LaSalle County, IL Obituaries and Death Notices
Transcribed by Nancy Piper unless otherwise noted
K
EDWARD KESSEL, 72
Mr. Edward Kessel was taken from this vale of sorrow last Saturday afternoon, April 30th after a long period of illness. Mr. Kessel had reached the age of 72 years, 1 month and 23 days. Mr. Kessel had been in poor health for some time and all during his illness was tenderly cared for by his faithful wife who did everything possible to relieve his sufferings. Mr. Kessel, the fifth child of Adam and Barbara, nee Fetzer Kessel, was born at Maytown on March 7, 1860 and was baptized in St. Paul's church on the Old Chicago road soon after his birth. He was also instructed and confirmed there. On January 30, 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Pohl. This union proved to be a happy one and was blessed with two daughters, both of whom survive their father. Mr. Kessel rented farms for several years after his marriage and in 1909 purchased a farm four miles north of Mendota. He worked very diligently and deserved the reputation of an efficient and thrifty farmer. In 1917 he and his wife retired and moved to Mendota. He was ever a busy man until illness made it difficult and finally impossible for him to get about. The deceased was respected by his neighbors and many friends. He was a consistent member of St. Paul's church of Perkins Grove during his residence in that locality and of St. John's Lutheran church of Mendota since his retirement. He was also a member of St. John's Lutheran Brotherhood. He is survived by his faithful wife and two grateful daughters, Mrs. Edwin Schlesinger and Mrs. Romer Reis, two grandchildren, Delphan and Clarmont Schlesinger; two brothers, Mr. George Kessel of Maytown, Mr. Jacob Kessel, Shaw Station; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Limmer and Mrs. Jacob Wolf of Mendota. His parents, five brothers, Philip, Ferdinand, Conrad, Henry and Albert Kessel, and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Burdy preceded him in death. Funeral services were held Tuesday at 1:30 o'clock from the home and at 2 o'clock from St. John's Lutheran church with Rev. A. W. Engelbrecht in charge. Interment was made in Restland Cemetery, Mendota. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, May 5, 1932, Page 8 - Col. 5
ELIZABETH KESSEL, 90 (nee Pohl)
Mrs. Edward (Elizabeth M.) Kessel, 90, who made her home with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin H. Schlesinger at 1006 Thirteenth Avenue, died at 5:35 a.m. Thursday, May 26, in Mendota Community Hospital. She had been a patient since the previous Saturday. Friends called at Bailey's funeral home. Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 28, in St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Albert Heidman, pastor, officiating. Miss Ina Stein was organist and singers were Mrs. Ralph Jacob and Mrs. B. Harry Reck. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Delphan Schlesinger, Clarmont Schlesinger, Harold Stephenitch, Otto Stephenitch Jr., Harold Schenebricker and Walter Pohl. Born June 15, 1864 in Lee County, she was the daughter of George and Margaret Schaller Pohl. She was baptized in Perkins Grove Church where she was confirmed March 25, 1877 by Reverend Mauermann. January 30, 1890 she was united in marriage to Edward Kessel by Reverend Plum of Perkins Grove. The couple resided on a farm north of Mendota until 1917 when they moved to town. Mr. Kessel preceded his wife in death April 30, 1932. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Edwin H. (Hattie) Schlesinger, Mendota, and Mrs. Otto (Lillie) Stephenitch, Amboy, six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, June 2, 1955, Page 8 - Col. 6
ELIZABETH KOERPER, 85, (nee Brucker)
Mrs. Henry (Elizabeth) Koerper, 85, died suddenly at her home, 1107 Monroe Street, Sunday afternoon, March 2. She had laid down in the afternoon to rest and was found dead about 4:00 o'clock. She had been under a doctor's care for some time. Elizabeth Brucker Koerper was born August 31, 1872 in Sublette Township, a daughter of the late Jacob and Catherine Betz Brucker. She was married to Phillip Henry Koerper, February 16, 1892, in the Church on the Old Chicago Road, and the couple resided on a farm in Sublette Township until sixteen years ago when they moved to Mendota. Mr. Koerper died April 5, 1952. Mrs. Koerper was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. Surviving are two sons, Paul of Mendota and George, Sublette; five daughters, Mrs. Harvey Wohlfert of Davis Junction, the Misses Lillian, Clara and Florence Koerper of Dixon, and Miss Martha Koerper at home; six grandchildren; two brothers, William Brucker of Mendota and George Brucker, Sublette; four sisters, Miss Rose Brucker and Mrs. John Sibigtroth of Mendota, Mrs. Herman Sibigtroth and Mrs. Henry Bauer, Oelwein, Iowa. