MARION EDMONDS ROE , was born April 8, 1855, near Malugin's Grove, Lee County, Ill., and died at Franklin Grove March 20th,1899. From the earliest years she showed an active, aspiring mind, dreaming even in childhood of writing books, of teaching, and of acquiring a college education. Step by step her dreams were realized. Beginning school at four she was a teacher at sixteen, and having earned a thousand dollars by teaching she expended it in persuit of her ideal in higher education, spending some time in Jennings' Seminary, Aurora. In 1872 she came under the instruction of that famous teacher and afterward more famous philanthropist, orator and reformer, Frances E. Willard, in the Woman's College, Evanston, Ill. Still eager to broaden and strengthen her mental powers, she supplemented this training by a Chautauqua course in which she graduated, followed by a three years special course in history and literature. As a token of the spirit character of her life during these years of effort, she received this fine testimonial from Miss Willard recommending her for a position in a college as professor of history and English Literature. "This certifies that Mrs. Mary E. Roe was my pupil in the Woman's College, Evanston, Ill., and that in my long experience of well-nigh fifteen years as a teacher I never had one who left upon my mind a happier impression. In character, scholarship, high and noble purpose, and everything that we call christian integrity, she was a model. Since then has invested all the ripe, round mellow years in developing the qualities of which she was so favored a possessor." During her years of study she had ripened into widely known authorship, having published articles of wide range of thought in twenty-three journals, some of which were re-written and enlarged into bound volumes. In 1882 she married Dr. Uriah C. Roe, a man of intellect, christian character and skill in his profession, becoming the mother of two boys and two girls. For these children she cherished aspiration of high and useful careers toward which she strove to make all her teachings and influence tend. Failing in health she continued her intellectual activity to the last, delivering some notable lectures on the "Science of Motherhood," and "Lessons from the Life of Frances Willard." Early in December last, hoping that a milder climate might arrest the symptoms pulmonary disease which were threatening, she went to Alabama only to grow steadily worse. But even there, away from the companionship of her loved books, she found strength to give cheer to kept in mind and did some work upon her last task. "I will write a book of consolation that will cheer and comfort those who are weary and despondent long after I am dead. Returning home March 2nd, to die, at intervals she endeavored to pursue the loved work but in vain. Early in life, while at Evanston, she had witnessed to her faith in Christ and had continued to the end a faithful and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. March 20, she fell asleep, saying a little before, "It is all right, I am at peace." The funeral was held at the M. E. church Thursday afternoon, Rev. C. W. Anthony, assisted by Rev. E. W. Oneal conducting the services.
Submitted by Marilyn Widler from the Franklin Grove Reporter

HANNAH (FELLOWS) ROGERS , whose death was announced yesterday (23 February 1890), was age sixty seven. Her maiden name was Hannah Fellows. Born in New Hampshire she came when a child with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Fellows, west in 1834 and was therefore one of the early settlers here. A long live was spent in doing good to those about here. The funeral will take place at 2 o'clock at the residence and in the Palmyra church at 3 tomorrow afternoon.

VIOLA (ROESLER) ROOK , 98, of Sterling died Monday. July 7, 2003, at Sterling Pavilion Nursing Home. Mrs. Rook was born Nov. 20, 1904, in Ashton, the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Muschner) Roesler. She was a graduate of Ashton High School and attended Mount St. Clare College, Clinton, Iowa. She was a member of St. Mary Church, Sterling. Survivors include a daughter. Donna (Norman) Lubbs of Sterling; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers. Memorial Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Parish Center, Sterling, with the Rev. Ricardo Hernandez officiating. Burial is at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Cemetery, Rochelle. In lieu of flowers. a memorial has been established.
Daily Gazette July 9, 2003

GLENN E. ROSENBERG , 57, of Franklin Grove died Monday, June 2, 2003, at his home following a long illness. He served as chief of police in Franklin Grove for 27 years and was employed by Plews/Edelmann, Dixon, for 15 years until retiring. Mr. Rosenberg was born Nov. 5, 1945, in Galesburg, the son of Glenn and Florence (Hatch) Rosenberg. He married Mary Joan Purvis on Oct. 13, 1979, in Franklin Grove. He was a member and elder of Franklin Grove First Presbyterian Church, a Franklin Grove Fire Department trustee and was a past firefighter and EMT. He also served on Franklin Grove Village Board, Lee County Sheriff's Reserve and was active in the DARE Program of Franklin Grove. Survivors include his wife of Franklin Grove; four daughters, Sharon (Randy) Clark, Nancy (Scott) Petersen and Susan (Steve) Bennett, all of Dixon, and Bonnie Nordman of Oregon; a son, William (Deb) Purvis of St. Peters, Mo.; three brothers; two sisters; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister. The funeral is at 10 am. Friday at First Presbyterian Church of Franklin Grove with the Rev. Colleen Lawrence, pastor, and Sheriff Tim Bivins officiating. Burial is at Franklin Grove Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-8 p.m., with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon. Memorials have been established to First Presbyterian Church of Franklin Grove and Franklin Grove Fire Department
Gazette June 4, 2003

