LaSalle County, IL Obituaries and Death Notices

Transcribed by Nancy Piper unless otherwise noted

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Delia Maria Beidleman

TAKEN FROM THE HENRY REPUBLICAN

November 25, 1869

Died at New Rutland, Nov. 16, after a short illness, Delia Maria, daughter of Dr. R. D. and Elizabeth Beidleman, aged 1 year and 9 months.

April 25, 1867

At Mendota, April 10, after a protracted illness, Mrs Susan Blakeslee, wife of Joseph Blakeslee, formerly of this city, age 36 years.

May 2, 1867

It is our sorrowful duty to record one more vacant chair, one more of earth’s gone to the land beyond. Mrs. Joseph Blakeslee, well known to many of our people from her long residence in Henry died April 10, at Mendota at the age of 36. She was a woman of many marked Christian qualities and excellencies and highly esteemed by all who knew her. She has been sick a long time and has patiently waited the time for the approach of the transition chair to bear her hence. She leaves behind a husband, three children and a host of loving and sympathizing friends to repair to meet her in the spiritual world. Just before her death she gave directions that all that sadness and gloom annually thrown around the coffin and the grave should be relieved as much as possible by whatever cheerfulness and sunshine could be imparted to the scene. No crepe should be displayed, no dirges sung, whatever voice should be uttered over the worn out body she would cast aside, should be a note of praise as death would be gain and the old material be supplanted by the spiritual in the land she was about to enter. Her dying request was for all to be ready as she summons.

Taken from the Marshall County Republican Newspaper, Henry, IL

February 7, 1867
Death by Falling of a Tree

A sad accident occurred at Rutland last week, which resulted in the death of George Brunner, a young man about 23 years of age. He went into the timber to cut wood, a short distance from the house, and not coming home at the usual time towards night, the wife became alarmed and asked some neighbors to go in search for him, when they found him dead in the woods.  The apparent case of his death seemed to be, that he undertook to fell a leaning tree, and commenced chopping it on the upper side, when a portion split off and was hurled into the air with great force, and as it came down struck Mr. B. a severe blow between the hip and spine, which knocked him down, but afterward must have regained his feet, and walked some 200 rods towards the house, when he again fell, and after a little exertion, gave up and expired.  He was an industrious man, beloved by all, and had been married about a year.  His funeral, in spite of the severe weather, was very large.

Emily Clarkson

September 19, 1867

Died at Ottawa, September 10, Emily, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Clarkson, age 17 months.

Amy E. Davis

Ashtabula, Ashtabula County, Ohio
April 11, 2007

Ottawa, Ill.: Amy E. Davis, 87, formerly of Ashtabula, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007.  Graveside services and burial were held in Cairo, Ill. - Donated by Sharon Wick

Mrs. Raymond (Ellice P.) Dinges, 60, of Sublette, principal of the Sublette Elementary School, died at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16 in Mendota Community Hospital where she was admitted earlier that day. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Sublette, with the Rev. Philip Bajo officiating. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert Setchell, Gary Setchell, James Bankes, Delmar Dinges, Bruce Dinges and Donald Stephenitch. Visitation was after 7 p.m. Saturday at the Schwartz Funeral Home with the scripture service at 8 p.m. Sunday. Ellice Dinges, nee Setchell, was born June 7, 1909 in Mendota, the daughter of Webb H. and Margaret Pohl Setchell. She married Raymond Dinges Feb. 27, 1935 in Sublette. Surviving are her husband; one son, Donald of Sublette, three grandchildren; two brothers, George Setchell, Sublette and Webster Setchell of Ottawa; and one sister, Mrs. John (Faith) Ferguson of Wheaton. Her parents preceded her in death. Mrs. Dinges was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Sublette and St. Anne's society of the church. She was also a member of the Sublette Fire Bells, Sublette PTA, Modern Matrons, National Education Association, Northern Illinois Reading Council, International Reading Council, Delta Kappa Gamma, International Education Honor Society and the Thespians of DeKalb. She was a retired village clerk, past president of the Rock River Division of the Illinois Education Association, past president of the Lee County Teachers Association and past president of the Amboy Education Association. - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: Mendota Reporter, Thursday, April 23, 1970, Page 8 - Col. 3 - 4

DELLA A. (Wheeler) GILLETTE EARICH

The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
March 6, 1961 - Monday, pg 2 col 1

Mrs. Della A. Earich Dies; Rites In Mendota

Funeral arrangements are being completed at the Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota for Mrs. Della A. Earich, 75, who had been residing at 1511 1st Avenue, Rock Falls in the home of her son Charles (Jay) Gillette, where she passed away Sunday afternoon.

