FRANCIS M. JENKS , one of the pioneer merchants of Savanna, passed peacefully into rest at his home, corner of Third and Hoffman Streets, death coming this morning at 11:30 o’clock. The end came after a long season of sickness, caused by heart failure and general decline. Mr. Jenks health first began to fail about two years ago but he was able to be about until about two months ago, since which time he kept to the house and for over a week past was confined to his bed. Mr. Jenks began his career as a dry good merchant in 1843 when he entered the general store of J. W. White, his brother-in-law, at Elizabeth , Illinois . Later he went to Hanover to work in a general store which Mr. White opened there, and in 1852 he became a partner in the business. A year later he bought out Mr. White, who subsequently founded the Hanover Woolen Mills and has been for many years their active head. In 1856 he closed his business and spent a few years in steam boating and in 1860 he came to this city and has remained in this city ever since, building up a successful business, which he had a few years ago turned over in large parts to his two sons, F. H. and C. N. Jenks. The business is conducted under the name Jenks Bros. & Co. Although he had retired from active business he still took a keen interest in the affairs of the store until he was compelled to cease on account of poor health. In addition to his dry goods business, Mr. Jenks was identified with other commercial interests in this locality. For 18 years he was president of the Savanna State Bank and of the First National Bank of Savanna, since its organization about two years ago. Mr. Jenks always took an active interest in politics, and has been a staunch Republican since the organization of the party. He has never hesitated to voice his sentiments in national, state, county, or municipal affairs, although he has respected the opinions of others on such matters. Frank M. Jenks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brown Jenks, was born in Beverly , West Virginia July 11, 1829 and in 1836 with his parents moved to Rock Island where he lived for a number of years. December 25th, 1855 at Sand Prairie, near Hanover , he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa T. Armstrong. Three years ago last December they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, over two hundred guests attending.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Jenks was blessed with five children; Jessie, wife of O. W. Greenleaf; Fannie, wife of J. B. Rhodes, Jr.; Frank H. and Charles N. One daughter died in infancy. Mr. Jenks was a prominent citizen of influential and wise judgment. Although he was adverse to holding office he served as supervisor of this township for a number of years. He was a man of genial personality with a pleasant word of greeting for his friends and acquaintances and his familiar figure has been missed by his business associates and friends throughout the city, His life has been a prosperous and successful one and as he neared the eventide of life he was content to let the responsibilities rest with those younger and spent his last days in peace and comfort. The domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Jenks has been a happy one as he was devoted as husband and father and his passing away is indeed a deep sorrow to his faithful companion of over a half century. Mr. Jenks was a thirty-second degree Mason being a member of Freeport Commandry and also of Mississippi Lodge of this city. Mr. Jenks took an active interest in the Episcopal church which he was an attendant when health permitted. To the sorrowing wife and children the Journal extends sympathy. They have the consolation to know that their dear one is resting peacefully at the close of a long and useful life and has gone to his reward. The funeral services will be held at the home Thursday afternoon at two o’clock and will be conducted by Rev. W. O. Butler.
Contributed by Alice Horner - From the April 21, 1909 edition of the Savanna Journal
With special thanks to Mary Meyers at the Savanna Public Library, Savanna, Illinois
Alice Horner's note: His full name was Francis Marion Jenks, and his tombstone in the Savanna Township Cemetery reads Francis M. Jenks, but the Savanna Journal obituary names him Frank M. Jenks.

OKAW O. JENNINGS , age 85, of Thomson died Sunday, October 14, 2007 at Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson. Burial was in Spring Lake Cemetery, Savanna. Visitation was held from 10­11 a.m., one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home. Curly was born February 4, 1922 in Beecher City, the son of Golden and Rachel (Lilly) Jennings. He served in the US Army 4th Infantry during WWII, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. Curley worked for Chicago Bridge and Iron overseas for many years, where he met his wife, Sheila French. They were married August 4, 1958 in Chicago. In 1966, they moved to the Riverview area near Thomson. Curley retired as a Field Foreman in 1977. Family was important to Curly, and he was always there for his children. He was a member of the Thomson American Legion and a Lifetime member of the Savanna Moose Lodge. Curly enjoyed trapping, fishing and hunting, after retirement; just like he did when he was a kid. Curly will be dearly missed by his wife, Sheila of Thomson; three daughters, Sue (Joe) Barber of North Aurora, Debra Jennings of Florida and Sandra (Alan) Prins of Atalissa, Iowa; two sons, Steve (Linda) Jennings of Mulberry, Florida and Jon Jennings of Lindenwood; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; a great granddaughter; and a step-great grandson. Both parents, three brothers and a sister, precede Curly in death.
Contributed by Lori Gilbert

