Whiteside Co IL Obituaries

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Whiteside County Illinois

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HAROLD MASON OAKFORD , 75, passed away Sunday afternoon (08 December 1968) at his home in Tampico, after an illness of some length. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Schmitt Funeral Chapel, the Rev. Arthur Lynn of Tampico Baptist Church officiating, with burial in Tampico Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Harold Oakford was born May 29, 1893 near Walnut, the son of Eugene and Augusta Oakford. He was educated in the Walnut schools and Bradley University at Peoria. He married Ruth Tonkinson on June 23, 1945 in Oregon. He lived in the Tampico vicinity about 12 years, served in Walnut for a few years as postmaster. After graduation from college he was engaged in the jewelry business in Walnut and Dixon. He served as custodian at the Walnut Grade School for 20 years. He was a member of the Walnut Christian Church. He is survived by his widow, two sons, Graham of Dixon; Billy of West Bend, Wis.; three grandchildren, two great grandchildren and two nephews. He was preceded by his parents, one sister, Edna Clark and one brother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor Sterling GazetteDecember 9, 1968 - Monday, pg 2

BENJAMIN F. OATMAN - Funeral arrangements are complete at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home for Benjamin F. Oatman, 83, 400 6th Ave., Rock Falls, who passed away at Community General Hospital Friday evening. Mr. Oatman was born May 27, 1877 in Prophetstown, the son of Henry and Mary Oatman. He was united in marriage July 2, 1917 to Esther Pettitt in the family home at Rock Falls where the couple resided 43 years together before her passing January 30, 1960. He was a member of the Rock Falls Methodist Church, the Fidelity Lodge. The deceased had been employed at the International Harvester for many years, retiring in 1956. He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Charles (Lydia) Bushman of Coleta; Mrs. Edwin (Elisabeth) Card of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Mrs. Regis (Ruth) Williams of Rock Falls, and Mrs. Clarence (Frankie) Campbell of Milledgeville; one sister, Mrs. Sarah Freeman of Rock Falls; also a nephew Delbert Freeman of Rock Falls, a niece Mrs. Bessie Dell of Rock Falls and 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be Monday 1:30 p.m. at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home with Rev. Ivan Obenshain, pastor of the Rock Falls Methodist Church, officiating, with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Prophetstown. Friends may call at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home after 7:00 p.m. Saturday.
COntributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois December 17, 1960 - Saturday, page 2

ESTA MAY OBENDORF - Funeral services for Mrs. Esta May Obendorf, 82 were held on Monday at 2 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church with the Rev. L. S. Anderson officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. Mrs. Obendorf died at the Prophets Riverview Center on Friday morning (02 Jun 1972). Serving as pallbearers were Clyde Olsson, Clair Hesler, Coe Gaulrapp, Clarence Hunt, Charles Majeski, Harold Fish and Perry Egert. Caring for flowers were Mrs. Grace Johnson, Mrs. Clyde Olsson, Mrs. Shirley Hesler and Hillcrest Greenhouse. Lloyd Wildman was soloist and Mrs. Harold C.Anderson was organist for the services.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois June 6, 1972 - Tuesday, pg 2

LARRY EDWARD OBENDORF - Funeral services for Larry Edward Obendorf, 33, formerly of Lyndon, were held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Melvin-Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling. He died suddenly on Feb. 10 at Colorado Springs, Colo. Burial was at Oak Knoll Memorial Park and a memorial has been established to the American Heart Association. Larry Obendorf was born Sept. 18,1952 at Dixon, the son of Donald and Roberta (Pipper) Obendorf. He was a 1970 Graduate of Newman High School and was employed as a cardiovascular nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs. He is survived by his mother, Jackie of Arlington, Texas, one daughter, Jennifer Obendorf of Justice and one brother, William of Colorado Springs. He was preceded by his father.
Contributed by Barbara Nugent Sterling Daily Gazette 17 Feb 1986

