Obituaries

Lena

Jean Frances Galway, 91

Jean Frances Galway was born August 25, 1930 in Monroe, WI to Genevieve (Gordon) and Victor Teehan. She attended St. Victor’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Monroe High School. On October 15, 1955 Jean married James O. Galway, Jr. from Winslow at St. Victor’s rectory in Monroe. This marriage was blessed with two children, Lori and Dan. Jean was employed at United Telephone Company in Monroe, Wisconsin Power & Light in Madison and W.T. Rawleigh Co. in Freeport. She retired from Union Savings Bank in Freeport in 1994.

Jean was an active member in St. Joseph Parish in Lena. She was a devout Catholic and served as Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Sacristan also serving on the Liturgy Committee for about 18 years. She was also a monthly adorer at St. Thomas Chapel in Freeport. Jean served on the Diocesan Parish Council. She was certified in the Ministry Formation Program of the Rockford Diocese. Jean was a charter member of Zeta Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She was also a previous member of Bosom Buddies Cancer Support.

Jean enjoyed volunteering at the Lena Nursing Home, the Friendship Center, Meals on Wheels and Lena area Church Cooperative. Jean was happy doing God’s work and helping others.

In June of 2020, Jean moved to Frisco, Texas to be close to family. While in Texas, she enjoyed spending time with family, celebrating her 90th birthday and making new friends.

Jean is survived by her son, Dan (Beth) of Frisco, Texas, a daughter, Lori Daniels (Dana) of Phoenix, Arizona, a granddaughter, Dana Wade (JT) of Little Elm, Texas, a sister, Janice Walters of Janesville, a sister-in-law, Lynn Teehan, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James, her parents, a sister, Phyllis Erickson, two brothers, Philip and Gordon Teehan, and granddaughter, Sydney Galway.

A visitation was held from 4 – 6 pm on Sunday, August, 22, 2021 at Leamon’s Funeral Home in Lena, IL, preceded by a rosary at 3:30 pm. Funeral mass was held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 23, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lena, IL, officiated by Father Andrew Skrobutt. Following the mass, burial was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lena, IL. A celebratory meal will be held in St. Joseph’s Fellowship Hall immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lena, IL.

Dave L. Busch, 68

Dave L. Busch, 68, of Lena, IL AKA Buschwacker, Scooter Boy, Bushey, Busch, Big Busch-Little Busch, Dumba**, George and many more, passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

He was born on March 27, 1953 in Freeport, IL, the son of Evelyn H. (Schulz) Huett. Dave owned and operated Busch Photography for many years and established Busch Gardens at his home.. He also was the former Assistant Track Coach at Forreston/Polo High School, Videographer/Assistant for Lena Winslow High School Football, Manager at The Tap, Resident Advisor at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wi, Head Statistician Coordinator for the Blue Devil Football team at UW-Stout Athletics and many others.

He graduated from Lena-Winslow High School the Class of 1971. He ran track for all 4 years and was on the 6 conference Championships (4 varsity and 2 Fresh Soph). He attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout from 1972-1978.

He was a member of The Sons of American Legion, and a former member of the Lena Jaycees. Dave helped with the Northwest Illinois Aerial Combat Memorial, Friends of the Pecatonica River Foundation and assisted many local schools with sports activities.

Dave is survived by his siblings- Simone Winter of Elizabeth, IL, Darrell (Zenna) Busch of Apple River, Susan Marassa of Freeport, Ronald Busch of Mineral Wells, TX, Melodie (Tony) Smith of Freeport; several nieces and nephews and many close friends too numerous to list.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Huett, father, Earl “Buck” Huett, sister-in-law, Cindy Busch, brother-in-law Jim “Slim” Winter, and numerous Aunts and Uncles.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 30, 2021 at Lena United Methodist Church. A visitation was from 4:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, August 29, 2021 at the Leamon Funeral Home. Jerry Amstutz of Autumn Life officiated the service. Burial will be at Waddam’s Cemetery in Lena, IL

Many thanks to his caregivers, friends, doctors, nurses, Mayo-St. Mary’s, Dr. Fogelson (Dave’s Surgeon) and team. He loved you all! Dave Busch was a FRIEND TO ALL!

