All Obituaries

Marion Elaine Nelson, 75, of Byron, died suddenly Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in her home. Born December 11, 1945 in Rockford, the daughter of Gilbert and Elizabeth (Keep) Johnson. Married to Harold Nelson November 27, 1964 in Rockford. Marion was a 1963 graduate of Auburn High School and retired from Amerock Corp. of Rockford after 25 years of employment. She enjoyed her time volunteering for Helping You Help Yourself food pantry in Byron. Marion was a witty and spicy woman who liked coffee and...

Garret Zoet, known to many as “Doc”, passed away on July 21, 2021, at the age of 88 years.  Garret was born on May 23, 1933 in Rock Rapids, Iowa to Henry and Gertrude (Bakker) Zoet.   His parents passed through Ellis Island in 1917 before landing in northwest Iowa.  Garret was the first in his family to venture outside of the rural farming community to attend college at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.   He always spoke fondly of his time at ISU where he...

Stillman Valley, IL – Leonard E. Gorsegner, age 88, died Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at his home in Loves Park, IL.  He was born October 22, 1932 in Thorp, Wisconsin the son of Gus and Ella (Hansen) Gorsegner.  He graduated from Thorp High School in Thorp, Wisconsin, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, and then obtained his Master’s degree in Mathematics from Valparaiso Collage in Valparaiso, Indiana.  He married Marcia A. Kilmer on July 27,...

    Byron – Debbie A. Sochor, age 59, died Sunday, July 18, 2021 at Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford.  She was born Nov. 14, 1961 in Chicago, IL  the daughter of Rudolph “Rudy” and Elizabeth “Liz” (Kearns) Guttman.  She attended Notre Dame High School for Girls in Chicago.  She married Guy Sochor on June 5, 1999 in Oregon, IL.  Debbie enjoyed reading, web design, gaming, computers, anime, British and Korean tv series, horror...

Marjorie P. Pepin age 91, went home to be with her Lord on July 17, 2021 at Generations at Neighbors in Byron. She was born at home on the farm north of Byron on April 23, 1930 to John and Hattie (Palmer) Paul. She married Leon Pepin on April 4, 1964 who preceded her in death. Marjorie worked many jobs through out her life including at AmRock, Don’s Diner, and the Byron Forrest Preserve. She was a devoted Christian who attended the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley. Marjorie will be...

 Phillip R. “Rick” Saur, age 70, of Oregon, died Saturday, July 17, 2021 in Serenity Hospice Home in Oregon. He was born June 19, 1951 in Oregon, the son of Harry and Jane (Walters) Saur. He attended Oregon High School and later studied drafting and electronics. Rick worked as an electrician in his earlier years, but spent most of his career working in hospital and hotel maintenance in the DeKalb-Rochelle area. He had a love of technology and his longtime hobbies were...

    Leaf River, IL – Sandra L. Burkhart, age 84, died Thursday, July 15, 2021 at the Pinecrest Community Terrace in Mt. Morris, IL.  She was born May 2, 1937 in Rockford, IL the daughter to Max and Hazel (Allinson) Hunt.  She graduated from Harlem High School in Rockford, IL.  Sandra married Marvin L. Burkhart on Nov. 17, 1956 in Rockford.  She worked 6 years for Jennie’s Just Sew Shop in Byron, IL.  She also was a telephone operator in her...

Stevan C. Brantner, age 66, passed away on July 13, 2021 in Byron after a long illness. He was born on September 22, 1954 in Rockford the son of Harold and Joan (Champion) Brantner. He was a lifelong Byron resident and graduated from Byron High School class of 1972. He then attended and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. He married Bessie “Bess” Lee on June 17, 1989 at St, Bride’s Church in Oregon; she preceded him in death on May...

Byron – Harold E. “Skip” Richardson, age 72, died Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL.  He was born August 27, 1948 in Mastic Beach, New York the son to Harold and Veronica (Bowman) Richardson.  He served his country in the U.S. Navy.  He married Sylvia Marean on May 6, 1983 at All Saints Lutheran Church in Byron. Skip worked many years as a boiler inspector for Commercial Union Hartford Insurance Company. He was a member of...

  Davis Juntion, IL – Pauline “Helen” Glendenning, age 98, died Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at the Prairie Crossing Living & Rehabilitation Center in Shabbona, IL.  She was born April 15, 1923 in Oregon, IL the daughter of Frank and Lena (Ferguson) Messenger.  She married James E. Glendenning on December 15, 1948 in Stillman Valley.  They lived over 50 years in Davis Junction.  She was a longtime member of the Byron Senior Citizens Center.  She...