Obituaries

Feb 15, 2023

Lavern W. Stamm, 84, of Shannon, passed away at his home surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday February 15, 2023. He was born in Stephenson County on January 2, 1939, the son of Milford and Elta Mae (Lestikow) Stamm. He graduated from Forreston High School and started working as a carpenter. He later began his own business, with...

Feb 14, 2023

Sally Jo Derenski Fluegel, 65, of Longmont, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, after a fall at home.

Sally Jo was born in Freeport, Illinois, on February 1, 1958, to Thomas F. and Joan (Baxter) Derenski. She was a 1976 graduate of Freeport High School and received her nursing degree from Highland Community College...

Feb 13, 2023

Denny Smith, 56, beloved son, father, brother, uncle and friend, passed away after a brief illness on February 13, 2023 at his home in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Denny was born in Freeport, IL on November 10, 1966, to Lloyd and Linda Smith. He was the oldest of four children. Denny attended Freeport High school. He then moved to Rockford...

Feb 10, 2023

James "JB" Shultis, 69, of Stockton, IL passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport. JB was born April 15, 1953 in Des Plaines, the son of Raymond and Arlene (Coffman) Shultis. He married Michelle "Chelle" Giesel on July 3, 1982 in Arlington Heights. JB was a carpenter and a jack of all trades....

Feb 10, 2023

William "Billy" Charles Harrell, 73, of Freeport passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Billy was born December 21, 1949 the son of Grant and Lottie (Coofer) Harrell. He married Paula French on June 13, 2022 in Freeport, IL. Billy worked in the maintenance department at Commonwealth Edison prior to his retirement....

Feb 9, 2023

My husband was a source of strength, the rock and foundation in life and love. We can bravely face each new day drawing strength from beautiful moments and memories with him. Jim died unexpectedly on Thursday, February 9, 2023. He was born on December 27, 1953, the son of Donald and Dorothy Mullarkey (Watkins). Jim attended both St. Joseph's...

Feb 7, 2023

Diane June Winters, 77, of Eagle River, WI passed away Tuesday February 7, 2023 at home surrounded by family. She was born March 31, 1945 in Freeport, IL to Harold and June (Fluegel) Hart. On February 12, 1966 she married Alex Winters. Both were graduates of Freeport High class of 1963. She worked as a secretary at the Freeport...

Feb 6, 2023

Frank S. Weber, 73, of Freeport, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital. Frank was born March 4, 1949 in Clinton, Iowa the son of Gerald and Vera (Haferbier) Weber. He married Brenda Finn on September 11, 1971. Frank served in the United States National Guard for 6 years. He was a trained barber, owning...

Feb 5, 2023

Shannon Elizabeth Gorham, 38, of Orangeville, IL passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport. Shannon was born September 5, 1984 in Freeport the daughter of Kenneth and Lisa (Bordner) Oswalt. She worked as a counselor for Sleezer Home in Freeport. Shannon is survived by her children, Jaylynn, JaydaRae, Jaxyn, Reema and Halah; mother,...

Feb 4, 2023

Evelyn A. Reifsteck, 90, of Freeport, IL passed away, Saturday February 4, 2023, in her home. Evelyn was born February 7, 1932 in Orangeville, IL the daughter of John and Bessie (Kuhnke) Riemer. Evelyn married Robert Roemer October 13, 1949 in Orangeville. Mr. Roemer passed away March 17, 1986. Evelyn then married Jerry Reifsteck June 16, 1999 in Freeport,...

Feb 2, 2023

Barbara A. Wubbena, 63, of Shannon, IL passed away Thursday February 2, 2023 at UW Health University Hospital in Madison, WI. She was born July 5, 1959 in Geneva, IL to John and Agnes (Boerner) Schlick. On May 31, 1980 she married Lloyd Wubbena at White Pines Forest State Park in Mt. Morris, IL. Barbara was a receptionist at...

Feb 2, 2023

Vernon H. Mercier Jr., 80, passed peacefully in his home on Thursday, February 2, 2023, following a brief brain cancer illness. He lived an amazing life full of family and friends. Vern was born November 3, 1942 in Freeport, Illinois to Vernon Henry Sr. and Rose Ellen (Yankey) Mercier. He graduated from Freeport High School in 1960. He married...

Feb 1, 2023

Billy Joe Horton, 75, of Freeport, passed away, Wednesday February 1, 2023 at Amberwood Care Centre, Rockford. Billy was born June 6, 1947, in Freeport, the son of William and Lavina (Wickland) Horton. Mr. Horton served his country in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He married Bonnie K. Haring on June 10, 1967, in Elizabeth, Illinois. Billy...

Jan 31, 2023

Jane A. Bottoms, 75, of Monroe, Wisconsin, and formerly of Freeport, passed away, Tuesday January 31, 2023, at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Monroe. Jane was born April 13, 1947, in Freeport, the daughter of Cyril E. and Frances (Holbert) Bottoms. Jane was a 1965 graduate of Freeport High School and 1969 graduate of University Wisconsin-Whitewater. She was a fan...

Jan 30, 2023

Rory Liam Beggin, The Red King, let go of his father's hand and joined his mother in Heaven on January 30, 2023. He was born on March 5, 1968 to Robert and Madonna (Dittmar) Beggin in Freeport and made the world a better place for all who knew him. He was fortunate to participate in a variety of early...

Jan 29, 2023

Michael Paul Krebs, 66, of Chicago, IL, and formerly of Freeport, IL, passed away Sunday January 29, 2023 in his home. He was born February 20, 1956 in Freeport, Il, the son of Rudolph and Ruth (Wullweber) Krebs. Michael is survived by his mother, Ruth Krebs of Freeport, IL; sister, Toni (Dan) Leiby of Freeport, IL; and two nephews,...

Jan 29, 2023

Johnnie Allen Edison, 74, of Racine, Wisconsin formerly of Freeport, departed this earthly life on January 29, 2023 in Racine. Johnnie was born on May 16, 1948 in Hickory, MS the son of Johnnie and Nannie (Youngblood) Edison. He served in the United State Army from 1966 to 1969 and was proud of his service. Johnnie worked for Modine...

Jan 28, 2023

Linda L. Baker, 74, of Freeport, IL passed away Saturday January 28, 2023 at Manor Court of Freeport. She was born July 22, 1948 in Freeport, IL to William and Selma (Lee) Endress. On October 14, 1978 she married Jonathan "Jon" Baker in Freeport, IL. Jon passed away October 9, 2016. Linda worked at Swiss Colony as a customer...

Jan 28, 2023

Stephanie Lyn Toelle was born November 26th, 1971 during a blizzard and surrounded by love. She completed her life journey January 28th, 2023 during a blizzard and surrounded by love. Steph leaves to celebrate her life: mother, Carol Morgan; children, James B. Beale, Jayla Beale, Jaheim Beale, Jaquaveon Beale, Ja Meya Beale, and Janell Dickens; granddaughter, Junii Rain; nieces,...

Jan 26, 2023

Thomas Joseph Zulke, a beloved father, son and brother, passed away on Jan. 26 at age 27 as the result of a car accident. Thomas was born in Pomona, California, the oldest of three children to parents Marvin and Ernestine Zulke. Thomas had a natural gift for adding light to a room. His smile was a bright spot for...