All Obituaries

Beverly A. Smith , 83, of Salem, MO, died Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Heritage Health of Walnut. She was born on July 20, 1939 in Melrose Park,  the daughter of Joseph and Elsie (Schmidt) Giles. She married Charles Smith on October 4, 1958 in Melrose Park. He preceded her in death on May 6, 2012. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church of Salem, MO. She is survived by her two daughters, Dena Hughes of Ohio, IL, Dawn (Jeff) Barnett of New Haven, MO; former son-in-law, Con Hughes of...

Jean Mitchell, 92, of Tampico, died on Monday, February 27, 2023 at Morningside of Sterling. Jean was born on March 12, 1930 in Pekin, the daughter of Jefferson and Elizabeth (Golden) Waddell. She married Wayne Mitchell on August 8, 1948 in Manito, Illinois. He preceded her in death on December 9, 2004. Jean was created for an amazing life. She was a housewife, farmed alongside her husband but most importantly she was a mother and grandmother. Her roles that she held closest to her heart....

BLOOMINGTON – Dolores J. Wilt, age 94, formerly of Walnut died Sunday, February 26, 2023 at Martin Health Center in Bloomington.             Dolores was born on August 31, 1928 in Spring Valley the daughter of Gershom and Jane (Condie) Swanson.  She married Gerald Wilt on February 15, 1948 in Walnut.  He preceded her in death on June 23, 2003. Dolores was a member of Walnut United Methodist Church, former Cub Scout...

Karen Atwell, 82, of Walnut passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria after a short but mighty battle with cancer. Karen was born on June 24, 1940, in Deer Grove, the daughter of Kennard and Katherine (Clark) Franks.  She was a 1957 graduate of Atkinson High School and was united in marriage to Lester Atwell on July 12, 1958, in Atkinson.  Karen was a longtime employee of both Candlelight Inn of Sterling and later Shell Express Lane in...

Ruth Gervase Hansen, 88, of Walnut, died on Thursday, February 9, 2023 (the day before her 89th birthday) at her home. Ruth was born in Philadelphia, PA; the daughter of evangelist and musician parents, Adam and Dolly (Dallas) Lutzweiler, who held successive pastorates in Newport, NJ; Weston, MI; and Dixon, IL. In 1920, her father was billed in vaudeville as “Lou Adams, World’s Greatest Jazz Marimba Artist,” whose story “From Show Business to Preacher” was...

Jeanne L. Atherton, 94 of Walnut, died Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Heritage Health of Walnut. Jeanne was born on January 4, 1929 in Princeton, the daughter of Leonard and Helen (Gonigam) Andersen. She married Roy A. Atherton on February 6, 1949 in Walnut. He preceded her in death on October 18, 2015. Together, Roy and Jeanne owned and operated Atherton Grain Company. Jeanne’s love for Arabian horses stemmed from a beautiful blaze faced, chestnut, Arabian gelding named, Dealers...

Kenneth W. Braasch 77, of Tampico, died on Monday, January 16, 2023 at CGH Medical Center of Sterling, surrounded by his family.   He was born on May 17, 1945 in Princeton, the son of Herbert and Helen (Lee) Braasch.  He married Diana Taets on October 3, 1964 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Tampico. She preceded him in death on September 13, 2021. He worked at Eagles Grocery Store for many years. He later retired from NorthWestern Steel and Wire as a Millwright. Ken was a...

Ellen Marie (Ulrich) Martin, 79, of Tampico, peacefully passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at her home.           Ellen was born August 4, 1943 in Thomas, IL, to Elmer and Lydia Ulrich.  She married John A. Martin on January 20, 1961.            She is survived by her husband and six children, two sons, Lowell of Auburn, KY and Robert of Tampico; four daughters, June (Irvin Kropf),...

Lloyd L. Johnson, 96 of Rock Falls, died Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling. Lloyd was born on November 22, 1926 in Princeton, the son of Carl and Ella Johnson. He was a United States Army Veteran and proudly served in WWII where he was a MP in Germany. He married Arlene Barth on September 9, 1951 in Walnut. She preceded him in death on October 26, 2019. Lloyd was a lifetime farmer and also farmed with son and grandson. He enjoyed taking rides to check...

JO ANN J. BOLLIVAR, 92, of Tallahassee, Florida, formerly a resident of Largo, Florida and a longtime resident of Deer Grove, IL, passed away at her home on Monday, January 2, 2023, in the presence of her two surviving daughters.  Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Garland Funeral Home, 115 South Main Street, Tampico, Illinois 61283. A graveside service will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Benton...