Obituaries

Winslow

Wesley Joel Confer, 10

Wesley Joel Confer, 10, passed away unexpectedly with his family at his side, at the UW Madison Hospital on Sunday, May 1, 2022.

Wesley was born on April 25, 2012, to Matthew and Abbey (Baylor) Confer in Freeport, IL. He was currently in 4th grade at Le-Win Elementary School. Wesley was a big brother with a big heart! He was always eager to help. He loved to play X-Box with his friends, watch You-Tube, drive his Rzr, anything farming, running the skid loader, riding in the semi’s and caring for his dog Emma and cat Stuart. Wesley loved strawberries, tomatoes and anything sour! He loved swimming, going to the Wisconsin Dells, and was looking forward to traveling to Florida this summer.

Wesley is survived by his parents; Matt and Abbey of Winslow, sister Willow and brother Weldon, grandparents; Lynn (Dave) Zies of Oregon, IL Scott (Ruth) Confer of McConnell, great grandmothers; Kathleen Reed and Marilyn Confer. Aunts and uncle; Jen Confer, Kim Confer and Matt (Teresa) Baylor and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather; Joel Baylor, great grandparents; Jack Confer, Paul (Ruth) Schwartz, Nancy Meyers, and Clifford Reed, cousin; Harper Folgate.

Family would like to thank the individuals and first responders that assisted on scene, as well as all medical personnel who cared for Wesley at FHN and UW Madison Children’s Hospital.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Martintown Community Church. Visitation was held on Friday May 6, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL. Kevin Cernek officiated the service. Burial will be at Lena Burial Park in Lena.

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

Helen Genevieve (Miller) Hicks, 109

Helen Genevieve (Miller) Hicks, 109 of Monroe, WI formerly of Winslow and Stockton, IL passed away on Monday, May 2, 2022.

She was born to August and Ella Miller on June 19, 1912, in Waddams Township, IL. She was the second oldest of ten children. She graduated from Winslow High School in 1929. Helen married Elgin Eugene Hicks on April 12, 1933, at the U.B. Church in Orangeville, IL and they were married for 57 years until Elgin’s passing in 1990.

Helen had a great love for music. She played in her high school orchestra, sang in a local quartet, and played piano for the Stockton Lions Club chorus.

She is survived by her 2 daughters: Salome J. Brown of Verona, WI and Judy Hammer of Stockton, IL; 9 grandchildren: Pamela, Daniel, Veronica, Jean, Julie, Kim, Randy, Angie, and Dennis; many great and great great grandchildren; sister-in-law: Pat Miller of Winslow.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Elgin, six brothers- Leon, Richard, Elston, Roger, Harold, and Frederick; three sisters Marguerite, Gladys and Evelyn.

A private family graveside service will be held at Rock Lily Cemetery. Officiating the service will be Rev. Robert Phelps. A memorial has been established in her name.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Stockton

Robert August Van Hamme, 70

Robert August Van Hamme age 70, Stockton, IL passed away peacefully at his beloved farm surrounded by family on April 30th.

Born August 23, 1951, to August and Madeleine Van Hamme in Genesco, IL, he attended grade and middle school at Holy Cross Catholic School and graduated from Stockton High School in 1969. Bob was inducted into the Army Dec 3rd, 1969, and served his tour at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge, he attended Highland Community College in Freeport, IL. He continued his education at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale IL, and received his bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Economics in 1980.

He was hired by the Department of Conservation and graduated from the Academy in 1975. Bob worked as a DNR officer in Jackson County before transferring to Jo Daviess County in 1980. It was here that he began farming part-time while working full time for the department.

On August 4th, 1984, he was united in marriage to Jane Carroll (Mitchell) at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Freeport, IL. Together they had two children Erica and Alex, along with two stepchildren, Michelle Carroll and Jacob Carroll. In 1991 they purchased their dream farm south of Stockton. It is here where Bob truly cared and nurtured the land and wildlife. In Bob’s words “farming and cattle were his therapy “.

Bob had many interests and hobbies. Education was very important to him, and he loved reading. He could read a magazine cover to cover and tell you everything in it. “I’m a store house of useless facts and information,” was one of his many quotes. He enjoyed hunting wild fowl, boating, bowling, playing Blackjack, and golfing. Farming and cattle held a particularly special place in his heart and gave him great joy. His family is what he was the proudest of. He felt very fortunate to have many loved ones in his family.

Bob received many conservation awards throughout his years of service including “Officer of the Year” in 1991. He retired from the department after 25 years of service in 2001. Upon retiring he continued to farm and served on the Stockton School Board for 11 years, many of them as President.

Proceeding in death were his parents August and Madeleine Van Hamme. Surviving are wife Jane Van Hamme, children Erica Wagner (Jared) Castile Rock, Co, Alex Van Hamme, Stockton, step-children Michelle Carroll, Glendale, AZ, and Jacob Carroll (Minh) Portland, OR. Grandchildren Warren Carroll age 10, Grayson Wagner age 5, and Lennon Wagner age 2. Siblings are Lillian Townsend (Gary), Stockton, IL., Cindy Sigafus (Tom) Monroe, Wi., and Tim Van Hamme, Bradenton, Fl.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 21st at Woodbine Golf Course and Restaurant 3500 E. Center Rd, Stockton, IL from 1-5 pm. A short Military Service will take place at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers a Memorial Fund will be established.

Freeport/Orangeville

Lois L. Moyer, 98

Lois L. Moyer, 98 of Freeport, IL formerly of Orangeville, IL passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

She was born on February 11, 1942 to Russel and Mary (Walker) Reed in Buckeye Township, Stephenson County, IL. She attended Orangeville High School. On November 29, 1942 she married Donald D. Moyer in Alfolkey, IL. During her working years she worked for Burgess Battery, was a Secretary at Orangeville School District and later she was a head cashier at the Orangeville Community Bank.

She is survived by her two sons- Michael (Diane) Moyer of Freeport, IL and Thomas (Shelly) Moyer of Davis, IL; 1 son-in-law Thomas Marcum of Orangeville, IL; 9 grandchildren- Tina(Gary) Michalski of Spooner, WI, Charles Rutter of Austin, TX, Jill (Jon) Spielman of Rock City, IL, Angie Marcum of Freeport, IL, Jodi Moyer of Roscoe, IL, Jim (Emily) Moyer of Davis, IL, John (Gio) Moyer of Phoenix, AZ, Laura (Derek) Erwin of Rockton, IL and Matt (Jessica) Moyer of Freeport, IL; 16 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, 2 brothers- Lyle (Cynthia) Reed of Dakota, IL and Keith (Darlene) Reed of Chubbuck, ID; 1 sister- Phyllis(Nathan) Frautschy of Freeport, IL; 1 sister-in-law Iris (Wayne) Reed of Orangeville, IL and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Donald, on April 23, 1994, 2 daughters- Janet Rutter and Joleen Marcum, 1 Sister Norma (Iver) Raab, 1 Brother Wayne Reed, 1 son-in-law John Rutter, 1 grandson Colin Rutter and a great grandson-in-law Ryan O’Malley.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Liberty Village in Freeport, IL and FHN Hospice for their care they gave to Lois.

Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 9, 2022 at the Orangeville Methodist Church in Orangeville. A visitation took place from 10:00 am until time of funeral service. Officiating the service was Pastor Siegfried Schwirtblat. Burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery in Freeport, IL.

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