NOEL OBERG , 75, 902 West 10th St., Sterling, died Monday afternoon (2 March 1970) in Clinton Manor Nursing Home, Clinton, Iowa. Funeral services will be Thursday morning with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. at the Allen Funeral Home. Mass will be said at 210 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Everett J. Hiller, celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday. The rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Mr. Oberg was born Oct. 12, 1894 in Sterling, the son of George E. and Maude Luke Oberg. He was affiliated with the laundry business in Sterling for over 48 years, working many years at the Moore Laundry. In April, 1910 he was united in marriage to Margaret B. Rogers and the couple lived their entire married life in this area. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Survivors include two sons, Douglas, Sterling and Robert, Rock Falls; three daughters, Mrs. Paul (Margie) Gilmore, Sterling, Mrs. Paul (Mary Ann) Abell, and Mrs. Elmer (Beverly) Albus, both of Rock Falls and 14 grandchildren. His parents, his wife Margaret and one son preceded him in death.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 3, 1970 - Tuesday
Prayer services were held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the Allen Funeral home and Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Everett J Hiller, celebrant, for Noel L. Oberg, 9902 W. 10th St., Sterling, who died Monday afternoon. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery. Mrs. Roscoe Eades was at the organ at the funeral home. Pallbearers were: William Evans, John Flock, Paul Fane, Lester Jacobs, Frank Leitz and Edward Kelly. Flowers by Swartleys.
From Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 6 1970 - Friday pg 2

JOHN FREDERICK OBERLE , 77, died Wednesday morning (19 November 1975) at Community General Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Catherine' Catholic Church with the Rev. C. A. Anger officiating. Burial will be in St. Catherine's Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Gardner Chapel. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Friday. John Oberle was born Aug. 14, 1898 in Henry County, the son of Edward and Cora Jaquet Oberle. He was educated in Henry County schools. He married Erma Graham of Tampico at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tampico on Feb. 28, 1922. He farmed in the Prophetstown and Tampico areas until retiring in 1961. Survivors include his widow, one daughter, Mrs. William (Pauline) Braggo of Amboy; one son, John E. of Dixon; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Charles Bubnick of Peoria; and Mrs. James Wirth of Erie. He was preceded by two brothers and one grandson.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette November 20, 1975 - Thursday, pg 6

LAURA H. OCKEN - Last rites for Mrs. Laura H. Ocken were held at 1:30 p.m. Monday from the Trouth Funeral Home with Rev. E. J. Larsen officiating. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery. During the service, Mrs. Verna Harshman and Mrs. E. J. Larsen sang "Abide With Me.", accompanied by Pearl Graehling at the organ. Pallbearers were Richard Niehaus, Forrest Anderson, Walter Thomas, Francis Hurley, Case Eldrenkamp and John Kiefer. In charge of floral tributes were Mrs. Mary Harshman, Mrs. Lydia Wesner, Mrs. Verna Harshman, and Mrs. F. V . Conrad.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 12, 1952 - Tuesday pg 2

AGNES O'CONNELL , 91, of Sterling, died Tuesday (8 Jan 1980) at the Methodist Hospital in Peoria. A prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Grennan Funeral Home with Mass of Resurrection being at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sterling with Rev. William P. Knott officiating, with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-9 p.m. Thursday with rosary being recited at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. O'Connell is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Vincent (Catherine) Beien of Sterling, Mrs. Al (Mary Margaret) Sheen of Bel Air Bluffs, Florida, and Mrs. Frank (Mildred) Wortley of New Canaan, Conn., nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Dan Downey of Bloomington and one brother, Dan Twomey, also of Bloomington.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 9, 1980 - Wednesday pg 4

B. SUE (MANESS) OHDA , 65, of Rock Falls, died Monday, Nov. 8, 1999 at the University Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa. Graveside services were today at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling, with the Rev. Dalmus Meeks, pastor of Harvest Time Bible Church, officiating. Arrangements were completed by McDonald Funeral home, Rock Falls. A memorial has been established to Resthave Nursing home, Morrison. Mrs. Ohda was born June 4, 1934, in Burlington, N.C., the daughter of James and Hattie (Hancock) Maness. She married James Ohda on April 15, 1955 in Chesterfield, S.C. He survives. She enjoyed bowling. Survivors include a son, Tim Ohda of Dixon; two daughters, Lori Reavy of Morrison and Kristy Reyes of Rock Falls, and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 11, 1999 - Thursday, pg A2

JULIA (KOWOLSKY) OHDA ,66, 1511 5th Ave., Sterling, died Monday morning at her home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. at the Brennan Funeral Home. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church with the Rev. Jeffrey Wirth officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home with a wake service at 8 p.m. Julia Ohda was born on Mar. 13, 1916 in Monnessen, Penn. She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Altar and Rosary Society. Surviving are her husband, William; one son, Avid, Madison, Wis.; one daughter, Anita, Sterling; one brother Chester Kowolsky, Detroit, Mich.; one sister, Mrs. Stella Hoberg, Cleveland, Ohio; five grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Preceding her in death were her parents and one brother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette February 22, 1983 - Tuesday, pg A4

