Obituaries

Lena

Philip George Aufman, 73

Philip George Aufman blessed our world when he was born to Andrew Aufman and June (Emerson) Aufman on November 19, 1951. He was the second born child and only son of very proud parents who had met in the Philippines while honorably serving their country in the military. Phil joined his sister Teresa (Sartain) who was 3 years older and ready to be the big sister, finally! Out of high school Phil became an apprentice in sheet metal and joined The Sheet Metal Workers Union in which he was happy serving for 10 years. He gained so much experience in all types of construction builds, which he continued to build and tinker his entire life. There was nothing he couldn't do it seemed! He was able to overcome a fear of heights by working on the Sears Tower building in the early 1970's, putting in the HVAC runs and returns all the way up to the highest, unfinished floors.

While working as a sheet metal apprentice, he decided to join the Volunteer Firefighters of River Grove IL. He was ready to start his true calling in life: helping and serving others. Phil learned old school firefighting (no air packs, hose in hand, no nomex hood) and served for 10 years as a volunteer.

Phil had married his first wife right out of high school, and they had two beautiful children, William and Kathy. Phil was ready to firefight full-time and jumped at the opportunity to join the Schaumburg Fire Department in 1980, becoming part of the “Dirty Thirty” - 30 young men who all came on the job at the same time and formed one of the longest, strongest bonds of his life. The Brotherhood of Firefighters. Phil was a truckman to start, which he thoroughly enjoyed, but he loved the engine most.

Phil decided to take the LT's test and was ready to lead. He loved taking care of his guys and training others so they were as safe and knowledgeable as one could be as a new firefighter. There are situations and features in structures that can hang up someone wearing equipment, such as railings and fixed items and that did happen, but he was always the calm voice explaining how they could get out. Phil was very proud of his candidates but never jealous as they moved through the ranks. He knew where his heart was, and his place was on the engine as a LT where he could ALWAYS watch over his guys.

He was always happy there. It was there where he met the Love of his Life, Amy, who was a dispatcher for the Schaumburg Police & Fire. They bonded over the work that they both understood; the stresses and heartbreaks of the calls you keep inside to protect others, along with the victories great and small. They both had painful divorces, but Phil and Amy (Zumbrock) were married October 7, 1999 and Phil became stepfather to two beautiful little girls, Jessica & Jacqueline. Shortly after they moved to Davis, then rural Lena, where they purchased a portion of the Alfred Schumacher Jr farm. They started a small-scale layer poultry, fruit & vegetable operation, Sunset Acres Farm. They sold market produce at the Lena Farmers Market for several years.

Phil served the Schaumburg citizens for 40 years, and was actually “forced” to retire because he aged out. At 70 Phil wanted to try for the Illinois record for longest serving firefighter, but alas it was his time to move on. He was ready, but the hardest thing he ever did was to close the door on firefighting and the tight bond of shift work with his brothers. And he never let them know how devastated he was at leaving the firehouse-and them-that last day. His full time job now was as a wonderful, caring, devoted and dutiful husband to Amy, which he was to the last day.

Phil passed quietly and peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of November 23, 2024. Phil's wife Amy and devoted stepdaughter Jackie fought to resuscitate him until after Ofc Sierra of the Lena Police Dept arrived and took over and the brave volunteer firefighters of Freeport Rural Fire Protection arrived, who worked and did everything they possibly could, but were unfortunately unable to turn him back from his Lord and Savior's embrace.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents Andrew & June (Emerson), and brother-in-law Brian Sartain. He is survived by his big sister Teresa Sartain, niece Jennifer (Eli) Sanchez of New Mexico, his devoted wife Amy (Zumbrock) of Lena, his stepdaughters Jacqueline Jelen of Lena and Jessica (Adam) Behrman of Denver Colorado, granddaughters Jojo & Julia Behrman, his father & mother-in-law Lawrence & Nancy Zumbrock of Des Plaines, sister-in-law Julie (Steve) Unruh of Carpentersville, brothers-in-law Steve (Mary) Zumbrock of Wheaton and Ken (Chris) Zumbrock of Schaumburg, many nieces and nephews, and his eldest children William & Kathy who, although there was distance, Phil always loved and cherished.

Cremation rites have been accorded and condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonthfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to T2T.org aka The Tunnel to Towers Foundation that cares for the families of our bravest fallen EMS.

Lanark

Kurtis “Kurt” Andrew Atherton, 72

Kurtis "Kurt" Andrew Atherton, 72, of Dubuque, formerly of Lanark, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024. A private graveside service will be held on January 18, 2025, to honor Kurt’s life and legacy.

Born on November 30, 1951, in Freeport, Illinois, to James and Julia (Weisz) Atherton, Kurt was raised in Charter Oak, California. After graduating high school, Kurt proudly served his country as a member of the Army Special Forces, 81st Airborne Division. Following his military service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from Cal Poly Tech, embarking on a career as a talented and dedicated cabinet maker.

In 1985, Kurt married the love of his life, Susan Spencer. Together, they built a loving family, raising their two children, Jessica and Spencer. Later in life, Kurt found immense joy in his role as a grandfather to Hawken, whose arrival brought a renewed light to his days.

