O B I T U A R I E S
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Whiteside County Illinois


V

MRS. EMIL VAILLANT - Mother of Mrs. Edmund Loranger and Mrs. Carl Youngdahl of Rock Falls, passed away Monday morning in Argyle, Minn., after an illness of considerable duration. The two daughters were in Minnesota with their mother at the time of her death. Funeral rites and burial will take place Wednesday in Minnesota. Also surviving Mrs. Vaillant are four grandchildren, Merlin and Wayne Youngdahl, Mrs. Joe Rajnowski and Alfred Rousseau of Rock Falls.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois July 13, 1953 - Monday, page 2

ELLA NELLIE (MANON) DIETZ VALLEE , 92, of Coventry Village, Sterling, died Dec. 15, 1993 at CGH Medical Center, Sterling, following a short illness. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Rock Falls Immanuel Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Robert C. Kinnear, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday at the church. Arrangements were completed by the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home, Rock Falls. A memorial has been established to Rock Falls Immanuel Lutheran Church. Mrs. Vallee was born July 21, 1901 in Rock Falls, the daughter of Frank and Margaret Rebecca (Burkholder) Manon. She married John Dietz Dec 18, 1918 in Vail, Iowa. He died June 12, 1943. She then married Clarence Vallee Nov. 23, 1946 in Rock Falls. He died April 13, 1967. She had been employed as a waitress and bartender in the Sterling/Rock Falls area. She was a member of Rock Falls Immanuel Lutheran Church and a member of the church circle. Survivors include three sons, Donald W. Dietz of Sterling, John J. Dietz and Robert L. Dietz, both of Rock Falls; two daughters, Mrs. John (Joyce) Kereven and Mrs. Johnnie (Doris) Leopard, both of Rock Falls; 13 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Sterling Gazette December 17, 1993 - Friday, pg A2

CHARLES JOSEPH VAN DeMARK JR. , 32, died at 8:30 o'clock Friday evening, from pneumonia, at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Van De Mark, 505 West Eighth street, Sterling. He had been confined to his bed since last Tuesday, but had been suffering from a bad cold for several weeks. He worked up to last Tuesday. Mr. Van De Mark, familiary known to many friends as "Bud," was born in Sterling, April 3, 1900. He attended St. Mary's parish and high school, from which latter he was graduated, and later studied in the University of Iowa, Iowa City, for one year, returning home and entering on business employment. For the last few years he had been in the employ of the Sterling Food Products company. Besides his parents, Mr. Van De Mark is survived by three sisters, Mrs. John F. Ferris of Sterling; Mrs. Walter F. Wagner of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Miss Imogene Van De Mark of Columbus, O., and by two brothers, Arthur and John, both of this city.
Contributed by Melva Taylor The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois December 17, 1932 - Saturday, pg 10, col. 1

E. VAN DeMARK - Charles Van De Mark of this city, received word Thursday morning of the death of his brother, E. Van De Mark of Chicago. No details were given other than that he passed away Wednesday night. Mr. Van De Mark has resided in Chicago for the past 40 years and for a number of years has been a member of the Chicago police force. He visited here on Memorial Day and was apparently enjoying the best of health at the time.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois June 15, 1933 - Thursday, pg 14

