Obituaries

Winslow

Robert R. Robb I, 91

Robert R. Robb I, age 91, of rural Winslow, Illinois, died Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at his home.

He was born on June 27, 1930 in Oneco Township, Winslow, IL, the son of George and Beatrice (Kilian) Robb. He was a graduate of Winslow High School. Robert married the love of his life, Rosalie G. Norman on April 2, 1966 in Maquoketa, Iowa. Rosalie always said Robert was “the best man in the world” and she was right. Together they raised their four children and Rosalie’s three daughters from her previous marriage.

In childhood Robert loved animals, in particular his ponies Todd & Harry and his dog, Spot. He raised and sold purebred, Blue Ribbon hogs that he showed at the fair as well as operated his family dairy farm. Robert served in the United States Army from 1954-1956 where he was stationed in Germany. Upon his return he resumed running his dairy farm. In the late 1980’s he stopped farming and went to work at Swiss Colony. He worked there until his retirement in 2000. Family was the most important thing to him. He had a special, unique bond with each of his children.

Those left to enjoy cherished memories include his son, Robert (Stephanie Anderson) Robb II of Winslow, IL; daughters, Louvin “Windy” (Brian) Cross-Goodman of Spring Green, WI, Belinda Cross-Pratt of Monticello, WI, Peggy (Bradley) Leverton of McConnell, IL, Amy (John “Jay”) Groves of Winslow, IL, and Jacqueline (Ryan) Wild of Monroe, WI; 19 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents; wife; and daughter, Cassandra Cross-Prinkey.

Funeral Services were held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, September 3, 2021 at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home with be Pastor Nikki Gallagher Oosthuizen officiating. Burial followed at Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Damascus Road in Winslow, IL. A visitation was held from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Monroe Clinic Hospice in Robert’s memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com

Mt. Carroll

Joseph McCray, 81

Joseph McCray, age 81, of Mt. Carroll passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 at FHN Hospital, Freeport, IL. A celebration of life service was held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Law Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Visitation was held 4:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at the funeral home. Friends are invited to leave a condolence and share in Joe’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Joseph was born June 8, 1940 in Mt. Carroll, the son of James and Ada (Jones) McCray. He is a 1958 Mt. Carroll High School graduate, and in July of 1958 Joe enlisted in the US Navy serving at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Joe enjoyed trapping, going to air shows and Ham Radio, using the call signals N9DLD and NA9VY. He worked as a farmhand and at the old Jolly Green Giant Cannery in Lanark. On June 22, 1973, Joe married Kimberly Pidde at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Carroll. They raised five children and celebrated 48 years of marriage.

Joe discovered he was pretty good at taking pictures, and he started working for the local paper, Mirror Democrat. He also took photos for the Carroll County Review. It was never a surprise to see Joe on the sidelines capturing memories at sporting events. He had a special talent at seeing life through the lens of his camera.

You could find a friend in Joe, he was always willing to listen….and tell his stories. Family was the most important part of his life. He raised his children to respect the military, especially the Navy. He loved watching his grandchildren thrive in life. Joe shared his many stories with family, friends and strangers, and usually on more than one occasion!

He was a member of the Palisades Amateur Radio Club, Volunteer with US Sea Cadets in Dubuque and in Great Lakes. He also volunteered with the Navy RDAC.

Joseph will be dearly missed by his wife, Kim McCray of Mt. Carroll; their five children, Autumn McCray of Mt. Carroll, Joseph (Julia) McCray of Morrison, Heather Adamec of Milledgeville, Christopher McCray of Fort Meade, Maryland and Daniel (Katy) McCray of San Diego, CA; fourteen grandchildren, Donovan and Nicholas Smith, Daisy Rose McCray, Aaron, Brady and Madison McCray, Isabella and Ashlynn Poisal, Courtney Schmidt, Bridget and Dalton Adamec, Alex, William and Juliette McCray; a sister-in-law, Iris McCray of Westminster, CA; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Joe is preceded in death by both parents, James and Ada McCray; two grandchildren, Logan McCray and Faith Adamec; four siblings, Virginia (McCray) Gedgate, Robert McCray, Marjorie (McCray) Buckwalter, and Frank Oliver McCray in infancy.

