Obituaries

Richard D. Johnson

Aug 8, 2023

Richard D. Johnson, 85, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday August 8, 2023. He was born February 7, 1938, in Freeport, to Dick and Esther (Buss Johnson).

After his mother's passing in June of that same year, he went to live with his aunt and uncle John and Lillian Miners and...

Shirley J. Houghton

Aug 8, 2023

Shirley J. Houghton, 88, passed away on August 8, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL.

Shirley was born on January 15, 1935 in Freeport to daughter of Thomas and Lilas (Wittbecker) Maher.

Shirley graduated Freeport High School in 1953. She married Robert "Bob" Houghton on February 8, 1958 at...

Daniel Keith Riggle

Aug 7, 2023

Daniel K. Riggle, 51, of Dakota, IL passed away Monday August 7, 2023 at UW Health University Hospital. He was born September 25, 1971 in Rockford, IL to Dennis Keith and Carol (Cotton) Riggle. On May 2, 1992 he married Tina Winters in Freeport, IL. Dan was a Project Manager for Berner Foods for the past 18...

Gay Lynn Fortner

Aug 4, 2023

Gay Lynn Fortner, 81, passed away on August 04, 2023 after battling with Alzheimer’s and Dementia at her home in Freeport under hospice care, surrounded by her daughter and grandchildren who have been her loving care takers for many years prior to her passing.

Gay was born on October 20, 1941 in Freeport,...

Judson D. Runkle

Aug 2, 2023

Judson Dean Runkle, 50, Freeport, IL passed away Wednesday August 2, 2023 in his home. He was born November 11, 1972 in Arlington Heights, IL to Roger and Linda (McDowell) Runkle. Judson enjoyed fishing and listening to music. He was also an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.

He is survived by his parents Roger...

Karen A. Haas

Aug 1, 2023

Karen A. (Schardt) Haas, 66, of Freeport, IL passed away Tuesday August 1, 2023 at Ascension Living Saint Joseph Village in Freeport with her family by her side. She was born January 27, 1957 in Cuba City, WI to Gerald and Donna (Hammer) Schardt. Karen was a 1975 graduate of Freeport High School. After graduating high school...

Donald W. Franz

Jul 31, 2023

Donald "Don" W. Franz, 74, passed away on July 31, 2023, at his home in Freeport, IL.

Don was born on September 30, 1948, in Freeport, IL, the son of Frank and Doris (Southwick) Franz. He married Victoria Griffin on September 19, 1997. Don worked as a Tool and Die Maker at Honeywell...

Janice M Boyer

Jul 29, 2023

Janice M Boyer, 79, passed away on July 29, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL.

Janice was born on December 24, 1943 in Jo Daviess County, IL to parents Allen and Wynnetta (Thommason) Boyer.

Janice worked at Microswitch and then worked at Ascension St. Joseph as a CNA for...

Henry Winter

Jul 28, 2023

Henry “Corky” G. Winter, 94, passed away on July 28th 2023 after a short illness. He was born on Sept. 28 1928 in Freeport IL to August and Frances (Wilkey) Winter. He graduated from Freeport High School in 1946 and enlisted in the National Guard. Henry served in the Korean War from 1951 until 1953; fighting in...

Steven P. Anderson

Jul 27, 2023

Steven P. Anderson, 62, of Forreston, IL passed away Thursday July 27, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital. He was born December 6, 1960 in Rockford, IL to Don and Pauline (Johnson) Anderson. Steve was retired from Woods Equipment Company in Oregon, IL after 35 years as the lead setup man. He took great pride in his work...

Jean Wubbena

Jul 25, 2023

Jean A. Wubbena, 85, passed away on July 25, 2023 at her home surrounded by loved ones and her beloved cat, Patches, in Forreston, IL.

Jean was born on October 04, 1937 in Winslow Township the daughter of Paul and Evelyn (Rabe) Messinger. She married James L. Wubbena on September 27, 1958 in...

Dina C. Malstaff

Jul 25, 2023

Dina C. Malstaff, 102, of Freeport, IL passed away July 25, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. She was born December 2, 1920 in Logansport, IN to Frank and Clelia (Marzotto) Costelluccio. On May 2, 1943 she married Leonard A. Malstaff in Mishawaka, IN. Leonard passed away March 29, 2011. Dina was...

Merlin L. Watson

Jul 19, 2023

Merlin Watson, 90, of Freeport, died Wednesday July 19, 2023 at Manor Court of Liberty Village. He was born July 19, 1933 in Jewell City, Kansas, the son of Albert and Gertie (Creek) Watson. Merlin married Juanita Sager. Merlin was a 1953 graduate of Lanark High School. He was a United States Army Veteran serving in Japan...

Lori L. Willging

Jul 12, 2023

Lori Lyn Willging, 59, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2023 at her home in Freeport, Illinois with her loving husband Pete at her side.

Lori was born on October 29, 1963 in Freeport. She was raised in Cedarville and Lena by her parents, Jim and Sharon (Rygh) Huber and met the love...

Essie Louise Mazique

Jul 12, 2023

Essie Louise Mazique, 81, passed away on July 12, 2023 at Swedish American Health in Rockford, IL.

Essie was born on January 23, 1942 in Durant, MS the daughter of Luther and Hazel Morton Patterson. Essie attended and graduated from Freeport High School. She married Rossevelt Mazique on December 19, 1964 at their...

Robert William O'Hara

Jul 11, 2023

It is with a heavy heart that our family announces the passing of our beloved family member, Robert (Bob) W. O'Hara, 84, died on July 11, 2023 in Freeport, Illinois following his second battle with cancer. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 12, 1939 to Vira Ehrhart. He found, fell in love, and married the love...

Mary Ellen Demos

Jul 6, 2023

Mary Ellen Demos, 58, passed away on July 06, 2023 at her home in Freeport, IL.

Mary was born on January 05, 1965 in Freeport, IL the daughter of Norman and Judith (Reitinger) Babcock. Mary attended and graduated from Freeport High School. She was very artistic and enjoyed; drawing, sewing and quilting.

...

Virgil Hayunga

Jul 5, 2023

Virgil H. Hayunga, 79, of Freeport, IL passed away Wednesday July 5, 2023 at home surrounded by his family. He was born January 17, 1944 in German Valley, IL to Henry and Ethel (Mennega) Hayunga. He married Beverly Bornemeier on June 10, 1964 in Forreston, IL. Virgil was employed at the Illinois Department of Transportation for 33...

Paul Gitz

Jul 5, 2023

Paul J. Gitz

Paul Jay Gitz passed away on July 5, 2023 at Parkview Home in Freeport after a brief illness. Paul was born January 26, 1928 in Freeport to parents John and Appie Vohlken Gitz. He graduated from Freeport Senior High in 1945. Paul married Margaret May Metz on March 3, 1951 in Freeport....

John Nienhuis

Jun 29, 2023

John A. Nienhuis, 86, of Pearl City, IL passed away Thursday June 29, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling, IL. He was born December 29, 1936 in Oak Park, IL to Jacob A. and Vera E. (Wilcox) Nienhuis. John was a 1954 graduate of Freeport High School. John served in the United States Army...