LaSalle County, IL Obituaries and Death Notices
Transcribed by Nancy Piper unless otherwise noted
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EDWIN H. SCHLESINGER, 75
Edwin H. Schlesinger, 75, 1315 Monroe Street, Mendota, died at Mendota Community Hospital Saturday, November 16 where he had been admitted November 7. He had been in failing health for quite some time. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton, and burial was in Restland Cemetery. The Reverend R. S. Kolberg was the officiating pastor and pallbearers were Ottomar, Harold, Marvin and LaVerne Schlesinger, Harold Stephenitch and Otto Stephenitch Jr. Visitation was at Schwarz funeral home. Mr. Schlesinger was born August 13, 1888 in Brooklyn Township, Lee County, a son of George and Matilda Heiman Schlesinger. He married Miss Hattie Kessel at Immanuel Lutheran Church September 18, 1912 and she survives. He was a retired farmer and a member of Mendota B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1212. Surviving in addition to the widow are two sons, Delphan of Sublette and Clarmont of Mendota, eight grandchildren and on great-grandchild; two brothers, Otto and Albert Schlesinger of Mendota; and one sister, Mrs. Lorena Schmitz, Mendota. His parents, a daughter who died in infancy, and two brothers, John and George Schlesinger, preceded him in death. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, November 21, 1963, Page 2 - Col. 1
HATTIE SCHLESINGER, 89 (nee Kessel)
Mrs. Hattie Schlesinger, 89, of 1315 Monroe St., died at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, 1979, at the Mendota Lutheran Home where she had been a resident the past year. The funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Compton, with the Rev. Jerrold Elling, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gale Schlesinger, Bill Schlesinger, Jack Schlesinger, Randy Schlesinger, Don Schlesinger, and Brent Ehlers. Visitation was from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Schwarz Funeral Home. Memorials were directed to the church or the Mendota Lutheran Home. Mrs. Schlesinger was born Sept. 16, 1890, in LaSalle County, a daughter of Edwin and Elizabeth Kessel. She married Edwin Schlesinger Sept. 18, 1912 in Compton and he preceded her in death Nov. 16, 1963. Also preceding her in death were an infant daughter and a sister. Surviving are two sons, Delphan of Sublette and Clarmont of Mendota, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was a member of ALCW of the Compton church. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, September 25, 1979, Page 4 - Col. 1
CLIFFORD M. SETCHELL (72)
Clifford M. Setchell, 72, of 802 Fifth Ave., Mendota, died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at Mendota Community Hospital where he had been a patient since March 9. He had been ill for several months. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Merritt Funeral Home with the Rev. David W. Tracy officiating. Burial was at Restland Cemetery and pallbearers were Howard Yenerich, Gerald Snyder, Lowell Dilbeck, Karl Betz, Karl Brunner and Darwin Moore. Visitation was at the funeral home Friday afternoon and evening. Mr. Setchell was born Feb. 13, 1897, at Mendota, a son of Mortimer Setchell and Ellice Freeland Setchell. He married Ethel Stone at Mendota Jan. 3, 1918 and she survives. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Mendota, and farmed east of Mendota for 35 years until his retirement several years ago. Surviving besides his wife, Ethel, are two sons, William and Floyd, both of Mendota; two daughters, Mrs. William (Ruth) Heagy of Ashland, Wis., and Mrs. Wayne (Myrtle) Hitchins of rural Mendota; 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Harry, Mark and Glenn, all of Mendota; and one sister, Mrs. Leila Randau of Ames, Iowa. His parents and three brothers, Webster, Earl and Jay, preceded him in death. Taken from: Mendota Reporter, Thursday, March 27, 1969, Page 8, Col. 3 . - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Earl M. Setchell, 87, 1009 Monroe St., Mendota, died early Friday, June 7, at an Oak Lawn Hospital following an illness of several months. Mr. Setchell had been residing with his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Setchell of Chicago since last October. Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the Merritt funeral Home with the Rev. Thor Borgren, pastor of First United Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery and pallbearers were Gilbert, Warren, William, Keith, Ronald and Vernon Setchell Jr., nephews and grandsons of the deceased. Visitation was at the funeral home Sunday afternoon and evening. Mr. Setchell was born in Troy Grove Township Jan. 11, 1881, a son of Mortimer Setchell and Ellice Freeland Setchell. He married Mary McMillan at Mendota Jan. 25, 1905, and she died in 1957. Mr. Setchell farmed east of Mendota for many years and at his retirement, moved with his wife to the Monroe St. home. He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church of which he was an elder. Surviving are two sons, Lawrence of Chicago and Vernon of Chetek, Wis.; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; four brothers, Harry, Mark, Glenn and Clifford, all of Mendota; and a sister, Mrs. Fred (Ila) Randau of Iowa. His parents, wife and two brothers, Jay and Webster, preceded him in death. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Saturday, June 8, 1968, Page 4 Col. 5
