Obituaries

Pearl City

Michael A. Strohecker, 76

Michael A. Strohecker, age 76 of Pearl City, IL, passed away at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford on Monday, February 12, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born May 15, 1947 in Freeport, IL; the son of Harry and Nadine (Bussian) Strohecker. He was a 1965 graduate of Pearl City High School. Mike married Karen Werkheiser on September 23, 1966.

He retired after 33 years with the Illinois Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance. After retiring he was a school bus driver for Pearl City School District for 15 years and enjoyed his bus route kids. Mike was a member of New Vine Community Church of Lena, IL and the Pearl City Lions Club. He also served on the Pearl City School Board. He loved whitetail deer and turkey hunting with his son and grandson and special friend, Brad McWorthy. He loved fishing and spending time in the Wisconsin Northwoods, and recently took annual summer fishing trips to Canada. He loved playing cards with friends, scratch-off lottery tickets and spending time mowing lawns in the summer on his prized John Deere.

He loved going to breakfast and playing a round of golf with “the guys” and going on drives with his Corvette Club friends. He has been a life-long Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packer fan and especially enjoyed the Lambeau Field tour with his family a few years ago. Mike had a keen eye for spotting a coin on the roadway and much to his family’s dismay, would often pull over to pick up the penny or dime. He was a devoted grandfather and he enjoyed spending time with them and special granddog, Scout.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Karen Strohecker of Pearl City; his mother, Nadine Strohecker of Freeport, IL; son, Daniel (Ann) of Freeport; daughter, Amy (Jeff) Johnson of Pearl City; 4 grandchildren, Drew (Taylor) Strohecker of Freeport, Alyssa (Jacob Pittner) Johnson of Rochester, MN, Delanie (Nick) Anderson of Cedar Rapids, IA, Hailey (Jacob VenHuizen) Johnson of Normal, IL; brother, Mark (Andrea) Strohecker of Hayward, CA; and special sister and brother-in-law, Jake & Connie Geerts, as well as nieces, many cousins and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Jr. and mother-in-law, Ruth Ashpole, and nephew Brian Markel.

A visitation was held on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Zion Community Church in Pearl City. The funeral service was Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. also at the church, Pastor Doug Carroll officiated. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.

A memorial fund has been established. http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Shannon

Lois E. Cheeseman, 99

Lois E. Cheeseman, age 99 of Shannon, IL, passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Oakley Courts in Freeport, IL. She was born May 10, 1924 in Forreston, IL; the daughter of John and Henrietta (Reintz) DeVries. She married Emerson Cheeseman on November 28, 1940; he died on February 24, 2009.

Lois was a lifetime member (78 years) of Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon and helped out with the Lions Club. She enjoyed baking, eating out with friends, playing cards and games, and bowling. She loved holiday gatherings where family would share stories, laugh, and remember special times.

She is survived by her son, Jay Cheeseman of Shannon; daughters, Carol (Don) Larson of Freeport and Diane (Wayne) Mead of Sun Prairie, WI; daughter-in-law, Jan Cheeseman of Fort Meyers, FL; 9 grandchildren, Rod (Lisa) Bass, Angela (Steve) Chang, Jennifer Mead, Melissa (Chad) Linzmeyer, Krista (Brett) Rainwater, Kara (Shawn) Conley, Joshua Cheeseman, Wendy Domino, and Rori (Jamie Pfile) Schrader; 14 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Phyllis West of Lakeland, FL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Emerson; son, Lynn; daughter-in-law, Quayla; sisters, Mildred Vietmeier and Gladys Ludewig; and brother, Paul (Leone) DeVries.

The funeral service was held on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon, IL with a visitation before the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Lanark

Alison May Miche, 59

Alison May Miche, of Lanark, IL, passed away Sunday, February 11, at Pinecrest Community in Mt. Morris, IL. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 16, at Lanark United Methodist Church. Visitation was from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday at the church, as well as one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Sabin Church Cemetery.

Alison was born on November 30, 1964 to Lila and Lester Miche and made the world a better place for all who knew her. She was fortunate to participate in a variety of early childhood programs, which enriched her ability to learn. She then attended Elroy Open Door Pre-School for two years before attending Southside Special Ed school as part of Freeport Public Schools and was guided by many teachers who continued to push her to reach her potential.

After graduation, she started a 40-year career at Rolling Hills Progress Center in Lanark. As Gordon Jones Assisting Living Center was being constructed, she became excited about having a new home in Lanark. She was the second resident there. During her 37 years in residence there, she continued participating in Special Olympics track and field events, swimming, snow shoeing, basketball, bowling, and softball. She remained talented and competitive most of her life. Alison was a member of the Lightning Bugs 4-H club which allowed her to participate in the Carroll County Fair for seven years. She remained a fan of the Chicago White Sox and the Dallas Cowboys.

She loved her church life and was a member of the Lanark United Methodist Church, and loved to sing hymns, especially the choruses. She never let the fact that she had Down Syndrome stand in her way of living life to the fullest. Growing up on a farm magnified her love for animals, especially cats, dogs and cattle.

Alison will be dearly missed by her mother, Lila Miche; two brothers, Richard Miche, and Leland (Linda) Miche; one niece, Kendall (Sergio); two nephews, Spencer (Megan) and Hunter; one grandnephew, Mateo; one uncle, Colin (Marie) Kingham; two aunts, June Goodwin, and Cheryl Bullock; one aunt in-law, Gwen Kingham; and 11 cousins, Nigel Rowen, Lloyd, Aaron, Michael, Bridget, Helen, Peter, Nicholas, Michelle, and Richard. Alison is preceded in death by her father, Lester; her uncle, Stan; her Uncle in-law, Ken; and her nephew, Patrick.