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

Kent

Dennis Hill, 71

Dennis Hill, 71, of Kent, passed away Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at his home.

He was born on May 6, 1950 in Freeport, son of Charles and Lucille (Remmers) Hill. Dennis graduated from Pearl City High School class of 1968. On January 31, 1970 Dennis married Jean (Neebel) at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton. He was a member and former president of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kent. Dennis loved to fish, hunt, going down to Texas to go hog hunting, spending time with his family and grandkids and watching them play sports. He loved his dogs and especially his dog Buddy. Dennis also loved to joke around with his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife; Jean, two sons; Scott (Jean Randecker) Hill, and Tracey (Angie) Hill, two grandsons; Wyatt and Sam Hill and a granddaughter; Sophie Watts, one brother; Steve (Merri Bawden) Hill two sisters; Pat (Steve) Croffoot and Pam (Jeff) Drake, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

He is preceded in death by; parents and numerous aunt and uncles.

Funeral service was held at 11:00 am Saturday, August 21, 2021 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kent, IL. Visitation was held from 10:00am until time of service on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kent, IL. Gary Groezinger officiated the service. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.

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

Lanark

James A. Thayer, 65

James A. Thayer, age 65, of Lanark, IL, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021, at FHN Hospital, in Freeport, IL. A celebration of life gathering will be planned for a future date. Family and friends are invited to share in Jim’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Jim was born July 18, 1956, in Denver, CO, the son of Andrew and Patricia (Cahoon) Thayer. He grew up in the Sterling and Rock Falls area, attending school there, then working in the drywall business. In his free time, Jim enjoyed fishing and listening to his favorite oldies music.

Jim is survived by a daughter, Harmony Thayer; two grandchildren; nine siblings, Frank (Bonnie) Thayer, John (Sue) Thayer, Wendy Pedersen, Peg Nuelle, Penny (Randy) Bentrott, Jim Nuelle, Steve (Kathy) Nuelle, Faye Thayer, and Mary Thayer; and step mother, Kay Thayer. Jim is preceded in death by a sister, Kathy Thayer, and brother, Scott Thayer.

Stockton

Donald A. Bradley, 94

Donald A. Bradley, 94, passed away on Friday, August 20, 2021 at his home in Stockton.

Donald was born April 3, 1927 in Dubuque, IA, the son of Clifford and Clara Bradley. In 1944, at the age of 17, Don proudly enlisted in the Navy to help the WWII effort. Don married Shirley Smith in October of 1948. After his service, Don went to school under the GI bill and ended up wearing many hats – Electrical Repair, Boilerman, Welder, a Heating and Air Conditioning business, and finding his niche at Atwoods Manufacturing in Stockton where he retired as one of the plant engineers in 1992 after 30 years.

Don was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton and was very active in the community with the Knights of Columbus and the V.F.W. – always helping out at the 4th of July cookouts and going around playing “taps” for other veterans that went before him. Don was very musically inclined, he could sing and play multiple instruments. He loved singing in the Green County Harmony Chorus and in the Church Choir where he sang bass and never needed a microphone. He was an avid fisherman and in his younger years enjoyed hunting. He was also a lifelong Green Bay Packers Fan. Don married Diane Larson in 1998 – Don prided himself on being an Irishman and insisted on being married on St. Patrick’s Day even though it was a Tuesday – everyone attending appreciated the day off.

Don is survived by his wife, Diane Bradley of Stockton; his daughter, Judy (Dave) Wolfe of Warsaw; his step children, Craig (Elizabeth) Larson, Jody Larson and Chris Larson; his granddaughter, Angie (Brad) Marcure of Stockton; his step grandchildren, Zachary Shippy, Padghan Larson, Kerstan Shippy, Evelyn Larson, Jack Larson and Sam Larson; his great granddaughter, Madalyn Marcure; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; Shirley, his wife of 47 years; his brother, John Bradley of Aurora and his half-brother, William Bolton of NE.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation on Friday, September 3, 2021 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Mason L. Beard, 95

Mason L. Beard, age 95, of Stockton, IL passed away Wednesday, August 25, 2021 in Monroe, WI.