Lanark

Matthew Steven Limesand, 42

Matthew Steven Limesand, age 42, of Lanark, IL, passed away Saturday, August 28, 2021 at FHN Hospital in Freeport, IL. A private funeral service will be held. A public memorial visitation was held from 1pm to 3pm on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Lanark. Inurnment will occur at Lanark City Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to share in Matt’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Matt was born April 5, 1979, in Davenport, IA, the son of Dianne Limesand. He graduated from Eastland H.S. with the class of 1997. Most of his life’s work was centered around carpentry and construction contracting work. In his free time Matt enjoyed throwing darts, shooting pool, and reading.

Matt is survived by a son, Justin Limesand, of Mt. Carrroll, IL; two daughters, Natalie and Maddy Limesand, both of Mt. Carroll; mother, Dianne Limesand, of Lanark; uncle and aunt, Roger and Sherry Burkholder, of Lanark; and cousins, Andrena (Steve) Sayles, of Rockton, IL, Rebecca (Tim) Reese, of Lanark, Jameson (Ashley) Burkholder, of Lanark, Weston (Laura) Burkholder, of Lanark, and Colton (Danielle) Burkholder, of Cherry Valley, IL. Matt is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Lawrence Limesand and Lois Beckman, and his uncle Michael Limesand.

Lena

Mervin “Johnny” Lobdell, 87

Mervin “Johnny” Lobdell, 87, of Lena, passed away peacefully at his home on September 2, 2021, after an extended illness.

He was born in the Lobdell farmhouse on January 8, 1934, to John and Leta (Kappenman) Lobdell and was the youngest of four boys. Johnny graduated from Lena High School in 1951, but his best memories were the eight years at Damascus School close to the farm. He would walk, ride his bike, or even get a ride with his dad in the horse-drawn cutter in the winter. His favorite teacher was the one he had for six years, Helen Bennett. He also said he learned so much about farming in the agriculture classes he had in high school. After high school, he learned more about farming when he worked with his dad and with his older brother Allen at his gravel business.

In March of 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Verla Liebergesell. Johnny then volunteered for the Army in the Korean War in 1954 and trained as a surveyor, first stationed in Colorado Springs and then in Korea. He and Verla returned to the Lobdell farm in 1956 and began farming. Johnny was very passionate about the Lobdell family farm. He spent his entire life working on it with his wife, children, and grandchildren; planning to improve it, and then later, planning to make sure it continued to operate…even up until his very last day offering advice on the daily operations. He was very happy to watch this year’s crops and said multiple times that “these were the best crops he had ever seen in all of his fields combined and no flooding!” Johnny also enjoyed visiting his friends at Lane View, playing euchre, and for the past months visiting with his friends who would stop at the house almost daily. We want to especially thank Bill Hull for being a true friend to dad, stopping every day, sometimes twice a day to talk, or check on him, and to bring wonderful vegetables from his garden.

Mervin is survived by his four children, thirteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren; Murry and Julie Lobdell and their family; Andrew, Amy, Aubrey, Avery, and Adrienne Lobdell; Joe Lobdell; Tom, Heidi, Levi and Rylee Lobdell; and Cody, Lana Adelyn, and Camden Haas. Kayla Lobdell and her family; Wes, Jenn, Louis, and Bobby Morovic; Matt Morovic and his children; Marley and Emerson; Aaron, Kelsey, and Reid McFarlane; and Haley Pentecost. Jay and Karlyn Kempel and their family; Jared and Sara, Jason and Justin Kempel. Kelly and Janet Lobdell and their family; Kade and Kendall Lobdell. His family will miss him very much.

Mervin was preceded in death by his wife, Verla, his parents, and his brothers, Allen, Vernon, and Robert Lobdell.

Johnny had wonderful caretakers that our family appreciated very much. Heather, Lisa and Sue provided excellent care and had endless patience for “the boss” which enabled him to stay in his home. The family would like to express our sincere thanks to the members of FHN Hospice for their excellent, loving care they gave to Johnny.

Visitation for both Johnny and Verla was held at Leamon’s Funeral Home in Lena, IL on Sunday, September 5, 2021, from 2:00-4:00 pm. Cremation rites have been accorded and a private family service and burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery. Sean Huguenin will be officiating the service.

A memorial has been established in Johnny’s memory for the Lena-Winslow FFA program. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com