CARROLL COUNTY ILLINOIS OBITUARIES

Carroll County Obituaries W

ELIZA (HARR) WACKER , a well known resident of Wacker, passed away at her home there this Wednesday morning after an extended sickness. Mrs. Wacker was a sufferer with cancer of the breast and last October submitted to a surgical operation. However this was of little avail and she continued to grow worse and for several weeks past it was known that the end was near. Mrs. Wacker’s maiden name was Eliza Harr and she was about 50 years of age. She was married to John Wacker some 28 years ago and is survived by her husband, three daughters, Lena, Ada, and Anna. Also three brothers, John and George of Wacker and Jacob of Washington. Mrs. Wacker was a woman who was highly thought of and her death will be sincerely mourned. The funeral will be held Friday at 1:30 conducted by Rev. E. E. Okumbly, pastor of the United Brethren Church. The sympathy of friends is extended to the stricken family. From an unnamed newspaper published September 9, 1903. The funeral of Mrs. John Wacker was largely attended by relatives and neighbors and friends and was held Friday afternoon from the Dunkard Church. Eliza Harr, wife of John Wacker, was born January 15, 1854 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and came west with her parents when a child. She was baptized in infancy and converted at Center Hill at about the age of 15. She was married to John Wacker February 24, 1876, with whom she lived until she was called home. To this union was born three children. She leaves her husband, three children, her mother, brothers, and a host of friends to mourn her loss.
Contributed by Alice Horner Alice Horner - Savanna Journal, Savanna, Illinois Wednesday, September 2, 1903 (She was buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery)

GEORGE WACKER , 75, a life long resident of Carroll County, died at four o’clock Monday morning, September 6, 1937. Funeral services were set for 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon in the Woodland United Brethren Church, with the Rev. C. F. Foltz officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mount Carroll. Mr. Wacker was born February 16, 1862 in Center Hill, Mount Carroll Township, Carroll County, Illinois, the son of Philip and Anna Wacker. (Alice Horner’s note: I show his parents’ names as John Philip and Anna [Kauffmann] Wacker.) He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Eathel Weidman; two sisters, Mrs. William Byers of Polsgrove and Mrs. Anna Kentner of Mount Carroll, and one brother Elijah Wacker of Polsgrove.
Contributed by Alice Horner - Chadwick Review, Chadwick, Illinois Thursday, September 9, 1937

JOHN WACKER , 91, died at 10:15 o’clock Tuesday night, March 24, 1942 in his home about three miles west of Mount Carroll, where he resided with his daughter, Mrs. Ada Williams. Funeral services were arranged for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the home and at two o’clock at the Mount Carroll Lutheran Church, the Rev. E. C. Dolbear officiating, with burial in Hickory Grove Cemetery. Mr. Wacker was born September 17, 1850 in Germany, the son of Jacob and Rose Wacker, and came to this country in his youth. His wife died September 3, 1903. (Alice Horner’s note: His wife was Eliza Harr; I show her death date as September 2, 1903. The Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 gives John Wacker’s mother’s name as Rose Groby.) Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Williams, and Mrs. John Richter of Mount Carroll, and Mrs. Ralph Bashaw of Los Angeles, California; and many other relatives, including a grandson, Wallace Williams, of Mount Carroll.
Contributed by Alice Horner - Chadwick Review, Chadwick, Illinois Thursday, March 26, 1942
90th Birthday Celebration

RICHARD G. WACKER , age 25, 848 Chicago Avenue, a telephone Co. lineman, passed away Friday morning (17 Jan 1964) in Savanna City Hospital. Dr. L. P. Hussey, Carroll County coroner said an allergy to aspirin may have caused the death. Wacker, who injured his hip recently in a minor fall, was prescribed some medicine containing aspirin and a new drug called Darvon. Dr. Hussey, when Wacker developed hives, said he was switched to another medicine containing aspirin, but without the new drug. Wacker began having difficulty breathing Wednesday, and was admitted to the hospital. Specialists were called into the case, but were unable to save his life. A Freeport pathologist who performed the autopsy Friday, said Wacker died of pneumonitis, a heavy bleeding in the lungs. The doctor added that the condition was apparently caused by the aspirin. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Law Funeral Home. Burial will be in Savanna Township Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.. Sunday in the funeral home.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 18, 1964 - Saturday, pg 2

