MARY ELLEN (WELCH) RENNER
, 73, of two miles east of Tampico, passed away Thursday at 6 p.m. at the home. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Tampico Methodist church with the Rev. L. B. Beals officiating. Burial will be in the Tampico Memorial cemetery. Mary Ellen Welch, daughter of Charles and Ellen Welch, was born on Sept. 22, 1864 at Valigo, Calif. She was married to Frank Renner on Dec. 12, 1883. Surviving are the husband, four sons, Glenn of Walnut, John of Hanahman, Fred of Sterling, and Harry of Sherrard, and two daughters, Mrs. Iver Johnson of Moline, and Mrs. Lee Wallis of Walnut. A daughter died in infancy.
The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois October 26, 1937 - Tuesday, pg 8, col. 1
Mrs. Frank W. Renner, the eldest child of Charles W. Welch and Ellen Cronin, was born at Valego, Calif., on Sept. 22, 1864 and passed away at Deer Grove, Ill., Oct. 21, 1937, at the age of 73 years, 29 days. As a small child, she moved with her parents from Valego, Calif., to Tampico, where she resided until her marriage to Frank W. Renner on Dec. 21, 1883. They then moved to a farm three miles east of Tampico where they resided until March 1, 1936, when they moved to Deer Grove. To this union were born seven children: Nettie, who passed away in infancy, and the following who, besides her husband, survive her: Glenn of Walnut, John of Hahnaman, Fred of Sterling, Harry of Sherrard; Mrs. Florence Johnson of Moline; Mrs. Bertha Wallis of Walnut; and her brother, Will of Elmira; also 14 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mrs. Renner was a member of the Tampico Methodist church.
Contributed by Melva Taylor The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois October 26, 1937 - Tuesday, pg 8, col. 1
RONALD L. RENNER
, 40, 1213 32st Ave., Rock Falls who died Wednesday, (7 March 1957) services were held Saturday. A prayer service for the family was held in the Allen Funeral Home followed by services in the Rock Falls Lutheran Church with the Rev. Donald Comnick officiating. Burial was in Oak Knoll Memorial Park.
The Rock Falls American Legion post conducted complete military rites with many of the Legion posts in District 13 participating. More than 450 persons were in attendance.
Mrs. CLyde Nelson and Mrs. Herman Oltman sang The Old Rugged Cross, and Jesus Keep Me Nar the Cross, with Mrs. Wayne Larson at the organ.
Pallbearers were Arthur Paver, Hamilton Scott, Albert Milledge, Hollen Atchley, LeRoy Lancaster and Edwin Schueler. Honorary pallbearers were Kenneth Wike, Lee Wolfe, Edward Love, Marion Genkinger, LeRoy Nelson and Charles Davis.
In charge of flowers were Mrs. Dwight Blackert, Mrs.Sievio Tintori, Mrs. Robert Hildebrand, Mrs. John Olson, Mrs. Edward Love, Mrs. Earl Harrison, Mrs. Bernice Fritz, Mrs. Robert Tuft, Mrs. Kenneth Wike, Mrs. Lee Cutter and Lundstrum florists.
Robert Dietz and Clarence Hasselman served as ushers in the church
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 11, 1957 - Monday, pg 2
WILLIAM HENRY RENNER
, son of James and Lena Renner was born March 24, 1888, in Deer Grove, Illinois, and died at his home in Yankton, [S. D.], September 27, 1963, at the age of 75. He was one of 11 children, five having preceded him in death. On April 7, 1920, he was married to Arlie Cecil Coolidge at Bonaparte, Iowa. To this union one daughter was born, Virginia Ann, Mrs. Robert Shoemaker. He came to Yankton in 1927 and worked as a clerk for Keith Eide, who operated the hotel at that time. He was also in the used car business for several years. Left to mourn his passing are the widow and daughter, three grandchildren, Susan Rae, William Howard and Barbara Ann Shoemaker, four sisters, Mrs. Nellie Trainer of Angola, Indiana, Mrs. Grace White of Mishawaka, Indiana, Mrs. Mae Cantrell of Xenia, Illinois, and Mrs. Sadie Lee of Tampico, Illinois, two brothers, Guy Renner of Hooppole, Ill., and Lourde Renner of Sterling, Ill. Funeral service were held at the Schenk-Murphy Chapel Monday, September 30, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. James Munck of Christ Episcopal church officiating. Mr. Renner had been in ill health for many years. He was buried in the Yankton cemetery. Active pallbearers were Wally Flint, Sid Gurney, Bob Steinbach, Len Reaney, Charles Larson and George Thompson. Honorary pallbearers were Oswald Schelske, Elmer Flynn, Dr. F. W. Haas, Harley Forbes, Vit Kocer and Dave Nymark.
