MARY MAGDALENA (ESHLEMAN) HESS
: Across the Whiteside county line, near Penrose, yesterday occurred the funeral of one of Jordantown's best respected residents, Mrs. Michael Hess, who died very suddenly at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ripley Stauffer, on Friday noon. For a number of years she had been a helpless invalid from heart disease; but her condition on the day of her death seemed no more precarious than usual. Mary Magdalena Eshleman was born in Lancaster county, Pa., October 20, 1820. She spent her girlhood there and nearly sixty years ago was married to Michael Hess. They came west in the spring of 1868 and Mr. Hess, who had worked as a mason and shoemaker in the east, became a successful farmer in Penrose. Twelve children were born to them, ten of whom survive, Benjamin having died in the east and Michael is buried in Alaska, where he died seven years ago. Three daughters and seven sons, besides her husband survive. They are: Mary, wife of Ripley Stauffer of Jordan; Zachariah, who is out west; Emma, wife of Henry Mellinger of Jordan; Eli, Sterling; Emanuel, Jordan; Jacob, Spearville, Kan.; Susan, wife of Jacob Trouth of Dixon; Ephriam, Dixon; Theodore, Sterling. Her long illness prevented Mrs. Hess from being well known by the younger people of her vicinity, but her many older friends will remember her always as a woman of splendid character, a devoted wife, loving mother and kind neighbor and friend. In health she was a regular attendant at the old Mennonite church in Science Ridge.
Contributed by Tom Hess
MICHAEL RATHFORD HESS
, an aged and highly respected citizen of Jordan township, died at 5 o'clock Friday evening at the home of his son in law, Henry Mellinger of Jordan. The funeral will be held Sunday at 1 o'clock at the Mellinger home and at 2:30 in the Reformed Mennonite church in this city. Burial will take place in the cemetery connected with the church. Six sons of the deceased will act as pall bearers and will lay the body of their father in its final resting place at the side of the wife and mother who passed away five years ago. Rev. Wiliam Miller will conduct the services. Michael Rathford Hess was born in Lancaster county July 7, 1816 and with one exception was the last surviving member of his generation of the family, one brother past four score who lives at the old home survives. Sixty years ago the deceased was married to Miss Mary Eshelman and in 1868 they came to Illinois and settled in Jordan township, where they spent the rest of their lives. Mrs. Hess preceded her husband to the grave five years ago. Twelve children were born of this union all but two of whom survive; Michael a son, dying in Alaska and Benjamin, another son, also passed away. The remaining sons are Zachariah and Jerimiah, twins, and Emanuel of Jordan, Eli of this city, Theodore of Mendota, Ephriam of Dixon and Jacob, who resides in Kansas. Three daughters, Mendames Mary Stauffer and Henry Mellinger of Jordan and Mrs. Susan Trouth of Dixon are surviving daughters. Previous to settling in the west Mr. Hess followed the trade of a mason, but has been a farmer during the thirty-four years of his residence in Jordan. He was a man of unimpeachable probity and highly esteemed by everyone with whom he came in contact. For several years he has suffered from the weakness attending his advanced years. For several months past he has failed rapidly and for a month has been nearly helpless. His death closes a blameless life, one that has been a honor to his kind. His example will live after his body has long returned to the elements from which it came and his name will be synonymous with upright, kindly manhood so long as his last acquaintance lives
Contributed by Tom Hess
THEODORE E. HESS
, 91, former area teacher who died at 7 o’clock Friday night at Whiteside county nursing home will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Melvin funeral home. Bishop A.C. Good will officiate. Burial will be in Science Ridge cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon Sunday. Mr. Hess was born October 10, 1865 in Conestoga Centre Pa., son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hess. The family came west and located in Sterling. He taught school for 14 years in Ogle and Whiteside counties and was employed as a carpenter and a correspondence school solicitor. He was a mail clerk for six years with the Chicago and North Western railroad and later operated an advertising agency in Elgin. There are no immediate survivors.
Contributed by Tom Hess
ZACHARIAH E. HESS
, 88-year-old Civil War veteran, died at 12:15 o’clock last night at the home of his niece, Mrs, Frank K. Barge, on the Freeport road, following a stroke he suffered while working in his flower garden yesterday morning at 6:30 o;clock. He never rallied. “Uncle Zach” as he was known to many relatives and friends lived a vigorous life, even to his death, having been engaged in his beloved flower garden. He and his twin brother, Jeremiah, of Dixon, were honored last spring at the Barge home with a birthday party, March 16, 1933. The twins were nationally known as having been among the last twin brothers who were survivors of the Civil War. Mr. Hess was born March 16, 1845, near Safe Harbor, Lancaster County, Pa., making him 88 years, 3 months and 21 days old. At the age of 17, he and his brother “Jerry” enlisted in the 20th Pennsylvania cavalry and served in it six months, when they were mustered out. They immediately re-enlisted in the 236th Pennsylvania volunteers, and fought continuously to the close of the Civil War, having been in the engagements at Fort Fisher, Petersburg, Gettysburg and other famous battles. At the end of the war, the brothers came west and made their home. Zachariah Hess was a carpenter and very fine cabinet worker while his brother Jeremiah was a stone mason. Mr. Hess was very fond of flowers and during the latter years of his life greatly enjoyed floriculture. He was one of a family of 12 children, nine boys and three girls. Surviving him are a son, Albert Hess of Reseda, Calif., his brother Jeremiah of Dixon, a brother, Theodore of Elgin and one sister, Mrs. Mary Stauffer of Penrose and a number of nieces and nephews. Word has been received from the son, Albert H. Hess in California that he will be unable to come to Sterling for the services. The remains have been removed to the Melvin funeral home, where they may be viewed until Saturday, after which they will be returned to the Barge home. Private services will be held at the home of Frank Barge, south of Penrose, Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock followed by services at the Science Ridge church at 3:00 o’clock. Rev. A.C. Good officiating. Burial will be in the Science Ridge cemetery adjoining the church.