VELMA (SKOW) WACKER , 88, of Savanna, Ill., died Friday at her home. Funeral services were 11 a.m. today at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. The Rev. Michael Wey of the First Presbyterian Church, Savanna, officiated. Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Visitation was prior to the service today at the funeral home. She was born Oct. 19, 1916, in Spragueville to Chris and Lauretta Schultz Skow. She married William A. "Bill" Wacker on July 4, 1935, in Sabula. He died in 1995. She was a homemaker and worked as a cook at the Chestnut Park School in Savanna. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Ruby (Harland) Law of Savanna and Mrs. Kelly (Kirk) Raab of Warren, Ill.; one son, Bill Wacker Jr. of Savanna; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and one brother, Delbert (Teva) Skow of Phoenix. She was preceded in death by her husband, one son and one brother

JOHN B. WADE , 80, of Milledgeville, brother of Allen Wade of Dixon, passed away at 6:15 o'clock Monday evening at the Deaconess Hospital in Freeport where he had been a patient for about three weeks. Funeral arrangements are being made at Shirk funeral home in Milledgeville. Mr. Wade who was born in Nebraska March 9, 1867 is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Fred Miller of Savanna; Mrs. Clyde Oncken of Milledgeville; seven grandchildren; four brothers, Wallace of Rockford, Allen of Dixon, Albert of Polo and Jesse of Pomona CA.
Dixon Evening Telegraph 19 Aug 1947

GEORGE W. WAGNER , 72, of Oswego, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, February 11, 1998 at Provena-Mercy Center Hospital in Aurora, Illinois. He was born May 24, 1925 in Chadwick, Illinois to Carl and Daisy Wagner. He was a member of the Oswego Presbyterian Church, Yorkville American Legion Post #489, Twin Ponds Club, Third Ward Club and a 26 year member of the Raven Masonic Lodge #303 A.F. & A.M. of Oswego, Illinois. He served with the Seabees, a branch of the U.S. Navy in World War II where he was a survivor of the West Loach Incident, a naval disaster that listed casualties second only to Pearl Harbor. After, his military service he went to work for the railroad presently known as the Burlington Northern Santa Fe retiring in 1982 as a roadmaster and spanning a 40 year career. He was married February 22, 1964 in Waterman, Illinois to the late Jeane Marsh who died on February 19, 1996. He was also preceded in death by his father Carl H. Wagner, a brother Jerry R. Wagner. He is survived by his mother Daisy Wagner (92 years) of Milledgeville, Illinois; two brothers Carl J. (Betsy) Wagner of American Fork, Utah, Monty (Nina) Wagner of Yorkville, Illinois. Funeral service will be held on Monday, February 16, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. at the Oswego Presbyterian Church in Oswego, Illinois with Rev. Leon Aalbert officiating. Burial will take place at Lincoln Memorial Park with a military graveside service conducted by the Yorkville American Legion Post #489.

SARAH MARIE (COLEMAN) WAGNER - Funeral service for Mrs. W. W. Wagner, who died early Monday, July 21, 1958 in a Savanna Hospital, will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Hunter’s Fuller Memorial Funeral Home, Savanna. (Alice Horner’s note: Her maiden name was Sarah Marie Coleman. Her husband’s name was Webster W. Wagner, or Web Wagner.) The Rev. James MacFarlane, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Born in Mount Carroll, she was a lifelong resident of Carroll County. Survivors include her husband; her mother, Mrs. John Coleman of Mount Carroll; two brothers; four sisters, Mrs. Ray Margileth of Mount Carroll, Mrs. David Crawford of Dixon, and Mrs. Clarence Renner and Mrs. Earl Ross, both of Savanna; two stepchildren, Robert Wagner of Savanna and Mrs. A. H. Behling of Franklin, Louisiana.
COntributed by Alice Horner - Freeport Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois July 22, 1958

