Ronald Gene Iske

Ronald Gene Iske, age 68 of Lanark, Illinois, died on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark with Reverend EC Lathrop officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, February 25, 2013 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark. Memorials may be given to the Carroll County Farm Bureau or the Ferguson Cancer Center, Freeport, Illinois in Ronald’s memory. Online condolences and tributes may be left for the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Ron was born on August 18, 1944 in Freeport, the son of Emerson and Helen (Lego) Iske. He is a Lanark High School graduate. He also attended the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Ron married Gretchen Kay Carbaugh on November 13, 1965 in Mt. Carroll. They celebrated thirty years of marriage. Gretchen passed away September 25, 1995.

Ron served in the US Army from 1966 – 1969, he then also served in the Army National Guard. After serving in the army, Ron returned to the family farm where he was raised and continued the tradition of caring for the land that has been in the family for 5 generations. Ron also worked as a farm equipment salesman and provided transportation for DCFS. Ron never met a stranger because he was willing to strike up a conversation with anyone and loved to learn from and share with them. He loved collecting a variety of unusual antiques which he exhibited and like to stump people as to their purpose. Dancing, especially square dancing, was also a passion. He took many mission trips including Haiti, Argentina, Texas and Ohio. Over his lifetime, Ron has traveled to five continents, more than thirty countries and nearly every state. He saw much of Europe while in the service and enjoyed recent trips to New Zealand and China.

Ron is a life time attendee and active member of the First Brethren Church of Lanark and Way of Christ Movement. He served on the Brookville Cemetery Board and was very active in the Carroll County Farm Bureau, the Lanark American Legion, and Morrison Grand Squares.

Ron will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his son,William (Michelle) Iske of Lanark; his two daughters, Renea (Brad) Witt of Lanark and Rebecca (Dennis Hatfield) of Elizabeth; seven grandchildren, Jacob, Grant, Gage and Jett Iske and Jenessa, Hannah and Reid Witt; his mother, Helen Iske of Lanark; his sister, Joanne (Lincoln) Arnold of Freeport; his mother in-law, Francis Carbaugh of Freeport; and his special friend, Marilyn Johnson. Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen; his father, Emerson; and his father in-law Max Carbaugh.

Helen Marie Rath

Helen Marie Rath, age 99 of Savanna, Illinois died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at her home in rural Savanna. Helen has given the gift of body donation. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date and burial of her cremated remains will take place in the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, rural Savanna. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Salvation Army Savanna Service Extension, 11193 Dauphin Road, Savanna, Illinois 61074 in Helen’s memory. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Helen was born on November 1, 1913, the daughter of William and Bertha (Schueller) Handel in Savanna. She attended Savanna High School and graduated with the Class of 1931. Helen married Paul F. Rath on August 6, 1958 in Savanna.

Helen served as a secretary for twenty years with several companies in Chicago, Illinois. She also helped her husband, Paul with their farm for over thirty years. Helen admired nature’s beauty and loved the outdoors, especially gardening. Helen also enjoyed reading, cooking and baking. Most of all, Helen treasured spending time with her family.

Helen will be dearly missed by her husband Paul of Savanna; two daughters, Sylvia (James) Smathers of Northridge, California and Paula (Mark) Thoele of Savanna; nine grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and one sister in-law, Violet Handel of Savanna.

Helen was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara (Dwight) Nicol; one granddaughter, Penelope L. Nicol and two brothers, George (Vera) Handel and Edward Handel.

Marian M. Martin

Marian M. Martin, 96 yrs. old, of Lanark passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center after a brief illness.

She was born on Dec. 17, 1916 at Shannon, the daughter of William P. and Maggie (Knadler) Bright. She married Merle P. Martin on Nov. 16, 1939 in Clinton, Iowa.

Marian was a member of the Lanark United Methodist Church, served as a youth group leader for several years, and was active in the Women’s Society. She was employed as the night cook at the Linton Café.

She had pen pal friends for many years, enjoyed bird watching, reading and crossword puzzles. She always had a helping hand where needed. Her pet cat was always by her side.

Surviving are her daughter, Carol A. Martin of Lanark, and nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Merle P. Martin, one brother, William Bright, and her sister-in-law, Mae Martin.

Services will be on Sat., Feb. 16, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark, with Rev. Larry Thomson, officiating. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. Friends may call from five to seven pm on Friday at the funeral home.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Private condolences and online guestbook may be signed at www.schwarzfh.com

Dorothy Chaffee

Dorothy “Jane” Chaffee, age 88, formerly of Milledgeville, Illinois, died Monday, February 11, 2013, at The Good Samaritan Society in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren in Milledgeville. A memorial gathering will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2013 prior to the service at the church. A memorial fund has been established in Jane’s memory.

June Elaine Bimm

June Elaine Bimm, age 72, of Thomson, Illinois died Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at home. A funeral service will be held 6:00 p.m. Saturday February 16, 2013, at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 3:00- 6:00 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service at the Law-Jones funeral Home in Savanna. Memorials may be made in June’s name for the Carroll County Humane Society.

Clifford Gerald Nordwell

Clifford Gerald Nordwell, age 90, of Savanna, died Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at the Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Savanna Township Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by the Savanna VFW & American Legion.

Dorothy Chaffee

Dorothy “Jane” Chaffee, age 88, formerly of Milledgeville, Illinois, died Monday, February 11, 2013, at The Good Samaritan Society in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren in Milledgeville. A memorial gathering will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2013 prior to the service at the church. A memorial fund has been established in Jane’s memory.

Arlene Ruth O’Neal

Arlene Ruth O’Neal, age 81, of Savanna, Illinois died Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center North in Clinton, Iowa. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 22, 2013 at Law Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. A memorial visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in Arlene’s memory.