All Obituaries

James B “Jim” Skarda, age 94, passed away on January 21, 2022 at KSB Hospital in Dixon. He was born on November 24, 1927 in Chicago, the son of Jacob and Marcella (Hanek) Skarda. Growing up, he loved working on the family farm in Wisconsin with his younger brother, Darryl. He graduated from Oak Park River Forrest High School in 1945 where he met his beloved wife of 70 years, Nancy Marshall. They married on November 9, 1946.  Jim was a well respected carpet installer doing...

Gary Wayne Howlett, 78, died on January 19, 2022. Gary was born to Douglas and Genniel (Clapper) Howlett in Oregon, IL on August 22, 1943. A lifelong resident of the Oregon area, Gary spent his career in metal manufacturing. His love for the outdoors led him to hiking in the Rockies and paddling his canoe all over. The most notable endeavor was when he and Clarence Bechtold built a canoe and paddled it from Oregon, IL to St. Louis, MO.   He is survived by his wife Joyce, children...

Oregon – Judith K. Hollaway, age 80, died Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at the Oregon Living and Rehabilitation Center.  She was born March 25, 1941 in Dekalb, IL the daughter of Marvin and Dorothy (Roding) Moore.  She graduated from Oregon High School in 1959.  Judy married Loren O. Hollaway on June 28, 1959.  He preceded her in 1994.  Judy and Loren moved to Florida in 1991 and Judy moved back to Oregon, IL in 1996.  She enjoyed playing Bingo but most of all...

Oregon – Nicholas A. McDowell, age 43, died Sunday, January 16, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  He was born July 22, 1978 in Rockford, IL the son of Brenda R. Nance and Charles F. McDowell.  Nicholas loved going camping and fishing, being with his friends at OCEC and the Village of Progress, but especially being with his family.  His bedroom was his favorite spot to be.  He adored pizza and bacon.  He loved watching the “Dukes of...

Oregon, Il – Lloyd Curtis Ruthe, age 88, died Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon surrounded by his loving family.  He was born October 19, 1933 in Baileyville, IL the son of Frederick and Rena (Meiners) Ruthe.  He graduated from Forreston High School and Northern Illinois University.  Lloyd served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He married Janice K Hodgson on June 2, 1961 in Warren, IL.  He taught at the...

Jeanette Stubblefield, age 81, passed away at KSB Hospital in Dixon on January 12, 2022. She was born in Rogersville, TN on February 14, 1940 the daughter of Ernest and Ruby (Leonard) Smith. She married Albert Stubblefield on October 14, 1963. Before she was married; Jeanette worked for Kingsport Press in Kingsport, TN. She then went on to work for Motorola in Schaumburg, IL for many years. Jeanette loved to camp with her family. In her spare time; she enjoyed reading, puzzles, and...

Norman Frederick Wills passed on January 12, 2022 from complications of Alzheimer’s.  Norm was born in Rockford, Illinois on April 22, 1933, the son of Frederick “Fritz” Wills and Mildred Rewerts Wills.  Norm graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1951, proud to be chosen Athlete of the Year and a member of the school’s first 6 man football team.  In 1955, just home from the Korean war where he served as a tank commander, he was hired by Rockford...

Alice F. White, 83, passed away at KSB Hospital in Dixon on Tuesday January 11. 2022. She was born in Lone Rock, WI on January 15, 1938 the daughter of Al and Hazel McGuire. She married Darrel White on June 15, 1957. Alice worked for the Byron Forrest Preserve and OCEC. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Rochelle. In her spare time; Alice enjoyed reading, playing pool, and going on walks. She also loved doing jigsaw puzzles. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Darrel of...

***PLEASE BE ADVISED OF THE NEW SERVICE INFORMATION***   Phyllis A. Hagemann, age 87, passed away at OSF Saint Anthony in Rockford on January 5, 2022. She was born in Mt. Morris on January 9, 1934 the daughter of Marlin and Ruby (Angle) Carr. She married Jimmy Hagemann on July 9, 1954. He preceded her in death on September 12, 1981. Phyllis worked for the USDA Farm Service Agency for many years until her retirement. She was a member of the United Church of Byron, co-founder of a...

Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather, Leon Grooms, 84, of Oregon, died on Wednesday, January 5th, 2022, just days after the passing of his beautiful wife, Joan.  He was born on September 3, 1937, in Marshfield, Missouri, the son of Burley and Ida Grooms.  He married Joan Mora on October 25, 1963, in Montgomery County, Illinois.  Together they lived in Oregon for nearly 60 years.  Their greatest joy came from outdoor planting, gardening, golf carting, 4-wheelin’...