WELCOME
TO THE
LEE COUNTY
ILLINOIS
OBITUARIES
CHARLES ELIJAH DECKER
, 89, Norman, Okla., died Saturday at 1 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at Norman, Okla., following which the body will be brought to the Oak Wood Cemetery at Dixon for burial. Graveside services will be conducted at the Dixon cemetery, the Rev. Sidney Bloomquist, Aurora, former pastor of the Dixon and Polo Methodist churches will officiate. Local arrangements were completed at the McNabb Funeral Home in Polo. Dr. Decker was born at Dixon on Sept. 27, 1868, the son of Henry and Emogene Decker. He was a professor of geology at the University of Oklahoma and was honored during the March 11 annual meeting of the society on economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists in Los Angeles, Calif., when he was elected to honorary life membership of the group. He received his bachelor of arts degree in 1906 and his doctor of philosophy degree in 1917 from the University of Chicago. He received his second degree while instructor in geology at the University of Oklahoma. He became professor emeritus at the University of Oklahoma in 1943. In 1953 at the age of 85, Dr. Decker started a five year research program for a study of grapolites and became a world authority in that field. He was a charter member of the SEPM which honored him in March. He was a past president of the Sigma Gamma Episolom of the Oklahoma academy of science. He was married on Sept. 30, 1955 to Ethelene Collins, she survives. Other survivors include two sisters, Mrs. W. G. Greig, Polo; Mrs. Miriam Beech, Highland Park, three nieces and nephews, and 15 greatnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, who died in 1954 and one sister, Miss Ada Decker.
Contributed by Melva Taylor from The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois August 25, 1958 - Monday, pg 2 col 2
JACOB DITZLER
, 77, passed away at 8 a.m. Friday, at Orchard Glen Nursing home, Dixon. He had been in the trucking business since 1936. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, at Brown-Seidel Funeral Home, with the Rev. Daniel Doty of the Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon. He was born. Sept. 20, 1892, in Littleston, Pa., the son of John and Sara Hostetter Ditzler. He married Katie Reigel, Aug. 7, 1912, in Littleston, Pa. Survivors include the widow, three sons, Boyl, Harold and John, all of Polo; five daughters, Mrs. Ernest (Mary) Fox, Polo; Miss Ditzler, Mrs. Arthur (Edna) Cooper, Mrs. Conrad (Betty) Urdick and Mrs. Vern (Jean) Cassen, all of Rockford; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the funeeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Contributed by Melva Taylor - The Daily Gazette, STerling-Rock Falls, Illinois July 3, 1970 - Friday, pg 2 col 3
NINA MORRISON DOUGLASS
, the subject of this brief memorian, whose sudden death was noted in the Reporter last week, was born January 4th, 1848 at Dixon , Illinois , her maiden name being Nina MORRISON.
She was united in marriage to Mr. E.F. DOUGLASS July 10th, 1873 at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin . They made their home the following three years at Necedah , Wisconsin , then taking up their residence at Postville , Iowa , where Mr. DOUGLASS was in business.
In the year of 1885, she came with her husband to Dysart, where they have since continued their home. Mrs. DOUGLASS assisted her husband in the conduct of his drug store here, and also assisted in the post office when he was postmaster.
Mrs. DOUGLASS was most active in the church, social and lodge circles of our city and community, being affiliated with the Presbyterian church. She affiliated with the order of Eastern Stars in Vinton, and later when the lodge was organized at Dysart, she became a charter member of the local Chapter. She was an honored Past Worthy Matron; having been presented with her jewel at the ceremonial program in February, 1923. She was also a charter member of the Hearthstone Circle of Dysart.
Mr. and Mrs. DOUGLASS were never blessed with children in their home, yet their fifty-two years of travel down life’s pathway have been happy ones. On July 10th, 1923 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, holding open house during the afternoon and evening, when a large number of friends called to greet them and wish them continued joy and happiness.
Mrs. DOUGLASS’ friend were numbered by her acquaintances, to know her was to lover her, and she will be greatly missed by the sorrowing husband, other relative and friends.
Funeral services were held from the family home in Dysart last Friday afternoon at two o’clock, being in charge of the Dysart chapter O.E.S., the order also having charge of brief services at the grave. The casket was banked with beautiful floral offerings, attesting the high esteem in which deceased was held.
Among those from out of town to be present for the obsequies were: Miss Marjorie BURLINGAME, Alhambra, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. Thos GALLAGHER and son Douglass of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. C.R. STEVENS of Chicago, Mrs. R.N. DOUGLASS, son Ray and daughter Ruth of Postville, F.L. MORRISON of Minneapolis, the later being a half brother of Mrs. DOUGLASS. Mr. and Mrs. R.W. WAITE and Mrs. S. CREPS of Waterloo , Mr. and Mrs. John MARSAU of Traer, and Mrs. C.C. GARDNER of Des Moines .
APPRECIATION -- At this time words are inadequate for my sincere expression for the many kindnesses which were extended to me by the numerous friends in my sad hour at the time of the death and burial of my dearly beloved wife. The many kind acts of neighbors and friends, the assistance of the O.E.S. members and other organizations, the singers, pall bearers, those who tendered the beautiful flowers, those who gave of their time and lent assistance in any way. I appreciate your assistance and I say thank you from the depth of my heart. E.F. DOUGLASS
Contributed by Margaret Mangers - Tama Obituaries maintained by Cyndi Vertrees with the
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen.net
NINA L. DUNN
, 77, of Dixon , died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at her home after a short illness. She was employed by Stewart-Warner, Chicago , for 20 years, retiring in 1993. Nina was born Aug. 8, 1930, in Jellico , Tenn. (Campbell County) , the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Perkins) Young. She married Carl Gilreath in 1945. He preceded her in death. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church , Dixon . Survivors include two granddaughters, Catherine Russi Bell of Sterling and Sylvie Milam (Jeffrey) Heller of Oregon; a grandson, Nicholas Russi of Dixon ; three great-grandchildren, Kristen Russi and Juwon and Jahrod Bell; two stepdaughters, Charlene Dunn (Fernando) Mendez of Liberty, Mo., and Susan Dunn Gibb of Greenwood , Miss. ; seven stepgrandchildren; and six step great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by two daughters, Francis Lynn Gilreath and Jane Milam; a stepson, Joseph Dunn; two sisters; and four brothers. The funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Northside Baptist Church , Dixon , with the Rev. Daniel Bentz, pastor, officiating. Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon . Graveside service is at 11 a.m. Thursday at Jellico Cemetery , Jellico , Tenn. A memorial has been established to Northside Baptist Church , Dixon .
Contributed by Pat Esterday
