Obituaries

Blanche Marie Diffenderfer

Blanche Marie Diffenderfer, 92, of Lanark died on Saturday November 21, 2009 at her home.

Blanche was born on February 13, 1917 in rural Lanark to Fred and Anna (Derrer) Guenzler. She graduated from Lanark High School in 1934. She was valedictorian of her class. On Aug 11, 1936, she married Paul Diffenderfer at Lanark.

She was a housewife and helped with the farm work. She enjoyed her rose garden. She was an excellent cook, especially her burnt sugar cakes. Her pastime was hand piecing quilts and doing hand quilting. She had made each of her family members a quilt. She was an active member of the Lanark First Brethren Church where she served as a deaconess for many years. Blanche was active in the Naomi Circle of the church.

She is survived by her husband Paul of 73 years, four daughters; Pauline Erbsen of Lanark, Mary Anne (William) Dailey of Moline, Janet (Dick) Gruhn of Lanark, Alice (David) Nix of Bismarck, N.D, 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 2 great great granddaughters, one sister-in-law Charlotte Guenzler of Lanark, one brother-in-law; Mark Kenning of Richardson, TX. She was preceded in death by three brothers; Leslie, Robert, and Maurice, three sisters; Irma, Grace, and Nola, her parents, one grandson; Brent Gruhn, one son-in-law Kenneth Erbsen, and twin great granddaughters; Courtney and Caitlyn Gallentine.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday Nov. 28, at 11:00 A.M. at the Lanark First Brethren Church with Rev. E. C. Lathrop officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until time of service on Saturday at the church. Interment will be at the Lanark Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Lanark First Brethren Church. Arrangements by the Russell-Frank Funeral Home.

Audrey Mickelson

Audrey "Jeanne" Mickelson, age 85, of Savanna, Illinois, died Monday, November 16, 2009 at Freeport Memorial Hospital, Freeport. A funeral service will be held 11:000 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2009 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna with Reverend Philip Bigelow of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. A visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral service. Burial will take place in French Island, Wisconsin at a later date. A visitation will be held from 5:00 ­ 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the funeral home in Savanna. A memorial fund has been established in Jeanne's memory.

Howard Koltz

Howard H. Koltz, age 94, of Elizabeth, Illinois, formerly of Downers Grove, Illinois, died Monday, November 16, 2009, at the Elizabeth Nursing Home. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2009, at the Zion Presbyterian Church, Schapville, Illinois, with Rev. Dottie Morizzo officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 - 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church on Saturday, November 28. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to FHN Hospice or Grand View Estates Assisted Living in Elizabeth.

Viola Rath

Viola J. Rath, age 84, of Lanark, Illinois, died Tuesday, November 16, 2009 at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 23, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Mt. Carroll. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery, Lanark, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 3:00 ­ 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2009 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. A memorial fund has been established in Viola's memory.

Eileen Richmond

Eileen G. Richmond, age 84, of Hanover, Illinois died Thursday, November 19, 2009 at her home. A funeral mass will be held 10:30a.m., Monday, November 23, 2009 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hanover with Father Noel Jacob as Celebrant. Burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover. A visitation will be held from 2:00 ­ 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 22, 2009 at the St. John Evangelist Catholic Church.

Eugene Weber

Eugene Evan Weber, age 82, of Freeport, Illinois previously of Chadwick, Illinois, died Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at FHN Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. Cremation will be accorded and a graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at the Chadwick Cemetery, Chadwick.

Mary Klock

Mary L. Klock, age 90, formerly of Elizabeth, Illinois, died Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna with Reverend Nancy Carr officiating. Burial will take place in Elizabeth Cemetery, Elizabeth. A visitation will be held from 12:00 ­ 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2009 prior to the Funeral Service. Memorials may be given to Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna in Mary's name.