Spahn and Rose where he meant the love of his life. He married Twyla Grindey on June 15, 1963, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Warren, IL. He then went to work at Kelly Springfield under Goodyear for 30 plus years and retired in 1993 as a tire builder. After his retirement from Kelly Springfield, they moved to Florida. Sheridan would spend Saturday nights dancing at Turner Hall in Monroe, WI. He cherished spending time and watching his children and grandchildren play sports and activities over the years. Sheridan loved John Deere Tractors, hobby farming, and spending time with the cows.

He is survived by his wife Twyla of 61 years of DeFuniak Springs, FL; 5 children- Marge (Jeff) Mayer, Marsha (Robert) Ernst, Marvin (Shirley) Watson, Marla Briggs and Mark Watson; Grandchildren- Mark (Jes), Matt (Jen), Amanda, Daniel, Brandi (Mitchell), Charles and Tyler; 13 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild with another one on the way; Cousin- Deb who was more like a sister to Sheridan; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was proceeded in death by his mom, maternal grandparents and sister Vicki

Funeral services were held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Warren. Visitation was from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Warren. Officiating the services was Pastor Matt Smith. Burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren.

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

Galena

Gerald “Jerry” Michael Bonjour, 55

Gerald “Jerry” Michael Bonjour, 55, of Galena, Illinois, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024, at Midwest Medical Center in Galena. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Law Jones Funeral Home in Hanover, Illinois. Family and friends are invited to come together to honor Gerald’s life and wear their favorite sports team’s jerseys.

Born on June 29, 1969, to Gerald and JoAnne Bonjour, Jerry grew up in the Hanover area and attended River Ridge High School before earning his GED. He was a talented handyman who worked in various roles, always using his skills to help those around him.

Gerald had a deep passion for football, especially as a loyal fan of the Chicago Bears, and enjoyed watching UFC fights. He was an avid cigar connoisseur, and he took pride in celebrating over 20 years of sobriety from alcohol.

Gerald is survived by his beloved sister Jackie (Rick) Runkle; nephew Jeremy Oellerich; niece Kimberly (Rich) Lawfer; and great-niece Ryleigh. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and JoAnne, his cousin Raymond, Steven Smith, and his two daughters.