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Obituaries

Elizabeth

Janet Elaine Struwe Thorsen, 83

Janet Elaine Struwe Thorsen, age 83, of Elizabeth, IL, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Elizabeth Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family at the moment she was called Home.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A private family memorial gathering will take place at a later date. Family and friends are invited to share in Janet’s memory at lawjonesfuneralhome.com

Janet was born September 6, 1936 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Maxwell and Mary (Tansor) Struwe. She attended school in Chicago, graduating from Calvin Park High School. During her high school days, she was a proud member of the Vamps; a girls social club.

Janet will be forever remembered for her kind soul and her loving demeanor. She was a deeply religious woman; one who found peace in the promise of going home to her Lord and Savior. These qualities made her a truly wonderful mother and grandmother. She devoted everything she had to the raising and care of her children, and didn’t stop there. Janet played an integral part in the raising of many of her grandchildren, as well. She believed in welcoming her children with open arms and holding them closely.

A true homemaker, Janet loved to cook and bake, especially when it was for her family. She was sure to always have something freshly baked, and a pot of coffee ready on hand, just in case she were to have any visitors; and she advised her daughters to do the same. And those lucky enough to attend her Thanksgiving dinners, won’t soon forget the grand feasts she loved to prepare. When she wasn’t caring for others, which wasn’t often, she enjoyed crocheting and above all, singing.

Janet will be dearly missed by her three sons, Michael (Jean) Thorsen, of Park Ridge, IL, Ken (Kim) Thorsen, of Elizabeth, IL, and Karl (Mindy) Thorsen, Elizabeth, IL; two daughters, Janet (Ken) Carlson of Hawthorne Woods, IL, and Mary (Bob) Nolan, of Hanover, IL; 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren (with two more on the way); sister-in-law, Jean Struwe; and her dear friend Marcia Hanson, of Hanover, IL, as well as many extended family members and friends.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Bob Struwe.

Mt. Carroll

Mary Ellen (Pitss) Rose, 81

Mary Ellen (Pitts) Rose, age 81, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 14, 2019 at Prairie Crossing Nursing Home in Shabbona, Illinois, where she had been a resident since July 2018.

A funeral service was held 10 am Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Burial took place in Lanark Cemetery, Lanark, Illinois. Visitation was held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at the funeral home. A memorial has been established. Family and friends are invited to share in Mary’s life at http://www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Mary was born December 10, 1937, in Sterling, Illinois, the second-born daughter of Omar and Hazel (Jacobs) Pitts of Chadwick, Illinois. She graduated from Chadwick High School in 1955, she then went on to attend several classes at Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois. On January 15, 1956, Mary wed James Rose. Together they raised four children and celebrated 63 years of marriage.

Despite being a victim of multiple sclerosis for many years, Mary held several occupations throughout her life. She did factory work for G.E., Kraft, and Rolling Hills Progress Center. In addition, she worked as a nurse’s aide, and as an intern for the Department of Rehab Services. She also babysat for local families and cleaned houses part-time. She was a longtime member of the Chadwick Evangelical Free Church where she taught Sunday school and Bible school, and sang in the church choir. Mary was also active in many community organizations. She was a member of the Illinois Disability Council, Home Extension, and was a 4-H Leader. She loved reading and attending country music shows.

Mary will be dearly missed by her husband James; two sons, David (Mary Ann) Rose of DeKalb, Illinois and Duane (Lowletta) Rose of Roseburg, Oregon; daughter Cynthia (Steven) Rae of DeKalb, Illinois; 10 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Juanita, Gretchen, Eric, David, Allen, Makala, Michael, Kortnie and Jessica;12 great-grandchildren, Kaytelynn, Levi, Nathan, Rose, Landon, Peyton, Benji, Natalie, Abigail, Matthew, Lillian and Hannah; two brothers, Larry (Linda) Pitts of Lena, Illinois and James (Ruth) Pitts of Milledgeville, Illinois; three sisters, Janice Strauch of Chadwick, Illinois, Joan (Clifford) Freeman of Byron, Illinois, and Beverly Dayboll of Mt. Carroll, Illinois.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Omar and Hazel; daughter Denise; sister Edith; grandson Ryan; and a granddaughter, Amanda.

Thomson

Jerry “Duke” Hebeler, 73

Jerry “Duke” Hebeler, age 73, of Thomson, Illinois, passed away Monday, November 18, 2019 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2019 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson. Burial will take place in Lower York Cemetery, Thomson. Visitation was held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 24, 2019 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family at http://www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com

Duke was born March 18, 1946, the son of Leonard and Irene (Spencer) Hebeler in Savanna, Illinois. He attended Savanna High School, graduating with the Class of 1964. After high school, he went on to work for the railroad. He later worked for Dupont in Clinton Iowa for over 30 years, until his retirement in 2001. On August 6, 2005, Duke married Carrie Pidde in Thomson.

