Obituaries

Stockton

Meralyn Ione (Schubert) Buford, 99

Meralyn Ione Buford left her earthly home on November 20, 2020. She was born on April 14, 1921 to Ora R. Schubert and Grace Eaton Schubert in Kent.

A memorial Service is planned for 11:00 am on July 17, 2021 at Oakland Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Ora R. Schubert and Grace Eaton Schubert, her brother: Gailen Earl (Wife, Mary) Schubert, her sister: Chloe Yvonne DeStefano (Husband Richard), and her husband: John Buford.

Surviving her are her children: Virginia Elizabeth (Ordean) Johnson, Louise Marie (Donald) Brown, John Charles (Caryl) Buford and Timothy Nelson (Debi) Buford. She also leaves nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Meralyn was born in Kent, Illinois, graduated from Stockton High School and attended Brown’s Business College in Freeport, IL. She was secretary at the Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau, until her marriage. She and husband John farmed for fifteen years in Woodbine IL., raising four children and retiring from farming to open the Orangeville Community Bank in 1957.

During the early years of her marriage, she was a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher, church choir director and member. Meralyn was also employed by the Jo Davies County National Farm Loan Association, the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Personnel Director at J.C. Penny Co. and Office Secretary of the Kaney Insurance Agency.

Meralyn and John retired to Eustis, FL. in 1979. In 1998, they moved to Lake Port Square in Leesburg, FL for their remaining years.

Lee K. Freedlund, 82

Lee K. Freedlund, 82, of Stockton, IL passed away with his family by his side after a brief illness on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

He was born on March 14, 1939 to Iver and Helen (Falk) Freedlund in Beloit, WI. He was a 1957 graduate of Byron High School and a 1962 graduate of University of Illinois. He married Donna Troutman on September 12, 1965 in Dixon, IL.

Lee served his country as an officer, in the United States Army. He worked for the University of Illinois Extension Office before moving to the Farm Business and Farm Management Department (FBFM) within the University of Illinois which he spent over thirty years with. After his retirement from FBFM he worked at E-File in Lena, IL.

Lee was a part of the American Legion in Stockton, IL, Stockton Park Board, Northwestern Illinois Forestry Association, a Supervisor for the Township of Stockton, and a Treasurer for 25 years for the Calvary United Methodist Church in Stockton, IL. Lee enjoyed woodworking, vegetable and flower gardening, golfing, making apple pies, jigsaw puzzles, forestry work, looking for antiques, vacationing in Northern Wisconsin, and attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events.

He is survived by his wife Donna Freedlund of Stockton, IL; 3 sons- Steve (Loanne) Freedlund of Snellville, GA, Eric Freedlund of Rockford, IL, Jay (Brianne) Freedlund of Pearl City, IL; 4 grandchildren- Julia and Justyn Freedlund of Snellville, GA, and Myles and Porter Freedlund of Pearl City, IL; 3 brothers- Warren (Judy) Freedlund, Dennis (Sandy) Freedlund, and Michael (Loretta) Freedlund all of Winnebago, IL; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Calvary United Methodist Church in Stockton, IL. A visitation will be from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church. Pastor Jeff Baer will officiate the services. Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial will be at Townsend Cemetery in Stockton, IL.

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

Deborah L. Arnold, 66

Deborah L. Arnold, age 66, of Stockton, IL passed away peacefully at home on June 27th, 2021.

Deb was born on December 6th, 1954, the daughter of Bruce and Donna (Schmidt) Williams. She married James Arnold on June 24th, 1977 in Freeport, IL.

Deb worked at the Elizabeth Nursing Home from 1974 to 1979. Except for a period of time when she worked and volunteered at the Stockton Grade School, she spent the rest of her life as a mother, homemaker and child care provider.

Deb loved the Green Bay Packers, panda bears, reading, and children, the smaller the better, but most important to her was her family.