BESSIE (KUMP) OHMS , 54, Rt. 4, Sterling, died at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday in Community General Hospital. Death came following a brief illness. The body was removed to the Trouth Funeral Home, where friends may call after 7 p.m. this evening and until noon Friday when it will be taken to Our Saviour Lutheran Church to lie in state until 2 p.m. (DST), the hour of the services. The Rev. Theo Dierks, pastor, will officiate, and burial will be in Hopkins Cemetery. Bessie Kump was born Feb. 27, 1903 in Dixon, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kump. She lived in Minnesota with her parents when a child and came to this vicinity in 1925, where she married Carl Ohms, Jan 5, 1929 in Morrison, the Rev. Dierks officiating. They farmed on the same farm in Hopkins Township all of their married life. She was a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church. Surviving are her husband; one son, Clarence, at home; one daughter, Mrs. Robert Y. Davis, Rock Falls; her mother, Mrs. Mary Kump, Franklin Grove; four sisters, Mrs. George Fruit, Franklin Grove; Mrs. Gilbert Malconsom, Rockford; Mrs. Olaf Bergren, Minneapolis, Minn., and Mrs. Ryan Dachotts, Beardsley, Minn.; two brothers, Walter Kump of Franklin Grove and Russell Kump of Morrison; as well as several nephews and nieces. She was preceded by her father.
Contributed by Barbara Nugent - Sterling Daily Gazette, Wednesday, 17 July 1957, 2;2, Part II

EDWARD J. OHMS - Funeral services have been arranged for Edward J. Ohms 85, a retired Sterling area farmer, who passed away at 9 am Tuesday in Colonial Acres Rest Home, Rock Falls, after an illess of several months. Edward J. Ohms was born Sept 7, 1881 in Hopkins Twp, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Ohms. He attended Hokins Twp schools and farmed for many years in Hopkins Twp. He was united in marriage to Julia Oncken Feb. 10, 1908 in Sterling. Survivors include his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Wallace (Grace) Roberts, Sterling, one brother, George Ohms Sterling, two sistrs, Mrs. Henry Dauen adn Mrs. Ado Iben , both of sterling, four grandchildren and one great grandson. Funeral services will be at 2 pm Thursday at Behrens Mortuary with the Rev. Eldor Mueller officiating.Burial will be in Riverside Cemetry.
Contributed by Mike Hosler Obituary Dated 13 June 1967

JAMES L. OLDFIELD , 33, of Sterling, died suddenly Monday, Sept. 2, 2002, at Blackwell Regional hospital, Blackwell, Okla. Arrangements are pending at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois September 3, 2002 - pg A3

HOWARD C. OLINGER - 81, Erie, died (14 Jun 1983) Tuesday in Morrison Community Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Erie United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Mahaffey officiating. Burial will be in the Erie Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Schilling-Reedy Funeral Home, Erie. Memorials may be made to the church of which he was a member or the Erie Ambulance Fund. Howard Olinger was born on April 12, 1902 in Erie, the son of George and Louis(e) Slocum Olinger. On June 22, 1930 he married Ruth Banion in Davenport. He had been a carpenter and retired after 51 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Men, former member of the Church Board, former member of the Erie Grade School Board and the Erie Village Board. Surviving are his wife; one daughter, Mrs. Richard (Janice) Hummel, Prophetstown; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. James (Burnelle) Melton Sr., Erie. Preceding him in death were one daughter, three brothers and two sisters.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois, June 16, 1983 - Thursday, pg A6

LEILO OLINGER - Funeral services for Mrs. Leilo Olinger, formerly of rock Falls were conducted on Monday at 1 p.m. at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home with the Rev. Harry A Bullis, pastor of Free Methodist Church of Sterling, officiating. Burial was in Lyndon Cemetery . Mrs. Wayne E. Larson was organist and played “How Great Thou Art.” Pallbearers were Robert Brandt, Roland Brandt, Gerald Albert, Sr., Gerald Albert, Jr., Albert Palmer and Clarence Helms. Flowers were cared for by Roy Adams driving the R.B. and W. Company station wagon.
Contributed by Margaret Mangers - June 24, 1969 Sterling Gazette

