WILLIAM STANLEY , 19, Formerly of Sterling Loses His Life While Bathing William Stanley, 19, son of Mrs. Frank Stanley and grandson of W. H. Stanley of Sterling, was accidentally drowned while in bathing in the waters at Geneva on July 4, according to information received here. He was with a party of five couples who had gone in bathing and had been in the water but two or three minutes, when he drowned. It is presumed he was the victim of cramps, as the water was cold, and the shock from high to low temperature possibly disabled him. The water was about seven feet deep where he drowned. The body was recovery by the four boys with him. The body was taken to a Chicago mortuary. Funeral services will be held in a Methodist church in Chicago Tuesday forenoon at 10 o'clock. The body will then be brought to Sterling and a brief funeral service will be held in Melvin's funeral home at 3:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Committal will be in Riverside cemetery. The casket attendants, minister and singers will come out from Chicago with the body. Stanley was born in Sterling June 26, 1917, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stanley. His father died when he was one year of age. William was reared in Sterling until he was eight years of age, when he went to Chicago to live. His first schooling was in Central school. He lived with his grandfather, Herbert Brown and his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Reitzel, in Oak Park. The youth was a bright student and had become the designer of aeroplanes in a large plant in Chicago. At the time of his tragedy he was taking a special course in designing and blue printing. Many friends of the young man and his family, in Sterling, are grieved at his death. (The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois, 6 July 1936)

A picnic of eight high school students ended in tragedy on July 4th, when William Stanley, a senior in Oak Park high school, was drowned while swimming with his companions in Herrick lake, Wheaton. Coleman McVickar saw Stanley in distress and went to his aid, later aided by Frank Metcalf of 730 Kenilworth. Robert Noland, 543 Harvey, brought Stanley from the water and although the body was lifeless, artificial respiration was administered with a pulmotor. The victim was taken to the Geneva hospital where he was pronounced dead. An inquest was conducted Sunday at Geneva. Other members of the picnic party who witnessed the accident were Marie Otello, Josephine Smart, June Buchanan and Virginia Lawser. William Stanley was recognized as Oak Park's best model airplane builder, as he won most of the contests held in the village. He won the Oak Leaves contest some time ago, was president of the Oak Park Aero club, former head of the Oak Park High Aviation club, and a member of the Central Gas Model Airplane society of Chicago. "Billie" also took part in the many activities of his church. Services with music by Herman Larson, presided over by Rev. Hold in the absence of Rev. Kiontz, the pastor of the Austin Methodist church, where William was present every Sunday, were conducted on July 7 at the funeral home, 318 North Central, Austin. Interment took place at Sterling. Ill. William, the son of the late Frank Stanley, is survived by his mother, Mrs. McCaugherty, Mr. and Mrs. Norman G. Reitzel, with whom he lived 17 years, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert C. Brown and Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Stanley of Sterling, Ill.
Contributed by Georgi DiBartelo - The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois, 21 July 1936

ALICE E. STONER , daughter of William and Mary Atkins, was born in Peekskill, New York, August 10, 1851 and completed her earthly life in Rock Falls, Ill., June 20, 1927, aged 75 years, 10 months and 10 days. She came with her parents to Whiteside county in 1857, later moving to Dixon, Ill. She united in marriage with Henry Clay Mellon, of Philadelphia, Pa., to this union was born one son, Clay Mellon, who survives his mother. Mr. Mellon passed away a few years after their marriage. She was united in marriage to Jesse Helter, of Dixon, Ill., June 21, 1882. After Mr. Hetler’s [sic] death she came to Sterling, where she was engaged in practical nursing for many years. In 1914 she united in marriage with Simon H. Stoner, of Rock Falls, where they have since made their home, residing for a number of years at 513 Dixon Avenue. (Remainder not copied)
Contributed by Larry Reynolds - The Sterling Daily Gazette, June 23, 1927

ALBERT A. STRALOW :Last rites for Albert August Stralow were held Friday afternoon at 1:15 from the home near Lyndon and 2 o'clock in St. Peter's Lutheran church at Morrison with Rev. Theo Dierk officiating. Mrs. John Benters of Lyndon sang. The pallbearers, cousins of the deceased were ALbert Stralow, Carl Bierman, William Waterstreet, Carl Stralow, Frank Gassel and Gus Brandt of Morrison. The flowers were in charge of Mrs. Nita Maxfield, MRs. Mildred Chamberlain and Mrs. Edna Holt. Burial was in the Lyndon cemetery.
Sterling Gazette February 27,1943

ETHEL STRALOW , 96, of the Four Seasons Living Center, Morrison, IL, died Thursday, January 19, 2006 at the center.Ethel was born December 16, 1909 in Morrison, IL to Albert C. and Katharine H. (Jacobsen) Stralow. She attended the Hildelson Grade School in rural Whiteside County, IL. Ethel was a lifelong resident of Morrison. She had been employed as a lineworker for the Climco Coil Company in Morrison. Ethel was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Morrison. Survivors include one nephew, Stanley Stralow, of Morrison; many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one sister, Maria Butterfield; one brother, Raymond Stralow; one nephew, Alvin Stralow; one niece, Virginia Hilty. INTERMENT: Grove Hill Cemetery – Morrison,