Duke was an active member of the community. He served as the Village President of Thomson for four years, village board member until recently, and also served on the Thomson Volunteer Fire Department. He was also very active in local sports—coaching little league baseball, girls softball, and participating as referee for 43 years and umpire for 41 years.

Duke will be dearly missed by his wife, Carrie; two children, Teresa (Darrell) Duggan of Thomson and Jeremy Hebeler of Thomson; three grandchildren, Hunter (Katie) Hebeler, Allison Duggan and Dalton Duggan; a brother Denny (Mary) Hebeler of Thomson; two sisters, Sharon (Charlie) Johnson of Savanna and Deb Johnson of Thomson.

Duke is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Leonard “Toot” Hebeler and Richard Hebeler.

Hanover

Gloria Olson, 89

Gloria Olson, age 89, of Hanover, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Allure Nursing Home in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Cremation rites will be accorded, and a private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Family and friends are invited to share in Gloria’s life at http://www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Gloria’s family would like to thank Susan Vandervate, for being such a dear friend and making sure there was a letter in the mail to Gloria every week during her stay in the nursing home.

Gloria was born April 19, 1930, in Savanna, Illinois, the daughter of George and Hazel (Burke) Mason. She graduated from Hanover High School with the Class of 1948. On February 24, 1953, Gloria married Melvin Olson. Together they raised three children and celebrated 47 years of marriage until Melvin’s passing.

Gloria worked as a laborer at SAD, Eaton Corp. She also worked at Safeway Cans for many years with her friend Doris Schaible. She owned and operated the Hanover Cafe for four years from 1976-1980 with her husband. She enjoyed playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, reading, and doing cryptograms.

Gloria will be dearly missed by her two daughters, Yvonne (Dennis) Long of Clinton, Iowa and Roxanne (Doug) Milder of Hanover; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Gloria is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin and her son, Melvin Jr.

Warren

Paul LeRoy Ritter, 94

Paul LeRoy Ritter 94 of Warren, passed away Sunday (Nov. 17, 2019) at Wm. S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison.

He was born Jan. 31,1925 in Milwaukee to the late William and Lena Ritter. He first married June Schultz and later married Alice Sterkowicz. Surviving are his children, Faith (Ray) Tibe of Altoona, Iowa, Jack (Linda) Ritter of Normal, IL, David Ritter of Bonita Springs, Florida, and Martha (Missy) (Daniel) Johnson of Chandler, AZ; four grandchildren and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William, son Danny Ritter, grandson Owen Tibe and granddaughter Ashley Ritter.

Paul proudly served in the US Merchant Marines in WWII. He was a cabinet maker and wood worker, as well as owner operator of the former Stagecoach Bar. He loved antiques, woodworking, carpentry, reading, his Susie border collies, coins, fishing, and he loved his town of Warren.

Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no service or visitation. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in Paul's name may be sent to: Wm. S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Community Relations (135), 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Freeport

Audrey M. Wilcox, 80

Audrey M. Wilcox, 80, of Freeport, IL passed away at home, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

She was born on February 17, 1939 in Dubuque, IA to Clifford and Marie (Thruman) Brinker. Audrey married T. Earl Shaw Jr. in 1957, he passed way in 1967. She then married E. Asa Wilcox in 1971, he passed away in 2018. Audrey’s most important work was raising her family. Alongside her husband, she also owned and operated Asa’s in Orangeville for 25 years.

Audrey was a member of the Quilt Club. She enjoyed her trip to Europe with her daughter, attending local garden shows, camping, and most importantly spending time with her family; especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children; Julie (Bill) Lambert, James (Eileen) Shaw, John (Glenda) Shaw, Joyce Lehman, Jay (Lisa) Shaw, Jean (Jenaro Ramos) Lutz, Jack (Lynn) Wilcox, Nan (Mike) Determan, Amy Johnson, and Penny (Tom) Coussens; 33 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way, brothers; Gene and Dale Brinker, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Earl in 1967, and husband Asa in 2018, and her brother Gary Brinker.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 25, 2019 at the Cramer-Leamon Funeral Home in Orangeville, IL. Visitation was held from 9:00-11:00 AM on Monday, November 25, 2019 at the Cramer-Leamon Funeral Home in Orangeville, IL. Pastor Tim Wauchope officiated the services. Burial will be at Sunset Acres in Orangeville.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

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