Kurt was a man of many passions. He enjoyed music, photography, cooking, and surfing in his earlier years. He was also a devoted animal lover, cherishing the companionship of his many dogs over the years.

Kurtis is survived by his daughter Jessica (Ben) Deppe; grandson, Hawken Deppe; sister, Kathie (Jay) Leary; nephew, Nathan (Layla) Atherton; niece, Shannon (Rodney) Pritchett; great nephews, Noah, Owen, Seth, Will, and Dylan; and great niece, Danika.

Kurt is preceded by his wife, Susan; son Spencer; his parents, James and Julia; and his great nephew Lathan Atherton.

Shannon

Phillip Lee Byers, 70

Phillip “Dadster” Lee Byers passed away in his home on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 in Shannon, Illinois at the age of 70 years. Born to Mary Alice Byers and Emerson Lee Byers in Freeport, IL on November 1st, 1954, Phil was raised in Shannon as the middle of three children with older brother Eddie and younger sister, Nancy Lynne.

Phil had a boisterous and adventurous childhood in Shannon. He spoke fondly of working at his dad’s farm implement shop, W.G. Byers & Sons and earning his Eagle Scout Badge as a teenager. Phil graduated from Shannon High School in 1972, where he was known for his musical aptitude, playing the clarinet, oboe, baritone, piano, guitar and drums. He later graduated from Western Illinois University where he majored in Mass Communications with broadcasting emphasis, minored in Music, and met his future wife of 47 years, Linda. His career began in radio where he read and produced the news at various radio stations in Illinois and Florida. Phil held many jobs throughout the years, and was never too proud to take an available job when times were tough.

Phil had a mind for mechanics and a love for fast cars. He loved to brag about his first car, a ‘72 Plymouth GTX, and he spent many hours tinkering with his 1966 Plymouth Belvedere in the driveway as his kids watched on. More recently, his toys were a BMW motorcycle and Dodge SRT4. He enjoyed teaching each of his children how to drive a bit too early, and had even begun sharing his love of fast things with his grandkids.

Phil’s mechanical intuition allowed him to settle into a long career in manufacturing, where he became an expert at CNC programming and finished his career as an engineer, working with CNC lathes. Phil was proud of the work he did, and was excited to share what he learned on the job with the whole family. He would never pass up an opportunity to show you the “cool new part” he made.

While many in Phil’s life knew him as boundlessly hardworking, logical, and analytical, his family will remember his creativity, making up bedtime stories on the fly, the occasional goofiness with bouts of giggles, and yes- his insatiable drive to provide for his family. Phillip loved each of his dogs dearly (except Cleo), and spoiled them with table scraps too often. Around town, Phil was recognized as the man with a hundred hats, dog’s leash in one hand, and Linda’s hand in the other.

Phil was deeply loved by his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Alice Byers and Emerson Lee Byers, and his brother, Edward Eugene Byers. He leaves behind his wife Linda Katharine Byers, his three children, daughter Ashley Elizabeth (Gregory) Deal, son Aaron Emerson (Jessica Brunner) Byers, and son MacKenzie Lee (Samantha Kane) Byers, four grandchildren, Braden James Deal, Lorelei Katherine Deal, Annabel Elizabeth Deal, and Marley Jo Byers, his sister, Nancy Lynne Kniss, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Pearl City

Carl Martin Mortensen, 84

Carl Martin Mortensen, 84, of Pearl City, IL, formerly of Erie, IL, passed away Monday, December 2, 2024, at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling, IL.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 8, 2025, from 1:00-3:00 PM at Harvest Bakery in Erie, IL. A private burial will take place on a later date at Kingsbury Cemetery, Erie. Memorials may be made to the Pearl City Food Bank, 411 Main St. Pearl City, Illinois 61062. Gibson – Bode Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Carl was born on February 8, 1940, in Moline, IL, to Martin H. and Mildred J. (Wendell) Mortensen. He graduated from Erie High School in 1960 and married Gloria Rosenow on June 3, 1961. He later married Margaret “Peggy” Moen on September 25, 1991. Carl farmed in the Erie area for over twenty-five years and continued his passion after moving to Pearl City where he raised cattle. In addition to farming, he had a longtime career with Commonwealth Edison – first in Cordova and later in Rockford, IL. Carl served on the Erie School Board and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Carl was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, gardening and working in the yard, woodworking, and tinkering. He had a talent for music and playing the guitar – a gift he passed down to many of his grandchildren. He also cherished his border collies, Amos and Sophie.

Carl is survived by his wife of 33 years, Peggy; his children, Carla (Roger) Jaquet, Erie, IL, Christopher (Christine) Mortensen, Colona, IL, Jeffrey Mortensen, Erie, IL, and Jodi Youngberg (Jim Garson), Erie, IL; brother, Clark (Darrellyn) Mortensen, Erie, IL; sister, Donna Titus, Moline, IL; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and his special friends Derek and Carlee Tessendorf and their family. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald Mortensen; sister, Delores Leebold; and stepson Scott Young.