Obit of Roberta L. (Wilson) Sterrenberg

Roberta L. Sterrenberg, 90, lifelong resident of Piper City, passed away at 8:30 p.m. Thursday (April 5, 2018) at OSF HealthCare St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. A celebration of her life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Piper City United Methodist Church with the Rev. Elizabeth Reis officiating. Burial will be in Brenton Cemetery, Piper City. Visitation will be 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Piper City United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to Piper City United Methodist Church or to Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana. Roberta was born Feb. 12, 1928, in Fairbury, to John Elmer and Lilla Marjorie (Snedaker) Wilson. She graduated from Piper City High School as valedictorian of her class and attended college. Roberta married Thees G. Sterrenberg on Oct. 24, 1946, at Piper City United Methodist Church. He passed away Nov. 18, 1995. She is survived by two daughters, Kathy (John) Rannila, Garland, Texas, and Leigh Ann Sterrenberg, Rockford; two grandchildren, Nicholas (Lori) Mahler and Amanda Mahler, both of Wylie, Texas; a sister, Lilla Jean Green, Bridgeville, Pa.; brother-in-law, Orris Seng, Windsor; and sister-in-law, Gloria Sterrenberg, Grapevine, Texas Roberta was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Thees George Sterrenberg II; two sisters, Leigh Thompson and Lois Seng; and three brothers-inlaw, Robert Thompson, Jack Green and Robert Sterrenberg.  She was an active member of Piper City United Methodist Church, serving as organist for almost 50 years. Roberta had been a Sunday school teacher, choir director, and a lay member for annual conference for over 30 years. She had been active in the United Methodist Women, serving locally as officer many times and as a district officer for 20 years. Roberta had served on a committee at Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana. She had served as Brenton Township Assessor, was on the Brenton Township Cemetery Board, was a charter member of the Piper City Community Historical Society and served as treasurer and secretary. Roberta was also a member of the Ford County Historical Society, where she served as trustee. She joined the Monday Night Reading Circle in 1952 and was on its Centennial Celebration Committee in 1999 and served as secretary for 50 years. She also was an election judge for years. Arrangements by the Redenius Funeral Home, Gilman. Please sign guest book at http://www.redeniusfuneralhomes.com/.

Obit of James W. Gulliford Jr.

Many here knew Jim. 

James W. “Jim” Gulliford Jr., 74, of Forrest, passed away 4:05 p.m. Friday (April 6, 2018) at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal. A Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Rose Catholic Church, Strawn, with Father Scott Archer officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Forrest. According to his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded following services. Burial will be at a later date at Forrest Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to Forrest Historical Society. Jim was born Sept. 8, 1943, in Fairbury, a son of James W. Sr. and Delpha Mae (Davis) Gulliford. He married Joyce Doyle on Oct. 12, 1963, in Ivesdale. She survives in Forrest. Also surviving are his children, Brad (Gail) Gulliford, Forrest; Leslie Gulliford (Pete Victora), Muscoda, Wis.; and Scott (Amy) Gulliford, Shorewood; five grandchildren, Derrick, Mitchell, Natalie, Nick, and Grace Gulliford; two sisters, Jacque (Bob) Schrock and Debbie (Ron “Tiss”) Steidinger, all of Forrest. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jim was educated in Forrest schools. He worked for Honegger Farms from 1963 to 1971. In August 1971, he went to work for Nichols Homeshield (Quanex) in Chatsworth. He worked his way up to vice president of building products before retiring in 2004. He was currently the village of Forrest resident (mayor), serving for the last 10 years. Jim was a visionary for the town of Forrest with his latest project being transitioning the village offices to the former St. James Mission, as well as voting and all senior citizen activities for easier accessibility. Jim served on the board of directors for Futures Unlimited in Pontiac, eight years on the Foundation Board at Gibson Area Hospital, and on the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Committee Board. He was a member of the Forrest Lions Club for more than 15 years. He also served as the treasurer for the Forrest Historical Society and was instrumental in the restoration of the Hampsher Hotel and the Wabash Train Depot. Jim was a member of the St. Andrew’s Catholic Parish. He loved golfing with his dad, sons, grandkids, Wednesday morning group at Wolf Creek, and in Arizona. He enjoyed going to Arizona to White Sox spring training every year, old juke boxes, '50s and '60s records, and antique cars.