SOPHIA (ENGELKING) WAGNER ,79, passed away about 9 o’clock this morning, November 13, 1941 at her in Mount Carroll. She was born in Germany October 23, 1862. (Alice Horner’s note: Her parents were Christian and Wilhelmina Engelking. She married John Wagner.) She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Mary Hartman of Mount Carroll, and four sons, W. W. and J. V. Wagner of Mount Carroll, and J. V. and D. R. Wager of Perry, Illinois. Her husband, John, and one daughter preceded her in death. Funeral arrangements were not announced today. (Freeport Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois November 13, 1941)
Funeral services for Mrs. Sophia Wagner, who died here Thursday will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Wacker Church of the Brethren. Rev. W. E. Kendall will officiate and burial will be in Savanna Cemetery.
Contributed by Alice Horner - (Freeport Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois November 14, 1941)

ADRIANNE BLUE WAKEFIELD-ST.GEORGE , died Thursday, June 1, 2006 at her home, Havencrest Castle, in Savanna, Illinois. Mrs. St. George was born September 9, 1950 in Connecticut. She married Alan W. St. George on March 21, 1975 in Wilmette, Illinois. Mrs. St. George would always say, "The day I was married was the happiest day of my life." Mrs. St. George authored an autobiography, A Very Special Person and a book of etiquette, Millennial Manners. She illustrated a series of children's books for Dr. Vickery of Lena, Illinois, and Adrianne wrote, produced and starred in a children's fairytale, The Day the Queen of Cold Got a Facelift. She also wrote and produced Havencrest Castle, History and Tour. She was the original founding member of the Carroll County Humane Society. Mrs. St. George and Alan restored and expanded their home, Havencrest Castle over the past thirty years in a manner in keeping with their mission statement of creating an example of the way American aristocracy lived, at the turn of the century. Mrs. St. George had a passion and was well-known for hosting beautiful and elaborate dinner parties and events. It's been said, "When Mrs. St. George entered a room the lights and music went on, and when she left, they went out." She could speak with anyone on any subject and was known to speak to foreign visitors, on occasion, in their native tongue. She loved animals and her favorite flower was the gardenia. Mrs. St. George will be dearly missed by her husband, Alan W. St. George of Savanna; her sister, Beth, of Connecticut; and their six dogs. She is preceded in death by both of her parents. A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given in Mrs. St. George's name for the Carroll County Humane Society. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com. Above her many talents and accomplishments, Mrs. St. George's proudest achievement was the designation, "wife."

BEULAH (HYAMS) WALDEN , former Mt. Carroll resident died Tuesday afternoon (13 August 1957) in an East Moline hospital. Mrs. Walden was born in Cumberland, MD., June 28, 1865 the daughter of Samuel and Ameila Hyams. Her husband, William Walden proceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her parents, two sons, one daughter and three sisters. The only immediate survivor is a sister, Mrs. Lucy Johnston of Mt. Carroll, with whom she had been living with for many years. Services will be held Thursday at 1:30 pm in the Frank Funeral home. the Rev. Darold Coppernell, pastor of the Mt. Carroll United Brethern Church will officiate. Burial will be in a Freeport Cemetary.

THERESA (MAIORIELLO) WALLANDER , age 92 of Lanark, formerly of Bethlehem, PA and West Palm Beach, FL, died Sunday, January 1, 2006 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Mt. Carroll. Theresa was born February 20, 1913 in Bethlehem, PA she was the daughter of Guiseppe (Joseph) and Theresa Fierro Maioriello. She was the last member of her immediate family. She graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1931. Theresa married Raymond A. Wallander on July 7, 1936. Since his death in 1995 she has made her home with son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Gretchen Wallander. Surviving are her two sons, Raymond A. Jr. of Lanark and David Wallander of New York, NY; daughter-in-law, Christine Wallander, Connellville, PA; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her husband; son, Robert A. Wallander; her parents; three sisters; and five brothers, precede Theresa in death. She was a member of the Episcopal Church. She enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles and collecting coins. Services will be private. Memorials may be given to the Episcopal Cathedral Church of the Nativity, 321 Wyandotte Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. The Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark is in charge of arrangements.

