Obituaries

Dec 12, 2023

Michael “Mike” W. Howald, 67, of Forreston, IL passed away Tuesday December 12, 2023 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL. He was born October 25, 1956 in Monroe, WI to Walter and RoseMary (Doyle) Howald. Mike was a field representative for Prairie Farms/Swiss Valley for many years. He enjoyed fishing, farming, looking after his cows, and...

Dec 11, 2023

Gary Horton, 76, of Freeport, died Monday

December 11, 2023 at Pearl Pavilion if Freeport, IL

He was born October 17, 1947 in Buffalo Township in Ogle County, IL, the son of James and Bessie (Morden) Horton. Gary was a farmer in the Winslow and Apple River area. He owned and operated Friendly...

Dec 6, 2023

Thomas Kramer, 80, of Freeport passed away, Wednesday December 6, 2023 in his home, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous two year battle with cancer. Mr. Kramer was born December 31, 1942, in Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Harold and Marcella (Jeager) Kramer. Thomas married Judith Ann Fischer May 7, 1966 in Earlville, Iowa. Thomas...

Dec 6, 2023

Gregory Grant Groenewold was born on September 8, 1960 in Freeport, Il. Passing away after a 25 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis, he was 63 years old.

Greg is survived by his son Grant (Araceli) Wonder, one sister Elizabeth (Ekkehard) Schoettle, two brothers Gary (Kathie) and Guy (Dawn) Groenewold, and many nieces and...

Dec 4, 2023

Dennis Bawinkel, 88, of Freeport, Il, died Monday December 4, 2023 at Saint Joseph’s Village in Freeport, IL, following a brief illness. He was born September 30, 1935 in German Valley, IL, the son of Daniel and Helen (Cordes) Bawinkel.

Denny married his beloved wife of 51 years Renate Vogel on February 20, 1960. He served in...

Dec 4, 2023

Mary T. Sands, 91 yrs old, of Freeport passed away on Monday, December 4th, 2023. She was born May 1st, 1932 in Chicago.

Surviving are her children, son Michael (Debbie), daughters, Marie (Joel) VanStee and Lynn (Vince) Jankiewicz, grandchildren, Michael (Sharon), Marc (Melissa), Matthew (Melissa), Terese (Jarred) Post, Erica (Justin) McElwee, Leah Kaiser, Ashley (Greg)...

Dec 3, 2023

James R. Weckerly, 78, of German Valley, passed away, Sunday December 3, 2023, at FHN Memorial Hospital. James was born October 19, 1945, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Walter and Ruth (Lamm) Weckerly. James married Bonnie Jean Mullen September 5, 1970 in Adeline. James was the head of the maintenance department for both Structo and Vac-U-Lok,...

Dec 3, 2023

Dale Allen Bell, 72, of Monroe, WI passed Sunday, December 3, 2023, concluding his most epic story. He was born on April 16, 1951 in Rockford, IL to James Bell and Gladys Bell Thruman. On March 4, 1969, Dale married Lynn (Barthel Davis) and had two daughters, Carrie and Andrea. He then married Kristine (Berry) on July...

Dec 2, 2023

Marcia J. Eichmeier, 82, of Pearl City, IL passed away Saturday December 2, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL. She was born February 17, 1941 in Jo Daviess County, Illinois to Carl and Margaret (Krupke) Haeft. On December 22, 1958 she married Gary D. Eichmeier in Freeport, IL after knowing each other for only three...

Nov 29, 2023

Phyllis Ann Schriner, 88, of Freeport, passed away, Wednesday November 29, 2023, Provena St. Joseph Center. Phyllis was born January 23, 1935 in Freeport, the daughter of Joseph and Edna (Rahn) Schriner. Phyllis worked for Burgess Battery for 36 years. She also worked for the Illinois Probation Department for 13 years. Phyllis had a deep love for...

Nov 26, 2023

Tevin Lavar Walker was born May 27th, 1993, to Debbie Lacy and Ricky Walker in Freeport, IL. Tevin sadly departed life early on November 26, 2023, at 30 years old. Tevin was called by loved ones "Tevo". Tevin attended and graduated from Freeport High school class of 2011. Tevin loved to be around family and friends and...

Nov 25, 2023

Don Frisbie passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25th at Serenity Hospice in Oregon, IL. surrounded by his family. Don courageously fought cancer for two years, enduring treatment after treatment, before finally succumbing to this terrible disease.

If you knew Don, you know he is the epiphany of hard-work, dedication and honesty. He...

Nov 25, 2023

Ruth K. Palmer, 89, of Rockford, IL, formerly of Freeport, IL passed away Saturday November 25, 2023 at home. She was born May 30, 1934 in Decatur, IL to William C. and Jenny R. (Garrison) Wisdom. Ruth was employed at Micro Switch in Freeport for 30 years as a wheelabrutor. Ruth was a member of Mt. Carmel...

Nov 24, 2023

Kathleen “Kathy” Rose Cruz, 73, passed away Friday, November 24, 2023 after a brief illness in Freeport, Illinois. She was born October 11th 1950 in San Antonio, Texas to Arthur L. and Rose (Williams) Fosler. Kathy was a Dallas Cowboys and NASCAR fan, she loved to bake, to make crafts and loved spending time with her family....

Nov 19, 2023

Beth Ann Winter passed away on November 19, 2023 after bravely battling a brief but very severe illness. She was born on May 5th, 1953 to Arthur and Sarah Joan (nee Palmer) Armagost. Beth attended Freeport High School and Illinois State University. In 1974, she married her Jr. High/High School sweetheart and love of her life, Mark...

Nov 18, 2023

Duane Smith, 92, of Freeport passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 18, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Winn Prairie.

Duane was born on November 12, 1931 in Rock Island, IL. to Louis W. Smith and Lena E. (Welch) Smith. Duane received a B.S. degree in Art Education from Western Illinois University...

Nov 18, 2023

Gary Reuben Amendt, 78, of Eleroy IL, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2023, in Freeport, IL. He was born on January 10, 1945, in Freeport, IL, to Reuben and Ruby (Stumbaugh) Amendt. He was a graduate of Lena-Winslow High School in 1963. After high school, Gary proudly served in the United States Navy on the James...

Nov 17, 2023

Francis B. Fralke, 80, of Freeport, IL passed away Friday November 17, 2023 at Walnut Acres in Freeport. Cremation rites have been accorded and there will be no services.

Nov 10, 2023

Norman Roger Kilker, 66, of Freeport, IL passed away Friday November 10, 2023 in his home. He was born April 28, 1957 in Freeport, IL to Roger and Audrey (Foat) Kilker. Norman graduated in 1975 from Forreston High School. In high school Norman participated in cross country, basketball and baseball. After graduating high school, Norman attended MacMurray...

Nov 9, 2023

Brenda L. Niesman, 65, of Freeport, IL passed away Thursday November 9, 2023 in her home. She was born July 10, 1958 in Salamanca, New York to Roger “Pete” W. and Helen C. (Case) Jensen. On October 25, 1996 she married the love of her life, Frederick “Fred” Niesman in Freeport. Fred passed away July 8, 2003....