Obituaries

Loran

David Duane Kloepping, 71

David Duane Kloepping, age 71, of Loran, IL passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at his home. He was born on March 26, 1952 to the late John and Leanella (Piper) Kloepping. David married Kathleen Schroeder. Kathleen passed away May 26, 2002.

David was a 1970 graduate of Lanark High School. He farmed his whole life and enjoyed hunting in his spare time.

He is survived by his son, John Kloepping of Loran, IL; his daughter, Crena (Jason) Hamilton of Freeport, IL; his brother, Michael (Mary) Kloepping of Menasha, WI; his nephew, Christopher (Katie) Kloepping of German Town, WI; his niece, Sarah Kloepping of Green Bay, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

A visitation was held on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Hermann Funeral Home in Pearl City from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Cherry Grove Cemetery in Lanark. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Lena

Norman E. Wybourn, 92

Norman E. Wybourn, 92, of Lena passed away on March 23, 2024 at the Lena Living Center surrounded by his family. Norman was born on February 9, 1932 in Lena to William and Doris (Schubert) Wybourn. He married Janice Ferguson on June 14, 1951 in Lena. Norman worked at R.E. Cox Construction for 52 years.

He was a 51 year member of the Midwest Operating Engineers Union. Norman enjoyed hunting, gardening, his dogs – especially Suzy and spending time with his family.

Norman is survived by his four children - Willamette Wilson of Lena, Terry (Rhonda) Wybourn of Dekalb, IL, Noreen Steinmann of Monroe, WI, and Leigh Ann (Norman) Knoll of Lena; nine grandchildren - Jamie (Heather) Wilson, Jayson (Lisa Bauer) Wilson, Sara (Marty) Bauer, Amy (Chad) Barger, Aaron (Darci) Steinmann, Shawn (Kerri) Steinmann, Corey (Samantha) Steinmann, Angie (Chris) Brinker, and Eric (Brittany) Knoll; twenty-two great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren with one on the way; two brothers: Darryl (Faye) Wybourn of Waddams Grove and Robert Wybourn of Lena; sister Dixie (Terry) Althoff of Waddams Grove and special friend Donna Ruch of Monroe.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Janice in 1998, son-in-law Larry Steinmann; three brothers- Duane, Harlan, & William; and four sisters-in-law - Darla, Joyce, Carol, and Lucille Karnatz.

Funeral Service was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena with a visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Jason Shaw officiated. Interment will take place at the Lena Burial Park.

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

The family would like to thank the Lena Living Center staff and Unity Hospice staff for their care and support.

Hanover

Marianne “Whalen” Murphy, 82

Marianne “Whalen” Murphy, age 82, passed away peacefully at home in the loving care of her family, Sunday, March 24, 2024 after an extended illness. A Funeral Mass was held 11am Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hanover. Visitation was from 9:30 - 10:45am, prior to the Mass.

Marianne was born on May 23, 1941, in Savanna, Illinois, to Leo and Ester Whalen. She graduated from Hanover High School in 1959, where she met the love of her life Gerald Murphy.

Following her graduation, she pursued nursing at St. Anthony's School in Rockford and in 1964, Marianne and Gerald were married.

Initially working at Galena Hospital, Marianne later transitioned to a full-time role at Whistling Wings, alongside her father Leo and brother, Bill Whalen. While she missed nursing, Whistling Wings continued to thrive and it became her passion and an integral part of her family and who she was. Marianne dedicated herself to the family business for over 50 years, right up until her health declined in 2023.

Deeply rooted in her community, Marianne loved her parish, St. John’s in Hanover and loved spending time fishing at Apple Canyon lake. However, her greatest joy was by far her children and grandchildren, of whom she treasured dearly.

Marianne was an avid supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes, she rarely missed a game. Whether attending in person or watching on TV, she loved the Hawkeyes. She was thrilled when her daughters and several of her grandchildren attended the University of Iowa.

Marianne had a quality that made others feel special. If you were lucky enough to cross paths with her, you know.

Marianne is survived by her daughters: Moira (Greg) Brunk of Chicago, Illinois, and Monica "Moni" Klippert of Hanover, Illinois; her five grandchildren: Jack Brunk, Matthew (Payton) Klippert of North Liberty, Iowa, Mary-Kate Brunk of Chicago, Illinois, Madeline Klippert, and Leo Brunk. She is also survived by her brother, Bill (Sue) Whalen of Hanover, Illinois, sister, Cathy Eisenhofer of Iowa City, Iowa, and Sister-In-Law Paula Wolff Whalen of Chicago, Illinois.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Murphy, parents, Leo and Ester Whalen, as well as her brother, Wayne Whalen, and sister, Barbara (Don) Houseman.