ELIZABETH (BEDELL) ROSENKRANS , died Tuesday night, Feb. 20, 1900, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T. H. Stetler, in Paw Paw. She was born April 27th, 1808, in Sussex Co., N. J. Her native place was Jainesville. Her maiden name was Bedell. Between the places and dates of her birth and death are crowded more of the vicissitudes and experiences than fall to the lot of an ordinary lifetime. She was a patriarch among the people. When her death was known the school children whispered to one another Grandma Rosenkrans is dead. She was twice married. Her first husband was Aaron Bennett. This marriage was on May 5, 1837. Upon his death, she was united in marriage to Abram Rosenkrans, Feb. 19, 1839, and he preceded her to the eternal world ten years ago. She was the mother of twelve children, six of whom are living. Jerome Bennett, Mrs. Charlotte Swarthout and Mrs. Libbie Stetler reside in Paw Paw. It was at the home of the latter that she was spending the last years of her sojourn amid every care and comfort which loving hearts and hands could provide. Two sons, Nicholas and Lester Rosenkrans, reside at Marble Rock, Iowa, a daughter, Mrs. Lyda Segafoss, in Beatrice, Nebraska. She became a christian in early life, first being identified with the Methodist Protestants, after she came to Illinois. She settled on a farm at Beemerville, four miles from Paw Paw, upon coming here. She later united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Marble Rock, Iowa, where she removed in 1873. She lived a faithful and consistent christian life, was an intelligent and progressive woman. Considering that her life spanned well-nigh the century the most famous in the annals of time for advancement, she kept well abreast of all that was going on in the world. At the same time she loved the old modes of simplicity, industry and sociability and it is doubtful if her equal in these old-fashioned virtues could be found among us. She loved the old hymns and the bible. In her younger days she was a singer and was a reader of the word of God to the very last. Her bibles bear the evidence of perusal and her life proved that she searched the scriptures and drank of the living waters of salvation. Unable to attend the sanctuary in recent years, she was glad for the visits of christian friends and the theme of converse was always Jesus and His love. As it was said of old of one whom God correcteth, so it was said of her: Thou shalt come to the grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season. Short funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. Stetler at six o'clock, Wednesday evening, conducted by Rev. Dolliver, Rev. Mann assisting. Mrs. Dolliver sang Lead, Kindly Light. The body was taken to Marble Rock, Iowa, for burial, and was accompanied by Mrs. Swarthout, Mrs. Stetler and Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Rosenkrans.
Contributed by Marilyn Widler

GLADYS B. (BERRY) ROSETTE , 97, of Paw Paw died Friday Nov. 4, 2005 at Mendota Lutheran Home. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Paw Paw United Meth. Church and burial will be at Wyomong Cemetery. Mrs. Rosette was born July 2, 1908 south of Paw Paw to Charles and Amelia (Barth) Berry. In March 1910 her family moved to a farm south of Floyd, Iowa. At the age of 7, Mrs. Rosette was baptized and joined the M ethodist Church in Floyd. She attended a country school in Floyd County IA. In 1920 the famly moved to Paw Paw and she graduated from high school in 1926 and then from Cornell College in 1930. She taught school in Viola for three years during the Depression. Later she taught in a country school for three years. On Nov. 28, 1939 she married Leonard Rosette in the home of her college roomate in Dubuque Iowa. Leonard and Gladys farmed for four years at south Paw Paw, then moved to their present home on Chicago Road in 1945. She was a member of United Methodist Church of Paw Paw, United Metodist Women, Lee County Home Extension Assoc. adn Paw Paw Merrygolds. Survivors include a son C. Arthur of Paw Paw; one daughter Alice Arjes of Ashton; 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren adn three great-great Grandchildren. She was preced by her husband on Dec. 14, 1983; two brothers Carl and Walter and her son-in-law Allie Arjes.

