ROBERT CHEESEMAN : At his home a few miles west of Milledgeville, on Monday, Aug. 31, 1896, Robert Cheesman, aged 78 years, 5 months, and 26 days. Robert Cheeseman was born of God-fearing parents on March 5, 1818 at Tonbridge, Kent Co., England. As a son he was always dutiful and obedient having, as a child, the fear of God in his eyes. While as a boy, he was like other boys, yet he ever to the day of his death scorned a lie or a mean act, and it is truthfully said of him by his brothers and others who have known him from boyhood, up, that he never was heard to usea a bad word, nay, not even so much as a byword. His occupation was that of a miller. In 1839 on Dec. 7, he was united in marriage to Susan Ingrams, with whom he lived a little over fifty-seven years, when the dea Lord called her home a few weeks in advance of her beloved companion. In 1858 he came to America, at first settling at Chamber's Grove, Carroll county, but in the spring of 1865, he purchased the present homestead. It was here that their first great trouble came, when they were called upon to part with their youngest daughter Nellie. Truly we can feel in our hearts and know that dear mother and father and sister Nellie are enjoying sweet communion and companionship with the dear Savior they all loved so well. Mr. Cheeseman's parents were members of the Ebenezer Baptist Chapel at Tonbridge, and from a very early age, the subject of this obituary was a constant and regular attendant upon the menas of grace. He was a man of very regular and methodical habits, not given to much talking, and a man who was never known to gossip or interfere in his neighbor's business. Under the guidance of that watchful Providence, in whom he so thoroughly trusted, he raised a large family of eleven children, of which eight are now living; and acquired a comfortable competence. During all his, at times, severe suffering he was never heard to complain but he was buoyed up and stayed by his unfaltering trust in that dear Savior, who had been his daily companion and whom he served in thought and act so faithfully. He never feared death and many times, after a season of sweet communion with his Savior, he has been heard to wish that it might be God's will to call him home that he might be forever with the Lord. He lived a pure and stainless life, actuated always by a desire to do right by all men, and in all things he sought to know and do the dear Lord's will. He trusted Him, communed with Him and sought Him daily. WHile there is but one perfect man, yet in his moral life, we feel to say from our in... acter that he possed all the virtues and none of the vices. No oath or byword, or word that could not be said in the presence of his mother, wife, or daughters was ever heard from his lips. Since the loss of his dear partner he has frequently said his work was done, he had nothing to live for and wished th Lord would now take him home for said he, "I am prepared." This is a blessed consolation, born of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that we, his children, and all who love Christ truly may know that we are saved. In this our double hour of sorrow, it is a sheet anchor to our souls to know that both mother and father knew and could so positively say, "I am prepared, I am ready to go". The end came very quietly and peacefully about five o clock on Monday evening, August 31. It would seem that the dear Savior granted his wish that his end might be like dear mothers for both literally fell asleep without a sigh or a groan or any suffering, but a sweet sleep in the arms of Jesus. Oh, what a glorious meeting of father and mother. Shy should we mourn? That our lives may be like dear father's and that we may meet them is the earnest wish of the writer. The funeral services were held Wednesday, September 2, 1896, at eleven o'clock in the Baptist church. Rev. F.L. Baldwin officiated and, as Mr. Cheesman had requested, he read the fourteenth chapter of St. John's gospel and took his text from the sixth verse. The remains were interred in the Bethel cemetery.

LAURA (GILLOGLY) CHRISTIAN , 88, 18 ½ W. Market St., Mt. Carroll died Sunday (24 Oct. 1974) at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Mt. Carroll. The funeral was at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Christian Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll, with the Rev. Richard Johnson of Savanna Presbyterian Church officiating. Mrs. Christian was born in Washington Township, Jan. 10, 1886 to Robert and Celia Prufer Gillogly. She married Fay Christian Sept. 12, 1911 in Savanna. She was a past president of the Mt. Carroll Legion Auxiliary and a former member of Zion Presbyterian Church. She attended Shimer Academy and taught in rural schools in Carroll County. Survivors include her husband; a son, Herbert, Puerto Rico; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Glen Byers, Savanna. An infant son, a brother, and a sister preceded her in death.
Contributed by Alice Horner

MAE (GUENZLER) CHRISTIAN , 89, of Mount Carroll died Thursday morning at Good Samaritan Center. (The Social Security Death Index gives the date of death as April 1979.) She was a member of Mount Carroll Church of God and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star. Born Sept. 19, 1889 in Mount Carroll, she was the daughter of John and Margaret (Kehl) Guenzler. She married Vern Christian Sept. 10, 1913 in Mount Carroll. Surviving are one brother, Charles O. Guenzler of Mount Carroll. She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, and three sisters. Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Frank Funeral Home in Mount Carroll with the Rev. Cyrus Pollard officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Contributed by Alice Horner

