O B I T U A R I E S
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Whiteside County Illinois


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JAMES GALLENTINE , 508 - 3rd Ave., Rock Falls, passed away early Thursday morning (2 October 1969) in Downey Veterans Administration Hospital at Downey, Ill., after an extended illness. Born November 5, 1914 in Rock Falls, he was the son of Delbert and Laura Welker Gallentine. He attended the local public achools and has resided in this area his entire life. He was a veteran of World War II and served overseas. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Gallentine of Rock Falls; one brother, Delbert Gallentine, Jr., of Rock Falls, and two sisters, Mrs. Wilbur (Morena) Ackland of Sterling and Mrs. Alonzo (Betty) Gribbons of Rock Falls. There are a number of nieces and nephews. The body was removed to the Melvin Funeral Home where friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Melvin Funeral Home. The Rev. Donald C. Ward, pastor Emeritus, Rock Falls Christian Church will officiate. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois October 3, 1969 - Friday, pg 6

ROSIE GANTHER - Funeral services for Mrs. Rose Ganther were held from the Wheelock Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Thursday with Rev. Donald Comnick, officiating. Pallbearers were John Dussler, Frank Simpson, Harold Mitchell, Clifford Gunderson, Walter Klinger and Elmer Carragher. Mrs. Wayne Larson was organist for the services and Wayne Larson sang "Rock of Ages" and :Take It To the Lord In Prayer." The body was taken overland after the services to Bayview Cemetery at Necedah, Wis.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois October 15, 1954 - Friday pg 2

LENA GANTZART - was born August 21, 1894 in Germany, to Emil F. and Johanna Worm Heinrich. She was married to Paul Gantzert who receded her in death on September 1, 1939. They were the parents of five children. She was eight months short of 100 years old when she departed this life in the sign of the faith on January 10, 1994 in Mendota, IL. Mrs. Gantzert was a member of St. Paul Lutheran CHurch and was an active homemaker, even into her ninth decade of life. Her survivors include one son, William E. Gantzert of Sterling; two daughters, Mrs. Elmer Alvera) Koster and Mrs. Leroy (Joanne) Cassens, both of Sterling; seventeen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her parents, her husband, one son, one daughter, four sisters and one brother.
Contributed by Cynthia Lane
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1701 18th Avenue, Sterling IL 61081 - Philip A. Gronback Pastor - Vi Koster, Organist.

RAYMOND J. GARLAND , 48, died Friday morning in Los Angeles, Calif., according to messages received here. He was born in Hahnaman Township, Jan. 2, 1915, the son of John J. and Agnes Garland. He received his education in the Deer Grove and Tampico schools, and lived in Tampico for 35 years. He served in the United States Army, enlisting in the regular army in 1940, where he was stationed at Scoffield Barracks in Hawaii at the time of the Japanese attack, and was dischared in 1945. He operated a local business in Tampico. Surviving are one sister, Mrs. Neal Mary Hamblack, Tampico, one brother, Gordon of Rock Falls; three nieces Georgiann, Mary Sue, and Rita Garland. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. Funeral services will be held in St. Mary's Church in Tampico, Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and the Rosary will be recited in the Schmitt Chapel Tuesday at 8 p.m., with the Rev. A. M. Weitekamp, officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Tampico. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IllinoisFebruary 2, 1963 - Saturday, pg 2

WALTER LEE GASH , 63, of 807 Ave. A., Rock Falls, died shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday at Community General Hospital where he had been a patient for three weeks. Mr. Gash had been a cashier for the CB&Q Railroad for 36 years before illness forced him to retire. He was born on Sept. 13 1891, in Fulton, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Gash. Surviving are his wife, Mabel, living at home; one daugher, Mrs. Leslie (Mabel) Gerlach, Tampico; two sons, Ellsworth Gash of Sterling; Virgil Gash, Dayton, O.; three sisters, Mrs. George Coy, Rock Falls; Mrs. Clyde Pence, Dallas, Tex.; and Mrs. Lulu Rubright, Rock Falls. Two grandchildren also survive him. Mr. Gash was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Gash; three children who died in infancy; one brother, William; two sisters, Mrs. Elsie Mattew and Miss Pearl Gash. Friends may call after 7 p.m. tonight at the Wheelock Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday. Rev. Norman Miller, pastor of the Rock Falls Methodist Church, where Mr. Gash was a member, will officiate at the services with burial in Rock Falls Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois October 2, 1954 - Saturday pg 2