JACK WARHOP - Major League Pitcher.
Photo from Find-A-Grave contributed by Ron Moody)
He pitched his entire big league career with the New York Highlanders/Yankees. Jack Warhop was called "Chief" because his surname sounded like "war hoop" and "Crab" for his disposition, Warhop holds the Yankee season record for hit batsmen (26). Warhop became famous for giving up Babe Ruth's first home run in 1915. He also was one of the few pitchers in Major League history to ever steal home twice. He was also known in the Yankee clubhouse for his habit of harrasing rookie ballplayers, "bushers" as they were known. In 8 years with New York he accrued a 69-93 record with 7 saves, a 3.12 ERA over 1412.2 innings pitched in 221 American League games. (bio by: Frank Russo from "Find A Grave Website)
Obituary: Jack Warhop, former major league pitcher died at a local hospital at 1 p.m. after an extended illness. He lived at 621 South Chicago Age. Warhop began his baseball carrer in Freeport, in 1906, with the local club of the Wisconsin-Illinois league. He came here that summer with the Nebraska Indians Ball Club as a pitcher. After they played a 12 inning 2-2 deadlock, Warhop was signed by manager Bill Morarity at a salary of $80 a month. He won 26 out of 32 games in 1907 and in 1908 had a record of 30 out of 36. His work attracted major league scouts and he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers and farmed to Williamsport of the Tri-State league. He won 30 of 36 games there and was drafted by the New York Highlanders, now known as the Yankees. In 1909 he won 13 games for New York. In 1910 he hurled 243 innings, allowed 84 runs and 197 hits and won 14 games. Service will be held at the Schwartz Funeral home at 1 p.m. Friday. Rev. F. E. Bartling, pastor of the Emanuel Lutheran Church will officiate, burial will be at Lanark Cemetery.
Freeport Journal Standard 4 October 1960 See the Jack Warhop Story (Offsite)

RALPH WATTS , 88, of Miles, Iowa, a former Lanark area farmer, died Saturday in a nursing home at Maquokota, Iowa. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the Presbyterian Church at Miles. The Watts family came to Lanark from the Miles area a number of years ago, where Mr. Watts engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Watts returned to Miles some 10 or 15 years ago. Among survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Robert (Muriel) Mathlesen, Bryant, Iowa; Ruth Watts, Des Moines, Iowa; and Mrs. John (Jean) Gradert of Clinton, Iowa. Mrs. J. L. Hoak and Mrs. Rex Lower attended the funeral services Monday in Miles.
Contributed by Melva Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 2, 1971 - Saturday, pg 2

ELMER ETHAN WEBER , 90, a Chadwick businessman and civil leader, died Monday, December 14, 1998 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mount Carroll . A son of Henry F. and Effie M. (Spealman) Weber, he was born Tuesday, September 15, 1908 in Chadwick. In 1926 he graduated from Chadwick High School . On June 22, 1932 he and Helen M. Kearnaghan wee married in Mount Carroll . She died May 2, 1989 at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City . A businessman in Chadwick for 65 years, he owned and operated Weber Farm service from 1948 to his retirement in 1994. He was a volunteer fireman, town council member and school board member, and was a founding member, Sunday school superintendent and Sunday school teacher many years at Chadwick Evangelical Free Church. He loved singing hymns, and enjoyed activities at the church. Surviving are one daughter, Gayle (Daryl) Spaans of Bettandorf, Iowa ; one son, Lyle (Janice) Weber of Elmwood Park; six grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife; two sisters, May Adolph and Laura Getz; and two brothers, Joa and Roy Weber. The funeral will be noon Wednesday at Evangelical Free Church with the Rev. Robert Schubert officiating. Burial will be at Chadwick Cemetery . Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Wednesday to time of service at the church. Memorial funds have been established for Evangelical Free Church of Chadwick and Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mount Carroll .
Contributed by Alice Horner

ERMA (ISENHART) WEBER , 79, died at the Savanna City Hospital, Savanna, on Tuesday ( 14 Aug. 1984) . Funeral services will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Frank Funeral home, Chadwick. Burial will be in the Chadwick Cemetery. The Rev. George David will officiate. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. Erma Weber was born on Jan. 21, 1905 in Carroll County, the daughter of Flave Lego and Mary Isenhart. On June 24, 1926 she married Ward Weber in Lanark. She was a member of the Chadwick United Methodist Church. Surviving are one son, Eugene, Chadwick; one daugher, Mrs. Oscar (Cleo) Brown Jr., Mt. Carroll; four grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; three brothers, Lawrence, Oregon, Richard, Sterling, and Glen, Mt. Carroll; and one sister, Mrs. Steve (Velma) Stifanich, Rock Falls. Preceding her in death were her husband, three brothers, and one infant child.
Contributed by Larry Reynolds - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois August 15, 1984 - Wednesday, pg A4

