Obituaries

Lanark

Blaine Hardacre, 90

Blaine Hardacre really liked to visit with people. His goodbyes took time and included his affirmation of love.

At the age of 90, Blaine Hardacre, of Lanark, IL passed into the arms of God on Monday, October 17, 2022 at Winn Prairie Assisted Living Community in Freeport. A funeral service will be held 11 am Friday, October 28, 2022, at the Crossroads Community Church in Polo, IL, followed by a luncheon. Private family burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 pm Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the Church. Memorials may be given in Blaine’s honor to benefit FHN Hospice, Gideons and Newmoms.org.

Blaine was born February 3, 1932, Lima Township rural Lanark, on a family farm, the son of Nello Joseph and Hazel Esther (Turner) Hardacre. At an early age he learned to be resourceful, working alongside his dad and mom on the farm. He attended the Good Country School and is a 1950 Lanark High School graduate, where he played football and track and showed cattle with the FFA. It was at the Lanark High School where Blaine began a relationship with his future bride, Elinor Jean Isenberger.

On December 11, 1954, Blaine and Elinor were married, just before Blaine went off to boot camp. He served in the Army from 1955 to 1957 as a guided-missile specialist, spending time in Texas, Maryland and Woodbridge, Virginia where Elinor joined him. After his service, they returned with a son to farm near Lanark. That is when Blaine and Elinor, bought and resurrected the old Gold-Mine Farm. They raised four children and celebrated 67 years of marriage. Blaine would reflect, “I’ve been going up and down Grange Road all my life.”

Blaine was an innovative farmer in 1960, operating a large dairy herd utilizing new technology of the day. Twice he received the Conservation Farmer of the Year for his work on strip cropping and contouring. He retired from farming in 1990. He sold AFLAC insurance for several years and delivered the Freeport Journal Standard on an extensive rural route. Blaine then began working at Rolling Hills in Lanark as a model worker. He always encouraged his coworkers and was especially proud of the apple orchard he helped care for that served Rolling Hills.

Blaine was an active member of the Crossroads Church. He was an enthusiastic Church greeter, making all feel welcome and important. He prayed daily and deeply for his family, friends, and acquaintances in his chosen spot in his home. “Dad loved God and was a wonderful Christian man, always praying for others.”

Blaine will be dearly missed by his wife, Elinor of Freeport; four children, Jeffrey (Gundi) Hardacre of Moline, IL, Amy (Rev. Lyle) Zumdahl of Forreston, Bryan (Kristine) Hardacre of Lanark and Mark (Karen) Hardacre Commerce City, CO; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Blaine is preceded in death by 2 brothers, Joe Bowers and Delbert Hardacre; a sister, Thelma Hardacre Glaub; and a baby sister, Ruth Hardacre.

Monroe/Lena

Thomas G. Leuenberger, 60

Thomas G. Leuenberger, age 60, of Monroe, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in Monroe.

Tom was born on January 2, 1962, the son of Hans and Ida (Hardeggar) Leuenberger. After graduating from Lena-Winslow High School in 1980, Tom helped his brother with farming. He later was employed by Sauder Septic Service before owning his own septic company in Dodgeville and Browntown. Tom most recently worked as a fork lift operator for Colony Brands. In his spare time, Tom enjoyed cutting wood and tinkering with motors and electrical work. He also loved dogs having had many throughout his life.

He is survived by his brother, John (Robinn) Leuenberger of Winslow, IL and their children, Erica Jones, Erin (Zachary) Wenger, John (Sara) Leuenberger, Lexi Leuenberger; and his former wife, Susan Reynolds of Monroe. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Per Tom’s request, cremation rites will be accorded and no services will be held. Inurnment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Lena, IL, at a later date. Memorials may be sent to John Leuenberger, 14027 N Swiss Road, Winslow, IL 61089. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at http://www.newcomerfuneralhome.net

Orangeville

Ronald V. Cronau, 90

Ronald V. Cronau, 90, of Orangeville, IL, passed away Tuesday October 11, 2022 at FHN Memorial Hospital.

He was born July 14, 1932 in Rock Island, IL, the son of Raymond and Lucille (Nitzel) Cronau. Ronald married Mary Daughenbaugh February 16, 1952 in Orangeville, IL. Ronald worked for Northwest-Contel GTE/Verizon for 42 years. Ronald started in the telephone industry as an operator at the Cedarville exchange when he filled in for his mother when she was ill.

He enjoyed talking to the operator at the Orangeville exchange and started a loving relationship with that operator, Mary, which lasted for well over 70 years.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Monroe Moose Lodge, 40&8, and the McConnell American Legion. He enjoyed golfing and trap shooting. He was an avid Hockey fan enjoying many games at the Icehogs for over 20 years as a season ticket holder with his family.

His Grandfather Nitzel taught him many skills that helped him to become quite the handyman and carpenter, remodeling the family home in Orangeville many times.