GEORGE E. SETCHELL (78)
George E. Setchell, 78, of 809 5th. Ave., a retired Sublette Township farmer, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 1982 in Heritage Manor. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Raymond Kirk officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Visitation was from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Merritt Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Larry G., Craig A., and Bruce C. Setchell, James Burke, Donald King and Michael Loebach.Jonorary pallbearers were Milton Dewey, Alton Zinke, Joseph Letl, Gilbert Brucker, Darrell Ellsworth and Charles Fahler. Mr. Setchell was born June 9, 1904 in Troy Grove Township to Webb and Margaret (Pohl) Setchell. He married Faith Crandall Dec. 7, 1925 in Menominee, Mich. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He and his wife had farmed in rural Sublette Township prior to their moving to Mendota in August of 1979. He is survived by his wife; four sons, Bruce of Crete, Robert and David, both of Sublette, and Jacque of Amboy; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Faith Ferguson of Rushville. Memorials were directed to the First United Methodist Church or the donor's choice. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, December 15, 1982, Page 4 - Col. 2
HARRY C. SETCHELL
Harry C. Setchell, 87, a former resident of RR. 3 in Troy Grove Township, passed away at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 in Sunrise Nursing Home where he had been a resident since June 25, 1969. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Merritt's Funeral Home with the Rev. Thor Bogren of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert, Ronald, Gary, Jay, Tom and Richard Setchell. Visitation were Friday evening from 7 to 9 o'clock at Merritt's Funeral Home. Mr. Setchell was born Nov. 27, 1882 in Mendota, the son of Mortimer T. and Ellice Freeland Setchell. He married Ursula Moore Sept. 7, 1909 and they had a daughter who died in infancy. He married Margaret Bines Nov. 27, 1943. Surviving are his wife; two stepdaughters, Mrs. Margaret Fischer of Pekin and Miss Anna Bines of Ft. Worth, Texas; three step-grandchildren; two brothers, Mark and Glenn of Mendota and one sister, Mrs. Fred (Leila) Randau of Ames, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Jay, Webb, Earl and Clifford. Mr. Setchell was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church and of the Troy Grove Masonic Lodge. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, October 8, 1970, Page 2 - Col. 5
MARK H. SETCHELL
Mark H. Setchell, 95, 309 Sicth St. died Jan. 9, 1986 in the Mendota Lutheran Home, where he resided since December 1984. Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Merritt Funeral Home, with the Rev. James Norton officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Visitation was from 2 - 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers were Robert Cromwell, Douglas Setchell, Jeffrey Ruberg, Jacob Rinehart, Glenn Randau and George Wixon. Mr. Setchell was born April 3, 1890 in rural Mendota to Mortimer and Ellice (Freeland) Setchell. He married Maude Cromwell Sept. 8, 1920 in Mendota. He farmed in Ophir and Troy Grove Townships until he moved to Mendota in 1960. He is survived by his wife, Maude; one son, Warren of LaSalle; two grandchildren, Douglas, Mendota, and Mrs. Jeffrey (Anita) Ruberg, Somonauk; a sister, Mrs. Ila Randau, Ames, Iowa. He was preceded in death by six brothers and a daughter, Mrs. Donald (Lois) Salander and three grandsons. Mr. Setchell was an Army veteran of World War I. Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice or the Triumph Methodist Church. Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, January 15, 1986, Page 4 - Col. 1 - Contributed by Pat Esterday
GLENN S. SETCHELL
Glenn S. Setchell, 81, of RR 3 Mendota, died at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, in Mendota Community Hospital where he had been admitted as a patient Dec. 30. Private funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Merritt's Funeral Home with the Rev. Walter Lunsford of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers were John Noble, Lowell Dilbeck, Richard Ritenour, Robert Page, Fred Morris and Kenneth Kreiser. There was no visitation. Memorials were directed to the heart fund. Born Oct. 2, 1893 in Mendota, he was a son of Mortimer and Ellice Freeland Setchell. He married Edith Rempfer Dec. 8, 1914 in Elliottsburg, Pa. Surviving are his wife; one daughter, Mrs. Lee (Elizabeth) Stewart, West Chicago; one son, Gilbert, RR 3 Mendota; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Mark of Mendota and one sister, Mrs. Leila Randau, Ames, Iowa. Preceding him in death were his parents and five brothers, Webb, Earl, Harry, Jay and Clifford. Mr. Setchell was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Farm Bureau. He had farmed most of his lifetime. Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, January 8, 1975, Page 4 - Col. 1 - Contributed by Pat Esterday
WEBB H. SETCHELL