FRED VAN DeMARK , 69, lifelong resident in Whiteside county and until a year ago a resident of Sterling, passed away Saturday afternoon at his home in Manlius. He had been ill during the past four years. The funeral was held this afternoon in the home, with burial in the Tampico cemetery. The deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Van DeMark, well known residents of this community. He is survived by his widow and six children and one sister, Mrs. Irma Shepard of Rock Falls. (The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois August 13, 1933, pg. 10, col. 4 )
Tampico -- Funeral services for F. F. Van De Mark were held at the late home in Manlius at 2:00 o'clock Monday afternoon. Rev. Harry Hostetter, assistant pastor of the Fourth Street Methodist church of Sterling, the officiating clergyman, spoke words of comfort to the family and paid splendid tribute to the upright life and character of the deceased. There were many beautiful floral offerings. Old friends and business associates acting as pallbearers were Bert Miller of Manlius, John Murray, R. F. Nelson, Glenn Glassburn, L. W. Denison and W. N. Smith of Tampico. Interment was in the Tampico Memorial cemetery. Here a large group of old neighbors and friends had gathered in sympathy and respect for the concluding services conducted by Rev. Hostetter. Mr. Van De Mark was identifed with various business enterprises in Tampico and was a member of Yorktown lodge No. 655 A. F. and A. M. He was held in the highest respect and esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Frederick V. Van De Mark, only son of Jacob and May Van De Mark, was born at Yorktown, October 25, 1863, and passed away at his home in Manlius, August 12, 1933. When he was two years old he moved with his parents to the Van De Mark homestead, two and one-half miles north of Tampico, where he lived until eleven years ago when he moved his family to Sterling. November 24, 1887, he was united in marriage with Minerva Arnold of Tampico. To this union seven children were born. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, two sons, Vernon F. of Prophetstown and Marion at home; four daughters, Mrs. J. B. Brown of Manlius, Ethel of Madision, Wis., LaVonne of Indianapolis, Ind., Mrs. L. C. Vail of Mt. Pleasant, Mich.; two grandchildren, LaVerne and Maxfield Van De Mark of Prophetstown; one sister, Mrs. Irma Sheppard of Rock Falls.
Contributed by Melva Taylor - The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois August 15, 1933, Tuesday, pg 6, col. 3

JACOB M. VAN DeMARK , a pioneer settler of Tampico township and a resident of Rock Falls, died Sunday morning after an illness resulting from a paralytic stroke of three years ago. The funeral services were held Wednesday at Rock Falls and the remains were brought to the cemetery here where they were laid to rest. Jacob M. Van DeMark was born in Olive township, Ulster County, N.Y., December 18, 1832, and in 1858 he located in Illinois, buying a farm in Henry county. In 1859 he came to Tampico township, where he resided until he moved to Rock Falls a few years ago. He was prominently identified with the early history and development of the south-eastern part of this county. He was the first township clerk of Tampico, and afterwards held the public offices of road commission ... (unreadable).
Contributed by Melva Taylor

LURA BELL (SCHNEIDER) VAN DeMARK - Funeral services of the late Lura Bell Van De Mark were held from the Fourth Street Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. Thornberg, Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. The profusion of beautiful flowers and the many friends who gathered at the church to pay their last tribute to her were in evidence of the esteem in which she was held by her friends. Pearl Sitler, Oliva Commers, Sarah Cissell, Mrs. Gito Zbinden, Verna Helms and Harriet Bohner acted as honorary pallbearers. August Kohl, Otto Zbinden, Gene Tarvin, Neil Foulds, Paul Williams and Rea Kreider were the casket bearers. Lura Bell Schneider was born in Sterling, Illinois, Aug. 2, 1902 where she spent her girlhood and attended the public schools. For the past six years she had been employed as floorlady at the Frantz Mfg. Co. June 27, 1925, she was united in marriage to J. Marion Van DeMark. They have made their home in Sterling since their marriage. Besides her husband, she leaves to mourn her departure, one daughter, Beverly Loraine, by a former marriage, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Schneider of Sterling, one sister, Mrs. Albert Weers of Streator, Ill., two brothers, Ralph of Sterling and Lloyd of Chicago.
COntributed by Mevla L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois March 22, 1930

MARY (ENRIGHT) VAN DeMARK , 64, wife of Charles J. Van De Mark, of 505 West Eighth street, died Friday at 9:30 p.m. in the Sterling public hospital, to which she was admitted last Tuesday in a serious condition. She had been ill of complications for the last year, but through a painful illness maintained that sublime disposition which had sustained her throughout her life and which was such a joy to the members of her family and her wide circle of friends. Monday at 8:30 a.m. there was a brief service at the family residence, to which the body was removed Saturday afternoon from the Forster funeral home, after her death, and where members of the Altar Rosary society of St. Mary's church recited the rosary Sunday evening. The funeral was a requiem mass in St. Mary's church Monday at 9 a.m., Mgr. A. J. Burns, celebrant, assisted by Rev. Fr. John T. Smith. Committal was in the family lot in Calvary cemetery. Mary Enright was born Feb. 22 1873 in Sterling. She was reared and lived all her life in this city. She received her education in Wallace school. On Oct. 14, 1890 she was married to Charles J. Van De Mark in Sterling. Six children were born of their union, five of whom with their father survive: Winnie (Mrs. John F. Ferris) of Sterling; Marcelline (Mrs. Walter Wagner of Grand Rapids, Mich.), Miss Imogene Van De Mark of Sterling; and John and Arthur Van De Mark of Sterling. Her son Charles preceded her in death in 1932. There also are seven grandchildren. Thomas Enright of this city is a surviving brother, while Bernie Duffy of Peoria and James Duffy of Chicago are half-brothers who are left. Mrs. Van De Mark was a devoted wife and mother and loyal friend. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic church, a member of the Altar and Rosary society of St. Mary's church, and a charter member of the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters.
Contributed by Melva Taylor The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois December 27, 1937 - Monday, pg 3, col. 2

