All Obituaries

 Steven J. Rapp, 75, lifelong Byron resident, died Thursday, October 22, 2020 in his home. Born December 17, 1944 in Rockford the son of Russell and Carol (Nelson) Rapp. Married to Sue Wemple January 25, 1964 in Rockford. Steve attended Byron schools. He was employed as a operating engineer with Local 150 nearly 40 years, retiring in 2006. Steve enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, bird watching, farming and gardening and watching drag racing. Survived by his wife, Sue Rapp...

  Lorretta (Sue) Wolfe, age 86, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2020 in her home in Oregon, IL. She was born on December 19, 1933 in Oregon, IL.  She was the daughter of Clarence and Frances (Glawe) Jones.  She married Lawrence (Larry) Wolfe on August 27,1949 at the Pine Creek Brethren Church near Mt. Morris, IL.  She attended Oregon schools and was a lifelong resident of Oregon, IL.   Sue loved her family...

Jean E. Eads, 84, of Mt. Morris died Saturday, October 10, 2020 in Pinecrest Manor, Mt. Morris. Born November 27, 1935 in San Diego, CA, the daughter of Orville and Flavia Lueker. Jean graduated from Grossmont High School in La Mesa, CA and then joined the US Navy where she served in the secretarial pool. She moved to Mt. Morris from California in 1994 and was employed at Kable News nearly 20 years. Jean was a faithful member of Disciples United Methodist Church and a member of the Mt....

Dixon – Joan M. Proper, age 83, died Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at Franklin Grove Living Rehab Center.  She was born August 12, 1937 in Rochelle, Illinois the daughter of John and Mabel (Stonebraker) Bennett.  Joan graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1956.  She married James Proper on Nov. 15, 1958 at the Chana United Methodist Church.  She worked for over 25 years  for Sears at the Fox Valley Mall in Aurora.  She and Jim raised their family in the...

Stillman Valley, IL – Norma Jean Castelli, age 92, died Saturday, October 3, 2020 at her home in Stillman Valley surrounded by her loving family.  She was born August 20, 1928 in Stillman Valley the daughter of Willis and Blanche (Wills) Friday.  Norma graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1947.  She married Pete A. Castelli on June 26, 1949 at the Congregational Christian Church in Stillman Valley.  Together Norma and Pete owned and operated...

Larry Dale Coombes, 69, of Byron, Illinois (formerly of Villa Grove, IL) passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at Mercy Health, in Rockford, Illinois.  Mr. Coombes was born on July 2, 1951 in Clinton, Indiana to Paul and Mary (Brewer) Coombes.  He had one brother, Raymond (Paula) Coombes, two sisters, Margaret (Kim) Snyder and Kay Donaldson all of Paris, Illinois.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.  He married Cindy M. (Dailey) Coombes in...

Patricia A. “Patty” Hayenga, 68, longtime area resident, died Sunday, September 27, 2020 in Swedish-American Hospital, Rockford. Born August 19, 1952 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the daughter of L.P. and Mildred (Stevens) Wallace. Married to Donald Hayenga April 19, 1988 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Patty graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1970 and then from business college in Hutchinson, Kansas. She was employed as an insurance agent for over 40 years, lastly with The Ortgiesen Agency...

Rockford – Michael E. Baxter, age 69, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 at the Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, IL.  He was born December 23, 1950 in Rockford the son of Kenneth and Julia (Schafman) Baxter.  He graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in 1969.  Michael served his country in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam War. He was a proud Navy Veteran.   He worked for Ipsen Industries, Sundstrand, and mostly for Comet Fabricating in Rockford where he retired...

On September 12, Gary Bauer, loving husband, father, brother, and son, passed away at the age of 74 in his home.   Gary was born February 17, 1946 in Mendota to Gilbert and Virginia (Bell) Bauer, the oldest of four children. He grew up and farmed in West Brooklyn, and he attended school in Shaw Station, Compton, and Mendota where he was a member of FFA. He enlisted in the Air Force and served in Vietnam at the Tuy Hoa Air Base as a jet...

Betty L. Barnes, age 90, and long time Byron resident, died on Monday September 7, 2020 at The Atrium in Rockford. She was born on June 15, 1930 in Grand Detour, IL the daughter of Francis and Mary (Aurand) Newhausen.  She married Winfred H. “Brother” Barnes on June 17, 1949 in Oregon, IL. He passed away on April 4, 2017. Betty worked for many years as a machine operator at Tool Masters in Stillman Valley. She was an avid bowler and a member of the Mt. Morris Moose Club. She...