Obituaries

Stockton

Edward Lee Keech, 78

Edward Lee Keech, age 78, of Stockton, IL passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Vista Medical Center in Waukegan, IL.

He was born June 15, 1942 in Freeport, IL to the late Lyle and Ruth (Brubaker) Keech. Edward married Glenda Mae Endress on April 14, 1963.

He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Stockton. Edward had worked as a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed flying planes with Freeport RC Modelers, kites, trains and tractors. He was a member of the Stephenson County Antique Engine Club where he was the King in 2006. He was a Chicago Bear and Chicago Cubs Fan, he loved to ride his Motorcycle and Scooter around town. Edward enjoyed laughing and joking around with his family and friends, plus he was always there to help others out.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda Mae Keech of Stockton; his daughters, Blenda Mae (Donnie) Gallup of Thomson, IL, Cindy Sue Keech of Mesa, AZ, and Tina Marie (Ryan) Schuster of Freeport, IL; his granddaughter, Stephanie (Aaron) Lohberg – Huizenga, his great grandkids, Madison Dau, Nathen & Taylor Lohberg; his step-grandkids, Abby and Brooke Huizenga; his grandson, Timothy Lee ( Crystal ) Keech; his step great grandson, Nicholas ( Hannah ) Aqrabawi; step great great granddaughter, Amaya Aqrabawi; step great granddaughter, Sierra Hemm-(Devin), step great grandson, Bryce Hemm; and his granddaughter, Kayla Marie Gallup. Edward is also survived by his brothers, Gary and Donald Keech; his sisters, Glory Keech, JoAnn (Ralph) Boatwright, Marlene Ahrens and Donna Keech; his step brother, David Alleman; his sisters-in-law, Barb (Jerry) Bazala-Schuelke, Betty (Ed) Eagan, Nancy (Jim) Marsh, and Bonnie Endress; his brother-in-law, Kenny Endress; and many nieces and nephews.

Edward was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Harry; his brother-in-law, Ronald Ahrens; his sisters-in-law, Becky Keech and Phyllis Keech as well as his step-sisters, Sylvia Kauffman and Linda Geiseman; his father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Glen and Clarabelle Endress.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Ladies Union Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Cedarville

Claire E. Wichmann, 89

Claire E. Wichmann, 89, of Cedarville, IL passed away on Monday, October 12, 2020 at his home, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Claire was born on April 19, 1931 to Charles and Ethal (Solace) Wichmann. He was a 1949 graduate of Orangeville High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. On December 27, 1952 he married Lois Schulz in Freeport. He was employed by Fairbanks - Morse before retiring from Mattison Machine Works in Rockford as a Machinist. He delivered flowers back to Freeport and the surrounding areas on his way home from Rockford for Broadway Florist. Claire loved to see the people’s expressions when delivering flowers to their door. He was an avid gardener, enjoyed feeding and watering the various birds in his backyard. Claire was a member of the Cedarville Emmanuel Church and on the board of Trustee’s. He enjoyed stopping in everyday to see what was needed to be done at the church, it kept him occupied.

Claire is survived by his daughter Diane (Terry) Kerchner, his grandsons Joe (Megan) Kerchner, and their daughters Hailey and Lily, Kevin (Jennifer) Kerchner, and their son Tucker, all of Dakota, Brad Kerchner of Platteville, WI, brother-in-law Delmar (Belva) Schulz, several nieces and nephews, his church family, and his favorite grand-puppies, Diesel, Bella, and Rigs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lois, brother Dalen, and sister Louise Denin.

Memorial services were held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 16, 2020 at Emmanuel Church in Cedarville, IL. A visitation was from 9:00AM until time of services on Friday, October 16, 2020 at the church. Pastor Craig Connors officiated the services.

Burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery in Freeport, Illinois. A memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Lena

Robert “Bob” Gerbick, 93

Robert “Bob” Gerbick, 93, of Lena passed away at Manor Court in Freeport on October 12, 2020. His family was able to be with him.

Bob was born at home on a farm near Lanark, IL on April 09, 1927 to Jesse and Mabel (Sturtz) Gerbick. He attended school in Stockton and Warren and then joined the U.S. Navy where his job was fueling airplanes on an aircraft carrier at sea. Upon discharge he came back home and worked for a short time for the Illinois Central Railroad maintain tracks and also for Bausman Cheese plant in Warren, IL. All the while he worked on his family farm, eventually purchasing and taking over from his father.

Bob married RoseAnn McGinnis on October 28, 1952 at St. Ann’s Catholic church in Warren, IL and she joined him on the farm 4 miles west of Lena. Together they spent the next 50 years farming and raising 4 daughters.

Bob was a member of the Farm Bureau, and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lena, IL. He loved his family and enjoyed family gatherings and Sunday dinners. He also enjoyed playing euchre and horseshoes, and especially sledding with his grandchildren and taking them fishing.

He is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, RoseAnn of Lena, children; Linda (Rick) Posey of German Valley, Theresa (Bill) Thompson of Warren, Dianne (Eric) Johnson of Blanchardville, WI, Debbie (Todd) Vietmeier of Forreston, 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, sister; Myra Krug of Freeport, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers; Allen and Royal Gerbick.

Visitation was from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL. A private family service was held at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Father Andrew Skrobutt officiated the service.

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

Warren

Rose M. Steuart, 78

Rose M. Steuart age 78 of Warren, Il passed away on Monday October 12, 2020 at OSF St. Anthony Hospital in Rockford, IL, surrounded by her family.

She was born on February 10, 1942 to Dale and Dorothy (Schultz) Hess. She married Henry “Hank” Steuart on December 21, 1974 in Gurnee, IL. She had numerous jobs in the health care industry in Northern Illinois, retiring from the JoDaviess County Health Department in 2007. Hank and Rose volunteered for local EMS agencies. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Warren Chamber of Commerce Board, Warren Auxillary Post 464, Library Board, N.I.C.C.A. Board, and the Elmwood Cemetery Associaiton Board. She was an avid crafter and enjoyed golfing and bowling. Hank and Rose owned H&R Crafts.

She is survived by her children; Steve (Sandy) Steuart of Beaumont, TX, Susan Monak, Patti Dole, Craig (Barb) Steuart, Cathy (Mike Skorski) Steuart all of Rockford, IL, James (Esperonza) Steuart of Seattle, WA., Tana (Brian) Baginski of Brookfield, IL, Cindi (Steve Harrington) Lira of Gurnee, IL, 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, a brother David Hess of Galena, IL, and a sister-in-law Rose Hess of Warren, IL, numerous nieces and nephews, and a special little boy, Ayden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Hank, a brother Jim Hess and a sister-in-law Rose Hess of Galena, IL.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren. A visitation was from 9:00 Am until time of services on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren. Vicar Michelle Knight officiated the services. Burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren.

A memorial has been established in her name for the Wickler-Copland Post 464. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.