RAY WALTER REPASS
, 85, of Rock Falls , died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, at CGH Medical Center . Ray was born March 9, 1922, in Burkes Garden, Va., the son of William Henry and India Caldonia (Edwards) Repass. On March 30, 1951, he married Mary Louise ( Hamilton ) Repass in North Tazwell and moved to Rock Falls in 1955. She preceded him in death on Dec. 9, 2004. Ray was a U.S. Army veteran serving during World War II. He was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge and his second Purple Heart after being wounded on Normandy Beach . He later was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for bravery. He retired from Northwestern Steel and Wire Co., Sterling , in 1984. Ray was a founding member of Rock Falls Evangelical Congregational Church and was part of the building process. Ray also was a member of the Rock Falls American Legion. He was a devoted husband and father who loved horses, horse tradin’, farming and antique hunting. He is survived by two sons, Andy (Ellen) Repass of Rock Falls and Tommy (Robyn) Repass of Puyallup, Wash.; and four grandchildren, Corrina, Alan, Emily and Olivia. Ray was preceded in death by his wife; his daughters, Dreema and Karen; seven brothers; and six sisters. A celebration of his life will be at Rock Falls Evangelical Congregational Church with the Rev. Dennis Buss officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rock Falls Evangelical Congregational Church, 1602 13th. Ave., Rock Falls , IL . 61071. Cremation rites have been accorded. McDonald Funeral Home & Crematory, Rock Falls , is in charge of arrangements.
The Dixon Telegraph, Friday, August 24, 2007, Page A2 – Col. 1-2
GRACE B. (RHODES) RIPPEY
, of 703 1/2 106h Ave., Rock Falls, died early Wednesday morning (19 Jan 1966) at Community General Hospital at the age of 34. Mrs. Ribby was born in Ramsey, Ill., Nov. 26, 1931, the daughter of Louie and Jennie Hicks Rhodes. She had been employed at the General Electric Co. at Morrison.
She is survived by her mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Moreland; one daughter, Joy; three sons, Robert, Mike and Pat, at home; three sisters, Beatrice Scott, Mrs. Leonard (Corky) Cheshire, both of Rock Falls and Mrs. James (Blanche) Slifer of Sterling; three brothers, Ora (Dusty) Rhodes of Rock Falls, William Rhodes of Como and Darrell Rhodes with the Armed Forces overseas; one stepbrother and three stepsisters; several nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles and cousins; also her grandfather, Charles Rhodes of Ramsey.
She was preceded by her father and two brothers.
Funeral services will be Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral home with the Rev. Harry W. Lutz of the Assembly of God Church with burial in
Odd Fellows Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Thursday.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 19, 1966 - Wednesday
WILLIE P. RIPPEY
, 83, of RR 2, Morrison, died early Monday (21 December 1970) at Morrison Community Hospital. Funeral services will be at the Wheelock Allen Funeral home Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. H. C. Hatton, pastor of the First Nazarene Church of Sterling officiating. Burial in IOOF Cemetery in Rock Falls.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Wheelock Allen Funeral Home, Rock Falls. Mr. Rippy was born May 28, 1887, in Sumner County, Tenn., the son of Jerry and Mary Maggart Rippy. A member of Faith Assembly Church of Sterling, he was retired from NWS & W where he was a guard.
He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Vernon (Alice) Adolph, Chadwick; Mrs. Robert (Iva) Kramer, Morrison; Mrs. Jim (Agnes) Adcock, Galesburg; and Mrs. Robert (Glenda) Sharp, Rock Falls; four sons, Harold, Rock Falls; Raymond, Huntley, Ill.; George, Lanark; and Robert, Rockford; 27 grandchildren and 60 great grandchildren.
He was preceded by is wife, Edna, who died Aug. 11, 1967, one daughter, Ferne in infancy; two brothers and one sister.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois December 21, 1970 - Monday, pg 2
KING JOSEPH RODRIQUEZ
- Funeral services for King Joseph Rodriquez will be held Friday morning with an 8:30 prayer service in the Grennan and Son Funeral Home and Mass of the Resurrection at nine o'clock in St. Mary's church. The burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
There is visitation at the Grennan and Son Funeral Home Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Thursday.
