Obituaries

Elizabeth

Rhett LeRoy Geisz, 21

Rhett LeRoy Geisz, age 21 of rural Elizabeth passed away in a tragic accident Saturday, January 8, 2022. A funeral service was held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Massbach with Burial in the Church cemetery. Visitation was held 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2022 at Law Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth, and one hour prior to the service at the Church on Saturday. A memorial fund has been established.

Rhett graduated from River Ridge High School in 2018 and continued-on to graduate from Highland Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Agriculture and a Welding certification in 2020. During high school he worked at Jug’s Main Street Tap and he was currently working at Exquisite-Scapes in Elizabeth as a landscaper and all-around fix-it guy.

Rhett’s life, although short, was lived to the fullest. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, always enjoying his summer fishing trips to Canada with friends. His fun-loving energy was contagious and he was the life of the party, never afraid to show off his dance moves or share a drink. He loved to travel, eat anything with Buffalo sauce, play the trumpet, go to concerts, play video games, golf, grill burgers and hang out with friends. He was an FFA and 4-H member and volunteer, earning both his FFA American Degree and 4-H National Congress Delegate. He also served on the Elizabeth Community Fair Board and was a member of the Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau Young Leaders. Rhett was a great friend to many, brother to some and family to all. He surprised many by being a great caregiver and friend to young children, including his little cousins. He would do just about anything for anyone, always ready to lend a helping hand.

He is now with in heaven with his great grandparents, many great aunts and uncles, friend Wyatt Potter, family friend Barry Trueblood and FFA advisor Edwin Curry, along with the family dog “Fat Steve.”

He will be dearly missed by his parents, Irv and Audrey (Messmer) Geisz; his sister, Codie (Nathan) Koester; grandparents, LeRoy and Betty Messmer and Kenneth and Doris Geisz; aunts and uncles, Rene (Carl) Albrecht, Jean (Mark) Wachter, Carlene (Ron) Haring, Deb (Dennis) Earnest and Kim (Wayne Jr.) Van Raalte; and many cousins, Adam (Allison) Albrecht, David (Ashley) Albrecht, Sam Albrecht, Laura (Dan) Spillane, Jessie Albrecht, Lucas Albrecht, Austin (Natalie Olsen) Wachter, Corey (Emily Ming) Wachter, Dalton Wachter, Brady and Izzy Haring; and great-cousins, Hudson, Parker, Raylan, Gracie, Evelynn, Hazel, and Daniel.

Raymond Martin Kumor, 74

Raymond Martin Bernard Kumor, age 74, of Elizabeth, Illinois passed into the care of God on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at MercyOne Hospital in Dubuque.

A Funeral Mass was held 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2022 at St Mary Catholic Church in Elizabeth. Visitation was held 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Law Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth, and one hour prior to the Mass at the Church. A memorial has been established in his honor. Friends may leave a condolence at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Author Thomas Merton said, “If a man is to live, he must be alive, body, soul, mind, heart and spirit.” – Ray Kumor certainly lived! He was generous with his time and attention with his family, community and friends. He shared his talents with his students and enriched many lives with his music. He helped make this world a better place.

Ray was born July 28, 1947 on Chicago’s south-side, the son of Martin Michael and Jean Theresa (Wisniewski) Kumor. His father worked in the steel mills and his grandparents lived upstairs in a two-flat. At the age of ten in 1957, Ray lost both parents, and was raised by his grandparents. He attended St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School, Chicago and then Sacred Heart Seminary in Donaldson, Indiana, where he graduated high school and entered the Novitiate as Brother Bernard, learning about becoming a missionary priest. He made the decision to pursue music and attended CVS Jr. College, then received a BA Degree from Northern Illinois University in Music, and later a Masters in Guidance Counseling.

In 1973, Ray was giving music lessons to kids in Big Rock, Illinois where he participated in the Church choir, when he met the love the love of his life, Jane Ravnsborg. Ray had been playing in bands named the Top Hats and Omega, and by this time had formed a new band named Opus 5. He asked Jane to join the band and immediately they knew they had something special. On April 10, 1976, Ray and Jane were married in Big Rock. Opus 5 continued to perform until 1982 when Ray and Jane moved to the Hanover area near Chestnut Mtn., as they both began to teach at the Hanover schools. They later moved to Elizabeth when the schools consolidated. He coached and refereed several sports. Ray was also trained and helped many people using his skills in hypnotherapy, to quit smoking or ease pain. Ray and Jane raised two sons, Martin and Ryan and celebrated 45 years of marriage. Ray retired from River Ridge Schools in 2008.

