Obituaries

Lena

Betty Raders, 101

Betty Raders, 101, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born April 8, 1921 in Lena, IL to Oliver and Grace (Wichman) Schulz. She graduated from Lena High School in 1939. She married Francis Raders on June 5, 1939. They farmed all their married life outside of Lena, on Mound Road; after retirement she moved to Lena.

Betty also did hair out of her house, and was a part time hairdresser at the nursing home. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and the Kent Home Extension. Betty was an avid sports fan. She loved fishing, sewing, and traveling, especially to their cabin in Castle Rock, and with daughter Jill and her husband on various vacations in the West. Betty hosted “Thirsty Thursday” at her house for over 10 years for family and friends.

She is survived by 4 children; Sharon (Bob) Schlachter of Lena, IL, Tana Herman of Lena, IL, Jill Lance of Anaheim Hills, CA and Mark (Lora) Raders of Belleville, WI. Daughter-in-law; Jeannie Raders of Lena, IL. 11 grandchildren; Jeff Raders of Freeport, Craig (LeeAnn) Raders of Lena, Tracy (Franci) Raders of Nebraska, Leca Mathews of Mesa, AZ, Todd (Lorrie) Schlachter of Lena, Dawn (Kurt) Hastings of Mauston, WI, Deanna (Rich) Drye of Florida, Stacey (Dan) Knoup of DesMoines, IA, Lane (Sonya) Herman of Dodgeville, WI, Amanda (Andrew) Lessman of Lena, Tyler (Lesli) Raders of Lena, 21 great-grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded by her husband Francis; sister; Virgina Groezinger, brother; Allen Schulz, son; Terry Raders and great grandson; Colton Drye, and sons-in-law Bob Herman and Tom Lance.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 PM on Monday, February 13, 2023 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL. A visitation was from 10:00 AM until time of services at the funeral home, on Monday, February 13, 2023. Pastor Thomas Mosbo officiated the services. Burial will be at Lena Burial Park in Lena, IL.

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

Warren

Judith “Judy” K. Smith, 80

Judith “Judy” K. Smith, 80 of Warren, IL formerly of Lena, IL passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in Freeport, IL. She was born January 22, 1943, in Lena, IL to Allen and Mary Jane (Lyons) Fox. Judy married Robert Smith on June 30, 1968, at the Nora Church.

In her free time, she enjoyed snowmobiling in Wisconsin, riding around on the ATV, and giving her beloved cats tons of love.

Judy is survived by her husband Robert Smith of Warren, IL; 3 children- Brenda (Mark) Warren of Rockton, IL, Duane (Terri) Lutz of Pell Lake, WI, and Bob (Tammy) Smith Jr. of Hanover, IL; 8 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, twin brother Jerry (Sharon) Fox of Lena, IL, brother Bob (Mary Ann) Fox of Bloomington, WI and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Per Judy’s wishes no services will be held. Cremation rites have been accorded.

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

David Lee Cobb, 61

David Lee Cobb, age 61, of Warren, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at SSM Health in Monroe, WI, with his family by his side.

Dave was born on July 22, 1961 in Lincoln, IL to Ronnie Cobb and Leilani (Pate) Suddeth. He attended Lena-Winslow High School until 1978, when he decided school wasn’t for him and left to explore life. Shortly after he met Marlene (Dascher) Randall and together had 3 children- Josh, Jake, and Jenny. Trucking was his passion, he started with over the road days, and there were many he STILL told until this day. During his many years at Solace Transfer he transitioned from driving to dispatching. He always reminded his drivers that there wasn’t a story that they could tell him that he hadn’t already used on his dispatchers while he was driving. He finished his career in brokering where he could run his mouth and get paid for it!

In 2001, he married Darla Hastings, who was the love of his life. Together they spent 21 years loving their blended family and living life.

Dave truly enjoyed summers at the lake with friends that became family to him, morel hunting every spring, where he may have had a run in or two with the cops for trespassing, buying guns, even if he was never going to shoot them, and playing bingo or gambling in any form. He loved auctions and was always a sucker for a good deal whether he had a use for it or not. He loved taking the scenic route anywhere while not having to have a destination in sight. He loved his Tuesday night AA Meetings that helped in his years of sobriety.

