Brett Todd Schwertfeger
Oct 19, 2026
Brett Todd Schwertfeger, born on January 13th, 1972, in Rockford, Illinois, was released of his worldly pains and earthly limitations on October 19th, 2026.
Brett spent his early youth on the farm outside of Pecatonica along with his late grandfather. The family then moved to Washington state where he attended Everett area schools. His passion for keeping his hands busy and...
Ursie E. Broge
Oct 16, 2026
Ursie E. Broge, 89, of Freeport, IL passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, on Friday, October 16, 2026. She was born on February 23, 1937, in Nora, IL to Leslie and Hattie (Patton) Price. She married Eugene "Gene" L. Broge on May 10, 1954, at the Nora Community Church in Nora, IL.
Ursie and Gene farmed in rural...
Naomi E. Russ
Oct 14, 2026
Naomi E. Russ, age 98, passed away on Wednesday October 14, 2026, at Winn Prairie in Freeport, IL. She was born on October 1, 1928, in Lena, IL to Clarence and Carrie Ethel (Kluck) Schulz. Naomi married Clarence L. Russ on March 27, 1947, at St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Freeport, IL. She and Clarence farmed in the...
Darlene Mae Smith
Oct 13, 2026
Darlene Mae Smith, born May 21, 1930, to parents Byron and Ella (Holland) Kilian, returned to her maker on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
She was raised on the Family Farm near Council Hill, IL and graduated from Scales Mound High School in May of 1948.
Married to Charles Henry Chumbler on August 5, 1948, at Scales Mound Presbyterian. They operated a dairy...
Debra "Sue" Downs
Oct 10, 2026
Debra “Sue” Downs, 70, of Warren, IL passed away with her family by her side on October 10, 2026. The oldest of three, Sue was born on March 13, 1956, to Hartman Guillory and Emma Joy Dupre in Opelousas, Louisianna. In her younger years she enjoyed being a majorette and performing with her baton until they moved to IL in...
James M. Leamy
Oct 9, 2026
James M. Leamy, age 84 of Franklin, WI, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2026, in Milwaukee, WI. He was born on November 26, 1941, in Chicago, IL, the son of James Newton and Mary Margaret (Byrne) Leamy. James married Johanna Joyce Staponaitis on May 23, 1964. He worked as a building maintenance engineer for the phone company (Originally Illinois...
Robert "Bob" Frazer
Oct 9, 2026
Robert “Bob” Frazer, age 87 of Lena, passed away on October 9, 2026, at Serenity Estates in Lena, IL. He was born on February 4, 1939, in Dubuque, IA, the son of Morgan and Catherine (Southcott) Frazer. Robert married Jane Lickes in 1962 in Galena, IL. He worked at Kelly Springfield for 30 years until retiring in 1996. He also...
Steven D. Shippy
Sep 25, 2026
Steven Duane Shippy, 79 of Freeport, Illinois passed away peacefully after a long battle with COPD on Friday, September 25, 2026. Steve was born on November 4, 1946, to Duane and Joslyn (Berget) Shippy in Monroe, Wisconsin. Steve lived in McConnell, Illinois and attended Lena-Winslow High School. Upon graduation, Steve entered the skilled trades apprentice training program at Micro Switch...
Beverly A. Rogers
Sep 22, 2026
Beverly Rogers, 82 of Lake in the Hills, IL, formerly of Lena, IL passed away with her family by her side on September 22, 2026. She was born on January 30, 1944, to Robert and Dorothy (Wilson) Cazel in Elmhurst, IL. Beverly attended Gaylord High School in Gaylord, MI before pursuing her bachelor’s in education at Central Michigan University. She...
Bonnie K. Broge
Sep 21, 2026
On Monday, September 21, 2026, a beautiful light went out when Bonnie Kay Broge left her earthly home to meet the many loved ones waiting for her in her eternal home.
