Shirley May Smith

Shirley May Smith, age 58, of Thomson, Illinois, died Thursday, October 9, 2008 at home. Cremation Rites have been accorded and a private burial of cremated remains will be held in Lower York Cemetery, Thomson at a later date. Memorials and condolences may be sent to the family C/O Law-Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, Savanna, Illinois 61074. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Shirley was born October 13, 1949, the daughter of Cletus and Barbara (Russ) Dusheck in Cresco, Iowa. She attended Notre Dame High School in Cresco, graduating with the Class of 1967. Shirley later attended Clinton Community College, were she earned her L.P.N. Certificate in 1976. She married Duane “Smitty” Smith on June 11, 1977 in Clinton, Iowa. Duane passed away November 9, 2006 in Clinton, Iowa.

Shirley was a homemaker, who loved caring for her family. She treasured socializing and cherished the time she spent with her family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards; especially Cribbage and Euchre. Shirley adored her Maltese dogs; Dinky, Sadie and Shandi. Shirley was a “River Rat” and had many good times aboard their houseboat “Ger Mama”.

Shirley will be dearly missed by her three daughters; Denise (Steve) Horner of Wilton, Iowa, Kathy Proctor of LaVerkin, Utah and Sherami “Sherri” Kenworthy of Clinton, Iowa; a son, Scott (Tara) Smith of Clinton, Iowa; ten grandchildren; a brother, David Dusheck of Hudson, Wisconsin; two sisters, Barbara (Bill) Durbahn of Mankato, Minnesota, and Susie (Brian) Ness of Rochester, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Duane; and two brothers, Allan and Dennis Dusheck.

Betty Jean Ostrum

Betty Jean Ostrum, age 85, Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Sunday, October 5, 2008 at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Majeski of New Hope Assembly of God Church, Platteville, Wisconsin, officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. A Memorial may be given in Betty’s name to Paralyzed Veterans of America (801 18th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20008-3517). Online condolences and memorial tributes may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Betty Jean was born on November 21, 1922, in Racine, Wisconsin, the daughter of Carmel Amos and Reba (Jordan) Davis. She graduated from Hyde Park High School, Chicago, Illinois, class of 1941. Betty Jean went on to attend Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and Traphagen School of Design, New York, New York. While living in the New York City area, she met Paul Ostrum, serving in the Navy. They were married on November 21, 1944 in Montclair, New Jersey. Paul passed away, July 24, 2008.

Betty Jean and Paul shared a sense of adventure, so they bought and packed up to manage Alpine Lodge, in Westcliffe, Colorado for a summer, before returning to Montclair, and soon thereafter, to the Chicago area. They eventually fulfilled their dream of owning a farm when they purchased Hidden Valley Farm near Massbach, Illinois, in 1959. Betty Jean thoroughly loved raising her children, being a homemaker, overseeing her beautiful flower garden every year, and volunteering in the community. Her passion was decorating, whether inside or outside her own home or for various organizations and events. Betty Jean was a gracious lady, giving, and kind to all.

Betty Jean will be dearly missed by a daughter, Susan Ostrum of Platteville, Wisconsin, and a son Davis (Susan) of Mt. Carroll, and two grandchildren, Clay and Colt. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Paul.

W.R. “Slim” Weirather

W.R. “Slim” Weirather, age 88, of Savanna, Illinois, died Tuesday, October 07, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center – North, Clinton, Iowa. A Memorial Gathering will be held 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12, 2008, at the Moose Lodge in Savanna. Private Inurnment will be on Monday, October 13, 2008, at the Savanna Twp. Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Savanna Historical Museum, P. O. Box 124, Savanna, Illinois 61074 in Slim’s memory. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Slim was born June 6, 1920, in Elgin, Minnesota, the son of Peter and Mabel (Fox) Weirather. Slim was married to Gloria F. Marks on June 27, 1940, in Decorah, Iowa. She preceded him in death on June 22, 1998.

Slim worked at the Savanna Army Depot, and also at Helle Lumber Company as a logger and chainsaw repair specialist. After he retired, Slim built furniture and became a master woodcrafter. Slim loved woodworking, fishing, going to the “Boat”, reading, and going to lunch with his friends at the Country Kettle.

Slim is survived by two sons, Larry (Linda) Weirather of Vancouver, Washington, and Randy (Yusnita) Weirather of Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Slim was preceded in death by his wife, three sisters, and one brother.