Ray and Jane loved family life, always spending time together with their sons, camping and traveling during the summers. Being together was the most important. After retirement, they spent time near Alamo, Texas where they enjoyed the community and friends. Ray has appreciated all the close friends he has had in this life, especially those from his childhood and growing-up years, several were in his bands and remain close today.

They never stopped making music. Ray and Jane played in a well-known band named Delta until 2001, then they became Legends of Old-Time Rock & Roll, until 2012. They performed at the Trolley Theatre in Galena and it was during this time that Ray particularly enjoyed impersonating Elvis. While performing there, they were recognized and asked to perform on the Celebration Belle Riverboat. It is on the boat that Ray’s creativity took flight as he impersonated Mark Twain, Willie Nelson, Julio Inglesias, and even Cher or Dolly Parton, always with Jane by his side as the counterparts of Sonny or Kenny. They played 40s, 50s, 60 and 70s music along with many other themed cruises. It was a roar, and many people will remember their best times, dancing and enjoying Ray and Jane’s entertainment.

Ray will be dearly missed by his wife, Jane of Elizabeth, Illinois; two sons, Martin “Marty” Kumor of Hanover and Ryan (Jennifer) Kumor of Hollandale, Wisconsin; and a granddaughter, Rylinn. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister at a young age.

Hanover

Wyatt Hunter Potter, 21

Wyatt Hunter Potter, age 21 of Hanover passed away in a tragic accident Saturday, January 8, 2022. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. Visitation was held 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2022 at Law Jones Funeral Home, Hanover, and one hour prior to the service at the Church on Saturday. A memorial fund has been established.

Wyatt was born October 28, 2000, the son of Jeff and Brenda (Hatfield) Potter. He grew up on the hills overlooking Hanover always enjoying the outdoors. He is a 2019 graduate of River Ridge High School where he was Valedictorian of his class. He was currently attending UW-Platteville, studying Construction Management. Wyatt remained an honor student throughout all of his academic career and took much pride in those accomplishments. While in high school Wyatt excelled in FFA winning state recognition under instructor Ed Curry. He liked playing football and running track in high school, skiing, hunting, and spending time with friends.

Wyatt had an incredible sense of humor that could make anyone smile or laugh. He was a hard worker in anything he did and had a passion for the family farm. Wyatt and his father would make many trips to find machinery to work on together. He could fix any car, truck, bus and any other vehicle. The construction work he did was with care and great precision, which included many changes he made to his family home. Wyatt was a generous soul who would stop everything to go help anyone in need. That was not limited to help with machinery, farming, construction, or just being there for others. The genuine, honest perspective he brought to any room always made an impression. He loved animals beyond measure and always made sure the family dog, Athena, was included in many family trips and adventures. He would then come home to his beloved cat, Zorro. His friends and family were the center of his life. Although his life was short, Wyatt lived larger than life and made memories with many that will last forever.

He entered heaven and was welcomed into the arms of his grandmother, Yerda Potter. He shares his heavenly home with many cousins, great grandparents, family friends, mentors, friend Rhett Geisz, and many family pets (Sampson and Zeus).

Wyatt will be dearly missed by his parents, Jeff and Brenda Potter of Hanover; his sister, Cassidy Potter and her significant other, Dylan Leeser ; grandparents, Harold Clyde and Yerda (deceased) Potter of Hanover and Bill and Mae Ann Hatfield of Elizabeth; aunts and uncles, Darcy and Matt Wild (Godparents) , Deb and Paul Girot, Dennis and Rebecca Hatfield, and Brad and LeeSa Hatfield; great aunt and uncle, Peggy (Richard) Morse; honorary uncle and aunt, Rod (Suzette) Morse ; and cousins, Carter Wild, Kaley Morse, Mackenzie Morse, Nick Girot, Neil Girot, Valerie Girot, Victoria Girot, Tiffany Hatfield, Brianne (Cory) Arthofer, Justin (Emily) Hatfield, Kimberly Hatfield, Patrick Hatfield, Dillon Hatfield, and Jennifer Hatfield; and many other loved ones.

Stockton

Joyce Mae Huttenlocher, 85

Joyce Mae Huttenlocher, age 85, of Stockton, IL passed away Saturday, January 8, 2022. She was born November 21, 1936 in Baileyville, IL to the late Jesse and Katie (Funk) Miller. Joyce married Marion Huttenlocher on October 20, 1957 in Cedarville, IL.

