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Obituaries

Elizabeth

Mary Kay Fitzpatrick, 84

Mary Kay Fitzpatrick, age 84, formerly of Elizabeth, Illinois, passed away Thursday, January 12 at Allure of Mount Carroll with the support of Freeport Health Network Hospice.

Visitation began at 10:30 a.m., while the Mass of Christian Burial began at 11:00 a.m., both were on Friday, January 20 at St. Mary’s Church in Elizabeth, Illinois. Rev. Michael Morrissey officiated. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery immediately following.

Mary Kay was born August 31, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Clemens and Loretta Kauth. On December 26, 1959 she married Paul Fitzpatrick and together they enjoyed 63 years of marriage.

Mary Kay was employed as a Registered Nurse and later taught continuing education courses at the Elizabeth Vocational School. She was also instrumental in establishing the Home Health Care program through the Jo Daviess County Health Department. Together with her husband Paul, she opened a dress shop in Elizabeth, turning her love of fashion into a business. Over the years Mary Kay was an active volunteer at St. Mary’s Parish in Elizabeth, offering her talents as Religious Education instructor for parish youth, a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, and for several years was responsible for decorating the Church environment. Mary Kay was a devoted wife and mother. As a stay-at-home mom, her primary focus was caring for her five children. She loved managing their household and hosting family gatherings.

Survivors include her husband, Paul; two daughters, Bridgid (Tim) Hoffman of East Moline, IL, and Mary Eileen (Wes) Hargrove of Cary, IL; three sons, Christopher Fitzpatrick (Frederick Ochave) of Virginia Beach, VA, Greg (Colleen) Fitzpatrick of Sherrill, IA, and Jeff (Judy) Fitzpatrick of Mt. Carroll, IL. Mary Kay is survived by her brother, Ken (Amy) Kauth of Palatine, IL. Mary Kay was blessed with 11 grandchildren, Kurt (Rachael) Krohmer, Kate Krohmer, Michael (Beth) Fitzpatrick, John Fitzpatrick, Steven (Becca) Fitzpatrick, Megan (Jonathan) Nerdig, Melissa (Levi) Jones, Marcus Fitzpatrick, Cory Hargrove, Paige (Kyle) Wilton, and Gabbi Hargrove; three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Dubuque, the staff of Allure of Mt. Carroll, and Freeport Health Network Hospice.

Law-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society (https://donate3.cancer.org).

Lena

Ronald “Ron A. Schrader, 79

Ronald “Ron” A. Schrader, 79, of Lena passed away with his family by his side on Monday January 16, 2023 in Lena, IL. He was born to Walter and Alice (Edler) Schrader on August 12, 1943 in Freeport, IL. Ron graduated from Lanark High School in 1962 where he excelled in football, basketball, and track & field.

Upon graduating from high school, he helped on his family’s farm. He then began to work at Kelly Springfield in Freeport, IL until his retirement, after 30 years of service.

He married Pam Koehn on September 1, 2006.

He continued to have a love for farming throughout his life and helped at Harbach Farms in Warren, IL. His passion and love for people kept him active throughout his community by helping with lawn maintenance at the Wolf Hollow Golf Course and doing seasonal work at Swiss Colony in Monroe, WI.

Ron had a love for various sports. He has been an avid Chicago Bears fan, but no love was matched for his Lena-Winslow Panthers. When he wasn’t watching sports, he enjoyed riding his motorcycles, hot rods, and jet skis. His summers were filled with many boat and camping trips to Savanna. Ron loved having adventures or just hanging out with a special group of friends who always called him “Uncle Ron”. He was like a fun Uncle that everyone dreams of having, but most of all he was a helpful friend to all. Ron loved his animals, and he always had a 4-legged friend.

He has left behind his family who misses him and loved him dearly. Wife- Pam of Lena, IL; Children- Rod (Kim) Schrader of Long Grove, IL, Amy (Karl) Musser of Stockton, IL, Corey Schrader of Caledonia, WI, Troy (Laurie) Schrader of Oswego, IL, Macey Koehn of Monroe, WI, Shelley (Chase Miller) Koehn of Denver, CO, Tanya (Jeff) Knoup of Lena, IL .; 13 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren. Sister-in-law; Sandy Scuitto of Cedarville, IL and Lenore Schrader of Lanark, IL; Many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Tia.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Roger Schrader and Brother-in-law Tony Sciutto.

The Family would like to extend a thanks to the staff on the 4th floor at FHN and at the Lena Living Center.

Funeral services were at 11:00 AM Saturday January 21, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Visitation was held prior to the service from 9:00am-11:00am at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL.

A private family burial will be held at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Memorial can be made out to the Ronald A. Schrader Memorial Fund. Condolences can be sent to the family on our website at http://www.leamonfh.com

Lake Carroll

Larry Meyers, 86

A born educator, former Principal Larry J. “LJ” Meyers of Lake Carroll, Illinois passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 at home in the loving care of his family, with support of FHN Hospice.

To honor his life a Funeral Mass was held 12 noon Friday, January 20, 2023 at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon, Illinois. Visitation was from 10 am – 12 noon Friday, prior to the Mass at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon. Law Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. A visitation was also held in Westchester, Illinois 10 am – 12 noon Saturday at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, followed by a committal service at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.

Larry was born February 1, 1936, in Elgin, IL, the son of John and Gladys (Van Dusen) Meyers. He grew up in Burlington, IL, where he graduated from Burlington Central High School with the class of 1954. He excelled as an athlete and a student, earning his way to the University of Illinois, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. During his time at the University of Illinois, Larry played collegiate football and served in the United States Army National Guard.

He then began his educational career, joining District 92 ½ of Westchester, IL. He began his career teaching physical education, English, history, and health. After eight years of service as a teacher, and after earning his Master’s in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University, Larry embarked on his storied career as an administrator; which included 13 years as Middle School Principal, 13 years as K-8 Principal, and two years as Assistant Principal.

When a person’s personality, skill set, and drive intersect perfectly with a career path, beautiful results take shape. Something to which those who were fortunate enough to work alongside, or study under the direction and leadership of Principal Meyers, can attest to this day. “He just relates so beautifully with people and has such instincts for his job as principal – he’s just such a natural,” his former superintendent once said. Larry just knew how to reach people; students, parents, and teachers, alike. He flooded those in his world with respect, love, and appreciation. He was a true leader and a role model who made the education of our youth his personal mission in life.

For 28 years, Principal Meyers organized 8th grade graduation trips to Washington DC which he would enthusiastically lead. His students knew to follow the man in the red flat hat, as they made their way through our historic capital. Once after witnessing a student help a fallen student to his feet, Principal Meyers coined the school slogan, “Winners pick up, losers put down.” He was the kind of man who saw greatness in his students, and wasn’t going to let that greatness go unfulfilled.

Larry brought the same integrity and leadership into his home. On June 28, 1980, Larry married Mercedes (Joyce) Schmieder and they brought together a blended family of six children. He was a loving patriarch and a noble husband and father. Larry was a creative story teller while always offering an incredible sense of humor. He was a member of St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon, Illinois.

Larry will be dearly missed by his wife, Mercedes of Lake Carroll; six children, David (Clara) Meyers of Phoenixville, PA, Lisa (Greg) Dick of Mabank, TX, Mike Schmieder of Shannon, IL, Dan (Sharon) Schmieder of Glen Ellyn, IL, Gayle (Jerry) Jegglie of Lisle, IL, and Bob Schmieder of Lake Carroll; two former daughters-in-law, Gloria Schmieder of Shannon and Holly Schmieder of Tampa, FL; 18 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, John and Gladys.

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