FRANK WEBER - Funeral service for Frank Weber, a Savanna resident for the past 40 years who died Tuesday, will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Hunter-Jones Memorial Home. Burial will be in Savanna Township Cemetery. Friends may call in the memorial home from 7 to 9 p.m. today.
Contributed by Pam Pickens - Freeport Journal-Standard, pg. 7Date: 3-4-1964

GRACE (SCHNEIDER) WEBER , 84, of Chadwick, died Monday evening at Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mount Carroll. She was a charter member of Chadwick Community Church. Born Dec. 5, 1896 in Carroll County, she was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Getz) Schneider. She married earl Weber Dec. 30, 1919. Surviving are one son, George of Chadwick; one sister, Mrs. Lucille (Orville) Beightol of Lanark; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, and one brother. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Chadwick Community Church with the Rev. Robert Porterfield officiating. Burial will be in Chadwick Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Frank Funeral Home in Chadwick. A memorial fund has been established.
Contributed by Alice Horner

JOSEPH WEBER , 83, formerly of Chadwick, died Wednesday (28 Jan 1981) at Northwest Hospital in Fort Worth Texas. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1:30i p.m. at the Frank Funeral home in Chadwick with burial in the Chadwick Cemetery. Visitation is from 7-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Weber was born Feb. 12, 1897 in Chadwick, the son of Henry ...... (see paper for more)
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 28, 1981 - Wednesday, pg A4

LAWRENCE A. WEBER , age 89, of Lanark, Illinois, died Saturday, October 18, 2008. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Reverend Kathryn Ling of the Lanark United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in the Lanark Cemetery with Full Military Rites. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 21 at the Funeral Home. Memorials may be given in Lawrence's name for the Lanark Public Library and the Lanark American Legion & VFW. Lawrence was born April 14, 1919, the son of Joe and Anna (O'Malley) Weber in Sycamore, Illinois. He graduated from Chadwick High School, class of 1937. Lawrence served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II in the European Theater. On November 21, 1949, Lawrence married JoAnn Asay in Chadwick, Illinois. Lawrence worked on farms in the Lanark area for twelve years, and later worked as an over the road truck driver for twenty-four years, until retiring in 1985. Lawrence was a member of the Lanark American Legion Post #0357 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed using his talents doing woodworking projects. Most of all, Lawrence enjoyed the time he spent with his family, friends and dog, Smokey. Lawrence will be dearly missed by his wife, JoAnn of rural Lanark; two sons, Larry Weber of Mt. Carroll and Tom (Judy) Weber of Lanark; three daughters, Jane (Michael) Manske of Park Falls, Wisconsin, Linda (Dick Bodine) Coomes of Urbana, Illinois and Beth (Gary) Cook of Rock Falls, Illinois; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Lawrence is preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Mike, LaVerne and Henry "Hank" Weber.
Contributed by Lori Gilbert

LLOYD A. WEBER , 84, of Mount Carroll died Sunday, July 18, 1999 at Freeport Memorial Hospital . He was born May 12, 1915 in Woodland Township , rural Mount Carroll , to John and Anna (Guenzler) Weber. On February 15, 1940 he and Virginia Mowry were married. He attended Henderson country school in rural Mount Carroll , and farmed all of his life near Mount Carroll . His memberships included Center Hill United Brethren Church in rural Mount Carroll and Jacobstown Community Club. He enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Karen (Lee) Butler of Freeport and Teresa (Don) Nowviock of Stockton; two sons, Tom (Judy) Weber of Venice, Florida, and David (Janice) Weber of Princeton; three granddaughters, Kim (Dave) Lyle of Venice, Angela Weber of Princeton, and Amy Nowviock of DeKalb; and two grandsons, Tim (Tashawna) Weber of Palmetto, Florida and Matthew Weber of Mount Prospect; and one great-granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Kastor. Preceding him in death were one daughter, Linda Lea, one sister, one brother, and both parents. The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Tueswday at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mount Carroll with the Rev. Lou Sari of Center Hill United Brethren Church officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Mount Carroll . Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established.
Contributed by Alice Horner