Bonnie was born in Freeport, Illinois, to Jerri and Kenny Gusloff, joining her older sister, Sara. Following Kenny's passing, the family moved to Des Moines and eventually settled in Ankeny,...
James "Jim" Fernstaedt
Sep 19, 2026
James "Jim" Fernstaedt passed away on September 19, 2026, at Serenity Estates Nursing Home in Freeport. Jim was the oldest of 5 children born to Herbert and Anna (Hastings) Fernstaedt on January 18, 1942. He was a lifelong farmer and resident of Jo Daviess County, following in his father's footsteps. He took over the family farm after his father's passing...
Michael Morgan
Sep 9, 2026
Michael “Mike” Morgan, 79, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama. The son of Eugene and Mary (Penticost) Morgan, Mike was born on March 1, 1947, in Gadsden, AL. Mike married Sharie Edge on May 3, 1969, in Colorado Springs, CO.
At the age of 17, Mike’s mother signed his...
Jerrall L. Fox
Sep 6, 2026
Jerrall L. Fox, age 83, of Lena passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Sunday, September 06, 2026. He was born on January 22, 1943, in Lena, IL to Allen and Jane (Lyons) Fox. Jerrall married Sharon Eacker on September 24, 1967, at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Kent, IL and together they raised...
Dean A. Sager
Sep 5, 2026
Dean A. Sager, age 76, of Freeport, IL, passed away peacefully with family present on Saturday, September 5, 2026. He was born on April 5, 1950, to Earl and Leona (Herbig) Sager. Dean married Sandy McKee on September 18, 1967.
He worked for 35 years at ComEd until his retirement. Dean greatly enjoyed his time hunting and fishing on the farm...
Jody L. Diestelmeier
Sep 1, 2026
Jody L. Diestelmeier, age 57, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Jody was born on September 4, 1968, to “Andy” William and Sandra (Loppnow) Gums. She married Gene on January 16, 1999, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lena.
Jody worked for Swiss Colony for 29 years as a baker. In more recent years she...
David T. Rollinger
Aug 30, 2026
David Rollinger, 71, of Apple River, IL passed away at his home on Sunday, August 30, 2026. He was born on June 21, 1955, in Freeport, IL to Eldred and Shirley (Timp) Rollinger.
David attended Holy Cross Catholic School until the 6th grade before attending Stockton school. He was very proud of his track career, even in his later years he...
Junice E. Shippee
Aug 27, 2026
Junice Eileen Isely Shippee, entered her heavenly home on August 27, 2026. She was born in Washington Township, Green County, Wisconsin on August 15, 1934. She was the first daughter and third child of Willis and Leona (Hefty) Isely and big sister to seven other siblings. She graduated from Puddledock Grade School in 1948, and Argyle High School in 1952.
On...
Norma J. Robieson
Aug 12, 2026
Norma J. (Scott) Robieson, age 98 of Lena peacefully passed away in her sleep on Wednesday August 12, 2026, at Serenity Estates in Lena. She was born on May 14, 1928, in Ridott Township, IL, to Edward and Jennie (Allen) Gantz. She married Richard L. Scott on July 10, 1950, in Freeport, IL. He preceded her in death on August...
Gary E. Gast
Aug 8, 2026
Gary Ernest Gast of Warren, Il passed away peacefully at home with his family on August 8, 2026. He was born November 23, 1942 in Freeport, Il. He was the son of Ernest and Genevieve (Volkers) Gast. Gary married Tana Donovan at McConnell Methodist Church on July 17, 1965.
Gary graduated from University of Platteville, Wisconsin in 1964 and taught history...
Gaylord A. McKee
Aug 5, 2026
Gaylord A. McKee, 80, of Warren, IL, passed away on August 5, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on February 10, 1946, in Freeport, IL to Willis and May (Vickers) McKee. Gaylord married Kathryn Meier on February 27, 1966, at the United Methodist Church in Warren.
He farmed for over 60 years outside of Warren. Gaylord...