OLE JENSEN , died Thursday at the home of Mrs. E. Jenson of this city. His death was due to kidney disorder from which he had suffered many months. Funeral services were held Saturday morning from the Jensen home, conducted by Rev. L.M. Gimmestad. Following this service the Masonic fraternity took charge of the remains, which were shipped to Savanna, Illinois where interment was made Sunday afternoon, the Masons of the Illinois city conducted the last service. Mr. Jensen was born in 1841 in Hedemarken, Norway. He came to America in 1867 and entered the employ of the C.H. Nicholls Lumber Co., at Onalaska. This was in the days when the lumber business boomed at that point and the Nicholls mill was one of the largest on the Mississippi. From an untrained employee, he rose to the position of manager of the mills. In 1884 he was elected sheriff of LaCrosse county. He was connected with this office for eleven years. Later he engaged in the real estate business in LaCrosse. For a number of years he was employed as a traveling salesman for different LaCrosse wholesalers and manufacturers. For twelve years he had charge of C.B. & R. railway eating house at Savanna, Illinois. His last position was with the Burlington railroad. A few years back his health failed and he was obliged to retire from active service and then the disease that ended his career fastened upon him. He came to Galesville last October to recuperate. Mr. Jensen was first married in 1874 to Emma Swanson. Three children were born to this union, two of whom died in infancy. A son, Charles is at the soldier’s home in Milwaukee. The mother died twelve years ago. In 1910 Mr. Jensen was again married, taking for his wife Miss Mable Keiser of Savanna. The widow and two children, a son and a daughter, survive him. Other relatives are T.E. and Misses Lena and Mary Jensen, nephew and nieces, of Galesville.
Reprinted from the Galesville Republican
The Whitehall Times Banner February 10, 1916

EVERETT JOHNS - Funeral services for Everett L. Johns, 81, of Lanark, who died Saturday [12/04/1971] morning, were held Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the Frank Funeral Home in Lanark, with the Rev. Merle Hawbecker of Lanark officiating. Mrs. Wayne Derrer was organist and flower attendants were Mrs. James Grindey, Mrs. George Crofton and Mrs. Ralph Garner. Pallbearers were Terry Hanabarger, Ronnie Hanabarger, Roger Hanabarger, Leon Mienecke, Gary Johns and Howard Hook. Burial was in Lanark Cemetery.
Contributed by Larry Reynolds - The Sterling Daily Gazette, December 8, 1971, page 2, column 3

EMMA (ROBBE) JOHNSTON , 75, of Mount Carroll, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 1990 at Alverno Health Care Facility, Clinton, Iowa, following an extended illness. She was a former secretary at Mount Carroll Library and she later worked at Johnston Feed Service. She was a member of First Baptist Church and was active in the Republican Women’s Club. She was also a former member of Mount Carroll Community Club and Eastern-Star. Born Nov. 7, 1914 at Lanark, she was the daughter of Carlos and Alta (Shrake) Robbe. On Sept. 25, 1938 in Chicago she was married to Woodrow A. Johnston. Surviving are her husband of Mount Carroll; two daughters, Mrs. Nancy (Leo) Haag of Chadwick and Mrs. Patricia (Larry) Frederick of Milledgeville; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Theodore Robbe of Mount Carroll; and four sisters, Julia Peck of Mount Carroll, Marjorie Percy of Twinsburg, Ohio, Isabelle Hammerstein of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Marcella Seaman of Sidney. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. The Rev. Scott Stapleton of First Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mount Carroll. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Contributed by Alice Horner

