Samuel D. Irwin

Samuel D. Irwin of Shannon, IL passed away Sunday November 21 at OSF St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford, IL. He was born in Biloxi, Mississippi on the same date in 1928. Prior to his residence in Shannon, Sam and his wife Nancy resided in Largo, Florida and the Wheaton/Warrenville suburbs of Chicago.

Sam spent many years as a salesman of professional motion picture production equipment for Berhens, The Irwin Co and Victor Duncan, Inc in Chicago. He later went into business with his son, Richard as a manufacturer and distributor of protective coatings used in commercial and industrial settings. After his wife’s death in 2002, Sam moved to Shannon where he enjoyed visiting with friends in local restaurants.

He served in the Army from March of 1951 to February of 1953 during the Korean conflict and was a member of the American Legion. Serving his country was an important part of his life and he enjoyed reminiscing about his days in the service.

Sam is survived by his four children: Steve Irwin of Wheaton, Illinois, his wife Terese, their eleven children and five grandchildren; Linda Byers of Shannon, her husband Phil and their three children; Richard Irwin of Ocala, Florida, his wife Barbara and their four children and two grandchildren and Kathy Ferraro of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, her husband Dan and their four children and one grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Nancy, his parents Arthur Mead Irwin Sr. and Katharine Snyder Irwin McGil, his brother Arthur Mead Irwin Jr. and sister Marion Bru.

Memorial services were held at Hermann Funeral Home in Shannon on Sunday, November 28 with burial at Bronswood Cemetery in Oakbrook on Monday, November 29,2010.

Casen Benjamen Strohecker

Casen Benjamen Strohecker, 3 month old son of Brittany (Ils) & Benjamen Strohecker died peacefully in his sleep Thursday, November 25, 2010. Casen was born August 9, 2010 in Monroe, WI.

Although we only had him for a short while, his smile will be in our hearts forever. He is survived by his parents Brittany & Benjamen and his sister Lily Ann of Lanark, Grandparents; Hank & LuAnn Ils of Pearl City, Arleen & Kenneth Kingery of Mt Carroll, Charles Strohecker of Lanark, Great Grandparents, Bill & Linda Gempeler of Shannon, Carl & Tina Heidenreich of Shannon, Doris Ils of Lena, Donna Rife of Sterling, Mae Strohecker of Lanark, Great Great Grandmother, Jean Heidenreich of Freeport and several Aunts and Uncles. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday at the Hermann Funeral Home in Shannon, Private Funeral service will be held with burial in Ebenezer Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established in Casen’s memory.

Herbert F. Berlage

Herbert F. Berlage, 82, of Elizabeth, Illinois, died Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at the Elizabeth Nursing Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 27, 2010, at the Church of St. Mary in Elizabeth, with Father Noel Jacob as celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Elizabeth. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 26, at the Law – Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth with a rosary service at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cancer Research in Herbert’s memory.