Dave’s favorite thing was being the cool grandpa to his grandchildren.

Dave is survived by his wife Darla of Warren, his children; Josh Cobb of Orangeville, IL, Jake (Rachel) Cobb of Orangeville, IL, and Jenny Cobb of Freeport, IL, step-children; Erica Stocks of Monroe, WI, Mitchell (Stephanie) Stocks of Orfordville, WI, grandchildren; Brynlee, Brecken, Braelyn, Aubrey, Emery, Brior, Onyx, and Hudson, siblings; Doug Cobb, Rhonda (Bob) Bankes, Christy (Roger) Grenoble, Stacey (Jeremy) Goostree, step-mother Cheryl Cobb, beloved dog Hank, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and his mother, his grandson Brooks Stocks, and his brother Jeff Cobb.

A visitation was from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, IL. A celebration of Dave’s life was at 6:00 PM at Route 20 Bar and Grill in Freeport, following the visitation. Cremation rites will be accorded.

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

Monroe

Layne “Wolfer” L. Griffin, 69

Layne “Wolfer” L. Griffin, 69, of Monroe, WI passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Wolfer was born on August 17, 1953, to Janette Davidson. He married Betty Heike and together they raised two boys: Chuck and Mike Griffin. In 1988, Wolfer met the love of his life, Wilma Euler, and together they shared 34 years. Wolfer was a tree trimmer. He was also a junker, where all the area salvage yards knew him by name. If you didn’t know Wolfer when you first met him, by the time you were done talking, you were lifelong friends.

Wolfer and Wilma enjoyed camping together, they were the first campers to camp at the Backyard Campground in Gratiot, WI. He had a sweet tooth; he loved candy bars and Dr. Pepper. Wolfer also enjoyed his Old Milwaukee Red’s, Pall Malls, beef jerky sticks and dancing. He enjoyed working on cars, watching enduro races, the boy’s demolition derby’s, stock car racing, and NASCAR.

Wolfer is survived by the love of his life, Wilma Euler of Monroe, WI, his sons; Chuck (Lisa) Griffin of Apple River, IL and Mike (Melissa) Griffin of Browntown, WI, step-son; Travis (Kelly) Euler, grandchildren; Jessica and Lucas Griffin, Charles and Dayinera Griffin, Bob Vandiver, Noah and Nikki Davis, Degan and Bentley Euler, six great-grandchildren, sister Vicki Griffin, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Apple River Event Center, in Apple River, IL. A celebration of life followed the services at the Apple River Event Center, until 4PM. Pastor Roger Bronkema officiated the services. Cremation rites have been accorded.

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

Stockton

Damon R. Friedlein, 47

Damon R. Friedlein, age 47, of Stockton, IL passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at FHN Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 17, 1975 in Fort Leonard Wood, MO to the late Gordon and Lona (Colson) Friedlein. Damon married Aimee Wise on February 17, 1995 in Galena, IL.

When Aimee met Damon at a winter retreat in 1993, she was not impressed by the guy with a chip on his shoulder. It didn’t take long for Aimee to see past Damon’s hard shell, and the rest is history. They welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Linzy on May 30, 2001. Unfortunately, Linzy passed away on October 16, 2020.

Damon enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, 4-wheeling, video games, music and movies, especially Marvel movies and horror flicks. He could grill with the best of them, from black hotdogs to whole turkeys. Damon was a fun spirit and was always willing to try something at least once. If he didn’t like it, he would remind you often, ask Aimee about her first apple pie. He was always willing to give a helping hand and often said he didn’t have friends, only family, and he meant that.

Damon is survived by his wife, Aimee Friedlein; his sister, Angie Adams; his best friend and brother at heart, Louie Loeffelholz. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents; and his daughter, Linzy.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 6:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 4:00 p.m. Damon requested that everyone please wear something green in honor of him. A celebration will take place following the service at the Corner Tap in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.