IDA (FLETCHER) JOHNSTON - On Sunday morning, January 20, 1901, at her late home two miles south of Milledgeville occurred the death of Mrs. Ida J. Johnston, aged 48 years and 5 days. Ida J. Fletcher, daughter of Burton and Aurelia Fletcher, was born in Wysox Twp., Jan. 15, 1853, and continually remained a resident till the time of her death. On December 1, 1874, she was united in marriage to Charles E. Johnston, who with the aid of the one he had chosen as his life companion, became the owner of a beautiful country home. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, one of whom at the age of 5 years preceded the mother to the grave. The deceased was a woman of most sterling character, an ardent advocate of temperance and often gave much of her time and strength to the cause which she so dearly loved. In the winer of 1890 she became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Milledgeville and remained a true and faithful member until death. The cause of her death was pneumonia, and her illness was only a few days duration. To mourn her departure she leaves a husband, a daughter, Miss Phebe, who is at home; a father who resides three miles northeast of Milledgeville; a sister, Miss Emma Fletcher, who resided in Milledgeville; two brothers, Lyndon B. who resides near Milledgeville and Myron T. of Storm Lake Iowa. The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church, Tuesday at 10:30, the pastor, Rev. C.A. Gage officiating. Interment in Bethel cemetery.

HATTIE JOHNSTON - At the homeof her parents, Mr. & Mrs. W.L. Johnston near Milledgeville, on Wednesday July 18, 1894, of Typhoid fever, Miss Hattie Johnston, aged 19 years, 2 months and 18 days. Hattie Johnston was born where her parents now reside, April 30, 187 and had always enjoyed fairly good health until four weeks ago when she was seized with an illness which two weeks afterwards developed into typhoid fever of such a fatal character that in spite of all that kind friends could do for her, she passed away Wednesday evening a few minutes before sunset. Her Sunday School classmates were present in a body to pay their last respects to their former associate. Miss Johnston became a member of the M.E. Church last winter and proved herself a thorough CHristian lady, and now she has gone to her reward.

JAMES JOHNSTON - At the home of his son, Charles E., two miles south of Milledgeville on Tuesday, June 11, 1895, James Johnston, aged 74 years, 27 days. James Johnston was born in Thorold, Welland County, Ontario, May 14, 1821. He spent his boyhood with his parents in Canada. On the 31st of December 1849, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Margaret Seburn, who still survives him. Their family consisted of three children, Charles E., Henrietta and Justus T., all of whom are living. In May, 1867, he and his family moved to Carroll county. Here Mr. Johnston engaged in farming, and continued at the same until his health would no longer permit of active work. He and his wife then made their home with their son Charles. He leaves, besides his wife and children a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was widely known and will be remembered as one who alays had a kind word for all. For a number of years he has been a great sufferer from rheumatism and at times was confined to his bed. But on the day of his death, he was apparently in good health, and was in town during the day. No illness was observed until in the night and his death occurred very suddenly, within a few hours from the time he was taken sick. The funeral was held this morning at 10:30 at the M.E. church, Rev. F.L. Baldwin assisted by Rev. J.E. Noftsinger, officiating. Interment in Bethel cemetery.

LUCY (HYAMS) JOHNSTON , died Wednesday morning (August 1963) in a Freeport nursing home after a long illness. She was born Dec. 26, 1868 in Cumberland, MD, a daughter of Samuel and Ameila (Suter) Hyams. She and her husband farmed in the Mt. Carroll area for many years. Survivors include a son Harl of Mt. Carroll, a granddaughter, a great grandson, two stepgrandchildren, and five stepgreat-grandchildren. Service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Frank Funeral home with Rev. Darold Coppernoll of the Mt. Carroll United Brethern Church officiating. Burial will be in Arnold Grove Cemetary. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 pm today. Posted by Michaelenne Smith

JESSIE (WHISLER) JONES , 97, of Lanark died Tuesday, March 3, 1992 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mount Carroll. She lived in Lanark her entire life and was an active member of the community. A 1912 graduate of Lanark High School, she was the school’s oldest living graduate. She was a member of Lanark United Methodist Church since 1904. She was also a member of the church’s Mothers Study Club and Women’s Auxiliary. For many years, she gathered news for the Freeport Journal-Standard and Clinton Herald newspapers. She was also in charge of the Lanark branch of the American Red Cross for many years. She was a bookkeeper at Lanark Canning Co. and the First National Bank of Lanark. She was also city treasurer of Lanark from 1968-1976. Born on June 8, 1894 in Lanark, she was the daughter of William W. and Mae (Flickinger) Whisler. She married George Wingate Jones on may 15, 1919 at the bride’s home in Lanark. He preceded her in death on June 9, 1968. Also preceding her in death were two sons, Robert Jones and Lee Jones. Survivors include one son, Gordon Ray of Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mount Carroll; two daughters-in-law, Dot Jones of Sterling and Irene Jones of Rock Falls; six grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Lanark United Methodist Church. The Rev. Bill Bailey and the Rev. Orville Cole will co-officiate. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Russell-Frank Funeral Home, Lanark. Burial will be in Lanark, Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Lanark United Methodist Church.
Contributed by Alice Horner