She is survived by her husband, James Arnold of Stockton; her son, B Travis DeSpain of Ft. Worth, TX; her daughter, Aimie Pieper of Ft. Pierce, FL; her son, Dylan (Brittney) Arnold of Stockton; her son, Trent (Cassidy Simpson) Arnold of South Lake Tahoe, CA; and her 10 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her son-in-law, Jody Pieper.

There was a visitation on Monday, July 5, 2021 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Lanark

Jeffey A. Heldt, 68

Jeffrey A. Heldt, age 68, of Lanark, IL, passed away Saturday, June 26, 2021, at his home with his family by his side.

A memorial gathering was held Friday, July 2, 2021 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Lanark from 3pm to 6pm. Family and friends are also invited to share in Jeff’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Jeff was born August 18, 1952, in Dixon, IL, the son of Edward and Martha Lodean (Thompson) Heldt. He attended Lanark schools, graduating from Lanark High School with the class of 1970. Following high school, Jeff enlisted in the United States Air Force, dutifully serving his country during a time of war. He married Dianne Midthun and had two boys. After his time in the Air Force, Jeff graduated from DeVry University and went to work for Micro Switch, now Honeywell, in Freeport, IL. In 2004, Jeff married Cheryl Dillon, enjoying 17 years of marriage before his untimely death.

Jeff was a man of many talents. He could fix anything. His biggest complaint, though, was that he couldn’t get around to his projects because something else always needed fixing.

His pride and joy was his black truck that he built from the frame up with the help of his eldest son, Brian; and he also put together a seriously mean wood splitter with son, Mat. Jeff enjoyed working in the shop that he built in the barn alongside his sons. There was always a list of things to work on, but Jeff would often change his mind along the way and never quite get the list complete. Jeff was really good with electronics, and he enjoyed the heck out of the complex projects that none of the rest of us could figure out! And the great part is that he passed those skills on to his sons and taught them how to work with their hands.

Jeff was a homebody. He enjoyed spending time with his family and watching TV, YouTube, and the squirrels running around outside. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved joking around with Brian, Mat, and Abby. Abby would put goofy hats on him and then grab a photo for future opportunities for blackmail!

Jeff was loved by all, and we loved him despite his tendency to always run late. Jeff and Cheryl enjoyed a wonderful life together, and he will be missed terribly. Jeff is now in a place where his projects will always be done, where time is of no concern, and where he will watch over his family with peace and love.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his former wife, Dianne Eisenhuth (Billy); his sons, Brian Heldt (Tonya); Mat Heldt; step-kids Abby Zink (Randy), Michael Dillon (Kerris), his brother, John Heldt (Joyce) and his grandkids, Austin, Justin, Tyler, Ari, Deacon, Sydney, Gabe, and Kalan. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Lodean.

Apple River

Eula “Jean” Lindon Meier, 93

Eula “Jean” (Lindon) Meier, 93, of Madison, WI, formerly of Apple River, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 26, 2021, at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg, WI.

Jean was born on July 18, 1927 in Wolfe County, Kentucky, the daughter of Morton and Rella (Rice) Lindon. She grew up in Gillmore, KY, graduating from Hazel Green Academy. She continued her education at Berea College, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. While at Berea, she drew great enjoyment from participating in country dancing and various arts from the Appalachian region. Upon graduation, Jean began teaching Home Economics in the Scales Mound, IL school district and then in the Rochelle, IL school district. During this time, she met her future husband Marvin E. Meier. They were married on June 29, 1957 at the United Methodist Church in Rochelle, IL. After their marriage, they moved to Apple River, IL for two years, then to the family farm, where they raised their children and lived throughout the rest of their married life.

Jean resumed her teaching at Lena-Winslow School District where she retired in 1988. Jean was a leader in the Future Homemaker Association (FHA), served on the Illinois Vocational Home Economics Teacher Association Advisory Council, and was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Retired Teachers Association. Jean was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Warren, IL, where she served as the church librarian for many years. Jean enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening and travel. She also enjoyed hosting multiple international students over the years leading to many enduring friendships.