Mrs. Earich was born Jan. 1, 1866 in Elkland, Mo., the daughter of Newton and Rejina Wheeler. She attended school in Elkland, Mo. On Aug. 12, 1909 she was united in marriage to Franklyn Gillette and then the couple moved to Mendota to make their home where she spent most of her life. After the death of Mr. Gillette she was united in marriage to Ebert Earich and the couple continued to live in Mendota until his death.

At the age of 13, she joined the Pleasant View Methodist Church where she had been very active teaching Sunday School Classes until her failing health would no longer permit.

She is survived by three sons, Newton of Sycamore; Charles (Jay) of Rock Falls and Clinton, of Clearwater, Fla.; one half sister, Mrs. Mabel Hiensroth of Mendota; one sister, Mrs. Rejina Salaman of Marshfield, Mo.; two brothers, Lee Wheeler of Elkland, Mo., and Charles, of Marshfield, Mo.; seven grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren, two great grandchildren and 20 step great grandchildren.   She was preceded by her parents and both husbands.

The body was removed from the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home in Rock Falls to the Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota where services are tentatively set for Thursday afternoon pending word from the son in Florida. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery at Mendota. - Contributed by Melva Taylor

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Daniel Frowley

Taken From the Hennepin Tribune, Hennepin, IL
February 5, 1858

Drowned
We learn from a La Salle Journal that a man named Daniel Frowley, aged about 25 years, was drowned in the Illinois river opposite that place Sunday last. He leaves no family.

MRS. FRED GUSTAVSON, 56 (nee Pohl)

Mrs. Fred (Mildred P.) Gustavson, 56, of 1407 Lincoln Ave. died at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in Mendota Community Hospital where she had been a patient since Wednesday morning. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. John’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Albert Heidmann, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were John Meusel, W. B. Walters, Robert Gillette, Karl Brunner, Paul Mealey and Arthur Unzicker. Visitation was after 2 p.m. Friday and until 11 a.m. Saturday at Merritt’s Funeral Home. Mildred Gustavson, nee Pohl, was born April 19, 1912 in Mendota, the daughter of Jacob and Carrie Herman Pohl. She was a graduate of Mendota Township High School with the class of 1930 and of the Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital School of Nursing at Dixon. She was employed for a number of years as a registered nurse at the former Harris Hospital. On April 29, 1947 she was united in marriage to Fred Gustavson. Surviving are her husband, nieces and nephews. Her parents and an infant son, William Charles, preceded her in death. Mrs. Gustavson was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and Esther Circle of the ALCW, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Rebekahs, Eastern Star, Galilee Shrine and Royal Neighbors. She was also a charter member of the Mendota Business and Professional Women’s Club and of the Mendota Nurses Club, and held membership in the Fourth District Nurses. - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, March 6, 1969, Page 8 – Col. 5-6

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Mrs. Elizabeth Halterman

Mrs. Elizabeth Halterman, 61, Ottawa, died Wednesday morning in Ottawa Community Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday in the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa, with the rev. Ambrose Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Memorial Park. Elizabeth Halterman was born on Mar. 9, 1922 in Ottawa, the daughter of John and Mae White Eurr. In 1942 she married Louis Halterman in Aurora. He was am ember of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Otawwa. Surviving are one son, Jerry Ottawa, three grandchildren; one brother, Mathew Furr, Sterling, and one sister, Mrs. Francis (Mary Kathryn) Mettile, Ottawa. Preceding her in death was her husband in 1963 - Contributed by Margaret Mangers