MARY ROSS - At Melugin Grove, Feb 26 1875, Mrs. Mary Ross, widow of Joseph Ross, aged 79 years, (born in 1796) and one of the oldest pioneers of this region having emigrated to this county in 1835. The deceased was well known and much esteemed, by the old settlers, and her funeral was largely attended
Contributed by Robin Anderson from the Amboy Journal 12 February 1875 p1, c3

CAROL LEE (WILLSTEAD) ROWLEY , 72, of Rochelle, formerly of Dixon, died Friday , April 15, 2005 at St. Anthony Hospital in Rockford. She was employed by Dean Foods for 15 years retiring in 1998. Mrs. Rowley was born April 2, 1933 in Harmon, the daughter of Lester Lee and Mary (Brown) Willstead. She married Clarence Dale Rowley on July 30, 1949 in Oregon. He died Jan. 30, 2002. She was a member of First General Baptist Church in Rochelle. Survivors include a son Jack Lee of Orangeville, a brother Thomas Clyde of Portage WI; two sisters mary Lou Smith and Sharon Sue Goss of Rochelle; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded by a son Rick Dale Rwley; three brothers Russell, Lester and Everett and a sister Patricia Zentz. The funeral is 1 p.m. Tuesday Preston Schilling Funeral Home. Burial at Chapel Hill.

DOUGLAS ROWLAND ,46, of Dixon, died October 12, 2006, at his home. He was employed for years as a cook in the Dixon area. Mr. Rowland was born June 3, 1960, in Dixon, IL, the son of James and Henrietta (Edwards) Rowland. His quick wit and humor will be missed by all. Survivors include his daughter, Ebony (Benjamin) Quaye, Jonesboro, AR; his parents, Dixon; two brothers, Kenneth (Elaine) Haynes, Lockport, IL, Ronald (Pamela) Haynes, Lansing, MI; three sisters, Janice Haynes, University Park, IL, Annette (Edward) Hatchett, Dixon, Zena Neal, Chicago, IL; significant other, Diana Fisher, Dixon; two grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four uncles; and two aunts. Funeral services will be 6:00 p.m., Monday, October 16, 2006, at the Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon, with the Rev. Galon Darby, pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Dixon, officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded.

BLANCHE (MARONDE) ROYSTER , daughter of Laura and the late Reinhart Maronde was born June 14 , 1888 Heywarden Iowa, and passed away after a long illness on July 5, 1944 at her home in Dixon. In early childhood she became a resident of Franklin Grove and was educated in the public schools of that place. She was united in marriage to Ernest Willis Royster March 14, 1907. To this union three children were born. Richard, Avis and Garnett. Her husband and daughter Garnett preceded her in death. After the death of her husband she became employed for ten years by the Farmers Home Telephone Co. as chief operator and bookeeper. In August the year of 1934 she moved to Dixon until the time of her departure. Surviving to mourn their loss besides the children are her aged mother, Laura Maronde, two sisters; Mrs. Ralph Lundy and Mrs. Harry Eberly of Dixon; three brothers; Harold and Orville of Franklin Grove and Clarence of Grand Detour. There are several neices and nephews and a large circle of friends who will cherish her memory and emulate her virtues. Her father and one sister are also deceased. She was a true christian and devoted mother. She attended church as long as her health permitted and was a faithful follower of God. Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon July 8, 1944 at the Hicks Funeral Home in Franklin Grove by Rev. Wm E. Thompson . The songs "Good Night Here Good Morning Up There" and "Jesue Cares" were sung by Mrs. Lloyd Group of Franklin Grove. The flowers were taken care of by Mrs. Ruth Kelly of Franklin Grove and Miss Wilhemina Greenfield of Amboy. The casket bearers were George Ives, George Spangler, George Fruit, Blaine Hussey, Frank Hartzell and Carl Blum all of Franklin Grove. Interment was made at the Franklin Grove Cemetery
Dixon Telegraph July 12, 1944

KENNETH ROYSTER , 62, loving husband, devoted father, and loyal friend, of Dixon, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2008 at his home surrounded by his loving family, after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a truck driver for Raynor Garage Door, Dixon, for 15 years prior to his retirement on August 30, 2008. Mick was born March 4, 1946, in Rockford, IL, the son of Kenneth Royster and Lois Fryman. He married Nena Lance on April 15, 1989, in Dixon. Mick was a member of the Carpenters Local 790, and the Dixon Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. 779. His spirit will be carried on by his wife Nena; one son, Cory (Susan) Lance; two daughters, Candi (Brandon) Rogers, Chrissy (Jason) Worrell; three granddaughters, Kamryn Elizabeth Rogers, Mickenna Sue Worrell, Rachel Kay Lance, his mother, Lois, all of Dixon; two sisters, Carmen Dixon, of Somonauk, and Virginia Taylor, of Dixon; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Mick was preceded in death by his father, and one brother, Barry Royster. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2008 at the St. Anne Catholic Church, Dixon, with the Rev. Michael Morrissey, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Dixon. Visitation will be from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon, with the family present from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 8:00 p.m.
Preston-Schilling Funeral Home