Ronald was a member of several Masonic organizations including: Orangeville Masonic Lodge #687, Valley of Freeport Scottish Rite, York Rite Masons, Tebala Shrine, Freeport Ten Parade Unit, Allied Masonic Degrees, and Red Cross of Considine Masons.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Mary Cronau of Orangeville, Il; son, Christopher (Kathryn) Cronau of Freeport, IL; His sister, Marlene McIntyre of Rockford; daughter-in-law, Sharon Martin; four grandchildren, Anthony Cronau, Marisa Crisp, Trey Cronau, and Ethan Cronau; two great-grandchildren, Lorelai and Fletcher Crisp; several nieces and nephews; and two godchildren, Lisa Geyer and Deb Golackson.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Alfred Keister; two sons, Morgan and Mark Cronau; brother, Ray Cronau; and father and mother-in-law, Alfred and Eva Daughenbaugh.

Masonic services were held at noon, followed by the memorial service officiated by Rev. Nord Swanstrom on Thursday October 20, 2022 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, IL. Visitation was from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial of cremains will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Freeport, IL. A memorial has been established in Ronald’s memory.

Shannon

Benjamin “Kip” Ficklin Elbert IV, 74

Benjamin “Kip” Ficklin Elbert IV, affectionately known as “Fossil”, 74, of Shannon, IL passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2022 in his home. He was born January 25, 1948 in Des Moines, IA to Benjamin Ficklin III and Eleanor (Sayre) Elbert. Benjamin served in the United States Army from 1967-1970, stationed in Brussels, Germany and Korea. On June 27, 1981 he married Joan Wescott at the United Presbyterian Church in Freeport, IL. He was employed at Honeywell/Micro Switch as a Technical Engineer for 26 years. Benjamin’s hobbies included woodworking, gardening and horticulture, music, and studying history and archaeology.

He is survived by his wife Joan of Shannon, IL; two sons Seth (Leann) Hutchinson of Oceano, CA, and Nathan (Heather) Elbert of Machesney Park, IL; daughter Sarah (Eric) Fletcher of Sandwich, IL; two sisters Sally (Timothy) Anderson of Adel, IA and Sue Rodine of Urbandale, IA; two brother-in-law’s Cal (Kathy) Wescott of Freeport, IL and Curt (Tish) Wescott of Roscoe, IL; and seven grandchildren Benjamin Ficklin Elbert V, Lily Elbert, Colton Elbert, Elena Elbert, Hannah Elbert, Roscoe Fletcher, and Roxanne Fletcher and two step-grandchildren Regan and Rowley Fletcher.

Preceding Benjamin in death are his parents, brother Sam Elbert and son Troy Elbert.

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday October 27, 2022 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. A visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial has been established in Benjamin’s memory.

Elizabeth

David E. Radke, 85

David E. Radke, age 85, of Elizabeth, IL passed away Friday, October 14, 2022 at Lena Living Center. He was born August 18, 1937 in Libertyville, IL to the late Emil H. and Mattie E. (Shimmin) Radke. David married Lore Slagter on August 2, 1957 in Corpus Christi, TX.

David was a 1955 graduate of Stockton High School. He attended Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church. David served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959. He was a member of the Stockton American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, NRA, and Northwest Illinois Friends of the NRA where David and his wife organized many banquets and Civil War reenactments. He had worked as a pipe fitter at Kelly Springfield for 17 years, Kraft Cheese for 9 years, the State of Illinois for 9 years, and farmed in the local area. David enjoyed woodworking, gardening, gun collecting, and genealogy. David and Lore spent a lot of time traveling to learn about family history.

He is survived by his wife, Lore Radke of Elizabeth; his sons, Eric (Teresa) Radke of Monroe, WI and Rolf (Kimberly) Radke of Elizabeth; his daughters, Lisa (Mike) Pizana of King George, VA and Aimee (Grant) Underwood of Jewell, IA; his 15 grandchildren, Keith (Angie) Radke, Adie (Jon) Leedahl, Victoria (Michael) Zwiep, Rebekah Pizana, Rachael (Andrew) Sales, Matthew (Christie) Pizana, Laura (Austin) Luck, Emilie (Cole) Nerney, Michael Pizana, Kyle Radke, Garrett (Jessica) Underwood, Gillian (James) Gasaway, Michelle Payne, Rolf Radke Jr., and Mattie (Tim) Rogers; his 21 great grandchildren and 3 great great (plus one on the way) grandchildren; his brothers, Konrad (Louise) Radke of Rexburg, ID and Jonathan (Ruth) Radke of Freeport, IL; his sisters, Muirl Bronsteader of LaGrange Park, IL and Hildegarde (Chuck) DeTombe of Huntingdon, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 1:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment took place at Schapville Zion Presbyterian Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.