He was born March 24, 1926 on the Earl Carpenter Farm in Rural Stockton, the son of Harold H. Beard and Helen G. (Carpenter) Beard. He married Joyce L. Ascher on July 26, 1949 in the Stockton Methodist Church by Rev. Glenn Ames. Together they raised 5 children.

Mason was a WWII Veteran enlisting in the Naval Reserve in High School and serving in the Southwest Pacific in the New Guinea and Island campaigns as a GM 3/c both in the Sea Bees and aboard ship. He was honorably discharged on May 23, 1946.

Mason and Joyce were married almost 72 years and had traveled much in this country especially in the west. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Stockton Post 449 American Legion since February 1946 and had served as Post, County and 13th District Commander, life member of Hanover Post 5300 VFW, TREA, and NRA. He had been a Boy Scout and was a long time Scout Master of Troop 31 and helped develop Canyon Camp, and was a member of the Order of the Arrow.

In March of 1955 he re-enlisted in the Sea Bee Reserve and was in Gitmo when Castro made his first move against Batista at Santiago. They also helped build the largest Boy Scout Camp in the world in Elbert, CO. He later trained Sea Bees for Vietnam and retired as officer in charge of the Dubuque Detachment of the 25th Battalion at Glenview Naval Air Station on October 1, 1980.

Mason is survived by his three daughters, Shannon (John) Taylor of Guffey, CO, Sherril (Russ) Reusch of Sabula, IA, and Sharon (Brian Johnson) Reid of Madison, WI; his two sons, Bradley (Nancy) Beard of Rockford, IL and Bryan (Laura Parsley) Beard of Menasha, WI; his grandchildren, Jody (Darrell) DeBoer, James Hale, Julie McKee, Justin (Ashley) Beard, Andrea (Ryan) Paget, Zachary (Elizabeth) Reusch, Olivia Reusch, Isaac Reusch, Robert (Lisa) Reid, Michelle (Scott) Reid, Heather Reid, Hiel Mason Reid, Ana Beard and MasonJohn Beard; his great grandchildren, Crystal, Cody, Corbin, Miranda, Adam, Bridgette, Scotty, Lindsey, Ruben, Jasmine, Matthew, Kyle, Remington, Reeves, Rozyn, Elijah, Ezra, Ezekiel, Gabriella, Giovonna, Jimmy, Parker, Sidney, William, Adam, Cameron, Alexis and Hailey; his two great great grandchildren, Noah and Stefanie; his several step grandchildren and great grandchildren; his granddaughter-in-law, Tara Hale; his half-brother, George Beard; and his brother-in-law, Jonathan (Judi) Ascher of Mineral Point, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step parents; his wife, Joyce; his infant son; his grandson, Jason Hale; and his brother, James Gardner.

The funeral service was held on Monday, August 30, 2021 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. There was a visitation on Sunday, August 29, 2021 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Kenneth Ross Tucker, 62

Kenneth Ross Tucker, 62, of Stockton, IL died in his home on August 25, 2021. He was born November 3, 1958 to Harold and Lois (Mitchell) Tucker.

He is survived by his brother, Hal (Cindy) Tucker; his two nephews, Kory Tucker and Jimi (Peggy) Tucker Vantsmeier; his four nieces, Krista Tucker, Amber (Brandon) Hammons, Loran (Tim) Teffeteller and Jody Vantsmeier.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Tom Tucker; and his nephew, Kyle Tucker.

Ken was an amazing drum player and always wondered what if he’d have made it a career. He loved music, his drums, his dog Lucy, and his 1966 Dodge Charger. He was married to Brenda Booth from May 13, 1994 to 2001. Although they weren’t always married she was the love of his life and he spent most of it with her.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. There was a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.