NORMAN L. COATNEY , age 71, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2005 in Mt. Carroll. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Reverend Robert Ziebarth of the Mt. Carroll First Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll, with full Military Rites. Friends may call from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at the Funeral Home. Memorials may be given in Norm’s memory. Norm was born June 17, 1934 in Prairie Town, Illinois, the son of Kenneth and Hulda (Knoche) Coatney. He graduated from Bunker Hill High School, Bunker Hill, Illinois Class of 1952. He was a graduate of Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. Norm attained his Masters Degree at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois. Norm served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a Staff Sergeant in the 48th Field Artillery Battalion. On June 7,1959, Norm married Sharon Halsall in Galva, Illinois. Sharon passed away April 7, 2000. Norm dedicated thirty years to Teaching and Administration in the Carroll County Illinois Schools. He held membership and served as President in the Carroll County Retired Teachers Association; the Savanna Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2223 and the Mt. Carroll American Legion Post #67. Norm was a former President of the Hospice of Northwest Illinois. Norm was an avid outdoorsman and an active member of Ducks Unlimited. Norm will be deeply missed by his daughter, Jennifer (Kenneth) Lucas of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; two sons, Rhett (Keller) Coatney of Thomson, Illinois and Kurt Coatney of Savanna, Illinois. four grandchildren, Chad, Lydia, Brock and Samuel; brother, Maurice (Dee) Coatney of Godfrey, Illinois ; and a sister, Kathleen Dubblede of Bethalto, Illinois. Norm is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon, his parents and a brother.

SHARON (HALSALL) COATNEY , 63, of Mount Carroll died Friday, April 7, 2000 at her home. She was born November 30, 1936 in Galva to Ralph and Hazel (Peterson) Halsall. She graduated from Galva High School with the Class of 1954 where she was active as a cheerleader, band member and student council. She attended Illinois State University and graduated from Western Illinois University in 1959. One June 7, 1959 she married Norman Coatney. She taught elementary school for 35 years, the last 27 years in the Chadwick and Mount Carroll School Districts . She was active in the Mount Carroll community, most recently with the Mount Carroll P.E.O. Chapter and the Carroll County Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed playing golf and ballroom dancing. In recent years her summers were spent on the Mississippi River , fishing, sunbathing, and spending time with her family and grandson. During winter months, she enjoyed watching Bulls basketball and Bears football. She especially enjoyed runaway weekends with her husband. Her family said she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher. Many of her past students remained in contact with her. Her family said she always remembered each one and could tell something about them, even though they are now in their 30s. Surviving are her husband; two sons, Rhett (Keller) of Thomson and Kurt (Candy) of Mount Carroll ; one daughter, Jennifer (Ken) Lucas of Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin; one grandson, Chad ; one sister, Joanne Girven of Port Byron and one brother, Roger (Linda) Halsall of Lafayette. Preceding her in death were her parents, an infant granddaughter, Alexis Marie and a nephew, Jay. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mount Carroll with the Rev, Nancy Rethford of the Mount Carroll United Methodist Church and Pastor Dar Cunningham of the First Baptist Church of Mount Carroll officiating, Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Mount Carroll. Friend may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Contributed by Alice Horner

ROYAL EDWIN COLE , 67, Market Street, Shannon, died Friday Mar 15, 1974 in his home after suffering an apparent heart attack. Mr. Cole, a school bus driver, had completed his morning run, but did not report to work in the afternoon. He was found dead in his living room at 4 p.m. by a son, Robert. Survivors include his widow, Maude, two daughters, Mrs. Betty PICKING, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Mrs. Jean STURTEVANT, Tempe, Ariz.; two sons, Robert, Shannon and Donald L., Chandler, Ariz.; two sisters, Mrs. Hattie GABRIEL, and Mrs. Mayme (sic) BAKER, both of Freeport, and several grandchildren. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in Bethel United Methodist Church of Shannon. The Rev. Russell Coats, pastor, officiated. Burial was in Brethren Cemetery at Shannon.
Contributed by Julie Wirgau his grandaughter

MEREDITH G. (SCHRUNK) COLLINS , age 87, of Savanna, Illinois passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2006 at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, Illinois. Pastor Michael Jones will officiate. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Savanna, Illinois. A general memorial fund has been established in Meredith's memory. Meredith was born on December 14, 1918, the daughter of Wayne and Odessa (Teasdale) Schrunk in Savanna, Illinois. Meredith graduated from Savanna High School in 1936. She married John H. Collins on July 5, 1945 in Morrison, Illinois. John passed away on June 20, 1990. Meredith worked as a storeroom clerk for the Eaton Corporation in Savanna, Illinois, for over nineteen years, retiring in 1982. She enjoyed crocheting, word search books, crosswords, hunting for morel mushrooms and fishing. Meredith will be deeply missed by two daughters, Vicky (Don) Dixon of Savanna, Illinois, Judy Getz of Savanna, Illinois; two sons, Richard (Barb) Collins of Savanna, Illinois, Michael (Janice) Collins of Muscatine, Iowa; nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Meredith is preceded in death by her husband John; and one sister, Gladys Wilson.