FRANK WALLACE GAULT , 70, retired scientific assistant in the University of Illinois, Department of Agronomy, died at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 1939 at McKinley Hospital at Urbana of complications resulting from a paralytic stroke. Mr. Gault had been employed as an assistant in the soil experiment station for about 30 years, being retired on pension Sept. 1, 1935. His retirement followed a stroke which left him partially paralyzed. He began his work with the agronomy department as a seed manager at DeKalb. He joined the staff in April, 1912, and continued the work until he was pensioned. A former student of the university, he was enrolled in the college of agriculture in 1913-14 and again in 1921-22. A semi-invalid the past four years, he suffered another paralytic stroke last week at the family resident, 401 South Busey Avenue, Urbana. He was taken to McKinley Hospital where he passed away. Mr. Gault was born May 15, 1869, at Elizabeth, Ill., the son of Hugh and Isabel Gault. He was married on Dec. 2, 1914, at Peoria. The widow and one daughter survive. Before joining the university staff, he had taught school at New Bedford, Morrison, and other places in Illinois. A life time resident of the state, he had lived at Urbana the past 23 years, moving there from DeKalb. The deceased was affiliated with the I.O.O.F. lodge of Morrison and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Surviving in addition to his widow, are a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Gault Pask, Urbana; one sister Mrs. Adda Glalfelty, Los Angeles, and a brother Charles O. Gault, Maywood. White teaching at New Bedford and Morrison, Mr. Gault was was a useful citizen, taking his place in the worthwhile activities of the church and community and made many friends. The body was laid to rest in the Greenville-Fairfield Cemetery near New Bedford with a brief service directed by the local minister. Rev. Maynard Woudsma. Six of his former Bible school classmates of New Bedford acted as pallbearers.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois October 25, 1939 - Wednesday, pg 5

MABEL (POLLARD) GEORGE , 86, of Albany, died Sunday at Morrison Community Hospital. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, with Rev. Laura L. Odegard, pastor of Albany United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Lusk Memorial Cemetery, Albany. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. Memorials has been established to the Albany United Methodist Church and Albany Ambulance Association. Mrs. George was born July 25, 1901 in Newton Township, the daughter of John and Mary Anglese Pollard. She married Harold D. George Sept. 18, 1937, in Rock Island. He died Aug. 31, 1987. She graduated from Albany High School and was a resident of Ustick Township for 30 years, moving to Albany in 1982. She was a 50-year member of Erie Evangeline Chapter 52, Order of Eastern Star. She also was a member of the Albany United Methodist Church and the church's Friendly Circle. Surviving are several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 11, 1988 - Monday, pg A2

