All Obituaries

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Stillman Valley, IL – Victor J. Smith, age 88, died Friday, June 18, 2021 at Generation’s at Neighbor’s in Byron, IL.  He was born August 1, 1932 in Rochelle, IL the son of Victor and Ellen Weeks Smith.  He graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1950.  Vic married Susan “Sue” Jean Lace on August 10, 1979 in Rockton, IL.  Vic managed Stillman Valley Grain and Feed for many years.  He also constructed buildings for Lester Building...

 Zada B. Hitchcock, 91, lifelong Oregon resident, died Tuesday, June 15, 2021 in Pinecrest Manor, Mt. Morris. Born February 27, 1930 in Flippin, Arkansas the daughter of James E. and Nellie Mae (Mallinson) Ware. Married to Jack Hitchcock November 3, 1956 in Oregon; he died July 28, 2013. Zada was employed at Kysor Westran in Byron over 30 years prior to retiring. She was a member of East Oregon Church of God and the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge. Zada enjoyed fishing, crafting, watching the...

Maria A. (Veitch) Rogers, 1970 – 2021, age 51, of Rockford passed away in her home surrounded by her family on Monday, June 14, 2021 after a 15 year battle with cancer.  She didn’t lose the battle.  She lived a long time, enjoying this life with Jesus as her strength.  Maria was born March 11, 1970 in Rockford, the daughter of Edgar Veitch and Carol (Reno) Gucciardo.  She attended Jefferson High School in Rockford.  She was employed with Winnebago County...

 Susan B. Ferguson, lifelong Oregon/Mt. Morris resident, died Monday June 14, 2021 in Generations at Neighbors, Byron. Born May 11, 1947 in Oregon, the daughter of George C. and Margie (Nichols) Bowers. Married to Denny Ferguson July 18, 1965 in Oregon; he died January 18, 2013. Susan was a 1965 graduate of Oregon High School. She was employed several years at Sterling Federal Bank in Mt. Morris, retiring in 2009. Prior to that she worked many years at Dawson Subscription Service,...

James “Jim” E. Ross, age 75, passed away in Oregon on June 10, 2021. He was born in Marseilles, IL on February 6, 1946 the son of Eugene and Helen “Kathleen” (Churchill) Ross. He was raised in Ottawa, attended St. Columba School and graduated from Ottawa Township High School. He married the love of his life Linda Dougherty on April 18, 1970. Jim worked for many years for Exelon – Byron Generating Station. He was a devout Catholic and was a member of St....

   STILLMAN VALLEY - Leona H. Henning, age 89, died Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at Pinecrest Terrace surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 5th, 1932 in Stillman Valley, Illinois the daughter of August and Amanda (Maas) Lewis. She graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1950. She married Ronald Henning on June 2, 1956 at the Ebenezer Reformed Church near Oregon, IL. Leona worked at the Illinois National Bank in Rockford for 8 years.  She was a cook at Highland...

 Joe L. Rekemeyer, 62,  of Rockford, died Saturday, June 5, 2021 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. Born January 4, 1959 in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Lamoine and Shirlene (Sievers) Rekemeyer. Married to Maureen Wetherell May 24, 1991 in Rockford; she passed away January 6th of this year. Joe was a graduate of Davenport High School, earned his BS from University of Phoenix and then received his MBA from Capella University. He was employed as an engineer for Collins...

  Davis Junction, IL – Jerald Norman Boyd, age 82, died Tuesday, June 1, 2021 in Cape Girardeau, MO.  He was born February 9, 1939 in Clifton, TN the son to Alvin Wayne and Monetta (Hill) Boyd. He married Linda E. Peridore on July 2, 1962 in Kennett, MO, Jerald served his country in the U.S. Army.  Jerald retired from Chrysler Corporation after 30 years as the Senior Repairman.  He was also the Treasurer and President Elect of the Eagles Club in Poplar Bluff, MO....

David Johnson, the man who was a driving force in music education in Byron, IL for over three decades, died May 28th at his home near Byron after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 79. David grew up on his family’s farm south of Oregon, IL. He played football and kept up with the responsibilities of farm life, but his real passion was music. His affinity for music was cemented as he studied for a time at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and graduated...