NELSON SMITH
: Death claimed one of the few remaining Civil war veterans in this community when Comrade Nelson Smith, aged 88 years, passed away at 8:35 o’clock Wednesday evening in his home, 401 East Eighth Street, Rock Falls. He had been in failing health the past year and Monday was stricken with the flu which hastened the end.
Arrangements for the funeral have not been made, pending the arrival of a son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Persell of Los Angeles, Calif. They have left by train for Rock Falls.
Nelson Smith was born July 24, 1843 in Spring Water, New York. He enlisted in Company A, Eighth New York calvary in September 1861, at Rochester, New York. For three years and two months he served with the Potomac army and was mustered out at Elmira, New York. Mr. Smith was held prisoner at Richmond, VA., for eight weeks by rebels while serving in the army. He was captured in Snakers Gap, Va. When an exchange of southern prisoners was made for northern prisoners Mr. Smith was returned to his regiment.
In 1869 Mr. Smith came to Sterling and lived here 18 years. He was married to Annie Sides in 1878. Ten years Mr. Smith served as superintendent of the Keystone foundry in Rock Falls. Afterwards, he was superintendent at the Williams and Orton foundry which later became the Charter Gas Engine Co. He made the castings for the first gas engine produced by that company.
From Sterling Mr. Smith moved to Rock Falls and built his late home at 401 East Eighth street, where he had continuously resided for the past 48 years. When he built there was not a tree or house, save for one little shack, in that part of the city. He watched the growth of Rock Falls with keen interest and always took an active part in the affairs of the community. During his later years Mr. Smith took up gardening and raised vegetables and fruits for the market.
Until the last year of his life, when his health began to gradually decline, Mr. Smith had a wonderful vitality and was able to get out of doors every day. He was a member of the Will Robinson G.A.R. post.
Mr. Smith is survived by one step-daughter, Bernarda Freeland Smith, who resided home and cared for him;one daughter Mrs. W. E. Persell of Los Angeles, Calif., one son, LaRue Smith of Burbank, Calif, two grandchildren, Carl Smith and Mrs. Roland Peters of Rock Falls and five great-grandchildren. A daughter, Mrs. Eva Wilger, died in 1918.
Contributed by Diane Patterson
NELSON H. SMITH
- Funeral services were held for Nelson H. Smith Monday afternoon at the Parent Funeral Chapel. Rev. Stockton Swaney of the Tampico Methodist Church conducted the funeral services.
Recorded music was played and "Abide With Me" and "Softly and Tenderly" were sung. Burial was in the Prophetstown Cemetery with the Masonic Lodge conducting the grave service.
Pallbearers were members of the lodge. They were Kermit Branson, A. E. Bennett, T. E. Meyers, Paul Wetzell, Michael Shaheen and Vernon Denison. Four members of the lodge of Spring Valley were present.
There were friends from Kankakee, Winona, Sterling, Prophetstown who attended the services.
Relatives who attended were Mrs. S. B. LaDue, Chillicothe, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis LaDue, Prophetstown, Mr. and Mrs. Howard LaDue and daughter, Mt. Carroll, Mr. and Mrs. John Burdette Miller, Quincy, Mich., Mrs. Charlotte Smith, Streator, Miss Vida Glassburn, Sterling, Mrs. Gordon Garland and Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Love, Tampico.
Mr. Smith was born Oct. 11, 1869, at Damascus, Pa., and passed away at the Home Hospital August 8. He came to Illinois at the age of 19 and worked on the railroad in Spring Valley for a number of years, then in a coal company office. He married Mary LaDue on Oct. 20, 1892. They lived in Spring Valley until her parents passed away, then they moved to Sterling. Mrs. Nelson passed away June 15, 1935. Six years ago Mr. Nelson came to Tampico to live in a cabin at the south edge of town until his health became poor. He had lived with Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Love until his death.
He was the only member of his family living. His parents, four brothers and two sisters passed away a number of years ago. He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge over 50 years.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois August 12, 1953 - Wednesday, page 2
PAUL W. SMITH
, 60, RR 1, Sterling, died Saturday afternoon (Feb. 7, 1976) at Community General Hospital following a short illness. Friends may call at the Melvin-Schilling Funeral home in Sterling from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. LeRoy J Hershiser, pastor of the First Christian Church of Sterling, will officiate the service. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Masonic services will be at 8 p.m. Monday.
