Obituaries

Lena

Roger W. Lobdell, 81

Roger W. Lobdell, 81, of rural Lena, IL, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 the angels came to take Roger home, where he was welcomed by loving family members including his baby grandson Jacob.

Roger was born on December 21, 1941 to Emmerson and Helen (Wagner) Lobdell in Freeport, IL. Roger graduated from Lena-Winslow High School in 1960. He married Mary Miller, his high school sweetheart, on June 25, 1961 at Amity Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Upon returning from a western honeymoon, they moved to the family dairy farm where they farmed and raised five wonderful kids. Roger taught the kids about animals; you only raised animals to eat or sell, no horses or ponies, but a dog was the exception. He also stressed the importance of school.

In Roger’s younger years he was very active in 4-H, a charter member of the Lena-Winslow FFA, school band and summer band. He loved his grandchildren, and attending all of their events; track, softball, football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, fundraisers, cheering, showing 4-H and FFA projects at the local and state fairs, civil war reenactments, and anything that had to deal with 4-H and FFA. Roger enjoyed helping his son Tyler at auctions and he also enjoyed going to auctions. Farming, gardening, and woodworking were very important to Roger. He planted sweetcorn with his grandchildren’s help, where they were often found riding on the planter with grandpa.

Roger attended the Lena Free Evangelical Church in Lena, IL. He was a member of the Lena Historical Society, the FFA Alumni, and the Stephenson County Farm Bureau.

Roger is survived by his wife Mary of almost 62 years, their children; Tim (Brenda) Lobdell of Freeport, IL, Troy (Barb) Lobdell of Darlington, WI, Tyler Lobdell of Lena, IL, Gretchen (Tom) Kempel of Shannon, IL, and Abigail Bower of Lena, IL, grandchildren; Shane (Micki) Lobdell, Cassidy Lobdell, Courtney (fiancé Noah Wolff) Lobdell, Austin (fiancé Hayley Peacock) Bower, Casey (Morgan) Lobdell, Hannah Kempel, Emma (Scylor Sanzebacher) Bower, Rebecca Kempel, Carson (Morgan Black) Lobdell, Ellie Bower, Sarah Kempel, and Alyssa Kempel, great-granddaughter; Carrie Lynn Lobdell, step-granddaughter; Sadie (Justus) Dascher, and step-great-grandson; Zeke, brother-in-law; Bill (Barbara) Miller, cousins; Alice (Mike) Omelusik, Mary Klitzke, Neal (Kris) Wagner and Karen (Brad) Otterson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Emmerson and Helen Lobdell, his in-laws; Don and Edna Miller, grandson Jacob Bower, Son-in-law Dan Bower, daughter-in-law Amanda Lobdell, aunts, and uncles Harold (Dorothy) Wagner, Carl (Jennie) Mantzke, Wilson (Ardith) Lobdell, and cousins David Wagner and Dwight Klitzke.

Roger was a very proud dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He was always there to support and help, and in the last few weeks they all returned their help and support. Grandpa Roger will be deeply missed, he’s leaving a big void in all our lives, but we rejoice in knowing that he went with the angels.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 14, 2023 at the Evangelical Free Church in Lena. A visitation was from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Evangelical Free Church in Lena. Pastor Scott Wilson officiated the services. Burial will be at Lena Burial Park in Lena, IL.

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

Stockton

Milo T. Boyer

Milo T. Boyer, age 87, of Stockton, IL passed away Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Lena Living Center. He was born in Freeport, IL on December 17, 1935 to the late Allen and Isabelle (Mammoser) Boyer. He graduated from Stockton High School in 1953.

Milo was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Stockton American Legion. Milo farmed his whole life. He served as Nora Township Trustee. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling out west and going on motorcycle trips.

Milo is survived by his sons, Dennis (Kris) Boyer and Andrew (Mary) Boyer; his daughters, Lorraine Boyer and Crystal Boyer; his grandchildren, Steven Boyer, Tracy Boyer, Jared (Kirsten) Boyer and Travis (Ali) Boyer; and his 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Allen; and his sister, Joyce.