PAUL KENNETH GEORGE , 89, died Thursday, May 13, 2010 at Sterling Pavilion. Paul worked for the Big Bear Grocery Store, then for Sears Roebuck & Company, before going to work at Rock River Provision for over twenty-five years as a salesman and driver, prior to retirement in 1983. After retirement Paul babysat for many families and in 1989 started working at Ace Hardware, Sterling and Grummert’s True Value, retiring in May 2000. Paul was born August 2, 1920 in Aurora, the son of Albert E. and Lena K. (Otten) George. He was baptized at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Aurora, October 30, 1921. His parents came to Nelson when he was small as his father worked for the railroad at the Nelson Roundhouse. He also lived a short time in Como. He attended Nelson and Como schools, prior to his parents moving to Rock Falls, when he was nine, where he attended school. He served in the United States Army Infantry from Sept 1942 – December 1945, overseas in Attu and Amchitka. He married Ruth Heilener on January 28, 1945 in Sterling. He and Ruth lived in Emerson for sixty-two years before they sold their home and moved to the Christian Life Retirement Center, Sterling. Paul loved to camp, was a member of the Outaga Campers Club for nearly thirty years, Bicycle Club, and served on the St. Paul Lutheran Church Board and was also Superintendent of the Sunday School, he was also a lifelong member of the church. He also served on the Emerson School Board, Good Neighbors Organization and was a member of the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society. He gave a total of six gallons of Blood to the Red Cross. Paul loved to visit and tell stories, especially after his retirement when he visited residents at the Sterling Pavilion every Wednesday. He knew no stranger. Survivors include his wife, Ruth; three daughters, Susan Tucker of Morrison, Carolyn Reppe of Winfield and Marcia (Carl) Rodekamp of Emerson; three sons, Alan (Jeanette) George of Prophetstown, David (Jill) George of Port Byron and Mark George of Milledgeville; two sisters, Anna (Myron) Yoeckel of Moline and Barbara (Clarence) Millerschoen of Sterling, one brother, Eugene (Joan) George of Sterling, eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren and one step-great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one grandchild and two brothers. Funeral services were held at 11 AM Monday, May 17, 2010 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling, with the Reverend Judi Huseth, pastor officiating. Burial was at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation was Sunday at the Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling. A memorial was established to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling.
Contributed by Barry Johnson

PEARL E. (CHESHIER) GEORGE , 212 E. 3rd St., Rock Falls, died Saturday morning in (06 Aug 1966) St. Mary's Hospital, LaSalle, from injuries suffered in an auto accident this week. Mrs. George, 83, was born Oct. 8, 1882 in Vandalia, Ill., the daughter of John and Sarah Lehman Cheshier. She was a member of the Rock Falls Methodist Church; the Rock Falls Rebekah Lodge and the WCTU. She was united in marriage to Fred George who preceded her in death, a sister and four brothers. Mrs. George is survived by a brother, Myron of Vandalia; three sisters, Mrs. Stella Buck, Mrs. Clair (Celia) Hayward, both of Rock Falls, and Mrs. Ruth Hill of Washinton, D.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home in Rock Falls after noon on Sunday. Funeral arrangements will be announced pending word from out of town relatives.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois August 6, 1966 - Saturday, pg 2

PEARLE (WEBER) ESSLINGER GEORGE , 79, of Sterling died Thursday, August 21, 2003, at Sterling Towers. She was employed as a waitress and beautician. She and her husband owned and operated Mel’s Diner for five years, retiring in 1984. Mrs. George was born July 6, 1924, in Prophetstown, the daughter of Sam and Alix (Williamson) Weber. She married Melvin Esslinger on September 1, 1944. He died in 1986. She then married Stanley George on June 25, 1988. He died November 19, 2001. She was a member of the Leon United Methodist Church, Prophetstown, and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling. She and her first husband raised eight foster children and hosted foreign exchange students. She was a member of Swinging Stars Square Dance Club and volunteered for Good Neighbors and Share. Survivors include a daughter, Djuna “Dee Dee” (Ron) DeMay of Prophetstown; a son, Gary (Jill) Esslinger of Clinton, IA; three stepsons, Ron (Carol) George of Sterling, Roger (Pam) George of Hillard, Ohio, and Randy (Cathy) George of Orlando, FL; six grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren She was preceded in death by two sons, Tim Esslinger and Lonnie Esslinger; a stillborn daughter; six brothers, Paul Weber, Frank Weber, Warren Weber, Rollin Weber, Clayton Weber and Lester Weber; and a sister, Miriam Toppert. Funeral services were held Monday, August 25, 2003 at St. Paul Lutheran Church with the Rev. Philip Gronbach, pastor officiating. Burial was in Leon Church Cemetery, Prophetstown. Memorials have been established to St. Paul Lutheran Church and Leon United Methodist Church.
Contributed by Debbie Thormahlen The Prophetstown Echo -Tuesday, August 26, 2003