Paul Smith was born June 4, 1915 in Thomson, the son of Roland and Etta Goff Smith. He received his education in the Morrison area schools. He married Evelyn Martin in Sterling on April 14, 1942. He was a World War II army veteran, and was employed as a general foreman of the electrical department at Northwestern Steel and Wire Company for a number of years. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Sterling, Dunlap A.F. and A.M. Lodge No. 321 in Morrison, Freeport Consistory, Tebala Temple of Rockford and the Sterling-Rock Falls Barbershoppers.
Surviving are his widow, two sons, Gregory Smith of Casper, Wyo., and Gordon Smith of Kokoma, Ind.; one daughter, Mrs. Jerry (Donna) Hills of Aurora; two grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. John (Mae) Ward and Mrs. Donald (Lillian) Zuidema, both of Morrison.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. A memorial has been established to the First Christian Church of Sterling.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois February 9, 1976 - Monday, pg 6
PETER SMITH
, 98, of Fulton, IL, died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center North in Clinton, IA.
Pete was born October 29, 1909, in Garden Plain Township, Whiteside County, IL, to Corneilus P. and Etta (Rose) Smith. He was educated in the Whiteside County elementary and secondary school system, and attended the Clinton Business College in Clinton, IA. He married Esther M. Geerts on February 21, 1935, in Garden Plain. He engaged in farming in the rural Garden Plain area his entire life. He was a member of Second Reformed Church in Fulton, IL, where he served as an elder and a deacon, president of the Bible Class and Men's Brotherhood. He served as a member of the Garden Plain School Board and the Riverbend School Board of Fulton for over 20 years. Pete was a member of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau, and the Whiteside County Cattlemen's Association. He enjoyed bowling and playing cards.
Survivors include his wife, Esther; two daughters, Phyllis (Al) Heun of Fulton and Margaret (Gene) Pessman of Morrison; one son, Vernon (Linda) Smith of Fulton; one daughter-in-law, Sylvia Smith of Chula Vista, CA; fourteen grandchildren, Kevin (Susan) Heun, Kimberly Wolf, Kurt (Kristi) Heun; Craig Pessman, Joy (Don) Tegeler, Becky (Don) McLuckie; Kathy (Brent) Stoecker, Susan (Bill) Phillips, Betsy (Don) Jones, Carrie (Matt) Goodding, Eric (Deidre) Smith; Stephanie (Nicholas) Proud, Mark Smith, Russell Smith; four step-grandchildren, Sylvia O'Neal, Nicole (Robert) Kennedy) Marcos (Alexandra) Chapman, Edward Chapman; twenty-three great grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Robert Smith; one sister, Gertrude Sterenberg; two brothers, Lee and John Smith.
Sterling Gazette
R.C. SMITH
, 86, Daytona Beach, formerly of Morrison, Ill., died Thursday at Hospice of Flager and Valusia County in Port Orange, Fla. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. March 13 at the United Methodist Church in Morrison.
He was born Nov. 5, 1917, in Sterling, Ill., to Horace Vernon and Dossie May (Meakins) Smith. On Oct. 6, 1940, he married Dorothy Irene Brickley in Morrison. She died May 17, 1984. He later married Jeanne Irene Ella Webb in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 11, 1985. He was raised in Morrison and graduated from Morrison High School in 1935. He served in the U.S. Army's 79th Infantry in World War II and was wounded in action near St. Lo, France, and received the Purple Heart. He was a U.S. Postal rural carrier for 20 years. He founded R.C. Smith Transportation Co. in 1952. He purchased Scenic Stage Line in 1971. He retired and moved to Daytona Beach in 1985.He served as president of the Illinois School Bus Operations Association, was a past member of the Presbyterian Church, the Lions Club, the American Legion and the VFW in Morrison.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne; a son, Terry (Margarita) on El Paso, Texas; and a daughter, Mrs. Vicki (Ron) Wiebenga of Morrison. He was preceded in death by his first wife, parents and a brother.
