Brenda J. “BJ” Messenger
CHANA – Brenda J. “BJ” Messenger, 66, of Chana and formerly of Oregon, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 in KSB Hospital, Dixon. Born Nov. 29, 1954 in Oregon, the daughter of Kenneth and Shirley (Good) Marth. Married to Lawrence L. “Tim” Messenger Dec. 7, 1974 in Oregon; he died Oct. 15, 2008.... more
Barbara Ann Kinner
OREGON – Barbara Ann Kinner, 82, of Oregon, passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. Born April 8, 1938 in Freeport, the daughter of John and Beverly (Schasker) DeVries. Married Leonard Kinner on Nov. 11, 1985 in Las Vegas, Nev. A member of Baileyville Baptist Church. Barbara enjoyed traveling and most of all taking care of her family.... more
Bernard “Bernie” John Empen
FORRESTON – Bernard “Bernie” John Empen, 86, of Forreston, passed away, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 at Manor Court, Freeport. Mr. Empen was born Aug. 23, 1934 in Ashton, the son of Bernard A. and Josephine (Burken) Empen.... more
Kevin S. Bettner
OREGON – Kevin S. Bettner, 62, lifelong resident of Oregon, passed away in his home the morning of Jan. 8.... more
Harry J. Beauchem
BYRON – Harry J. Beauchem, 83, longtime Byron resident, died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Generations at Neighbors, Byron. Born Dec. 26, 1937 in Biggsville, Ill., the son of Eugene and Margaret (Stubb) Beauchem.... more
Thomas “Tom” John Racuk
BYRON – Thomas “Tom” John Racuk, 59, of Byron, died on Dec. 26, 2020. He was born on Oct. 5, 1961, in Rockford, to Wladimir and Lidia (Litwinchuk) Rakuc.... more
Ralph F. Pullin, Jr.
LINDENWOOD – Ralph F. Pullin, Jr., 75, passed away on Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 at the V.A. Hospital in Madison, Wis. Ralph was born on Feb. 1, 1945 to Ralph Foss and Georgianna (Svetly) Pullin in Rochelle. ... more
Richard C. “Dick” Peterson
MOUNT MORRIS – Richard C. “Dick” Peterson, age 93, passed away on Jan. 5, 2021 in Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, Mt. Morris. Dick was born on July 1, 1927 in Evanston, the son of Carl and Ann (Verboten) Peterson. Dick married Mary Jo Addis on July 14, 1955 in Evanston, and she preceded him in death on May 14, 1997.... more
Samantha Rae Gilmour
Samantha Rae Gilmour, 27, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 at home with her parents by her side. She was born on June 21, 1993 and her parents were so excited to welcome her into this world. After enduring over 15 years of gastrointestinal problems she was ultimately diagnosed with Chronic Global Neuromyopathic Gastrointestinal Dysmotility, a rare digestive disorder including malabsorption.... more
Norma (Hiatt) Frank
Norma (Hiatt) Frank, 88, of Byron passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 25th, 2020 at Generations of Neighbors. She was born Oct. 29, 1934 in Rockford, the daughter of Lee S. and Roma (McKern) Hiatt. ... more
Donald E. Ebens
OREGON – Donald E. Ebens, 87, lifelong Oregon resident, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 in his home. Born Sept. 29, 1933 in Oregon, the son of John and Mildred (Tillett) Ebens.... more
Jerry Paul Daws
FORRESTON – Jerry Paul Daws, age 81, died Saturday evening, Jan. 2, 2021 at his Forreston home where he was cared for by his family and Ogle County Hospice. He was born in Freeport on Dec.12, 1939 to parents Royce and Harriet Daws.... more
Dianne I. Coats
Dianne I. Coats, 67, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. She was born April 11, 1953 in Freeport at St. Francis Hospital. She is the daughter of DeForest L. and Catherine Senn. ... more
Jean E. Bolthouse
OREGON – Jean E. Bolthouse, 91, lifelong Oregon resident, died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020 in KSB Hospital, Dixon. Born April 28, 1929 in Oregon, the daughter of Irvin “Kappy” and Elizabeth “Betty” (DeMurray) Kappenman.... more
Spencer Henry Aurand
Spencer Henry Aurand, 86, of Dixon, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Liberty Court Assisted Living & Memory Care, Dixon. He worked for Telephone Company, for 28 years prior to his retirement. Spencer also owned and operated Aurand Tree Service from 1955-2007.... more