Joyce attended Orangeville Schools. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Derinda and served as WELCA President for over 20 years. Joyce was a trustee for Woodbine Cemetery and Welch Hollow Cemetery. She farmed her whole life. She enjoyed cooking and traveling, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Marion Huttenlocher of Stockton; her sons, Craig Huttenlocher of Stockton, Kevin (Becky) Huttenlocher of Lena and Terry (Tamara) Huttenlocher of Warren; her daughter, Karen Huttenlocher of Lena; her grandchildren, Ryan (Kelsy Ehr), Brooke (Jerry Walton), Tyler, Cody (Sierra), Chelsea, and Steven; her great grandchildren, Kryan, Autumn, and Annabelle; and her sister, Marian Carter of Lena.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Curtis Huttenlocher; her sister, Lucille Rackow; and her brother, Wilbur Miller.

A private family service will be held. Interment will take place at Woodbine Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Lanark

Roger Gene Schrader, 81

Roger Gene Schrader, age 81 of Lanark, Illinois passed away Friday, January 7, 2022 surrounded by his family after a short, hard fought, battle with cancer. Farming from a young age, marrying his sweetheart and raising a family, even driving a dirt-track racecar from the age of 70 to 75, to bareback riding a horse in his late 70s, he didn’t leave many stones unturned. At 80, he was still begging to water ski with the grandkids. He lived life to the fullest and made it well known how blessed he was.

Roger was born July 7, 1940, the son of Walter and Alice (Edler) Schrader. He is a 1958 graduate of the Lanark High School, excelling at gymnastics, baseball and football, where he earned the nickname “Night Train.” In 1959, Roger received an Agriculture Degree from the University of Illinois Short Course Curriculum. While revving his pipes on his blue and white 1956 Ford Galaxy 2-door hardtop, he was noticed by his future sweetheart and life-long love, Lenore Nola VanMatre. On September 17, 1960, Roger and Lenore were married at the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Shannon. In 2021, they celebrated 61 years of wedded bliss. Jim and Teresa, their son and daughter, were two of Roger’s greatest blessings.

Farming was Roger’s way of life, at first with Joe Lower, then Ted Miller, and then 28 years with Arman Stover around the Lanark area. The last 26 years have been sharing his love of farming with the family. In addition to farming, Roger and Lenore worked as a team selling Super Crost Seed. The teamwork of Lenore selling and Roger delivering worked well as they enjoyed trips to Africa, Hawaii, Ireland, Puerto Rico, England, Switzerland, and Austria. Roger enjoyed raising cattle and hogs along with many special horses, donkeys, dogs, pigs, goats, skunks, raccoons, and cats. He was a great steward of the land and implemented many conservation practices to enhance the wildlife habitat for generations to follow. Roger farmed right up until the age of 81, which is quite impressive and an example of his work ethic, determination, and “watch this” mentality. Roger was a member of the Lanark Lions Club, Carroll County Farm Bureau and Soil & Water Conservation District and Lanark Church of the Brethren.

Roger learned to fly and enjoyed piloting a plane for twenty-five years. He also liked traveling across the Midwest to watch dirt-track racing with friends and family. To no surprise, at 70 years old, Roger was done watching people race and decided that it was never too late to become a race car driver. He raced many times between age 70 and 75, even racing against his grandson, Gabe. He also enjoyed horseback riding, the old family reunions, having coffee with his buddies, striking up conversations with strangers and becoming friends, studying historical photos of the surrounding area, and most of all just being with family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Roger will be dearly missed by the love of his life, Lenore of Lanark; his beloved dog, Toby; his son, Jim (Roxanne) Schrader of Lanark; his daughter, Teresa (Jeff) Kirwan of New Windsor, Illinois; five grandchildren, Chelsea (Trenton) Diehl, Gabe (Kenzie) Schrader, Ashley (Keegan) Quinby, Katie (Sam) Burnett and Christina Kirwan; five great grandchildren, Adalyn Diehl, Hudson Schrader, Wyatt, Evelyn and Beckham Quinby; and his brother, Ron (Pam) Schrader of Lena, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Alice, and his in-laws, Lester and Avanette VanMatre.

A private family service will be held Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the Lanark Church of the Brethren with burial in the Lanark Cemetery. Friends are invited to watch the service at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook live at this link, http://bit.ly/3n7bRgX , or anytime thereafter. Memorials may be given in Roger’s honor to the Lanark Ambulance Association or the Lanark Church of the Brethren.