Taken from: Mendota Reporter, Thursday, October 23, 1952, Page 1 - Col. 4
Funeral services for the late Webb H. Setchell, 75, 500 Sixth Avenue, were held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 18, in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Wilbert E. Hare officiating. Mrs. Charles Salander was soloist and Miss Florence Goodwin, organist. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Schwarz funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Gilbert Setchell, Warren Setchell, Floyd Setchell, William Setchell, Lawrence Setchell and Glen Randau. Mr. Setchell passed away about 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, in Mendota Community Hospital where he had been a patient for three months. He had been in failing health since spring and was taken seriously ill while in Rochester, Minnesota. He was brought by ambulance from Rochester to the local hospital. Born September 5, 1877, in Troy Grove Township, LaSalle County, he was the son of Mortimer and Ellice Frieland. December 7, 1900, he was united in marriage with Margaret Pohl and to this union four children were born. One daughter, Margaret, died in infancy. Mrs. Setchell died in 1918. In August of 1919, Mr. Setchell married Kathryn Gottschalk. The couple resided on a farm southeast of Mendota until about eight years ago when they retired and moved to Mendota. Surviving are two sons, George Setchell, Sublette, and Webster Setchell, Ottawa; one daughter, Mrs. Ray (Ellice) Dinges, Sublette; one step-daughter, Faith Bankes, Mendota; eight grandchildren; two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson; five brothers, Earl, Harry, Mark, Glen and Clifford Setchell, all of Mendota; and one sister, Mrs. Fred (Ila) Randau. A brother, Jay, preceded him in death. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
WEBSTER M. SETCHELL
"Fair's treasurer dies after accident on farm:
An inquest is pending into the death of Tri-County Fair Association treasurer Webster M. (Webb) Setchell, 66. He was killed in a farm accident late Tuesday morning east of Pairie Center. LaSalle County Coroner Marion Osborne of Seneca said Setchell was unloading feed in a cattle lot from a trailer hitched to the back of a tractor. The feed was being augered into a bin with a power take-off but the guard from the power take-off had been removed. After the feed was augered into the bin, Setchell got off the tractor to stop the power take-off, Osborne said. There was no hood on the tractor and the long coat Setchell was wearing became entangled in the take-off. Death was apparently caused by a broken neck, Osborne said. The accident occurred on a farm on the south side of U. S. 52, one mile west of the Freedom Cemetery. Mrs. Setchell was able to see the feed lot from their home. When she did not see any activity at the lot, she went to investigate and found her husband. Osborne said he didn't know the exact time of the accident but thought it occurred between 10:30 and 11 a.m. An ambulance from Ottawa was called to the scene. Osborne pronounced Setchell dead and the body was brought to Merritt's Funeral Home. Funeral services for Mr. Setchell of RR 2 Ottawa will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Meritt's Funeral Home with the Rev. Ellsworth Young of the Waltham Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Dave Setchell, Don Dinges, Dave Wilson, Dale Wilson and Tom and John Setchell. Visitation is from 3 to 9 p.m. today, Wednesday, at the funeral home. Memorials are directed to the Waltham Presbyterian Church. Mr. Setchell was born May 4, 1910 in Mendota, a son of Webb H. and Margaret (Pohl) Setchell. He married Florence Wilson Feb. 19, 1933 in Mendota. Surviving are the widow, two sons, Gary of Ottawa and Neal of LaGrange; four grandchildren, a brother, George Setchell of Sublette; and a stepsister, Mrs. Faith Fergusen of Wheaton. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ellice Dinges. Mr. Setchell had farmed in Freedom Township most of his life and served as a clerk for the Reeser Auction Service. He was a member of the Waltham Presbyterian Church, the Waltham Curling Club, Troy Grove Masonic Lodge, Bloomington Consistory, McHammond Shrine of Peoria, Mendota Shrine Club and the Mendota Tri-County Fair Board. He had been a member of the Serena High School Baord and the Freedom Grade School Board. He had served as the treasurer for both organizations. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, January 5, 1977, Page 1 - Col. 1 - 2
WEBSTER M. SETCHELL
"Jury rules farm death "accidental'
The Jan. 4 death of Webster M. Setchell, 66, RR. 2, Ottawa, was ruled accidental Monday night by a LaSalle County Coroner's Jury. Coroner Marion Osborne said the jury returned the verdict at an inquest held at the Mendota Community Ambulance Service garage on U.S. 34. Osborne said the jury ruled Setchell died as a result of head and neck injuries he suffered when his clothing became caught in a partially unguarded power take-off. The accident occurred when Setchell was unloading feed in a cattle lot from a trailer hitched to the back of a tractor. The accident occurred on a farm on the south side of U.S. 52, a mile west of the Freedom Cemetery. Setchell was treasurer of the Tri-County Fair Association and served as a clerk for the Reeser Auction Service. Serving as jurors were Dale Denault, Marian Burkart, Ava Denault, Gene Politach, Marion Skaggs and Curt Truckenbrod. Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, January 19, 1977, Page 6 - Col. 1 - 2 - Contributed by Pat Esterday