TIMOTHY GONZALES - Funeral services for Timothy Gonzales were conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Grennan and Son Funeral Home. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas S. Green, pastor of St. Mary's Church, officiated. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery. The pallbearers were John Delgado, Frank Ramirez, Lupe Martinez, Joseph Martinez, Ray Phillips and Mauel Villegas. Flowers were cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Sam Moreno and Victor Martinez.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 28, 1963 - Monday, pg 3

BRUCE GOODRICH - The remains of Bruce Goodrich arrived Sunday morning from Seattle, Wash., and were taken to the Wheelock Funeral Home. Funeral rites will be held there at 2 p.m. Tuesday, conducted by the Rev. Harry E. Shiffer of the Rock Falls Christian Church. Interment will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rock Falls. Accompanying the remains were Mr. and Mrs. George Engfer of Seattle, wash., son-in-law and daughter of Mr. Goodrich, and Mrs. Donald Baldon of Chicago, another daughter. they are guests in the home of their aunt, Mrs. Corinne Hoak in Rock Falls.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette February 18, 1946 - Monday, pg 10

VERNON H. GOTTEL - Funeral services for Vernon H. Gottel were held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Nathan Williams officiating. Mrs. Paul R. Fritz was at the organ and Mark Parks sang "How Great Thou Art." Burial was in Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Guy A Coats, the Rev. Merton Fritz, George Penley, Scott and Donald J. and Stuart Wolber. Honorary pallbearers were deacons and trustees of the First Baptist Church, Perry Maple, Robert Borum Jr., Arthur Crofton, Donald Dudley, Paul Fritz, William Eberly, Wardell Greer, Richard and Stephan Larson, Kenneth McCaslin, Hugh Phillips, Bernard Roden, John Stern, Leslie Stern, Sherman Virtue, Maynard Wilder and James Williams. Ushers were Harry Kirchner and Thomas Rosenow. Flowers were taken care of by Swartley's and the flower committee of First Baptist Church. The body was moved from the Melvin Funeral Home at noon to lie in state until the hour of the service.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette October 22, 1973 - Monday, pg 2

MARY GRAFF , 94, of Sterling, passed away early Thursday in Community General Hospital. Death came following a lengthy illness. The body was taken to the Grennan and Son Funeral Home where friends may call after noon, Friday. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society of Sacred Heart Church and members will recite the rosary in the funeral home at 8 p.m. Friday. Funeral services will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home and at 9 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church with burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Surviving are one son, Willis, of Como; two daughters, Mrs. Etta Eakle, Sterling and Mrs. John W. (Anna) Bates, Moline; three sisters, Mrs. Clara Darnell, Coloma, Wis., Mrs. Katherine Williams, Morrison and Mrs. Elizabeth O'Neil, Sterling; 10 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren and a number of nephews and nieces. She was preceded by her husband, two sons, John and Frank, three sisters and one brother.
Contributed by Barbara Nugent - Sterling Daily Gazette 9 Aug 1962

LENA (ELMENDORF) GRAM - News of the death of Mrs. H. W. Gram of Chicago, which occurred Saturday (07 Nov 1925) at the Masonic Hospital in that city, came as a shock to relatives and her many friends in this city, as reports of her condition Friday were more favorable, following a serious operation to which she submitted a week ago. Her mother, Mrs. Frank Elmendorf, has been at her bedside for a number of days and her father was summoned Friday night by an adverse change in her condition, but failed to reach her before the end came. Lena Elmendorf was born at Morrison, Oct. 27, 1888, her entire life being spent in this city with the exception of the past five years, during which she has resided in Chicago. She received her education here in the city schools, completing the high school course with the class of 1907. The possessor of a sweet voice, she was for a number of years a member of the choir of the Presbyterian church, of which church she was a member, and identified with the young people's activities. On Oct. 30, 1909, she was united in marriage to Hugh W. Gram. Her husband and their three sons, Wallace, Charles and Lauren, are left to mourn the loss of a good wife and mother. Mrs. Gram was a woman of gentle and winning personality, possessing those graces of character which endeared her to many friends in her former home city, who learned of her early passing with deep regret. Besides the husband and children, she is mourned of her own kindred by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Elmendorf of this city, and a brother, Leland Elmendorf of Chicago. The remains were brought to her parents' home at 414 Lincoln Way East, Saturday evening, where funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. O. L. Walter of the Presbyterian church, followed by interment in Grove Hill Cemetery.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 9, 1925 - Monday, pg 7