IRENE (SHILEY) COMBS , 85, of Sacramento , California died Tuesday, November 16,1999. A native of Lanark , Illinois she was born December 6, 1913, the daughter of Harry and Lucy Shiley. She and Harold Combs were married 52 years. Survivors include three children, Kim Combs of Stockton, Dean Raish of Denver, Colorado, and Sandra Thompson of Los Angeles, California; two sisters, Mary Boyd of Savanna and Iva Hartman of Clinton, Iowa; one brother, Darwin Shiley of Dixon; seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. A graveside service was held Friday, November 19, 1999 at Sunset Lawn Memorial Park in Sacramento , California
Contributed by Alice Horner

CLARA (SCHRIENER) CONRADY passed away at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schreiner on Friday [01/04/1929] evening a 10 o’clcok. Mrs. Conrady had been in poor health for the past year, and gradually failed till death relived her of her sufferings on Friday evening. Mrs. Conrady was born here, and spent all her life in this community. She was about 48 years of age, and leaves to mourn her departure, her son, Ivan Conrady; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schreiner, the following brothers and sisters: Levi Schreiner; Mrs. Christie Geison; Harry Schreiner; Lester Schreiner of this place; Robert Schreiner of Chicago; Raymond Schreiner and Chester Schreiner of Savanna; Mrs. Harry Kirkey of Waterloo, Iwoa, and Mrs. Irvin Edgerton of Hanvoer. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon, and interment was made at the Chadwick cemetery.
Contributed by Larry Reynolds from the Sterling Daily Gazette, January 7, 1929

ROBERT COPENHAVER of 131 Elms St., Hallsville, Mo; age 66, formerly of Polo, died Friday (08 Sep 1989) at his home. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Lanark Cemetery with Dr. James Gillespie officiating. There will be no visitation. Benson-Brown-Seidel Funeral Home of Polo is in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established. Mr. Copenhaver was born Dec. 16, 1922 in Polo, the son of Robert and Mary Johnson Copenhaver, Sr. He married Esther Copenhaver in Lanark. She preceded him in death. He is survived by one brother, James of Lake Forest; and one sister, Mrs. Helen Terry of Mt. Ayr, Iowa.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois September 11, 1989 - Monday, pg A2

ISABELLE "BELLE" CRAIG , 57, died suddenly about 8 o'clock Sunday night at the Craig family home, south of Mt. Carroll. She had been playing a phonograph while her mother, Mrs. Mary Craig, was in an adjoining room. Upon her return the mother found Miss Craig on the floor dead. She apparently died from a heart attack. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the John Sack residence in Mt. Carroll, Rev. J.H. Fetterolf of the Baptist church will officiate and burial will be made in Oak Hill cemetery. Miss Craig was born in Mt. Carroll on Dec. 17, 1880, the daughter of Gill and Mary Craig. She leaves besides her mother, one brother, Charles of Mt. Carroll and two sisters, Mrs. John Sack,of Mt. Carroll and Mrs. Frank Diehl, of Lanark.
Freeport Standard Journal 20 June, 1938

NELLIE M. (LaSHELLE) CREIGHTON , 78, died on Friday, September 10, 1993 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Davenport , Iowa . She was born to John R. and Rose Ellen (Warfield) LaShelle on August 19, 1915 in York Township , Carroll County , Illinois . On March 16, 1937 she married George R. Creighton in Savanna. He died on September 5, 1965. Mrs. Creighton worked at Eaton in Savanna until her retirement in 1978. She loved to garden, embroider, sew, and craft work. Also, she was an avid Bingo player. She is survived by three daughters: Pamalee Eninger of Alexandria , VA ; Lana Woodard of Port Byron; and Melodie Creighton of Specer , Iowa ; one son, John J. Creighton of Chesapeake, Maryland; one brother, Floyd LaShelle; one step-daughter, Darlene Clare; one step-son, George Creighton Jr.; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and twelve step-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, and one sister and one step-daughter. Services were held on September 13, 1993 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Thomson. Burial took place at the Lower York Cemetery , Thomson
Contributed by Alice Horner - Sept 15, 1993 Prairie Advocate

GEORGE D. CRONCE - Died in Mt Carroll, Carroll county, Ill. February 10th (1864) of scarlet fever, GEORGE D., son of br. Samuel and sister Leah CRONCE, aged 7 years, 11 months, 10 days. Funeral services by the brethren.
Contributed by Carol Parrish - with thanks to Dennis from "The Monthly Gospel Visitor" (1851-1873)