A private family service will be held. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Warren

Alvin Dale Sigafus, 98

Alvin Dale Sigafus, 98, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, departed this life to be a part of the Heavenly Family on Saturday, April 8th, 2023, just in time to celebrate his first Easter sunrise service with his Lord. He was born September 21, 1924 at home on the farm of his parents, Ed and Nellie (Metcalf) Sigafus. He attended the country school at Rush, graduated from Warren High School, received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University and the Master of Divinity Degree from the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the University of Dubuque.

He married the love of his life, Phyllis Coad, on September 29, 1945. During their 70 years of marriage they were a wonderful example of a Christian couple. He began his ministry serving the Rosedale and Pardeeville Presbyterian Churches in Wisconsin starting in June of 1951. His next pastorate was at Villisca, Iowa in 1955. From there the family moved to Effingham, Illinois in 1964, where he was called to help build a new church. Starting in January of 1970, he served his longest pastorate of 17 years, at Harrison, Ohio. In 1987, he accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church in Savanna, Illinois and retired on July 1, 1991 on the 40th anniversary of his entering the ministry.

Following his retirement from the ministry, he and Phyllis volunteered with the Northwest Hospice of Jo Daviess County, sang and traveled with a group called the JOY (Just Older Youth) Singers throughout the Southeast in singing tours, and started the Good News Club which ministers to the area’s youth. They moved to Phyllis’s childhood home and Alvin turned the property to a showplace for the area by using his love of nature and gardening to produce gorgeous flowers and amazing vegetables that he shared with their friends, neighbors and church family. They remodeled the home, which was hard work, but made it their “heaven on earth” that they enjoyed throughout their years. His love of music showed throughout his lifetime, including singing duets with his beloved wife.

Alvin is survived by his four children: Lydia Hurst of Apple River, IL, David Sigafus of Kenosha, WI, Ann Schmid of Nashua, NH, and Becca Sigafus of Muncie, IN; two children-of-the-heart Ray Roberts and Denise Baker; grandchildren Rachel Fogg, Claire Kohlmann, and Joel Schmid; and great-grandchildren Nathan and Jacob Fogg, Caroline and Andrew Kohlmann, along with his twin brother Allen Sigafus, and his many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his dear wife, parents, sister Ruth (Orville) Hess, and brothers Bob (Viola) and Roy (Helena) Sigafus and sisters-in-law Kay Sigafus and Loretta Sigafus.

Cremation Rites have been accorded. A celebration of life service will be held during the last weekend of July 2023. In honor of Alvin please consider donating to The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, or any program that supports the spreading of God’s word through charity or mission work (such as distribution of Bibles, etc.)

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Milledgeville

Craig Wolf, 67

Craig Wolf, 67, died in his home on April 10, 2023. Craig was born on February 21, 1956 in Sterling, IL to Orville & Elzora (Short) Wolf. He was raised on the family farm, graduating from Milledgeville High School in 1975. He married Barbara Davis on June 1, 1974 at the Milledgeville United Methodist Church. Craig was always hard at work as the co-owner of Wolf Trucking with his dad and brother Bill, hanging drywall with his brother Dan, and spent the last 15 years of his life working for Pearl City Elevator. You may have seen him occasionally waiting tables, pouring coffee, or mingling with customers at The Coffee House for several years.

To know Craig is to know his quick-witted humor, strong-willed nature (some might call it stubbornness), and his quirky smirk when he inevitably proves you wrong about something. His desire to embrace the simple things that come with life was contagious and had the ability to bring any person in his company down to Earth. He enjoyed his morning coffee, spending time at his shed, riding UTVs, and playing cards. You could always find him at one of his children’s or grandchildren’s sporting events, supporting his family.

Craig is survived by Barbara; daughters Lindsay (Steve) Buss of Lena, IL, Kelly (James) Patterson of Dubuque, IA, Brittany Wolf (Shance Siegeler) of Amarillo, TX; grandchildren Alexa Buss (Marcos Vega), Marissa Buss (Jason Drake), McKenna & Presley Patterson, and Shane Siegeler; brothers Bill Wolf of Milledgeville, IL, Dan (Sherry) Wolf of Byron, IL, and sister Deb (Randy) Vos of Sterling, IL; and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, grandson Mason, brothers Alan & Orville Jr., and sister-in-law Ruth Wolf.

Visitation was held from 4:00-6:00 pm on Friday, April 14, 2023 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. A brief service followed the visitation at 6:00 pm at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. Shance Siegeler officiated the service. Cremation rites have been accorded. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

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