Obituaries

Shannon

Clare Yackle, 96

Clare Yackle of Oakley Courts, Freeport, and formerly Lake Carroll, went to her heavenly home on May 13, 2023 at the age of 96.

Clare was born on April 16, 1927 to George Clifford and Mildred LaRosh Lloyd. She attended both grade and high school in Spring Hill, KS, where she met her future husband, Norman Yackle.

After high school graduation Clare moved to Kansas City, MO to attend business college. For five years she rode across town in a streetcar and worked as a private secretary. Norman served in the Coast Guard during this time, and then earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas University. The couple saw each other on weekends to attend football games, dance to big name bands in Kansas City, and to spend time in Spring Hill with their parents. Clare and Norman were married on June 25th, 1950, in Spring Hill United Methodist Church. That fall, Norman attended the University of Iowa to earn his master’s degree, and Clare worked in the Old Capitol building as secretary. They enjoyed their time in Iowa City, attending many college basketball and football games and theater presentations, and sneaking onto the golf course to play golf.

Clare and Norman moved to Shannon in 1951, where Norman was hired as a coach and teacher. The first year there, Clare was secretary to the superintendent. They were parents of four children, Michele, Mike, Mary and Marcy. In 1982 they moved to Lake Carroll, IL, where they enjoyed going on nature walks and spending many hours on the golf course. In June 2000, Clare and Norman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by friends and family. Clare was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and kept up with their activities with great interest.

Clare was a long-time member of Shannon Bethel United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Women, the Shannon American Legion Auxiliary, the Lake Carroll Ladies’ Golf League, and the Lake Carroll Red Hat Society. For years after her husband died, Clare organized a Relay for Life team called “Stormin’ for Norman”.

She is survived by her brother Merrill (Joan) Lloyd, sister in law LeEllen Lloyd, three daughters, Michele (Mark) Horner of Shannon, Mary (Tim) Berryhill of Stockton, IL, and Marcy (C.T.) Campbell of Luray, VA, son Mike (Linda) Yackle of Crystal Lake, IL, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Rachel (Kelcey) Brackett, Ben (Elisa) Horner, Derek Berryhill, Rose (Jake) Stoecker, Nick (Jessica) Yackle, Norman (Kelsey) Yackle, and Monica Campbell. Also surviving are five great-granchildren, Arys and Dell Brackett, Isla Horner, and Piper and Penelope Yackle.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Norman, brother George and sister-in-law Rosemary Lloyd, sister Betty and brother-in-law Glenn Kappelman, brother Damon, and grandson Richard Berryhill.

A visitation was held on Tuesday, May 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon. The funeral was held Wednesday, May 17 at 10:30 am also at Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon, with Pastors Brenda Norris and Dawn Barr officiating. Burial will be held in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.

A memorial fund has been established for Shannon Bethel United Methodist Church.

Freeport

Sally Jo Fluegel, 65

Sally Jo Derenski Fluegel, 65, of Longmont, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, after a fall at home.

Sally Jo was born in Freeport, Illinois, on February 1, 1958, to Thomas F. and Joan (Baxter) Derenski. She was a 1976 graduate of Freeport High School and received her nursing degree from Highland Community College in 1981.

Sally loved the outdoors and enjoyed scuba diving, snowmobiling, and boating. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, friends and her cat, Malibu.

Survivors include her significant other John Koscianski of Longmont; two sons: Bradley Virtue of Denver, Colorado, and Adam (Andrea) Virtue of Wellington, Colorado; two grandchildren: Layla Virtue of Longmont and Austin Virtue of Wellington; one brother, James Derenski (Carol Drummet), of Freeport, Illinois; two sisters: Rebecca (James) Kerchner of Freeport, Illinois, and Astasia Kumpf (Peter Van Ronk) of Lakewood, Colorado; three nephews: Ben Houghton, Travis Houghton, and Kiowa Kumpf.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents.

There will be a celebration of life in Loveland, Colorado, at a later date.