MAURINE (MAXFIELD) VAN DeMARK - Funeral services will be Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Monday at Saint Catherine's Catholic Church, Prophetstown, with the Rev. Fr. Dan Peters, officiating. Burial will be at Saint Catheerine's Riverside Cemetery, Prophetstown. Visitation will be from 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Gardner Funeral home, Prophetstown, with a 4:30 p.m. Rosary. A memorial has been established. Mrs. VanDeMark was born June 5, 1896, in Tampico, the daughter of Pleasant and Bridget (Burke) Maxfied. She was a Tampico High School graduate. She married F. Vernon VanDeMark on Oct. 14, 1919. He died Oct. 6, 1974. She was employed at the former Federated Store, Prophetstown, and Rikes Department Store, Dayton, Ohio. She was a member of Saint Catherine's Catholic Church, Prophetstown, and the church's Altar and Rosary Society. Survivors include one son, Allan (Rita) VanDeMark of Prophetstown; one daughter-in-law, Marjorie VanDeMark of Des Plaines; three grandchildren, Jon Douglas (Lori) VanDeMark of Geneva, Carol (Tim) Hillary of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Becky (Bill) Eckert of Centerview, Mo.; and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Paul VanDeMark; and one brother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor

MINERVA ELIZABETH McKEAN VAN DeMARK , passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Brown at Manlius at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. Mrs. Van De Mark suffered a heart attack April 27 and was a patient in the Home Hospital at Sterling for two weeks, returning to Manlius where she suffered two strokes. Funeral services will be at the Manlius United Brethren Church at 2:30 p.m. Friday and committal will be in the Tampico Memorial Cemetery. Minerva McKean was born in Macomb County and was married to Frederick Foster Van De Mark, Nov. 24, 1887, at Tampico. He passed away Aug. 12, 1933 and it was at this time that Mrs. Van De Mark went to live with her daughter. She was a member of the Methodist Church, the Royal Neighbors of America and the Order of Eastern Star. Surviving are two sons, Vernon of Prophetstown and Marion of Ohio, Ill.; four daughters, Mrs. Brown of Manlius, Mrs. Ethel Kahn, Milwaukee, Wis., Mrs. LaVonne St. John, Dallas, Texas, and Mrs. Fern Vail, Colorado Springs, Colo., four grandchildren, LaVerne Van De Mark, Dayton, Ohio, Allen Van De Mark, Prophetstown, Van Mark and Allen St. John Jr., Dallas, and two brothers, Jesse Arnold of Walnut, and James Arnold of Tampico.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois June 1, 1944 - Thursday

PAUL L. VAN DeMARK , Des Plaines, - Paul L. VanDeMark of Des Plaines, formerly of Prophetstown, died suddenly Monday in his daughter's home in Clearview, Mo. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Church in Des Plaines. Visitation will be today from 3-9 p.m. at the Ochler Funeral Home in Des Plaines. Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown. Mr. VanDeMark was born May 31, 1922 in Lyndon, the son of F. Vernon and Maurine VanDeMark. He married Marjorie Boyle. He was a veteran of the World War II Army Air Corp. He was a retired director of Civilian Personnel for the Department of Defense at the OTTare Air Field for 37 years, and was a life member of the Disabled Veterans of Ohio Chapter Nine. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of Des Plaines; one son, J. Douglas VanDeMark of Geneva; two daughters, Mrs. Timothy (Carol Ann) Hillary of Michigan, and Mrs. Bill (Rebeca S.) Eckett, of Missouri; five grandchildren; his mother, Maruine of Prophetstown; and one brother, Allan VanDeMark of Prophetstown. He was preceded in death by his father and one grandchild.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois June 30, 1988 - Thursday, page A2