Surviving are her children, Ruthann (Ken) Meier Johns of Gainesville, VA, and James (Allison) Meier of Middleton, WI; grandchildren, Jacob Glenn Johns and David James Meier; sisters, Wanda (Gerald) Mayberry of Kingsport, TN, and Carolyn Roten of Beavercreek, OH, as well as many other family and lifelong friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marv, brothers Ralph, Joe and JC Lindon, and her sister Alta Kay (Lindon) Hurt.

Funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday June 30,2021, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Warren, IL. Visitation was from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. Pastor Michelle Knight officiated the services. Burial will be at the Elmwood Cemetery in Warren, IL.

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

Lena

Lorraine M. Bonebright, 98

Lorraine M. Bonebright, 98, of Lena, Illinois passed away on Sunday September 6, 2020 at Pearl Pavilion in Freeport, Illinois.

She was born on May 12, 1922 in Hot Springs Arkansas to Raymon and Lenore (Howe) Harrell. Lorraine spent her childhood in Arkansas, Tampa Florida and, Chicago Illinois before moving to Lena where she graduated high school in 1940. Lorraine married Allen Bonebright on May 30, 1941 in Lena, Illinois and together they had four children.

She and Allen were prominent dairy farmers in the Freeport area until retiring to Lena. She was an excellent seamstress, knitter and crafter. She loved crocheting coverlets for her grandchildren. She also made beautiful cards to send to friends and relatives.

She was a longtime member of Lena United Methodist church where she served on numerous committees including district secretary. She was a member of Lena United Methodist Women, Lena Legion Auxiliary, Home Extension, Beta Sigma Phi. Lorraine was a Gold Star Mother.

Lorraine is survived by her children; Nancy (David) Etnyre of Blue Ridge, GA, Janet (Cal) Cummins of Lynn Haven, FL, Betty (Mark) Krueger of Eagan MN, grandchildren; Jeff (Michalene) Etnyre, Michelle (Scott) Mueller, Nathan (Kim) Cummins, Major Bradon (Kenna) Cummins, Whitney (Kyle) Eberle, Dr Evan (Kala) Krueger, Britta (Kirby) Murra, 14 great-grandchildren, and a special nephew Richard (Eleanor) Holmes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Allen, son Robert, grandson Jon Etnyre, brother Dr. Richard Rogers, sisters Jean Williams, and Alice Holmes.

Lorraine was loved by all, and will be deeply missed. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at the Lena United Methodist Church. A visitation will be from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church. Burial will take place at Lena Burial Park in Lena, Illinois. Pastor Keri Rainsberger will officiate the services. Cremation rites have been accorded.

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

Linda Ann Orr, 72

Linda Ann Orr age 72, passed away peacefully in her home on July 1, 2021.

She was born on April 12, 1949 in Monroe, Wi. to Jacob and Barbara (Eells) Youtzy. She was united in marriage on June 26, 1976 to Leland Orr in Winslow, IL and they made their home in Lena.

She was a dedicated teacher and taught 2nd grade at Lena-Winslow for 30 plus years. She was known as a loving, kind and caring person. She attended the Lena Evangelical Free Church and was a former member of Winslow Methodist Church. Linda was a member of the Red Hat Society, Winslow Women’s Club, as well as many other social groups. She took great pride in maintaining the Paradise Cove in Winslow. She enjoyed gardening, taking family snowmobile trips and loved spending quality time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her son- Derek (Josie) Orr of Lena and grandson Tanner of Lena; Sisters-Betty (James) Wright of Champaign, IL and Deb Gartner of Scales Mound, IL and Mary (Kevin) Lingle of Monroe, Wi; Brother- Gregory (Cindy) Youtzy of Kentwood, MI and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and Husband Leland in 2004, brother-in-law Russ Gartner, and nephew Daylon Gartner.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 9:00 AM at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. Visitation will be on Friday, July 9, 2021 from 4:00 till 7:00 PM at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. Pastor Jim Erb will officiate. Burial will be in Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow, IL. A celebration of life will be held at Cory’s Pub and Grub in Winslow, IL immediately following the burial.

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