WILLIAM LEWIS SPOHN
William Lewis Spohn, 65, a resident of Rochelle the last three years and previously of 1210 Second Ave., Mendota, died Thursday, May 11 at his home. Mr. Spohn was a former employee of the City of Mendota and was a U.S. Army veteran. Funeral Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Schwarz Funeral Home with the Rev. Lawrence London officiating. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ohio. Pallbearers were George Frost, Lewis Roberts, Bernard Billington, Richard Bankes, Elmer Eggers and Vesta Pasley. Visitation was Sunday afternoon and evening at the funeral home. Mr. Spohn was born May 6, 1907 in Mendota, the son of William and Emma Fahs Spohn. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Alvin (Mildred) Conrad of Daytona Beach, Fla. and Mrs. Malcolm (Darlene) Roberson of Rochelle; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, John of Chicago and Fred of Beloit, Wis.; and four sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Hohertz, LaMoille, Mrs. Fred (Augusta) Martin, LaMoille, Mrs. Robert (Dorothy) Zinke, Compton and Mrs. Joe (Irene) Didier, Mendota. He was preceded in death by one brother, one sister and two brothers in infancy. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: Mendota Reporter Thursday, May 17, 1972 Page 6 - Col. 1-3
MRS. AUGUST (Ruby) SPITZ (73) (nee Brown)
Mrs. August (Ruby) Spitz, 73, of Mendota died at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at the Washington Nursing Center, Washington, Ill., where she had been a patient since Feb. 27. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Merritt Funeral Home with the Rev. David W. Treey of First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was at Restland Memorial Gardens and pallbearers were Vernon Setchell Jr., James Brown, Harold Atherton, Harry Phalen, Lee Hoffman and Kenneth Sibigtroth. Visitation was at the funeral home Tuesday afternoon and evening Ruby Brown Spitz was born in Mendota, March 21, 1895, a daughter of Jacob Brown and Anna Wittgan Brown. She married August Spitz at Mendota, Jan. 12, 1916 and he died Dec. 26, 1961. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Woman’s Society of Christian Service. The deceased is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Vernon (Dorothy) Setchell of Chetek, Wis., and Mrs. Vernon (Marjorie) Blum of Mendota, one son, Kenneth Spitz of Amboy; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Marshall Brown of Denver, Colo., and Elmer Brown of Mendota; and two sisters, Mrs. Frank (Pearl) Madden of Henderson, Colo., and Miss Minnie Brown of Denver, Colo. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers, Levi and John, who died as children. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Thursday, June 6, 1968, Page 4 – Col. 1
George S. Stebbins
December 19, 1867
Death of George S. Stebbins
The death of George S. Stebbins of Ottawa, which occurred two weeks since, has cast a gloom over a large community wherein he has moved as one of its choicest members. He will be known here as having chosen one of Henry’s fair daughters for his wife, Miss Anna Weston, daughter of Ebon Weston, some years ago and whom he has left with three beautiful children. He has lived in Ottawa for many years having in that time filled the office of assistant treasurer for 4 years and that of treasurer for a like term. Displaying a higher order of financial ability, he then became a member of the firm of Clark, Colwell- Clark & Stebbens, builders and was (..?..) successfull. ......?....... and much beloved by the members thereof. His death was from typhoid pneumonia, passing away at the age of 39 years. His funeral took place at the Episcapol church and attending with the most Masonic burial service.
Mrs. Marie M. Stenzel, 77, of Sublette died at 1:50 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, after a long illness. She had been living at Sunrise Nursing Home since August. She was born Oct. 25, 1899, near Sublette, a daughter of John and Minnie (Fahs) Sibigtroth. She was married to Bernard Stenzel in Maytown, Jan. 28, 1925. He preceded hin death May 30, 1971. She is survived by a son, Harold of Sublette; two daughters, Mrs. Leroy (LaVerne) Klein, LaMoille, and Mrs. Daniel (Mary Jean) Burke, Ashton; a sister, Mrs. Arthur (Clara) Leffelman, Sublette; 23 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death besides her husband were her parents, a son, Roland, a sister, a brother and two grandchildren. Mrs. Stenzel was a member of St. Patrick’s Church of Maytown. Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at St. Patrick’s Church with Father Phillip Bajo officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were David, Allen and John Stenzel, Mike Burke, Edward and Doug Klein. Visitation at the Schwarz Funeral Home was from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday with a Rosary at 8 p.m. - Contributed by Pat Esterday
Taken from: The Mendota Reporter, Wednesday, February 2, 1977, Page 4 – Col. 1-2