RICHARD RUESCH , 79, of Amboy died April 13, 2005 at Amboy Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 18 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amboy with Rev. Christine Stienstra, pastor officiating. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until time of service on Monday at the church. Cremation rites were accorded. Mr. Ruesch was born April 12, 1926 in Skokie to Edwin and Elsie (Bestman) Ruesch. He married Dorothy Lund on Jan. 26, 1973 in Skokie. Survivors include his wife; three children, Jeffrey (Helga) Ruesch of Libertyville, Patricia Ruesch of Honolulu, Hawaii and Deborah (Gary) Beres of Milwaukee, Wis.; a step daughter, Nancy (Frank) Van Alten of Amsterdam, Netherlands; two grandchildren, Randy and Rebecca Ruesch; two sisters, Jean (Willard) Freise and Shirley (Leroy) Kante. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Platz. Mr. Ruesch served with the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a member of the Amboy American Legion and the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amboy. His happiest working years were spent at Glenbrook North High School in the maintenance department for eight years prior to his retirement in 1995. A memorial has been established to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amboy.

MARTHA (ROSENCRANS) LITTS RUNYAN , daughter of Abram and Lydia Rosenkrans, was born in Schuyler County, New York, March 9, 1833 and died at Santa Ana, California, May 15, 1916 aged 83 years 2 months and 6 days. She was married to John Litts, April 22, 1852 and the following year they came to Illinois, settling on the farm that she still owned just over in LaSalle County. One son, Alton H., was born to this union, who died at the age of 12 years. Mr. Litts died in 1858. On April 3, 1860 she was again married to Wm. Clark Runyan. They lived most of the time in this place until Mr. Runyan died March 23, 1900. In October 1905 Mrs. Runyan moved to Santa Ana, California with her daughter and family with whom she lived most of the time since. In early girlhood Mrs. Runyan was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church. After her marriage to Mr. Runyan she united with this (Baptist) church where she worshiped and labored until she united with the First Baptist church of Santa Ana, California. One daughter, Mrs. J. O. Baker and grandson, Clark E. Baker of Santa Ana, California, and two brothers, Alvin and Nicholas Rosenkrans of Marble Rock, Iowa and a brother, Andrew Rosenkrans, and sister, Mrs. T. H. Stetler of this place, survive. The body arrived here Sunday afternoon accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Baker. The funeral was held Monday afternoon at two o'clock at the Baptist church, Rev. Frank Gilbert, a former pastor, officiating; burial was at the South Side. Gen. Hicks and wife furnished appropriate music for the services.
--Submitted by Marilyn Widler

W.C. RUNYAN , one of our old inhabitants, succumbed to the effects of cancer on Friday, March 23, 1900, being at the time a few days less than seventy-one years of age. The deceased has been in delicate health for years, but the serious phase of his illness was not noticeable until last fall. Since then he failed steadily until the final summons came. Mr. Runyan was the son of Joshua and Eliza Runyan and was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on April 15, 1829. His parents moved to Lycoming county in the same state in 1833, and afterwards to Northumberland county in 1853. In October 1854 he was married to Clara McKnight of Mountour county and in the following spring they came to Lee county, Ill. Here he rented land in various places. Mrs. Runyan died in 1859. The following year he was married to Mrs. Martha Litts, daughter of Abraham Rosenkrans of Wyoming township. In the spring of 1863 he bought a farm in the vicinity of Franklin Grove and moved on it. He sold this property after working it three years and bought in Wyoming. Owing to failing health he gave up farming in 1871 and two years later engaged in business in Paw Paw, continuing until December 1879. The deceased was a member of the Baptist church, where the funeral took place on Sunday, being conducted by Rev. W. A. Matthews. The Anchor Lodge, I.O.O.F., of which he was a member, had charge of the funeral and escorted the corps to its last resting place in the cemetery at South Paw Paw. Mr. Runyan was a respected citizen and was always a straightforward man. He served the town as Justice of the Peace for several years and his administration was never excelled in Wyoming. He leaves his wife and daughter, Mrs. Lydia Baker; the other daughter, Elizabeth C. Runyan, having died several years since. In his death the community loses a valuable citizen and a christian in fact.
Contributed by Marilyn Widler

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