Warren

Victoria L. Schoville, 72

Victoria L. Schoville, 72, of Warren, IL, formerly of Monroe, WI, passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI with her family by her side. Vicki was born on June 22, 1951, in Freeport, IL to Margery Watson. She grew up in the Lena Winslow and Warren area with her grandparents. Vicki married Stephen Schoville on April 30, 1976, and together they raised a family.

She retired after 30 years at Kelly Springfield in Freeport, holding various positions with her final position being a final finish tire inspector. After retirement, she pursued her passion of caring for elderly people, working at Aster Assisted Living in Monroe, WI. She also helped at the Country Store on Highway 69 S in Monroe for many years.

In Vicki’s younger years, she spent numerous summers on the Ross and Ione Bonjour farm. She loved going on family vacations, especially to Estes Park, CO and Branson, MO. Vicki loved going to the casino, especially Ho Chunk in Madison, and Windcreek in Alabama. She enjoyed coloring and playing games on her tablet. Vicki was an avid collector of Native American antiques. She loved gardening, going for long rides, but most of all, loved spending time with her family, friends, and pets.

Vicki is survived by her husband Stephen, five children; Michelle (Benny) Zeciri, Cheri (Shane) Story, Todd Schoville, Brandi (Merl) Busch, and Chad Schoville, grandchildren; Brandon, Sara, Samantha, Shelby, Sydney, Chaz, Troy, Briana, Xander, and Zaidin; 16 great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; sister Debbie (Fritz) Balles; brother Sheridan (Twyla) Watson; beloved dog Chloe; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, her grandparents George and Dolly Watson, a great-granddaughter Emmrie; and her three beloved dogs, Yukon, Cody Bear, and Baby Girl.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren. A visitation was from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday, February 16,2024 at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren. Jack Stites, a close family member, officiated the services. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren.

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

Judith “Judy” A. Shaw, 76

Judith “Judy” A Shaw, age 76, of Warren, IL passed away peacefully at the SSM Health Hospice Home in Monroe, WI on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.She was born on July 24, 1947 in Freeport, IL to Delvin and Gladys (Ritter) Jones. She attended Warren High School and was a 1965 graduate. Shortly after graduating she married the love of her life Duane Shaw on December 18, 1965, at the Warren United Methodist Church in Warren, IL. Judy spent her younger years raising her 2 children. Once her youngest went to school she got a job at Wagner’s insurance in Warren, IL where she remained for the next 20 years. She then went on to serve as an Administrative Assistant at US Bank until her retirement.

Judy was a member of the Warren United Methodist Church for many years of her life. She taught bible school for nearly 40 years and was part of the Rebekah Circle. She was also a long-time member of the Warren Lions Club where she held various positions at the local and state level. She was even the very first female District 1-D Governor in Illinois. During her time in the Lions, she became a big advocate for an organization called Leader Dogs for the Blind who raised and trained dogs for the blind. She eventually became the Illinois chair for them as well. Throughout her life she and her family would take yearly trips up to Gays Mills, WI to go to all the apple orchards. In her free time, she enjoyed crafting, gardening, and most of all loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband- Duane Shaw of Warren, IL; Son- David (Tami) Shaw of Janesville, WI; 4 grandchildren- Cameron and Ian Shaw and Savannah and Nathan Bliss; and brother- Mark (Carol) Jones of rural Warren, IL.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, and daughter – Deanna (Todd) Gillette.

The family would like to thank the SSM Hospice Home and Staff in Monroe, WI for all their care and compassion they have shown during this time.

Funeral Service took place at 11:00am on Friday, February 16, 2024, at the Warren United Methodist Church in Warren. With a Visitation from 9:30 am until time of service. Pastor Matt Smith officiated. Burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren.

A memorial has been established in her name memory for Leader Dogs for the Blind Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Winslow

James “Jim” Franklin Jackson, 85

James “Jim” Franklin Jackson age 85 of Winslow, IL passed away at SSM Hospital in Monroe, WI surrounded by his family on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. He was born on July 2, 1938, in Sutton Braxton, West Virginia to Blondie and Oma (Prunty) Jackson. He married Shirley Babb on February 27, 1968, in Freeport, IL. He worked 30 years at Kelly’s and retired in 1999. James enjoyed bowling, fishing, golfing, and going to the Q Casino. If you knew Jim, you knew he loved telling stories and was very observant. One of his favorite things to do was going camping at Lake Le-aqua-Na and the Lena KOA with his family.

He is survived by his wife Shirley of Winslow; three sons- Michael (Stephanie) Jackson of Orangeville, Thomas Jackson of Monroe, and Brian Jackson of Monroe; grandchildren- Jamie Jackson, J.R. (Elizabeth) Jackson both of West Virginia, Sabrina (David) Adams of Beloit, WI, Skylar Jackson of Orangeville, Trinity Jackson of Monroe, WI; great-grandchildren- Tristen (Nicole) Terrell, Kyara Jackson, Jacob Jackson, and Sophia Jackson all of West Virginia; two sisters- Liz and Mary; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

James is preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Jessie; 2 children- Oma and Gary Jackson; 6 siblings; and numerous in-laws.

Funeral Service took place at 11:00am on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Cramer-Leamon Funeral Home in Orangeville, IL. With a Visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service. Pastor Luis Delaney officiated. A private family burial will take place at Sunset Acres in Orangeville.

The family would like to thank the staff at SSM Health Monroe Hospital for the care they had shown over the last week during Jim’s time there.

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