EMMA C. (SMITH) GREENMAN - The funeral services for Mrs. B. D. Greenman were held at her home on Main Street on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and were very largely attended. All places of business were closed during the funeral hour. Rev. Theo Meyer of the Baptist Church, of which the deceased was a member, was in charge of the services and delivered a very helpful message, taking his text from St. John 6:20, "It is I; be not afraid." In his remarks he spoke briefly on the theme that when Jesus' voice is near, or when we live in His faith, there is nothing to fear. Those who knew the life of Mrs. Greenman best, know of her pure and sweet way in which she lived her own individual life, feel that the text was a very fitting one. The floral tributes were living testimony of the esteem of many friends of the departed. Rev. Meyer read several hymns, favorites of Mrs. Greenman, and at the close he read, "Sometime We'll Understand." The casket bearers were Fred Howland, Jed Badgley, Ernest McKenzie, L. W. Denison, L. E. Smith, John Strouss, all old friends of the family. Interment was in the Tampico Cemetery.
Life of Mrs. Greenman:: Mrs. Emma C. Greenman, nee Smith, was born in Eureka, Ill., April 11, 1866, and departed this life April 20, 1927. When but a child her parents came to Tampico and Mrs. Greenman has always made her home in this city. At a very early age she united with the Baptist church, of which she was a member at the time of her death. While for many years she was unable to attend services at the church, yet she was always interested in its welfare. She was made happy by the installation in her home of a radio, over which she heard many wonderful sermons which to her were very delightful. Her Christian experience was one of unusual beauty and her faith was ever bright and unfaltering. On November 25, 1886, she was united in marriage to B. D. Greenman, who survives her. Besides her husband, she leaves to mourn her loss, two sisters, Mrs. J. S. Johnson, Springfield, Mo., and Mrs. Ermyn Ludens of Sterling, and one brother, Dr. Ford A. Smith of Sterling, also six nieces and one nephew, and one grand nephew.

CLARE (CATHERINE) GRENNAN , age 65, a native of Rock Falls, died Sunday ( 16 June 1977) in Firmin Des Loge Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning in St. Louis. A memorial has been established to the Loretto Order of Sisters. Survivors include six sisters, Mrs. Joseph (Anne) McGrath of Polo, Mrs. John (Lucille) Lordan of St. Louis, Mrs. Nick (Genevieve) McGrath of Dixon, Mrs. Elton (Clare) Conley and Mrs. Richard (Loretto) Henkel both of Walnut, and Mrs. Howard (Eileen) Craft St of Sterling. She was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois June 17, 1977 - Monday, pg 4

MARY GRENNAN , Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Grennan were conducted Monday morning at 8;30 a.m. at the Trouth Funeral Home and at 9 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, with Rev. Francis McDonnell, celebrant at the requiem high mass. Rev. Frank Bonnike delivered the sermon and the pastor, the Right Rev. Msgr. A. J. Burns had the committal services in Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers were Francis Grennan, Larry Grennan, Bernard Pitz, Clarence Bauer, Philip Bauer and John Bauer. Flowers were cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Skala and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lopez. Relatives and friends were in attendance from Rochelle, Springfield, Oak Park, Geneva, Batavia, Amboy, Chicago, Dixon, Freeport, Prophetstown, Harmon, Polo and Oregon, ill., St. Louis, Mo.; and Clinton, Ia.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois September 14, 1954 - Tuesay, pg 2