MARY PABST BACKUS JONES , 66, wife of Curtis Jones, died Sunday (May 2, 1935) in her home in Lanark after a nine year illness. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1:30 in Frank funeral home Lanark with the Rev. Merle Hawbecker pastor of the West Branch Brethren Church, Maryland Station officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mrs. Jones was born in Freeport July 26, 1888 the daughter of Joseph and Florence Wheeler Backus. She married Charles Pabst of Lanark in 1906. He died in 1935. Survivors are her husband, a daughter Mrs. Lottie Pabst Cupp Rochelle; three stepdaughters, two stepsons; four sisters, Mrs. Kate Stitcher, Monroe WI, Mrs. Sadie Witbecker, Freeport, and Mrs. Jennie Morris, Menlo Park CA. Two brothers, Eugene Backus, Freeport and John Backus, Peoria. Mrs. Jones was a member of the West Branch Brethren Church and the Ladies Auxilary of Lanark -- Dixon Evening Telegraph 3 May 1954

NELLIE SOPHIA (DAVIS) JONES , 79, native of Mt. Carroll, died at 6 a.m. Monday in a Milledgeville nursing home. The body was removed to the Frank funeral home here, where funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. John J. Main officiated and burial was at Oak Hill cemetery. Pallbearers were Ed Keim, Blaine McGinty, Harry Neuschwanger, Kenneth Kosher, and Ernest Dollinger Jr. Flowers were cared for by Mrs. John Linker and Mrs. Ernest Petty. The former Nellie Davis was born June 2, 1874 in Mt Carroll, daughter of Christopher and Mary Jane Zuck Davis. She was married Jan 1, 1899 (Error - s/b 1896) to Newman Jones, who died in June 1947. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Walter Fulrath, Mrs. James McCray and Mrs. Carlyle Richter of Mt. Carroll, Mrs. Milo Alford of Tomah, Wis, and Mrs. Florence Blair of Oklahoma; three sons John of Mt. Carroll, Thomas of Chadwick, and Walter of Savanna, a sister, Mrs. Mae Altensey of Mt. Carroll; a brother Frank Davis of Milledgeville, and eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren."
Contributed by Glenda Richter

NEVA E. (LAW) JONES , 102, of Savanna, Illinois passed away April 8, 2006 in FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2006 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Pastor Thomas Moe of the First United Methodist Church of Savanna will be officiating. Friends may call from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2006 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Neva was born on June 24, 1903, in Woodland Township, Carroll County, Illinois the daughter of Edward C. and Augusta (Reese) Law. She attended Oakton County School in Savanna. On August 20, 1924, Neva married Arthur Jones in Chicago, Illinois Neva enjoyed being a homemaker, she was very active in her church and community, the First United Methodist Church in Savanna, the Savanna Women of the Moose, a Charter Member of the Savanna Veterans of Foreign Wars Womens Auxilary #2223, the College of Regents of the Moose and the Women's Relief Corp. Neva enjoyed tending to her flowers and traveling on bus tours around the country. She was two months away from being 103 years old, in her lifetime there two World Wars, eighteen Worlds Fairs, and eighteen Presidents. Neva will be dearly missed by three grandsons, Steve (Kim) Jones of Danielsville, Pennsylvania; Robert Jones of Dixon, Illinois; Ron Jones of Savanna; ond granddaughter, Sherri Crimmins of Mayflower, Arkansas; and six great grandchildren; and one half sister, Mildred Koser of Savanna. Neva was preceded in death by her husband, one son, Lyle; three brothers and three sisters.
Contributed by Linda Irwin -

