Obituaries

Orangeville

Randall “Randy” L. Rimington, 78

Randall “Randy” L. Rimington of Orangeville, IL died Monday, November 2, 2020 at Monroe Clinic Hospital.

He was born to Frederick and Virginia (Wilson) Rimington on March 26, 1952 in Peoria, IL. The family moved to Stephenson County in 1962, where Randy graduated from Lena-Winslow High School in 1970. He attended Highland Community College, graduating with an associate’s degree. He married Katherine Kaufman in 1976 and together they had one child Ruth.

Randy farmed with his dad in Lena and then in the Cedarville and Dakota areas. After farming he had a trucking career hauling milk for Karlen Trucking and later driving semis for Bytec. Randy was a Bears fan, enjoying when the Packers lost. He also enjoyed his Allis Chalmers Tractors.

He is survived by his wife Katherine (Kate) of Orangeville, IL, Mother; Virginia of Lena, IL, Daughter; Ruth (Jeff) Adams of Janesville, WI, two grandsons ; Conner and Nolan Adams, Sister; Kathryn Rimington of Escondido, CA, Brothers; Kent, and Ronald (Diane) Rimington and family of Lena, IL, and Jeffrey Rimington of Cottage Grove, WI and brothers-in-law Donald (Judith) Kaufman and family of Winslow, IL and Paul Kaufman of Freeport, IL, and former sister-in-law Linda Rimington.

He is preceded in death by his father and Alice Munz (Life Partner of Jeffrey Rimington).

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10,2020 at the Leamon Funeral Home, 210 W. Main Street in Lena, IL. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11,2020 at Sunset Acres Cemetery in Orangeville, IL.

Social distancing will be practiced and masks are required.

Keith Johnson will be officiating the service. Cremations rites have been accorded.

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

Lena

Paul Kenneth Potter, 49

Paul Kenneth Potter, 49, of Lena, Illinois passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on November 3, 2020.

He was born on August 13, 1971 in San Diego, California to Paul and Regina (Huff) Potter. Paul worked for Advanced Technologies in Freeport. He was an avid golfer, who enjoyed life and was a friend to all. Paul was also very active in barbecue competitions. Paul loved all Chicago Sports, especially the Chicago Bears.

Paul is survived by his adult child, Misha Madison of Lena, his father Paul Potter of Lena, his brother Aaron (April) Potter of Lena, and his sister Melissa (Rob) Kosman of Pepperell, MA, nieces and nephews Alysse and Addison of Lena and Madeline and Mason of Pepperell, MA, grandmother Grace Potter of Richland Center, WI, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Paul was preceded in death by his mother Regina (Huff) Potter, grandparents Kenneth and Leota Huff and Paul Potter.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, Illinois. A visitation was from 10:00 AM until time of services on Friday at the funeral home. Pastor Sean Huguenin officiated the services. Cremation rites to be accorded. A private family burial will take place at Lena Burial Park.

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

Gary L. Albrecht, 78

Gary L. Albrecht age 78, passed away at his home on November 2, 2020 surrounded by his family.

He was born on February 27, 1942 in Freeport, IL to Walter and Emma (Zink) Albrecht. He married Nancy Krebs on January 8, 1964 at St. Paul’s Church in Wayne Township. He worked at Micro Switch for 34 years until retirement in 1999. He was a member of the Cedarville Baptist Church. Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, Canada trips with his dad and brothers and enjoyed his CB radio club back in the 1970’s.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Nancy, son; Brian (Tamara) Albrecht of Lena, daughter; Barbara Schubert of Lena, grandchildren; SPC Kyle Albrecht (deployed), Kelsey Albrecht of Lena, Heidi (Patrick) Arnold of Dubuque, IA, Kayla (Eric Ford) Schubert of Geneseo, IL, Austin “A.J.” Schubert of Lena, 2 great grandsons; Carter and Cayden Arnold. Brother Wayne Albrecht of Winslow, IL. And Nancy’s sister Linda (Don) Gilbertson of Winslow.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother James.

A Memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m on Friday, November 6, 2020 at Cedarville Baptist Church with a visitation from 12:30 p.m. until time of service. Pastor Kevin Cernek officiated the service.

A memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at ww.leamonfh.com

Elizabeth

Roger E. Wills, 49

Roger E. Wills, age 49, of Elizabeth, IL, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2020, at Alex Finley Hospital, in Dubuque, IA. A private funeral service will be held in his honor, with burial taking place at Elmwood Cemetery, in Warren, IL. Family and friends are invited to share in Roger’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Roger was born November 28, 1970, in Galena, IL, the son of Eldon and Doris (Watson) Wills. He attended Elizabeth schools, ultimately graduating from River Ridge High School. Roger grew up working on the family dairy farm, and extended this work well into his adult years. He later worked for the Kolb-Lena Cheese Factory, then Dura Automotive in Stockton. Farming was always his passion, however; something he held dear to his heart.

Roger will always be remembered by those close to him, as the guy who would drop anything to assist a friend. He placed others’ needs over his own and was eager to lend a helping hand. He loved going for drives, sometimes stopping to talk with friends. He was definitely a talker, and once he got going on some of his favorite topics, he could go on for an hour if you let him.

Roger will be dearly missed by his two brothers, John (Joyce) Wills of Galena, IL and Elmer Wills of Elizabeth, IL; two sisters, Goldie (Dennis) Foley of Scales Mound, IL and Thelma (Kevin) Busker of Rockford, IL; four nephews; three nieces; two great nieces; and one great-nephew. Roger is preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Doris, sister, Joyce, and his two dogs, Lucky and Sebastian.

Warren

Gerald (Jerry) Brown, 80

Gerald (Jerry) Brown, 80, of Warren, IL passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at the UW Hospital in Madison, WI.

He was born on July 28, 1940 to Albert and Lucille (Winter) Brown in Dubuque, Iowa. Gerald was in the National Guard and belonged to the American Legion Post #0298 for 34 years. He drove bus for the Warren School District for many years, farmed in the Winslow area, and drove semi until retirement.

Jerry loved to work in his garden, going fishing in Muscatine, IA, taking care of his yard and Sunday’s cooking on his grill.

Jerry is survived by his wife Christine of Warren, IL, his mother Lucille of Apple River, IL, his children; Mary Grinnel, Monica (Tom) Crook, Suzanne Shaw and special friend Gary, all of Monroe, WI, Robert and Montie Brown of Boise, ID, and Jared Brown of Warren, brothers and sisters; Tom Brown of Dixon, IL, Judy (Nelson) Anger of Rockford, IL, Jean (Richard) Schaber of Winnebago, IL, Sharon (Ron) Abner Karen (John) Forester of Orlando, FL, and Bob Hicks of Cuba City, WI, and many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, sister Janet, sister-in-law Renae, an infant son, and niece Debbie.

Jerry’s wish was to be cremated and buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren. A private family graveside service was held at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren. Pastor Roger Bronkema officiated the service.

The family wishes to extend a special Thank you to Dr. Martin Cleary and the Warren Ambulance. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Stockton

Stephen Noller, 75

Stephen Noller, age 75 of Stockton, IL passed away Sunday, October 25, 2020. He was born April 2, 1945 in Freeport to the late Lyle and Jean (Aurand) Noller.

Steve was a graduate of Stockton High School where he had played basketball and football. He proudly served in the U.S. Army. Steve enjoyed farming his entire life and was a pyro technician for the Stockton 4th of July Celebration for over 35 years. He loved animals of all kinds.

