JENNIE (WOOD) EPLA , passed away at her home in Hinckley last night about midnight. Complications set in following her serious accident, which caused her death after two weeks of intense suffering.

Her Paw Paw friends have anxiously waited for better tidings each day and deep grief is expressed by every one at the death of this most estimable lady. She has lived her life in this community, moving to Hinckley only a short time ago to be near her daughter, Mrs. Robt. Adrian. Mr. Epla is in very poor health and has been her constant charge for the past year. He with the daughter and family are left to mourn their great loss.

Short funeral services will be held at the Hinckley home Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, thence by auto to Paw Paw where the services will be held at the Presbyterian Church, Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. O. T. Canfield of St. Charles having charge. Interment will be at Wyoming Cemetery. The sympathy of every one here is extended to the sorrowing family.

Jennie Wood Epla, daughter of James and Rebecca Wood, was born near Earlville, Illinois, October 6, 1854, and died at her home in Hinckley, Illinois at 11:45 p.m., November 17, 1920, at the age of 66 years 1 month and 11 days. She acquired her early education at Earlville and proved herself capable of doing almost anything and doing it well.

On November 5, 1874 she was united in marriage with J. T. Epla of Paw Paw, Illinois where they resided near town from that time until March 1, 1914, when they moved to Hinckley, Illinois, that they might reside nearer their daughter, Mrs. Robert Adrian and family, about whom their heart-strings so closely entwined. Mrs. Epla was a woman of charming personality and splendid executive ability, accompanied by a vein of humor which was refreshing to her and all who knew her. However rough her road she traveled it with little if any complaint. She was always active in social and church circles, filling all the demands her strength would allow.

She was, for years, a member of the Woman's Club at Paw Paw and always cheered them with her presence and music. These dear friends voiced their appreciation of what she had been among them by their token "A Loving Cup" when she moved from their midst. For many years she sang in the church choirs of Paw Paw and was sought for entertainment in all the neighboring towns. For about twelve years her health had been far from good although few ever knew the real degree of her suffering.

Since coming to Hinckley she had joined the Hinckley Woman's Club and helped a little with various social events but was unable to participate as she had done in former years when in better health and with less responsibility. Mrs. Epla's faith in God was an anchor to her. She was for years a member of the Presbyterian church at Paw Paw and while she never transferred her membership to Hinckley, she was always generous with her support and encouragement of every good work. She possessed a keen sense of justice and a great appreciation of the beautiful. Her life work is well done and myriads of tender memories remain with those who knew her. She was a loyal wife, a devoted mother and grandmother and a wonderful friend.

She had the ability to enter thoroughly into the joys and sorrows of others but her comforting care is removed. She leaves her husband, who has been in feeble health for some time, and one daughter, Mrs. R. S. Adrian of Hinckley; also her son-in-law, R. S. Adrian, and two little grandchildren, Jean Lorraine and Stanley Epla Adrian, all of whom she dearly loved, together with other relatives and a host of friends to mourn her passing. 0During the early fall, her life had seemed to have an unusually large number of happy experiences and the morning of her sad accident she had seemed to be in splendid spirits. Even in the face of excruciating pain, she joked with those who tried to be of help to her and kept her jovial manner until the odds grew so great that she longed to "go home;" even in her delirium she was planning and getting ready to do so, and seemed to catch glimpses of the coming Glory and the loved ones gone before.

All that loving care, tender nursing, able physicians and splendid friends could do seemed to vie to help her but with no avail. After sixteen days o intense suffering of mind and body the dissolution came at 11:45 p.m. November 17, 1920. Her life was an inspiration to those who knew her and we trust that her reward is far greater than our sorrows. While she expressed a desire to live and see her grandchildren grow up and become settled in life, she also said it was alright if she should not be permitted to do so; her greatest concern in case she could not remain seemed to be the responsibility which must shift to other shoulders. She feared most for those she must leave behind.

When first hurt she said, "God laid me aside to rest me," (and the poem goes on to say:)

We find many favorite passages of scripture marked in her Bible, which seem so applicable. Among them were: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

"For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand." "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me, a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto them that love His appearing."

Because of the great love and tender solicitude of Mrs. Epla's newer friends in Hinckley, two short services were held, one at her late residence with fitting remarks by Rev. Jeaness and beautiful vocal selections by Henry Welton of Hinckley, Mr. W. B. Robinson and Mrs. Ella Dupee of Earlville. The second service was held in the Presbyterian Church at Paw Paw. Rev. O. T. Canfield of St. Charles voiced the sentiment, which seems so universal of Mrs. Epla. Mr. and Mrs. Canfield also tendered a beautiful duet and Mrs. Frank Bauer, the daughter of Mrs. Epla's dear friend, accompanied by Mrs. Elliot Chandler, sung in her most pleasing manner, one of Mrs. Epla's favorites. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nangle sang several beautiful and comforting selections.

Those from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Brockway of So. Elgin; Harry Babbitt and wife, Mrs. Rena Bolenbaul and Mrs. Nellie Stevens of Aurora; Mrs. Ella Dupee, W. B. Robinson, Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Barnard, Mrs. Keeler, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Frank, Mrs. John Robinson, Mrs. Mary Wilson, Miss Grace Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, all of Earlville; Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Webber of Rochelle, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Perkins and son, Will, and Mrs. Chas. Pegg of Creston.

