Ruby A. Traum

Ruby Arlene Traum, age 83, of Lanark died on Monday, Sept. 13, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mt. Carroll.

Ruby was born April 16, 1927 in rural Fairhaven township in Carroll County to Clarence and Alma Mae (Alexander) Hartman. She married Harold Traum on March 23, 1946 in Clinton, Iowa. He died on Oct. 4, 2005.

Ruby was a member of the Lanark Church of the Brethren. She was employed at Elkay in Lanark for 24 years. Ruby retired in 1992 and then enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include one son, Terry (Connie) Traum of Hartsburg, Il. two daughters, Connie (Edward) Stern and Sandra (Jeffrey) True both of Lanark, fourteen grandchildren, Brandyn (Heidi) Traum, Kristyn and Karyn Traum, Kimberly Bacon, James Brashaw, Jennifer (Randy) Wilkinson, Craig True, Rnee Green, Rebecca (Mark) Morhardt, Larry Traum, Elizabeth Hockman, Kelley (Tony) McCullough, Stacey (Chris) Rogers, and Jeffrey Stern, and twenty-two great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, a sister Bernice Assay, two brothers, Vernon and Robert in infancy, a son Larry, a daughter Cindy, and a grandchild Heidi Traum.

Funeral services will be held at the Lanark Church of the Brethren on Friday, Sept. 17, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. with Pastor John Sgro officiating. Burial will be at the Lanark Cemetery. A visitation for friends and relatives will be held on Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in her memory for the Lanark Church of the Brethren and the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mt. Carroll.

Walter A. Wood

After a short illness, Walter A. Wood, 59, of Mineral Point, WI, was called home on Sunday, September 19, 2010 while at HospiceCare in Madison, WI. Just as Walt’s life was lived, he was surrounded by friends and family as his suffering ended and his last breath expelled.

Walt was born on October 20, 1950 and grew up in rural Lansing, Iowa. After graduating from Lansing High School in 1968 as salutatorian, he attended University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. In 1969, he worked at Decomet in Lansing, IA where he met his first wife, Marti (Stussy) Wood. They were married in 1970 and started their family later that year. In 1972, they moved to Chadwick, IL for his job with Wick Buildings where they raised their four children.

On April 27, 1996, he married Carol Hartman Wood and later that year relocated to Blue Mounds, WI – again for a promotion with Wick as Production Manager. Since 2006, they have lived on “a little piece of heaven” outside of Mineral Point, WI. Side note: Although he moved to “Packers Territory”, Walt remained a true Chicago Bears fan. He enjoyed razzing friends and co-workers every time the Bears would take out those Packers. GO BEARS GO!

It was easy to get through Walt’s tough exterior to find his big, warm heart not far beneath. He is survived by his wife Carol, four children Jody (Carmen) Wood of LeRoy, IL; Michelle (Roger) Bray of Clinton, IA; Amber Wood of Morrison, IL; Bridgett (Clint) Wood of Cedar Rapids, IA; seven grandchildren Natalie, Olivia, Abby, and Cole Wood; Carson Bray; Noah and Zoie Lunden; two brothers Kenneth (Vickie) Wood of Cedar Rapids, IA and John (Sharon) Wood of Harpers Ferry, IA, two family pets Lady and Angel; and many special friends and family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother George and sister-in-law Sharon.

Strong-willed and filled with integrity and pride, Walt always pushed himself to do his best and for a job well done while encouraging others to do the same. He had many accomplishments throughout his life. Several were at work with Wick Buildings over the last 40 years. He was the only one to ever bowl a perfect 300 game at Palisades Bowl, Savanna, IL. He was active with the Jaycees, Chadwick City Council, Chadwick Masonic Lodge #867, Savanna Moose Lodge #1095, and other social groups. Walt knew that hard work was necessary to enjoy things in life like fishing, golfing, sports (Bears, Cubs, Badgers), bowling, shooting darts & pool, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. He never shied away from a challenge – personal, professional, or otherwise.

To honor Walt’s life, Services will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Hope Lutheran Church in Mineral Point. Pastor Steve Kottke will officiate. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 from 4:00 until 8:00 pm at the GORGEN FUNERAL HOME in Mineral Point and on Thursday from 10:00 am until time of service at the church. A Masonic Lodge service will be held on Wednesday evening at 8:00 pm

Death is not the greatest loss in life.  The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live. ~Norman Cousins

John W. “Jack” Fosdick

John W. “Jack” Fosdick, age 50, of Savanna, Illinois, died Monday, September 20, 2010 at home after an extended illness. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 23, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church, Savanna. Reverend Larry Thompson will officiate.

Margaret Lois House

Margaret Lois House, age 92 of Sabula, Iowa, passed away Monday, September 20, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 24, 2010 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Sabula with Reverend Robert Krueger officiating. Burial will be in the Miles City Cemetery, Miles, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 23, 2010 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Sabula. Memorials may be given to Calvary Lutheran Church in Lois’s memory.

Marvin W. McCue

Marvin W. McCue, age 66, of Fulton, Illinois, formerly of Thomson, Illinois, died Friday, September 17, 2010, at Genesis Medical Center East Campus, Davenport, Iowa, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at the Law – Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, with Rev. Larry Thomson officiating. Burial will follow in the Savanna Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, also at the Law – Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Florence L. Stingley

Florence L. Stingley, age 84, of Savanna, Illinois, died Monday, September 13, 2010, at the St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Burial will follow in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Savanna. A visitation will be held from 5 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 17, at the Law - Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, with a Scripture Service to be held at 7:45 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family in Florence’s memory.

Loretta Kauth

Loretta Kauth, 94, of Elizabeth, Il .died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 at the Elizabeth Nursing Home with her family at her side. Services: Saturday, October 23, 2010 11:30 AM Elizabeth Church of St Mary Catholic 112 E Washington St Elizabeth, IL 61028