Lanark

Mary Louise Morgan, 95

Mary Louise Morgan, of Lanark and rural Mt. Carroll, loved being a Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Great-Great Grandma. Her life was full, and she was thankful, her smile gave it away! At the age of 95, Mary passed away peacefully in the loving care of her family and Allure Nursing Center in Mt. Carroll on Friday, March 22, 2024.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11am Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Lanark Church of the Brethren, Lanark. Visitation will be 10-11am Saturday, April 27, prior to the service at the Church. A luncheon will follow the service. Memorials may be made in her honor for local charities.

Mary was born October 27, 1928 in Fairhaven Township on the family farm, the daughter of William and Liota (Heide) Janssen. She grew up learning commitment, sacrifice, and a strong work-ethic. As a young girl she helped with farm chores and learned to can and preserve all types of food, lessons that she carried into her adult life. Mary attended Fairhaven Country School and is a 1946 graduate of Chadwick High School. On November 15, 1947, Mary married George Morgan. They raised three children, Mick, Sandy “Vicki” and Bill. “As Mom she was our biggest supporter, trusting us, teaching us discipline, protecting us, and always being generous.”

Mary and George bought a farm in rural Mt. Carroll in 1961. She enjoyed farm life. She also worked as a Beautician for forty-five years. Her days were filled with “doing hair,” raising her kids, cooking, canning, butchering chickens, picking black raspberries, baling hay, and even plowing the fields. Her kids fondly remember Mom’s famous Chili, Apple Dumplings, and Cherry Pudding Cake.

In 1975, Mary and George began travelling in their motorhome visiting Florida or Texas each winter. They always liked meeting friends, bowling and square dancing. She loved watching birds and would study them, sharing her love for them with her grandchildren. Mary and George celebrated fifty-six years of marriage until George’s passing in May of 2004.

Mary and George had already bought a home in Lanark, so Mary moved from the farm and became an Eastland Cougar Super-fan. She attended as many sporting events as possible. It kept her excited, often watching her grandchildren and their friends play sports. Over the last three years, Mary lived at Allure of Mt. Carroll. She appreciated the love, care and community that was shared with her. She was a member of the Lanark Church of the Brethren for many years.

Mary will be dearly missed by two sons, Michael “Mick” Morgan of Chadwick and Bill Morgan of Akron, Ohio; a daughter, Sandy “Vicki” Sweitzer of Lanark; eight grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; three great-great granddaughters; a brother, Richard (Nancy) Janssen of Sterling; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Janssen of Chadwick. Mary is preceded in death by both parents; her husband, George; and a brother, Jack Janssen.

Elizabeth

Irene G. Havens, 94

Irene G. Havens, of Elizabeth, IL, passed away Tuesday, March 26, in her home with her family by her side. Funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth. Visitation was from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ladies Union Cemetery, Stockton.

Irene was born on the family farm in Stockton on November 30, 1929, daughter of Levi and Hilda (Krupke) Smith. She was the oldest of six, and spent a lot of time on the farm helping with chores and taking care of her younger siblings. Irene met the love of her life, Clyde Havens, at the Structo Toy Factory in Freeport, IL, where they both worked. They hit it off right away, and the rest was history. Irene and Clyde married on November 28, 1964. Together they raised six children, and celebrated 52 beautiful years of marriage until Clyde’s passing in 2016.

Irene worked hard her whole life. She worked at the toy factory for 20 years before quitting to raise her family. During this time she started selling Avon, which she continued for 20 years. When the kids where old enough to go to school she became a cook, and worked all over Jo Daviess County for many years. Later in life Irene took a step back so she could babysit her grandchildren more and more, which she absolutely loved.

Irene is known around the area for raising Chihuahuas. She loved the little dogs, and always had a pet dog of her own while her kids were growing up. In her spare time Irene enjoyed tending her garden and looking out at her flowers. She sewed ripped clothes for her family, and made all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren quilts and blankets.

At the center of Irene’s life was her family. She was a proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She cherished the time she got to spend with her grandchildren, and loved them deeply, but Irene missed Clyde greatly for these last eight years. She wanted her family to take comfort knowing she is now hand in hand with her husband again.

Irene will be dearly missed by her seven children, Sharon (Terry) Cross of Orangeville, IL, Terry (Jenny) Havens of Hanover, IL, Sherri (Ken Spoerl) Havens of Hazel Green, WI, Bonnie (Adam Brant) Patterson of Scales Mound, IL, Connie Havens of Elizabeth, Rena (Doug) Smith of Galena, IL, and Clydene Olson of Hanover; 23 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and one on the way, and 8 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; and three siblings, Robert Smith of Warren, IL, Elvin (Loralee) Smith of Lena, IL, and Kathryn Duitsman of Freeport.

Irene is preceded in death by her loving husband, Clyde; her daughter, Sylvia; her brother Leroy Smith; her sister Alice Tipton; and her parents, Levi and Hilda.