Obituaries

Stockton

Janice Langfield, 59

Janice Langfield, age 59, of Stockton, IL passed away Thursday, September 15, 2022 at home surrounded by family. She was born in Freeport, IL on October 6, 1962 to the late Phillip and Kay (Bernhardt) Brunner. Jan married Scott Langfield on March 14, 1982.

Jan was a 1980 graduate of Stockton High School. Throughout school, she was a proud member of the 4-H. She worked for FHN Hospital in the record keeping department, an office manager for Stockton Wards Grove Mutual, and lastly as a customer service representative for Stateline Insurance in Warren. Jan enjoyed deer hunting, morel hunting, gardening and jeep/utv riding. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Scott Langfield; her sons, Shawn (Megan Koehler) Langfield and Nick (Denise) Langfield; her daughters, Ashley (Ryan) Gadow and Emily (Cody Hastings); her grandchildren, Domiano, Amir, Cameron, Mason, Ava, Peyton and Madison; her brother, Mark (Kim) Brunner; her nephews, Drew and Jake; and her niece, Kaylynn. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A private family service will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2022. A public luncheon will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Stockton at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 25, 2022. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Orangeville

Stephen “Switz” Allison Switzer, 84

Stephen Allison Switzer, 84, eldest son of Stephen and Elva D. Switzer (nee Allison), born November 24, 1937, in Dubuque, Iowa, died September 10, 2022, at Manor Court in Liberty Village, Freeport, Illinois.

He has one brother, Robert L. Switzer (Bonnie), Professor Emeritus Bio-Chemistry at the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.

Life is an adventure; let me relate one man’s journey. Steve grew up on the small Allison/Switzer family farm east of Orangeville, Illinois, where he learned husbandry in a hands-on manner. He attended and graduated from a one-room country school, Pleasant Hill (total student body 13 students Grades 1st – 8th). He graduated from Orangeville High School Class of 1955 and then attended the University of Illinois College of Agriculture (Agri-Engineer). He then worked for Clarno Lumber & Supply and C.R.C. Builders of Clarno, Wisconsin, for 5-1/2 years, where he learned about building materials and rural construction, again in a hands-on manner.

June 8, 1958, he married his soulmate and best friend, Dorleen A. Showers. They had one son, Joel Stephen Switzer, construction worker, dog musher, and confirmed bachelor of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Steve served in the U.S. Army for one year at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, one year in the 7th Infantry Division, South Korea, and four years of reserve duty. Dorleen and Steve loved to travel, having visited all 50 states and at least 10 foreign countries, including their favorite destinations, America’s West and Alaska.

Steve was the co-founder, designer, and manager of Patterson Buildings of Rockford, IL, for 32 years. He designed and supervised the construction of several thousand farm and light commercial buildings and hundreds of related construction projects. Steve always said, “What a legacy, hundreds of rusty roofs!”

Steve was a long-time Free Mason, a life member of Evergreen Lodge #170 of Freeport, IL, where he served three terms as Master, two years as Secretary, and was the recipient of the Lodge Builders Award. He was also a member of Orangeville Lodge #687 and served as Master for three terms, and received the Lodge Builders Award in 2016. He was a life member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Freeport, and was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award (M.S.A.) in 1999. He also served on the Scottish Rite Corporate Board for 10 years. Dorleen and Steve served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron of Freeport Chapter #303 Order of the Eastern Star several times and were members of Capernaum Shrine #4 White Shrine of Jerusalem, Freeport, IL. Steve always said, “Freemasonry makes good men better.”

Steve was a long-time hunter, shooter, student, and collector of rim fire rifles. He was also a life-endowment member of the NRA, NRA Golden Eagles member, and a firm believer of the people’s right to keep and bear arms. Steve was an avid reader, loved jazz music, good food and wine, and a nip of scotch, an occasional big/good cigar, and was an inveterate tinker. He was also known to write letters to the editors of various newspapers, lambasting liberals, and for his capacity to have fun with an offbeat sense of humor and a some-times volcanic temper.