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock in St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Albert Heidmann officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Visitation was at Merritt's funeral home. Pallbearers were Roy Brucker, Howard Brucker, Edwin Sibigtroth, Karl Betz, Lester Betz and Richard Betz. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, March 6, 1958, Page 2 - Col. 3
PAUL H. KOERPER, 75
Paul H. Koerper, 75, of RR 1, LaMoille, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 1983 in Mendota Community Hospital where he had been a patient since Dec. 16. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday in St. John's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. David Quarbert officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Marvin Koerper, Kevin Cherry, H. Merritt Setchell, J. Dean Reynolds, Glen Fischer and Dr. Dwight Becker. Visitation was Friday evening in Merritt Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church or to the donor's choice. Mr. Koerper was born Sept. 19, 1907 in Sublette Township to Henry and Elizabeth (Brucker) Koerper. He married the former Lorraine Lorey in 1941 in Streator. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He had farmed his entire adult life and for many years he was a seed corn salesman for Hughes Hybrid Seed Company. Mr. Koerper is survived by his wife; a son, Kevin of New York City, N.Y.; two daughters, Mrs. George (Cheryl) Ginder of Rochester, and Mrs. Dennis (Leslie) Wilson of Richton Park; six grandchildren; a brother, George of Geneseo; and five sisters, Miss Martha Koerper and Mrs. Rose Wohlfert of Mendota and Miss Lillian Koerper, Miss Clara Koerper and Miss Florence Koerper, all of Dixon. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, December 28, 1983, Page 4 - Col. 1-2
PHILIP HENRY KOERPER, 84
Philip Henry Koerper, 84, passed away at his home, 1107 Monroe Street, about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5. His death was quite sudden although he had been in failing health for the past several months. Born April 2, 1868 on a farm near Henkel, Lee County, he was a son of Jacob and Margaret Pohl Koerper. February 16, 1892 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Brucker and to this union ten children were born. The couple resided on the farm near Henkel where Mr. Koerper was born until moving to Mendota 11 years ago. Mr. Koerper was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. Surviving are his wife; eight children, William and Mrs. Harvey Wohlfert of Davis Junction, Lillian, Clara and Florence of Dixon, Paul of Mendota, Martha of Ottawa and George of Sublette; six grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Carl Kramer of Mendota, Mrs. George Kersten of Sheldon, Iowa, and Mrs. Minna Farnsworth of Los Angeles, California; and one brother, John of Oakland, California. A son died in infancy and a daughter, Edna, died in 1932. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Jacob, George, Will and Charles, and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Englehardt and Mrs. Louise Lutz. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Albert Heidmann officiating. Miss Katherine Schuetz was organist and John Goebel, soloist. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Edgar Koerper, Lester Kramer, Elmer Kramer, Howard Brucker, Roy Brucker and Edwin Sibigtroth. Relatives and friends from a distance attending the Koerper funeral were; Mr. and Mrs. George Kersten, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brunk, Sheldon, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Grissell, Mrs. Minnie Esterday, Mrs. Edward Whitney, Van Orin; Mr. and Mrs. Reinhold Zwicher, Rock Island; Dr. George Rathbun, Princeton; Arthur Hill, Miss Helen Lorey and Merritt Setchell, Streator; Mrs. Floyd Wohlfert, Newark; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brucker, Franklin Grove; Mrs. William Meyer, Mrs. Dunlop, Mrs. Edward Schick, John Shanks, Dixon. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, April 10, 1952, Page 1 - Col. 6