--Submitted by Marilyn Widler

MERWIN L. ERLENBACH , 78, of DeKalb, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at his home. He was born Nov. 28, 1928, in Paw-Paw, the son of Homer Henry and Helene E. (Haeffner) Erlenbach. Merwin married Leota M. (Fletchall) at the First United Methodist Church , DeKalb, on Aug. 31, 1967. Merwin was employed at Anaconda Wire & Cable, Sycamore, for 28 years and later at Driv-Lok for seven years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church , DeKalb, a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean conflict, a member of Paw-Paw Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Merwin was a dedicated father who always loved giving. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting and trapping and was a very dedicated Chicago Bears fan. Merwin was the coordinator for the VFW float for the Paw-Paw Labor Daly Parade each year. He is survived by his wife, Leota; and their children, Lloyd M. (Cheryl) Erlenbach of Gnadenhutten , Ohio , Dianna E. (Leonard) Pokorny of Carol Stream, Sondra S. (Richard) Herren of DeKalb, Brenda L. (Bryan) Parks of Schoolcraft, Mich., Mary G. (Chuck) Seldal of Elizabeth, Ariz., and Erna M. Erlenbach-Does of Rochelle. Merwin also is survived by 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Shirley ( Norman ) Kalsted of Lisle; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and one grandson, Michael Does. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, at Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb, with the Rev. Rich M. Fassig officiating. Burial will follow at Wyoming Cemetery , Paw-Paw. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, at Anderson Funeral Home. A memorial is being established for Merwin L. Erlenbach for the Cancer Care Center , 9 Health Service Drive , DeKalb , IL . 60115.
The Dixon Telegraph, Sunday, September 2, 2007, Page A2 – Col. 1 – 2

CORA E. (GENNETT) ETHERIDGE , of 211 East Fellows St., Dixon, died Sunday afternoon ( 16 May 1965) at the age of 93. Mrs. Etheridge was born March 25, 1872 in DePere, Wis., the daughter of Frank and Angeline Hibbard Gennett. She was united in marriage to Orlando Etheridge who preceded her in 1945. She was a member of the Daughters of GAR; the Circle and Past President of Legion Auxiliary of Chicago. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Arbilla Walberg, with whom she made her home in Dixon, one son, Lionel Richardson of Gray's Lake; two sisters, Mrs. Mary A Clark of Nelson, and Mrs. Minnie Pelton of Kissammee, Fla.; and three grandsons. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Allen Funeral Home, Dixon, with the Rev. Albert Graff, pastor of the First Christian Church of Dixon, officiating. Burial in Oakwood Cemetery.
Melva L. Taylor - The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois May 17, 1965 - Monday, pg 2

DALE L. ETHERIDGE , 40, of Amboy, IL, died Sunday, March 24, 2002 at the University of Illinois Chicago Hospital in Chicago, IL. He was born April 16, 1961 in Joliet, IL, the son of Dale and Barbara (Alexander) Etheridge. He married Shirley Moeller Bufford July 29, 1984 in Bolingbrook, IL.

He had been employed by Nabisco in Bridgeview, IL for 14 years and had worked at Raynor Garage Door Mfg. in Dixon, IL for the last seven years. He was captain of the VFW Team 5 in the Dixon Thursday Night Pool League and lead man for the NFL (No Fingers Lost) Pyros.

He is preceded in death by his dad, Arthur Meyer; and one brother, Rodney Smith.

He is survived by his wife, of Amboy; two daughters, Lisa Marie Etheridge and Alicen Renea Etheridge, both at home; his mother, Barbara Meyer of Mesa, AZ; his father, Dale Etheridge of Indiana; four brothers, Robert Meyer of Rockdale, IL; Charles Meyer and Gregory Meyer, both of Mesa, AZ, Randy Smith of Indiana; and three sisters, Ronda Finlay and Kimberly Hams, both of Indiana, and Kelly Narkis of Pennsylvania. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2002 at 11:00 AM in the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy, with the Rev. Ralph Carr, Pastor of the United First Church in Amboy, officiating. Cremation rites will follow with burial of cremains at a later date in Woodside Cemetery in Lee Center, IL. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home, 303 E. Main St., Amboy, IL. A memorial has been established.

Contributed by James Seidelman

CLARA (HOYLE) ETNYRE , 97, died Monday at Lee County Nursing Home where she was a resident. She was born Jan. 17, 1878 in Lee County, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Hoyle, and was married to Louis E. Etnyre Oct. 23, 1901, in Dixon. Mrs. Etnyre was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Her husband preceded her in death. Survivors include one son, Byron, Dixon, and one sister, Mrs. Jennie Warner, Dixon. Services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Chapel Hill Funeral Home with the Rev. Ted Rodd officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Park. There will be no visitation.

Dixon Evening Telegraph 14 October 1975

LOUIS EGFORD ETNYRE , 88, 1219 W. First St., died this morning in KSB Hospital following a short illness. He was born Nov. 2, 1879, in Ashton, the son of Fred and Lelia Etnyre. He married Clara Hoyle Oct 23, 1901, in Dixon. Mr. Etnyre was a member of the Grace EUB Church, the AF & AM Friendship Lodge, Nachusa Chapter, Dixon Council and the Dixon Commandery.

He was preceded in death by brother and a sister. Survivors include his widow; a son, Byron, Dixon, a grandchild and four great-grandchildren. Services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Kenneth Kortemeier, pastor of the Grace Evangelical Brethren Church officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery.

Lee County Obituaries

Surnames A	Surnames B	Surnames C	Surnames D	Surnames E	Surnames F	Surnames G
Surnames H	Surnames I	Surnames J	Surnames K	Surnames L	Surnames M	Surnames N
Surnames O	Surnames P	Surnames Q	Surnames R	Surnames S	Surnames T	Surnames U
Surnames V	Surnames W	Surnames X	Surnames Y	Surnames Z