 GEORGE ADAMS TALLMADGE , age 91, passed away on July 24, 2006 at the Iowa Veterans Hospital. A long time resident of Savanna, Ill., he moved there to work at the Army Depot in 1968 and retired from the Depot in 1973. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 2006 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, Illinois. A Funeral Service and Burial will be in San Marcos Cemetery in San Marcos, Texas. George's father moved from Milwaukee in the early 1900's and settled in Pearsall,Texas as a farmer and later a photographer where he met George's Mother, Lowella Rylander. George worked in his fathers' studio throughout the depression, though he didn't properly speak anything but German until the 8th grade, after they had moved to San Marcos,Tx.. He enlisted in the Army just prior to WWII with his brother Jack, and was one of the survivors who stormed the beaches of Normandy during the European liberation. It was at this time his brother discovered that the Army had mistakenly dropped one of the 'L's in his surname and had never corrected it. His brother's side of the family spells their name "Talmadge" to this day. George went on to serve under General Patton, and he later became a chemist. In 1957 he married Jewel I. Gallagher and had a son, George III, in 1960. He owned his own lab in Corpus Christi in the 1960's until he began Civil Service work for the Army Depot. He divorced and remarried, and a few years later moved to Savanna to work in the lab at the Army Depot. George was a Mason and member of the Savanna Rotary. George survived wife Rebecca Tallmadge, who passed away in 1993. He never remarried, but always had people over to the house and said he never had to worry about being alone. He was respected and loved by everyone it seemed. George loved to garden, and had a very green thumb. His garden grew so well that often the neighbors would have to help him eat the fruits of his labor. Coupling his interests in Botany, Chemistry, and literature (especially Shakespeare) with his stories from WWII and the Army Depot, he always had something interesting to say. Most of the time he succeeded getting folks to listen, too. As he got into his 80's he often commented that he had outlived all of his friends his age and all of his wives, but that now he had younger generations coming around to talk to. The neighbors' kids grew up and had kids and had grandkids and he got to see all of that. When George had a stroke in 2000 he wanted to be able to stay at home and so he got four caregivers to take care of him. He called them his 'Queens' and often commented that he never had it so good. For those of us who remain behind, may we all have a life as long, happy, and fulfilled as George had. It is hard to convey all that George meant to so many people. He has always been and shall continue to be loved, sorely missed, and remembered. George is survived by his son, George Adams Tallmadge III, his two nephews, John and Jeff Talmadge, and by James Hiher, who was as close to a second son as he ever had. He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.' -Hamlet BARTON L. TEMPLE , age 65, of Chadwick, Illinois, died Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at Coventry Nursing Home, Sterling, Illinois. Cremation rites will be accorded. A graveside service will be held Friday, September 5, 2008, at 2:00 pm at the Chadwick Cemetery in Chadwick. Barton was born on November 3, 1942, in Freeport, Illinois, the son of Riley K. and Bessie E. (Zugschwerdt) Temple. Barton graduated from Chadwick High School with the class of 1961. Barton worked for the Chadwick School district as a custodian for 20 years. He was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chadwick, Chapter C2 Motorcycle Club, Freeport, and a lifetime member of GWRA (Gold Wing Roadriders Association). Barton enjoyed running horses and riding motorcycles. Barton is survived by several cousins. Barton was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Travis. BERNETA TOEPFER , age 78 of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died on Monday, November 27, 2006 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Mt. Carroll. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2006, at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. Friends may call from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 29 at the Funeral Home. Reverend Robert Phelps will officiate. Memorials may be given in Berneta's name for Pleasant Valley Church of God, rural Mt. Carroll. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lawjones funeralhome.com.Berneta was born on January 5, 1928 in Woodland Township, Illinois, the daughter of John and Emma (Derrer) Toepfer. She was a graduate of Mt. Carroll High School the class of 1945. Berneta was a true artist with oil paint, she created scenescapes that were very beautiful. Berneta will be dearly missed by her brother, Lowell Toepfer of Mt. Carroll; two sisters, Marcella Toepfer of Mt. Carroll, her life-long caregiver, and Opal Schreiner of Freeport, Illinois; many nieces and nephews. Berneta is preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Mildred Coppernoll and one brother, Donald Toepfer. NERMA TOEPFER , age 85, of Morrison died Saturday, February 5, 2005 at Resthave Nursing Home, Morrison. Funeral Services were held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. Reverend Mark Harkness of Mount Carroll United Methodist Church officiated. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Mount Carroll. Visitations were from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mount Carroll United Methodist Church, Mount Carroll. Nerma was born October 21, 1919 the daughter of Harley and Elizabeth Welch in Mount Carroll. She was a graduate of Mount Carroll High School. Nerma married Donald Toepfer on February 5, 1938 in Clinton, Iowa; Donald died on August 23, 1989. Nerma and her husband farmed north of Mount Carroll until 1962. She then became a custodian at he National Bank in Mount Carroll. She enjoyed spending time with friends and camping at Timberlake. Most of all she loved her family and attending church. Nerma will be deeply missed by her son, Lano (Nancy) Toepfer of Crystal Lake; six grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. Her husband, three brothers, two sisters and her daughter, Armella Lein, precede Nerma in death. SYLVIA (HEITKAM) TOEPFER
, age 82, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, died on Friday, September 12, 2008 at Morrison Community Hospital, Morrison, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2008 at the Mount Carroll Church of God, Mount Carroll, with Reverend Robert Phelps of Pleasant Valley Church of God, rural Mount Carroll, officiating. A Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at the Carroll Church of God, Mount Carroll. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Mount Carroll. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Churches of God, General Conference, Haiti Mission Fund in Sylvia’s memory. Sylvia was born on July 23, 1926, the daughter of Otto and Ida (Breneman) Heitkam, in Davis, Illinois. She attended school in Dakota, Illinois and graduated with the Class of 1944. Sylvia married Lowell D. Toepfer on October 15, 1950, in Davis, Illinois.