Contributed by Tom Hess
CATHERINE (VOCK) HODGE
, 87, of Sterling died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005, at CGH Medical Center, Sterling. She was employed by CGH Medical Center in the dietary department for 13 years. Mrs, Hodge was born Dec. 16, 1917, in Sterling, the daughter of Edward Francis and Louise Irene (Ribordy) Vock. She married George Hodge on Nov. 24, 1937, in Polo. He died Dec. 14, 1968. She was a member of St. Mary Church, Sterling, and the Altar and Rosary Society, where she helped prepare funeral dinners. She also was a 50-year member of Homemakers Extension and a past volunteer at FISH Food Pantry.
Survivors include three sons, Orville (Judy) Hodge and Joe (Pat) Hodge, both of Sterling, and James (Dawn) Hodge of Dixon; a daughter, Lucille (Herman) Michels of Moline; a brother, Francis Vock of Polo; five sisters, Bernadine Blum, Lorreta Carroll and Dorothy Clothier, all of Polo, Ruth Forrestall of Ohio and Eilene (Bruce) Wright of Lake Carroll; 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Louise Hodge; a grandson; and a great-grandson. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred-Heart Catholic Church, Sterling, with the Rev. Paul White, pastor, celebrant, officiating. Burial is at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
KAREN (BALLARD) HODGES
, 61, of Lanark died July 20, 2005 at her home. She was born Dec. 1, 1943 in Rock Falls, the daughter of Arthur and Emma (Gregory) Ballard. She married Gerald R. Hodges on Sep. 2, 1962 in Rock Falls. She enjoyed golfing and quilting.
Survivors include her husband; a daughter Renai (Tom) Vodick of Woodridge; two sons, Jeffrey of Byron and Christopher of Roscoe; a sister, Lorraine Hendryx of Rock Falls; two brothers, Raymond D. of Sterling and Wayne W. of Lancaster KY; and seven grandchildren.
She ws preceded by her parents; and her stepfather, Norval Gillman.
LETA A. (ENTWHISTLE) HODGES
, 81, of 545 42nd Ave., East Moline, died Saturday afternoon at her home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at the Trimble Funeral Home, 601 21st St., Moline, with Dr. Wayne C. Hess of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Graveside services will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. in Morrison at the Grove Hill Cemetery. Visitation is 7-9 p.m. at the Trimble Funeral Home. She was born Leta A. Entwhistle in Morrison on July 7, 1897. She married Earl C. Hodge on June 27, 1918 in Lyons, Iowa. She was employed as a sales clerk at McCabes, and Peterson-Harned-VonMaur. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Moline, a 52 year member and past president American legion Auxiliary, 246 of Moline, past state officer for the State American Auxiliary, charter member of the Past Presidents Barracks 410 of Rock Island County Auxiliary to veterans of WW I. She was also past president of the Chapurx Salon No. 137, 8 and 40. Survivors include her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Rosalie Groves of Moline; one son, Robert Hodge of Silvis; two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Contributed by Barbara Nugent from the Sterling Daily Gazette Obituary, Monday, August 28, 1978
ABBIE (LAIR) HOLCOMB
: Last rites for Mrs. Abbie Holcomb, 73, who died Wednesday night (11 January 1950) in her home at 1012 Avenue b, Rock Falls, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Wheelock funeral home. She had been ill several years. Rev.LeRoy Gholson of the Jshovah Witnesses will officiate at the service. Burial will be in the Rock Falls IOOF cemetery. Mrs. Holcomb was born March 10, 1876 in Galva, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Lair. She was reared and educated in that city moving to ROck Falls 30 years ago after her marriage to Linus Holcomb, Dec. 8, 1894. The Holcombs were married in Dixon. Surviving are her husband, Linus, five sons, Linus Jr., Waukegan, Gerald, Harold and walter, all of Rock Falls, and Richard, of Winthrop Harbor; four daughters, Mrs. Arthur Langford, Mrs. Kenneth McNinch, Mrs Julia Bell and Mrs. Sherman Bonnell, all of Rock Falls. She was preceded in death by her paretns, and five children, Elmer, Helen, Bessie, Nellie and Isabelle.
Sheila Smith