ALICE ELOA (WINCHELL) VAN DRUFF was born at Sterling, Illinois, July 27, 1862. When a child eight years old she moved to Kansas with her parents. Her girlhood was spent there, where she met and was united in marriage Feb. 7, 1883 to Mr. J. B. Vandruff. They resided there during their earlier married years, where she united with the Methodist Church in 1897, in which she was a faithful worker. In 1910 they moved to the San Luis Valley where they made their home until her recent illness, when she was compelled to leave on account of her health four months ago. Since that time she has been with friends and her daughters, seeking to benefit her health. But the All Wise Father called her to rest while she was with her daughter, Mrs. Oscar Burdette, Ponca City, Okla. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, five daughters, Mrs. Oscar Burdette, Ponca City, Mrs. Effie Carr, Moffat, Mrs. Lee Anderson, Canon City, Colo., Mrs. Arthur Biggs, Moffat, Colo., Mrs. Clarence Biggs, Moffat, Colo., and a son Mr. Joe Vandruff of Paonia, Colo., her father, Mr. Levi Winchell, two sisters and two brothers, sixteen grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - From: Family Scrapbook - Abt. January 15, 1925
(Buried: Died 15 January 1925 ae 62-6-19, Lakeside Cemetery, Canon City, CO)

JOHN BYARD VAN DRUFF died at the home of his daughter, Emma Anderson, last Wednesday, Oct. 22. He suffered from a stroke of paralysis the last part of June from which he never recovered. He was 72 years, 10 months and 22 days old. His wife preceded him in death 5 years ago. He was laid to rest at Canon City beside his wife. He leaves to mourn his death five daughters, one son and eighteen grandchildren and numerous friends.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Saguache Crescent, Moffatt, Colorado October 30, 1930 - Thursday

WILLIAM VAN HOLTEN was born Nov. 3, 1860. While still living in Germany he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. When he was 20 years of age, he came to America leaving his relatives in the old country. On Oct. 7, 1886, he was united in Holy matrimony with Anna Marie Gaiser. They lived in Champaign until 1920, when they came to Tampico and lived there the rest of their lifetime. To this union six children were born. Mr. VonHolten was taken to the Harms Nursing Home in March of this year. He had always enjoyed good health until three years ago when he became ill. Since that time he had never gained full recovery. Mr. VonHolten passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, at the age of 87 years. Preceding him in death were his wife who passed away Feb. 12, 1945, and one son William, who died at the age of three years. Surviving Mr. VonHolten are five children, Christ, who was unable to be at the funeral since he is confined to his bed, Mrs. Charles Koenig of Tampico, Mrs. Emil Wascher of Champaign and Carl and Otto of Harmon. There are 27 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

PHOEBE (JACKSON) VENNUM - At the home of her son in Union Grove township, Whiteside county, Ill., Wednesday, June 19, 1889, at 6 p.m., Mrs. Phoebe Vennum,aged 104 years, 11 months and 26 days.
Contributed by Karen Fyock
Biography

ANGELO VERACINI , 74, of 801 Rt. 30, Rock Falls, was dead upon arrival at Community General Hospital Monday afternoon (18 March 1974) . Prayer services will be 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral home and the Mass of the Resurrection will be 10 a.m. at St. Andrew's Catholic Church with the Rev. William Myers officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday. A memorial has been established. Veracini was born on Sept. 3, 1899 in Parina Lucca, Italy, the son of Ferdinando and Catherine Dati Veracini. He came to this country as a young man was was united in marriage to the former Gina Dati on April 22, 1922 in Chicago. They moved to Rock Falls in 1940. He was a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society. He had been a truck gardener. Survivors include his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Ssievio (Laura) Tintori of Rock Falls and Mrs. Walter (Gloria) Johannsen of Sterling; two sons, Leo and Rico, both of Rock Falls; one sister, Mrs. Veracini Veracini of Italy; 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Enrico; one sister and one brother.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois March 19, 1974 - Tuesday, pg 2

