Obituaries

Freeport

Keith G. Gerdes, 79

Keith G. Gerdes, age 79 of Freeport, IL, passed away at home of natural causes on Saturday, May 16, 2020.

He was born on January 16, 1941 in Sterling, IL; the son of the late George and Audrey (Vaughn) Gerdes. He was a 1958 graduate of Stockton High School. Keith married Mary Lou Yeager on August 3, 1968. He served in the United States National Guard. Keith worked as a tire builder and in the test lab for Kelly Springfield until retiring in 1998.

Together, Keith and Mary Lou owned and operated Stockton Antique Mall in Stockton. He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Freeport. His memberships also include the NRA and Illinois National Rifle Association. He enjoyed photography and photographed for the Freeport Raceway as well as weddings. He also enjoyed going to NASCAR and dirt track racing with his wife, Mary Lou.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Gerdes of Freeport; son, Robert (Penny) Gerdes of Freeport; grandchildren, Alicia, Robert, and Johnny; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and mother and father-in-law, Helen and Oliver Yeager.

A private service will be held. A memorial service will take place at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at a later date. A memorial fund has been established for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Condolences may be shared at http://www.walkermortuary.com.

Lanark

Edward C. Fehlhafer, 85

Edward C. Fehlhafer, age 85 of Lanark, IL passed away Saturday May 16th surrounded by loved ones at his home. A graveside funeral service with Military Rites will be held at the Lanark City Cemetery. A Celebration of Edward’s Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made out to Lanark American Legion Post #0357 or The Church of the Brethren in Lanark.

Edward was born in Littleport IA, on June 30th, 1934, son of Clarence and Marie (Freitag) Fehlhafer. Edward attended McGregor High School in Marquette IA, and graduated with the class of 1952. After high school Edward enlisted in the United States Army, and served from 1954 to 1956 as Company Clerk. Soon after returning he met his wife Vonda Boleyn. It only took one date, by the end of the night Edward was smitten and told his mother, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Marry they soon did. Together they raised four children and celebrated 50 years of marriage until Vonda’s passing in 2009. After the loss of his wife Edward found a friend in Anne Lindsey. Both going through similar losses they were good for each other and spent 7 years together.

Edward was the type of man who always had a lesson to teach or a bit of wisdom to impart. He was an LP department manager for Carroll Service Company for 43 years. There were many late nights when a call would come from a family needing something and Edward would always be there to help. He would often take a child to help with the work. Through his work ethic and sense of duty to his customers he taught his children and grandchildren hard work and the importance of honoring your commitments.

Upon retiring from Carroll Service Company in 1998 Edward took a job with Sewer Equipment of America delivering sewer trucks and trailers all over the United Sates and into Canada and Mexico. Edward took Anne on many of these trips. He enjoyed showing her the countryside even when all of the sightseeing was thorough the windshield of the trucks he delivered. Edward had started his 22nd year with Sewer Equipment at the time of his passing.

Edward served on the Lanark City Council from 2009-2017. He was honored to serve Lanark and always worked with the betterment of his community in the forefront.

Edward never met a stranger and is most known for his hugs. He always hugged both sides when he hugged. It is known that cars would stop and ladies would jump out and run across the street to get a “both sides” hug from Edward.

Edward will be dearly missed by his significant other Anne Lindsay; three children, Gary (Heidi) Fehlhafer of Sioux Center, IA, Tommy (Susan) Fehlhafer of Princeton, IL, and Susan (L. Benjamin) Chase of Pekin, IL; 10 grandchildren, Tel (Laura) Fehlhafer, Tyrel (Jeanette) Fehlhafer, Grace Fehlhafer, Hope Fehlhafer, Logan Fehlhafer, Samantha (Sean) Faulkner, Kasey Fehlhafer, Alexandrea Fehlhafer, Lyndsy (Andrew) Quanstrom, and Samuel Chase; five great-grandchildren, Graham, Raegan, Ryleigh, Hendrix, and Riley; Anne’s son Jeff (Ronda) Lindsay; Anne’s grandchildren Kadie (Michael) Lindsay, Rebecca Lindsay, and Tiffany Miller; Anne’s great-grandchildren, James, Maverick, Maddie, and McKenzie; and Ed’s sister, Vernelda Miehe of Elkader, IA.

Edward is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Marie, his wife, Vonda, his son Donald and Anne’s son Scott.

Elizabeth

Dorothy Edna (Meyer) Bowman, 86

Dorothy Edna (Meyer) Bowman, age 86, originally of Elizabeth, IL passed away on Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Iris Memory Care facility in Edmond, OK.

