Obituaries

May 23, 2023

David L. VanMatre, 74, of Freeport, passed away, Tuesday May 23, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital. David was born January 10, 1949, in Freeport, the son of Homer and D. Kathryn (Stevens) VanMatre Jr. David married Linda Stewart November 6, 1983, in Rockton, Illinois. David proudly served his country in the US Army in Germany, during the Vietnam Era....

May 20, 2023

Marguerite “Mag” F. Green, 96, of Forreston, IL passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Parkview Nursing Home in Freeport.

Mag was born on April 17, 1927 in Forreston the daughter of Henry and Luella (VanRaden) Kampen. She attended three years at Forreston Grade School, five years at Cedar Bluff Country School and finished...

May 18, 2023

J. Stephen “Steve” Bares, 77, of Freeport, passed away, Thursday May 18, 2023 at Pearl Pavilion. Steve was born November 2, 1945 in Freeport, the son of Roland and Orelda (Lyons) Bares. He married his high school friend, Mary Pat Downing, on April 12, 1997. They spent 13 years in Havana, IL, returning to their hometown of Freeport in...

May 15, 2023

Carol S. Campbell, 78, of Freeport, IL, passed away Monday May 15, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. She was born February 26, 1945 in Wabash, IN the daughter of Earl and Mary (Van Meter) Cleaver. Carol married Stephen Campbell on August 10, 1963 in Wabash. Stephen passed away January 6, 2005. In 1964...

May 7, 2023

Fred Smith 88, went to meet his Lord and Savior, Sunday May 7, 2023. Fred was born in his home near Oakland, Minnesota, the son of Wubba K. (Bill) and Frederika (Viel) Smith on December 10, 1934.

Fred married the loved of his life, Patricia Ann Eckhoff on October 11, 1958, at Christian Reformed Church,...

May 6, 2023

Connie Jean Shons, 68, formerly of Freeport, Il, passed into Gods loving arms on Saturday May 6, 2023 at Oak Brook Care Center in Oak Brook, IL. She was born December 13, 1954 at St. Francis Hospital in Freeport, IL, the daughter of Kenneth and Janet (Shade) Shons.

Connie graduated from Freeport Senior High School...

May 6, 2023

Coralyn M. Fransen, 100, of Freeport passed away on May 6, 2023 at Manor Court in Freeport.

Coralyn was born on December 12, 1922 in Red Oak the daughter of Clarence and Frances (Fisher) Jones. She went to Red Oak School till 8th grade and then graduated from Freeport High School in 1940. Later she...

May 4, 2023

Bradley “Brad” L. Meiers, 64, of Freeport passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.

Brad was born on December 22, 1958 in Freeport the son of Homer and Katherine (Bendick) Meiers, Jr. He worked at FHN Memorial Hospital in the printing department for 27 years and then...

May 4, 2023

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Keith “Andy” Anderson, 83 years old. Andy passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on May 4, 2023 after a brief illness. He was a lifelong resident of Forreston, Illinois.

Andy was born May 10, 1939 in Freeport, Illinois, the son of Kenneth and...

May 3, 2023

Donna M. Williams, 93, of Leaf River, died Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Serenity Hospice and Home, Oregon. Donna the daughter of Herbert and Mary (Brookman) Tholen was born May 21, 1929, in her parent’s home in Egan, Illinois. Donna graduated from Leaf River High School in 1947. She married Robert R. Williams December 6, 1947, in Silver Creek...

May 2, 2023

Desi R. Scott, 54, of Freeport, IL departed this earthly life on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at his home with his family.

Desi was born on October 8, 1968 in Chicago the son of Laighton and Earline (Parker) Scott, Jr. He accepted Christ in his life at an early age. Desi worked many years in...

May 2, 2023

Lyle H. Wilken, 61, of Forreston, IL passed away Tuesday May 2, 2023 in his home. He was born September 7, 1961 in Freeport, IL, the son of Dale and Leona (Albert) Wilken. On October 20, 1984 he married Penny Kessler in Adeline, IL. Lyle was a member of Adeline Zion Evangelical Church. Coaching in Forreston was really important...

Apr 28, 2023

Donald "Don" Saxby, 91, of Freeport, Illinois peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Presence St. Vincent Nursing Home in Freeport

Don was born on August 12, 1931 in Humboldt County, low, the son of William and Zelda (Helferich). He married Sandra Sarston on November 29, 1968 in Freeport. Don...

Apr 24, 2023

John Richard "Dick" Worthington, 92, passed away, on Monday, April 24, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. Dick was born December 5, 1929, the son of Charles and Margaret (Goedel) Worthington. He married Nelda Tritch in Indianapolis on February 18, 1951. Mr. Worthington proudly served his country in the US Navy. Dick was a member of Grace...

Apr 23, 2023

David M. Folgate, 52, of Freeport, passed away, Sunday April 23, 2023. David was born May 28, 1970, in Freeport, the son of Lynn and Sheryl (Martin) Folgate. He worked for Westside Transportation in Cedar Rapids for 10 years. David was a fan of NASCAR and the Chicago Bears. He was a member of the Freeport Moose Lodge, where...

Apr 23, 2023

MaryJean Fusco (Brillhart) was born on Dec 31, 1924 on the farm. She died on April 23, 2023 at the age of 98 after living a full and vibrant life. Mary Jean was the only child of Archie and Bertha Brillhart (Roberts) spent her entire life here in Freeport. She first attended a one room schoolhouse…. rode her horse...

Apr 15, 2023

Janice Sievert, 89, of Freeport, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 15, 2023 of congestive heart failure. Janice was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on December 23,1933. Janice was always the big sister of the Monjeau kids growing up in Minnesota. Janice married Dale Sievert on September 7, 1953. Dale's career took them to Rockford, Florida, and Rhode Island...

Apr 15, 2023

Robert "Butch" Frank Grabow Jr., 74, passed away on Saturday, April 15th, 2023, at UW Health University Wisconsin surrounded by his beloved family after a short battle with melanoma cancer. Despite the discomfort, Butch reminded his family how much they were loved until the end. He was born on October 10th, 1948, to Robert and Lilas Grabow in Oregon,...

Apr 14, 2023

We are sad to announce the passing of Mireille (Marie) J. Powell, (100) also known as Grand-mere to her family. Mireille passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 14, 2023. Mireille was born February 10, 1923, in Beau Bassin Mauritius, the daughter of Jean and Helene (Caltaux) Chevalier. She married James Powell on August 14, 1941 in...

Apr 12, 2023

Our dearest mother Elisabeth Lipford- Szwabe sadly passed away on April 12, 2023 at the age of 62. She was a wonderful mother who devoted herself to the Lord and the people around her. She called all of her kids everyday to check up on them and was always there when we needed her most. She also had many...