Obituaries

Lena

Tammy Wybourn, 51

Tammy Wybourn, 51, of Lena, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 2, 2023 while at SSM Monroe Hospital after a valiant and courageous fight against cancer.

Tammy was born in Freeport, Illinois on October 5, 1971 to Jim and Diane Burke. Tammy married the love of her life, Darin Wybourn, on June 16, 1990 in Lena. Together, Tammy and Darin were blessed to become parents of two incredible children, Nick and Cassie. In addition, Tammy was a loving and caring grandmother and was fondly referred to as Grandma Tammy to Nick's children, Collyns and Bowman. Tammy loved her family fiercely and was extremely proud to be a wife, mother, and grandmother. She and Darin enjoyed camping, riding around town and on trails in their ATV. Tammy was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and attended Chicago Bears training camp for many years. Additionally, she found joy in watching her children's sporting events and Cassie's dance competitions over the years. Anyone that knew Tammy also knew how much her miniature Daschund, Mandy, meant to her. Mandy was always included as part of the family on greeting cards, in family photos and even on answering machine messages. Tammy was truly someone who prioritized family above everything else.

Tammy was most recently employed by Lena-Winslow school district as a paraprofessional in the elementary building. She enjoyed working with the students and was a revered friend to many in the school district. Tammy also meticulously took care of the bookwork for Darin and Nick's construction business.

Tammy is survived by her loving and dedicated husband, Darin, along with their son, Nicholas (Deidre) Wybourn and their cherished children, Collyns and Bowman all of Lena and Cassidy (Zachary) Zaruba of Madison, Wisconsin. She will forever be missed by her parents, Jim and Diane Burke along with her brother, Terry (Sherry) Burke and their children Carter and Camden all of Lena. In addition, Tammy leaves behind many treasured memories by Darin's parents, Darryl and Faye Wybourn and Darin's siblings, Lori (Doug) Robieson, Rhonda (Mike) Phillips, Dana (Robin) Wybourn, all of Lena. Tammy was also a special aunt to several nieces and nephews on Darin's side of the family.

The family would like to thank the staff at SSM Monroe Hospital, including the doctors and nurses in the oncology department and all of the prayers, love given by friends and family during Tammy's journey. We are/were overwhelmed by all of the people that reached out in support. Tammy truly touched innumerable lives and was a blessing to all who knew her.

Upon arriving in heaven, Tammy has been reunited with her grandparents, Delmar and June Burke and Willard and Evelyn Millam, her nephew, Andrew Hillman, uncle, Russell Millam and her cherished dog, Mandy Jo.

Memorial services were held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 6, 2023 at the Freeport First Free Methodist Church, 2157 W Cardinal Drive, Freeport, IL 61032. Visitation was from 9:30 AM until time of service. Pastor Don Jamerson officiated the service. Cremation rites have been accorded.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Stockton

Shirley I. Hintz, 87

Shirley I. Hintz, 87 passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at her home in Stockton, IL. She was born on April 9, 1935, to John and Florence (Dunifer) Lashbrook in Charleston, IL. She attended Atkinson High School and graduated in 1952. She worked in the banking industry until 1960 and then worked at Atwood’s in Stockton until 1978. In her retirement she purchased Valley Vu Motel in Stockton. In 1953 she married Rondle V. Castle and had 2 children Katherine I. and Rondle P. Castle, in 1960 she married Gerald L. Yeager and had 2 children John K. and Cynthia M. Yeager and in 1982 she married Russell “Sam” Hintz.

Shirley is survived by 4 children; Katherine (Matt) Gray of Oregon, IL, Rondle (Joanne Haubrick) Castle of Prescott Valley, AZ, John (Cheryl) Yeager and Cynthia (Hal) Tucker both of Stockton, IL. 8 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 12 step great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews. Sister Pauline Paxton of Stockton, and Sister-in-law; Dorothy Lashbrook of Red Oak, IL.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Husband Sam, 5 brothers; Benjamin, Lona, Junior, Kenny, and James Lashbrook, 3 sisters; Rosetta Smith, Barbara Smith and Roena Morgan, great granddaughter; Chloe Davis, step-grandchildren; Kyle Tucker and Justin Blanchard, and step-great grandchild; Kash Tucker.

Funeral services were at 11:00 AM on Saturday February 4, 2023, at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL Visitation was held from 10:00 AM until time of service. Officiating was Pastor Keri Rainsberger. Burial will take place at Lena Burial Park.

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

LaVonne Eileen Schrader, 81

LaVonne Eileen Schrader, age 81, of Stockton, IL passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Monroe Hospice Home. She was born at home in JoDaviess County on March 10, 1941 to the late Lorenz and Augusta (Eacker) Beyer. LaVonne married Robert Schrader on August 20, 1961 at Derinda Lutheran Church.