NORMA JEAN (SCHRIENER) JONES , age 79 of Savanna, Illinois, passed over to her reward Friday, January 27, 2006 at Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, Iowa. A ceremony on celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 1, 2006 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Savanna. Pastor Robert Bridges will officiate. Norma was born December 8, 1926, the daughter of Raymond and Hilda (Flowers) Schreiner in Savanna. Norma’s favorite activity in childhood was tap dancing. She attended Savanna High School, where she graduated Class of 1944. Norma’s life took her into work at the Army Depot and Garment Factory in Savanna. Her occupation of dedicated homemaker was that which brought her and others most pleasure. Her delights were cooking, baking and keeping house. Her other interests included playing the piano, gardening and flowers. She enjoyed her cats and loved to entertain. Her life was at its best when she offered her service to the needs of others. Norma was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, with whom she shared her gifts on the piano keyboard. She was active in Loyal Star of America and was affiliated with the Ladies’ Red Hat Society. Norma will be deeply missed by her sons, Arthur L. Jones of Thomson, Illinois, and Marlyn of Savanna; former daughters in-law Cindy Chambers of Powder Springs, Georgia and Cindy Neal of Rock Falls, Illinois; son in-law, Michael Fekete of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; step mother Eileen Schreiner of McAllester, Oklahoma; brother Lyle Schreiner also of McAllester, Oklahoma; her brother William Schreiner of Fulton, Illinois; sister Dorothy Hartman of Savanna, Illinois; sister in-law, Janet Schreiner of Savanna; granddaughters Dianna Brown, Laurie Gibson, Lisa Ellis, and Kimberly Jones, grandson Jamey Lee Jones; thirteen great-grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren. Norma was preceded in death by husband, Charles; one brother Marvin Schreiner; one loving daughter Stephanie Fekete; and one granddaughter Sheryl Ann Clar; and infant grandson Michael Fekete. The relationships that Norma enjoyed with her family members and many friends are the treasures of this earth, which she will now cherish throughout – Eternal Life…

RACHEL (DOWNING) JONES , A former resident of Winterset (Iowa), Mrs. Thomas Jones died on February 6, 1918 at the home of her son Beverly Jones of Grinnell. Mrs. Jones came her from Red Oak forty-four years ago, living in this community nearly all of that time. Before her marriage she was Miss Rachel Downing, a native born in Carroll County, Illinois July 11, 1852. (Note: Her parents were Nathan and Rachel [Cochran] Downing.) She leaves one brother, H. T. Downing of Guthrie, Oklahoma, and the following children: Mrs. Ida Gulberson, Mrs. Kate Clark, Mrs. May Grimes, and Miss Geraldine of this city, Frank of Elmwood, Illinois, Mrs. Vera Stewart of Oskaloosa and Beverly Jones of Grinnell. Funeral services were held in the U. P. church of Winterset Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. J. Stewart, followed by burial in Rock City Cemetery.
Contributed by Alice Horner - Winterset, Madison County, Iowa February 19, 1918

MARVIN JOHN JUDAS , age 75, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois died Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2004 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mt. Carroll, with Pastor David Vidler officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. Visitations were held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2004 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. There were also visitations one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. A memorial fund has been established in Marvin's name. Marvin was born Monday, August 26, 1929 in New Rockford, North Dakota, the son of John and Erna (Willner) Judas. Marvin married Jeanette Endress on February 13, 1955 in Massbach. Marvin spent most of his life working on the farm. An important aspect of Marvin's life was getting the Carroll County Senior Services Organization established. Marvin was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Savanna Moose Lodge #1095. Marvin enjoyed bowling, fishing, and hunting. Marvin is survived by his wife, Jeanette; three daughters, Janice (Doug) Walter of Elizabeth, Dixie Meinsma of Mt. Carroll, and Pennie Judas of Mt. Carroll; one son, Jeffrey Judas of Mt. Carroll; four granddaughters and four grandsons; two great-granddaughters; one brother, Gene (Alene) Judas of Mt. Carroll; and one sister, Marion Ewalt of Freeport. His daughter Cindy, his parents, a son-in-law Duane Meinsma, and a brother-in-law Charles Ewalt, precede Marvin in death.
Prairie Advocate September 2004

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