From the Daily Gazette 9 Jun 1983

PETER HENRICH 93

Peter Henrich, 93, a resident of Mendota for about thirty-six years, died at 8:15 p.m., Monday, February 16, in Mendota Community Hospital where he had been a patient since Saturday. Since the death of his wife, he had been making his home with his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George Henrich Sr., in Sublette Township, four miles northeast of Sublette. Mr. Henrich was born September 7, 1859, in Wallenheim, Germany, the son of Conrad and Catherine Marie Henrich. In August of 1882, he came to this country and on December 26, 1886, was united in marriage with Margaret Pohl who preceded him in death October 11, 1951. Mr. and Mrs. Henrich resided on the farm in Sublette Township until 1916 when they retired and moved to Mendota. They were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding in 1936. Surviving is one son, George Henrich, Sr., of Sublette. A daughter, Mrs. John (Nettie) Mahaffey, died in 1911. Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon, 1:30 o'clock at Bailey's funeral home and 2:00 o'clock in St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Albert Heidmann, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Restland cemetery. . - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, February 19, 1953, Page 1 - Col. 8

MARY MARGARET HENRICH (nee Pohl) 90

Funeral services for the late Mrs. Peter Henrich, 90, who died at her home, 1010 Illinois Avenue, shortly after 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 10, were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Bailey's Funeral Home and at 2:00 p.m. in St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Albert Heidmann officiating. Singers were Mrs. B. Harry Reck and Mrs. Ralph Jacob and the organist was Miss Katherine Schuetz. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert Kerns, Ralph Jacob, Julius Schaller, John Faber, Byron Their and LeRoy Clink. Margaret Mary Henrich, nee Pohl, was born August 13, 1861 in Sublette Township, Lee County, a daughter of George and Margaret Schaller Pohl. In early infancy she was affiliated with St. Paul's Church on the Old Chicago Road where she was baptized and confirmed. December 26, 1886 she was united in marriage with Peter Henrich by the Rev. C. W. Starck of St. Paul's Church. To this union two children were born. Surviving are her husband, her son, George of Mendota; two brothers, George Pohl of Aurora and Jacob Pohl of Mendota; two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Kessel of Amboy and formerly of Mendota and Mrs. Rose Schenebricker of Rock Island; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A daughter, Mrs. Antonette Elizabeth Mahaffey died in July of 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Henrich retired about 35 years ago after farming in Sublette Township and since that time have resided in Mendota. Mrs. Henrich was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and a member of the Ladies Aid. . - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, October 18, 1951, Page 1 - Col. 6

Edward Holland

Edward Holland, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Ottawa, died very suddenly in a congestive chill. Half an hour before his death, he was on the street in apparent good health. - Ottawa Free Trader, Jan. 9

Taken From the Hennepin Tribune, Hennepin, IL January 22, 1858

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Children of Isaac Lock

Taken From the Hennepin Tribune, Hennepin, IL
March 26,1858

Terrible accident on the Vermillion - Two children drowned
At about 11:00 on Saturday last, as Mr. Isaac Lock, with a two horse wagon containing himself, wife and two children attempted to cross the Vermillion river, at the upper Schoonover Ford, about 4 miles above Vermillionville, in this county, the wagon, on account of the too great depth of the water was upset, and all in it precipitated into the water. Mr. Lock saved himself by leaping on the ice, which was unbroken a few yards below the ford and with difficulty also seized his wife and drew her onto the ice as she was on the point of going under. Both children however, we are grieved to say passed under the ice and although dilligent search has been made by hundreds of neighbors, have not yet been found. The children were a boy 10 years old and a girl 7 years old. Mr. Lock resides on the Green farm about 4 miles south of Ottawa. He moved from the neighborhood of Louisburg, Pebble county, Ohio about a year ago and on the day of this overwhelming misfortune was going with his family on a visit to his brother Jacob Lock who lives in the town of Eagle. - From the Ottawa Free Trader.

In Hopewell township, La Salle Co. IL, Harriet Lowrey, wife of W. H. Lowrey, formerly resident of this vicinity, a daughter of M. Dorr, Providence.

Taken from the Courier Newspaper, Henry, IL March 6, 1857

James Lowery

James Lowery, late co-editor and proprietor of the Ottawa Constitutionalist, died on the 30th ult.

Taken From: Alton Telegraph And Democratic Review (Alton, Illinois) July 23, 1852

Michael Menan

Taken From the Hennepin Tribune, Hennepin, IL
January 22, 1858

Fatal Accident on the C & R. I. R. R.
We learn from the La Salle Journal that Michael Menan was killed by falling between the cars while attempting to pass from one to the other on Saturday last. His legs were cut off and his head mangled in the most frightful manner. His remains were taken in charge by his brother.

