Obituaries

Lena

Toni R. Reed, 58

Toni R. Reed, 58 of Lena, IL passed away on January 3, 2024 at FHN. She was born on March 30, 1965 at Dr. Boeke’s office in Winslow, IL to Bob and Karen (Bauer) Johnson. She married Dave Reed on November 7, 1981 at the Lena Methodist Church and together they raised a family. She kept busy throughout the years. She worked at Gilley’s Supperclub in her younger years where she had a lot of fun and made friends. She also spent many years babysitting nieces and nephews and became like a second mother to them. The past 18 years she was a devoted caregiver for the elderly.

Toni enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, crocheting, baking, watching 49ers play, genealogy, and sight-seeing. She enjoyed memorable trips to Florida, Colorado, Minnesota, and Salem, MA. She will be greatly missed by both family and friends.

She is survived by her boyfriend Todd Lloyd; children- Randy (Amanda) Reed, Nicole (Justin) Hesselbacher, Samantha Reed, Dylan (Jordyn) Reed, and Erik Huerta; mother- Karen Johnson; sister- Brenda (Rod) Hale; grandchildren-Preston, Sidney, Beau, Liv, Bram, Jada, Max, Ethan, Clairissa, Aurora, Wyatt, Baby Reed due in July, and Vae; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Bob Johnson; grandpa and grandma Bauer, grandpa and grandma Johnson, Aunt Janice Truax and Connie Bauer, and nephews Christopher and Raymond Love Jr.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation rights have been accorded. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Rick L. Baber, 67

Rick L. Baber, age 67, of Lena, IL passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at home. He was born in Freeport, IL on April 20, 1956 to the late James and Judith (Downs) Baber.

Rick was a 1974 graduate of Stockton High School. He was a member of United Auto Workers and numerous avian organizations. Rick worked for Kelly Goodyear for 32 years and Titan Tire for 12 years. He enjoyed fishing, turkey and pheasant hunting, and golfing. He was an avid Chicago and U of I sports fan. He also enjoyed Nascar and attended many races. Rick loved his dogs and never went without one.

He is survived by his sister, Sally (Tom) Priola of Rockford; his brothers, Greg (Lynn) of Monmouth, Todd (Kim) of Lanark, and Andrew (Jodie) of Mt. Horeb; his nieces, Ashley, Natalie (Garren), Margaret (Mark) and Elizabeth; his nephews, Jarret (Brittany), Jacob, Matthew, Wyatt, Kamden and William; his cousin, Deb Huso and numerous other cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and many aunts and uncles.

Services will be held at a later date. Interment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Stockton

David Julius, 56

David Julius, 56, of Stockton, IL passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. David was born on July 6, 1967 in Freeport, IL to Donald and Gloria (Lewis) Julius. He was a 1985 graduate of Stockton High School. David received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Western Illinois University. On May 8, 2004, David and Alysson Fisher were united in marriage at Trinity United Methodist Church in Freeport.

David spent most of his career in sales. Most recently, David worked in manufacturing at V&V Supremo Foods in Browntown, WI, which he loved. He enjoyed traveling with his family, especially to Gulf Shores, AL and to the little cabin in Virgnia, IL. He could be found doing renovation projects around the house, golfing with his friends, or fishing. David was a devoted father, quick-witted, and an all-around jokester.

David is survived by his wife Alysson of Stockton, their children; Austyn (Alivea) Menefee of Freeport, Dayton and Delaney Julius, both of Stockton, his mother; Gloria Julius of Stockton, sister Jolene (Jim) Jones of Stockton, mother-in-law; Vicki Kleckler of Lena, brother-in-law; Andy (Cathy) Fisher of Toledo, OH, father-in-law; Terry Fisher of Schapville, niece; Lindy Fleharty of Stockton, nephew; Ryan (Alivia) Fleharty of Stockton, and many great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Donald Julius and his father-in-law Terry Kleckler.

A celebration of life is going to be held around David’s birthday later this summer. Cremation rites have been accorded. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Randy D. Schultz, 65

Randy D. Schultz, 65, of Stockton, passed away at the SSM Health Hospice Home in Monroe, WI on Sunday, January 7, 2024. Randy was born on October 11, 1958 to Chester and Lois (Broge) Schultz. He was a graduate of Warren High School.