Clinton Herald 28 February 2004
RALPH J. SMITH
, 46, Springfield, was found dead in his bed in a Sterling motel at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. His body was discovered by the motel manager after a maid was unable to get into the room Wednesday afternoon. Smith had registered Tuesday night at the motle. He was listed as a representative of the Master Craft Furniture Co., Omaha, Neb. Whiteside County Coroner John Ardapple said death was apparently due to natural causes. A later autopsy revealed that death was caused by a fatal heart attack. The body was returned from the Grennan and Son Funeral Home to Springfield this morning by the Staab Funeral Home of that city, where funeral services will be held Saturday morning.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
August 10, 1967 - Thursday, pg 2
RAY W. SMITH
- Former Coleta Resident Dies. Ray W. Smith, 47, of Freeport, formerly of Coleta, died this morning in Freeport. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Therma Heide Smith, one son and one daughter, Harold Smith of Sterling and Mrs. Dale (Linda) Bastian of Dakota and three grandchildren. He also leaves his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. J. A. Smith and one sister, Mrs. Avis Suttle, all of Decatur and one brother Howard Smith in Maryland. Ray W. Smith was born July 8, 1926.
Contribute dby Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
Spetember 22, 1973 - Saturday, pg 2
REBA M SMITH
, 81 of 612 Greenridge Drive, Sterling, died Friday March 22 2002, at her son’s home. She was employed by Northwestern Steel & Wire Co. Sterling, as a nailroom clerk for 30 years, retiring in 1982. Mrs. Smith was born Dec 7 1920 in Herrin, the daughter of Ray and Ethel (Simmons) Rowland. She married Lawrence “Smitty” Smith on Aug 18, 1962 in Sterling. He survives. She was a member of St John’s Lutheran Church, and the churches circle. Survivors also include a daughter, Pat (Wayne) Ballard of Lexington KY; two sons; Larry (Cheryl) Rowland of Manilius and Mike (Sharon) Heater of Sterling; two step daughters, Barbara Spradlin of Conway AR and Dinah Lee (Milton) Waschow of West Dundee; two sisters, Dorothy Smott of Taylorville and Doris Ann (Gene) Smiley of Marion; a brother, James Ervin (Arlene) Rowland of Rockford; 15 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Paula Taylor Heater and Mary Kay Schultz; two sons in infancy; and a brother, Lavern Rowland.
The funeral is at 11 a.m. Monday at Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling, with the Rev. Herbert Reed officiating. Burial is a Riverside Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation is from 1-4 pm Sunday at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Rock River Valley.
March 23, 2002 Daily Gazette Sterling IL
RUTH ANN (KLOBES) SMITH
, 53, died early Monday morning (27 January 1958) in the Morrison Community Hospital. She had been ill for some time. The body was removed to the Gardner Funeral Home where friends may call. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Methodist church, the Rev. Leonard Lowe, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery. Ruth Ann Klobes was born May 31, 1906, in Erie, the daughter of Paul and Clara Bruder Klobes. She was educated in the Spring Hill and Erie schools. She was married to Thomas A. Smith of Erie, in Morrison in 1927. They moved to the Prophetstown community in 1941. She was a member of the Prophetstown Methodist Church. Survivors are her husband, one son, Wayne, Prophetstown; one grandson; and one brother, Earl Klobes, Morrison. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinos January 27, 1958 - Monday, pg 2 col 1
RUTH (RAMSEY) SMITH
, 89, of 515 Chief Sioux, St. Cloud, Fla., formerly of Rock Falls, died Jan. 2, 1994 at St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, Fla.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home, Rock Falls, with the Rev. Curt Swick, pastor of New Faith Chapel, Romulus, Mich., officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Smith was born Sept. 3, 1904 in Dedham, Iowa, the daughter of John and Emma (Wilson) Ramsey. She married Ira C. Smith Jun 15, 1956, in Estherville, Iowa. He died Nov. 19, 1981. She was a member of New Faith Chapel, Romulus, Mich. She was formerly of Prophetstown Road in Rock Falls and moved to Florida in 1982.
Survivors include one son, Lyle Thompson of St. Cloud, Fla.; one daughter, Mrs. Dee (Dorothy) Harrison of St. Cloud, Fla.; one step-daughter, Mrs. DeWayne (Dolores) Wiemken of Sterling; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lyle Ramsey of Estherville, Iowa; and several nieces and Nephews.
She was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters.
Contributed by Barbara Nugent - Sterling Daily Gazette, Tuesday, January 4, 1994, A2;2-3
SIDNEY SMITH
, 90, of Prophets Riverview Good Samaritan Nursing Home died April 11, 2005 at the home.