H. DAVID STRALOW , 68, of Sterling, died early Thursday, October 26, 2006 at CGH Medical Center following a long battle with bone marrow cancer. He farmed in the Sterling area for most of his life. Mr. Stralow was born April 10, 1938 in Morrison, the son of Harold and Dorothy (Burkholder) Stralow. He married Linda Woessner on January 25, 1957 in Sterling. He was a member of Harvest Time Bible Church, Rock Falls. Survivors include his wife Linda; three daughters, Cindy Schueler of Rock Island, Beth (Dave) Patterson of Rockford, Janet (Chad) Martin of Maple Grove, MN; one sister, Janie (Dan) Saunders of Monticello, IA; one brother Kent (Marilyn) Stralow of Morrison; his mother, Dorothy Burkholder Stralow of Sterling; seven grandchildren, Rob, Tina, Brody, Gage, Emma, Spencer, Olivia; and three great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his father and two sons, Brad and Scott Stralow. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, October 30, 2006 at Harvest Time Bible Church with Dalmus Meeks, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at South Clyde Cemetery, Morrison. Visitation will be 4-7 PM, Sunday at the Schilling Funeral Home.

JOHN E. STRAYER , 57, of Long Beach, Calif., died Oct. 6, in California. Funeral services were held in Long Beach, Calif. Mr. Strayer was born in Sterling, and attended school in Rock Falls. He served in the Army Signal Corps from 1946 to 1949, then in the Army Reserve Corps from 1949 until 1952. Strayer worked in electronics at the Douglas Aircraft Co. in Long Beach and later at Hughes Aircraft Co. in El Segundo, then was a computer operator at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. He joined Elks Lodge 888 in 1973 and for many years was Exalted Ruler of the Elks Funeral Committee. He had been serving in his fourth year as a trustee of the lodge and was president of its Dome Management Corp. unit. The deceased was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Surviving are his wife, Charlene, one brother, Royce Strayer of Davenport, Ia., and his mother, Emma Strayer of Rock Falls.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois Octobeer 14, 1985 - Monday, pg A4

JENNIE (BOHMS) SUTTON , 93 of Rock Falls died Saturday December 22, 2007 at Coventry Village Nurisng Home. She was born on August 13, 1914 in Sterling, the daughter of Fred and Elva (Kelly) Bohms. She married Eugene Sutton on April 11, 1947 in Morrison. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Sterling. Surviving is her husband, Eugene; one daughter Mary (Dave) Miller of St. Louis, MO; one son, Bill (Tina) Sutton of Memphis, TN; one brother Louis (Esther) Bohms of Rock Falls; 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday December 27, 2007 at 10 AM in St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling with the Reverend Donald Ahles, Celebrant officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from 5-7 PM at the McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls.
Contributed by Margaret Mangers - 26 Dec 2007 Sterling Gazette

ELNA (ERICSON) SWANSON - Another of Prophetstown's residents of many years was called Sunday in the death of Mrs. Ellen Swanson, 91, who passed away at 10:15 in the morning at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Dubert Dail, near Erie. Mrs. Swanson had been in failing health for a number of years, leaving her home in Douglas St. in 1947 to live with her daughter. The body was brought to Gardner mortuary in this city and services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Lutheran Church here of which she was the last charter member. The Rev. Carl A. Bengtson was in charge of the service and Mrs. Everette Wilkinson and Mrs. Ronald Gibson sang, accompanied by Mrs. Dean Gardner, Mr and Mrs. Pierce Moore, Mr and Mrs. Donald Johnson, and Mr. and Mrs. Anton Gibson, assisted with the flowers and the casket bearers were six grandsons, Robert Finnicum and Donald and Roland Dail of Erie, Harold Anderson, Darvin Anderson and Arnold Swanson. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Erick Jonason, Elna Erickson was born at Kristianstad, Sweden, Dec 16, 1858, and was 91 years and 29 days of age at her death Jan 15, 1950. She came to the United States in the spring of 1879, and located at Lyndon, becoming the bride of Peter Swanson of Lyndon at the Prophetstown Methodist parsonage the following December 19. Mr. Swanson had come to America in 1873 and went back to Sweden in 1878 to spend Christmas, bringing his bride-to-be with him upon his return in 1879. The couple started housekeeping in Lyndon, where Mr. Swanson was employed in the paper mill, remaining there until the spring of 1883, when they moved to the Jabez Warner farm and this community has been Mrs. Swanson's home every since until three years ago when she went to make her home with her daughter. Mrs. Swanson was active in her church, serving as one of its first organists, and a Sunday School teacher for many years. She and Mr. Swanson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the church, Dec. 19, 1929, at which time both were in good health. They were the parents of five children of who two sons and one daugther survive their mother. They are Earl Swanson and Carl O. Swanson of Prophetstown, and Mrs. Dubert (Emma) Dail of Erie. One son, John, died March 13, 1948 and one daugther, Esther, passed away April 10, 1917. Mr. Swanson died June 11, 1933.
Contributed by Rebecca Dail (Website on Rootsweb World Connect)