King Joseph Rodriquez died early Monday morning (12 November 1973) in a mobile home fire in Columbia, S.C. He is survived by his wife Patricia and daughter Amy Lynn; his mother, Mrs. Mary Jane Cervantes; three sisters, Angie and Irene Rodriquez and Rosemary Moreno and nine brothers, Moses, Rodriquez and George, Robert, Eddie, Oscar, Manuel, Ralph, Jerry and John Cervantes.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling GazetteNovember 14, 1973 - Wednesday, pg 2
DONNA (FRITSCH) ROTH
, 36, Propohetstown, died Wednesday evening in Memorial Hospital, Belleville, where she had been admitted Monday.
Services will be held Friday evening in Belleville after which the body will be brought to the Gardner Funeral Chapel, Prophetstown, where services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Visitation will be at Gardner Chapel from 9 a.m. Saturday until time of service. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Mrs. Roth was born August , 1934, in Walnut, the daughter of Cecil and Maymie Hollis Fritsch. She received her education in Tampico schools. She was married to Henry Roth, Chicago, Nov. 25, 1955. Mrs. Roth was a member of the Illini Parent Association and the Peace Lutheran Church, Belleville.
Survivors are her husband; one son, Jerry, two daughters, Merrillee and Jodee all at home; her mother in Albion; three brothers, Lt. Col. Billy Fritsch, Coral Bay, S.C.; Eldon Fritsch, Rock Falls; Jerry Fritsch, Deer Grove; one sister, Mrs. Ronald (Nyla) Croy, Rock Falls. She was preceded by her father.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 18, 1971 - Thursday, pg 2
MARIE C. (WOLZFELT) ROTH
, 83, of 312 E. 10th St., Rock Falls, died Friday afternoon (24 March 1972) in Rock Falls Colonial Acres Rest Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Rock Falls Immanuel Lutheran Chnurch, with the Rev. E. A. Henrichs officiating, and burial in IOOF Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday.
Mrs. Roth was born on April 6, 1888 in Bureau County, the daughter of Christian and Anna Kneireim Volland. She was united in marriage on Feb. 5, 1908 to John T. Wolzfelt and he preceded her on Nov. 17, 1949. On Jan. 8, 1951, she was united in marriage to Herbert Roth Sr. who preceded her on Jan. 6, 1961. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and was a member of the Rock Falls Immanuel Lutheran Church and a member of the Friendly Neighbor Club for many years. She is survived by one son, John M. Wolzfelt of Rock Falls; one daughter, Mrs. Glenn (Doris) Carroll of Rock Falls with whom she had made her home; four step-sons, Bennie Roth of Hobart, Ind., Herbert and Carl Roth, both of Rock Falls; and Melvin Roth of Lombard; one step-daughter, Mrs. Ed (Romilda) O'Connell of LaSalle; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and six step grandchildren. She was preceded by both husbands, two daughters, Mrs. Raymond (Edrie) Johnson and Mrs. Lorenzo (Rose) Wescott; two brothers; one sister and one granddaughter.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
March 25, 1972 - Saturday
PAULINE (COFFEE) ROUSCH
, 54, RR 1, Prophetstown, died early this morning in Moline Public Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Gardner Chapel and afterwards the body will be taken to LaGrange, Ky., for further services and burial. Visitation will be on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established in her memory.
Pauline Roush was born on May 9, 1928 in Salyersville, Ky., the daughter of Richard and Geneva Holbrook Coffee. She was educated in Kentucky. In 1945 she married Archie Mitchell of Carlyle, Ky. He preceded her in death in 1967. On Apr. 4, 1977, she married Layton Roush of Muscatine, Iowa, in Wise, Va. They moved to the Prophetstown community in 1981 where she was employed as nurses aide at the Prophets Riverview Center.