Randy was a very talented man. He could engineer just about anything. He would see something, find the problem, and fix it. No details were ever left unturned. He was a gifted woodworker, and welder. He owned his own welding business. Randy enjoyed being outside, and tinkering on his farmette.

Randy is survived by his two daughters; Lindsay and Rachel, sister Susan (Danile) Finifrock, brother-in-law David Fernstaedt, and special friends Mark and Tonya Heller.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Vicki Fernstaedt.

Per Randy’s request, no services will be held. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Cedarville

Gary L. Rote, 85

Gary L. Rote, 85, of Cedarville, IL, passed away at home, Thursday January 4, 2024, with his family by his side. He was born September 13, 1938 in Monroe, WI to William H. and Helen (Bellville) Rote. On June 28, 1958 he married Marlene Wild at Stavers United Methodist Church in rural Monroe. Gary started farming at a young age, which started with hogs as a 4-H project and later progressed to various livestock, dairy and crops.

He was a member of First Free Methodist Church in Freeport, IL. Gary’s memberships and affiliations also included the Illinois Holstein Association, past member of the Buckeye Mutual Insurance Board, past board member of the Orangeville Community Bank, and past President of the Stephenson County Holstein Association. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers. Gary found great joy in watching the wildlife out his back door. He always was a great supporter for the Stephenson County Fair. Most of all, he enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids participate in their many activities including sports, music and showing cattle.

He is survived by his wife Marlene of Cedarville; five children Wendy (John) Korth of Freeport, IL, Shelly (Tom) Moyer of Davis, IL, Brian (Lori) Rote of McConnell, IL, Darcy (Mark) Thompson of Geneva, IL, and Brandon (Courtney) Rote of Davis, IL; siblings Richard Rote and Donna (Rote) Schluesche both of Monore, WI; sister-in-law Shirley Wild of Winslow, IL; and thirteen grandchildren Becky Korth, Elizabeth (Heath) Wales, Amanda (Garet) Ballard, Benjamin (Brandy) Korth, Laura (Derek) Erwin, Matthew (Jessica) Moyer, Carley Rote, Crystal (Mitchel) Stites, Carson Rote, Dalton (Christine) Thompson, Victoria Thompson, Alexis Rote and Samantha Rote; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Ronald, and brother-in-laws Walter Schluesche and Robert Wild.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. Monday January 8, 2024 at First Free Methodist Church, 2157 W Cardinal Dr, Freeport, IL 61032, with Rev. Don Jamerson officiating. A visitation was held Sunday January 7, 2024 from 12:00-4:00 P.M. at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. Burial will be at Cedarville Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in Gary’s memory. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Freeport Hospice and the private nurse that gave Gary great care during his final weeks.

Belmont

Tammy R. (Ohms) Scott, 64

Tammy R. (Ohms) Scott, 64, of Belmont, WI, formerly of Scales Mound, IL, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024, at home.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 11th at the Scales Mound Methodist Church. Burial is in the Scales Mound Twp. Cemetery.

Tammy was born on August 18, 1959, in Hazel Green, WI, the daughter of Herman L and Carol M. (Wills) Ohms. She was a graduate of Scales Mound High School, the class of 1978. She was united in marriage to Bill Scott, on September 29, 1979, at the Scales Mound United Methodist Church, and the family farmed for many years near Shullsburg. They later divorced.

She enjoyed fishing and spoiling her grandchildren. Tammy was employed at Farm and Fleet in Platteville, WI for the past 20 years.

Surviving are her three children, Angela Heinze of Dyersville, IA, Laura Scott (Richard Reyes) of Madison, WI, and Alex (Jaime) Scott of Shullsburg, WI; her five grandchildren, Leah, Chloe, Avery, Tyler and Will; her mother, Carol Ohms of Scales Mound, IL; her sister, Monica (Danny) Pope of Mt. Morris, IL; nieces and nephews; and her former husband, Bill Scott.

She was preceded in death by her father, Herman, and a special friend Dino.

Online condolences may be left for the family at http://www.millerfhed.com