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Obituaries

Martintown

Gerald “Jerry” Hastings, 98

Gerald “Jerry” Hastings died peacefully in his home Monday, September 13, 2021. He was born August 21, 1923, to Hap and Hulda (Blaisdell) in his grandparents’ home in Martin(town) Wisconsin. Nathaniel Martin was his great-grandfather who built the dam, grist mill and a power plant. Jerry and Ike helped in their folk’s General Store and Post Office. Martintown had electricity before Winslow and would dim the lights 5 minutes before turning the power off.

Gerald Hastings joined the United States Army on February 22, 1943, and served until December 31, 1945. He was in the 77th Infantry, where he earned the rank of Sergeant Technical 4th Grade and was also with Combat Engineers Company 132nd. Gerald was in the World War II era where he was stationed over-seas in the Philippines, Guam, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and in the Pacific Theatre when Japan surrendered. Gerald and his brother, Ike left for the Army on the SAME day and they both returned together on December 31, 1945. They made it home 4 hours before the New Year’s Celebration began.

He married Jacqueline and together they raised a family; When Gerald got out of the Army he worked/owned the “Hastings Radio and TV Shop” at Winslow, Illinois. He says he sold most local people their first black and white television set when they came out in 1951. Then in 1954 the color television came out and everyone wanted one of the color sets. Gerald was also a rural mail carrier for the Winslow and Lena areas and was also a volunteer fireman. Many local kids remember Jerry flooding the spring fed pond and putting up lights for ice skating.

Gerald was active in the American Legion, The Boy Scouts, and Masons and played the banjo at all the nursing homes, with Greg Anderson, Del Heins, Schliem Brothers, and any music jam session he could join. Music was his love. I caught him playing imaginary banjo asleep. Jerry would wish for you to be happy and musical. He is missed and may be rest in peace.

Jerry survived by his daughter Carol Hastings of Winslow, sons Todd Hastings of Winslow, Arthur (Joanne) Fowler of Knoxville Tennessee, as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline, brother Ike, both parents, many uncles, and aunts and grandparents, son John McQuerry, son-in-law John Schultz.

Visitation was held from 4:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL. Graveside Service was held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 17, 2021, at Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow, IL. Pastor Doug Carroll officiated the service. Burial will be at Rock Lily Cemetery.

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

Stockton

Rita Marie Deyo, 81

Rita Marie Deyo, age 81, of Stockton, IL passed away Saturday, September 11, 2021.

She was born on November 30, 1939 in Cuba City, WI, the daughter of the late William D. Fawcett and Naomi J. (Simmons) Fawcett Splinter. Rita married Dick Deyo on March 23, 1959. Dick passed away July 9, 2019.

Rita was a 1958 graduate of Cuba City High School. She was a member of the 500 Club, Albion Card Club, and Home Extension. She enjoyed playing games, especially card games, helping with 4-H, gardening, wildlife and her cats.

She is survived by her two children, Eleanor (Jeff) Richter of Fort Worth, TX and Dean (Velma) Deyo of Stockton, IL. Her two grandchildren, Christopher Richter of Charleston, SC and Samuel Deyo of Lena, IL. Her four step grandchildren, Lori (Robert) Schuler of Centerville, IA, Ashley (Tyler) Swedlund of Centerville, IA, Tiffani Sales of Mt. Carroll, IL, and Elizabeth Sales of Stockton, IL, and her six step great grandchildren, James, Axel, Conner, Gabe, Marisol, Ava and one on the way, Alekzondra. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Mary Smith.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. There was a visitation on Friday, September 17, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. also at the Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Freeport

Wayne T. Linker, 85

Wayne T. Linker, age 85, of Freeport and previously of Chadwick, Illinois, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 12, 2021 at the FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport.

Wayne was born December 6, 1935 at home near Chadwick, the son of John and Florence (Bundy) Linker. He is a 1953 graduate of the Chadwick High School where he played saxophone in the band and was active in FFA. Wayne started farming with his father at a very young age and spent his life as a dedicated grain and livestock producer of rural Chadwick. He passed his love of the land, animals and pets on to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On March 11, 1956, Wayne married the love of his life, Mina Williams at the Chadwick Methodist Church and this year they were blessed to celebrate 65 years together.

