Obituaries

Shannon

Ruth Koch, 75

Ruth Koch, age 75, of Shannon, IL passed away Sunday, June 20, 2021 at home. She was born October 12, 1945 in Freeport, IL to the late John and Jean (MacAdam) Markman. Ruth married Kenneth Koch on November 30, 1962. Kenneth passed away December of 2008.

She had worked at Honeywell for 30 years and enjoyed bowling and golfing on the Honeywell Teams. Ruth volunteered at Friends Forever Humane Society.

She is survived by her sons, Brian (Leeann) Koch of Shannon and Bradley (Lynda) Koch of NE; her daughter, Colette (Jason) Andrjeski of Sparta, WI; her step grandchildren, Brandon Dotson, Tyler Dotson, Makayla Dotson, Connor Andrjeski; her great grandchild, Aydriel Dotson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Gary Markman; and two grandchildren, Korey and BJ Koch.

The funeral service was held on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Hermann Funeral Home in Shannon at 1:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Lena

Dolores Ann Solace, 94

Dolores Ann Solace age 94, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, June 18, 2021.

She was born on August 20, 1926 to Herbert and Inez (Johnson) Falk. She graduated from Freeport High School in 1944. She married James “Jim” Solace on November 24, 1950 at Embury Methodist Church in Freeport, IL. She worked at Micro Switch and ran a teletype. Dolores helped her husband on the family farm, feeding calves, gardening and doing whatever needed to be done. She was a member of the Lena United Methodist Church. Dolores enjoyed taking bus trips, baking cookies at Christmas and she was a big sports fan especially the Le-Win Panthers. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to her.

She is survived by her son Kevin (Lorene) Solace of Lena, grandchildren; Heather (Jeremy) Clifton of Brookfield, Wi and Drew (Kayla) Solace of Lena, IL. Great grandchildren; Madyson and Alexzandyr Clifton and Tanner Solace.

She was preceded in death by her parents and in 1991 her husband James.

Private graveside services will be held at Lena Burial Park. Officiating the service will be Ernie Stabenow Jr. A memorial has been established in her name.

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

Pearl City

Ardith I. Kitner, 96

Ardith I. Kitner, 96, of Morrison, CO, formerly of Pearl City, IL passed away at her home on Sunday, June 20, 2021. She was born on January 17, 1925 in Stockton, IL to Paul and Ella (Lobdell) Gassman.

Ardith married Dale Kitner and they were happily married for 61 years. She was a secretary/bookkeeper as well as checking students through the lunch line at Pearl City Schools in Pearl City, IL. Ardith alongside her husband sold insurance with KIS, Kitner Insurance Service, and also sold real-estate with Pearland Reality.

The two most important things in Ardith’s life were family and church. Although she was a woman before her time in the working world, she always put her family first. She actively participated in her church, teaching Sunday school, officer of the Women’s Fellowship, choir, and event planner.

Ardith’s past five years were spent in Colorado; she passed away at her daughter Debra’s home where she had lived for the past 14 months due to Covid.

She is survived by her daughter Debra (Brad) Mitchell of Morrison, CO, daughter-in-law; Charlotte Kitner of Minnesota, grandchildren; Lisa (Tom) Crosby, Bret (Carrie) Kitner, Amy Mitchell, Becky (Erik) Olsen, Stacy (Matt) Mueller, great-grandchildren; Blake (Amy), Payten (Paige) ,and Tyson Crosby, Dan, Joe, Linnea Fitterer, Lauren Kitner, Ian Mitchell, Erika and Becka Olsen, Lilia and Reid Mueller, great great-grandchildren; Watson and Crue, sister; Paula (Joe) Gerke of Kent, IL, several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dale, son Douglas, brothers and sisters; Elaine (Omer) Neebel, James (Ruth) Gassman, Paul August Gassman Jr. at birth, and Patricia (Carl)Smith.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 2, 2021 at the Salem United Church of Christ in Lena, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL. Burial will be held at the Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery in Lena, IL. Pastor Bob Saunders will be officiating the service.

A memorial has been established in her memory for the Salem United Church of Christ (8491 W Salem Rd Lena, IL) and the Family Worship Center (6395 S. Clarkson St Littleton, CO 80121).

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