Obit of John R. Brown

John R. Brown, 57, Chatsworth, died at 9:15 am Thursday, April 5, 2018 at his residence, Chatsworth. Visitation will be 2:00 to 6:00 pm Monday, April 9, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation. The family suggests memorials be given to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. John was born January 3, 1961 in Mt. Vernon, IL the son of Cecil T. and Cora “Pat” Lemons Brown. He married Viola Cassity on February 24, 2006 in Paducah, KY. She survives in Chatsworth. Also surviving are three daughters, Subrina (Josh) Sergeant, Pontiac; Heather Hobart, Streator; Hillary Brown, Chatsworth; one step daughter, Christina (Kenneth) Riley II, Chatsworth; three brothers, Wendall (Toots) Brown, Davenport, IA; Thomas Brown, Secor; Richard Brown, Champaign; two sisters, Diana (Bobby) Chrestman, Pontiac; Teresa (John Eggenberger) Eby, Saunemin; twelve grandchildren and six step grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Misty. John had been employed as a mill operator at PTC Alliance, Fairbury for 39 years.

Thank you from Mrs. Weller

Mrs. Weller sends a big "Thank you, Thank you" !! for all the nice cards.

April 5 Update

****APRIL UPDATES*****

NEW OBITS

Judy (Howell) Lazar

Shirley Mae (McCarty) Mowery

FOUND NEWS TREASURES 2018

Hugo Nomenilli Accident-1948

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Read the Oliver vs Oliver Court Case from 1930

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NEW PHOTOS

2 New photos have been added to the Hornickel/Swanick Family Album

To read 2 new Swanick files go here.

Scroll down to Swanick Castle Directions and Swanick Letters Transcript

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Obit of Shirley Mae (McCarty) Mowery

Shirley Mae Mowery, 56, Fairbury, died at 8:25 am Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at her residence, Fairbury. Her funeral Mass will be noon, Friday, April 6, 2018 at St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church, Chatsworth with Fr. Richard Brunskill and Fr. Carl LoPresti officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Piper City. Visitation will be 10:00 to 11:45 am Friday at the church. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is assisting with arrangements. The family suggests memorials be given to the Shirley Mowery memorial fund. Shirley was born January 23, 1962 in Fairbury, IL the daughter of Gerald and Virginia Stickels McCarty. Survivors include her love, Herb Harn, Fairbury; one daughter, Sasha Hack, Fairbury; one son, David Mowery Jr., Bloomington; seven grandchildren; three sisters, Diane (Monte) Quist, Canton, TX; Sue Hickey, Mt. Vernon, IN; Connie Beck, Forrest and one brother, Jerry McCarty, Forrest. She is preceded in death by her parents, one son, Riley Lee Mowery and one sister. Shirley was an avid pool player and card shark.

Obit of Judy (Howell) Lazar

Judy Lazar was born on January 19, 1954 to John and Joyce Howell in Evanston, Illinois. She grew up in Chatsworth, Illinois and attended local schools. After graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in Accounting, she passed the CPA exam and became a Certified Public Accountant and moved to Springfield for her first job. She also worked for two different CPA firms. In 1980, she started work with the Illinois Auditor General’s office as an audit manager. Judy retired from this position in 2002. In Springfield, she met her future husband, Ken Lazar, and they were married on October 9, 1983. Judy was a wonderful wife and a loving mom, she made everyone feel special. Judy impacted so many lives because she took the time to reach out to others. She was willing to help anyone in any way she could and generously shared her time, talents, and friendship. Once Judy became your friend, she stayed in touch with you from that point forward. She enjoyed singing and was a member of the Harmony First chorus for quite a few years. Judy was also a school board member of Sherman-Willamsville school district for four years. 

Judy passed away on March 30, 2018 in Sherman following a courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her father, John Howell, and a sister, Debbie Patton. Judy is survived by her mother, Joyce Lindelof, son Drew (Jamie) Lazar, daughter Katelyn Lazar, sisters Sue Fox CHS 1965, Ginny Sharp CHS 1967, Mary Betz, and June Wilharm, brother Steve Howell CHS 1970 and her husband, Ken, of 34 years. She is also survived by her granddaughters Gabi Lazar and Haylee Farmer and many nieces and nephews. Visitation: 4 – 7 pm, Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Staab Funeral HomeSpringfield. An additional visitation will be held from 9 – 10 am on Friday, April 6, 2018 at Staab Funeral Home-Springfield. Funeral Service: 10 am Friday, April 6, 2018 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with Pastor Dick Piscatelli officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made The Virginia Harris Cockrell Cancer Research Center at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, P.O. Box 389, Smithville, TX 78957 in memory of Judy Lazar. Your check can be made payable to MD Anderson Cancer Center.