Phyllis J. Forth

Phyllis J. Forth, 90, formerly of Chadwick, IL, passed away at Carroll County Good Samaritan Center in Mt. Carroll, IL on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012 at the Morrison Chapel – Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Morrison Chapel – Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home with Mr. Ken Renkes, Director of Congregational Care: Ebenezer Reformed Church of Morrison, IL officiating. Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL. Memorial may be given in Phyllis’ name to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and Carroll County Good Samaritan Center in Mt. Carroll, IL.

Phyllis was born September 8, 1921 in Morrison to Clarence W. and Maggie M. (Kennedy) Beswick. She was educated in the James School of rural Whiteside County Illinois. On September 27, 1940, she married Leland S. Forth in Clinton, Iowa. Phyllis farmed along with her husband in the Chadwick area and had four children. Leland died on August 1, 2000.

Phyllis was a member of the Carroll County Farm Bureau, Carroll County Livestock Feeders Association and the Illinois Beef Association. She enjoyed gardening, reading and doing crossword and word search puzzles. Her entire family was most precious to her.

She is survived by two daughters: Beverly (John) Lundquist of Mt. Carroll, IL and Janice (Larry) Wiersema of Morrison, IL; along with two sons: Clarence (Norma) Forth of Mt. Carroll, IL and Neal (Melisa) Forth of Freeport, IL. Nine Grandchildren: Eric (Lisa) Wiersema, Gregg (Jackie) Wiersema; James (Michelle) Forth, John (Brenda) Forth, Paul (Lynnette) Forth; Michael (Jessica) Forth, Maggie Forth, Melanie (Zach Schutte) Love, Tyler Ortmeier. Fifteen Great Grandchildren: Hailey and Matthew Wiersema, Alicen and Cooper Wiersema; Ashley Forth, Jareth (Roxanne) Kuberski, Jonathan and Kaylin Kuberski, Rhett and Jace Forth, Jayden Forth; Dominick Forth, Briauna Love, Jazzmyn and Skyla Schutte. Three Great Great Grandchildren: Nevaeh, Isaac and Lily Kuberski. One Brother: Dewitt “Spud” Beswick of Morrison, IL, and one Sister In Law: Bernita Forth of Morrison, IL.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland; Former Daughter In Law: Gaylene Forth; One Sister: Adele Berge; and Two Brothers: Howard Beswick, Tom Beswick.

Charles L. Aschenbrenner

Charles “Chuck” L. Aschenbrenner, 79 of Rochester, IL died Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at St. John’s Hospital. He was born in Amboy, Illinois, August 21, 1932, to Eno and Caroline Keefer Aschenbrenner.

He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Annie Aschenbrenner, his three children and their spouses, Kim (husband Mark) Craig, Kelly (husband Nate) Bricker, and Kendall (wife Carol) Aschenbrenner. Also surviving are his granchildren, Brandon Webb, Evan and Benjamin Aschenbrenner; his siblings, Conrad (wife Caralee) Aschenbrenner, Carolee (husband James) McCurdy; sisters in law, Phyllis Winger and Marilee Hart; and, including numerous nieces and nephews.

Chuck had a long career in the field of special education. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at Illinois State University. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War for 2 years, leaving with an honorable discharge. He taught the physically disabled in the Decatur, Illinois public schools. From Decatur, he went on to become a state consultant for the Department of Special Education Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in Springfield, IL. Then, from 1962-1975 he was the Director of the Division of Special Education for the Joliet Public Schools, District 86. From Joliet, he and his family moved back to Springfield, IL where he was Director of the Sangamon Area Special Education District (SASED) until his retirement in 1992. During his working years Chuck also enjoyed his involvement with the 7th Illinois Calvary, with his horse Buckles. Long after retirement, he continued to serve special education as a Due Process Hearing Officer for the Illinois State Board of Education, worked for the Jacksonville School of the Deaf, and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.

In his retirement years, Chuck thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, downhill skiing, tennis, and time in Naples, Florida.

Visitation was held on Friday, May 11, 2012 at the Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 East Main Street in Rochester, IL.

A celebration of Chuck’s life was held Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Wilson Park Funeral Home with Reverend Jack Swank officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Hospital, Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

Steven Breitbach

Steven Breitbach, age 59, of Savanna, Illinois, died Friday, May 18, 2012, at his home in rural Savanna. Visitation will be held at 5:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Cremation rites will be recorded and burial of will be in the Savanna Township Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established in Steven’s memory.

Shelley Buchholz

Shelley Buchholz, age 39 of Mount Carroll, Illinois, died on Friday, May 18, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Private services will be held and cremation rites will be accorded.