WARD WEBER - Funeral service for Ward Weber of Chadwick, who died Friday morning, February 28, 1975 at Sterling Community Hospital after a short illness, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday aft Frank Funeral Home in Chadwick. Burial will be in Chadwick Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Weber was a mechanic and operated a garage in Chadwick for 42 years. He was born February 8, 1906 in Salem Township, the son of Henry and Viola (Schreiner) Weber. He married Erma Lego on June 24, 1926 in Lanark. Surviving are his widow; a son, Eugene of Chadwick; a daughter, Mrs. Oscar (Cleo) Brown Jr. of Mount Carroll; four grandchildren; and a brother, Vernon of Lanark. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Contributed by Alice Horner - Freeport Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois March 1, 1975

DAVID WEED , of Lanark, died of pneumonia, Tuesday morning, after an illness of only four days. Mr. Weed was the owner of a farm east of Coleta.
Contributed by Karen Fyock - Undated Scrapbook Clipping.

BETTY L OUISE (PLUM) WIEBERS , 85, of Lanark, died Monday, Nov. 13, 2006, at her home. She was born April 13, 1921, near Polo, to Wilbur and Edna (Kuhn) Plum. She was baptized at West Branch Church of the Brethren where her grandfather, Samuel Plum, was the minister. Betty graduated from Amundson High School, Chicago, in 1939. Following graduation, she worked as an X-ray technician in Chicago. In 1941, she married Lawrence Wiebers in Oak Park and they moved to Watertown, N.Y., where Lawrence served the war effort working for New York Airbrake and Betty began her lifelong quest for perfect pie crust ... a goal she not only attained but taught to many students. Betty and Lawrence moved to Lanark in 1948, where Betty was instrumental in promoting the implementation of the first kindergarten class in the Lanark School District. She also enjoyed camping with her family and friends, and fishing and hunting trips to Canada and the Northwest. She also enjoyed traveling to Great Britain, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Denmark and Morocco. During the winter, Betty and Lawrence loved spending time in Florida, visiting the Gulf Coast beaches, enjoying fresh shrimp and playing cards every evening. Betty loved to play and teach bridge, and was an excellent player well into her 80s in spite of crippling arthritis. Above all, Betty was a reader. She was an excellent wordsmith and enjoyed challenging games of Scrabble - which she usually won. She also was known for what her husband lovingly described as a "razor-sharp tongue" and a "lead foot," able to "lay a patch" of rubber while backing out of the garage. She instilled in her children a love of music and harmony and loved to sing old hymns she learned from her grandfather. She was an excellent swimmer and made certain her children were also. A lifelong Democrat, she was forced to admit that, as a toddler, she was once "extracted" from the Rock River by Ronald Reagan when he was a lifeguard at Lowell Park in Dixon. Betty was a wonderful cook and confirmed "chocoholic." (Her last meal was chocolate cake!) She delighted in her many grandchildren, spoiling them with a fully stocked candy drawer. Betty loved to collect antiques and spent years studying and researching them. For years, one of her favorite pastimes was going to antique shows and shops across the country. Betty was preceded in death by her husband; her baby brother, Sherwood; and her beloved sister, Lois. She is survived by her four daughters, Laurie Ann (Ambrose) Gaines of Placida, Fla., Jennifer (Steve) Schneider of Scottsdale, Ariz., Amy (Robert) Ruch of Lanark and Melissa (Brad) Finifrock of Cherry Valley; her dear friend, Ferris Walker; her devoted caretaker, Annie; her 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 2006, at Lanark United Methodist Church. Arrangements were completed by Russell-Frank Funeral Home, Lanark.
Contributed by Joy Crofton-Kruse

ELLA (SMITH) WILCOX , 85, a former Mount Carroll resident, died Monday in Titusville, Fla. (The Social Security Death Index gives the date as August 1977.) She was born Feb. 22, 1892, the daughter of Charles and Mary Smith. Surviving are two sons, Myron of Titusville; and Donald, of Fort Pierce, Fla., and one daughter, Mrs. Eleanor Rummel, Titusville; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Frank Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. The Rev. Roger Treadway, pastor of the Lutheran Church, Mount Carroll, will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
Contributed by Alice Horner