MARY A. (ERNST) SWANSON , 91, of the Rock Falls Rehabilitation Center and formerly of Morrison, died Friday at Rock Falls Rehabilitation Center. Pallbearers will be Don Landheer, Al McClain, Dan Quick, Rich Tichler, Scott Tichler and Alex Wade. Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. She was born Aug. 10, 1915, in La Moille, Ill., to George and Susan Kummer Ernst. She married George R. Swanson on Feb. 23, 1940, in Clinton. He died in 1999. She was educated in rural Carroll County grade schools. She was employed with General Electric, Morrison, for more than 17 years before retiring in 1976. She was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church, Morrison. Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy (Robert) Tiesman of Lyndon, Ill., and Patricia (James) Fax of Onalaska, Texas; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

PETER SWANSON , passed away at eight o'clock Sunday evening at his home at the age of 81 years. Mr. Swanson had not been in good health for several months. Funeral services will be held from the Lutheran church this afternoon (Wednesday at two o'clock in charge of the pastor, Rev F.J. Carlson. Burial at Riverside cemetery. At the service Rev. F.J. Carlson will sign a solo "Jesus Though My Joy and Comfort", and a quartet composed of Helen and Ethel Anderson Paul Ackeberg and Harold Anderson will sign "Jesus, Thy Name Hath Power to Bless" and "Unto Thee, Lord of All Creation." These vocal numbers were requested by Mr. Swanson. The pallbearers are Frank Ackeberg, Peter Benson, Olof Corsell, August Larson, John A. Larson and C.E. Crone. Mr. Swanson was born in Sweden August 13, 1851, and was 81 years, 9 months and 28 days of age at this death. He came to the United States in 1871 and settled in Illinois. After being here seven years he returned to Sweden for a visit in 1878. Remaining there over winter, he again sailed to American the following spring accompanied by Miss Ellen Erickson. He and Miss Erickson were married December 19, 1879, at the Methodist parsonage in this city. They started housekeeping in Lyndon where Mr. Swanson was employed in the paper mill. After working there three years, they moved on to the Jabez Warner farm where they lived for eight years. Mr. Swanson was then in the employ of the C.B. &Q. Ry. for seven years, working on the bridge crew. They then again returned to farming and again lived on the Warner farm, the Havens farm in Hume and the Judge Ramsey farm. They were on the Warner farm 17 years in all. They moved to Prophetstown in 1918 and this has been their home since. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson were parents of five children. Three sons, Earl G., Carl O. and John W., all of Prophetstown, one daughter, Mr.s Dubert Dail, and their mother survive. One daughter, Esther, died in 1917 in Chicago from an attack of scarlet fever. Deceased is also survived by two half-brothers, John and Swan Pierson of Lancaster, Minn., and eight grandchildren. When Mr. Swanson was 15 years old and was engaged as a sheepherder in his native country, he wrote a book giving his interpretation of the catechism. He was confirmed in Sweden at the same time as the young lady who became his wife. He was a charter member of the Lutheran church when organized here in 1880 and his death marks the passing of the last charter member of the local church. He held the offices of Sunday school teacher, organist, truste, deacon, janitor and for 21 years secretary of the society. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson celebrated their golden wedding anniversary December 19, 1929.
Contributed by Rebecca Dail (Website is on Rootsweb World Connect)

WILLIAM M. SWANSON - Route 1, Garden City, S.C., and a former resident of Sterling, died unexpectedly Thursday (31 January 1971). The body is at the Melvin Funeral Home where friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Melvin Funeral Home. The Rev. Harold Olson, pastor of the United Methodist Church at Wilmette, will officiate and burial will be in Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson moved to Florida in 1961 where they resided for five years before moving to Garden City, S.C. William M. Swanson was born March 27, 1893 in Whiteside County, the son of Nils and Ane Johanna Jenssen Swanson. He was married to Abbe Sandberg April 1, 1916 at Galesburg. He was a life long member of the Methodist Church and was employed at Hey Bros. Dairy for a number of years and until retirement was employed at Northwestern Steel and Wire. Co. Surviving besides his widow are three daughters, Mrs. Eddie (Dorothy) Jones of Jack, Ala.; Mrs. Ward (Florence) Engstrom of East Moline, and Mrs. Richmand (Ruth) Castle of Westminster, Calif.; two sons, William Swanson of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Harold Swanson of Haddon Heights, N.J. He also leaves three sisters, Mrs. Fred (Elsie) Troy of Sandwich, Mrs. L. L. (CatherineI) Doolittle of Anamosa, Iowa, and Mrs. Glen (Edna) Hoover of Placentia, Calif., and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded by two sons, James and Andrew; one sister, Emma Wyman and two brothers, Elmer and Andrew Swanson.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 2, 1971 - Saturday, pg 2