Obituaries

Pearl City

Gary Lee Townsend, 79

Gary Lee Townsend, aka Hotdog, age 79, of Pearl City, IL passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at OSF St. Anthony Hospital in Rockford, IL. He was born in Stockton, IL on August 18, 1944 to the late James and Verneil (Bohnsack) Townsend. Gary married Betty Myers on October 24, 1964 and together they had four children.

Gary could often be found in his shop fixing up old cars. He could build and fix anything, including turning the back end up of an old car into a sofa. Gary knew someone everywhere he went and loved to chat. He also enjoyed flying remote control airplanes and helicopters.

He is survived by his daughter, Jodi (Rob) Nieman of Pearl City; his sons, Tim Townsend of Pearl City, Daniel (Tracy) Townsend of Pearl City and Jason (Terri) Townsend of Mt. Carroll; his grandchildren, Nikki (Andy) Nolan, Kyle (Shelby) Nieman, Courtney Tucker, Seth Townsend and Keaton Townsend; and his 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, George, Robert and Edward.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 2:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Townsend Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Stockton

Mae (McPeek) Grebner, 91

Mae (McPeek) Grebner, age 91, of Stockton, IL passed away Thursday, September, 14, 2023 at home. She was born February 4, 1932 in Stockton to the late Robert and Elsie (Wixson) McPeek. She married Clyde Grebner on July 26, 1953 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Stockton. Clyde passed away April 3, 1992.

She graduated from Stockton High School in 1950 and from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Freeport in 1953. She was employed as a Registered Nurse for 41 years, working at Freeport Memorial Hospital, Sojourn House, Good Samaritan Nursing Home and the N.I.A.A.A Home Health Care of JoDaviess County.

She was a member of Freeport Memorial Hospital Alumni Association, Registered Nurses of Northwestern Illinois, the Stockton Women’s Club, and Wesley and Cedarville United Methodist Churches. Mae will be remembered for her zest for life, her sense of humor, and her strong faith in God. Mae enjoyed traveling, craft shows, movies, shopping and reading, but her passion was the Christmas season and all of the activities it encompassed.

Her memory will be cherished by her daughter, Jerilyn (Craig) Gaffney of Elizabethton, TN; her grandchildren, Stephen Miller, Erin (Chad) Miller Stafford, Lindsey (Zack) Harris Baker and Zachary (Nickolette, Gabe and Tay) Harris; her great grandchildren, Rowan Mae Baker, Steele Harris Murri, Cole Leon Stafford, Teagan Leigh Stafford, Emma Oliva Miller-Barrios, Quinn Teri Baker and Jade Jeanne Baker; her sister, Betty Hook of Stockton; her nephew, Donn Hook of Burbank, CA; her son-in-law, Scott (Marcia Bouray) Harris of Cedarville, IL; and special family friend, Gretchen Oestreich. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clyde; her daughter, Teri (Grebner) Harris; and her sister, Beth.

A visitation was held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A private burial will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established.

Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Lena

Kristie Kay Kendall-Flynn, 75

Kristie Kay Kendall-Flynn passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 with family by her side. Kristie was born to Charles and Zoella Kendall on May 15, 1943. She was raised in Marshalltown, Iowa where she spent time roller-skating, babysitting her sister Connie’s kids, and growing up with the “much shorter” Kathie and C.D. Kendall (i.e., Tom Selleck clone). Upon graduating from Marshalltown High School, she got the job of her dreams as a flight attendant for American Airlines based out of Los Angeles.

One day in June she opened the door of her apartment and instantly fell in love with a blonde haired midwestern boy named Mick Flynn. They dated only 3 months and were married in 1965, eventually settling in Marshalltown where they raised their family. Their home at 109 North 17th Street was filled with love, laughter and their kids; friends and various animals. She then became a Dental Assistant and worked there for a number of years.

She loved watching Lawrence Welk, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. When the soap opera, All My Children was tragically canceled, she found comfort in the daily drama of General Hospital which she watched faithfully until her passing.

For the last seven years she has enjoyed line dancing in Monroe. She and Mick have spent endless hours working with the church doing various ministries. They also loved playing cards together in the Four Seasons Room and drafting their teams for Fantasy Football. Her love for God, her husband, and others is unrivaled. Kristie lived for her family and traveled wherever was needed to see them.

She is survived by her loving husband Mick Flynn of Lena, her son Shawn (Wendy L.) Flynn of Colorado, her daughter Holly (Brent) Chrisman of Lena and her daughter Wendy S. (Michael) Arnold of Massachusetts. She is also survived by her younger sister Kathie (Delwin) Perry and their three children, Shannon, Traci and Jody, and her younger brother C.D. (Dot) Kendall and their two children, Chad and Jamie. Her love and strength will be missed by her eight grandkids, Layton, Dylan, and Kendall Flynn; Ty and Kade Chrisman; and Aiden, Bradie and Sammie Arnold. Additionally, she will be missed by her three great grandkids, Josie, Brighton, and Brody Flynn.

Kristie is preceded by her parents Charles (Zoella) Kendall and her older sister Connie (Don) Lyman.

It must be noted that Kristie was a faithful friend and all of us who knew her were blessed. We will desperately miss her love, servant’s heart, sense of humor, dancing at get-togethers, yodeling, caramel brownies and peanut butter balls.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Kristie’s name.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 22, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church of Lena. A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Evangelical Free Church of Lena. A private family burial and luncheon will be held following the service.

The family would like to give a special thanks to their extended families, friends, church family, Lena-Winslow Schools and community for their many prayers and tremendous support.

In addition, the family would like to thank the doctors, staff, and hospice team at the FHN Memorial Hospital for the excellent care given to Kristie and her family during her last days with us.

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