LYLE OLINGER - Funeral services for Lyle Olinger, 56, of White Bear Lake, Minn., were held at the Schilling Funeral Home in Erie Sunday afternoon. The Rev. Donald M. Cobb, pastor of the Eire Methodist Church, officiated. Mr. Olinger died at a hospital at Granite Falls, Minn., Wednesday, following a one-day illness after suffering a stroke. Mrs. John Lauritzson sang. Mrs. Richard Schilling was organist. Pallbearers were Jack McNeil, John McNeil, both of Prophetstown; James Melton jr., Gilbert Medema, Donald Floming, Port Byron, and Arland McNeil, Rock Island. Those in charge of flowers were Mrs. Gertrude Shortridge, Mrs. Glenn Howell and Mrs. Wendell Miller. Masonic services were conducted at the grave with Sol Shaheen in charge. Burial was in Erie Cemetery. Those who attended the funeral services from a distance were Mrs. Lyle Olinger, Gary Olinger, Mrs. and Mrs. Neil Olinger, all of White Bear Lake, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Witzky of St. Paul, Minn.; Mrs. Thomas Allie of Panama, Central America; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Hill, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Slocum, Mr. and Mrs. Arland McNeil, Rock island; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bealer, Oregon; Mr. and Mrs Raymond Bealer, Sycamore, Mrs. Bette Wetzel, Rock Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Chairs Michaelsen, Clinton, Iowa; Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Murphy and Mr. and Mrs. James Fitch, Silvis; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kuhner, Moline; Mr. and Mrs. David Lacy, Sheffield and others from Prophetstown, Lyndon, Albany, Port Byron, Rock Island and Eries. Mr. and Mrs. James Melton served supper Sunday evening to the relatives and friends who attended the funeral services.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois September 14, 1954 - Tuesay, pg 2

RUTH V. (BANION) OLINGER , 94, of Prophetstown, formerly of Erie, died Sunday, February 18, 2007 at the CGH Medical Center, Sterling. Memorial services will be at 11a.m. Saturday, February 23, at the Erie United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Erie Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10 a.m. to service time. Memorials may be made to the Erie Public Library. The former Ruth V. Banion was born on March 21,1912, in Peoria, the daughter of Lafayette and Mary Ellen Hayes Banion. She married Howard C. Olinger on June 22, 1930, in Davenport, Iowa. He died on June 14, 1983. She had been a nurse’s aide at the Prophets Riverview Good Samaritan Center , Prophetstown. Mrs. Olinger was a member of the Erie United Methodist Church and the Women’s Society of the church. She enjoyed, playing cards and going to the boat. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Richard Hummel of Prophetstown: grandchildren, Claudia Michaels, JoEllen Morphew Paul Hummel and Daniel Hummel: great-grandchildren. Bobbie Ann Blumhoff, Mitchell Hummel, Randee Hummel , Nick Morphew, Sean Michaels, Shannon Michaels and Joshua Hummel: great-great grandchildren, Hanna Blumhoff and Isabelle Blumhoff.
Contributed by LeRoy Sundin

FAITH LENORA ORMSBEE - There is an added burden of grief when a young life, full of promise, is taken from us. It is a little more difficult to resign ourselves to the loss and to endeavor to penetrate into the Providence of God which has permitted it. So it is as we face the death of our dear young friends. Faith Leonora Ormsbee, third daughter of Porter and Carrie Ormsbee, 1111 Seventh Avenue, was born at Elkhorn Gove, Carroll County, October 27, 19902. Her death occurred at an early hour Monday morning, December 16, 1918 at the age of sixteen years, one month and nineteen days. Her childhood years were spent largely at her home near Polo. When she was eight years of age, with her parents she lived on the John Phillips farm, a mile east of Sterling, making her home here for six years, and attending the Woodlawn school, where she was a general favorite with teachers and schoolmates because of her sweet disposition. Since 1916, her home has been in Sterling, where a year ago she entered the Mid-year class of the High School. At the time of her death she was a student in the Business College of the city, preparing herself for an honorable and useful life. On the Lord's day morning of June 3, 1917, she was received into membership in St. John's Lutheran Church, by the holy rite of Baptism. The Savior she confessed that day was always precious to her and wonderfully sustained her in the last hours of her life. Faith was a girl of peculiarly winsome nature. She was not only bright intellectually, but vivacious socially, and there was an unusual spiritual depth in her personality. Her given name seemed prophetic of one of the chief characteristics of her life -- faith in God, and loving confidence in those about her. She is survived by her parents and two sisters, who are: Mrs. Blanche Baker, living on the Freeport Road northeast of town and Miss June at home. There was a pathos indeed in the fact that neither mother nor youngest sister could minister to their loved one in her illness, for both were afflicted with influenza and in a very weak condition at the same time. Miss Faith was seriously ill from pneumonia, following the influenza or only a little over a week. it seems hard that "one so young should have a life so brief." From the stern realities which death brings we turn to the comfort and strength which the eternal verities give us. The love of our Faithful God, the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the blessed comfort of the Holy Spirit, in providing for us salvation for our Eternal Home, -- these sustain and keep as nothing else. It is not an absurd fact, nor a forlorn hope that Faith "heard her Savior calling, and has gone with Him all the way." That means Heaven, -- the Blessed Home of the Redeemer and the redeemed.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois December 20, 1918 - Friday, pg 3