Alice Mae Van Vleck

Alice Mae Van Vleck, age 99, formerly of Savanna, Illinois, died Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at her home in Springfield, Missouri. A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Hanover, Illinois with Pastor Loren Beans officiating. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008 prior to the service at the Funeral Home. A Memorial fund has been established in Alice’s memory. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Alice Mae Burress was born June 18, 1908 at Carroll, Nebraska to Nellie and Philip George Burress. Her brothers and sisters were Earl, Howard, Elva, Edith, Roy, Mable, and Adeline. She married David H. Yardley June 22, 1929 in a home wedding. Three children were born to Alice and Dave: Roger David, Lois JoAnne, and Nancy Jo. In 1945, the family moved to Igloo, South Dakota where Dave was employed at the Black Hills Ordnance Depot at Igloo, South Dakota. After retirement they moved to Edgemont, South Dakota. Following Dave’s long fight with cancer, they moved to Hanover, Illinois to be with Roger and his family for support. After Dave’s death in 1975 she moved into Mest Manor where she lived alone until she married Wayne VanVleck on October 3, 1985. They moved to Springfield, Missouri in 2005 to be with Lois and her family for support. Alice peacefully died in the home of Lois and Loren on October 7, 2008. Alice was a faithful wife, mother, and grandmother she will be remembered for her love and devotion for her family and Jesus Christ, her Savior. She leaves behind to grieve, two sisters, Edith Jelinek and Adeline Samples; one brother, Roy Burress; a daughter, Lois Yardley-Beans; and son-in-law, Loren; and a daughter-in-law, Phyllis Yardley; eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She will be missed by her family and friends.

Arlie A. Smith

Arlie A. Smith, age 85, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Sunday, October 5, 2008 at Carroll County Good Samaritan, Mt. Carroll. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mt. Carroll, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Reverend David Vidler will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. Visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Memorials may be given to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Arlie’s memory. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Arlie was born on October 7, 1922, in Woodland Township rural Mt. Carroll, the daughter of Roy and Lillie (Rath) Messmer. She attended Olive Country School in Zion Township. Arlie married Clyde W. Smith on March 31, 1942, in Savanna, Illinois he passed away September 22, 1997, in Clinton, Iowa.

Arlie farmed in Carroll County with her husband for many years. She enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of her family. Arlie was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Carroll. She also enjoyed flower gardening, vegetable gardening, genealogy, and embroidery.

Arlie will be dearly missed by her two brothers, LeRoy (Betty) Messmer of Elizabeth, Illinois, Edwin (Carol) Messmer of Umqua, Oregon; a sister, Marcella Zink of Freeport, Illinois; twenty four nieces and nephews.

Arlie was preceded in death by her husband Clyde, a daughter Janet in 1977, two brothers, Carl and Floyd; and a sister Blanche Frey

W.R. “Slim” Weirather

W.R. “Slim” Weirather, age 88, of Savanna, Illinois, died Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center – North, Clinton, Iowa. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Law – Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, Illinois.

Betty Jean Ostrum - pending

Betty Jean Ostrum, age 85, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Sunday, October 5, 2008, at the FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. Further funeral arrangements are pending at the Frank – Law – Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll.

Dale W. “Juice” Applegate

Dale W. “Juice” Applegate, 52 of rural Freeport died Thursday October 2, 2008 at his home.

Born July 28, 1956 in Freeport he was the son of George Applegate and Anita (Althafer) Folk. On September 18, 2004 Dale and Julie K. Luy were married at their home. He worked for the Canadian National/ Illinois Central Railroad for 32 yrs. He enjoyed antiques, tools, farming, his John Deere tractors and tinkering in his barn.

Surviving are his parents; wife; 4 children Lanette (Brian) Robson of Peru, Rebecca (Joe) Kubly of Peru, Chase Applegate of Nora, Derick Applegate of Freeport; two step children Patricia Massie of Freeport, Robert (Vickie) Smith of Freeport; six grandchildren Tyler, Evan, Bayley, Jackson, Tre’, JuliAna; one brother Darren R. Folk of Sterling; Aunts, uncles, cousins and dog Sophie “Spitfire” Applegate.

He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents Florin and Vera Althafer, paternal grandparents William and Fern Applegate and one brother Mark Allen Applegate.

Visitation will be Monday 4pm until 7pm at Daughenbaugh Funeral Home Dakota.

Funeral service will be Tuesday 10:00 am at the Funeral Home with the Reverend Lyle Babcock officiating. Burial will be in the Richland Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials have been established for the FHN Memorial Hospice and the Monroe Clinic Hospice.

Dale’s family invites friends to extend condolences, share a memory, light a candle, or share a caring heart in his honor at www.walkermortuary.com

James “Jim” Healy IV

James “Jim” Healy IV, age 57, of Hanover, Illinois, died September 29, 2008, at his home. Cremation Rites have been accorded.  A Memorial Gathering will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Hanover United Methodist Church with Pastor Lynne Matthews officiating. A Memorial Service will be held  1:30 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jim’s honor. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be sent to the family on www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Jim was born on October 17, 1950 the son of  James E. and Albina (Pragovich) Healy III in Libertyville, Illinois.  Jim graduated from Evergreen Park High School, Evergreen Park, Illinois, Class of 1968.   On October 17, 1987, Jim married Judy A. Gossage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jim loved spending time with his family and cherished every moment.

Jim will be dearly missed by his wife, Judy of Hanover; his daughter, Allerina “Allie” Healy.  Jim is preceded in death by his parents.