Obituaries

Stockton

John P. O’Boyle, 84

John P. O’Boyle, age 84, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2019 after a courageous fight against cancer. He spent 60 years in Stockton, IL and the last year in Rockford, IL. John was born on December 4, 1935 to the late George and Ceil (Long) O’Boyle.

He was a 1954 graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1958 and attained his Masters of Education at UW in 1959. In 1959, he accepted a job teaching Drivers Education and Junior High Science in the Stockton School District where he planned to stay for a year before returning to Wisconsin. That plan changed when he met another first year teacher named Mary Jo Hayes. They wed in 1961 and spent the rest of their lives in Stockton which they were proud to call their home.

During his 40 years in the Stockton School district, in addition to teaching he also coached several sports including basketball, golf and football. Stockton football teams coached by John and his friend and fellow coach, Hank Ezel, won numerous conference titles, made annual playoff appearances and appeared in four State Championship games, winning state titles in 1978 and 1991.

John loved his grandchildren and family and spending time with them. He was a fan of all things Wisconsin - Packers, Badgers, Brewers, Bucks, Lake Perch and a Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet. Mary Jo was the love of his life and together they were a classy couple. They took many wonderful trips together including Ireland several times. He had wonderful Irish wit and was quick with a funny comment or story like driving to Green Bay for the Ice Bowl in a car with a broken heater. He and his pals would often go see the Green Bay Packers play at City Stadium where they could buy tickets for 75 cents.

John is survived by his daughter, Jane O’Boyle; his son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Jodi, and his grandchildren Erin, Brendan and Ella, and special friend Barb Callahan of Dubuque, Iowa. He is predeceased by his parents and wife of 42 years, Mary Jo, in 2003.

The funeral service was held on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton. There was a visitation on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at the Stockton High School from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Darlene M. Adams

Darlene M. Adams, 89, of Westby, WI formerly of Stockton, IL, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday December 9, 2019.

She was born on September 13, 1930 to Leonard and Berneice (Lee) Niles in Platteville, WI. She graduated from Platteville High School in 1947. She married Merlyn L. Adams on April 26, 1948. She was a loving mother to her children and grandmother and great grandma to her 21 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was the happiest when the grandchildren and great grandchildren were near her. Merlyn and Darlene began farming together in 1948. Darlene also enjoyed waitressing in Lena and Warren. Later she enjoyed working with Hallmark Cards until she retired. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She enjoyed puzzles, flowers, card playing and playing games with her grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by her children; Darrell (Deb) Adams, Diane Wensel, Paul (Ann) Adams, Mary (Terry) Tunison, Joe (Julie) Adams, Pam (Paul) Schumacher and Lori (Joyce) Maher, 21 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. A Brother Merlin (Diane) Breihan and a Sister Judy Schmitt

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Merlyn, sons; Terry Lynn and Douglas Michael and daughter Brenda Lee.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 PM NOON on Saturday December 14, 2019 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton, IL. A visitation was from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton, IL. Father Michael Morrissey officiated the services. Burial was at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery in Warren, IL. A luncheon followed at St. Ann Catholic Church in Warren, IL.

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

Warren

Charlene Lois Saunders, 83

Charlene Lois Saunders, 83, of Warren, Illinois passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, December 9, 2019 after a brief illness.

Charlene was born on August 28, 1936 in Darlington, Wisconsin to Edward and Geneva (Schwartz) Goebel. She graduated from Darlington High School. Charlene worked at The Alamo Café in Warren, where she met the love of her life, Donald Saunders. They went on their first date on October 31, 1955. On October 6, 1956 she married Donald at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington, Wisconsin, Monsignor Bernard Doyle officiated. Together they raised three children; Steven, Marcia, and Brian. Charlene briefly worked for Microswitch in Warren. In 1965 Charlene and Donald started Saunders Oil Company which today expands to six convenience stores throughout southwest Wisconsin and Northwest Illinois.

Charlene was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Warren and the Warren Women’s Club. In 2015 Charlene was awarded the William R. Deutsch Bucketeer Award from the Illinois Marketers Petroleum Association for her 50 years of service in the Petroleum Business.

Prior to Donald’s passing, they enjoyed traveling in their motor home, driving their Mustang, having their home in the Warren Christmas walk, and working in the plant and flower gardens. Charlene loved spending time with her friends and family, especially her grand and great-grandchildren.

Charlene is survived by her children; Steven (Julia Swanson) of Fort Myers, FL, Marica (Jim) Gray of Cape Coral, FL, Brian (Karlene) Saunders of Warren, IL, six grandchildren; Tanya (Bill Mizger) Phillips of Cape Coral, FL, Shawn (Kim) Saunders of Warren, IL, Luke (Tiffany) Saunders of Warren, IL, Jeremy (Meghan) Saunders of Gratiot, WI, Brianna (Dan Trost) Saunders of Warren, IL and Keegan (Kelsey Tesmer) Kent of Warren, IL; fourteen great-grandchildren; Xavier and Alex Phillips, Tristan and Taya Payne, Tyler, Brayden, Carsyn, and Kyron Saunders, Fiona Saunders, Alexa, Leyla, and Izabella Saunders, and Tinley and Jett Saunders, sisters; Rose Mary Lawler of Madison, WI and Eleanor (Vernon) Gille of Gratiot, WI, brother-in-law Bernard (Barb) Saunders of Warren, IL and sister-in-law Kathryn (Ray) Reed of Warren, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald in 2010, a grandson Shane Saunders in 2011, brothers; Joseph, Raymond, Robert and Karl Goebel, sisters; Margurite Sperry, Ruth Judkins, Bernadine McGrath, and Helene in infancy.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 16, 2019 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Warren, IL. A visitation was held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, where a rosary will be said at 3:30 PM on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, and again from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM at the funeral home on Monday.

Burial will be at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery in Warren, IL.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Cleary and his staff at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County, Monroe Clinic Hospice, and her wonderful caretakers over the last few months.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.