MARIE (KAMINKY) ORTH , 89, of 430 Martin Road, Rock Falls, died Saturday evening (15 Feb 1980) in Community General Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home in Rock Falls with Rev. Elder Windborn, pastor of the Rock Falls Immanuel Lutheran Church officiating, with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Sterling. Friends may call from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Orth was born on Dec. 2, 1890 in Casey, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Christina Bohack Kaminky. She was united in marriage to Arthur J. Orth, who preceded her in death. During World War II, she had worked as an inspector at RB&W Co in Rock Falls. She lived her entire life in this area except for a few years that she lived in Lincoln, Neb., where she served as hostess at the Lincoln Hotel. She was also a practical nurse, having served many families in the Sterling-Rock Falls area. She was a past worthy matron of the Dixon Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Orth is survived by several niecesand nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois February 19, 1980 - Tuesday, pg 4

SUNDAY (ARDUINI) O'TOOLE -Funeral arrangements are being completed at the Melvin Funeral Home in Sterling for Mrs. Sunday (Arduini) O'Tolle, who passed away shortly before noon today at Community General Hospital. Recently she had been living at 306 N. 9th Ave., Las Vegas, Nev., but was brought to the local hospital several weeks ago. Among the survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Tony (Barbara) Bevilacqua, and a son, Francis Beckley, Las Vegas; her mother, Mrs. Antoinette Arduini, Rock Falls, and her father, Philip Arduini, Sterling.
COntributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 2, 1964 - Monday, pg 2

WILLIAM A. OTTO , 1104 6th Ave., Sterling died in his home suddenly Friday evening. (1 Feb 1963) . Mr. Otto was born Jan. 11, 1888 in Sterling, the son of Carl and Caroline Voeltz Otto. He resided in Sterling his entire life and was educated in the Sterling Public Schools. For more than 50 years he was employed by Lawrence Bros., retiring in 1951. He was married to Emma Plautz, Oct. 25, 1911, in Sterling. He was a member of the Messiah Evan. Lutheran Church of Sterling. Surviving besides his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Marion Schettler of Sterling; one granddaughter, Sue Lynn Schettler, Sterling; one sister, Mrs. Amelia Kannaka, Sterling. His parents and two sisters preceded him in death. The body was moved to the Melvin Funeral Home where friends may call after 2 p.m. Sunday. A prayer service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home for the family. At noon Monday, the body will be taken to the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church to lie in state until the time of the service at 3 p.m. Rev. Eldor Mueller, pastor, will officiate. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois February 2, 1963 - Saturday, pg 2

MARY ELIZABETH (RUMMEL) OVERCASH , passed away at 9 a.m. Wednesday (19 Nov 1952) in her home at 1802 East Fifth Street, Sterling, where she had been bedfast the past two weeks. She had resided in her late home for 24 years. The body rests at the Melvin Funeral Home where friends may call after 7 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral rites are tentatively planned for Friday and complete arrangements will be announced later. Mary Elizabeth Rummel Overcash was born December 16, 1861, in Welch Run, Pa., the daughter of Jacob and Nancy Rummel. She was united in marriage with Elmer Overcash January 17, 1889, in Welch Run. They moved to Sterling in 1902. Mrs. Overcash was a member of the Reformed Mennonite Church. Mr. Overcash preceded his wife in death July 15, 1952. She is survived by two sons, Elmer and Emery, both of Sterling, and one daughter, Mrs. Harvey Dodds of New Rockford, North Dakota. Her parents, husband, two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 19, 1952 - Wednesday, pg 2

FRANK OWENS , of Dixon passed away at 1:30 a.m. Sunday in Hines Veteran hospital, Hines, after an illness of the past several years. Funeral rites will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Melvin Funeral Home, Dixon, followed by burial in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rock Falls. Mr. Owens was a former resident of Rock Falls. He is survived by his father, A. L. Owens, a patient in the Eldena Nursing Home and five nieces, Mrs. Warren Clifton of Rock Falls, Mrs. Stacy Morehead and Mrs. John VanDensen of Sterling, Mrs. Harold Hurd, Jr., of Chadwick and Mrs. Donald Johnson of New Bedford. He was preceded in death by his mother, one sister and one brother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois July 13, 1953 - Monday, page 2