Wayne enjoyed playing cards, dining-out with friends, bowling and going to Wrigley Field to watch his Chicago Cubs play, and later years watching them on tv. He was a member of the Chadwick United Methodist Church for many years, where he served as the treasurer for fifteen years along with several committees, member of Carroll County Farm Bureau, was a seed representative for many years, a former member of the Chadwick High School Board and a member of the Salem Township Board.

Wayne and Mina moved to Freeport in 2017 and joined the Harmony United Methodist Church. Wayne loved being with his family and was proud of each of them for all of their accomplishments. He was a truly supportive Grandpa sitting on bleachers for years.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Mina of Freeport; two sons, David (Pam) Linker of Coffee Creek, Montana and Doug (Jeanette) Linker of Lanark; two daughters, Penny (Tom) Ludwig of Lanark and Patty (Denise) Birdsell of Schaumburg, IL; seven grandchildren, Natalie Linker of Florida, Emily (Tyler) Hessler of Montana, Brock Linker of Montana, Whitney Holmes of Lanark, Andrew (Hannah) Ludwig of Lanark, Damaris Linker of Ohio and Hope (Jared) Jobes of Winnebago, IL; three great-grandchildren, Theodore and Ira Hessler and Carter Holmes; and two nephews, Marvin Jones and Randy Linker. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; a sister and a brother.

A private family service was held 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in the Chadwick Cemetery. A future Celebration of Life Service will be held for the public at the Harmony United Methodist Church in Freeport. Date and time will be announced in the near future. A memorial has been established in Wayne’s honor.

Elizabeth

Harlan Alfred Haug, 88

Harlan Alfred Haug, age 88, of Elizabeth, IL, passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at Midwest Medical Center, in Galena, IL. A funeral service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Derinda Twp, at 11am, on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Visitation took place on Friday, September 17, 2021, from 4pm to 6pm at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Elizabeth, as well as at Trinity Lutheran Church, one hour prior to Saturday’s service. Family and friends are invited to share in Harlan’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Harlan was born May 20, 1933 in Elizabeth, IL, the son of Louis and Lavina (Groezinger) Haug. He grew up in Derinda Valley and graduated from Stockton High School with the class of 1951. Shortly thereafter, Harlan enlisted in the United States Army, dutifully serving his country in the Korean War. After his time in the Army, Harlan returned to work the family beef and dairy farm, with his father. He married Kay Karnes, and together they had two daughters. Always a hard worker, Harlan gave many decades to that farm, ultimately taking over chief duties from his father.

Most of Harlan’s life was defined by his work ethic. He kept contributing to the farm well into old age until heart problems ultimately prohibited him, much to his dismay. When he found time for leisure, he could be found hunting and fishing in his younger years, or attending his children’s activities and events. He was active in his Church, a participant in Card Club, and a member of the Jo Daviess County Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Jo Daviess County Beef Producers Association. In 2000, Harlan married Patricia Kincaid. In the twilight of his life, he and Pat enjoyed dinner, dancing, and attending plays at Timber Lake Playhouse.

Harlan will be dearly missed by his wife, Pat; two daughters, Ronda Glenn, of Wilburton, Ok and Rovay (Russell) Brownlee, of Wilburton, OK; five grandchildren, Chris (Alana) Rowland, of Las Crusas, NM, Kendall (Jordan Caldwell) Glenn, of McAlester, OK, Charles (Sharni) Glenn III, of Red Oak, OK, Caitlin (Joshua) Parker, of Wilburton, OK, and Conor Brownlee, of Wilburton, OK; seven great grandchildren, Logan, Brody, Owen, Cody, Scarlett, Jordan, and Sadey; a sister, Charlice Offenheiser, of Elizabeth, IL; two step daughters, Tammy (Bruce) Brown, of South Carolina and Diane Roling, of Florida; many step grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Harlan is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Lavina; the mother of his children, Kay Karnes; and brother-in-law, Melvin Offenheiser.

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