Son of Mr. Mills

Taken From the Hennepin Tribune, Hennepin, IL
May 28, 1858

Drowned

The Peru Sentinal says that a son of Mr. Mills, ex-mayor of LaSalle, aged about 17 or 18 years, was drowned on Monday last in a canal near LaSalle. He was attending to some business for his father about the canal boats and while sculling a skiff, from one boat to another, accidently fell overboard and was drowned before assistance could reach him.

Samuel Musser, 85, of 1507 Guiles Ave., Mendota, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at Mendota Lutheran Home. He was employed by Wayside Press, Mendota, in the bindery department for 29 years, retiring in 1990. Mr. Musser was born Sept. 1, 1921, in Sublette, the son of Isaac and Nettie (Clink) Musser. He married Ruth Heinzeroth on Sept. 20, 1949, in Mendota. He was a member of Zion United Methodist Church, Mendota. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Linda (Raymond) Karstens and Kathleen (John) Clark, both of Mendota, and Diane (Kristen) Waller of Galesburg; three sisters, Ila Blevins of Mount Morris and Laura Johnson and Mabel (Clifford) Geuther, both of Mendota; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Friday at Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, with the Rev. Gale Brandner officiating. Burial is at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to Mendota Lutheran Home and the American Heart Association.- Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Dixon Telegraph, Thursday, August 30, 2007, Page A2 – Col. 1-2

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Children of Mr. Quimby

Alton Telegraph And Democratic Review (Alton, Illinois)
February 11, 1853

A dispatch to the Chicago papers states that a fire occurred in Ottawa on the evening of the 25th inst., and that two children of Mr. Quimby, the occupant, in endeavoring to make their escape from the burning building were suffocated by the smoke and perished in the flames.

Mr. Rice

Taken From the Hennepin Tribune, Hennepin, IL

April 30, 1858

We learn from the La Salle Press that a man named Rice, while attempting to cross the Little Vermillion on horseback, was carried downstream by the force of the current and was drowned. Search was made for the body but at last accounts it was not found.

January 9, 1868

Died at Mendota, December 29, of congestion of the brain, Eddy, oldest son of Robert H. and Helen Ruggles, age 9 years and 9 months.

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MARGARET MARY TRUCKENBROD (nee Pohl) 79

Mrs. Fred (Margaret) Truckenbrod, 79, of Compton, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, in Mendota Community Hospital. She was admitted as a patient last Friday. Visitation will be at the Schwarz funeral home until 11:00 a.m. Friday when the body will be taken to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Township, where services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. by the Rev. L. J. Grosshans. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery. Margaret Mary Truckenbrod, nee Pohl, was born May 26, 1876, in Clarion township, the daughter of John G. and Katharine Yost Pohl. February 18, 1896, she was united in marriage to Fred Truckenbrod who preceded her in death November 26, 1937. The couple farmed near Compton and moved to the village when they retired about twenty years ago. Surviving are two sons, Theodore, Paw Paw, and Harvey, West Brooklyn; two daughters, Mrs. John (Gertrude) Gallagher, Hinckley, and Mrs. Elmer (Lillian) Bauer, LaMoille; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Herman Pohl, Pomeroy, Iowa, and Dan Pohl, Spring Valley; also one sister, Mrs. William Bruckner, Roscoe. Preceding her in death besides her parents and husband, were two sisters, Mrs. Louise Heiman and Cora Pohl, and one brother, who died infancy. - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Mendota, LaSalle County, Illinois.

THEODORE “Ted” TRUCKENBROD 87

Paw Paw __ Theodore W. Truckenbrod, 87, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1989 in Mendota Community Hospital. He farmed in the Paw Paw area, prior to his retirement. He was born Nov. 20, 1901 in Lee County, to Frederick and Margaret (Pohl) Truckenbrod. He was married to Emma Miller Jan. 12, 1937 in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton. He was preceded in death by one sister. Survivors include his wife of Paw Paw; son Myron of Paw Paw; daughter Mrs. Dean (Elaine) Eich of Paw Paw; brother, Harvey of Rochelle; sister, Lillian Bauer of LaMoille; six grandchildren. Funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday in Torman and Sons Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kelly Fryer, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton, officiating. Burial is in Restland Memorial Gardens, Mendota. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. A memorial has been established. - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Mendota, LaSalle County, Illinois.