She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Stockton. LaVonne graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1959. She had worked at Burgess Battery, Western Newell, Structo, Micro Switch, as a waitress at several restaurants, and a cashier and night manager for Sullivan Foods in Stockton. She also sold Avon for over 30 years. LaVonne enjoyed playing cards, flowers, gardening, morel hunting, birds, cooking, baking, reading, watching tv and traveling. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

LaVonne is survived by her companion and special friend, Lee Michael of Freeport; her son, Douglas Schrader of Tomah, WI; her daughter, Deborah (Richard) Hawk of Gregory, MI; her grandchildren, Derek Hawk, Nicole (Eric) Biehl, Faith Schrader and Cyrus Schrader; her great grandchildren, Micah, Malachi, Asher, Silas, Evangeline, Adelynne, Kennedy, Savannah and Easton; her brother, Russell (Linda) Beyer of Elizabeth; her sister, Twila (Richard) Reusch of Elizabeth; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Dennis; her sisters, Dorothy and Iva Mae; and her brothers, John, Allen, LeRoy and Ronald.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Warren

Dennis Lee Schultz, 68

Dennis Lee Shultz was born to Lester and Sophie Shultz in Warren, Illinois, on June 22, 1954. He was the third child to be born at home, weighing in at 13 pounds! That must have been quite the feat for his 45 year old mother! Dennis joined two other siblings: Donna Mammoser who was 18, and Duane (Pat) Shultz who was 9 years old. Dennis put many long days in on the family farm in Warren. When he wasn’t hauling water to the house, or milking cows, or attending school, he was playing football. He was proudly a star football player for the Warren Warriors all four years of high school; he would often relive every minute spent on the field!

Just before graduation in May 1972, he met 14 year old Ruby (Johnson) Shultz of Lena, and it was love at first sight – at least for Dennis. Rumor has it that Ruby was eventually won over by his bright red ’72 Comet GT. This was just the beginning of the greatest love story ever told.

Dennis and Ruby were married in March 1974 at the United Methodist Church in Lena; their firstborn Stephanie (Shultz) Cochran was born later that same year. Stephanie is Dennis’ “original little grease monkey” as she spent her preschool years “working” with her dad at Shoemaker’s Implement in Lena, IL., where Dennis worked as a mechanic for 12 years. Dennis and Ruby’s “middle child” Sheila (Shultz) Mikesell joined the happy family in 1980 and was always a mama’s girl. Jedediah Shultz, the only boy, rounded out the family circle in 1982 and was born with a wrench in his hand. Jed often woke up early so he could go to work with his dad.

In August 1984, Dennis was given the opportunity to start his own farm implement business, and he jumped at the chance. Skid Steer Specialties was born and became the premiere sales and service skid-steer business in the area for over 38 years! Even during this very busy season of life, Dennis found time to volunteer for the Lena Fire Department from 1989-2014, including 12 years of service alongside his son, Jed. After Dennis officially retired from Skid Steer in 2005, Jed and his wife Malissa continued the family business, and his son Ike joined after his graduation. Dennis spent much of his retirement years hanging out with Ruby at Café 217 which they purchased together in 2012. He enjoyed not only creating delicious smoothies, but also making sure everyone had a smile on their face by the time they left with their morning latte and nutteroo.

Over the years, the family tree continues to grow! Stephanie and Grant Cochran of Alaska have three adult children who also enjoy life in Alaska: Oliver and Cheryl Cochran with son Theodore, Nevyn and Sarah Cochran with “little rutabaga” on the way, and Phoebe Cochran with fiancé Jesus Cisneros who will be married later this year. Sheila and Mike Mikesell and two of their adult sons, Jaedon and Parker Terhaar live in the area while Mitchell and Kyleigh Mikesell live in Wisconsin with their twin girls Kora and Kenlynn. Jed and Malissa Shultz also live in the area with their six children: Ike Shultz with Maya Curtis, Izaiah Shultz, Hadlea Shultz, Preston Shultz, Brycen Shultz, and Ryan Shultz.

Even during cancer treatment, Dennis continued to spread light and cheer wherever he went. He never understood why all the nurses enjoyed hanging out in his hospital room during their breaks. He attributed his stubborn strong will-to-live to his heritage: “I’m half German, a quarter Swiss, and a quarter Irish. That means I’m a fighter!!” Truth be told, Dennis did continue to fight all the way through his finish line! He came home from the hospital Tuesday evening, spent precious hours surrounded by family, and took his final ‘river crossing’ very peacefully early Wednesday afternoon.

Dennis was proceeded in death by his parents, Lester and Sophie Shultz, and he leaves many loved ones behind including his loyal canine companion “Sofie.” Because of Dennis’ trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, we know this is not the end; because of the resurrection, we have the promise of seeing Dennis again someday! Please join us for a visitation at Leamon’s Funeral Home, Thursday, February 9, from 4-8:30pm. Also, there is a Celebration of Life at the Lena Fire Department, Friday, February 10, at 1:00pm.

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