All Obituaries

Byron – William R. “Bill” Brown, age 83, died Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at the Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon surrounded by his loving family.  He was born July 15, 1937 in Menominee, Michigan the son of Ralph and Beatrice (Johnson) Brown. He married Patricia Gambrel on June 5, 1965 in Byron, IL.    Bill served his country in the U.S. Army.  He worked and retired from National Business Industrial Center.  Bill loved to tend to his land with many...

Bonnie R. Hinkle, 84, passed away on August 1, 2020 at Serenity Home, Oregon. She was born September 9, 1935 in Elmhurst, the daughter of Frank and Ruth (Obrecht) Bolwahnn. After living most of her childhood in Glen Ellyn, IL, Bonnie’s family moved to Oregon, IL, where she graduated high school. She then attended Northern Illinois University for 2 years and, after moving to Houston, TX, graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in elementary education. While in Houston,...

  Chana – Gilbert G. DeWitt, age 97, died Thursday, July 30, 2020 at his home near Chana.  He was born November 9, 1922 near Mill Creek, IL the son of James and Murray (Miller) DeWitt.  He graduated from Tamms Community High School in 1940.  He married Hazel M. Mowery on Nov. 12, 1944 in Blytheville, Arkansas.  Hazel preceded him in 2011.  Gilbert farmed for many years, he also worked as a maintenance person for the Nachusa Lutheran Home for Children and...

Rodger W. Oesterheld, 83, longtime Byron resident, died Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at Serenity Hospice Home, Oregon. Born October 13, 1936 in Rochelle, the son of William A. and Hortense (Rodgers) Oesterheld. Married to Virgie Burns May 31, 1958 in Elkhorn, WI. Rodger was a 1954 graduate of Rochelle High School and was employed in maintenance by the Stillman Valley School system for 20 years prior to retiring. He also, with his wife, owned and operated the “Cupboard Shoppes” in Byron...

Oregon, IL – James Arthur “Jim” Jackson, age 87, died Monday, July 27, 2020 at his home on the Rock River.  He was born August 29, 1932 in Hinsdale, IL the son of Alvin and Isabel (Shrobe) Jackson.  He graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1952 and attended 5 years of plumbing trade school.  He served his country in the U. S. Navy from 1952 – 1956 during the Korean War.    He married Frieda Deutscher on October 21, 1995 in Lombard,...

 Edward J. “Doc” Howes, DVM, 87, formerly of Oregon, passed away peacefully Sunday July 26, 2020 in his home in Rockford with his family at his side. Born March 20, 1933 in Waukon, Iowa the son of Raymond and Cecelia (Teeling) Howes. Married to Shirley Casotti June 27, 1959 in Ames, Iowa. He was a graduate of St. Patrick High School (Waukon, Iowa) and in 1962 graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Doc moved to Oregon in 1963 and purchased the...

 Robert L. Martin, 78, lifelong Oregon resident, died Thursday, July 23, 2020 in his home. Born July 31, 1941 in Oregon, the son of Eugene and Clara (Bolthouse) Martin. Married to Rita Kersten April 29, 1962 in Oregon. Bob was a 1959 graduate of Oregon High School and was employed 47 years at Wood’s Manufacturing, starting the day after his high school graduation and retiring in 2006. He also owned and operated Town & Country Liquors in Mt. Morris for 10 years. Bob was a fan...

Christopher Paul Strouse, 50, lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully at his home in Rockford, Il on July 22, 2020. He came into our world May 19, 1970 in Rockford to Clinton and Judy King Strouse. Christopher graduated Oregon High school in 1988. Attended Rock Valley College, studying automotive repair, then went to truck driving school and became an over the road driver for many years. He was employed at MBI out of Davis Junctions for the last several years. Chris was well...

   Oregon - Debbie Fane, age 64, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 22, 2020 in her home surrounded by her husband and daughters.  She is survived by her husband Ed Fane, daughters Lauren (Chris Corso) Fane and Courtney Fane, brothers Brian Swindells, Mark (Kathy) Swindells, Michael (Laurie) Swindells, Sister Dana (Colby) Vogt, and many nieces and nephews.  Debbie was born November 14, 1955 in Joliet, IL to the late Robert “Bob” and Joan Swindells. ...

 Donald L. “Buster” Hoffman, 92, lifelong Oregon resident, died Tuesday, July 21, 2020 in his home. Born October 28, 1927 in rural Oregon, the son of Charles and Lettie (McLaughlin) Hoffman. Married to Shirley Dummer January 28, 1957 in Byron. Buster was a US Army veteran serving during World War 2 and had been employed by Gilbert Tree Service for 37 years prior to retiring. He was a 43 year American Legion member and a volunteer with the Ogle County Sheriff Department....