After graduating high school, and before getting married, Sylvia worked at Burgess Battery, Structo Manufacturing, and was a Bookkeeper for the Freeport Farm Bureau in Freeport, Illinois. Sylvia then worked as a Receptionist and Bookkeeper for the Mirror Democrat Newspaper in Mount Carroll for twenty years. She was a longtime member of the Pleasant Valley Church of God, rural Mount Carroll, where she was a Deaconess, played the piano, and taught Sunday School. Sylvia was also a member of the W.C.S.C. Women’s Club at the church. She enjoyed reading, traveling, cooking and gardening. Most of all, Sylvia loved the time she spent with her family.
Sylvia is survived by her husband, Lowell of Mount Carroll; one son, Stan (Vicki) Toepfer of Lanark, Illinois; a daughter, Donna (Victor) Binkley of Bluffton, Indiana; three grandchildren, Joshua (Laura) Toepfer, Trisha (Brian) Berg and Alisha Toepfer; four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Abigail, Jacob, and Benjamin; ten step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Donald and Roger; and two sisters, Marcella Lentz and Norma Beckmeier.
ALEXANDER Y. TOMSON
, 79, died at 3:15 Monday morning at his home in Lanark. He had been ill for the past several weeks. The body was removed to the Frank Funeral Home in Lanark where funeral arrangements will be completed. Mr. Thomson was born Edinburg, Scotland on Sept. 23, 1879, the son of John and Annie Thomson. He was married to Jennie Harper at Chicago on April 28, 1921. They lived in Chicago for a number of years, they moved to DesMoines, Ia., where they remained until two years ago when they purchased a home and moved to Lanark. Mr. Thomson was a retired buyer of Oriental rugs for the Marshall Field Company of Chicago. Survivors are his widow, one daughter, Mrs. William (Jane) Sharer, Lanark; two grandsons, Stevsen and Bradley Sharer; four sisters, Mrs. Peter Walker, Nanton, Alberta, Canada; Mrs. Paul Harris, Mrs. John Hown, and Miss Mary Thomson, all of Scotland; and two brothers, the Rev. John Thomson, and James Thomson, also of Scotland.
SUE ANN (EDWARDS) TORRISON , 64, of Savanna, Illinois, died Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at her home in Savanna. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 20, 2005 at the First United Methodist Church of Savanna. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Savanna and the Savanna Ambulance Association. Friends may call from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2005 at the First United Methodist Church in Savanna. Pastor Michael Jones of York Baptist Church, Thomson, Illinois and Pastor Rick Torrison of “The River Church” in Pearland, Texas will officiate. Sue was born October 12, 1940, the daughter of Arthur Raymond and Barbara Lou “Gallup” Edwards in Toledo, Ohio. Sue was a graduate of Glenbard High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, class of 1959. Sue married Leif Erik Torrison on August 10, 1974 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She always said, “Erik” is the best part of me and the greatest gift in God’s plan for me.” Sue retired from the former Savanna Army Depot in 2000. She served on the Savanna Ambulance Board twice being proud of all they did for the community. Sue loved helping others because of all that God had done in her life. Sue was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Savanna. She was active in Sunday School, Youth programs, Choir and Evangelism. She loved sharing her faith, His Word and Joy to all who would listen and especially the young people that she loved so much. She loved sharing her voice in praise to God her Father, along with sharing her faith journey. Sue knew the wonder of God’s love and what was now the most wonderful part of her journey to be in the Lord’s presence. Most of all she loved her family and her extended family. Sue will be deeply missed by her loving husband, Erik; four sons, Scott (Marylu) Torrison of Loveland, Ohio; Greg (Kim) Torrison of Greenwood, Indiana; Rick (Melinda) Torrison of Pearland, Texas; and Jason (Marissa) Torrison of Neenah, Wisconsin; Each daughter in-law filled her heart as daughters she never had. Sue loved the beauty and uniqueness of each of her eight grandchildren along with pride in each of them, Chris, Elizabeth, Leah, Chad, Abby, Cody, Emily, and Riley Josephine; one brother, George (Jan) Edwards of Lynchburg, Virginia; nieces, Louisa and Georgia; step-brothers, John (Mary) Demling and Gordon Demling of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; and cousin, Joan (Kells) Pugh of Port Clinton, Ohio. Sue was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Demling; her father, Ray Edwards; her brother, Jim Edwards; and grandparents, Cliff and Vera Gallup HAZEL M. (GROHARING) TURNEY
, 87, of Savanna died Sunday May 25, 1997 at Samaritan Health System in Clinton , Iowa . Born on February 5, 1910 in Thomson, she was the daughter of Howard L. and Jessie M. (Hitchcock) Groharing. She married Guy E, Turney on October 25, 1929 in Lanark. She was a homemaker and worked for several years as a nurses aid at Savanna City Hospital . She was a member of the Hickory Grove United Methodist Church in Wacker, and was a former member of the Ladies Aid group at the church. She was a member of the former N. C. Club. She was a seamstress and enjoyed crocheting and sewing. Surviving her are her husband; three daughters, Dora Lee (James) Cecka, of Beloit, Wisconsin; Carole (James) Watson of Herrin, and Judy (Carlos) Basante of Plano, Texas; two sisters, Opal Cross of Peachtree City, Georgia and Jessie (Francis “Bud”) Riddle of Savanna; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. The Rev, Michael Pater of Hickory Grove United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Lower York Cemetery in Thomson. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Law Jones Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established in her name.
|