JEROME KELLY VIGNOS , 64, 210 Sherman Ave., Dixon, died Tuesday (08 Jan 1980) at KSB Hospital after a long illness. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. with prayer service at St. Patrick's Church with Gerald P. Kobbeman officiating with burial in Calvary Cemetery in Sterling. Visitation is Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. with a scripture service at 8 p.m. in the Jones Funeral Home, Dixon. Mr. Vignos was born March 30, 1915 in Waggoner, the son of Jerome E. and Eva Mae Nimmo Vignos. He was employed by Commonwealth Edison for 28 years before retiring in 1975. He was united in marriage to Helen Blanding on Feb. 22, 1944 in Sterling. Mr. Vignos is survived by his wife, Helen, his father, Jerome E of Kalamazoo, Michigan; one brother, Joseph of Litchfield and two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth (Mary Lou) Schmitt of Highland and Mrs. Gary (Sharon) Boston of Kalamazoo, Michigan
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 9, 1980 - Wednesday pg 4

ANTONIA (MANZANO) VILLA , 79, of Sterling, died May 26, 1994 at CGH Medical Center. Prayer services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Grennan Funeral Home, Sterling, followed by a 10:30 a.m. mass of the resurrection at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Thomas Bales officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with a rosary recited at 5:45 p.m. Antonia was born Jan. 27, 1915 in Silao Guanajuato, Mexico, the daughter of Jubencio and Maria (Hernandez) Manzano. She married Manuel D. Villa May 9, 1934. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was retired from Dixon State School. Survivors include her husband; six sons, Tom (Shirley) Villa of Clinton, Iowa, Bob (Chris) Villa of Marlboro, Md., Joe (Karen) Villa, Ray (Chris) Villa and Al Villa, all of Sterling; four daughters, Pat Emhoff of Kemp, Texas, Mrs. Reynaldo (Virginia) Mendoza of Aurora, Sue Villa of Lakeland, Fla., and Mrs. Gary (Sally) Hronek of Sterling; 46 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; a special niece, Rita Melgoza of Milan; two brothers, John Manzano of New Mexico and Delores Manzano of Arizona; three sisters, Frances Tafolla and Mary Johnson, both of California, and Lucy Moreno of Sterling. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Jenny Dennis; two brothers and two sisters
Contributed by Barbara Nugent - Sterling Daily Gazette, Friday, 27 May 1994, A2;3

MANUEL VILLA , 88, of Sterling, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at Sterling Pavilion Nursing Home. He was employed by Northwestern Steel and Wire Co., Sterling, as a wire drawer, retiring after 33 years. Mr. Villa was born Oct. 12, 1914 in Las Animas, Colo., the son of Arcadio and Petra (Dominguez) Villa. He married Antonia M. Manzano on May 9, 1934. She died May 26, 1994. He was a member of St. Mary Church, Sterling. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed playing the violin and guitar. Survivors included five daughters, Patricia (Sidney) Frost of Washington, Virginia (Reynaldo) Mendoza of Aurora, Sally (Gary) Hronek of Coleta, Sue Villa of Lakeland, Fla., and Rita Melgoza of Rock Island; six sons, Thomas (Shirley) Villa of Rochelle, Joe (Karen) Villa, Albert Villa and Ray (Chris) Villa all of Sterling, Robert (Kris) Villa of Phoenix and Larry (Sheryl) of Clinton, Iowa; a sister, Bernardina Martinez; 47 grandchildren; 72 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline and Louise; a brother, Ray; and two children, one in infancy and a daughter, Jenny. The Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Church, Sterling, with the Rev. Thomas Brantman, pastor, officiating. Burial is at Calvary Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. with the rosary recited at 7 p.m. Thursday at Allen-Grennan Funeral Home, Fourth Avenue Chapel, Sterling. A memorial has been established to St. Mary Church.
Contributed by Barbara Nugent - Sterling Daily Gazette, Monday, 23 December 2002, A5;5

ALBERT VOCK , 86, of 705 Locust St., Sterling, died Nov. 14, 1993, at his home. Prayer services will be at 12;30 p.m. Wednesday at the Grennan Funeral home followed by a 1 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection at St. Mary's Church, with Rev. Thomas Bales officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the family present from 4-8 p.m. and a rosary at 7 p.m. A memorial has been established to Newman High School and St. Mary's Grade School. Mr. Vock was born June 2, 1907, in Montmorency Township, the daughter of Nicholas and Sabina (Billmeyer) Vock. He married Ruby Bunzey in 1928. He farmed all his life in Whiteside County and was associated with his son Albert Vock, Jr. in Vock Distributing Inc. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Church. Survivors include his wife; one son, Albert N. (Ruby Jean) Vock Jr.; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, John "Jack": five sisters; four brothers; one granddaughter; and one great granddaughter.
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois November 15, 1993 - Monday

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