Obituaries

Stockton

Mariam Adel Blair, 96

Mariam Adel Blair, age 96, of Stockton, IL passed away Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Allure of Stockton. She was born in Rural Stockton on April 5, 1927 to the late Leland and Florence (Parker) Pierce. She married Morris Blair on May 15, 1948 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Stockton. Morris passed away on December 16, 2016.

Mariam attended the country schools in the area and graduated from Stockton High School with the class of 1945. She then went on to attend Dekalb Teachers College. Mariam was a very active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Stockton where she taught Sunday School, sang in the Choir, and belonged to the Women’s organizations. She was a hardworking, supportive farm wife. She loved needlework, sewing, quilting, reading and playing the piano. Most importantly, she supported her family with all their sports and activities.

Mariam is survived by her daughter, Beth (John) Mueller; her sons, Curt (Linda) Blair and Brett Blair; her grandchildren, Jeremy (Pat) Blair, Matthew (Rebecca) Mueller, Jason (Sheila) Evans, Anna (Bobby) Evans, Arnold (Jamie) Evans; and her brother, Max Pierce. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Tad; her granddaughter, Lacey; her sisters, Elizabeth Herring, Edith Bauer and Linda Lloyd; and her brother, Bud Pierce.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Stockton at 11:30 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. 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.

Robert (Bob) Schiess, 94

Bob, age 94, died on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Winn Prairie in Freeport, IL. He was born on July 27, 1929 to Jacob and Ellen (Fels) Schiess on the farm in McConnell, IL. He was the youngest of 8 children. At age 2 his parents moved to a farm in rural Gratiot, WI, where he attended and graduated from the old White School. He married Beverly March on September 6, 1953 at St. Ann Church in Warren, IL. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Six children were born to them; Scott, Tracy, Janis, Kerry, Todd and Brian.

Bob served in Korea during 1952 and 1953 with the 1169th Combat Engineer Group, reaching the rank of Sgt. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, UN Service medal and the Korean War Service Medal given as thanks from the Korean Government.

Bob loved classic country and polka music and was a great dancer. He and Bev could be found at Turner Hall in Monroe, WI on Sunday afternoons dancing with their many friends. The barn on the farm was always rocking with polka music. Upon retirement they visited every state in their motor home and bought a small home in Mesa, AZ, spending winters there for many years. He loved to travel; four times to Europe, twice to Alaska and three times to Hawaii.

Bob was a good man, good husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, farmer and friend. He was always a farmer at heart and loved his farm in Stockton where he lived and worked for 30 years, bringing up his family there. He raised purebred Holsteins and was one of the top milk producers in the area at the time.

He is survived by his wife, Bev; children, Tracy Heidenreich of Elizabeth, Janis (Greg) Thoren of Stockton, Kerry (Cindy) Schiess of Byron Center, MI, Todd (Laila) Schiess of Concord, CA, and Brian (Michele) Schiess of Lanark; he was also very proud of, and loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Nathan and Aaron (Sara) Heidenreich, Neil and Julia Thoren (Ben) Blair, Kelly, Jody (Aedan) Gardill, Shannon Schiess and Anna (Quincy) Bollone, Zoe (Kam) McDonnell, Zachary Schiess, Travis (August) and Devin Schiess, also great grandchildren, Anna Blair, Brynn and Thomas Heidenreich and Scout Schiess; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Scott in 1972; his parents; 3 brothers; 4 sisters; and son-in-law, Loren Heidenreich.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton with a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Elizabeth

Barbara Ann Revenaugh-Garcia, 65

Barb was born on December 8, 1957, welcomed into the world in Lake Forest, Illinois by her recently wed parents; Helga Just Revenaugh and Robert Revenaugh.

Despite their origins in a small apartment, young Barb showed great interest and talent at riding and caring for horses. In the early 1970’s, the family moved to the sleepy little town of Barrington, Illinois. There, Barb built new friendships, most of whom shared her passion for horses. She was a successful student in school, but was increasingly drawn to competitive horse riding. Her favorite pony was a pinto paint named “Trigger”, whose companionship stayed with her forever.

In her high school years, she traveled abroad to Germany, meeting her maternal family. Upon graduating from high school, Barb attended Harper Community College, earning an Associate’s degree. Later, she attended Northern Illinois University, earning her Bachelor's Degree in the still green beginnings of Computer Sciences.

In the early 1990’s Barb moved to the farm in Elizabeth, Illinois where she helped Bob and Helga transition out to the area. Barb and Dale Spoerl would eventually have a child together; Dana Spoerl. Barb wholly devoted herself to raising Dana. Barb made her permanent home in nearby Massbach, Illinois, with her second husband, Arthur Garcia.

Barb loved to laugh, particularly at the absurdity of mundane life. She was a very sensitive being, who sought strange and wondrous aspects of life most others would not notice. She cared deeply about her many pets, including dogs, cats, horses, and birds. Barb loved music and those who performed. She never lost her passion for caring for horses and had a unique connection with the natural world around her.

She is preceded in death by Helga Just Revenaugh and Robert Revenaugh. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Dana Spoerl, her husband, Arthur Garcia, and her brothers Jim Revenaugh and Markus Revenaugh. Her absence will be felt by the many friends she loved so passionately.

A private celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 30th at 3PM to 5PM. Contact [email protected] for details.

Orangeville

Marlis F. Bass, 82

Marlis F. Bass, age 82 of Orangeville, IL, died Saturday September 2, 2023 at SSM Monroe Hospital. She was born on April 19, 1941 in Red Wing, MN, the daughter of Fred and Wilma (Benfer) Buehler. She graduated from Orangeville High School in 1959. Marlis married Paul D. Bass on April 5, 1963 at Stavers United Church of Christ. She farmed her entire life with her husband. She was a member of Stavers United Church of Christ, she enjoyed quilting, gardening and yard work, going to her grandkids sporting events and lived for the Cubs.

She is survived by her children: Terri Bass and Scott (Julie) Bass both of Orangeville; grandchildren: Steve (Cattrina O’Haver) Bass of Orangeville and Raegan (Josiah) Visel of Lena, IL; siblings: Phyllis (Joe) Almburg of Lake Delavan, WI, Don (Bev) Copoulos of Fountain Hills AZ; and Nancy Bender of Freeport; many nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Richard Lopp and Stephen Buehler; sister, Delores Towle.

A Memorial service was held at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at Stavers United Methodist Church with Reverend JoAnne Meyer officiating. Burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery. A visitation was held from 9:00 am Thursday until the time of service, at the Church. Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family.