Dorothy was born November 8, 1933 to Paul and Edna (Campbell) Meyer and spent her early years in the Elizabeth area, graduating from Elizabeth High School. On December 26, 1955 she married Donald C. Bowman and they had three children together. The family moved from Illinois to Iowa, then Nebraska and eventually to Missouri where Dorothy worked as a computer programmer for Saline County. After retirement, they became full-time travelers in their recreational vehicle and thoroughly enjoyed their time together golfing, fishing and socializing with many friends and family members. After Don passed away in 1993, Dorothy moved to Florida.

Dorothy was a member of numerous Catholic parishes over the years and dedicated a significant amount of time volunteering to help others in need, especially through involvement in St. Vincent de Paul and local food banks. She also contributed to the community through her work over the years as an election official in Nebraska, Missouri and Florida, ensuring polling places were properly and effectively serving the public. Her love of reading led her to help establish the Friends of the Marshall Public Library in Marshall, Missouri.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Shari Bowman, sons, Don (Jean) Bowman of Marsing, ID and John (Kim) Bowman of Edmond, OK, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; husband Donald C. Bowman, brothers Paul Brutus “Bud” Meyer and Ramon Charles “Ray” Meyer, sister, Ruth Audrey Bohnsack and brother-in-law Marvin Bohnsack.

Due to the current coronavirus situation, a graveside burial service for the family will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hanover, IL and a Mass will be scheduled to be said on her behalf at St. Mary’s Church in Elizabeth, IL.

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or Society of St. Vincent de Paul are requested in lieu of flowers.

Pearl City

Vance Robert Hasselman, 50

Vance Robert Hasselman, age 50 of Freeport, went to be with the Lord on May 21, 2020 at FHN Hospital. Vance was born on August 13, 1969; the son of Bob and Darla Hasselman of Pearl City.

Vance graduated from Pearl City High School in 1988. He was involved in FFA and 4-H and a big fan of all sports. Vance started showing beef cattle at the age of 8 and continued until he graduated high school. Then every year after has enjoyed watching cattle shows at local fairs. Another of Vance’s lifelong interests was NASCAR, watching the races and talking with other NASCAR enthusiasts. He was also a lifelong Chicago Bears fan.

Vance had a variety of jobs over the years and made many lifelong friends. Probably his favorite job was rural delivery of the Freeport Journal Standard.

Vance is survived by his mom and dad; sister and brother-in-law, Michelle & Pat Gerke of Kent; niece Jordy (Chad) McPeek of Pearl City; nephew Cole (Kayla) Miller of Lena; great nieces, Brynlee & Marlee McPeek; great nephew, Brooks Miller; uncle and aunt, Karl & Cyd Hasselman of Pearl City; cousins, Shauna (Brad) Endress, Abigayle & Mackenzie Endress of Pearl City, Danell (Tom) O’Neill, and John O’Neill of Barrington.

For the last 8 years Vance lived at Walnut Acres in Freeport. We would like to thank the nurses and caregivers for all their wonderful care. Vance was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ray & Merna Groesinger and Bernard & Lona Hasselman; aunt, Nyla Hasselman; and Infant brother, Jason.

A graveside service will take place at Highland Cemetery in Pearl City on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Wayne Fischer and Chip Sohl will be officiating the service. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Apple River

Ann Mary Daugherty, 91

On Sunday, May 17th 2020 at 7:40pm, Ann Mary Daugherty, loving mother of two and grandmother of four, went to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 91 years & 9 months.

Ann was born on August 11th 1928, in Shullsburg Wisconsin, to Josephine Cary Ganshert & Lawrence E. Ganshert.

Ann had a passion for her catholic faith, and went to mass daily. She wrote poetry, and had an excellent sense of dry humor & loved puns & play on words. Ann attended Edgewood College, in Madison WI. Then attended the University of Denver, in Denver CO. she received her Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Sciences degree. She worked in Sales/marketing at Northwestern Bell (now known as Qwest) for 25 years. She retired & moved to Omaha ne, to be closer to family.

Ann was preceded in death by her mother, Josephine, and father, Lawrence, brothers, Frances & Talbert. Sister, Mary Ellen. And son, Ben Byers, of Mesa AZ. She is survived by her daughter, Ann Marie Daugherty, and four grandchildren, Ariana Davis, Quinn Davis, Alyssa Mize & Kira Mize, all of Omaha NE.

In light of recent events, funeral services will be private.

Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Apple River, Illinois. Monsignor Daniel Ganshert will officiate the services. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com