RALPH W. (Bud) ULTCH, 71

Ralph W. (Bud) Ultch, 71, formerly of Sublette, died at his home in Townsend, Mont., Friday, Feb. 28, 1986. Cremation took place in Helena followed by a service at the mountain ranch at White Sulphur Springs, Mont. Memorial services were also held at the Sublette Union Church on Tuesday, March 11. Mr. Ultch was born Oct. 30, 1914 in Sublette to Will and Lydia Pohl Ultch. He was a 46-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a lifetime member of the Sublette Union Church. He had retired to Townsend eight years ago after leaving the Bar U Ranch at Sublette, a four generation grain and feeder operation. He married Lela Strout in 1940 in Troy Grove. He is survived by his wife in Townsend; two daughters, Anita Renee Ceitell, LasCruces, N.M. and Cherrlynn Calvert of Columbus, Mont.; one son, William of LaSalle; seven grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. James (Dorothy) Holman, Sarasota, Fla. Memorials may be directed to the Shriners" Crippled Children's Hospital. - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, March 19, 1986, Page 4 - Col. 1

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Ralph (Bud) Ultch, Townsend, Montana died Friday, Feb. 28, 1986. A memorial service was held at the Sublette Union Church at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11. The family formerly resided in Sublette. - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, March 12, 1986, Page 4 - Col. 3

MRS. WILL ULTCH (nee Pohl)

Funeral services for Mrs. Will (Lydia) Ultch, 87, were held at 1’30 p.m. Monday at Merritt’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Thor Bogren Jr. officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Services were postponed from Friday due to the severe weather conditions. Pallbearers were Edward Erbes, Archie Clark, Charles Brown, Forrest Hicks, Melvin Wilson and Alvin Zimmerlein. Visitation was from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials were directed to the Mendota Lutheran Home. Mrs. Ultch died Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 1 p.m. at the Mendota Lutheran Home where she had been a resident since Jan. 2, 1974. She was born Aug. 20, 1889 in Mendota, a daughter of John and Anna (Bauer) Pohl. She was married to William F. Ultch, Jan. 12, 1910 in Mendota and he preceded her in death in November 1971. Surviving are one son, Ralph, of Sublette; one daughter, Mrs. James (Dorothy) Holman, Sarasota, Fla.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Helen Peterson of Joliet. Preceding her in death other than her parents and husband, were two sisters, Belle Brown and Ida Grothen, and one brother, Karl Pohl. Mrs. Ultch was a member of the Union Church, Sublette, and the Sublette Women’s Club. She was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star. - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, February 2, 1977, Page 4 – Col. 3-4

William Frederick Ultch, 88, of 1200 Chicago St., passed away about 10:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28 in Sunrise Nursing Home where he had been a resident since Oct. 10. He had served as charter treasurer of the Sublette Union Church, was a charter member of the Lee County Farm Bureau and had served as Sublette Township treasurer for a number of years. He was a 61 year Mason having been a member of the Sublette Lodge until it was disbanded and then he became a member of Mendota Lodge 176 AF & AM. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Merritt's Funeral Home with the Rev. John Duffy officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Donald Ultch, Roland Ullrich, LeRoy Engelhardt, Charles Brown, Forrest Hicks and Herschel Peterson. Visitation was from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Masonic rites at 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials were directed to the Sublette Union Church or the Mendota Lutheran Home. Mr. Ultch, who had farmed in the Sublette area until retiring and moving to Mendota, was born Dec. 24, 1882 in Sublette, the son of Edward and Charlotte Fassig Ultch. He was married to Lydia Pohl on Jan. 12, 1910, in Mendota. Surviving are his wife; one son, Ralph of Sublette; one daughter, Mrs. James (Dorothy) Holman of LaGrange; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three sisters, Mrs. Alma Oester of Mendota, Mrs. Emma Ullrich of Franklin Grove and Mrs. Roy (Esther) Brown of Livermore, Calif.; nieces and nephews. - Contributed by Pat Esterday

Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, December 2, 1971, Page 8 - Col. 5

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