PHILIP WILCOX - On Monday afternoon, May 7, Philip Wilcox of Hardin county, Iowa, was found dead in his granary. The deceased was nearly sixty years of age and was attending to his work as usual when he dropped dead. Mr. Wilcox was at one time a resident of the Town of Wysox, and was well known to all of the old settlers of Milledgeville.
Contributed by Karen Fyock - 1894 hand written on clipping

DIXIE L. (DEETS) WILKEN , 64, of Byron died Sunday, March 19, 2006, at Rockford Memorial Hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. The daughter of Lester and Jennie Wiltfang Deets was born June 25, 1941, in Rockford. Dixie married Loran Wilken in Forreston in November 1962. She was employed at Felker Pharmacy for 10 years and was a member of First Baptist Church of Byron. Dixie loved country music, dancing and her church family and friends. She is survived by her sons, Troy Wilken of Leaf River and Terry (Vicky) Wilken of Oregon; her sister, Joyce (Greg) Coleman; a niece, MaryAnne Fredricks; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Byron with the Rev. Randy Snider, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Adeline Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 506 W. Merchant St., Byron.
Contributed by JoLyn Crofton-Kruse

HARRIET WILSTED - At the home of her sister, Mrs. J. E. Sarber, near Milledgeville, Ill., Tuesday morning, Jan. 5, 18997, Mrs. Harriet Welsted, aged fifty-nine years, two months and six days. Harriet Starmer was born Oct. 29, 1837; was the eldest child of Daniel Starmer, one of Carroll county's first settlers, and was the first girl born in Elkhorn Township. She was twice married and to them seven children, two sons and five daughter were born, all of whom survive their mother. Here has been a checkered life, with much of sorrow and sadness crowded into it. The last year has been one of great suffering, so great that when the end came, it was felt by her friends, who have so kindly and patiently cared for her, to be a happy release.
Contributed by Karen Fyock - Undated Scrapbook Clipping

ALVIN WOODSIDE , age 71, of Mt. Carroll died October 9, 2007 at Freeport Memorial Hospital. Woody chose to donate his body to the University of Iowa for research. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 20, at 1 pm at the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Harkness officiating. Immediately following the service, the family invites everyone to join them in Fellowship Hall for visiting and refreshments. Woody was born August 14, 1936 to Lyle and Reva (Hobart) Woodside in Hancock County. He attended the local schools, graduating in 1954 and served in the US Army from 1955-1957. He graduated from Western Illinois University in 1961 with a teaching degree in Industrial Arts. Woody married Nancy Mueller August 30, 1959 in La Harpe. They moved to Mt. Carroll in 1961 along with their year old son, Jeff, where he taught for 16 years. In 1968 he graduated from University of Wisconsin, Platteville with a masters degree in Industrial Education. Daughter Mary Kay was born December 25, 1963 and Molly was born January 27, 1969. In 1977 the family bought the Gambles Hardware store in Mt. Carroll and operated this business until purchasing the Oakville Country Club in 1985. He continued in this endeavor until the time of his death. Woody was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Mt. Carroll Lions Club that honored him with the Melvin Jones Award, and Pheasants Forever. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography, and never passed a chance to play golf or cards with his friends. His children and grandchildren held a special place in his heart. Survivors include his wife; son, Jeff (Kim) of Mt. Carroll; daughters, Mary Kay (David) Rath of Savanna and Molly (Gary) Phillips of Juda, WI; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; his mother, Rena Woodside of Macomb; three sisters, Joan (Don) Painter of Lewistown, Wanda (Donald) Driskell of Blandinsville and Karen (Jay) Smith of Grosse Ile, MI. His father and brother, Dean, precede Alvin in death. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church, the Mt. Carroll Lions Club, the Chadwick or Mt. Carroll Ambulance Associations or a charity of your choice.
Contributed by Lori Gilbert

THOMAS HOWARD WOODSIDE - At Pasadena, California, Feb. 2nd, 1887, Mr. Thomas Howard Woodside, aged 33 years and 3 days.
Contributed by Karen Fyock - Undated Scrapbook Clipping