Surviving are her husband; mother, Geneva Coffee, Salyersville, Ky., one daughter, Mrs. Dwight (Kathy) Amery, Prophetstown; one son, Richard Mitchell, Kentucky; three stepdaughters, Dixie Tompkins and Jean Sultzberger, both of Muscatine and Linda Dolquist, Cherokee, Ark; three stepsons, Dean Roush, moulton, Mo., Richard Roush, Moscow, Iowa, and Jerry Roush, Prescott, Ariz.; one sister, Patty Patrick, Salyersville, Ky.; three brothers, Curtis Coffee and Eddie Coffee, Slayersville and Willard Coffee, Plains City, Ohio and 12 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father and first husband.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette February 24, 1983 - Thursday, pg A4
CARRIE (BOOTH) ROWLAND
, 91, of Albany died Wednesday afternoon in the Clinton Manor Nursing home, where she had been a patient for six weeks. Funeral services were held at 1 this Saturday afternoon in the Fay Funeral Home, Fulton, with Rev. Ed Stach, pastor of the Albany Methodist Church, officiating. Burial was in Kingsbury Cemetery in Newton Township.
The former Carrie Booth was born Oct. 18, 1874 in Newton Township, the daughter of Edward and Phebe Gainer Booth. She was married to Clyde G. Rowland, Dec. 25, 1895 in Newton Township, They farmed many years in Whiteside County before moving to Albany. Mr. Rowland died Nov. 12, 1956.
Surviving include two daughters, Mrs. O. R. Drury of Albany and Mrs. Frank Traver of Clinton, Iowa; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A son, a daughter and 10 brothers and sisters also preceded her in death.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
January 22, 1966, Saturday, pg 2
GERTRUDE ROWLAND
, 83, a former resident of Oak Park and Prophetstown, died Monday morning (07 December 1970) in Houston, Tex.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Tampico Memorial Cemetery. The Rev. Raymond Good, pastor of the Tampico United Methodist Church, will officiate.
Mrs. Rowland was preceded in death by her husband Bert and one son. Surviving are one granddaughter, two great grandchildren, a sister Mrs. Helen Heydon of Naperville and several cousins.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois December 9, 1970 - Wednesday, pg 2
ROBERT R. ROWLAND
, son of Gertrude Rowland, passed away in Houston, Tex., April 27. Burial was in Tampico Memorial Cemetery, April 30.
Rowland was born in Prophetstown April 19, 1911.
He leaves his mother Gertrude Rowland, and daughter, Linda and two grandchildren, Chris and Robin, all of Houston, Tex.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette May 16, 1968 - Thursday, pg 2
GLADYS (HAMBLOCK) RUHL
, 62, of Naperville, formerly of Tampico, died May 1, 1973 in Germany while visiting her son and family.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Peter's and St. Paul's Catholic Church, Naperville. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday in St. Mary's Cemetery, Tampico.
Surviving are her husband Francis A. Ruhl and two sons and one daughter, Capt. James F. Ruhl in Germany, Stephen J. Ruhl of Naperville and Mrs. Dave Stephenson of Milwaukee, Wis. She also leaves one brother and one sister, Charles Hamblack of Tampico and Mrs. Lawrence A. King of Sterling. There are three grandchildren in Germany. Her parents, Joseaph A. and Elia Buechel Hamblock, preceded in death.
Contributred by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois May 7, 1973 - Monday, pg 2
JUANA RUIZ
, of 1205 W. 18th St., Rock Falls, died at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday (17 March 1971) in Community General Hospital. There will be visitation at the Grennan and Son Funeral home after 2 p.m. Friday.
Funeral rites will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. in the funeral home and 9:30 a.m. in St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Rock Falls. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A rosary will be said at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Ruiz was a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Rock Falls. She was preceded by her husband Santiago Ruiz and three sons. Surviving are one daughter and one son, Mrs. Lupe Aguilar and Ben Ruiz of Rock Falls, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 18, 1971 - Thursday, pg 2
LEONA (ANDERSON) RUSHTON
, 58, 412 2nd Ave., Rock Falls, died Tuesday evening (29 March 1977) at Community General Hospital.
Funeral services will be Friday at 10 a.m. at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home with the Rev. E. A. Henrichs, pastor of the Rock Falls Immanuel Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Tampico Memorial Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Leona A. Rushton was born Feb. 28, 1919 in Fairfield Township, the daughter of Stacy L. and Emma E. Rassmussen Anderson. She attended local schools and was united in marriage to Mylis E. Rushton, Nov. 11, 1939 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The couple lived their entire married life in Rock Falls. Mrs. Rushton was employed at Sterling Steel Ball Plant until her retirement due to ill health.
Survivors include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Anderson, Sterling and one sister, Mrs. Merle (Lola Mae) Marx, Sterling.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mylis, and one brother in infancy.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 30, 1977 - Wednesday, pg 4