Mr. Smith was born July 6, 1914 in Lyndon, the son of Arthur and Louis (Hamilton) Smith. He was a member of the Fenton United Meth. Church. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and music.
Survivors include two cousins, Frank Belt and Ardetta Hayner both of rural Morrison. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Friday at McDonald Funeral Home, Prophetstown with Rev. Brad Wilson of Fenton United Meth. Church officiating. Burial is at Lyndon Cemetery.
THOMAS G. SMITH
- Funeral rites for Thomas G. Smith were conducged at 2 p.m. Friday in the Melvin Funeral Home by Bishop A. C Good of Science Ridge Mennonite Church.. there was a large attendance of relatives and friends. Mrs. J. H. Linn played the organ music and the Rev. J. H. Scheibe of the First Baptist Church sang "No Night There" and "God Understands." Burial took place in Riverside Cemetery. Bearing the casket were C. N. Steiner, Sam Ricker, Lyman Wilger, Clarence Hutten, Frank McDowell and Roy Eads. The flowers were in charge of Mrs. William Harshamn, Mrs. James Coats, Mrs. Ralph Warehime and Mrs. Bertha Baer.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois February 16, 1946 - Saturday, pg 2
WARREN J. SMITH
, 83, a former Whiteside County resident, passed away Monday in Maquoketa, Iowa.
Funeral rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Shadduck Funeral Home, Clinton, Iowa, by the Rev. H. C. Hatton of the Sterling First Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Clinton. Friends may call at the funeral home.
Warren James Smith was born June 3, 1883 at Ustick, the son of Miles and Mary Bailey Smith. He attended the elementary schools in Whiteside County and was a farmer and farm laborer most of his life. On Dec. 3, 1906 he was united in marriage with Lulu Travis. Surviving are one son, Miles L. of Polo, a daughter Mrs. Ben (Rosa) Jokerst of Sterling and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Yetta Frank (Mrs. Warren Smith) of Sterling. He also leaves two half-sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth King and Mrs. Lydia Forrest of Clinton, Iowa, a half-brother, Joshua Riley of Brookfield, Mo., nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. One son preceded him in death.
Contributed by Barbara Nugent - Sterling Daily Gazette, Tuesday, 21 June 1966 page 2:1
WILBUR J. SMITH
, of 222 Ave. D., Rock Falls, died early Thursday morning (10 June 1965) in Community General Hospital at the age of 73. He was born in Rock Falls on Nov. 28, 1891, the son of William and Alice Mertz Smith. He had worked at the RB&W for 33 years, and served in World War I. Mr. Smith was a member of the Christian Church of Rock Falls and the Rock Falls American Legion Post 902.
He is survived by his wife, Ethel; one daughter, Mrs. Alice Mae Shay of Sterling; one son, Dale Smith of Sterling; two stepchildren, Alvin Bollman of Rock Falls and Mrs. Keith (Alvelda) Gray, Sterling; two sisters, Mrs. Fred (Cora) Lamke of Ontario, Canada and Mrs. Frank (Hazel) Wetzel of Sterling; four grandchildren; three step grandchildren; four great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by four brothers, Leonard, John, Clare and Lon, and three sisters, Mrs. Besse Powelson, Mrs. Jesse Beeler, and Mrs. Dollie Sheely.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home with the Rev. Donald Ward, pastor of the First Christian Church of Rock Falls and Rev. Harry Shiffer, pastor emeritus, officiating with burial in Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon Friday.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois June 10, 1965 - Thursday, pg 2
WILLIAM SMITH
- Erie, Ill., Nov 17 - William Smith died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Burns, at Clinton, Iowa, early Monday morning. (16 Nov 1925). Mr. Smith had been in failing health for some time, although until recently he was able to be about. He was an old resident of Erie, but owing to failing health, he went to make his home with his daughter at Clinton about a year ago. Mr. Smith was born at Glasgow, Scotland, 76 years ago the 13th of last March, (13 Mar 1849) and came to America when a young man, making his home in Minnesota at first. He was married there, and about 40 years ago, he and his family came to Erie.