GEORGE GRESTY - Word was received Sunday afternoon by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Cantlin of Rock Falls of the death of his brother-in-law George W. Gresty, who died Sunday morning (1 May 1966) in the hospital at Alexandria, Minn. Mr. Gresty was born Nov. 30, 1888 in Prophetstown and had lived with his wife, the former Ida Cantlin in Osakis, Minn., the past 54 years. Along with his wife, Ida, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Ollie Franks of Tampico and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Wednesday in Osakis after which the body will be returned to the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home, where arrangements will be announced upon completion.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling -Rock Falls, Illinois May 2, 1966 - Monday, pg 2 - (Burial: Tampico Memorial Cemetery)

CECIL GROBE - A former resident of Sterling, died this morning (Tuesday) in Hilton Nursing Home, Colchester, after an extended illness. The body was moved to the Melvin Funeral Home. There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. Harley Stauffer, pastor of the West Sterling Mennonite Church, officiating, at Riverside Cemetery. Mr. Grobe was born April 21, 1904 in Lee County, the son of William and Sophia Bolton Grobe. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Frank (Geneva) Glasser of Sterling and Mrs. Edward (Nellie) Gohring of Rockford.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois April 2, 1974

KENNETH L. GROFF , 42, of 410 9th Ave., Sterling, died at Iowa City Veterans Hospital Wednesday late afternoon (17 Dec 1975) . Funeral services will be held at the Allen Funeral Home in Sterling on Saturday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Donald D. Pritz, pastor of the St. John's Lutheran Church of Sterling, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Full military rites will be conducted at the grave by the Sterling VFW 326. A memorial has been established in his memory. Kenneth Groff was born Sept. 27, 1933 in Sterling, the son of Chester A. and Mabel Kreider Groff. He was a member of the Sterling VFW Post 326. He was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church of Sterling. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps in the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mabel S. Groff with whom he made his home in Sterling; one brother, Donald E. of Rock Falls; one on, Jeffery of Sterling. He was preceded in death by his father.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois December 23, 1975 - Tuesday, pg 4

MERLON J. GROSS , 86, of 10089 Stichter Road, Fulton, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999 at Morrison Community Hospital. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bradford Wilson, pastor of Fenton United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral Home. A memorial has been established to Fenton United Methodist Church. Mr. Gross was born June 1, 1913, in Garrison, Iowa, the son of John and Elfrieda (Zimmer) Gross. He was a 1931 graduate of Garrision High School, Garrison, Iowa. He married Vera Mae Elmdorf on Feb. 17, 1940 in Low Moore, Iowa. She died March 3, 1969. He later married D. Marie Likes-Meyer on June 11, 1984, in Fenton. She died Oct. 29, 1991. He was engaged in farming for a few years and was then employed by CX Oil Co., as a bulk station agent. He was also employed by Volckman Furniture, formerly of Morrison, as a night watchman. He was a member of Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodge, Morrison. Survivors include a daughter, Jean Coan of Dixon, two step-sons, Douglas L. Meyer of Morrison and Larry L. Meyer of Lansing, Mich.; a sister, Marian Bramm Spangler of Morrison; three grandchildren; and a great great grandson. He was preceded in death by a son, John Curtis Gross; and a sister, Evelyn Pennell.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois September 9, 1999 - Thursday pg A2

VERA MAE (ELMENDORF) GROSS , 55, RR 3, Morrison, passed away at 3:45 p.m. Monday in the Morrison Community Hospital, following a short illness. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Reynolds Funeral Home, the Rev. Charles Klosterman officiating, with burial in Grove Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m Tuesday (tonight). Vera Mae Elmendorf was born Sept. 13, 1913 in Morrison, daughter of Levi and Bertha Elmendorf. She graduated from the Morrison Community High School in 1931. She married Merlin Gross on Feb. 17, 1940 in LaMoor, Iowa. Following their marriage they lived in Morrison until 1956 when they moved to Sycamore and Ottumwa, Iowa, returning to Morrison in 1966. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Rebeckah Lodge and Past Noble Grands Club. She is survived by her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Wesley (Jean) Louise Coan of Rochelle; father, Levi Elmendorf of Morrison; brother Eugene of Morrison; sister, Mrs. Lee (Laura) Schipper of Morrison and three grandchildren. She was preceded by a son, John, and mother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois April 1, 1969 - Tuesday, pg 6

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