Obituaries

Freeport

Tanner Scott Bollon, 33

Tanner Scott Bollon, age 33, of Freeport, IL passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021 at his home.

He was born September 23, 1987 in Freeport, IL to William “Billy” and Toni (Nilles) Bollon.

Tanner was a 2006 graduate of Lena-Winslow High School. He worked for Chrysler. He was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching the Braves, Vikings, and Red Wings. Tanner didn’t just enjoy watching sports, he also enjoyed playing them, especially softball and golf. He also liked to play video games from time to time. Tanner had a huge heart, even at the end he was helping people by being an organ donor. He was funny, quick-witted, and an all-around easy person to talk to, he could always see both sides of a debate. He was often referred to as “The Professor”. Tanner had so much love for his family, especially his niece and nephew, his friends and his dogs, Josie and Jackson.

He is survived by his mom and dad, Toni and Billy Bollon of Lena; his brother, Tyler (Aurora) Bollon and their children, Kellan and Shaylie of Freeport; his fiancé, Kaitlin Jewell of Freeport; his maternal grandma, Pat “GiGi” Nilles of Freeport; his paternal grandparents, Bill (Connie) Bollon of Freeport; his uncle, Bob (Amy) Bollon; his aunts, Sherri (Mike) Daniel and Stacey (Tim) Wagenknecht; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his great grandma Bollon.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Lena Evangelical Free Church at 2:00 p.m. There was a visitation before the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Lena Burial Park. A memorial fund has been established.

Condolences may be shared with Tanner’s family at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Lanark

Barbara Jo “Barbie” Nelson, 44

Barbara Jo “Barbie” Nelson, age 44, of Lanark, Illinois passed away suddenly at home due to natural causes. A loving and funny, Daughter, Sister, Aunt and Friend, “She was the kind of person that would drop everything to make sure someone else was ok.” Barbie was an amazing hugger, had an infectious smile, enjoyed a good laugh and especially having fun with friends.

A private Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Freeport. A Celebration of Life will also be held in the summer for all who wish to attend. Memorials may be made to the family. Family and friends are invited to share in Barbie’s life at http://www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Barbie was born May 19, 1976 in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Robert “Bob” and Garla (Smith) Nelson. She is a graduate of the Polo High School with the Class of 1995, then attended Educators of Beauty in Sterling. From a young age, Barbie enjoyed sports. She was a life-long Iowa Hawkeyes, and Dallas Cowboys fan.

Barbie loved to cook and bake. She worked as a Chef and Baker at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation in Mt. Carroll for several years. If there was a special request, Barbie would be shopping at night to have the right ingredients the next morning.

Her family was most important, and they were close. She joins in Heaven with her mother, Garla who passed in 2013, brother Rob who passed in 2019, and her grandparents.

Barbie will be dearly missed by her father, Bob Nelson of Lanark; two sisters, Michelle “Shelly” Nelson and Keri (Antonio) Asevedo, both of DeKalb, Illinois; her nephew, Aiden Asevedo; her aunt, Carolyn Lee of Goose Lake, Iowa; and several close and special friends.

Warren

David “Gerb” J. Gerber, 76

David “Gerb” J. Gerber, 76, of Warren, IL, passed away with his family by his side on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL.

Gerb was born on December 15, 1944, in Apple River, IL, to Edward and Doris (Beall) Gerber. He married Sandra Strohacker, and together they had two sons. Gerb then married Karen “Smiley” Kaiser in 1998. Gerb served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. In 2004, after 28 years of employment, Gerb retired from Kelly Springfield. After retiring, Gerb and Smiley owned and operated Smiley’s Pub in downtown Warren, IL. Gerb was a past member of the Apple River Fire Department, and he worked on the Water and Sewer Department for Apple River alongside his father. Gerb enjoyed hunting with the boys, especially going to the Brinkmeier Deer Camp, fishing with the Warren clan in North Dakota, and loved going on motorcycle trips with Smiley and Rod and Terri Beyer. He was a caring man, who cared deeply about his friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He attended all of their sporting events and school events.

Gerb is survived by his wife Karen “Smiley” of Warren, his sons; Shane (Elizabeth) Gerber and Chad (Nicole) Gerber both of Lena, his step-son; Brian (Jeannie) Reed of Hazel Green, WI, grandchildren; Kayleigh, Cole David, Morgan, and Ashton Joel, step-grandchildren; Keaton, Jalyn, Tytan, Pearson, and Alyssa, a brother; Joseph “Dean” Gerber, two sisters; Dianne (Earl) Koch, and Debra Gerber, and the entire Kaiser family, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother Doris, his father Edward, and his step-mom Marjorie Leverton, the mother of his children, Sandra Johnson, three brothers-in-law; David and Kenneth Kaiser, and James Wienen, two sisters-in-law; Liz Gerber and Lois Wienen, and his mother and father-in-law Rita and Joseph Kaiser.

A visitation was held from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Monday, March 22, 2021 at the Apple River Event Center in Apple River, IL. A military service was performed at 6:00 PM on Monday, following the visitation.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial has been established in his name.

The family wishes to extend a sincere Thank You to the staff at UW and FHN Memorial Hospital for the exceptional care they gave Gerb.

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

Lena

Helen R. Cross, 88

Helen R. Cross, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Monroe Clinic Hospital.

She was born on April 28, 1932 to Martin and M. Inez (McGuire) Rupnow. Helen graduated from Winslow High School in 1950. She married Claire “Kelly” Cross on February 24, 1952. They were crowned their Homecoming King & Queen. She was an administrative assistant at Newell Drapery Hardware in Freeport, IL for over 25 years. She enjoyed traveling around the world with Claire. They went to Germany, Switzerland, Hawaii and an enjoyed an Alaskan Cruise. She enjoyed reading and spent a lot of time in Sauk City, Wi. on the Wisconsin River camping at Snuffy’s. She loved watching old movies, doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles and most of all spending time with their family and friends.

She is survived by one son Ron Cross of Freeport, IL. Nephews; Daryl (Kathy) Rupnow of McFarland, Wi, Lee (Ruth) Rupnow of Lancaster, WI, Steve (Cindi) Rupnow of Monroe, WI, Jerry (Karen) Cross of Lena, IL, Gary (Cindi) Cross of Winslow, IL, Chris Cross of McConnell, IL and Laura (Regan) Farmer of Cedarville, IL. Sister-in-law Charlotte Cross of McConnell and numerous great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Claire “Kelly”, son; Robin, brother; Everett Rupnow, brothers-in-law; Dale Cross, Keith Cross and Wayne Cross, sisters-in-law; Helen Cross and Norma Cross.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 PM on Monday, March 22, 2021 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Visitation was from 10:00 till time of service at the Church. Officiating was Pastor Miho. Burial will be at Salem Cemetery.

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