Mrs. Smith died about seven years ago, and until a year ago, Mr. Smith had kept the home here. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. May Burns of Clinton, Mrs. Eunica Guy of Delevan, Ill., and Mrs. Daisy Carl of New York state. There are also three sisters, two living in England and one, Mrs. Anna Fenton, of Erie; one brother, James Smith of New York state. There are several grandchildren and other more distant relatives.
Mr. Smith was affiliated with the Erie M.E. church, having been an active member for many years, and had held various offices in the church, having been superintendent of the Sunday School for several years. He was also a prominent Mason. The body will be brought to Erie, and funeral services will be held at the M.E. Church Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. C. Yamm, with burial in the Erie Cemetery beside the remains of his wife and son, Robert, who died a number of years ago.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois
November 17, 1925 - Tuesday, pg 7
WILLIAM RILEY SMITH
- Funeral services for William R. Smith, 54, rural Tampico farmer who was killed when his tractor overturned on him Saturday, (30 Dec 1967) were held this afternoon (Tuesday) at the First Methodist Church, the Rev. Edgard Perez officiating, with burial in Tampico Memorial Cemetery. The Schmidt Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
According to authorities, Smith was maneuvering along the west bank of the Illinois-Hennepin canal, two miles northeast of Tampico, attempting to get into position to help a trucker whose vehicle was stuck, when the tractor overturned.
Whiteside County Coroner John Ardapple will conduct an inquest Tuesday afternoon.
The organist for the service was Mrs. David Hoover and the soloist, Mrs. Everett Renkes.
Pallbearers were Carl Hasselman, Walter Kerkhove, Lawrence Thome, Gerald Henson, Ben Hicks and Donald Amery.
Flower aides were Mrs. Jack Thompson and Mrs. Charles Hamblock.
William Smith was born Dec. 1, 1913, in Bureau County, the son of William and Kathryn Smith. He was educated in New Bedford and lived in Tampico vicinity all his life. He married Mildred R. Renner July 6, 1940, in Davenport, Iowa. He was a member of the Tampico First Methodist Church.
He is survived by his widow, one son, Reiley of Lyndon; one daughter, Mrs. John (Lynn) Marshall of Rock Falls; two grandsons, three brothers, Ivan of Grand Forks, S.D.; Lawrence of Sterling, Clarence of Rock Falls; three sisters, Mrs. Gordon (Margaret) Glassburn of Tampico, Mrs. Glen (Kathryn) Lamoreux of Compton, Mrs. John (Evelyn) Egan of Sterling.
He was preceded by his parents, one brother, and one son in infancy.
Contributed by Barbara Nugent - Sterling Daily Gazette Tuesday 2 January 1968 2:2 Part II
WILLIAM STUART SMITH
- Private funeral services for the family of William S. Smith will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Melvin Funeral Home by the Rev. Richard J. Hanson of St John's Lutheran Church. The burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. There is visitation from seven to nine o'clock this evening in the Melvin Funeral Home.
William S. Smith, 3721 8th Ave., Moline, formerly of 106 11th Ave, Sterling, died suddenly at his home Saturday (July 24, 1971)morning. He was born Oct 13, 1896 at Hooppole, the son of Charles S. and Minnie Brants Smith. Mr. Smith resided in this area most of his life and attended the Tampico schools. He was married to Elizabeth E. Schick, June 14, 1919 (wife's obit says July) in Sterling. Mrs. Smith preceded June 30, 1968. Mr. Smith was retired from the Burlington Railroad and in recent years was employed by Midwest Food Services and at the time of his death was employed by John M. Frey Company at Moline. He was a veteran of World War I and served overseas with the U.S. Navy.
Surviving are one son, Charles S. Smith of Moline; two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Davis of Tampico and Mrs. Cora McKenzie of Pomona, Calif., and one grandchild.
Contributed by Charlotte Schick - [Source: Sterling, Illinois, Daily Gazette, Monday, 26 July 1971; 2; 4]
CATHERINE SNIDER
, 72, of 2403 E. 19th Street in Sterling died Sunday evening (Feb 21, 1987) at KSB Hospital in Dixon following a sort illness. Mass of the resurrection will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Rock Falls with Rev. Thomas Risley, officiating. a Prayer Service will be at 10 a.m. in the Grennan Funeral Home in Sterling. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. with a rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home. (Rest of obit not copied)
Contributed by Margaret Mangers - Feb 23, 1987 Daily Gazette