In 2001, Dorleen and Steve built a home on the Showers’ “Centennial Farm” to retire which has been the absolute love of their lives; watching the changing of the seasons, the wildlife, and visits from wonderful family and friends. Dorleen and Steve’s proudest achievement was raising their son Joel Stephen, a remarkable man, who was killed in a construction related accident August 2, 2017, in Alaska. Steve never did recover from that. Approximately six months after Joe’s death, Dorleen and Steve decided that since they had few close relatives they would do something for the community that had done so much for them for over 50 years. They opted to fund the refurbishing of the football grandstand at Orangeville High School. The project turned out to be a great success and the Broncos Boosters named it “Switzer’s Seats”. They also provided major funding for the greenhouse in the Ag Department of Highland Community College, named in honor of Joel Switzer.

June 8th, 2019, our 61st wedding anniversary and the saddest day of my life. Dorleen died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

“When I was born, I cried and people smiled. I hope I have lived life so that when I died, people will cry and I can smile.”

This obituary was written by Stephen Switzer.

In addition to his brother, Dr. Robert (Bonnie) Switzer of Urbana, Steve is survived by five first cousins: Jonathan (Nancy) Whitney of Thomson; Dr. Warren (Nancy) Switzer, Lt. Col, ret. of Troy, North Carolina; Kathrine (Roger Robinson) Switzer of New Paltz, NY, and Wellington, NZ; Cynthia (Bill Shelton) Whitney of Olney, IL; and Amy Caroline Whitney of Milwaukee, WI. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews.

A visitation was held at the Cramer-Leamon Funeral Home in Orangeville on Friday, September 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Graveside Masonic Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 17, at Oakland Cemetery in Freeport.

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

Polo/Lanark

Jacob Emerson Iske, 25

“Jacob Iske was happiest if he was a hundred feet off the ground. One must often look skyward to see his work.” At the young age of 25, Jacob Iske departed this world to meet God face-to-face, after a tragic accident on Friday, September 9, 2022. He leaves his wife, Hannah, son, Emerson, and a baby on the way, along with parents, William and Michelle, and brothers, Grant (Brianna), Gage and Jett. He wasn’t afraid of death because he knew that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself in-order-to restore his relationship with God.

Jacob Emerson Iske carried his great-grandfather’s namesake which he passed on to his son Emerson. Jacob was born April 2, 1997, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of William and Michelle (Welsh) Iske. He grew up learning to use his hands on the family farm and was interested in anything mechanical or electrical. He wasn’t afraid to jump in and figure out a complex problem. Jacob was a good leader, often protective and showing the way. He always reminisced about the days growing up with three younger brothers.

He was a 2016 high school graduate, homeschooled throughout his life. During his last year, he attended Whiteside County Career Center. He started to carpool there with another homeschooled girl, who became the future love of his life, Hannah Brill. He and Hannah would sit in the parking lot and just talk for hours. They became best of friends, fell in love, and on July 14, 2018, were married at the First Brethren Church in Lanark. In 2019 they had a son, Emerson, and in 2022 moved from Lanark to Polo, where they could fulfill their dream of having a place in the country to raise their kids. He was an incredible dad, teaching Emerson, “his little guy”, how to work with his hands.

After high school, Jacob went right to work for Carroll Service Farm Systems in Lanark, where he was appreciated for his welding skills, working with grain systems, and his customer service. It didn’t take long for Jacob to become a trusted friend to his customers. Jacob then went into business for himself, using his talent to cut trees, Iske Tree & Debris. He cut the trees and Hannah did the books. Jacob was a go-getter in life and accomplished a lot in a short amount of time.

He was a member of the First Brethren Church in Lanark where he also participated as a worship leader and youth group leader. His faith was important to him, and his family can rely on that now.

He will be dearly missed by his wife Hannah and son Emerson of Polo (along with another baby on the way); his parents, William and Michelle Iske of rural Lanark; three brothers, Grant (Brianna) Iske of Lanark, Gage and Jett Iske of rural Lanark; grandparents, Ray and Vickie Welsh of Durand, IL; sister-in-law Beth Brill; and his mother and father-in-law, Ed and Sue Brill. Jacob is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ron and Gretchen Iske.

A funeral service was held 11 am Thursday, September 15, 2022 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark with Pastor Tim Swigart officiating. Visitation was held 3 – 7 pm Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the Church.