Steve is survived by his brother, Robert (Pat) Noller of Branson, MO; his nephew, Dana (Debra) Noller of Stockton; his niece, Danielle (Kevin Phillips) VenHuizen of Apple River; his three great nephews, Austin, Jacob and Tyler; and his longtime companion Veronica Lumley and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece, DeeAnn Noller.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. A memorial fund has been established for the Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Shirley Joan Oppold, 85

Shirley Joan Oppold, 85, of Stockton IL, passed away November 2, 2020 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

She was born February 12, 1935 to William and Pearl Roemer. She married Joseph Edward Oppold Jr. on June 5, 1953.

Shirley loved spending time with her family, reading books, cleaning her house, baking goodies, listening and dancing to polka music, traveling, and being a snowbird during the cold winters with her sons in sunny southern California.

She will be dearly missed by many family members and friends: her sons, Joseph (David Norgard) of West Hollywood, California, and Jerry (Trisha) Oppold of Stockton; her two grandchildren Brooke (Grant) Pierce of Sun Prairie, WI, and David (Morgan Smith) Craig of Stockton; two great grandchildren, Marshall and Jordan Pierce of Sun Prairie, WI; her sister, Marilyn Shay of Freeport; her four sisters-in-law, Vera Boswell of Winnebago, Shirley Oppold of Pearl City, Cass Oppold of Stockton, and Betty Durray of Freeport; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Edward Oppold Jr, parents William and Pearl Roemer, and her brother, Roland Roemer.

Funeral services are being planned for a future date. Interment will be at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton, next to her husband. A memorial fund has been established in Shirley’s name at the Stockton Public Library. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Freeport/Winslow

Robert Hastings, 83

Robert Hastings, 83, of Freeport, IL formerly of Winslow, IL passed away at his home on Monday, November 2, 2020 surrounded by his family.

He was born on July 24, 1937 in Rockford, IL to Frederick and Lottie (Rodebaugh) Hastings. Robert married Patricia Solace on December 30, 1960 at the Winslow United Methodist Church. He served his country in the United States Army from 1957-1960. Robert owned and operated the Winslow Stockyards and the Winslow Sale Barn. He was a former mayor of Winslow, member of the Winslow Fire Department and the Fire Department Trustees. Robert was also on the Paradise Cove Committee and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed fishing and playing cards, especially poker with his friends. Robert enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren and the many weekends spent at Castle Rock Lake.

Robert is survived by his three children; Charles (Lorna) Hastings of Lena, IL, Doug (Katie) Hastings of Freeport, IL and Darla (David) Cobb of Warren, IL, Seven grandchildren; Bradley, Brandon (Amanda), Ryan, Travis (Caitlin) and Dylan (Molly) Hastings, Erica and Mitchell (Stephanie) Stocks, special girls, Brianna and Danica, eight great grandchildren, a sister Linda (LaVerne) Broge, many nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Patricia in 2014, three brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow, IL. A celebration of life was held from 12:00 noon until 4:00 PM on Thursday at Rt. 20 Bar and Grill in Freeport, IL following the services at the cemetery.

A visitation was from 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL. Pastor Gary Rich officiated the services.

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

Freeport

Carol E. Carson, 86

Carol E. Carson, age 86 of Freeport, IL passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020 at her home. She was born on January 1, 1934 in Derinda, IL to the late Lorenz and Lillian (Belk) Randecker.

Carol was a 1952 graduate of Hanover High School. She had worked at Chestnut Ski Resort and Power Lab where she retired from in 1997. In her younger years she enjoyed going on motorcycle trips and watching the colors change in the fall. She also enjoyed going to Family Affair to have coffee and visit. She had three great sons, created and given to us, a gift from God.

She is survived by her two sons, Dale (Elizabeth) Duff of New Albany, IN, and Darryl (Lisa) Duff of Loves Park, IL, her six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, her sister, Maxine Dittmar; and 4 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Charlene Kunz; her brother-in-law, John Dittmar; and her son, Duane Duff.

There will be no services. Interment will take place in the Derinda Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at http://www.walkermortuary.com.