Obituaries

Warren

Wayne A. Gates, 91

Wayne A. Gates, age 91, of Warren, IL passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021.

Wayne was born on the family farm in Rush Township, son of Milton and Frankie (Kish) Gates on January 13, 1930. He worked with his parents on the farm until they moved to Warren in December of 1945. After moving to Warren, Wayne worked for A.H. Burrows’ Lumber Yard for several years, after which he worked at the Savanna Ordnance Depot.

On January 8, 1949, he married Betty E. Hartwig, and they began farming shortly thereafter. Wayne and Betty enjoyed traveling and visiting all fifty states, as well as Europe and Canada. Besides tending their dairy herd and raising a family, they planted several thousand trees on their farm. Wayne was the recipient of the American Tree Farm Award.

He is survived by his 3 children- Robert (Judy) Gates of Warren, IL, Linda (Robert) Sharpe of Indianapolis, IN, Roger (Rebecca) Gates of Forsyth, IL; 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Betty; parents, Milton and Frankie Gates; brother Donald Gates and sisters Neola Magee, Doris Westaby, and June Bourquin.

Visitation was held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2021, at the Bartell Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, IL.

Wayne was a long-time member of the Warren United Methodist Church, where his funeral service was held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. Officiating at the service was Roger Bronkema.

A private family graveside will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren, IL. A memorial has been established in his memory for the Warren United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Freeport

Nancy C. Lewis, 76

Nancy C. Lewis, age 76, of Freeport, IL passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Allure of Mount Carroll.

Nancy was born in Rockford, IL, daughter of Royal and Dorthey (Anderson) Beck on September 17, 1945. She worked many years at Structo Manufacturing in Freeport. Nancy spent many years attending the Freeport Raceway and was an avid fan of NASCAR. She also enjoyed fishing and camping at Yellowstone Lake State Park in Wisconsin.

She is survived by her five children- Stacey (Kirk) Knoup of Pearl City, Steve (Tawney) Beck of Freeport, Scott Lewis of Freeport, Shane Lewis of Freeport, Sherrie (Angie) Lewis of Florida; fourteen grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; sister Eva (Milt) Otwell of Rockford; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and special friend Dan Reed.

Private Family graveside will be held at Highland Cemetery in Pearl City, IL. Officiating at the service will be Keri Rainsberger.

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

Stockton

Roger Lee Allen Sr., 67

Roger Lee Allen Sr., age 67, of Stockton, IL passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021 at FHN Memorial Hospital.

He was born July 26, 1954 in Freeport, IL to the late Donald and Betty (Smith) Allen. Roger married Jaymie Prowant on November 29, 1980 in Pleasant Valley.

Roger was a 1972 graduate of Stockton High School. He had worked as a carpenter for Lena Builders for 35 years. He loved the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed going to auctions and running a second hand store “Bear’s Used” in Elizabeth. Most of all, Roger loved his family, especially spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Jaymie Allen of Stockton; his daughters, Wendy (Mark) Deininger of Stockton and Diane (Garry Mapes) Randecker of Stockton; his sons, Joe Allen of Bettendorf and Roger “Bub” (Lanette) Allen Jr. of Stockton; his 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mom, Leona Schneider, his brother, Tom, and his granddaughter, Emmalee Deininger.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 6:00 p.m. There will be a visitation before the service beginning at 3:00 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date at Ladies Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.